A treatment given in addition to the main treatment (for example, biological therapy as well as surgery) to try to prevent a cancer from coming back. Advanced cancer

Growth of blood vessels. Growing cancers can attract new blood vessels to grow towards them so that they can get their own blood supply. Anti-angiogenic agents

A procedure in which the blood supply to the area of the kidney containing the tumour is blocked, causing it to shrink. Assisted robotic surgery 

Renal cell carcinoma or kidney cancer affecting both kidneys. Biological therapy

Removal of a small piece of body tissue so that the cells can be looked at under a microscope. Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome

A diagnostic test using a mildly radioactive material to see whether the cancer has spread to your bones. [Back to Top]

Tube that is passed into the body to drain fluid. Cells

The use of anti-cancer or cytotoxic drugs to destroy cancer cells. Clear cell RCC

An advanced practice nurse with a graduate qualification; clinical experts in the diagnosis and treatment of illness. Clinical trial

 A subtype of renal cell carcinoma, which develops in the cells that line the collecting ducts in the kidney cortex. Combination therapy