Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Renal Tumour Imaging Using MRI

This study is exploring if advanced MRI scans can help doctors understand kidney tumours better before surgery. Right now, scans can find tumours, but they struggle to tell if a tumour is aggressive or harmless. While biopsies are an option, they can be invasive and sometimes miss important information. This research aims to use imaging to identify aggressive tumours early, so patients can get the right treatment sooner. It also hopes to prevent unnecessary treatments for tumours that aren't dangerous. Participants will have an extra MRI scan before their planned kidney tumour surgery, and the results will be compared with what doctors find after the tumour is removed. This study could help improve how kidney tumours are diagnosed and treated in the future.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University College, London

Enrolment target

Start

20 Nov 2024

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2025

Renal Cancer MRI Small Renal Mass Kidney Cancers

What is this study about?

Imagine you have a small lump in your kidney. Doctors can see it on a scan, but it's hard to tell if it's a serious cancer that needs quick treatment or a harmless growth that can be left alone. This study, led by Dr. Richard Hesketh at University College London Hospital, is trying to find a better way to figure this out before surgery.

Currently, to know for sure what kind of lump it is, doctors often need to do a biopsy (taking a small sample) or remove the tumour. Biopsies can be uncomfortable and sometimes don't give the full picture. This study hopes that new types of MRI scans could provide this information, helping doctors make more informed decisions about treatment without needing extra invasive procedures.

By comparing what the new MRI scans show with what doctors find when they examine the tumour after it's removed, the researchers want to see if the scans can accurately predict the tumour type and how aggressive it might be. If successful, this could mean that patients with harmless tumours might avoid unnecessary surgery or harsh treatments, while those with aggressive cancers can get the important care they need early on. This research could lead to more personalised and less invasive care for people with kidney tumours.

Key takeaways

This study aims to make kidney tumour diagnosis better using new MRI scans.
It hopes to tell aggressive tumours from harmless ones before surgery.
This could avoid unnecessary treatments and guide early care for serious cancers.
Participation involves an extra MRI scan before planned kidney tumour surgery.
The study is happening at University College London Hospital and is funded by NIHR.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a kidney tumour that's 7 centimetres or smaller, and you're already going to have surgery to remove it. You also need to be willing to sign a consent form, which means you understand what the study involves and agree to take part, and be able to lie still on your back for the MRI scan.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have something in your body that isn't safe with an MRI machine (like a pacemaker), or if you can't have certain dyes used in MRI scans. You also can't be pregnant, breastfeeding, or have severe kidney problems. If you've already had treatment for your kidney tumour (like a procedure to destroy it with heat or radiation), you wouldn't be able to participate either.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a kidney tumour that is 7cm or less, and are you having surgery for it?
Are you able to lie still on your back for an MRI scan?
Do you not have a pacemaker or other device that prevents an MRI?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll have an extra type of MRI scan at University College London Hospital before your planned surgery. This scan will be in addition to any other scans your doctors have already planned for your treatment. The study also involves comparing the information from your extra MRI scan with what doctors learn about your tumour once it's removed during surgery. In a small number of participants (10 people), doctors will take tissue samples from very specific parts of the tumour based on the detailed MRI images. Another small group (10 people) will have a second MRI scan less than two weeks after the first, to check if the scans give consistent results. The study is expected to last for about two years in total, and during that time, new participants will be invited to join.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of taking part is that your involvement could help improve how kidney tumours are diagnosed for future patients, potentially leading to more targeted and less invasive treatments. There are some risks, mainly related to the extra MRI scan, including the small chance of an allergic reaction to the dye used in the MRI, or the general discomfort of lying still in the scanner. However, MRI scans do not use radiation. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

University College London
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is an MRI?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a type of scan that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body without using X-rays.

Why is this study needed?

This study is needed because current scans can find kidney tumours but struggle to tell if they are harmless or serious before surgery. Better scans could help doctors choose the best treatment.

Will I get any special treatment if I join?

No, your medical care and planned surgery will remain the same. This study involves an extra scan to help research, not to change your immediate treatment.

Is the extra MRI scan safe?

MRI scans are generally safe. We will check if you have any medical devices or conditions that would make an MRI unsafe for you before you start the study.

How long will the study last for me?

Your involvement would typically be around the time of your planned surgery for the extra MRI scan. The full study itself is expected to run for 24 months in total.