When searching for an expert kidney cancer surgeon in Bangalore, Dr Suraj Manjunath offers definitive oncological care at Apollo Hospitals. Our clinic delivers specialized, patient-centric kidney cancer treatment in Bangalore designed to remove tumors thoroughly while safeguarding your remaining renal function.

A diagnosis of kidney cancer can feel overwhelming for both the patient and the family. You may be wondering whether surgery is needed, whether the kidney can be saved, how soon treatment should begin, and what the recovery may look like.

I am Dr. Suraj Manjunath, a Surgical Oncologist in Bangalore, associated with Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road and Apollo Hospitals, Sarjapur Road.

As a Kidney Cancer Surgeon in Bangalore, my approach is to review your scans, understand the exact stage of disease, assess your fitness for surgery, and then explain your options in simple language.

Kidney cancer surgery may involve removing only the cancer-affected part of the kidney or, in some cases, removing the entire kidney. The right decision depends on the size, location and stage of the cancer, your kidney function, your overall health, and whether the cancer has spread.

My role is to help you understand your condition clearly and guide you towards the safest and most appropriate treatment plan.

This page will help you understand kidney cancer, how it is diagnosed, when surgery is needed, the types of kidney cancer surgery, the role of robotic, laparoscopic and open surgery, recovery, and the cost of kidney cancer surgery in Bangalore.

Kidney cancer does not always cause symptoms in the early stage. Many patients are diagnosed when they undergo an ultrasound or CT scan for abdominal pain, urinary symptoms, a general health check-up, or another unrelated problem.

When symptoms are present, they may include:

• Pain or heaviness in the side or back. Some patients feel a dull ache on one side of the abdomen or lower back.
• Blood in the urine. This may be visible as red or brown urine, or it may be detected only during a urine test.
• A lump or fullness in the abdomen. This is less common today because many kidney cancers are detected earlier on scans.
• Unexplained weight loss, tiredness or loss of appetite. These symptoms are not specific to kidney cancer but should be evaluated if persistent.
• Fever without a clear reason. Rarely, kidney cancer may cause repeated fever or general weakness.
• Swelling in the legs or varicocele in men. In some cases, if the tumor extends into major blood vessels, it may affect blood flow.

Please remember, these symptoms can occur due to many non-cancer conditions also. But if a kidney mass has already been seen on a scan, or if blood in urine is present, it is important to consult a specialist without unnecessary delay.

Before recommending kidney cancer surgery, I carefully review the diagnosis and stage of the disease. This helps us decide whether surgery is needed, what type of surgery is best, and whether any additional treatment is required.

The common steps include:

Ultrasound: Many kidney tumors are first detected on ultrasound. It may show a mass in the kidney, but usually more detailed imaging is needed before planning treatment.

CT scan or MRI: A contrast CT scan or MRI helps us understand the size of the tumor, its location, whether it is close to important blood vessels, whether it involves the renal vein or inferior vena cava, and whether nearby organs or lymph nodes are affected.

Chest imaging and staging tests: Staging means checking whether the cancer is limited to the kidney or has spread elsewhere. Depending on the case, chest CT, bone scan, PET-CT or other tests may be advised.

Biopsy: A biopsy means taking a small sample from the tumor for testing. In kidney cancer, biopsy is not always required before surgery, especially when scans strongly suggest cancer and surgery is clearly indicated. However, biopsy may be useful in selected cases, such as when the diagnosis is uncertain or when non-surgical treatment is being considered.

Blood and urine tests: These help assess kidney function, hemoglobin levels, liver function and general fitness.

Fitness assessment before surgery: Before surgery, we also evaluate heart, lung, diabetes, blood pressure, blood-thinner use and overall fitness. This is especially important for older patients or those with other medical conditions.

Treatment planning should be based on the full picture, not just one scan finding.

There are different types of kidney cancer surgery. The aim is always to remove the cancer safely while protecting the patient’s long-term health.

Partial Nephrectomy
Partial nephrectomy means removing only the tumor and a small rim of surrounding normal kidney tissue. The rest of the kidney is preserved. This is also called kidney-sparing or nephron-sparing surgery.

This option is commonly considered for smaller tumors, tumors in suitable locations, patients with reduced kidney function, patients with a single kidney, or patients at risk of future kidney problems. The benefit is that it can preserve more kidney function. 

Radical Nephrectomy
Radical nephrectomy means removing the entire kidney along with the surrounding fatty tissue. In selected cases, the adrenal gland or nearby lymph nodes may also be removed if involved or suspicious.

This may be needed for larger tumors, central tumors, tumors close to major blood vessels, or tumors where saving part of the kidney is not safe. Most people can live with one functioning kidney, but kidney function needs monitoring after surgery.

Simple Nephrectomy
Simple nephrectomy usually means removing the kidney without wider removal of surrounding structures. In cancer care, the exact extent depends on the tumor and surgical judgement.

Lymph Node Removal
Lymph nodes are small filtering glands. If lymph nodes near the kidney look enlarged or suspicious on scan or during surgery, they may be removed for staging and treatment planning.

Surgery for Tumor Thrombus
In some kidney cancers, the tumor can extend into the renal vein or the large vein in the abdomen called the inferior vena cava. These cases are more complex and may require open surgery and a carefully coordinated surgical plan.

Metastasectomy in Selected Cases
If kidney cancer has spread to a limited number of areas, surgery to remove those deposits may be considered in carefully selected patients as part of a larger treatment plan.

Today, kidney cancer surgery may be performed through robotic, laparoscopic or open approaches depending on the case.

Robotic Kidney Cancer Surgery: Robotic surgery may be useful in selected kidney cancer cases, especially for partial nephrectomy. It allows the surgeon to operate with high precision through small cuts. This can help in carefully removing the tumor and reconstructing the kidney when kidney preservation is planned.

Laparoscopic Kidney Cancer Surgery: Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive approach where surgery is performed through small cuts using a camera and long instruments. It may be suitable for selected radical nephrectomy cases and some other kidney cancer operations.

Open Kidney Cancer Surgery: Open surgery is still very important in cancer care. It may be required for very large tumors, tumors involving major blood vessels, complex anatomy, previous surgeries, or cases where open access gives better safety and cancer control.

The decision is not about choosing the most modern method. It is about choosing the safest method for your cancer.

In my practice, I explain the pros and limitations of each approach clearly.

One of the biggest sources of anxiety before cancer surgery is uncertainty. I make it a point to explain the steps clearly so that you and your family know what to expect.

Before Surgery
Before surgery, I review your scans, blood tests, urine tests, kidney function, heart and lung fitness, medications, diabetes or blood pressure status, and anesthesia evaluation.

If you are taking blood thinners, they may need to be stopped or adjusted under medical supervision. If you have reduced kidney function, a nephrologist may be involved. If the tumor is complex, further imaging may be advised.

You will be told about the planned surgery, possible risks, expected hospital stay, recovery time and follow-up schedule.

During Hospital Stay
The length of hospital stay depends on the type of surgery and your recovery. Patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery may recover faster than those needing major open surgery, but every case is different.

Pain control, early movement, breathing exercises, fluid intake, diet and wound care are all managed carefully. The team monitors urine output, kidney function, bleeding risk and overall recovery.

After Surgery
After surgery, the removed tissue is sent for pathology. This final pathology report is very important. It tells us the exact cancer type, grade, stage, margins and whether any lymph nodes are involved.

Once the report is available, I explain what it means and whether further treatment or close follow-up is needed.

Recovery at Home
At home, you may need to avoid heavy lifting for some time. Walking is usually encouraged. Diet, hydration, wound care and follow-up instructions are explained before discharge.

You may also read more on Recovery After Cancer Surgery for general guidance.

The cost of kidney cancer surgery in Bangalore cannot be given as one fixed amount without reviewing the patient’s reports. It depends on factors such as:

• Type of surgery planned: Partial nephrectomy, radical nephrectomy, lymph node removal, or complex tumor thrombus surgery may have different costs.
• Surgical approach used: Robotic, laparoscopic, and open kidney cancer surgery have different hospital and equipment-related costs.
• Size and complexity of the tumor: A small tumor in a favorable location is usually different from a large tumor close to major blood vessels.
• Hospital stay and ICU requirement: Longer hospital stay, ICU monitoring, or additional post-operative care can affect the total cost.
• Pre-surgery investigations: CT scan, MRI, blood tests, cardiac evaluation, anesthesia assessment, and other tests may add to the overall expense.
• Patient’s overall health condition: Diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease, kidney function issues, or blood-thinner use may require extra precautions.
• Need for additional treatment: Some patients may need immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, or further oncology care after surgery.

After reviewing your reports, the hospital team can provide a more accurate cost estimate based on the treatment plan recommended for you.