What is the primary treatment for renal cell carcinoma that is considered curative for local disease?

The primary treatment for renal cell carcinoma that is considered curative for localized disease is surgery. Specifically, nephrectomy, which is the surgical removal of the kidney containing the cancerous tumor, is the most effective approach when the cancer has not spread beyond the kidney. Surgery has consistently shown to significantly improve survival rates in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma and is regarded as the standard of care.

While radiation therapy can be used in some cases to manage symptoms or treat metastases, it is not curative for localized renal cell carcinoma. Similarly, chemotherapy has historically had limited efficacy for this type of cancer, particularly compared to surgery. Targeted therapies, which have become increasingly important in the management of advanced renal cell carcinoma, are primarily used in cases where the disease is metastatic and not localized. Therefore, despite advancements in medical treatments, the definitive and curative option remains surgical intervention for localized renal cell carcinoma.