Partial or radical nephrectomy: what's the difference?

A partial nephrectomy removes the tumor and keeps the healthy part of the kidney.

A radical nephrectomy removes the whole kidney.

When it's possible, keeping kidney tissue helps protect long-term kidney function.

The choice depends on tumor size, location, and your overall kidney health. Many of these surgeries can be done robotically.

If you've been told you have a kidney tumor, schedule a visit to talk through which approach fits.

Request an appointment at Advanced Urology.

• How large is the tumor, and where is it?
• How is my overall kidney health?
• Could my surgery be done robotically?

Bring your CT or MRI reports and any recent kidney blood tests. Our urologists review the images with you, show where the tumor sits, and talk through whether part of the kidney can be kept.

Call us soon after a scan shows a kidney mass, or if you would like a second opinion on a kidney surgery recommended elsewhere.

Our urologists consider the tumor, the health of both kidneys and your overall health together, and they keep your referring physician informed along the way.

Bring your questions to our Roswell clinic and surgery center, where our urologists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners can go over them with you in person. Our Roswell team is here when you are ready.

Call 678-344-8900, mention this article, and our team will find you the first opening in Roswell.

Dr. A. Dev Mally of Advanced Urology talks about kidney cancer:

• Watch: Dr. Mally on Kidney Cancer

• Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
• Ureteroscopy With Laser for Kidney Stones
• When Will I Get My CT Scan Results?

Related care: kidney cancer care in Roswell.

• Robotic surgery for kidney cancer
• Kidney cancer at Advanced Urology

Written by our team at Advanced Urology to help you prepare for your visit.