Which kidney cancer patients can choose laparoscopic surgery

Research data from abroad show that for T1 (less than 7 cm) renal cancer, there is no statistically significant difference in the 5- to 10-year survival rate between laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and open partial nephrectomy; for T1-T2 renal tumors, there is no statistically significant difference in the 5- to 10-year survival rate and recurrence and metastasis rate of renal cancer patients between laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and open radical nephrectomy.

However, not all patients with renal cancer are suitable for laparoscopic techniques. Generally speaking, superficial, exophytic, perirenal, and <4 cm in diameter renal cancer are the selection criteria for laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery. In large medical centers with rich laparoscopic experience, some 4-7 cm renal tumors can also be treated with laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery; for localized renal cancers of 4-7 cm and larger than 7 cm (T1b-T2), the number of laparoscopic radical surgeries has exceeded that of open surgery. For T3-T4 tumors (combined with renal vein and vena cava tumor thrombus, tumor invasion of the adrenal glands, and tumor invasion of surrounding organs) and renal tumors that require extensive lymph node dissection during surgery, open surgery is recommended.

In short, for T1-T2 renal cancer, laparoscopic surgery has less trauma, faster recovery, and better long-term effects; in some large medical centers, laparoscopic surgery has begun to gradually replace traditional open surgery. Of course, for each specific patient, whether laparoscopic surgery is suitable depends not only on the size and location of the tumor, but also on comprehensive factors such as the patient's age, physical condition, severity of comorbidities, and the surgeon's experience. Therefore, the treatment of renal cancer requires individual selection of the most suitable treatment method.