.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
BackTable / Urology / Podcast / Episode #134
The Role of Renal Mass Biopsy in Modern Urology
with Dr. Christopher Anderson
In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia and Dr. Christopher Anderson (Columbia University) discuss the diagnosis and workup of kidney cancer, including renal biopsy techniques.
Be part of the conversation. Put your sponsored messaging on this episode. Learn how.
BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2023, November 3). Ep. 134 – The Role of Renal Mass Biopsy in Modern Urology [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com
Stay Up To Date
Follow:
Subscribe:
Sign Up:
Podcast Contributors
Synopsis
First, the doctors explore the importance of cross-sectional imaging and IV contrast to identify and manage small renal masses. Many factors are important, such as patient age and comorbidities, hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes, and size cut-off criterias. They also emphasize the importance of time in helping patients understand their diagnosis and the individualized approach to each case.
Then, they move on to discuss the role of biopsies in identifying and managing small renal masses. Biopsies can determine whether a tumor is malignant and help with treatment decisions. They also discuss the AUA guidelines for when to consider a real biopsy as well as the risks and benefits of biopsy procedures. Then, they give a short summary of a few biopsy techniques.
After the renal biopsy, a decision has to be made about whether or not to operate on a small renal mass. Aditya and Christopher emphasize the importance of understanding patient goals and the risks of accidentally removing a benign tumor. They also explore factors in deciding on which patients would benefit from treatment of indolent tumors. Biopsies can help avoid over-treatment if they can be used to reduce unnecessary operations. The doctors end by discussing the follow-up and the importance of close monitoring for any signs of recurrence.
Transcript Preview
[Dr. Christopher Anderson]
Fairly common. About 80,000 people a year are diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma. That's based on the most recent SEER statistics for the United States. At least 1 in 40 to 1 in 70 adults will be diagnosed with a kidney cancer during their lifetime, so that's not insignificant. We've seen a substantial increase in incidents of kidney cancer, particularly over the last 30 years. If you look at the curves, there's been this dramatic increase. There's a couple of thoughts about why that is, but probably, for what you've already talked about is that we're doing a lot of cross-sectional imaging.
In the United States, we do tons of scans. We do probably upwards of 80 million CAT scans a year in the United States. In the Medicare population, just shy of 50% of patients will be at risk for having a CAT scan over the next five years. The more we look at people, the more we find. In fact, there's a lot of incidental findings on a CAT scan or an MRI, and the kidney is one of the major ones. About 2% to 3% of CAT scans or MRIs of the abdomen will find something on the kidney. I think that's really led to this huge increase in incidents.
The Materials available on BackTable are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.
Up Next
Articles
Risk Stratification in Small Renal Masses: Who Needs Treatment?
Ablation vs. Excision: Where Do We Draw the Line on Renal Tumor Size?
Topics
