Purpose: The long-term results of partial nephrectomy for unilateral renal tumors in patients with a normal contralateral kidney are presented.
Materials and methods: A total of 70 patients with incidentally discovered renal carcinoma underwent partial nephrectomy between 1979 and 1997. End points were local recurrence-free and disease-free survival.
Results: Median followup was 10 years (range 1 to 19). Of the 70 patients 69 (98.5%) had no local recurrence and 68 (97%) survived free of metastasis. Overall survival was 93%. Two patients died of metastatic kidney cancer and 3 died of other causes. Average tumor size was 3 cm. and most lesions (94%) were stage T1 or T2.
Conclusions: Partial nephrectomy achieves the long-term local control and cure of small renal tumors in patients with a normal contralateral kidney.