Collecting duct carcinoma and renal medullary carcinoma in the age of new therapies

Collecting duct carcinoma (also known as Bellini tumour) and renal medullary carcinoma are two extremely rare and aggressive renal cancers. They are both less responsive to conventional treatments used in clear cell renal carcinoma. There are very few studies evaluating their optimal management and currently, at the metastatic stage, polychemotherapy based on platinum salts remains the most widely used. The emergence of new treatments such as anti-angiogenic TKIs, immunotherapy or treatments targeting specific genetic abnormalities, opens up a new field of possibilities in the management of these cancers. The evaluation of the response to these treatments is therefore essential. In this article, we will review the status of their management and the various studies that have evaluated recent treatments in these two cancers.

Automated summary

Collecting duct carcinoma and renal medullary carcinoma are very rare and aggressive renal cancers that are less responsive to conventional treatments. Polychemotherapy based on platinum salts is currently the most widely used treatment at the metastatic stage. New treatments such as anti-angiogenic TKIs, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies offer new possibilities for management. Evaluating the response to these treatments is essential, and this article reviews the current management strategies and studies on recent treatments for these cancers.