What Types of Kidney Cancer Surgery Are Available?

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common variety of kidney cancer found in adults. This type of cancer is most commonly treated by some form of  kidney cancer surgery. Although there are other methods of treatment available to treat kidney cancer it is very unlikely to escape one form of surgical procedure or another at some point during your treatment. Even when the cancer has spread to other organs surgery may still be effective in removing the primary tumor that started it to begin with. In most cases the cancer may be effectively removed by removing part of the kidney. In other cases it may be necessary to remove the whole kidney as well as the adrenal glands which are located on top of the kidney and other tissue surrounding the kidney. Under most circumstances an individual is still able to lead a normal life with the remaining kidney without problems.

Radical Nephrectomy

The most commonly used surgery for this type of cancer is called a radical nephrectomy. In this particular surgery the entire kidney, adrenal gland and surrounding issue is completely removed leaving the individual with one good kidney. There are several surgical techniques that may be used to achieve this depending on the exact size and location of the cancer within the kidney.

The most common locations where incisions are made include the middle of the stomach, below the ribs on the side of the cancer infected kidney and the back just behind the kidneys.

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

This type of kidney cancer surgery is becoming more and more common among physicians because it requires substantially smaller incisions. For this reason it is often referred to as keyhole surgery. Because smaller cuts are necessary there is less pain involved and the hospitalization time for this surgery as well as the recovery time are often much shorter than with a traditional nephrectomy.

Partial Nephrectomy

This is the surgery of choice when an attempt is being made to save part of the kidney. In this operation only the part of the kidney that is affected by the cancer is removed. This procedure is most often used when both kidneys have developed cancer. The technique that is used is basically the same as that used in a radical nephrectomy depending on the size and location of the tumor. This surgery is not usually considered when there is more than one tumor present in the affected kidney or when it has spread further than nearby organs.

Although there are several other operations related to kidney cancer surgery these are the ones that are most often used to treat kidney cancer. In other cases surgeries may also be performed to remove affected lymph nodes or even the adrenal glands. Each case is different based on the individual and what areas are affected and each option will be discussed with you prior to any decision being made. The earlier the kidney cancer is discovered the better the chances are of surgery being effective.