To evaluate the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CRN) in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in targeted therapy era in the light of contemporary data reported in the literature. Recent findings reported in retrospective studies indicate that although the CRN rates are lower than before, the procedure is related with improved survival. Several objective criteria have been proposed for proper patient selection. Results of ongoing prospective studies will help to clarify the role of CRN in the targeted therapy era. Level one evidence is lacking for the role of CRN in the targeted treatment era. However, current data show that the procedure has an essential part in the multidisciplinary treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Individualization of the treatment decisions is important since not all patients benefit from the operation.
Keywords: Carcinoma, renal cell, nephrectomy, cytoreduction, targeted molecular therapy