Background: The aim of the study was retrospective analysis of nephron-sparing surgery results of 53 patients, performed due to unilateral small kidney tumors in the period of 1988-1998.
Material/Methods: The patients were followed-up according to EORTC directions for 20 to 143 months after the surgery. We have treated 25 women and 28 men of the average age of 53.7. In ten patients partial nephrectomy was performed and the remaining 43 had the tumor enucleated.
Results: The average observation time without any recurrences and metastases was 63.8 months, in 5.7% of patients local disease related recurrences and in 1.9% remote recurrences have been found.
Conclusions: 1. Nephron-sparing surgery is a safe alternative to radical surgery in tumors of up to 4 cm in diameter. 2. Prospective 10-year survival time in our patients was 98%, including 92% of patients remaining without recurrence or metastases. 3. Positive prognostic factors are incidental diagnosis of a tumor and low staging and grading of a tumor.

Keywords: nephron-sparing surgery, Kidney, Carcinoma