Most solid tumours in the kidney are malignant (cancerous) and are more common in men. They can produce blood in the urine and pain in the side, but can grow to a large size without the patient being aware.
A doctor may be able to feel the enlarged kidney. A tumour of the kidney can produce vague symptoms, loss of appetite and weight and unexplained tiredness.
Treatment and management
An ultrasound scan or CT will often have been done to make the original diagnosis.
Removal of the whole kidney containing the tumour is often advised although smaller tumours can be removed without the need to remove the whole kidney.
Your general health will not be affected by the removal of one kidney, provided the other is normal. This is ensured before surgery is planned.
The operation to remove part of, or the whole kidney, is generally performed by means of keyhole (laparoscopic or robotic) surgery.
Surgical treatment
There are three main types of surgical treatment:
- Robotic partial removal of the kidney (partial nephrectomy)
- Laparoscopic radical removal of the kidney (total nephrectomy)
- Open radical removal of the kidney (total nephrectomy)
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