An individualized treatment approach to kidney cancer can benefit patient survival rates, according to a recent study by UCLA researchers.

The study involved nearly 1,500 patients treated for kidney cancer over a 15 year period.  According to researchers, not all kidney cancer patients, localized kidney cancers or metastatic kidney cancers are the same.  The study helps outline a foundation for individualized kidney cancer therapies.

A prime example from the study showed that a low-risk patient with localized kidney cancer could have a very good outcome from surgery alone.  A low-risk patient with metastatic cancer, however, should get an aggressive treatment. In contrast, metastatic kidney disease patients that fall into a high-risk group are unlikely to benefit from treatment, and may want to consider not having surgery or other toxic therapies.

The study was published in the November 1st issue of Cancer.