Clinical Implications for Renal Mass Biopsy and Integration With Molecular Markers for Clinical Decision-Making

 

This presentation reviews the clinical decision-making process from the perspective of an oncologic genitourinary urologist in terms of the indications and considerations for small renal mass biopsy (RMB). The discussion incorporates a variety of evidence-based prebiopsy factors including imaging size, molecular factors, statistics, and comorbid clinical conditions that weigh on the decision of whether to perform RMB, monitor, or proceed directly to surgical excision. Finally, gaps, challenges, and limitations of RMB are explored, with a focus on future and developing biomarkers that may play a more valuable/helpful role in the future.

Originally presented on February 6, 2023, in Park City, Utah.

Lecture Presenter

Alejandro Sanchez, MD

Alejandro Sanchez, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Utah School of Medicine
Investigator
Huntsman Cancer Institute

Dr. Alejandro Sanchez is an assistant professor of urology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and a Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator. Dr. Sanchez specializes in the surgical care of patients with urologic cancers using open, laparoscopic, robotic, and endoscopic techniques. His practice at the Huntsman Cancer Institute primarily focuses on the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, adrenal, urethral, and penile cancers.

Dr. Sanchez received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida where he graduated summa cum laude in biochemistry. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed his urologic surgery training at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Sanchez then completed a fellowship in urologic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he received a Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Urologic Oncology to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the association of sarcopenia (low skeletal muscle mass) and poor oncologic outcomes in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. During his fellowship, Dr. Sanchez also received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Basic Science.

Dr. Sanchez’s research efforts are primarily focused on clinical trial development and translational research.

Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Review surgical decision making around RMB
  • Discuss the utilization of RMB-based molecular biomarkers in renal cancer
  • Identify clinical and research gaps for RMB and molecular biomarkers in renal cancer

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories