Surgical oncology
Kidney cancer treatment
Removal of the tumour — either part of the kidney or the whole kidney — with preservation of kidney tissue wherever that is possible.
In plain language
What this operation is
Many kidney cancers today are found by chance, on a scan done for something else, before they cause any symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur they include blood in the urine, a persistent ache in the flank, or a mass that can be felt.
Blood in the urine, even once, even painless, should always be investigated. Painless bleeding is easy to dismiss and is precisely the presentation that should not be.
Where the tumour is small and well positioned, a partial nephrectomy removes only the affected part and preserves the rest of the kidney. Larger or more central tumours may require removing the whole kidney. Most people function normally with one kidney.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- Blood in the urine, even once and even without pain
- A kidney mass found on ultrasound or CT
- A persistent ache in the flank or side
- A mass that can be felt in the abdomen
And when it is not. Not every kidney lesion is cancer — simple cysts are very common and harmless. Imaging characteristics are what distinguish them.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
First consultation
History, examination and review of every report and film you already have. Bring the actual films, not only the printed summaries.
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02
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy confirms the diagnosis; imaging establishes how far the disease has gone. No treatment plan is made before this.
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03
The plan
Whether surgery is the right step, and in what order relative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy — agreed with you before anything is booked.
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04
Treatment and follow-up
The operation where appropriate, then the pathology report, and continuing follow-up.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Recovery depends on the operation performed and on your general health.
- A written discharge plan, wound-care guidance and a follow-up appointment are given before you leave.
- The pathology report usually takes some days and is discussed with you at follow-up.
- Whether further treatment is advised is decided once that report is available.
When to go to hospital instead
Heavy blood in the urine with clots, inability to pass urine, or severe flank pain with fever needs emergency assessment.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 I passed blood in my urine once and it stopped. Should I still get it checked?
Yes. Blood in the urine should be investigated even if it happens once and even if there is no pain. Painless bleeding that settles on its own is exactly the presentation that gets ignored.
Symptoms02 Will I need my whole kidney removed?
Not always. Where the tumour is small and well positioned, only the affected part is removed and the rest of the kidney is preserved. Larger or more central tumours may require the whole kidney.
Extent03 Can I live with one kidney?
Most people can and do function normally with a single healthy kidney. Kidney function is checked before and after surgery.
After surgeryNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.