IMAGING APPROACH TO STAGING OF RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA

Current imaging techniques, especially CT and MR imaging, make accurat e preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma possible. Because surge ry provides the only effective therapy and because survival depends on local and distant extent, precise staging is critical for preoperativ e planning and prognosis. This article reviews the advantages, limitat ions, accuracy, and pitfalls of each of the imaging approaches to stag ing renal cell carcinoma, concentrating on CT and MR imaging. This inf ormation then is summarized in a suggested overall approach to staging renal cell carcinoma.