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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
09:31
In Vivo, Percutaneous, Needle Based, Optical Coherence Tomography of Renal Masses
Published on: March 30, 2015
Pathologic characteristics of exophytic renal masses
Michael C Lipke1, Sung P Ha, Christopher D Fischer
1Department of Urology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
Journal of Endourology
|January 12, 2008
Summary
Exophytic renal tumors are less aggressive, often being lower grade and papillary subtype. This finding may aid in managing small renal tumors with conservative approaches.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pathologic grade is a key prognostic factor for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- Radiologic characteristics may correlate with tumor grade and subtype.
- Small renal tumors (<6 cm) present diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between radiologic features and the pathologic grade and subtype of small renal tumors.
- To determine if exophytic characteristics predict tumor aggressiveness.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 51 patients with solitary renal cell carcinoma <6 cm.
- Radiologic assessment of tumor exophytic percentage by a single radiologist.
- Correlation of exophytic percentage with Fuhrman grade and histologic subtype.
Main Results:
- Tumors >67% exophytic had a significantly lower mean Fuhrman grade (1.78 vs. 2.25, P < 0.01).
- Papillary RCC was more common in tumors >67% exophytic (78%) compared to <33% exophytic (15%).
- The relative risk of a >67% exophytic tumor being papillary was 4.1.
Conclusions:
- Exophytic renal tumors are associated with lower pathologic grade and a higher likelihood of being papillary RCC.
- These radiologic findings may inform treatment decisions for small renal tumors, including observation or ablation.
- Further prospective studies are needed to validate these associations and their clinical implications.
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