[Recommendations for the management of kidney cancer in 2025]

The incidence of kidney cancer is rising. It is the 7th most common cancer in men and the 10th most common in women. Diagnosis is based on imaging (thoraco-abdominopelvic computed tomography scan +/- abdominal magnetic resonance) and histopathology. Clear cell carcinoma is the most frequently observed histological subtype. Management of localized kidney cancer involves surgery or ablative treatments. Active surveillance is indicated in the indolent oligometastatic setting with local treatment in case of localized progression. Apart from this specific situation, two first-line therapeutic strategies are recommended in the metastatic setting : a dual immunotherapy regimen or the combination of immunotherapy with an antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Both combinations have demonstrated superior survival outcomes compared to sunitinib, the previous standard of care until 2019. Treatment selection should be individualized, considering the characteristics of the disease (histology, tumour burden, location of metastases and if they are threatening, speed of progression), potential side effects of the treatments, the patient's general health, comorbidities and preferences.