Episode #22: How to Approach Challenging Kidney Tumors and Patients
March 2020
- In this episode Dr. Craig G. Rogers discusses Partial Nephrectomy as a standard treatment option that can be performed even for challenging tumors. Various tools and approaches are available to help achieve tumor control while preserving kidney function and minimizing complications. Robotic assistance may facilitate a minimally-invasive approach for complex partial nephrectomy cases. Important surgical considerations include optimal exposure, preparation, equipment, adapting surgical technique to tumor location, and minimizing ischemia and parenchymal loss. Active surveillance, biopsy, advanced imaging, ablation, and radical nephrectomy may have a role in select patients based on patient age, comorbidities, and tumor features.