"I couldn't believe it when the doctor advised me to have my kidney removed," Nguyen said, adding that he had always been healthy, with no underlying conditions or unusual symptoms, but he smoked regularly and had class 2 obesity.

Nguyen visited Tam Anh General Hospital in TP HCM for a health check as part of a job application. An ultrasound and CT scan revealed a 7 cm tumor in his left kidney. Doctor Nguyen Hoang Duc, Head of the Urology Department, Center for Urology - Nephrology - Andrology, said the tumor had occupied more than two-thirds of the left kidney, causing kidney dysfunction and risking rupture and hemorrhage. Subsequent tests confirmed it was cancerous.

Doctors assessed Nguyen's right kidney as functioning well and capable of compensating for the left. Having only one kidney would not affect his reproductive function, and with normally functioning testicles, Nguyen could still have children. Therefore, he underwent surgery to remove the cancerous left kidney to prevent potential complications.

Doctors used the Da Vinci Xi robotic system for the laparoscopic removal of Nguyen's left kidney. According to Doctor Duc, this minimally invasive method involves smaller incisions, increased precision, reduced trauma, faster recovery, and fewer complications. Three days post-surgery, Nguyen recovered and was discharged with scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor his kidney function due to the potential risk of future renal failure.

Doctor Duc operates the Da Vinci Xi robot during Nguyen's kidney removal surgery. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Duc operates the Da Vinci Xi robot during Nguyen's kidney removal surgery. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Kidney cancer is less common in young people but is on the rise. Risk factors for younger individuals include lifestyle choices such as alcohol and tobacco abuse, lack of exercise, and being overweight or obese. Other factors include genetics, exposure to environmental toxins, and other medical conditions.

The disease often has no clear symptoms in its early stages and is usually discovered incidentally during routine check-ups or due to another illness. By the time frequent symptoms like lower back pain, blood in the urine, persistent fatigue, and fever appear, the cancer is often advanced.

Doctor Duc recommends regular health checkups and kidney function screenings, especially for young people. Early detection allows for surgical removal of the tumor while preserving healthy kidney tissue. In later stages, removing the entire kidney becomes necessary to prevent the spread of cancer.

The Da Vinci Xi robot assists Doctor Duc and his team during Nguyen's kidney removal surgery. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

The Da Vinci Xi robot assists Doctor Duc and his team during Nguyen's kidney removal surgery. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Individuals with one kidney should avoid contact sports like football and martial arts to minimize the risk of injury to the remaining kidney. A healthy diet, including sufficient water intake, and limiting salt and fatty foods are also important. Avoiding stimulants and tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, and being cautious with over-the-counter or unverified medications are crucial for kidney health.

Ha Thanh