Radical Nephrectomy Cost in India

The cost of radical nephrectomy in India typically ranges from $500 to $6,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Radical nephrectomy is an operation to remove the whole kidney, usually to treat kidney cancer. Nearby fat, lymph nodes and sometimes the adrenal gland may also be removed. The cost usually depends on:

• Approach: open, keyhole (laparoscopic) or robotic-assisted.
• Size and spread of the tumour: larger tumours may need more extensive surgery.
• Tumour in the vein: makes surgery more complex.
• Hospital stay: usually a few days.

Cancer Research UK explains that the whole kidney may be removed when a tumour is large, centrally placed or not suitable for partial removal.

For small tumours of 7 cm or less, partial nephrectomy, which keeps the rest of the kidney, is often preferred where possible.

According to Cancer Research UK, radical nephrectomy may be done as open surgery, keyhole surgery through about 3 to 5 small cuts, or robotic-assisted surgery in specialist centres.

Keyhole surgery usually means a quicker discharge, but the surgeon may need to change to open surgery during the operation.

Most people can live a normal life with one kidney. Recovery takes several weeks, with heavy lifting avoided at first.

Risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots and injury to nearby organs. Follow-up includes scans to check for cancer recurrence and tests of kidney function.