TY  - EJOU
AU  - Ramírez, Michelle L. 
AU  - Evans, Christopher P. 

TI  - Current management of small renal masses
T2  - Canadian Journal of Urology

PY  - 2007
VL  - 14
IS  - Suppl.6
SN  - 1488-5581

AB  - The incidence of small renal masses (< 4 cm) is
increasing due to the widespread use of imaging
studies. Many of these incidental lesions may remain
asymptomatic or in fact be benign, and recent insight
into their natural course has contributed to
modifications in management. With improvements in
biopsy technique and minimally invasive technologies,
appropriate diagnosis and treatment of these masses
are further being evaluated. Other contemporary
approaches, including surveillance, laparoscopic
partial nephrectomy, enucleation, ablative procedures,
and high-intensity focused ultrasound, are weighed
against open nephron-sparing surgery, the current
gold standard for treatment. Here, we review currently
available data on the efficacy of these treatment options.
Additionally, we examine the natural history of small
renal masses, the role of diagnostic biopsy, and follow-up strategies for proper management.
KW  - renal cell carcinoma
KW  -  nephron-sparing
KW  -  nephrectomy
KW  -  minimally invasive
KW  -  ablation
KW  -  diathermy
KW  -  cryosurgery
KW  -  enucleation
KW  -  biopsy

DO  -