Raymond J. Leveillee - Renal Mass Biopsy: Indications, Risks, Technical Aspects and Future Trends

Conventional Wisdom is not always wise (E. Stearns, Esq.)

Changes in medical education often do not keep pace with medical progress. It had always been taught to me during medical school and urology residency that one shouldneverbiopsy a renal mass. Reasons given were numerous but included unreliability, danger of spreading cancer, hemorrhage, alteration in the surgical field, and that it was unnecessary. In this treatise, I have asked many colleagues from the industry, academic and community surgical practice, as well as several pathologists with special interest in urologic cancer to weigh in on these issues. This textbook was created to dispel some of these out-of-date concepts and give the reader a factual view from leading experts on the economic, scientific, technical, and medical decisions that go into proper patient counselling and shared medical decision-making with respect to the indications to perform a renal mass biopsy. It is intended for practicing urologists, nephrologists, radiologists, and pathologists. It is also a great resource for medical students, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, residents, and fellows in all fields trying to better understand the controversies involved in this specific medical challenge.

Innumerous hours have gone into making this publication possible. I would like to thank all the authors and editors from Springer, especially Ms. Stephanie Frost for her constant encouragement and gentle nudges in helping me to complete this unique and important contribution to the body of medical education.