Robotic Surgery Leaves No Room for Kidney Tumors

Robotic Surgery Leaves No Room for Kidney Tumors

Prof. Dr. Bülent Önal: 80% of Kidney Tumor Surgeries at Cerrahpaşa Medical School Are Performed Using Robotic Surgery

Early Detection Enables Kidney-Preserving Surgeries

3D Imaging of the Kidney Eliminates Errors Before Surgery

www.dreamswisdom.com 

Kidney tumors rank as the fourth most common tumors in urology. These tumors are often detected incidentally during unrelated medical examinations, with approximately 80% of kidney tumors identified by chance.

Prof. Dr. Bülent Önal, a Urology Specialist at Cerrahpaşa Medical School, emphasizes the importance of incidental detections for early treatment. “We call these ‘incidental kidney tumors.’ While no single cause is definitive, factors like obesity, hypertension, smoking, and genetic predispositions increase risks for kidney cancer, just as they do for many other cancers,” he explains. For families with hereditary kidney tumors, genetic screenings and regular check-ups are recommended.

No Longer Removing Entire Kidneys

Dr. Önal highlights a shift toward kidney-sparing surgeries, thanks to earlier detections. “In the past, we frequently encountered patients whose entire kidney was engulfed by tumors, necessitating full kidney removal. Today, most patients present with localized masses, enabling us to preserve the kidney and remove only the tumor,” he states.

During these surgeries, surgeons carefully remove the tumor along with healthy surrounding tissue, ensuring the tumor capsule remains intact to prevent spreading. “All kidney-preserving surgeries here are conducted using robotic surgery,” Dr. Önal adds.

Advantages of Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery at Cerrahpaşa Medical School offers numerous benefits:

• 3D Visualization: Surgeons gain a three-dimensional view, allowing precise navigation near lesions.

• Minimal Invasiveness: Performed through four small incisions, recovery and wound healing are significantly faster than traditional open surgeries.

• Cosmetic Benefits: Unlike open surgeries, which leave large scars, robotic surgery leaves minimal marks.

“Approximately 80% of kidney tumor surgeries at our facility utilize robotic techniques,” says Dr. Önal. “Having access to this technology greatly benefits our patients.”

Pre-Surgery 3D Imaging

At Cerrahpaşa, 3D imaging technology has been integrated into kidney tumor surgeries. “Using MRIs and CT scans, we create 3D models of the kidney, clearly mapping the tumor’s size, location, and its relationship with the renal system and blood vessels,” Dr. Önal explains. “This helps us prepare meticulously, ensuring complete tumor removal while preserving kidney function.”

Dr. Önal emphasizes the goal of leaving no tumor cells behind while restoring kidney functionality post-surgery. “Destroying is easy; rebuilding is hard. By preserving the kidney, we minimize recurrence risks and achieve excellent oncological outcomes,” he concludes.

www.dreamswisdom.com