This feasibility study will evaluate how well hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan works in predicting tumor aggressiveness in patients with localized renal tumor. Hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate is a non-radioactive substance with potential usage in the diagnostic imaging of tumors. Hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate MRI may help doctors determine non-invasively whether a kidney tumor is a benign tumor or cancer, and if cancer, how aggressive it is. This may help doctors and patients with renal tumors in the future to make better treatment decisions.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: 1. To investigate the correlation between hyperpolarized (HP) 13C pyruvate-to-lactate conversion, as measured by lactate/pyruvate ratio, and renal tumor histology (benign renal tumors versus renal cell carcinomas (RCCs)) and grade (low versus high grade in cases of RCCs). 2. To investigate the correlation between HP 13C pyruvate-to-lactate conversion, as measured by the apparent rate constant kPL, and renal tumor histology (benign renal tumors versus renal cell carcinomas (RCCs)) and grade (low versus high grade in cases of RCCs). SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the reproducibility of HP 13C pyruvate MRI in patients who undergo an optional second HP 13C pyruvate MRI. 2. To investigate the association between HP markers (peak lactate/pyruvate, lactate /pyruvate AUC, kPL, ADClac) and tissue-based markers including LDHA expression and LDH activity, and Monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) expression on tumor tissues from surgical specimen or from biopsy. 3. To determine the safety of HP 13C pyruvate in renal tumor patients OUTLINE: Patients receive HP 13C pyruvate intravenously (IV) and then undergo 13C MRI scan 1-2 minutes post HP 13C pyruvate injection. Patients may receive an optional second HP 13C pyruvate injection and undergo 13C pyruvate MRI scan 15 to 60 minutes following completion of the first scan. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up 30 minutes.