Characterization of indeterminate renal masses with molecular imaging: how do we turn potential into reality?

Excerpt

The majority of enhancing renal masses are unable to be effectively characterized as benign or malignant using standard cross-sectional imaging modalities including multi-phase computed tomography (CT) [1] and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [2]. This is particularly unfortunate in light of the steady increase in the incidence of these lesions, many of which are discovered incidentally on imaging studies performed for non-urologic indications [3, 4]. Moreover, it has been estimated that upwards of 5600 unnecessary partial and radical nephrectomies are performed each year in the USA for the false presumption of cancer [5]. In light of these data, recently, there has been a growing interest in the use of molecular imaging to characterize the aggressiveness of renal masses [6, 7]. …