Prof. Dr. Emel Akoğlu
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Kidney & Bladder
Nephrectomy
What a nephrectomy is, the difference between partial, radical and simple kidney removal, why the operation is needed, how open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches compare, how life with one kidney works, approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, recovery, risks and how to check a urology team.
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Prof. Dr. Zerrin Biçik Bahçebaşı
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Nephrectomy in Turkey: what it is and why it is done
Nephrectomy is the surgical removal of a kidney, or of part of a kidney. It is carried out most often to treat a kidney tumour, but it is also used for a kidney that has been destroyed by long-term infection, stones or blockage, for severe high blood pressure caused by a diseased kidney, after serious injury, and to remove a healthy kidney from a living donor for transplantation. The kidneys filter the blood and make urine; most people have two, and one healthy kidney is enough to maintain normal life. Urology departments in Turkey perform nephrectomy by open surgery, by laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) and with a robot.
This guide explains the types of nephrectomy, how they are done, what the evidence says about cancer outcomes, what each approach costs against the UK, US and Germany, what recovery looks like and how to check a team. If kidney cancer is suspected, time matters, and planning begins with your scans and your own specialist's advice. For other work in the specialty see urology treatments in Turkey.
Partial, radical or simple nephrectomy: which one is needed?
The word covers three operations, and the right one depends on why the kidney is being treated.
- Partial nephrectomy removes the tumour with a margin of healthy tissue and leaves the rest of the kidney in place. It is preferred for smaller tumours because it protects long-term kidney function.
- Radical nephrectomy removes the whole kidney, usually with the surrounding fat and sometimes the adrenal gland and nearby lymph nodes. It is used for larger tumours or those in difficult positions.
- Simple nephrectomy removes the kidney alone, for non-cancer reasons such as a non-functioning, infected or scarred kidney.
Living-donor nephrectomy is a fourth situation, done by keyhole surgery on a healthy person; it follows its own strict rules and legal approvals, and this page does not cover transplantation.
How is a nephrectomy performed, step by step?
The operation is done under general anaesthesia and takes about two to four hours. In open surgery the surgeon makes a single incision along the flank or the upper abdomen and removes the kidney directly. In laparoscopic surgery four or five small incisions are made, a camera and long instruments are passed through them, and the kidney is freed and placed in a bag removed through an enlarged incision. A robotic approach works the same way with surgeon-controlled instruments; see our guide to nephrectomy with da Vinci robot. In every method the surgeon secures the renal artery and vein, frees the kidney from its attachments and the ureter, and closes the wounds, sometimes leaving a drain. In a partial operation, blood flow is briefly clamped while the tumour is cut out and the kidney is repaired with stitches.
Does nephrectomy work, and what does the evidence say?
For localised kidney cancer, surgery is the standard treatment and cure is often achieved when the tumour is removed completely. Partial nephrectomy gives similar cancer control to radical removal for small tumours and preserves more kidney function, which is why urology guidelines such as those of the European Association of Urology recommend it where it is technically possible. Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery achieve comparable cancer outcomes in experienced hands; they differ mainly in the size of the incisions and the recovery. If cancer has spread, nephrectomy can still be part of treatment together with drug therapy, but the plan is made with an oncologist. Not every small kidney mass is cancer, and a urologist may suggest scan surveillance rather than surgery for some small tumours in older or frail patients.
Nephrectomy cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The ranges below are approximate figures for a private operation including the hospital stay, not hospital quotes. The hospital confirms its own price in writing after it has reviewed your scans.
| Country | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €4,500 – €12,000 |
| United Kingdom | €9,000 – €20,000 |
| United States | €20,000 – €50,000 |
| Germany | €8,000 – €18,000 |
What changes the price: the type (simple, partial or radical), the approach (open, laparoscopic or robotic), the complexity of the tumour, the length of stay and whether tests such as a CT scan, MRI or kidney function scan are included. A package normally covers pre-operative tests, surgery, anaesthesia, ward nights, medication and transfers. It does not normally cover cancer treatment after surgery; ask what is and is not included, in writing.
Open, laparoscopic or robotic nephrectomy: how do they compare?
The approach is chosen by the size and position of the disease and the surgeon's experience.
| Approach | Suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Very large tumours, vein involvement, difficult anatomy | Larger incision, more pain, longer recovery |
| Laparoscopic | Most radical and simple nephrectomies | Delicate partial removal is harder |
| Robotic | Partial removal and complex stitching | Requires a robot and trained team; higher equipment cost |
A good surgeon explains why a method suits you and when they would change to open surgery for safety.
Who needs a nephrectomy, and who is not suited to surgery?
People who may need it include those with a solid kidney mass seen on ultrasound, CT or MRI, a pelvic or ureteric tumour of the upper urinary tract, a kidney destroyed by repeated infection or stones, or severe damage after injury. Surgery is more complex with a very large tumour, tumour extending into the main vein, previous abdominal operations, poor function of the other kidney, or heart and lung disease that makes anaesthesia risky. Chronic kidney disease needs a careful plan because removing kidney tissue may speed decline in function. Acute symptoms such as heavy bleeding in the urine, fever with flank pain or severe pain require emergency care locally, not travel.
What is recovery after a nephrectomy like?
After keyhole surgery most patients stay two to four nights in hospital; after open surgery the stay is four to seven nights. The catheter and drain are removed in the first days, and walking begins on the first day. Pain is controlled with medicines and is greater after open surgery. Most people return to desk work after about two to four weeks following keyhole surgery and four to six weeks after open surgery, and avoid heavy lifting for six to eight weeks. For a trip, plan roughly seven to twelve days in Turkey so the surgeon can check the wounds and blood tests before you fly home, and ask for the pathology report to go to your own doctor.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1-3 | Ward, walking, catheter removed, kidney function blood tests |
| Days 4-10 | Wound check, drain removed, flying once the surgeon agrees |
| Weeks 2-6 | Gradual return to work; pathology review with your own doctors |
| Weeks 6-8 | Lifting and exercise resume gradually |
| 3-12 months | Follow-up scans and kidney function checks as advised |
Can I live with one kidney?
Yes. After a nephrectomy the remaining kidney grows slightly and takes over much of the work, and most people have normal energy, diet and life expectancy. Doctors advise keeping blood pressure under control, drinking water regularly, avoiding long-term use of painkillers that harm the kidney, such as high-dose anti-inflammatories, and having regular blood and urine tests. A small rise in the risk of long-term kidney disease is recognised, which is one reason a partial nephrectomy is chosen when it is safe. Contact sports need a conversation with your doctor.
What are the risks of nephrectomy?
Risks include bleeding, infection, wound hernia, blood clots, injury to nearby organs such as the bowel, spleen or major vessels, and anaesthetic complications. After partial nephrectomy there can be a urine leak or delayed bleeding from the kidney. Some keyhole operations are converted to open surgery during the procedure. The NHS and the European Association of Urology describe these risks and note that outcomes depend on the surgeon's experience and the patient's health. Ask the unit about its own results and how it manages complications.
How do I choose a urology team, and what are the red flags?
Look for a hospital with a urology department that performs kidney cancer surgery regularly, an intensive-care unit, a pathology laboratory and an oncology service. Ask how many nephrectomies the surgeon performs each year, whether partial nephrectomy is routine and how the pathology report will reach your own doctor. Red flags: a price quoted without seeing your CT or MRI, promises of a cure, pressure to book quickly, no named surgeon and no follow-up plan. Hospitals that advertise cosmetic urology, such as circumcision or penis enlargement, do not necessarily have experience in kidney cancer, so ask specifically. Read how our process works and request a plan through our free quote page.
Questions to ask the clinic:
- Which type of nephrectomy do you recommend for me, and why?
- Can the tumour be removed with a partial nephrectomy?
- Will the surgery be open, laparoscopic or robotic?
- What does the package include, and who receives the pathology report?
- Who will arrange my follow-up scans at home?
Hospitals with Urology in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
A nephrectomy is the surgical removal of a kidney or part of one. It is done mainly for kidney tumours, and also for a kidney destroyed by infection, stones or blockage, or for donation.
Approximate ranges are €4,500 to €12,000 in Turkey, against about €9,000 to €20,000 in the UK. The price depends on the type, the approach and the length of stay; the hospital confirms it in a written quote.
A partial nephrectomy removes only the tumour and keeps the rest of the kidney. A radical nephrectomy removes the whole kidney. Partial removal is preferred when it is safe because it protects kidney function.
After keyhole surgery most people return to desk work in two to four weeks; after open surgery it is four to six weeks. Heavy lifting is avoided for six to eight weeks.
Yes. The remaining kidney takes over much of the work, and most people have normal energy and life expectancy. Regular blood pressure, blood and urine checks are advised.
You are asleep during the operation. Afterwards pain is controlled with medicines; it is greater after open surgery than after keyhole surgery and eases over the first one to two weeks.
For localised kidney cancer, complete removal often cures the disease. The pathology report and follow-up scans show whether more treatment is needed, and spread disease is treated with an oncologist.
Risks include bleeding, infection, wound hernia, blood clots, injury to nearby organs and, after partial removal, urine leak. Some keyhole operations are converted to open surgery.
Open surgery uses one larger incision. Laparoscopic and robotic surgery use small incisions with a camera, the robot adding surgeon-controlled wristed instruments. Cancer results are comparable; recovery is usually quicker with keyhole methods.
Plan about seven to twelve days: two to seven nights in hospital depending on the approach, then wound and blood-test checks before flying. Complications can extend the stay.
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