at Sterling Hospitals
Schedule Your Appointment Online
Overview
What is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer occurs when certain cells in the kidney multiply and grow too quickly, forming a tumour. These cells often clump together to form a lump.
What causes kidney cancer?
The exact cause is still not fully understood. It is thought to happen due to changes in the DNA of certain cells which makes them grow without stopping.
Who is at risk?
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Family history of kidney cancer
- Long-term dialysis
- Certain inherited syndromes (e.g., Von Hippel-Lindau disease)
Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
- Blood in the urine, which may appear pink, red or cola coloured
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in the side or back that doesn't go away
- Tiredness
- Unexplained weight loss
How is it Diagnosed?
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Ultrasound, MRI or other kidney imaging
How is this Condition Managed?
- Regular health check-ups
- Surgery — Partial nephrectomy (tumour only), Radical nephrectomy (entire kidney), or Multivisceral resection (if spread to other organs)
- Hot/cold therapy (ablation)
- Medicines that support the immune system (immunotherapy)
- Radiation therapy (high-energy rays to treat disease)
Partial Nephrectomy
What is it?
Partial nephrectomy is a procedure where a section of the kidney containing the tumour is removed while leaving the healthy tissue in place.
Why is this Procedure Done?
A doctor may perform this for:
- Kidney cancer
- Infection
- Damage from kidney stones
- Injury to your kidneys
Types of Surgery
Open surgery: Done using a large cut on the side or on the stomach.
Laparoscopic surgery: Uses small cuts through which a camera-like device is inserted while performing the surgery.
Robotic surgery: Uses a robotic system with arms controlled by the surgeon to carry out the surgery.
| Feature | Open | Laparoscopic (Keyhole) | Robotic (Robot-Assisted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut | Large | Small | Very small |
| Blood Loss | Higher | Moderate | Lowest |
| Healing | Slow | Faster | Fastest |
| Precision | Low precision | Good precision | Highly precise |
| Risk of Scars | Large | Small | Low / Minimal |
Advantages of Robotic Surgery
- Smaller incisions with minimal scarring
- Less blood loss during the procedure
- Faster healing and shorter hospital stay
- Highly precise tumour removal
- Better organ preservation
Procedure Details
Instructions Before the Procedure
- Your blood pressure, temperature, pulse and other vitals will be checked
- Your doctor will review any medicines you might be taking
- You will be asked about your allergies
- You will be asked to fast for several hours before surgery
Step-by-Step Overview
- Patient is given general anaesthesia
- A small cut is made near the belly button and a tube is inserted through which robotic arms operate
- The tumour is located and removed
- The incisions are closed up
Risks & Complications
Common Risks
- Bleeding
- Shoulder tip pain
- Temporary abdominal bloating
- Pain
Rare but Serious Complications
- Urine leakage
- Tumour not being removed fully
- Injury to nearby organs
- Anaesthesia-related problems
Benefits and Outcomes
Expected Results
Tumour is removed while keeping the kidneys working.
Quality of Life
Better long-term kidney function compared to full kidney removal (radical nephrectomy).
Hospital Stay & Recovery
During Hospital Stay
- Fasting on the day of procedure
- Patient preparation before surgery
- A urine collection tube (catheter) is usually placed post-surgery
- Regular monitoring for pain, nausea, urine output, and side effects
Hospital Stay Duration
1–3 days
Recovery Timeline
- Complete recovery after around 2 weeks
- Return to work after 2–6 weeks
Activity Restrictions
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Avoid driving if you are on pain killers or in any pain
- Don't engage in sports for at least 6 weeks
Lifestyle & Prevention
Diet
- Drink plenty of fluids (2–3 litres)
- Consume a high-fibre diet
- Have nutritious meals
Exercise
- Do gentle exercises (e.g., walking less than 1.5 km)
- Avoid sports activities with twisting motions like golf
Long-Term Care
- Consult your doctor to discuss test results from the removed tumour
- Regular check-ups and tests at 3, 6 or 12 months after surgery, or as per doctor's instructions
When to Contact a Doctor
- Fever
- Severe pain
- Blood in urine
- Discoloured fluid leaking from surgical cuts
- Heavy bleeding
- Signs of infection
Myths vs Facts
A robot performs the surgery
The entire procedure is done by the surgeon with the help of a robotic system. You are under the care of experienced people throughout.
Robotic surgery is riskier than traditional open surgery
The smaller cuts and higher precision of robotic surgery make it a far safer option than traditional open surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will kidney function remain normal?
Robotic partial nephrectomy is performed with the aim of having the kidneys function as normal as possible.
Can kidney cancer come back after the surgery?
There is a possibility of recurrence in some cases, which is why regular follow-up imaging is important after surgery.
References
- 1. National Kidney Foundation. Kidney Cancer. Available from https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/kidney-cancer
- 2. Mayo Clinic. Kidney Cancer. Available from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352664
- 3. Cleveland Clinic. Kidney Cancer. Available from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9409-kidney-cancer-overview
- 4. Mayo Clinic. Nephrectomy. Available from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/nephrectomy/about/pac-20385165
- 5. Cleveland Clinic. Partial nephrectomy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16214-open-partial-nephrectomy
- 6. Iacob ER, et al. Small scale, high precision: robotic surgery in neonatal and pediatric patients. Children. 2024;11(3):270.
- 7. The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS). Robotic-assisted laparoscopic removal of a part of the kidney.
- 8. BAUS. Partial nephrectomy robotic. https://www.baus.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/patients/leaflets/Partial%20nephrectomy%20robotic.pdf
- 9. Family Urology. 5 Myths About Robotic-Assisted Surgery, Debunked. Available from https://www.familyurology.org/blog/5-myths-about-robotic-assisted-surgery-debunked
- 10. Kidney Cancer Association. Follow-up care after a nephrectomy. Available from https://www.kidneycancer.org/life-after-a-nephrectomy/follow-up-care-after-a-nephrectomy/