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Active surveillance of small renal masses

Nature Reviews Urology volume 10, pages 266–274 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

The increased diagnosis of small renal masses (SRMs) poses the challenge of how best to manage patients with tumours that are not likely to progress and cause death during their lifetime. Concerns regarding overdiagnosis and overtreatment of patients with low-risk or indolent disease has led to the introduction of active surveillance as an alternative to immediate intervention in select candidates. However, differentiating between benign or low-grade lesions and high-grade aggressive phenotypes is difficult. Renal biopsy, radiographic assessment, and clinical nomograms have been used before surgery to evaluate the probability of whether an SRM will exhibit characteristics of an aggressive cancer. SRM growth trends have been studied over periods of observation but no characteristics have been found to correlate with aggressive growth kinetics. Stratification of patients with SRMs according to risk status is crucial when considering whether active surveillance might be an appropriate treatment option. Factors that should be taken into account include comorbidities, a history of malignancy, pre-existing chronic kidney disease, life expectancy and patient preference. Standardized active surveillance protocols are currently lacking, and clinical trials designed to randomize patients with SRMs to receive either active surveillance or immediate treatment are sorely needed to address the existing evidence gap.

Key Points

  • Early detection of small renal masses (SRMs) has not changed the mortality rate of renal cell carcinoma, leading to concerns of overdiagnosis and overtreatment

  • Active surveillance with curative intent might be an appropriate alternative to immediate intervention for patients with low-risk or indolent disease

  • Differentiating between benign or low-grade lesions and high-grade aggressive phenotypes is challenging. Renal biopsy, radiographic assessment, and clinical nomograms have been used before surgery to evaluate malignant potential

  • SRM growth trends have been studied in patients over periods of observation but no characteristics have been found to correlate with aggressive growth kinetics

  • To date, all lesions that have progressed to metastases while under an initial period of observation have been >3 cm and have demonstrated positive growth rates over time

  • Stratification of patients with SRMs to identify those who might be suitable candidates for active surveillance should take into account comorbidities, a history of malignancy, pre-existing chronic kidney disease, life expectancy and patient preference

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Figure 1: Nephrometry score used for the prediction of malignancy and grade.
Figure 2: The heterogeneity of cancer progression.
Figure 3: Growth rates reported in studies of small renal masses under observation.
Figure 4: Management algorithm for patients with small renal masses.

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  1. Division of Urologic Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, 19111, PA, USA

    Marc C. Smaldone, Anthony T. Corcoran & Robert G. Uzzo

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M. C. Smaldone, A. T. Corcoran and R. G. Uzzo researched data for the article, contributed to discussion of content and reviewed the manuscript before submission. M. C. Smaldone wrote the article.

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Correspondence to Marc C. Smaldone.

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R. G. Uzzo declares he has acted as a consultant for Wilex AG. The other authors declare no competing interests.

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Smaldone, M., Corcoran, A. & Uzzo, R. Active surveillance of small renal masses. Nat Rev Urol 10, 266–274 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2013.62

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