Surgery is the only known curative treatment for localised or locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It is also of value as a palliative treatment in patients with a solitary site of metastatic disease, or in those with symptoms related to the size of the tumour where quality of life may be improved by cyto-reductive surgery (Ljungberg, et al 2015).
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, learners will be able to:
- Understand how a decision is made to remove a patient’s kidney and decide which approach to use.
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and the ability to identify, post-operative complications specific to radical nephrectomy.
- Have a better understanding of the routine post-operative care of patients undergoing nephrectomy.
- Be aware of the mortality and morbidity associated with nephrectomy for cancer.
Reference
Ljungberg, B, bensalan K, Canfield S et al (2015) Guidelines on renal cell carcinoma: European Association of urology.