The Role of Multitargeted Therapies in the Adjuvant Setting in Renal Cell Carcinoma

The annual incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is approximately 2% in Europe and this figure continues to rise. This can largely be attributed to greater success in detecting small renal masses (<4 cm). There has been a corresponding increase in the rate of surgical treatment for small tumours. However, earlier identification and radical intervention has not led to a reduction in mortality among patients with RCC. The options for nephrectomy have expanded beyond radical procedures and now encompass laparoscopic techniques that offer potential advantages in both perioperative and postoperative settings. In addition, the introduction of multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors has improved the prognosis for many patients with advanced RCC. This review explores how improvements in surgical techniques and the potential value of using multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the adjuvant setting might provide an opportunity to improve the prognosis of patients with a diagnosis of RCC.