Invading the inferior vena cava and right atrium is the most serious, but fortunately not common complication of renal cell carcinoma. Radical nephrectomy with tumor-thrombus extraction is the only way to improve these patients survival. Cardiopulmonary bypass with or without deep hypothermia and total circulatory arrest might be necessary during surgery. Between 1998 and 2003 at the Department of Cardiac Surgery of University of Debrecen, 5 patients, with renal cell carcinoma extending into the right atrium, had radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy. We used cardiopulmonary bypass, in 2 patients in total circulatory arrest, in deep hypothermia. There was no operative death and neurological complications. One patient died 3 years after the operation due to cardiac failure. In average 42 months after surgery, 4 surviving patients are under regular follow up, they have a good quality of life, without recurrence. In our opinion cardiopulmonary bypass and total circulatory arrest, if necessary, gives the best way for surgical resection of renal cell carcinoma extending into the right atrium.