title: [Value of medical treatment of cancer of the kidney].
abstract: Renal carcinomas have a very variable natural history and are generally not very sensitive to medical treatment particularly chemotherapy. The response rates obtained in metastatic cancer with various drugs and combinations do not exceed 15% for a duration of response of several months. The most effective drugs are vinca alkaloids such as vinblastine. Over recent years, interferon has been tested in this type of tumour with discordant results reported in the literature. However, it seems that by using high doses of the order of 15 to 20 million units per m2, three times a week, the response rates are of the order of 20% for a duration which may be as long as one year in responding patients. In combination with vinblastine, some authors have obtained response rates of the order of 40%. Treatment is especially effective in the case of lymph node recurrence or small lung metastases. It is of no value in cases of visceral, bone or hepatic dissemination. It is frequently poorly tolerated systemically because of the high doses administered and it is expensive. It should therefore be reserved to young patients and to patients with an reasonable life expectancy. In cases of operated renal cancer at risk of recurrence because of local or lymph node spread, no adjuvant medical treatment has yet been proven to be effective.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Mignot
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011372:Progestins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011372:Progestins; D007372:Interferons
vernacular_title: Intérêt des traitements médicaux dans le cancer du rein.