Kidney Cancer Report 2025 (NKCA/NATCAN)
The National Kidney Cancer Audit (NKCA), part of the National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre (NATCAN), has published a report on care received by people diagnosed with kidney cancer from 2018-2022 in England, and from 2022-2023 in Wales. It also describes national trends in kidney cancer diagnoses and treatments in England from January 2019 to September 2024, and in Wales in 2022-2023.
82% of patients in England, and 99% in Wales, had a record of being discussed at a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting
The report found that 49% and 54% of people with metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) in England and Wales respectively received initial Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) within 12 months of diagnosis. Data revealed wide variation in provision of this treatment between different NHS Trusts and health boards. The authors identified that there is scope to improve access to SACT for patients with advanced disease, as it can improve quality of life, extend survival, and alleviate cancer-related symptoms.
The percentage of people receiving SACT within 31 days of a decision to treat has declined from 76% in 2019 to 63% in 2022, showing a concerning downward trend. In England, NHS trust-level interquartile range was 57-79%, and notably, no Cancer Alliance achieved the NHS England standard of 96% compliance. Trusts and health boards should identify people with high-risk RCC, and ensure they receive treatment without delay.
This report contains five recommendations that were developed in collaboration with the NKCA Clinical Reference Group, and are based on key findings. Recommendations focus on diagnostics and treatment pathways.
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