Kidney Cancer Treatment
When kidney cancer is found and treated early, the chances for survival are very good.
Surgery to remove all or part of the kidney is the main treatment and offers the highest chance of a cure. Smaller kidney tumors can very often be removed in a procedure called a partial nephrectomy, in which the surgeon removes only the cancerous part of the kidney and leaves the rest of the kidney in place.
When the cancer is aggressive or involves a large part of the kidney, a radical nephrectomy may be required. In this procedure, the entire kidney is removed, as well as the adrenal gland, which sits atop the kidney, nearby fatty tissue, and lymph nodes.
The Department of Urology provides expert diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer, specializing in surgical treatment. They have particular expertise in partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique that is quickly becoming the standard of care for small renal cell cancers.
The surgery is performed through small incisions and guided by a tiny video camera. A new technique called hand-assisted laparoscopy allows the surgeon to insert a hand into a special incision to remove the tumor in one piece. Compared to open surgery, patien ts who undergo laparoscopic surgery experience significantly less blood loss and pain, and have shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times.
For patient referral or consultations, contact the Department of Urology at 412-692-4100.
