Should I choose partial or full nephrectomy for kidney cancer?

This is such a difficult decision to face, and it's completely understandable to feel uncertain about which surgical approach is right for you. Many patients in this community have wrestled with similar choices between partial and full nephrectomy, weighing concerns about cancer recurrence against preserving kidney function. The fact that you sought a second opinion shows you're being thorough in exploring your options - discussing the pros and cons of each approach with your medical team, including factors specific to your case like the tumor size and other findings, will help you make the most informed decision for your situation.

Well my tumor was large enough (8cm) and was intruding on renal vein to make the call easy. Full. My surgical team did a great job and my recovery was, well not easy, but happened in a manner to keep my thoughts positive. Also robotic. I had no other involvement and am starting Keytruda this week.

I had to weigh a decision to remove kidney or do chemo and radiation! The oncologist I went to was amazing! My cancer was contained hadn’t spread anywhere and we chose chemo and radiation! My cancer is in remission and I am 10 weeks after last chemo and 33 radiations! They felt that trying to remove may cause spreading! Not going to lie, recovery was hard!

I was faced with the same decision, they removed my left kidney 4 years ago and now I have metastatic rcc paraspinal mass

Cant really answer but I had a full robotic nephrectomy (in Madrid, on a trip). $8000! So all went well and urologists after surgery and 2 weeks later when I got home, Both said it was all done, no CTs no expectation it would return. But 6 yeats later, it came back, stage 4 metastatic. So if you get a partial or full nephrectomy, get a CT to be sure.

Mary- did you do follow up exams every 6 months after the nephrectomy?

I had a 2/3 of my left kidney nephrectomy12 years ago. Since then I have had an oblation done 2 times on my right kidney and am looking at it being done a third time on December 9th I have been bitter and scared all at the same time and kind of hard to live with. There has been talk of a nephrectomy being done. I'm confused and scared of what my day to day care would be. Please any suggestions. Does this mean Dialysis for the rest of my life? Terry

The second time I had the oblation was 4 months ago in June. It layed up against the holding bowl to the ueriter tube that leads to the bladder. The tumor this time is 4.7 and to the right upper portion of the right kidney. It is growing faster than the Dr. had planned, do to him seeing it when he saw it during the 2nd oblation.