RecruitingInterventional

Is partial removal of the kidney better than removing the whole kidney for patients with intermediate-size kidney tumours?

Every year, thousands of people in the UK find out they have a tumour on their kidney. For tumours up to 7cm that have not spread, surgeons often use keyhole surgery to treat them. There are two common approaches: removing just the tumour to save the rest of the kidney, or removing the entire kidney. Currently, NHS doctors do not have clear evidence on which choice is best. Removing part of the kidney may protect your long-term kidney health, but it has a slightly higher risk of bleeding during surgery. Removing the whole kidney is simpler, but leaves you with only one kidney. The PARTIAL study directly compares these two standard operations. Patients who take part are randomly assigned to one of the procedures and followed up for two years. The results will help future patients and NHS surgeons choose the best care.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

420

Start

18 Apr 2023

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2027

Renal cancer

What is this study about?

Finding out you have a kidney tumour can be a worrying time, but many tumours are found early when they are small or medium-sized (under 7cm) and have not spread. In the UK, surgery is the main treatment to remove them. If your other kidney is healthy, surgeons can either take away just the tumour while keeping the rest of the kidney, or remove the whole kidney completely.

Both of these operations are already widely used across the NHS and are done using keyhole or robotic surgery. However, doctors are not certain which approach gives patients the best long-term results. Saving part of the kidney keeps more working kidney tissue, which may protect your health as you grow older. On the other hand, it can be a trickier operation with a slightly higher chance of bleeding. Removing the whole kidney is often more straightforward, but it leaves you relying on a single kidney.

The PARTIAL study aims to solve this dilemma. By comparing how patients recover from both operations, researchers want to see which method provides the best recovery, kidney function, and quality of life. The findings will give future patients and NHS doctors clear, reliable guidance.

Key takeaways

Compares partial kidney removal with full kidney removal for tumours up to 7cm.
Both surgeries are standard, trusted keyhole procedures used in the NHS.
Participants are randomly assigned to one of the two surgical options.
Follows participants for two years using routine blood tests and quality-of-life surveys.
Aims to discover which surgery provides better long-term kidney health and recovery.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to adults aged 18 and over in the UK who have recently been diagnosed with a single kidney tumour measuring up to 7cm that has not spread. A specialist hospital team must confirm that your tumour is suitable to be treated by either partial or full kidney removal using keyhole or robotic surgery.

You will need to have a healthy, normal kidney on the other side. The study is not suitable for people who already have moderate or severe chronic kidney disease, or for those whose cancer has spread elsewhere in the body.

You also cannot take part if you need open surgery (with a larger cut), if you were born with certain kidney shape problems, if you have an inherited genetic cancer condition, or if you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged 18 or older.
I have a single kidney tumour that is 7cm or smaller.
My cancer has not spread to other parts of my body.
My other kidney is healthy and works normally.
My surgeon has confirmed I am suitable for keyhole or robotic surgery.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you agree to take part, a computer programme will randomly choose whether you have partial kidney removal or full kidney removal. This ensures the comparison is completely fair. Both operations are standard NHS treatments done under general anaesthetic using keyhole cuts.

After your operation, the research team will keep in touch with you for two years (24 months). During this time, you will have routine blood tests to see how well your kidneys are filtering waste. You will also be asked to complete questionnaires about your recovery, symptoms, and quality of life. Most check-ups will fit into your usual post-surgery hospital appointments, so taking part should not cause major extra disruption.

Potential risks and benefits

Because both operations are already standard NHS treatments, joining the study does not introduce new or untested surgical risks. General risks for both procedures include infection, pain, and reactions to anaesthetic. Partial removal carries a slightly higher risk of bleeding, while full removal leaves you with only one working kidney. You may not experience any direct personal benefit from taking part, but your involvement will provide valuable evidence to help the NHS improve kidney cancer surgery for future patients. Taking part is completely voluntary, and you can change your mind and withdraw at any time without your medical care being affected.

Locations (34)

Centre for Healthcare Randomised Trials (CHaRT)
City only
Aberdeen, Scotland
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
Approximate
Norwich, England
Churchill Hospital
Approximate
Oxford, England
Stepping Hill Hospital
Approximate
Stockport, England
Leicester General Hospital
Approximate
Leicester, England
Freeman Road Hospital
Unverified
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
University Hospital of Wales
Unverified
Cardiff, Wales
Addenbrookes Hospital
Unverified
Cambridge, England
Walsgrave Hospital
Unverified
Coventry, England
Guys Hospital
Unverified
London, England
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Unverified
Sunderland, England
Royal Wolverhampton Hospital
Unverified
Wolverhampton, England

Common questions

Can I choose which operation I have?

No. A computer randomly decides which surgery you receive so that the two treatments can be compared fairly.

Is either of these surgeries experimental?

No. Both partial removal and total removal are standard, approved operations performed regularly across the NHS.

Will this study delay my cancer treatment?

No. Your operation will be scheduled within the usual NHS waiting times for kidney cancer surgery.

How long will I be in the study?

You will be followed up for 24 months (two years) after your surgery to check on your recovery and kidney health.

What happens if I change my mind?

You are free to leave the study at any time without giving a reason, and your NHS medical team will continue to give you the best standard care.

How to find out more

Diana Johnson

partial@abdn.ac.uk +44 (0)1224 438144 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.