The Role of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy: European Association of Urology Recommendations in 2016

After the introduction of systemic targeted therapies, the use of nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma has declined. Currently, systemic therapy is offered to more patients first as a means to select those candidates that will likely benefit from removal of their primary tumour. Although studies consistently demonstrate a survival benefit after nephrectomy, most patients with poor risk metastatic disease are unlikely to benefit from surgery. Soon studies will report on the effect of nephrectomy in patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis.