Opinion

Video

The Future of PET Imaging Agents

Panelists discuss how molecular imaging could transform metastatic kidney cancer management by helping determine whether cytoreductive nephrectomy is necessary and assessing treatment response to guide therapy escalation or de-escalation.

Cytoreductive Nephrectomy and Molecular Imaging

Main Discussion Topics:

  • Evolution away from routine cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
  • The current approach favors systemic therapy first in most metastatic cases.
  • Potential for molecular imaging to identify patients who might not need surgery
  • Possible role in identifying when to de-escalate systemic therapy

Key Points for Physicians:

  • Systemic therapy generally precedes surgery in contemporary metastatic RCC management.
  • Molecular imaging could identify patients with complete molecular response who might avoid surgery.
  • Could help distinguish active disease from posttreatment artifacts on conventional imaging
  • May guide therapy de-escalation decisions in responding patients

Notable Insights:

Molecular imaging could potentially identify patients with complete biological response despite persistent radiographic abnormalities, potentially sparing them unnecessary surgery.

Clinical Significance:

This technology has applications beyond initial diagnosis and could fundamentally change how we assess treatment response and make subsequent therapy decisions.

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