Kidney health has gained increasing attention in Jammu and Kashmir. In a recent interview, Dr. Syed Sajjad Nazir, Professor and Head of Urology at GMC Srinagar, shed light on developments in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of kidney and urinary diseases in the region.

He began by explaining the basic role of kidneys. A healthy person has two kidneys that filter blood, remove waste, and regulate body balance. Even if one kidney fails, the other can often maintain normal function. However, uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension can gradually damage kidney tissue, leading to chronic disease.

Earlier, limited access to ultrasound meant many kidney conditions went undetected until advanced stages—tumors, stones, infections, cysts, or chronic kidney disease were often discovered late. Over the past two decades, improved imaging facilities, even in rural areas, have changed this. Early detection of kidney tumors has significantly improved treatment outcomes.

Contemporary Interventions and Surgery

Surgical management has also evolved. In the past, even small kidney tumors required complete removal of the kidney. Today, Stage 1 tumors can often be treated with partial nephrectomy, preserving healthy kidney tissue. This approach is cost-effective and has high success rates.

Immunotherapy has shown promise in selected cases, but surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. Laparoscopic surgery has further transformed care. Instead of large incisions, only two or three........

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