Although the incidence of kidney cancer has increased dramatically over the last few decades, research led by Johns Hopkins urologists is showing many of these patients can be followed safely without the need for immediate surgery. In light of these findings, The Brady Urological Institute began the Delayed Intervention and Surveillance for Small Renal Masses (DISSRM) Registry, following patients with small, localized kidney tumors (4 centimeters or smaller, and confined to the kidney), to avoid surgical intervention.