Renal cell carcinoma: what the surgeon and treating physician need to know.

OBJECTIVE

The multimodality approach to treating both localized and metastatic renal cell carcinoma has led to a demand for improved imaging evaluation. We review the information needed from the radiologic studies used to determine treatment strategies.

CONCLUSION

Adequate preoperative radiologic assessment provides the treating physician with information critical in determining the sequence of treatments, role of nephron-sparing surgery, surgical approach, and timing of systemic therapy for metastatic disease.