Evaluation of a renal cyst/mass

This chapter provides an overview of the clinical approach for atypical renal masses and cysts. The excellent survival rates of low stage renal cell carcinoma have resulted in the additional goal of renal function preservation. Chronic kidney disease and its many independent risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension, are associated with renal cell carcinoma. Therefore it is not surprising that diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephrosclerosis and other nonneoplastic renal diseases can be frequently observed in tumor nephrectomy specimens, which require additional treatment. Advances in nephron-sparing surgery provide additional therapeutic options for patients with comorbidities who would otherwise be poor candidates for radical nephrectomy. The management of renal cell carcinoma patients will continue to be guided by urologists, but additional gains in clinical outcomes may be achieved through improved coordination with nephrologists, pathologists, radiologists, and oncologists.