Doctor insights on:
Partial Nephrectomy Complications
Kidney surgery: Partial nephrectomy refers to surgical removal of part of the kidney, usually because of a small tumor/abnormal growth of the kidney. A radical nephrectomy (total kidney removal) is done for larger tumors, or if the partial nephrectomy is not technically possible.See 2 more doctor answers
Yes: Depending on the size and location of the kidney mass, a partial removal of the kidney cancer is a very good option to help preserve the remaining good kidney tissue. This has in fact become the mainstay of treatment for many tumors and the long-term data shows good cancer control with partial removal versus removing the entire kidney, which was the traditional type of surgery in the past.See 1 more doctor answer
Only part removed: A partial nephrectomy is when only part of one kidney is removed. A while ago it was standard to simply remove the entire kidney. Medical knowledge and surgical techniques now allow us to remove only the area of concern. This leaves you with more total kidney tissue and thereby more kidney function (cleaning capability) after the procedure. Good luck.
Lap nephrectomy: Contrary to popular belief, laparoscopic organ removal has about the same complication risk as open surgery. Internal bleeding, infection, pneumonia, blood clots and incisional hernias can occur in both surgeries. Most young/healthy patients do well after either surgical approach.
Depends: A partial nephrectomy is becoming the new standard of care for tumors that can be manage this way. Patients on the long run do better and minimize their risk of developing kidney disease as they age. Partial nephrectomy is challenging & has the potential for more complications than a nephrectomy. Risks include bleeding, urine leaks, loss of function on that kidney, tumor recurrence to name few.
Good: The survival rate for renal cell carcinoma is determined by several factors, including the stage and grade. Although sarcomatoid is a more aggressive variant of the disease, most predictive programs do not factor this into estimates of survival. For a small tumor (< 4 cm), well encapsulated and completely removed the 5 year survival should be > 90%.See 1 more doctor answer
Can you list the key lab results I should be monitoring in a f 70y/o, 2nd day post op pt after a partial nephrectomy w/ renal cell ca.?
I am 9 weeks post op for renal cell carcinoma (partial nephrectomy) and I have a jp pump and a nephrosty tube. For how long?
Await healing leak: Having a nephrostomy tube and jp drain for 9 weeks after a partial nephrectomy would be very unusual. I assume that this was because of a urine leak after surgery? Urine leaks, while rare, can occur, particularly if the tumor was large or very central in the kidney. However, your course is unusual and I would recommend you ask your surgeon specifically what the long term plan for management is.See 1 more doctor answer
When you have a partial nephrectomy for stage 1 grade 3 clear cell kidney cancer, how can you tell if the lymph nodes are clear?
Only Time Will Tell: Usually, lymph nodes are not removed at the time of partial nephrectomy, unless suspicious on pre-op imaging. Post-op imaging surveillance will be necessary to watch for recurrence. If no nodal enlargement is observed over the following years, then the nodes are not involved.See 2 more doctor answers