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The role of surveillance for small renal masses

Nature Clinical Practice Urology volume 4, pages 2–3 (2007)Cite this article

The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rising steadily, with the greatest increase being in localized tumors.1 Most renal tumors are now detected during imaging as incidental, enhancing, small renal masses. Significant numbers are detected in elderly and infirm patients who are likely to undergo imaging for other medical issues.

The standard of care for small renal masses is open or laparoscopic surgery. Partial nephrectomy is increasingly performed with comparable cancer-control rates to those of radical nephrectomy, and with a reduced impact on renal function. Surgical morbidity has decreased over time with the use of improved surgical techniques, but is still significant. Studies of minimally invasive technologies, including radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation, show promising results, but follow-up is short.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. A Volpe is a Urologic Oncology Fellow in the Division of Urology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital and the University Health Network, University of Toronto, Canada. MAS Jewett is Professor of Urology at the University of Toronto, Canada, and Senior Surgeon in the same institution as A Volpe.,

    Alessandro Volpe & Michael AS Jewett

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  1. Alessandro Volpe
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  2. Michael AS Jewett
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Correspondence to Michael AS Jewett.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Volpe, A., Jewett, M. The role of surveillance for small renal masses. Nat Rev Urol 4, 2–3 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpuro0674

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