Clinical Research Directory

PET/MR for Characterization of Renal Masses (RMs)

The frequency of kidney tumors found incidentally on imaging studies performed for unrelated reasons continues to increase leading to more surgeries and ablations for the treatment of renal masses thought to be cancer. However, about 20% of these masses are not cancerous and do not require treatment. Many cancerous kidney tumors are indolent and can be followed safely with imaging (i.e., particularly tumors \<2 cm and in patients with limited life expectancy), while some tumors are both malignant and aggressive, with a higher potential to spread outside the kidney and require treatment. The purpose of this observational study is to assess the ability of Fludeoxyglucose (18F) (FDG) PET/MR to distinguish different types of kidney tumors. The investigators hypothesize that PET/MR will better show differences between aggressive and both indolent and benign kidney masses compared to the currently used radiologic scans. Participants will be selected from those who have been scheduled to receive a contrast-enhanced MRI for their regular care due to a suspicious kidney mass. Participants will have their MRI on a hybrid PET/MR scanner capable of obtaining both MRI and PET images. While they are receiving their standard of care MRI exam, patients will also receive a research FDG PET exam. Participants will have an IV placed for administration of the MRI contrast agent, just as they would if they were not taking part in the study. The same IV will be used to give the FDG radiopharmaceutical for the PET scan and furosemide (a diuretic), to help empty the bladder before the scan and help better see the kidneys on the scans. Both FDG and furosemide are FDA approved medications. Participants will have only one visit with the research team which will last \~2.5 hours and will include collection of the participant's regularly scheduled MRI. If participants undergo surgery to remove the tumor, the study will collect samples of the removed tissue for research. If participants receive a biopsy of the tumor, the study may collect an additional sample of the tumor for research. After the PET/MRI, participants will not have additional visits with the study team, but the study team may call every 6-12 months for up to 2 years to see how they are doing and ask about their health. The study team will review the medical record for any changes to their diagnosis, updates to their medical history, new scans ordered by their regular doctor, or recent lab or biopsy results.

Medtronic Hugo™ Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) System in Urologic Surgery (Expand URO)

This study will evaluate the safety and performance of the Medtronic Hugo™ RAS System when used for urologic RAS procedures.

Pencil Beam Scanning in Patients With Renal Tumors

This is a pilot study to assess acute toxicity in patients receiving flank irradiation using proton therapy for renal tumors.

SABR for Renal Tumors

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer. The usual treatment for this type of cancer is surgery. Considering the most common patients are an average age of 65 and some are not suitable candiates for surgery, there is great interest in non-surgical alternatives for kidney cancer treatments. This study will investigate the use of Stereotactic Ablative Radiosurgery (SABR) for renal tumors. SABR is a non-invasive alternative, which involves delivery of high doses of radiation to the target, while minimizing the risk of injury to the surrounding organs. Patients will be seen before and end of treatmetn and will be followed at 4 month intervals for up to 2 years. During the follow ups, patients will be asked to complete a quality of life questionnaire and will have standard of care imaging.

A CCafU-UroCCR Randomized Trial: 3D Image-Guided Robot-AssisTEd Partial Nephrectomy for Renal Complex Tumor (UroCCR N°99)

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate peri and post-operative outcomes as well as long-term survival of 3D IGRAPN compared to conventional Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy (RAPN) for moderate and highly complex renal tumors. The main questions aim to answer: * peri-operative complications * oncological safety * long term renal function Participants will be asked to do undergo 3D-IGRAPN. Researchers will compare 3D-IGRAPN to RAPN to see if peri-operative outcomes are better in the experimental group.

Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy Via the Extraperitoneal Approach in the Prone Position Versus the Lateral Position

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate whether robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy by extraperitoneal approach in the prone position had any advantages over the traditional lateral position. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is prone surgery safe and feasible, and what are the advantages over the traditional lateral position? Does surgery in the prone position have an impact on the patients\&#39; prognosis? Researchers will compare prone position to lateral position to see if robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy by extraperitoneal approach in the prone position has any advantages over the traditional lateral position and whether it has any significant effect on the prognosis of the patients. Participants will be randomly allocated 1:1 to two groups: prone position group and lateral position group. The enrolled patients will be underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy via extraperitoneal approach according to the corresponding positions of their groups. Demographic indicators and perioperative-related indicators will be counted and recorded. CT or MRI and related biochemical examinations will be reviewed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery, and every 1 year thereafter. The similarities and differences of the indicators in different positions will be analysed, and subgroup analyses will be performed according to the corresponding results.