Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, is a condition in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the kidneys. Surgical treatment is the primary approach for managing kidney cancer, and the specific procedure recommended will depend on various factors, including the stage and size of the tumour, as well as the patient's overall health. Some of the surgical treatment options offered at Sewell Urology include:
1. Nephron-sparing surgery (partial nephrectomy): Partial nephrectomy involves removing the cancer and a margin of surrounding normal kidney tissue, while preserving the majority of the kidney. This is often the preferred approach as it maximises long term kidney function, however it may not be possible with some larger or centrally-located cancers. Mr. Sewell performs this procedure by a minimally invasive robotic approach (robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, RAPN) or by open surgery. Typically this involves a 2-3 night stay in hospital.
2. Radical Nephrectomy: This involves the removal of the entire affected kidney, along with the surrounding tissues and nearby lymph nodes. In some cases, the adrenal gland may also be removed. Radical nephrectomy can be performed using minimally-invasive techniques (laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery), or by open surgery. This depends on the level of invasion and size of the cancer. The majority of radical nephrectomies are performed laparoscopically, which is usually a 1-2 night stay in hospital
3. Non-surgical Nephron-sparing: Mr. Sewell maintains excellent relationships with interventional radiologists who can perform these procedures for patients who are not appropriate for surgery, and can refer you when appropriate. These procedures are similar to partial nephrectomy and aim to preserve as much kidney function as possible. They include techniques such as cryoablation (freezing the tumor), radiofrequency ablation (heating the tumor), and arterial embolization (blocking the blood supply to the tumor).