Preoperative Determination of Abdominal Extent of Renal Cell Carcinoma by Computed Tomography

Abstract

CT [computed tomography] scans were assessed for ability to detect abdominal tumor extent in 17 renal cell carcinoma patients. Computed tomography has unique advantage over other imaging modalities in that it can distinguish between tumors confined to Gerota''s fascia and those showing contiguous spread, invading adjacent structures such as muscles, liver and the periaortic and pericaval regions. CT can also detect regional lymph node metastases and tumor extension into the renal vein and inferior vena cava. Preoperative assessment of tumor extent helps determine patient prognosis, surgical approach and whether transcatheter tumor embolization should be used.