Kidney Cancer Treatment with Nephrectomy

Surgical Treatment of Kidney Cancer in Sugar Land, TX

A nephrectomy is a surgical procedure performed to partially or entirely remove the kidney. Dr. Ogletree has specialized in completing this type of surgery for many years and has been able to help a number of patients improve their quality of life. If you are interested in discussing whether a nephrectomy may be applicable to you and your individual case of kidney disease, please call (281) 565-3569 today to schedule a consultation at our urology office in Sugar Land.

Why a Nephrectomy Is Performed

This surgery is often performed for the treatment of kidney cancer, removal of a tumor from the kidney, or some type of kidney disease that has resulted in permanent damage. It is of course also common for individuals without any sort of kidney condition to undergo a nephrectomy if they wish to donate their healthy kidney.

There are three distinctive types of nephrectomy that Dr. Ogletree is able to perform:

Partial Nephrectomy

As its name would suggest, this procedure is used to remove only a part of the patient’s kidney. If there is enough healthy tissue left to sustain regular kidney function then a partial nephrectomy is likely best suited for you.

Many medical professionals will also refer to this particular surgery as a kidney-sparing or nephron-sparing procedure.

Simple Nephrectomy

During a simple nephrectomy, Dr. Ogletree will remove the entire kidney and nothing else.

Radical Nephrectomy

This specific type of nephrectomy is the most extensive, as it not only removes the kidney, but also many surrounding tissues and structures. It is common for surgeons to remove the kidney, ureter (the tube that takes filtered urine from the kidney to the bladder), adrenal gland, and nearby lymph nodes as well in order to ensure that the disease is completely excised from the area.

Benefits of the da Vinci Surgical System

Traditional approaches to this procedure are still suitable for accomplishing a successful nephrectomy, though there are many advantages to utilizing more modern technology. One of these primary benefits being that the surgery is minimally invasive, which leads to a much lower risk of potential complications, and a significant reduction in recovery time.

After the Procedure

Those who elect for a minimally invasive nephrectomy can typically expect to return to normal activities only a few weeks after their procedure. Discomfort usually subsides within the first 1 to 2 weeks, and long-term results can often be achieved after a period of 3 to 6 months. It is important to speak with Dr. Ogletree prior to introducing any potentially strenuous tasks to your routine, as these may be dangerous for those who have not healed fully.

Find Out if a Nephrectomy is Right For You