Management of Small Renal Masses in the Older Adult

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Oncology

Background:

• Small renal masses are frequently detected incidentally in older adults.
• While some small renal masses are benign, the majority are malignant.
• Managing these masses in elderly patients requires balancing cancer treatment with existing comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the management of small renal masses in older adults.
• To discuss the balance between cancer treatment and patient comorbidities.
• To highlight current treatment options and their indications.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on small renal mass management in the elderly.
• Discussion of surgical and ablative treatment modalities.
• Consideration of patient-specific factors including comorbidities and patient preference.

Main Results:

• Partial nephrectomy, particularly robot-assisted, is increasingly preferred over radical nephrectomy.
• Cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation offer viable alternatives for select patients.
• Treatment decisions must be individualized based on tumor characteristics and patient health.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of small renal masses in older adults necessitates a tailored approach.
• Minimally invasive techniques and ablative therapies expand treatment options for this population.
• Balancing oncologic outcomes with quality of life is paramount in geriatric renal mass treatment.