A diagnosis of kidney cancer understandably causes considerable worry at first. It is important to us, however, to give you a reassuring perspective right at the outset: in many cases, renal cell carcinomas can now be treated very well and with organ preservation.
At our Clinic for Urological Oncology in Düsseldorf, the focus is on removing the tumor safely while preserving your kidney – and thus your quality of life – as well as possible. As a patient, you are often faced with an abundance of medical information. Here we would like to give you a clear, understandable overview of how we proceed.
How Do We Treat Kidney Cancer?
The treatment depends, among other things, on how large the tumor is and exactly where it is located. Often, surgery to remove the tumor is advisable. This is called partial kidney resection or partial nephrectomy.
The Operation: The Focus Is on Kidney Preservation
In the past, the entire kidney was usually removed in the case of a tumor. Today, this is only necessary for very large or unfavorably located tumors. Our standard procedure is what is known as partial kidney resection. This means: we remove only the diseased tissue. Your kidney remains in the body and continues to function.
In doing so, we rely on modern, minimally invasive technology:
- Robot-assisted surgery (da Vinci system): Through tiny incisions, we operate with enormous precision. For you, this means less pain after the procedure and a considerably faster recovery.
- Complete removal (nephrectomy): Should the tumor be too large for kidney preservation, we remove the affected kidney. Here, too, the following applies: with one healthy kidney, you can live normally and without restrictions in everyday life.
When Surgery Is Not an Option
Sometimes surgery is not the best path – for example in older patients, with certain pre-existing conditions, or when the tumor is very small.
Active surveillance: Very small kidney tumors often grow slowly. Sometimes the best decision is not to operate at first and instead to monitor the tumor regularly by MRI or CT. Action is only required if the tumor grows larger.
Drug-Based Therapies for Advanced Kidney Cancer
<p>Should the cancer have already spread, we work with modern systemic therapies. Classic chemotherapies are used hardly at all in kidney cancer. Instead, we use targeted drugs that inhibit tumor growth, or modern immunotherapies. The latter activate your own immune system so that it can once again recognize and fight the cancer cells itself.</p>
Urological Oncology for Women: You Are in the Best of Hands with Us
Urology is often mistakenly perceived as purely “men’s medicine.” However, the kidneys and urinary tract affect men and women equally.
That is why it is important to us to emphasize: at our Düsseldorf clinic, we have very successfully treated women with kidney tumors for many years. We take the time to address your specific anatomical and health-related circumstances and place great value on a trusting, discreet, and empathetic atmosphere. With us, you as a woman, with your individual concerns after the diagnosis, are at the center – and we guide you safely through the entire course of treatment.
Experience That Gives You Confidence: Over 10,000 Robotic Operations
When it comes to tumor surgery, the surgeon’s experience is the most important criterion. A robotic system like the “da Vinci” is only as precise as the surgeon operating it.
Before we founded the Clinic for Urological Oncology in Düsseldorf, Dr. Witt worked for 20 years as chief physician in Gronau and built up the largest center for robot-assisted surgery in Europe. With personal experience of over 10,000 robot-assisted operations and oversight of more than 25,000 robotic procedures, Dr. Witt is a world leader. He now brings this deep, decades-long surgical experience to every single treatment in Düsseldorf. For you, this means: the highest operative safety, maximum precision in kidney preservation, and the certainty of being operated on by an absolute specialist in this field. In addition, we work with a highly specialized team of anesthesia, assistant, and nursing staff.
Second Opinion and Personal Consultation
No text on the internet can replace a medical consultation. If you have questions about your diagnosis or would like a well-founded second opinion, we are glad to take the time for you. We discuss your findings calmly and consider with you which therapeutic path is the most sensible for you personally.