Opinion

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Decision-Making in Small Renal Masses

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

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      Clinical Utility of Renal Mass Biopsy

      Main Discussion Topics:

      • Biopsy may be more useful in patients with comorbidities where benign diagnosis would change management.
      • Higher utility when nephron-sparing surgery is unlikely and nephrectomy would significantly impact renal function
      • Patient preferences regarding surveillance vs intervention play an important role.
      • Approximately 15% of radical nephrectomies for tumors that are 7 cm or larger were found to be oncocytoma or chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, where partial nephrectomy would have been appropriate.

      Key Points for Physicians:

      • Consider biopsy when management would change based on histology.
      • Higher value in patients with impaired renal function or when radical nephrectomy is likely
      • Biopsy can prevent unnecessary nephron loss in select cases.
      • Patient-specific considerations should guide biopsy decisions.

      Notable Insights:

      Biopsy has particular value when nephron preservation is critical and when radical nephrectomy is likely based on tumor characteristics.

      Clinical Significance:

      Selective use of renal mass biopsy can prevent unnecessary nephron loss and guide appropriate therapy in challenging clinical scenarios.

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