What is a partial nephrectomy?

A partial nephrectomy is an operation performed for kidney cancer, where only the cancerous tumor and a small amount of normal kidney tissue surrounding the tumor is removed, and the majority of the kidney is left in place. In most patients this can be done laparoscopically (using small holes) instead of through a large open incision. A partial nephrectomy has the advantage of preserving the functional or filtering part of the kidney, decreasing the chance that the patient will need dialysis.