Surgery for Kidney Cancer
Most patients with kidney cancer will have some type of surgery. Surgery is the most common treatment for localized kidney cancer. Some people with advanced kidney cancer also may have surgery along with systemic medical and/or radiation therapies.
Surgery to remove kidney cancer is called a nephrectomy. There are two kinds of nephrectomy:
The goal of surgery is to provide the best possible cancer outcome and the best quality of life. You can live a full and healthy life if one kidney needs to be removed. Whenever possible, doctors try to preserve both kidneys in case you develop a condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes in the future which can lead to kidney disease.
Partial and radical nephrectomy can be performed using robotic surgery or open surgery. Your care team will recommend the surgery that is best for you, based on:
- Stage of your cancer (whether is it localized to the kidney or advanced)
- Type of tumor
- Location of tumor
- Your overall physical health
- Your medical history, including previous surgeries and cancer treatment
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive approach to removing kidney cancer. This approach allows you to have complex surgery through one or several small incisions. It offers greater precision, less damage to healthy tissue and a faster recovery – all with good cancer outcomes.
Advantages of Robotic Surgery
Thanks to today’s advanced imaging, surgical planning and robotic technology, people who previously would have needed open surgery can now have minimally invasive robotic surgery.
Compared to traditional surgery, kidney cancer removal with robotic surgery offers:
- One or several small incisions
- Less tissue damage
- Increased precision and flexibility for complex surgeries
- Decreased blood loss, reduced need for transfusions, and less risk of infection
- Smaller external and internal scars
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery and return to normal activities
Open Surgery
The traditional surgical approach, open surgery for kidney cancer involves making a large incision in your back, abdomen or side. Open surgery may be recommended if:
- You have advanced kidney cancer that has spread to other organs
- Other surgical specialists – general, thoracic, vascular, cardiac – are involved in your surgery
- You had previous surgery that left abdominal scarring, which makes minimally invasive surgery difficult to perform