News and topicsSmall renal mass management in the elderly and the calibration of risk

Due to the increased utilization of cross-sectional imaging and prolonged life expectancy, the incidence of incidentally diagnosed renal tumors continues to rise. While partial nephrectomy is currently recommended as the gold standard treatment of cT1a small renal mass whenever technically feasible, the perceived benefits of partial nephrectomy may not be applicable to all patient groups. Selecting between treatment options in elderly and the infirm can present a significant challenge. Informed and thoughtful small renal mass management decisions require consideration and balance of patient, tumor, and procedural risks to maintain oncological efficacy while minimizing treatment associated morbidity. Herein we review the comparative effectiveness of partial versus radical nephrectomy in the elderly and the role of standardized tools to quantify risk.