title: Imaging techniques for the patient with renal cell carcinoma.
abstract: The imaging of renal cell carcinoma continues to evolve from radiographic tomography to state-of-the-art three-dimensional imagery using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This article reviews the current techniques of imaging the patient with renal cell carcinoma. Careful and accurate imaging of these patients allows for the appropriate diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up care. At each point in the care of these patients, imaging plays an important role. In particular, the diagnosis and staging of renal cell carcinoma can be accomplished with CT and MRI, with each modality having strengths and weaknesses that are contrasted. Intraoperative ultrasound is used during laparoscopic or conventional partial nephrectomies, whereas ultrasound, CT, and MRI can be used for guiding ablative technologies. Imaging also plays an important role in the follow-up care of these patients. The particular follow-up care is dependent on the stage and grade of the lesion and the treatment modality used. In summary, this article reviews the current imaging approaches for the diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up care of patients with renal cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. thagardn@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Temel
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tirkes
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mellon
authors.forename: Michael O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed