Partial nephrectomy appears to be associated with better survival among Medicare beneficiaries with early-stage kidney cancer than radical nephrectomy, according to a large investigation. Mortality rates at 62 months were 25.3% for partial nephrectomy and 41.5% for radical nephrectomy. Researchers predicted a significant survival increase with partial nephrectomy at 2, 5, and 8 years after the treatment approach, when compared with radical nephrectomy.

Abstract: JAMA, April 18, 2012.