In this online CME self-learning program:
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a cancer that is borne and takes root in the nephrons and is responsible for the vast majority – 85% – of all renal cancers. With risk factors that include smoking, obesity, cadmium exposure, older age, and genetics, the five year survival rate of those afflicted with kidney cancer overall is 68%. In part because there are not any clear early symptoms associated with kidney cancer, RCC is discovered predominantly after it has already progressed to advanced stages, with the brain, bones, lungs, and liver serving as some of the most common sites of metastases. RCC’s treatment depends on its stage and size, with surgeryutilized for localized tumors and systemic therapy a mainstay of care for metastatic disease.
RCC has many treatment options, both targeted and non-targeted. The former, including monoclonal antibodies and other forms of immunotherapy, is now a standard of care, although angiogenesis inhibition is also an area of consideration. Emerging evidence is also suggesting ways in which biomarkers and radiographic indicators of response might shape the course of care.
As evidenced by the frequent updating of professional practice guidelines, standards of care have changed and continue to do so rapidly, particularly in the realms of immuno- and monoclonal therapy. In other words, standards of care continue to change at a pace with which it may be difficult for the healthcare provider to keep track. The unique targets of action and side effect of therapies, new and old,speak to a need for clinicians to remain up to date about the ramifications of selecting each agent over an alternative in the treatment armamentarium, as does about what degree of response constitutes treatment success. Because treatment failure is associated with poor outcomes, it is important to select the best initial therapy for each patient.
Agenda
Epidemiology of and risk factors for RCC |
Symptomology and diagnosis of RCC |
Updates in treatment in patients with RCC |
Healthcare professionals specializing in: hematology, oncology, oncology pharmacy, and those who otherwise commonly care for patients with RCC.
Commercial Support Disclosure: This program is supported by educational grants from Novartis.
Release Date: August 04, 2015 -- Expiration Date: August 03, 2017
Faculty: Maxwell Meng, MD
By the end of the session the participant will be able to:
As a provider of continuing medical education, it is the policy of ScientiaCME to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its educational activities. In accordance with this policy, faculty and educational planners must disclose any significant relationships with commercial interests whose products or devices may be mentioned in faculty presentations, and any relationships with the commercial supporter of the activity. The intent of this disclosure is to provide the intended audience with information on which they can make their own judgments. Additionally, in the event a conflict of interest (COI) does exist, it is the policy of ScientiaCME to ensure that the COI is resolved in order to ensure the integrity of the CME activity. For this CME activity, any COI has been resolved thru content review ScientiaCME.
Faculty Disclosure: Maxwell Meng, MD has no relevent financial disclosures.
Disclosures of Educational Planners: Charles Turck, PharmD is an officer and part owner of ScientiaCME, LLC.
Commercial Support Disclosure: This program is supported by educational grants from Novartis.
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