Kidney Tumors: Diagnosis and Treatment
Kidney tumors are neoplasms that arise from the tissues of the kidney. In most cases, they are malignant. The most common form is clear cell renal cell carcinoma, accounting for up to 85% of all cases. The disease occurs more frequently in men and typically affects one kidney.
In the early stages, kidney tumors may be asymptomatic and are often discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated reasons. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- blood in the urine (hematuria)
- flank pain
- a palpable mass in the abdomen
- arterial hypertension
Detecting the disease early is key to effective treatment and keeping the kidneys functioning well.
Diagnostic Methods
Our department offers the full spectrum of modern diagnostic techniques:
- Consultation and clinical examination by a urologist
- Blood and urine tests
- Ultrasound examination
- CT and MRI – for precise visualization of the tumor and surrounding structures
- Contrast-enhanced angiography to assess tumor blood supply
- Scintigraphy to evaluate kidney function
- Tumor biopsy
- Interdisciplinary oncology tumor board to determine an optimal, personalized treatment strategy
Treatment Options
The Department of Urology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg is one of Europe’s leading centers for organ-preserving kidney tumor surgery.
Depending on the stage of disease, the patient’s general condition, and tumor characteristics, the following treatment approaches are used:
Surgical Treatment
- Partial nephrectomy (kidney-sparing tumor resection) – preferred for tumors up to 6 cm
- Radical nephrectomy – removal of the entire affected kidney
- Laparoscopic surgery – minimally invasive, highly precise procedures
Minimally Invasive Techniques
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) – heat-based destruction of the tumor
- Cryoablation – elimination of tumor cells through extreme cold
Systemic Therapy
- Immunotherapy for progressive renal cell carcinoma
- Targeted therapy directed at specific molecular tumor pathways
Prevention and Follow-Up Care
- Regular follow-up examinations to monitor treatment outcomes and detect recurrences early
- Individual lifestyle and risk-reduction counseling
- Postoperative surveillance programs to support recovery and enhance quality of life
Appointment and Contact
📞 Phone: +49 761 270 21310
📧 E-mail: info-international@uniklinik-freiburg.de
🌐 Online request