Do I need regular checkups after kidney cancer surgery?

After kidney cancer surgery, regular checkups are necessary. Two aspects need to be noted: one is the follow-up of kidney tumors. The main purpose of follow-up is to check for recurrence, metastasis, and new tumors. The other is the protection and examination of renal function after surgery. Since most patients have only one kidney left after kidney cancer surgery, more attention should be paid to this kidney so that problems can be discovered and treated in time.

Postoperative follow-up is divided into several stages: the first stage is about one week after surgery, mainly asking about the general condition after discharge; checking the healing of the wound; informing the postoperative pathological results and prognosis; discussing further adjuvant treatment; and for medical insurance patients, major disease medical insurance is required; if the patient's wound is dry and there is no special discomfort during this follow-up, the family can go to the doctor on their behalf. The second stage is conducted 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, mainly to evaluate kidney function, recovery after blood loss, and whether there are surgical complications. Patients who undergo partial nephrectomy will undergo a renal CT scan 4 to 6 weeks after surgery to understand the changes in kidney morphology for comparison in future reexaminations. The third stage is a long-term follow-up plan: Early renal cancer (T1~T2): follow-up every 3~6 months for 3 consecutive years, and follow-up once a year thereafter; mid-to-late renal cancer (T3~T4): follow-up every 3 months for 2 consecutive years, follow-up every 6 months in the third year, and follow-up once a year thereafter. Postoperative follow-up content Routine follow-up content includes: ① history inquiry; ② physical examination; ③ blood routine and blood biochemical examination: liver and kidney function and abnormal blood biochemical indicators in preoperative examination, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, blood calcium, etc. ④ Chest X-ray (front and lateral). For patients with abnormalities found in chest X-ray examination, it is recommended to undergo chest CT scan or directly choose chest CT examination; ⑤ Abdominal ultrasound examination. Patients with abnormalities found in abdominal ultrasound examination, kidney-saving surgery, and patients after mid-to-late (T3~T4) stage renal cancer surgery need to undergo abdominal CT scan, which can be performed once every 6 months for 2 consecutive years, and then it depends on the specific situation.