Objective To report the experience and results in comparing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) and open radical nephrectomy (ORN) in the treatment of clinical T_2 stage renal cell carcinomas. Methods Between Feb. 2004 and Jul. 2007, 30 patients (12 females and 18 males with average age of 58.0±8.5 years, range 42-68 years) received LRN and 36 patients (16 females and 20 males with average age of 60.0±9. 0 years, range 52-70 years) received ORN. The average tumor sizes in the LRN and ORN groups were (8. 5±2.2)cm (range 7-12 cm) and (8. 8±2.1)cm (range 7-14 cm) respectively. Renal cell carcinoma was histopatologically confirmed in all the patients of these 2 groups after surgery. Results The operative time in the ORN group (130±27 min) was significantly shorter than that in the LRN group (176±23 min), P<0. 01. The estimated blood loss in the LRN group (200±80 ml) was also significantly less than that in the ORN group (380±185 ml) , P<0. 01. Patients in LRN group experienced significantly earlier bowel function recovery (P<0. 01) and shorter duration of drainage (P<0. 01) than those in the ORN group after operation. No severe perioperative complications occurred in all patients. The follow-up range was 6-27 months (average 15±2 months). During the follow-up, 2 patients in the LRN group developed lung metastasis. In the ORN group, 2 patients developed liver metastasis and 1 developed lung metastasis. Conclusion LRN has the advantages of minimal invasiveness and rapid postoperative recovery comparable to those of ORN, and it might be an alternative treatment option for the clinical T_2 stage renal cell carcinomas.