Kidney cancer (kidney tumours)

In addition to benign kidney tumours, two types of malignant tumour can basically be distinguished. The most common is the so-called renal cell carcinoma, which originates from the kidney tissue itself. If the tumour arises from the mucous membrane of the renal pelvis and calyx system, it is referred to as urothelial carcinoma of the kidney. Unfortunately, with this type of cancer, complete removal of the kidney and ureter is often necessary. Incidentally, kidney cysts are almost always benign findings; approx. one in five patients over the age of 40 has at least one kidney cyst.

Like most types of cancer, kidney cancer is not normally "felt" in the early stages. Renal cell carcinoma is often discovered by chance during a routine ultrasound examination. The tumour can also be discovered incidentally if, for example, computed tomography (CT) is performed because of back or abdominal complaints. Blood in the urine can, among many other causes, be an indication of a kidney tumour.

If they are large enough, kidney tumours are clearly visible on ultrasound. They can be reliably identified by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

If a kidney tumour is present and has not spread, surgery is the treatment of choice. There is no other way of curing it, e.g. with medication or radiation.

An ultrasound examination should always be supplemented by a CT or MRI examination to rule out the tumour having formed metastases. This also makes it possible to clearly assess the size and location, which allows the right surgical procedure to be chosen. Occasionally, further examinations such as endoscopic ureterorenoscopy (URS) are necessary. A prior kidney biopsy is only performed in special exceptional cases.

This question is difficult to answer before the operation. The removed tissue is examined by the pathologist, who provides information about the stage of the tumour. If the cancer has been completely removed, the chances of a cure are sometimes very good.

Patients are admitted for robot-assisted da Vinci kidney cancer removal on the day before the operation. The operation takes place under general anaesthesia. The robot's minimally invasive instruments are inserted into the abdominal cavity using keyhole surgery. Under three-dimensional vision, the surgeon carefully exposes the tumour and removes it from the kidney. Intraoperative high-resolution ultrasound is also used here to precisely localise the tumour. This is made possible by a special ultrasound probe which, due to its small size, can be introduced into the abdominal cavity. The robot-assisted surgical technique allows the best possible preservation of kidney function. Postoperative care takes place in the recovery room before the patient is transferred to the normal ward. The entire inpatient stay lasts approx. 5–7 days.

The type of operation depends on the size and location of the kidney cancer. In the vast majority of cases, the kidney cancer can be removed in an organ-sparing manner while preserving functional kidney tissue. In the case of very large tumours, removal of the kidney is still necessary in individual cases today.
Minimally invasive as well as open surgical techniques can be used for all types of kidney cancer surgery. The Goldstadt Private Clinic offers all surgical procedures for the treatment of kidney cancer. Robot-assisted da Vinci kidney cancer removal is the preferred surgical method at the Goldstadt Private Clinic.

Thanks to 10x magnification, the anatomical structures can be visualised much better than with conventional laparoscopy. Special laser imaging during the operation enables precise statements about the blood supply to the kidney and the tumour. Compared with conventional (open) surgical techniques, this results in less blood loss, less pain and a shorter hospital stay.

No.

As a rule, professional activities such as office work are possible again 2–3 weeks after the operation. Alternatively, the inpatient stay is followed by follow-up rehabilitation (AHB). Sporting activities can be resumed after 3 months.

Kidney cancer removal is performed under general anaesthesia. Due to the very small incisions in robot-assisted da Vinci kidney cancer removal, hardly any pain is to be expected after the operation.