The role of biopsy for small renal masses

The incidence of small renal masses (SRMs) has been increasing due to the more liberal use of abdominal imaging. This increased detection has driven the attention of clinicians to the characterization of these lesions and toward a better understanding of their natural history. To this end, renal tumour biopsies (RTBs) have a crucial role as they provide vital pathological information. The improved quality and accuracy of RTBs provide urologists with a very truthful tool to support and guide treatment decisions. The future of RTB will combine pathological, molecular and genetic information that will, improve our knowledge about these lesions and open the potential for risk-adapted personalized medicine.

International journal of surgery (London, England). 2016 Mar 05 [Epub ahead of print]

Ricardo R N Leão, Patrick O Richard, Michael A S Jewett

Division of Urology, Departments of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada., Division of Urology, Departments of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: ., Division of Urology, Departments of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.