Full Nephrectomy vs Partial Nephrectomy on a 1.3 cm tumor

I guess it is much better to have more kidney preserved. You never know what could happen in the future, maybe you'll need that left part of kidney one day

Wcco,

When I was nephed 14 years ago they were not doing partials. It was either all or nothing. I have never seen statistics on it, but I have noticed on this and other boards that occaionally RCC later appears on whats left of the partial kidney. Sometimes a partial is a no brainer where there is a problem with the other kidney and/or there are other Kidney issues. Obviously larger tumors must be taken in full, but yours is very small. There is no right or wrong answer.  Discuss this with your surgeon and have him explain the pros and cons of each and then make an intellegent decision. A partial is a litlle more difficult as it involnes more cutting so the recovery is the same either way.

Icemantoo

I had two masses in my right kidney.  One was 2.2cm and the other 0.8cm.  I had a robotic partial nephrectomy and got to keep more than 95% of my right kidney.  You want to keep both of your kidneys if at all possible.  Things like high blood pressure and diabetes have more serious consequences when you only have one kidney.  Besides what if something were to happen to that other kidney, like some traumatic event or, what if, this turns out not to be cancer?  You won't know for sure until they can actually look at the tissue under a microscope. 

Here is a video that discusses management of the small renal mass.  This was done by a urologist at MD Anderson.  It's about 30 minutes long, but there is a lot of really good information in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blUI-ZzcViE

Wcco, sure seems like a candidate for a partial robotic. Watch medic's video as it is a great resource. My tumor was just over 3 cm and in an almost impossible location near the renal artery, but a great surgeon got it with the robot and spared my kidney!

Thank you for sharing that video, that was awesome!!  A worthwhile 30 minutes.

Donna~

It was the second week after my partial that I stopped using the oxy they gave me. Tylenol did just fine by then so hang in there for just a little longer. I hated taking it too but it allowed me to walk lots and to sleep through the night. If at all possible, don't rush back to work. Give your body a chance to heal. All the best!

I just had Mine done on may 27 16 still in some pain after a week. I hope it gets better soon I hate taking oxycodone. it makes me tired. Most of the pain is from the one incision used for the robot. I'm not sure if it will get better in time for me to go back to work . I have no bleeding since the surgery.

Yes, if he meant stage 1 then it's the best possible stage to have. But whenever you're not sure what they mean make sure to ask them to explain. Always advocate for yourself and get as much information as you can.

I really didn't listen too carefully to the grade  or size.  Just that he said it was all gone! I guess this will be my last post I'm really not much of a chatty cathy. Good luck and good health to all. Afterall it is the only thing that really matters.