A new method of surgery for kidney cancer could help reduce organ damage, leading to more successful treatment of the disease, scientists have discovered.

The research, presented today Wednesday at the UK National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool, outlines a new form of key-hole, robotic surgery technique which only removes the tumour and saves the kidney.

This is achieved without stopping blood supply to the kidney at all – minimising kidney damage. Larger, more serious tumours could also to be removed by this technique.

Existing methods of kidney-sparing surgery stop blood flow to the kidney while the tumour is removed.

Stopping blood flow, even briefly, can affect kidney function, which can have an impact on the patient's long-term survival.

Dr Inderbir S Gill**, pioneer of this new technique based at the University of Southern California said: "Good kidney function over the long-term is particularly important in patients with kidney cancer.

"We're optimistic this new robotic surgical technique, that allows the healthy part of the kidney to be saved, will enable the best possible function of the organ, which we hope can increase the patient's life-span."

Under the new method, surgeons can control specific branches of the kidney's arteries which directly supply blood to the tumour. Blood supply to the rest of the kidney stays untouched.

So far the technique - first used nine months ago - has been carried out successfully on 50 patients mostly in the US but also in the UK, India and Hong Kong.

Scientists now plan to compare patients having the new technique with those going through established methods of surgery to find out whether effectiveness of treatment, kidney function, and patient survival differ.

Dr Gill said: "Our initial analyses suggest that patients having the new type of surgery may have superior outcomes and better kidney function."

Professor Tim Eisen, Cancer Research UK's kidney cancer expert, said: "This research provides a big step forward in improving methods for removing the cancerous part of the kidney.

"This is an important technique since it allows kidney cancer patients, even some with large tumours, to keep as much as possible of their normal kidney function. They may need this later in life.

"Surgery is the main form of treatment for kidney cancer which has not spread to other organs and surgeons are continuously trying to refine their methods. Cancer Research UK welcomes new techniques, such as this one, which can improve the results of surgery and quality of life after the operation."

Source: National Cancer Research Institute