Imaging-Based Scoring Systems for the Risk Stratification of Renal Tumors

Individualizing the care of patients presenting with a renal mass requires the evaluation of a broad array of considerations including anatomic complexity of the patient’s tumor. In order to better objectify the description and classification of renal tumors, a number of imaging-based scoring systems have been developed. Several of these scoring systems have been comprehensively investigated and harnessed for reporting in the urologic literature, while others have seen more modest validation and adoption. The fundamental premise of each of these scoring systems is to allow the clinician to objectively assign a reproducible alphanumeric score to the salient characteristics of a renal mass as they relate to anatomic location. These scoring systems provide objective and reproducible tools for communication of patient selection and afford meaningful comparisons of outcomes and risks.