Utilisation of artificial intelligence to enhance the detection rates of renal cancer on cross-sectional imaging: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal:
BMJ open
Published Date:
Aug 31, 2025
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The incidence of renal cell carcinoma has steadily been on the increase due to the increased use of imaging to identify incidental masses. Although survival has also improved because of early detection, overdiagnosis and overtreatment of benign renal masses are associated with significant morbidity, as patients with a suspected renal malignancy on imaging undergo invasive and risky procedures for a definitive diagnosis. Therefore, accurately characterising a renal mass as benign or malignant on imaging is paramount to improving patient outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) poses an exciting solution to the problem, augmenting traditional radiological diagnosis to increase detection accuracy. This report aims to investigate and summarise the current evidence about the diagnostic accuracy of AI in characterising renal masses on imaging.
