How does kidney cancer affect people with only one kidney?

When kidney cancer affects people with only one kidney, there may be some additional complications. At least one kidney is necessary to survive, so it's crucial for people with only one kidney to have their kidney preserved as much as possible. Since surgical removal of the kidney isn't an option, doctors may try to remove only the tumor and a small bit of the surrounding tissue. Other treatment options, like cryoablation (using a needle to freeze cancer cells) or radiofrequency ablation (using an electric current through a needle to kill cancer cells), may be recommended. As kidney cancer progresses, it may become more difficult to find effective treatment options for people with one kidney, so it's important to talk about your options with your doctor.