Kidney cancer is often detected incidentally in asymptomatic individuals. There are no early symptoms of kidney cancer, and the symptoms of more advanced renal cancers are highly variable and nonspecific. Despite this, in Canada, the majority of kidney cancers are diagnosed at an early stage.

This course will introduce you to the anatomy of the kidney, as well as kidney cancer epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and postoperative care, covering the foundational knowledge you need to provide nursing care to patients with kidney cancer. This online course will build on what you learned in Foundations of Oncology Nursing Practice or Cancer Care Basics.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Locate the gross anatomical structures of the kidney and surrounding region.
• Recognize the common and rare pathological subtypes of kidney cancer.
• Describe the trends in kidney cancer incidence and mortality over the last decades.
• List factors that put a person at higher risk of developing kidney cancer.
• List the prognostic factors that put a person at higher risk of dying from kidney cancer.
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer.
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of paraneoplastic syndromes associated with kidney cancer.
• Apply the TNM staging system to kidney cancer.
• Explain the types and goals of treatment used to treat stage I-IV kidney cancer, including partial nephrectomy, radical nephrectomy, ablation therapy, embolization, active surveillance, radiation and targeted therapies.
• Describe the follow-up care for patients with early-stage and metastatic disease.
• Anticipate the complications that may occur post-nephrectomy and identify nursing assessment priorities.

Course Syllabus

This course consists of two self-directed eLearning modules and a final quiz.

The final quiz consists of a case study where you will apply your knowledge to the care of a particular patient living with cervical cancer. The quiz is open-book and a passing grade is 75%.

Although you can complete the various components of the course at your own pace, the course must be completed within 6 weeks from the time you register for the course.

Download the full Course Syllabus

Eligibility

Available to all regulated health care professionals working along the cancer care continuum.

Payment must be received before you have access to the course. For more information, please visit our Cancellation & No Show Policy.

Participants can pay for this course online with a credit card, or send a cheque to: