Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN), or the removal of the primary kidney tumor in the setting of metastatic disease, plays a critical role in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The benefits of CN, are multifactorial including alleviating symptoms but also eliminating cells potentially prone to future metastasis, and potentially extending a patient’s survival. As innovations in mRCC treatment continue to emerge, the importance and timing of CN in patient care remains the subject of