Nuclear imaging of renal tumours: a step towards improved risk stratification

Abstract

Patients presenting with a clinically localized renal mass should ideally be managed with a risk-adapted approach that incorporates data regarding the metastatic potential of a given tumour. Unfortunately, currently available anatomical imaging techniques are unable to reliably distinguish between the various types of renal tumours, which include both benign and malignant histologies. Nuclear imaging offers a potential noninvasive means to characterize clinically localized renal tumours. A number of nuclear imaging tests are currently under investigation for this purpose and might one day be incorporated into patient care.