nephrectomy
Meaning of nephrectomy: A nephrectomy is surgery to remove all or part of a kidney, performed through several different approaches depending on how much tissue must be removed.
Definition of nephrectomy
A nephrectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a kidney or part of a kidney. The extent of the procedure depends on the reason for surgery, ranging from removing only a tumor or diseased portion of the kidney to removing the entire organ along with nearby structures.
In a partial nephrectomy, only a tumor or affected portion of the kidney is removed, preserving the remaining healthy tissue. A simple nephrectomy removes an entire kidney, while a radical nephrectomy also removes the adjacent adrenal gland, nearby lymph nodes, and surrounding tissue. A bilateral nephrectomy removes both kidneys and is performed far less often, typically requiring a plan for kidney replacement therapy afterward.
Nephrectomy can be performed through traditional open surgery or through minimally invasive approaches, including laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques, and the surgical approach chosen depends on factors such as tumor size, location, and the surgeon's assessment of the individual case.
How nephrectomy is built
- nephr/o, ren/o Combining form · Greek and Latin kidney
- -ectomy Suffix · Greek surgical removal, excision
A medical term is read from its ending backwards: the suffix first, then the prefix, then the root. See all 223 word parts.
Used in a sentence
A partial nephrectomy was performed to remove the tumor while preserving the remaining kidney tissue.
Good to know
A partial nephrectomy preserves remaining kidney tissue, while a simple or radical nephrectomy removes an entire kidney, a distinction that affects how much kidney function remains afterward.
Word origin
Where “nephrectomy” comes from
Formed from Greek nephros, meaning kidney, and -ektome, meaning a cutting out or excision.