The contemporary role of renal mass biopsy in the management of small renal tumors

• Authors: Amy Lim, University of Utah; Brock O'Neil, Huntsman Cancer Institute; Marta Heilbrun, Emory University; Christopher Dechet, Huntsman Cancer Institute; William T. Lowrance, Huntsman Cancer Institute
• Journal Title: Frontiers in Oncology
• Volume: Volume 2 SEP
• Publisher: Frontiers | 2012-12-01, Pages 106-106
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2012.00106
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: nephrectomy; renal biopsy; renal cell carcinoma; renal mass; renal neoplasms

Abstract

The selective use of percutaneous biopsy for diagnosis in renal masses is a relatively uncommon approach when compared to the management of other solid neoplasms. With recent advancements in imaging techniques and their widespread use, the incidental discovery of asymptomatic, small renal masses (SRM) is on the rise and a substantial percentage of these SRM are benign. Recent advances in diagnostics have significantly improved accuracy rates of renal mass biopsy (RMB), making it a potentially powerful tool in the management of SRM. In this review, we will discuss the current management of SRM, problems with the traditional view of RMB, improvements in the diagnostic power of RMB, cost-effectiveness of RMB, and risks associated with RMB. RMB may offer important information enabling treating clinicians to better risk-stratify patients and ultimately provide a more personalized treatment approach for SRM. © 2012 Lim, O'Neil, Heilbrun, Dechet and Lowrance.