Surgical management of renal tumors

Renal cell carcinoma is a relatively rare tumor, accounting for approximately 3% of malignancies in adults, but is the most common tumor of the kidney and the third most common tumor seen by urologists. Renal cell carcinoma is refractory to most traditional oncologic treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy. Because of recent advances in sophisticated radiologic studies, the surgeon can now make an accurate preoperative assessment of the nature and extent of kidney tumors. When evaluating renal tumors, the urologist looks for certain information to help in constructing a management plan. This article explores some of the points that contribute in the surgical decision-making.