Renal parenchymal histopathology predicts life‐threatening chronic kidney disease as a result of radical nephrectomy

The preoperative prediction of post‐radical nephrectomy renal insufficiency plays an important role in the decision‐making process regarding renal surgery options. Furthermore, the prediction of both postoperative renal insufficiency and postoperative cardiovascular disease occurrence, which is suggested to be an adverse consequence caused by renal insufficiency, contributes to the preoperative policy decision as well as the precise informed consent for a renal cell carcinoma patient. Preoperative nomograms for the prediction of post‐radical nephrectomy renal insufficiency, calculated using patient backgrounds, are advocated. The use of these nomograms together with other types of nomograms predicting oncological outcome is beneficial. Post‐radical nephrectomy attending physicians can predict renal insufficiency based on the normal renal parenchymal pathology in addition to preoperative patient characteristics. It is suggested that a high level of global glomerulosclerosis in nephrectomized normal renal parenchyma is closely associated with severe renal insufficiency. Some studies showed that post‐radical nephrectomy severe renal insufficiency might have an association with increased mortality as a result of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, such pathophysiology should be recognized as life‐threatening, surgically‐related chronic kidney disease. On the contrary, the investigation of the prediction of mild post‐radical nephrectomy renal insufficiency, which is not related to adverse consequences in the postoperative long‐term period, is also promising because the prediction of mild renal insufficiency might be the basis for the substitution of radical nephrectomy for nephron‐sparing surgery in technically difficult or compromised cases. The deterioration of quality of life caused by post‐radical nephrectomy renal insufficiency should be investigated in conjunction with life‐threatening matters.