Preoperative determination of abdominal extent of renal cell carcinoma by computed tomography.

CT scans were assessed for ability to detect abdominal extent of tumor in 17 patients with renal cell carcinoma. Computed tomography has a unique advantage over other imaging modalities in that it can distinguish between tumors confined to Gerota's fascia and those which show contiguous spread, invading adjacent structures such as muscles, liver and the periaortic and pericaval regions. CT can also detect regional lymph node metastases and tumor extension into the renal vein and inferior vena cava. Preoperative assessment of tumor extent helps to determine patient prognosis, surgical approach and whether transcatheter tumor embolization should be used.