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 investigate the correlation between HP markers, as measured by lactate/pyruvate ratio, and tissue-based markers including Lactate dehydrogenase-A (LDHA) expression on tumor tissues from surgical specimen.
2. To investigate the correlation between HP markers, as measured by apparent rate constant kPL, and tissue-based markers including Lactate dehydrogenase-A (LDHA) expression on tumor tissues from surgical specimen.
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.