Onconephrology: Core Curriculum 2023.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Oncology
• Onconephrology

Background:

• Onconephrology addresses kidney disease in cancer patients, encompassing acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, proteinuria, and electrolyte disorders.
• Kidney conditions can stem from cancer treatments (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, CAR T-cells, stem cell transplant) or cancer's direct effects (monoclonal gammopathy, glomerular diseases).
• Cancer risk is elevated in kidney disease patients, especially kidney transplant recipients, necessitating specialized care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of core concepts in onconephrology.
• To highlight clinical decision-making in managing kidney disease in cancer patients.
• To serve as a case-based educational resource for the AJKD Core Curriculum in Nephrology.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and clinical knowledge in onconephrology.
• Case-based approach to illustrate clinical scenarios.
• Focus on decision-making processes for managing kidney-related complications in cancer.

Main Results:

• Identification of key clinical syndromes in onconephrology, including AKI, CKD, hypertension, proteinuria, and electrolyte disorders.
• Elucidation of the multifactorial origins of kidney disease in cancer patients, related to both treatment and malignancy.
• Emphasis on the bidirectional relationship between kidney disease and cancer risk.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of kidney disease in cancer patients requires understanding diverse clinical syndromes and their causes.
• Onconephrology integrates nephrology and oncology principles for optimal patient outcomes.
• A case-based approach facilitates learning and clinical decision-making in this complex field.