Nephron-sparing surgery for localized renal cell carcinoma with a normal contralateral kidney: a European three-center experience.

Objectives: To assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of nephron-sparing surgery for the treatment of localized renal cell carcinoma with a normal contralateral kidney.

Methods: Since 1973, 118 patients have undergone nephron-sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma on an elective basis at our institutions. The vast majority of these tumors were incidental findings, with a mean tumor diameter of 3.