Blog

This is a guest post by Julia Stevens, PharmD, BCOP at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts and a member of the Kidney Cancer Association's Clinical Advisory Board. Julia Stevens, PharmD, BCOP Case Study: Jan's Angelic Voice Got Lost in Kidney Cancer Treatment My patient Jan was a vibrant 60-something year old woman diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The first time I…

This blog post has been funded by an educational grant from Bristol Myers Squibb. Immunotherapy has become an important treatment option for many people living with kidney cancer. While these medicines have traditionally been given through an IV infusion, some immunotherapies are now also available as a subcutaneous injection. Understanding how these options compare can help patients have more informed…

This is a guest post by Kevin O'Hanlon, 49, from New York, married to Jane, and together they have four sons. Kevin O'Hanlon and his family. Life has a way of shifting in an instant—often when we least expect it. My journey with kidney cancer began not with pain or alarming symptoms, but with something far more routine: my annual…

This is a guest post from Dr. Bradley C. Leibovich, immediate past Chair of the Kidney Cancer Association's Board of Directors. Dr. Leibovich is the David C. Utz, M.D., Professor of Urology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota, a consultant in the Department of Urology at Mayo Clinic, and serves as the Medical Director of the Center…

The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) is pleased to announce Eric A. Singer, MD, MA, MS, FACS, FASCO of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. The board unanimously confirmed his appointment during the November 2025 board meeting.  Dr. Eric A. Singer and Gretchen E. Vaughan with the Ohio State University…

Supporting scientific and medical research is a core pillar of the KCA's mission. We're proud to share our top 10 initiatives from 2025 that are driving discovery, building partnerships, and translating science into patient engagement to shape the future of kidney cancer research. Scientific Advancements Driving discovery and shaping the future of kidney cancer research. 1. New Treatment Strategy for…

This is a guest post by Catherine Yutmeyer, a patient advocate diagnosed with stage 4 chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Catherine attended the Kidney Cancer Association's 2025 International Kidney Cancer Symposium (IKCS): North America, held in Denver, Colorado on November 13-15. She shared her insights, takeaways, and overall experience at the meeting. Five years ago, I was diagnosed with stage IV…

Jessica Cheng, MSN, APRN, FNP-C is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. She practices in the Genitourinary Medical Oncology outpatient clinic, specializing in kidney and bladder cancers. Jessica provides comprehensive longitudinal oncology care, including new-patient and follow-up evaluations, ordering and interpreting labs and imaging, managing treatment toxicities—such as immune-related…

Sweta Patel, BSN, RN, OCN, is a Clinical Trial Nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York. Sweta works with kidney cancer clinical trials and care for patients enrolled in these studies. Her clinical responsibilities include managing and reviewing trials, coordinating patient care, and ensuring that patients receive the best support throughout their participation in the…

Renata Penafiel, PA-C, MPAS, is a Physician Assistant at The James Cancer Center at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. What motivated you to get involved with the KCA? Through my time at the James Cancer Center at OSU, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with physicians who specialize in kidney cancer. This experience has not only deepened my…