What is kidney cancer?
The most common type is renal cell carcinoma, which arises in the tissue that filters blood inside the kidney. Many kidney tumours are now found incidentally on imaging scans performed for other reasons.
Smoking, obesity and high blood pressure are the best-established risk factors.
Diagnosis
The work-up is based on an abdominal contrast CT scan, which defines the tumour's exact size and location. A kidney biopsy can be useful in selected cases to decide the best treatment.
Overall kidney function is assessed in every case — particularly important for patients with a single kidney or reduced function.
Surgical treatment
Wherever possible, kidney-preserving surgery is prioritised: partial nephrectomy removes only the tumour while preserving the rest of the kidney, with cancer outcomes equivalent to removing the whole kidney for small tumours.
Dr. Carrión performs kidney surgery through a laparoscopic or robotic approach, with less bleeding, less pain and faster recovery. For selected small tumours, non-surgical alternatives can also be considered.
Advanced disease
In extended or metastatic tumours, treatment is planned in a multidisciplinary setting, combining surgery with current systemic therapies (immunotherapy and targeted therapies), following the latest evidence.