The Current Role of Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Renal Tumors

The role of percutaneous renal mass biopsy has continued to grow in the last decade. The incidence of small (≤4 cm) renal masses has increased dramatically over the past 15 years, attributed to increased use of cross-sectional imaging and subsequent discovery of small renal masses that would otherwise go undetected. Despite increased early detection, there has been no change in the mortality rate from renal cell carcinoma over the past 15 years. Many small renal masses are not life-limiting, and imaging lacks specificity in distinguishing malignant from nonmalignant small renal masses. Thus, percutaneous biopsy has emerged as an integral part of the diagnosis of renal masses in order to better guide their management.