Surveillance Protocols After Nephrectomy or Ablation in Renal Cancer: A Scoping Review of Variations, Evidence, and Research Gaps

Guidelines and surveillance practices after nephrectomy or renal cell carcinoma (RCC) ablation are very diverse across institutions. It has been proven that close follow-up is essential to identify local recurrence, metastatic spread, and treatment-related complications, but the frequency, length, and imaging modalities employed in surveillance are widely different in terms of practices. Although these guidelines have been advised by larger organizations like the American Urological Association (AUA) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), they are mostly risk-stratified and lack comparative data. Entirely new imaging methods (such as multiparametric MRI and state-of-the-art contrast-enhanced CT) have been proposed to enhance early disease diagnosis and are currently under consideration regarding their cost-effectiveness and long-term results. Simultaneously, some minimally invasive ablative forms of treatment, such as radiofrequency and cryoablation, have complicated surveillance measures, given that recurrence patterns differ from those seen after conventional nephrectomy. Although systematic reviews have found the oncological safety of active surveillance in specific small kidney masses, research still shows loopholes regarding regular follow-up and outcome reporting that is patient-centered. Out of 170 records initially identified, 140 unique articles were screened after duplicate removal, with 30 assessed in full text. Following exclusions, five studies were finally included in the review. These comprised a mixture of clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and observational studies, highlighting the heterogeneity of follow-up schedules, imaging-based approaches, and patient risk stratification. This scoping review maps the existing literature on surveillance following nephrectomy or ablation in RCC. The review establishes differences in practice, evidence, and research gaps that need to be harmonized to enhance long-term management.