Decision aid · Kidney
Treatment Options for Kidney Mass
The options when a scan finds a kidney mass.
Most kidney masses are found by chance on a scan done for another reason. Not all are cancer, and smaller masses are more likely to be benign. Even when a small mass is cancer, it often grows slowly — which is why monitoring is a legitimate choice rather than a failure to act.
01
Tumour size and treatment options
| Size of a solid mass | Chance it is benign | What this usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4 cm | About 20% | Monitoring, partial nephrectomy where feasible, or ablation |
| Over 4 cm up to 7 cm | About 10% | Usually treated; partial nephrectomy where technically feasible, otherwise the whole kidney is removed |
| 7 cm or larger | About 6% | Usually treated; the whole kidney is removed |
02
What happens with each treatment option?
| What to compare | Monitoring | Partial nephrectomy | Removing the kidney | Ablation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What happens | Scans at intervals | Mass removed, most of normal kidney preserved | Whole kidney removed | Mass destroyed by heat or cold |
| Anaesthetic | None | General | General | Usually sedation or general |
| Hospital stay | None | 1–2 nights | 1–2 nights | Often day case |
| Kidney function | Unchanged | Mostly preserved | Reduced overall | Mostly preserved |
| Diagnosis confirmed? | No, unless biopsied | Yes, full pathology | Yes, full pathology | Only if biopsied first |
| Main trade-off | Uncertainty; small risk of growth | An operation; small risk of bleeding, urine leak, or requiring whole-kidney removal | Loses a whole kidney | Cancer can remain or recur; close monitoring needed |
Have a question about this condition?
Dr Tan consults at SJMC, Kuala Lumpur.
Disclaimer: This information is for general education and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.