STAGING OF RENAL ADENOCARCINOMA - ROLE OF VARIOUS IMAGING PROCEDURES

Since the only successful curative treatment of renal adenocarcinoma i s surgery, accurate radiologic information is crucial during initial t umor staging for optimal operative planning. Accurate radiologic stagi ng can be achieved by use of proper imaging techniques, usually a comb ination of contrast-enhanced CT or multiplanar MR imaging with fast sc anning techniques. These techniques permit the demonstration of region al lymph nodes, vascular extension, and distant metastases. Sonography and inferior venacavography are used occasionally to supplement the i nformation obtained from CT or NIR imaging. We review the principles o f staging of renal adenocarcinoma, emphasizing the strengths and weakn esses of each imaging technique.