Partial Nephrectomy

Overview

Partial nephrectomy (nuh-FREK-tuh-me) is the removal of part of the kidney instead of the entire kidney as a treatment for kidney tumors. At Mayo Clinic, partial nephrectomy is the preferred treatment for small, single tumors located in only one kidney.

Research at Mayo and elsewhere shows overall higher survival rates for people who had a partial nephrectomy compared with people who had their whole kidney removed (radical nephrectomy).

Why choose Mayo Clinic for partial nephrectomy

• Extensive expertise and experience. Highly skilled Mayo Clinic urologic surgeons have performed about 2,000 partial nephrectomies since 2005. Mayo was one of the first medical centers to begin performing this procedure more than 20 years ago.
• Minimally invasive options. Mayo experts use advanced surgical techniques to offer less invasive laparoscopic and robot-assisted options for partial nephrectomy. The smaller incisions in robotic and laparoscopic surgery usually mean you'll have less postoperative pain and blood loss and a faster return to your normal activities.
• Research leader. Mayo Clinic has long been at the forefront of research on kidney-sparing surgery. Mayo Clinic tracks the results of Mayo patients treated for kidney cancer, focusing on how to improve outcomes.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for kidney disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for kidney disorders by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
What Sets Mayo Clinic Apart

Read more about nephrectomy.