Recommendations for the management of advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma: joint consensus statements from the Hong Kong Urological Association and the Hong Kong Society of Uro-Oncology.

INTRODUCTION

Kidney cancer, primarily renal cell carcinoma (RCC), ranks among the top 10 most common malignancies in the male population of Hong Kong. In 2019, members of two medical societies in Hong Kong formed an expert panel to establish a set of consensus statements for the management of metastatic RCC. On 22 June 2021, the same panel met to review recent evidence and reassess their positions regarding the management of advanced and metastatic RCC, with the aim of providing recommendations for physicians in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS

The panel included 12 experts (6 clinical oncologists and 6 urologists) who had extensive experience managing patients with RCC in Hong Kong.

EVIDENCE

The panel reviewed randomised controlled trials, observational studies, systematic reviews/meta-analyses, and international clinical guidelines to address key clinical questions that were identified before the meeting.

CONSENSUS PROCESS

In total, 15 key clinical questions were identified before the meeting, covering the surgical and systemic treatment of advanced or metastatic clear cell, sarcomatoid, and non-clear cell RCCs. At the meeting, the panellists voted on these questions, then discussed relevant evidence and practical considerations.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment landscape for advanced and metastatic RCC continues to evolve. More immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based combination regimens will be indicated for the treatment of metastatic clear cell RCC. There is increasing evidence concerning the benefit of adjuvant ICI treatment for resected advanced RCC. This article summarises recent evidence and expert insights regarding a series of key clinical questions about the management of advanced and metastatic RCC.