# Nephrectomy

Source: https://onco.cc/terms/nephrectomy/  
OnCo record `nephrectomy` (Term). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Removing a kidney (radical) or just the tumour-bearing part of it (partial).

## Summary

Partial nephrectomy, usually robotic, is preferred for small renal masses because it preserves kidney function with equal cancer control; radical nephrectomy is for larger or central tumours. Cytoreductive nephrectomy (removing the kidney despite metastases) lost its routine role after CARMENA in the targeted-therapy era but is used selectively after response to immunotherapy. Adjuvant pembrolizumab (KEYNOTE-564) follows resection of high-risk disease.

## Fields

- Kind: Term
- Last checked: 2026-09-09
- Also known as: partial nephrectomy; radical nephrectomy; cytoreductive nephrectomy; nephrectomies

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephrectomy
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephrectomy

## Connected records

- technologies: [Active surveillance](https://onco.cc/technologies/active-surveillance/), [Robotic & minimally invasive surgery](https://onco.cc/technologies/robotic-surgery/), [Thermal ablation (RFA, microwave, cryo)](https://onco.cc/technologies/thermal-ablation/)
- terms: [Debulking (cytoreductive surgery)](https://onco.cc/terms/debulking/)
- cancers: [Clear cell papillary renal cell tumour](https://onco.cc/cancers/clear-cell-papillary-renal-cell-tumour/), [Collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney](https://onco.cc/cancers/collecting-duct-carcinoma/), [Eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/eosinophilic-solid-cystic-renal-cell-carcinoma/), [Fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC-associated)](https://onco.cc/cancers/fh-deficient-renal-cell-carcinoma/), [Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma of the kidney](https://onco.cc/cancers/mucinous-tubular-spindle-cell-carcinoma/), [Renal cell carcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/rcc/), [Renal medullary carcinoma (SMARCB1-deficient)](https://onco.cc/cancers/renal-medullary-carcinoma/), [Succinate dehydrogenase-deficient renal cell carcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/sdh-deficient-renal-cell-carcinoma/), [Wilms tumour (nephroblastoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/wilms-tumor/)
- fronts: [Surgery & Interventional](https://onco.cc/fronts/surgery/)
- trials: [KEYNOTE-564](https://onco.cc/trials/keynote-564/)

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