Nephrectomy means the removal of some or all of the kidneys and can be a surgical cure when cancer has not spread out of the kidney.
There are two main types of surgery for kidney cancer:
- Partial nephrectomy: An operation to remove the part of the kidney containing cancer. It is usually done if the cancer is small and easy for the surgeon to get to.
- Radical nephrectomy: An operation to remove the entire kidney. Radical nephrectomy may be necessary for larger cancers or if cancer has spread beyond the kidney.
It’s possible to live a normal life with only 1 kidney. Your other kidney can usually make up for the kidney that was removed.
Surgery for kidney cancer can be done in 2 ways:
- Through a single large cut in the tummy or back – known as “open” surgery
- Using surgical tools inserted through smaller cuts – known as Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery. Keyhole surgery tends to have a faster recovery time.
References:
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-cancer/treatment/#:~:text=A%20partial%20nephrectomy%20is%20usually,life%20with%20only%201%20kidney.