Vitaly Margulis, MD, FACS

Panelists discuss how new molecular imaging technology offers potential to better risk stratify patients eligible for adjuvant pembrolizumab after surgery, potentially identifying those who have undetected metastatic disease requiring more aggressive treatment.

Panelists discuss how the ZIRCON trial results showed impressive test characteristics with 95% positive predictive value for clear cell renal cell carcinoma, meaning a positive test strongly indicates cancer requiring treatment.

Panelists discuss how the new tracing agent (Zr-DFO-girentuximab or 2050) works by binding to carbonic anhydrase IX, an enzyme expressed on the surface of most clear cell renal cancers, coupled with zirconium for radiographic detection.

Panelists discuss how the ZIRCON trial demonstrated high positive predictive value (> 90%) for identifying clear cell renal cell carcinoma using a new molecular imaging agent, though negative predictive value was lower at approximately 70%.

Panelists discuss how PET imaging for kidney cancer includes prostate-specific membrane antigen, which is sometimes expressed in renal cell carcinoma, though its utility remains unclear, whereas fluorodeoxyglucose PET can be useful for metabolic activity assessment despite limitations with inflammatory lesions.

Panelists discuss how deep learning applied to imaging data sets may advance kidney cancer assessment, though they believe the next major leap will require true molecular imaging that reveals what tumors are expressing.

Imaging advancements in ccRCC are crucial for predicting tumor biology and enhancing treatment strategies through molecular imaging techniques.

Explore the role of biopsies in managing ccRCC, especially in elderly patients, to optimize treatment decisions and preserve kidney function.

Explore treatment options for small renal masses, including surveillance, surgery, and biopsy, while understanding the role of ccRCC PET in diagnosis.

Explore the strengths and weaknesses of imaging modalities like CT, MRI, and ultrasound in diagnosing ccRCC and enhancing patient care.

Panelists discuss how evaluating a renal mass requires considering multiple factors, including patient expectations, comorbidities, life expectancy, tumor characteristics such as size and enhancement patterns, and predictive models to help guide decision-making.

Panelists discuss how cross-sectional imaging with pre- and postcontrast assessment remains the cornerstone of renal mass imaging, though newer software technologies now allow for better prediction of benign vs malignant tumors.