Kidney Cancer at the Cancer Institute
The Urology Academic Practice is a unique resource for those with cancer of the kidneys, bladder or prostate gland. The Practice is one of the premier centers in the world using minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat kidney cancer. This means patients have less pain, faster recovery and fewer complications. Those same minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques are also used for removing a donor from a living donor.
The Urology Academic Practice strives to provide the highest level of patient care, to conduct leading edge clinical and laboratory research and to educate other physicians and the community.
Experienced Experts Providing Comprehensive Care
The expert team at the Urology Academic Practice includes Gerhard J. Fuchs, MD, FACS, Director of the Institute; Andrew L. Freedman, MD, Pediatric Director; and Barry Duel, MD, Associate Director, Pediatric Urology.
People who have been diagnosed with a tumor of the kidney have a number of minimally invasive laparoscopy treatments available at the Urology Academic Practice. These include:
- Partial nephrectomy, in which only the tumor on the kidney is removed and the rest of the kidney is preserved. Using only small incisions into the abdomen, the cancerous portion of the kidney is taken out through one of the small incisions. No muscle is cut so recover is faster and less painful than with traditional options.
- Cryoablation. This technique uses laparoscopic surgery to reach small tumors on the surface of the kidney. Guided by ultrasound technology, the surgeon freezes the tumor, killing the tumor cells. This procedure can be done with just an overnight stay in the hospital.
- Laparoscopic kidney removal If it is necessary to remove the entire kidney, laparoscopy may be less invasive. The kidney with its surrounding fat tissue (and if needed, the adrenal gland) can be removed this way.
When radiation or chemotherapy is required, patients have access to the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute. Almost every type of radiation and chemotherapy can be provided on an outpatient basis at the center.
