Role of Radiation in Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Initial studies of radiotherapy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) failed to demonstrate significant clinical impact. With the advent of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) that allows for delivery of more effective radiation doses in a precise fashion, radiotherapy has become an essential component in the multidisciplinary management of patients with RCC both in the setting of localized and metastatic disease beyond the traditional role of palliative treatment . Recent evidence has demonstrated high rates of long-term local control (∼95%) when SBRT is delivered to kidney tumors with limited toxicity risks and only minor impact on renal function.