This study looked at the survival of patients following partial nephrectomy versus radical nephrectomy for low-risk renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A total of 1995 patients were included in the study and 53% had partial nephrectomy.

The size of the tumour, the grade of the tumour (how aggressive it was), the number of blood vessels supplying the tumour and the amount of cancer found in the margins of tissue taken out with the tumour (positive margins) all suggested worse recurrence-free survival. However, the type of surgery (partial versus radical nephrectomy) did not affect recurrence–free survival or cancer-specific mortality.

This study suggests that follow-up after partial or radical nephrectomy for low-risk RCC should be the same.

Read more in Practice Update here