Systemic and surgical management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Several targeted therapies have become available for first-line (sunitinib, bevacizumab, pazopanib, temsirolimus) and second-line (sorafenib, pazopanib, everolimus) use in recent years. The superior outcomes achieved with these targeted agents have led to replacement of the formerly administered cytokines. New developments have raised the question of whether patients benefit from sequential therapies with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and/or whether combination regimes can improve clinical outcomes. This review gives an overview of the current therapeutic options for first- and second-line treatment in metastatic RCC as well as sequential and combination therapies. Adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment options are being discussed. Furthermore, this review addresses surgical alternatives in the treatment of RCC.