Now speaking at Global Voices in Renal Oncology (VIRO) 2025 organized by OncoDaily: Dr. Jianhua Zhang, Chief Physician, Associate Professor and Deputy Director at Department of Nuclear Medicine Peking University First Hospital, on the topic “Novel Imaging Integration: PET imaging for characterization of small renal masses”.
He emphasized that advances in novel imaging techniques are transforming the diagnosis and characterization of renal tumors, especially small lesions under 2 cm. Compared to traditional CT, newer modalities offer higher sensitivity, nearly 100% detection rates for renal tumors, and the advantage of no radiation exposure, making them valuable for repeated assessments.
He highlighted that imaging can now provide functional and metabolic information—such as SUVmax, TLR, and TTV—which correlate with tumor stage, grade, and prognosis. These parameters help distinguish clear cell RCC from other subtypes, with studies showing sensitivity and specificity in the range of 85–90%.
He also noted the potential of molecular imaging and novel tracers to improve early detection, risk stratification, and treatment planning. In particular, functional imaging biomarkers may guide systemic therapy decisions and help monitor treatment response in ways that conventional imaging cannot.
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