Cytoreductive nephrectomy and its role in the present-day period of targeted therapy

The beneficial effect of cytoreductive nephrectomy on survival of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the immunotherapy era was based on two prospective randomized trials. Unfortunately, such evidence does not yet exist in the present-day period of targeted therapy. Despite this, cytoreductive nephrectomy remains integral in the multimodal management of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Multiple retrospective studies as well as data from prospective studies examining targeted therapy support the continued use of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the properly selected patient. Ongoing studies will hopefully fine-tune the role and timing of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the context of targeted therapy.