Using Specialised Imaging to Differentiate Incidentally Found Renal Masses

When doctors discover an unusual mass on someone's kidney during a scan, they face a challenge: some of these masses are a type of benign (non-cancerous) tumour called a renal oncocytoma, while others are renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer. Currently, the only way to tell them apart with confidence is through a biopsy — an invasive procedure that carries some risks. This study is exploring whether a specialised nuclear medicine scan using a substance called Sestamibi (given via SPECT/CT imaging) can reliably distinguish between these two types of kidney masses without the need for a biopsy. Adults who have already been scheduled for a kidney biopsy due to an unclear mass on their kidney are eligible to take part. In addition to their planned biopsy, participants will undergo this 45-minute specialised scan. The scan results will then be compared against the biopsy findings to see how accurate the imaging is. If proven effective, Sestamibi SPECT/CT imaging could reduce the number of invasive biopsies performed on people who actually have benign tumours, sparing them from unnecessary procedures and anxiety. This study is open to adults aged 18 and over who do not have a known kidney mass requiring urgent treatment.