For many people diagnosed with kidney cancer, surgery is a key part of treatment. Doctors often recommend surgery if they believe removing all or part of the kidney will help stop the cancer from spreading. In some cases, surgery can even be a cure, especially if the cancer is found early.

If surgery is part of your treatment, learning about the different procedures can help you feel informed and ready to talk with your doctor. In this article, we’ll cover various types of kidney cancer surgery and when they might be recommended. We’ll also go over the risks and explain what to expect before, during, and after kidney cancer surgery.

Types of Kidney Cancer Surgery

If your doctor recommends surgery to treat your kidney cancer, there are several different types they may suggest. In some cases, a partial or radical (complete) nephrectomy may be used. This means removing part or all of the affected kidney. Other times, minimally invasive procedures, such as cryoablation (freezing the tumor) or radiofrequency (destroying the tumor using heat), might be the best choice. These may be options if the tumor is small or if you’re not a good candidate for major surgery. Here, we’ll provide a brief overview of each type of surgery.

Partial Nephrectomy

A partial nephrectomy is a type of surgery that removes only the part of the kidney that has cancer. It’s often used for small tumors (less than 7 centimeters) when it’s important to save as much kidney function as possible. Your doctor may recommend this surgery if both kidneys are affected by tumors or if you only have one working kidney. This type of surgery can be done through open surgery (making a large cut) or with small incisions, or cuts, using special tools. Surgeries that use these special tools are known as laparoscopic or robot-assisted surgeries. They’re usually easier on the body and can mean less time in the hospital and a faster recovery.

You’ll be under general anesthesia for a partial nephrectomy, which means you’ll be asleep for the whole procedure. After surgery, your surgeon will place a catheter (flexible tube) to help drain urine and fluid. Most people stay in the hospital for a few days or up to a week. It’s normal to have some pain or discomfort around the incision site. If you need pain medication, ask your healthcare team. They’ll also give you detailed instructions for your postoperative care and schedule checkups to make sure you’re healing well.

Radical Nephrectomy

In a radical nephrectomy, the entire kidney is removed. The surgeon may also take out nearby fatty tissue, the ureter (tube that connects the kidney to the bladder), the adrenal gland, and nearby lymph nodes. This type of surgery is usually recommended for larger tumors of more than 7 centimeters (about 3 inches) or when the tumor is in the center of the kidney. A radical nephrectomy may also be needed if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or if a partial nephrectomy isn’t an option.

Because the whole kidney is removed, your remaining kidney will need to do all the work. Most people can live a normal life with just one healthy kidney. However, if your remaining kidney isn’t working well, you’ll need to go on dialysis. Dialysis is a treatment that uses a machine to clean and filter your blood when your kidneys can’t. It helps remove waste, toxins, and extra fluid to keep your blood clean and your body healthy.

Like a partial nephrectomy, a radical nephrectomy can be done using open surgery, or through laparoscopic or robotic-assisted methods. Regardless of the method your doctor chooses, you’ll be asleep under general anesthesia the whole time. After surgery, you’ll spend about a week in the hospital and go home with a urinary catheter. Full recovery time may last up to 12 weeks. During this time, it’s important to prioritize rest and avoid heavy lifting or driving for a while. Your healthcare team will give you specific instructions to follow and schedule follow-ups after your procedure.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Nephrectomy

Both partial and radical nephrectomy come with some risks. Most people make a full recovery, but there’s a risk of complications. Some people feel tired or weak for weeks after surgery. Gentle movement, a healthy diet, and proper rest can help you regain strength.

There’s also a risk of infection, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or chest infections. Signs of a UTI can include fever or pain when urinating. A chest infection might cause a cough or shortness of breath. Redness or swelling near your incision could be a sign of a wound infection. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to help prevent or treat these issues.

Blood clots are another possible side effect. They can form in your legs if you don’t move around enough. Clots can be dangerous if they travel to the lungs or the heart. Walking, wearing compression stockings, and doing leg exercises can help prevent this.

There’s also a chance of bleeding after surgery. In some cases, you might need a blood transfusion. Your healthcare team will monitor you for any side effects during recovery.

Ablation

Ablation is a surgical procedure that destroys tumors and damages tissue rather than cutting it away, as in traditional open or laparoscopic surgery. Different forms of ablation may be used to treat kidney cancer.

Cryoablation

Cryoablation is a treatment that freezes and destroys cancer cells in the kidney. It may be used for people who have small kidney tumors. It may be an option for people who can’t tolerate major surgery due to age, other health problems, or poor kidney function. It’s also used for those with multiple tumors or tumors in both kidneys, where removing tissue could increase the risk of kidney failure.

A radiologist or imaging specialist usually performs an ablation. They’ll use special imaging techniques like a CT scan or an ultrasound scan to guide a thin probe into the tumor. Once in place, the tip of the probe gets very cold. It creates an ice ball that kills the cancer cells by freezing them.

Most cryoablation procedures are minimally invasive. This means they’re done through small incisions or tiny holes in the skin. You may be sedated or put under general anesthesia, so you’ll either be very sleepy or completely asleep.

The procedure takes about one to three hours. Most people can expect to go home the same day or spend one night in the hospital. After the procedure, you may feel sore or tired for a few days. Your healthcare team will schedule follow-up appointments with more imaging tests to make sure the treatment was successful. Cryoablation may not cure the cancer, but it can help control it in people who aren’t good candidates for surgery.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation works in a similar way to cryotherapy, but instead of freezing the cancer cells, it uses heat to destroy them. It’s sometimes used for people with small tumors about 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) or less or for those who aren’t healthy enough for surgery. Like cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation is a good option when it’s important to save as much kidney tissue as possible.

During the procedure, a radiologist will guide a thin needle into the tumor. They’ll use imaging techniques, like CT scans or ultrasound scans, to make sure the probe is going to the right place. Once it’s there, radio waves pass through the probe and into the tumor, heating and killing the cancer cells. You’ll be sedated or under general anesthesia during radiofrequency ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure done with small cuts or punctures to the skin. You should be able to go home the same day or stay just one night in the hospital.

Follow-Up Care and Long-Term Health

After any surgery, regular follow-up care is key to staying healthy. Your healthcare team will schedule follow-up visits to check your kidney function, watch for signs of cancer coming back, and help manage any side effects. You may need blood tests, urine tests, or imaging scans every few months at first.

If you had one kidney removed, your doctor will monitor how well your remaining kidney is working. It’s important to avoid smoking, eat a healthy diet, and manage other health conditions to protect your kidney health.

Talk With Your Doctor About Treatment Options

If you still have questions about what surgery is best for you, how to prepare, or what to expect, talk to your cancer care team. Don’t hesitate to bring up any new symptoms, concerns, or questions during follow-up appointments. Your healthcare team is there to help you heal, adjust to changes, and plan the next steps if more cancer treatment, like chemotherapy or immunotherapy, is needed. Clear communication can help you feel more prepared, supported, and confident about your long-term health.

Meet Your Team

On MyKidneyCancerTeam, people with kidney cancer and their loved ones come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with kidney cancer.

Have you undergone surgery for kidney cancer? What advice would you give to someone who’s just been told they have kidney cancer and need surgery? Share your story in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.