S5 Ep33: Navigating an Advanced Kidney Cancer Diagnosis: Insights from a Genitourinary Cancer Specialist

<div>Meet Dr. Ulka Vaishampayan* – an oncologist and leading expert in treating people with kidney cancer, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC) which is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults.<br> <br> She understands all too well how scary and overwhelming hearing the words “you have cancer” can be for anyone – especially when facing an advanced diagnosis in RCC. In these cases, Dr. Vaishampayan believes that information is power and people can feel better prepared to move forward if they have a support system and strong patient-doctor communication. <br> <br> On today’s episode of the Cancer Horizons podcast, Dr. Vaishampayan shares information that's important to understand about RCC and navigating a diagnosis, key questions patients and caregivers should ask their doctor, and insights into a potential dual immunotherapy treatment option for certain patients.<br> <br> When it comes to making a treatment plan, Dr. Vaishampayan believes in involving her patients closely in the process. “In my practice I tend to explain what options are available to someone, including the pros and cons of each, and I sometimes make a recommendation about a treatment approach if I feel that’s appropriate in their case,” she explains. “I would still explain the reasons for my choice. My intention is that either way it’s a discussion, as it should be a joint or shared decision-making process.”<br> <br> Terry Broussard**, a man who was diagnosed with advanced RCC, also shares advice from his experience. In Terry’s case, his doctor recommended the dual immunotherapy treatment combination <em>Opdivo</em>® (nivolumab) plus <em>Yervoy</em>® (ipilimumab), which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for certain newly diagnosed adults whose kidney cancer has spread (advanced renal cell carcinoma) and have not already had treatment for advanced RCC. It is the first and only combination of two immunotherapies of its kind approved to treat advanced kidney cancer, or RCC.<br> <br> To learn more, listen to the podcast, vi