Quality of life and outcomes after SBRT for primary kidney cancer

Assessment of Quality of Life and Outcomes in Patients Treated With Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for Inoperable Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): A Multicenter Phase II Study

Not applicable Interventional Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · NCT05023265

This trial will test whether stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) helps people with primary kidney cancer who cannot or will not have surgery and how it affects their quality of life.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment70 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT05023265 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a multicenter, single‑arm phase II trial using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to treat medically inoperable or surgery‑refusing patients with primary renal cell carcinoma. Participants receive highly focused, high‑dose radiation targeted to the kidney tumor while sparing surrounding tissues. The study will prospectively record tumor control, treatment‑related side effects, and patients' quality of life over time. Eligibility focuses on adults with localized tumors (generally >3 cm and ≤20 cm) without distant metastases and with ECOG performance status 0–2.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with newly diagnosed or recurrent primary renal cell carcinoma who are medically inoperable or decline surgery, have a primary lesion generally larger than 3 cm (and not exceeding the protocol size limit), no distant metastases, and ECOG 0–2 are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with evidence of distant metastatic disease, primary lesions larger than the protocol size limit, prior abdominal radiation that prevents SBRT, major radiosensitivity syndromes, recent other invasive cancers, or who are pregnant or lactating are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, SBRT could offer a noninvasive treatment that controls the kidney tumor while preserving quality of life for patients who cannot or choose not to have surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous single‑arm series and small prospective cohorts worldwide have reported promising local control and tolerable toxicity with SBRT for renal cell carcinoma, but large randomized comparisons are still lacking.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients ≥18 years old
* Newly diagnosed RCC by biopsy (preferred) or radiologic evidence of growth on surveillance over two consecutive assessments (6-12 months)
* Primary lesion \>3 cm, or recurrent lesion following local ablative therapy
* Medically inoperable or patient who refuses surgery following assessment by experienced urologist, and discussed in a multidisciplinary setting
* ECOG 0-2
* Written informed consent
* Participants must be able to understand the English-language or with the aid of a translator

Exclusion Criteria:

* Primary Lesion \>20cm
* Evidence of distant metastatic disease
* Previous abdominal RT in vicinity of kidney preventing definitive SBRT
* History of major radiosensitivity syndrome
* Second invasive malignancy within the past 3 years (excluding non-melanomatous skin cancer)
* Currently pregnant or lactating

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Renal Cell Carcinoma
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.