Current Trends in Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma with Venous Thrombus Extension.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the evidence regarding the current trends in surgical management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. Recent published series have shown the role of minimally invasive surgery in IVC thrombectomy. This review article evaluates the present RCC with venous extent literature to assess the role of open and minimally invasive surgery in this scenario. RECENT FINDINGS: Robotic urological surgery has shown to have known benefits in radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, and pyeloplasty. Recent published series showed feasibility of robotic IVC thrombectomy even for level IV cases. With growing number of robot-assisted and laparoscopic surgeries worldwide, there is a current tendency to treat this complex and challenging pathology with a minimally invasive approach, without compromising oncological outcomes.

Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes in Very Elderly Patients (≥75 years) with Renal Cell Carcinoma: Data from the Latin American Renal Cancer Group.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is increasing globally due to an aging population and widespread use of imaging studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and perioperative outcomes of RCC surgery in very elderly patients (VEP), ≥ 75 years of age. METHODS: This is a retrospective comparative study of 3656 patients who underwent the treatment for RCC from 1990 to 2015 in 28 centers from eight Latin American countries. We compared baseline characteristics as well as clinical and perioperative outcomes according to age groups (less than 75 vs. ≥75 years). Surgical complications were classified with the Clavien-Dindo score. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with perioperative complications. RESULTS: There were 410 VEP patients (11.2%). On bivariate analysis, VEP had a lower body mass index (p less than 0.01) and higher ASA score (ASA > 2 in 26.3% vs. 12.4%, p < 0.01). There was no difference in performance status and clinical stage between the study groups. There were no differences in surgical margins, estimated blood loss (EBL), complication, and mortality rates (1.3% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.17). On multivariate regression analysis, age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.33, p less than 0.01), EBL ≥ 500 cc (OR 3.34, p less than 0.01), and > pT2 stage (OR 1.63, p = 0.04) were independently associated with perioperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection of RCC was safe and successful in VEP. Age ≥75 years was independently associated with 30-day perioperative complications. However, the vast majority were low-grade complications. Age alone should not guide decision-making in these patients, and treatment must be tailored according to performance status and severity of comorbidities.

Positive surgical margins are predictors of local recurrence in conservative kidney surgery for pT1 tumors.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical significance of positive surgical margin (PSM) after a Nephron Sparing Surgery (NSS) is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between PSM and the risk of disease recurrence in patients with pT1 kidney tumors who underwent NSS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. A total of 314 patients submitted to a NSS due to stage pT1 renal tumor between January 2010 and June 2015 were included. Recurrence-free survival was estimated. The Cox model was used to adjust the tumor size, histological grade, pathological stage, age, surgical margins and type of approach. RESULTS: Overall PSM was 6.3% (n=22). Recurrence was evidenced in 9.1% (n=2) of patients with PSM and 3.5% (n=10) for the group of negative surgical margin (NSM). The estimated local recurrence-free survival rate at 3 years was 96.4% (95% CI 91.9 to 100) for the NSM group and 87.8% (95% CI 71.9 to 100) for PSM group (p=0.02) with no difference in metastasis-free survival. The PSM and pathological high grade (Fuhrman grade III or IV) were independent predictors of local recurrence in the multivariate analysis (HR 12.9, 95%CI 1.8-94, p=0.011 / HR 38.3, 95%CI 3.1-467, p=0.004 respectively). Fuhrman grade proved to be predictor of distant recurrence (HR 8.1, 95%CI 1.6-39.7, p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The PSM in pT1 renal tumors showed to have higher risk of local recurrence and thus, worse oncological prognosis.

Functional and oncologic outcomes after nephron-sparing surgery in a solitary kidney: 10 years of experience.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate functional and oncologic outcomes of partial nephrectomy (PN) in patients with a solitary kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with a solitary kidney undergoing nephron-sparing surgery between March 2003 and March 2013 was performed. GFR was recorded before the procedure and 3 months after surgery, thus establishing a change (cGFR). Several variables that may influence cGFR were analyzed. Complications are herein described, namely bleeding, fistula, acute renal failure and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Local recurrence and margin status are also described. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan Meier method (2 patients with metastasis at the time of surgery were excluded from the analysis). RESULTS: Forty-five patients were available for analysis. Median follow-up was 27.56 months (r 3-96). Mean cGFR was-7.12mL/min (SD 2.1). Variables significantly related with lower GFR after surgery were loss of renal mass (p=0.01)) and male gender (p=0.03). Four patients (8.8%) experienced hemorrhage. Nine patients (20%) developed a urinary fistula. Only one patient with bleeding required open surgery. Two patients (4.4%) needed transient dialysis. Three patients (6.6%) developed ESRD. Four patients (8.8%) had positive surgical margins (PSMs) and four patients (88%) had local recurrence (2 of these had PSMs). Five patients (11.1%) died during follow-up. Four patients (8.8%) died because of renal cancer. Estimated 2-year overall survival, disease-free survival and cancer specific survival rates were 88.4% (CI 95% 70.5-96); 87.7% (CI 95% 68.1-96) and 92.4% (CI 95% 75-98), respectively. CONCLUSION: Loss of renal mass and male gender were associated with lower postoperative GFR. Our outcomes were comparable with those in the World literature.

[Current patterns of presentation of renal tumors]. / Formas actuales de presentación del tumor renal.

The aim of this paper is to describe the epidemiological characteristics, clinical management and pathologic patterns in a population with renal tumors in our institution. Prospective data collection was performed over a period of 4.5 years, from January 2010 to June 2014. A total of 819 cases (796 patients) were treated for renal mass during this period. The mean age was 60.7 years (SD 13.1). There were 553 (69.5%) males (male to female ratio: 2.2: 1). Twenty nine per cent (230 patients) were obese (BMI = 30). The diagnosis was incidental in 653 cases (79.7%), 48.8% presented one or more risk factors, being smoking the most frequent (34%). In 238 patients (29.9%) there was more than one comorbidity; 18% had preoperative creatinine = 1.3 mg/dl. Lesions were = 4 cm (cT1a) in 45% of the patients, and 10.8% (86) had metastases at diagnosis. The lesions were resected in 93.5% and actively monitored in 6.5% (not resected). In surgery treated patients, radical nephrectomy was performed in 51.5% of cases, and nephron sparing surgery in 48.5% of them. The laparoscopic approach was used in 56.2%. The pattern of presentation of renal masses is characterized by incidental diagnosis in early disease stages. Nephron sparing surgery is the first choice in nearly half of patients. Active surveillance has been used in a greater percentage than previously reported.

Renal Cell Carcinoma with Venous Extension: Safety of Laparoscopic Surgery for Thrombus Levels I-IIIa.

Background: Novel studies are helping to consider minimally invasive surgery for treating patients with renal cell carcinoma and venous tumor thrombus. Evidence regarding its feasibility and safety is still sparse and does not include a subclassification for level III thrombi. We aim to compare the safety of laparoscopic vs open surgery in patients with levels I-IIIa thrombus. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional comparative study using single-institutional data on adult patients treated surgically between June 2008 and June 2022. Participants were categorized into open and laparoscopic surgery groups. Primary outcome was difference in the incidence of 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo III-V) between groups. Secondary outcomes were differences in operative time, length of hospital stay, intraoperative blood transfusions, delta hemoglobin level, 30-day minor complications (Clavien-Dindo I-II), estimated overall survival, and progression-free survival between groups. A logistic regression model was performed including adjustment for confounding variables. Results: Overall, 15 patients in the laparoscopic group and 25 patients in the open group were included. Major complications occurred in 24.0% of patients within the open group and 6.7% of patients were treated laparoscopically (p = 0.120). Minor complications arose in 32.0% of patients treated with open surgery and in 13.3% of patients treated in the laparoscopic group (p = 0.162). Although not significant, there was a higher perioperative death rate within open surgery cases. The laparoscopic approach presented a crude odds ratio for major complications of 0.22 (95% confidence interval 0.02-2.1, p = 0.191) compared with open surgery. No differences were found between groups regarding oncologic outcomes. Conclusion: Laparoscopic approach for patients with venous thrombus levels I-IIIa seems to be as safe as open surgery.

Hereditary Renal Cell Carcinoma: Is Age an Independent Criterion for Genetic Testing? A Large Cohort from a Latin America Referral Center.

Although age younger than 46 years has been an independent criterion for genetic testing in hereditary renal cell carcinoma (hRCC), there is a lack of evidence in the literature. This study aims to analyze whether a 46-year-old cut-off should be considered an independent genetic testing criterion and to elucidate risk factors predicting a positive genetic test. Observational study from January 2010 to December 2021. All patients under 46 years with a non-metastatic kidney mass and surgical indication were included. We assume patients who relapse in the first 5 years of follow-up could have a positive genetic test. As risk factors for relapse, ergo positive genetic test, we consider those patients who presented multifocal, bilateral, or previous renal tumor. Of 2,232 nephrectomies for kidney cancer, 301 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up was 60 months (IQR 29-101). The estimated five-year RFS was 94.4% (95% CI 91.3-97.5). Tumor size, previous renal tumor, multifocality, bilaterality, and pT3 or pT4 stage were independent recurrence risk factors. Genetic testing was performed on 24 patients. 10 patients had pathogenic variants in the test, 8 of which recurred during their life. 46-year-old cut-off has shown low performance in genetic testing. Therefore, we recommend that it be considered only if other hRCC risk criteria exist. Multifocality, bilaterality, and previous renal tumor could predict a positive genetic test.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a predictor of locally advanced renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma are associated with locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (LARCC) after surgery. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted from May 2009 to January 2011. Altogether, 192 patients with non-disseminated disease and with preoperative quantitative determination of the CRP were evaluated. We evaluated the relation between age, gender, history of smoking, symptoms and CRP higher than 10 mg/L, with LARCC. The chi-square and Fisher's tests were used to compare categorical variables. For the multivariate analysis, we used logistic regression methods. RESULTS: The median age was 62 years (r=23-85), 72.4% were males. The median CRP was 2.40 mg/L (r=0.1-173). Of all the patients, 43.2% had a history of smoking and 81.8% were asymptomatic. As for the tumors, 77.1%were clear cell carcinoma, 14.6% chromophobe, 4.7% papillary, 2.6% oncocytomas, and 1% other varieties of renal cell carcinoma. As for the TNM classification, 45.8% corresponded to stage pT1a, 27.6% pT1b, 13% pT2, and 13.5% pT3, pT4 was not found. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of symptoms (p=0.002, OR=3.1) and the presence of CRP higher than 10 mg/L (p=0.006, OR=4) remained as the only prognostic variables of LARCC. CONCLUSIONS: Values of CRP higher than 10 mg/L increase 4 times the possibilities of finding LARCC in the pathological study of the surgical specimen. This variable should be taken into account when deciding what is the best surgical option.

[Current role of bilateral adrenalectomy in Ectopic Cushing syndrome.] / Rol actual de la adrenalectomía bilateral en el manejo del síndrome de Cushing Ectópico.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to describe the clinical features and the perioperative results of the bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy (BLA) of salvaje in 5 patients treated for an Ectopic Cushing Syndrome (CS) who were refractory to medical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical records of our institution. Five BLAs were performed in patients with Ectopic CS refractory to medical treatment during the period from January 2009 and June 2017. All patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team that jointly decided the most appropriate time for surgery. The following protocol data were analyzed: age, sex, location of the secreting tumor, duration of hypercortisolism, reason for hospitalization, initial therapeutic management), biochemical data (pre-op serum cortisol, plasma ACTH and free urinary cortisol), surgical data (surgical approach, surgical time, type of surgery, need for conversion toopen surgery), perioperative data (post op surgical stay, post op complications according to the Clavien-Dindo scale 14, mortality, clinical cure rate and biochemical cure rate, follow up time). RESULTS: Five patients underwent BLA. The approach for the BLA was minimally invasive, either trans peritoneal (n=3) or posterior retroperitoneoscopic (n=2). Mean hospitalization time was 23.4 days (r=4-81). None of the patients died because of surgical complications, and all of them achieved biochemical and clinical remission of their hypercortisolism after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: BLA is an effective salvage alter native to control the symptoms associated with overproduction of corticosteroids in patients with ectopic CS refractory to medical treatment.

OBJETIVO: Describir las características clínicas y los resultados perioperatorios de la adrenalectomía bilateral laparoscópica (ABL) en 5 pacientes tratados con diagnóstico de Síndrome de Cushing Ectópico (SCE).MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de todos los pacientes con SCE sometidos a una ABL, entre enero de 2009 y junio de 2017. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados por un equipo multidisciplinario que decidió conjuntamente el momento más adecuado para la cirugía. Fueron analizados los siguientes datos protocolares: edad, sexo, origen del tumor secretor, duración del hipercortisolismo, motivo de internación, manejo terapéutico inicial, datos bioquímicos (cortisol sérico preoperatorio, ACTH plasmática y cortisol libre urinario), datos quirúrgicos (vía de abordaje, tiempo quirúrgico, tipo de cirugía, necesidad de conversión a cirugía abierta), datos perioperatorios (tiempo de internación postoperatoria, complicaciones según la escala de Clavien-Dindo, mortalidad, tasa de curación clínica y tasa de curación bioquímica, tiempo de seguimiento). RESULTADOS: Cinco pacientes fueron sometidos a ABL. El abordaje fue mínimamente invasivo, ya sea transperitoneal (n=3) o retroperitoneoscópico posterior (n=2). El tiempo de internación fue de 23,4 días (r=4-81). Ningún paciente falleció por complicaciones quirúrgicas, y todos lograron la curación bioquímica y clínica de su hipercortisolismo después de la cirugía. CONCLUSIONES: ABL es un procedimiento de rescate eficaz para controlar los síntomas asociados al hipercortisolismo en pacientes con SCE refractario al tratamiento médico.

[Percutaneous cryoablation for renal tumors cT1 as an alternative treatment for surgery]. / Crioablación percutánea de tumores renales cT1 como alternativa al tratamiento quirúrgico.

Renal cancer represents 3-4% of all malignancies. Its incidental detection is becoming more frequent. Surgery is the gold standard treatment for T1 renal cancer. Still, surgery is not suitable for every patient due to comorbidities or previous kidney surgery. Guidelines provided by The American Urological Association recommend thermoablation therapies as an alternative to surgery in tumors under 3 cm. Experience regarding percutaneous cryoablation in renal tumors is scarce in Latin America and there are only a handful of publications in this region regarding this subject. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and security of percutaneous cryoablation in a cohort of adult patients with cT1 renal cancer (smaller than 5 cm) as an alternative to surgery. The procedures were performed with CT or Cone Beam CT guidance and under general anesthesia in sterile conditions. Cryoablation was carried out on an outpatient basis. Follow up was done with imaging studies, blood test and clinical consultation. All patients had complete response in imaging studies. There were no complications in 61% of all of them, the remaining patients suffered grade-1 complications such as hematuria, urinary retention and perirenal hematoma. In conclusion, percutaneous cryoablation for renal tumors is a safe and effective alternative to surgery.

El cáncer renal representa el 3 al 4% de todas las lesiones malignas y su detección incidental es cada vez más frecuente. Para los tumores renales cT1a la cirugía es el tratamiento de elección. No todos los pacientes son candidatos a este tipo de tratamiento por elevado riesgo quirúrgico debido a comorbilidades asociadas o antecedentes de cirugía en dicho órgano. Las guías de la Asociación Americana de Urología recomiendan la termoablación como alternativa a la cirugía en tumores menores a 3 cm. La experiencia con crioablación percutánea en tumores renales es escasa en Latinoamérica y hay pocas publicaciones al respecto en esta región. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir la efectividad y seguridad de la crioablación percutánea en una cohorte de pacientes adultos con cáncer renal cT1 (menores a 5 cm) como alternativa al tratamiento quirúrgico. Los procedimientos fueron realizados con guía de tomografía computarizada o con un angiógrafo, en condiciones estériles y bajo anestesia general. Los pacientes fueron tratados en condiciones ambulatorias. El seguimiento se realizó con estudios por imágenes, análisis de laboratorio y consulta clínica. Todos tuvieron una respuesta completa constatada por imágenes en los controles evolutivos. El 61% no tuvo complicaciones y en el resto se observaron complicaciones grado 1 como hematuria, retención urinaria y hematoma perirrenal. Se concluyó que la crioablación percutánea es segura y efectiva como alternativa a la cirugía en pacientes con tumores renales.

Renal fossa recurrence after radical nephrectomy: Current management, and oncological outcomes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Kidney cancers represent 2% of cancers worldwide; the most common type is renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC). Surgical treatment remains the only effective therapy for localized renal cell carcinoma. Approximately 20% to 38% of patients undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN) for localized RCC will have subsequent disease progression, with 0.8% to 3.6% of local recurrences within the ipsilateral retroperitoneum (RFR). The main objective of this study is to evaluate prognostic features, oncological outcomes, and current management for renal fossa recurrence in patients with history of RN for RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 733 patients who underwent open or laparoscopic RN for unilateral T1-T4 N0 M0 RCC between 2010 and 2016 at the Urology Department of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. RESULTS: During the mentioned period, of a total of 733 RNs (open/laparoscopic), 561 patients with RCC were included in the study. After a median follow-up time of 24 months (12-36) (interquartile range), 21 (3.74%) patients out of 561, developed renal fossa recurrence. Of these, 13 (2.31%) patients were diagnosed with isolated local renal fossa recurrence and different treatment approaches were adopted; 11 patients underwent open surgical resection, 1 patient laparoscopic surgical resection, and 1 case was treated with cryoablation. Regarding cancer-specific survival, estimated 4-year cancer-specific survival in patients without RFR, with isolated RFR (iRFR) and not isolated RFR (niRFR) was 82.7% (CI 95% 70.2-95.2), 69.2% (IC 44.2-94.2) and 0%, respectively (log rank test P < 0.0001 being niRFR group different to others. Non isolated RFR was a death risk factor with a HR of 11.4 (4.8-27.2) compared with iRFR or no recurrence. Overall, 51% (IC 26.6-71.2) of patients with any RFR died at 4 years follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although RFR is a rare condition, in the absence of distant metastatic disease, aggressive surgical resection should be our aim. High pathological tumoral stage at original nephrectomy and high tumoral grade are independent risk factors for RFR. This group of patients needs closer follow-up to detect earlier recurrences and decide a treatment strategy.

Bilateral pheochromocytoma after kidney transplantation in neurofibromatosis type 1.

We present the case of a 25-year-old male with a history of neurofibromatosis type 1 and bilateral pheochromocytoma 4 years after kidney transplantation that was successfully treated with simultaneous bilateral posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy. Learning points: Hypertensive patients with NF1 should always be screened for pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytoma is rarely associated with transplantation, but it must be ruled out in patients with genetic susceptibility. Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA) allows more direct access to the adrenal glands, especially in patients with previous abdominal surgeries.

von Hippel-Lindau mutants in renal cell carcinoma are regulated by increased expression of RSUME.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the major cause of death among patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Resistance to therapies targeting tumor angiogenesis opens the question about the underlying mechanisms. Previously we have described that RWDD3 or RSUME (RWD domain-containing protein SUMO Enhancer) sumoylates and binds VHL protein and negatively regulates HIF degradation, leading to xenograft RCC tumor growth in mice. In this study, we performed a bioinformatics analysis in a ccRCC dataset showing an association of RSUME levels with VHL mutations and tumor progression, and we demonstrate the molecular mechanism by which RSUME regulates the pathologic angiogenic phenotype of VHL missense mutations. We report that VHL mutants fail to downregulate RSUME protein levels accounting for the increased RSUME expression found in RCC tumors. Furthermore, we prove that targeting RSUME in RCC cell line clones carrying missense VHL mutants results in decreased early tumor angiogenesis. The mechanism we describe is that RSUME sumoylates VHL mutants and beyond its sumoylation capacity, interacts with Type 2 VHL mutants, reduces HIF-2α-VHL mutants binding, and negatively regulates the assembly of the Type 2 VHL, Elongins and Cullins (ECV) complex. Altogether these results show RSUME involvement in VHL mutants deregulation that leads to the angiogenic phenotype of RCC tumors.

Crioablación percutánea de tumores renales cT1 como alternativa al tratamiento quirúrgico / Percutaneous cryoablation of cT1 kidney tumors as alternative to surgical treatment

Resumen El cáncer renal representa el 3 al 4% de todas las lesiones malignas y su detección incidental es cada vez más frecuente. Para los tumores renales cT1a la cirugía es el tratamiento de elección. No todos los pacientes son candidatos a este tipo de tratamiento por elevado riesgo quirúrgico debido a comorbi lidades asociadas o antecedentes de cirugía en dicho órgano. Las guías de la Asociación Americana de Urología recomiendan la termoablación como alternativa a la cirugía en tumores menores a 3 cm. La experiencia con crioablación percutánea en tumores renales es escasa en Latinoamérica y hay pocas publicaciones al respecto en esta región. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir la efectividad y seguridad de la crioablación percutánea en una cohorte de pacientes adultos con cáncer renal cT1 (menores a 5 cm) como alternativa al tratamiento quirúrgico. Los procedimientos fueron realizados con guía de tomografía computarizada o con un angiógrafo, en condiciones estériles y bajo anestesia general. Los pacientes fueron tratados en condiciones ambulatorias. El seguimiento se realizó con estudios por imágenes, análisis de laboratorio y consulta clínica. Todos tuvieron una respuesta completa constatada por imágenes en los controles evolutivos. El 61% no tuvo complicaciones y en el resto se observaron complicaciones grado 1 como hematuria, retención urinaria y hematoma perirrenal. Se concluyó que la crioablación percutánea es segura y efectiva como alternativa a la cirugía en pacientes con tumores renales.

Abstract Renal cancer represents 3-4% of all malignancies. Its incidental detection is becoming more frequent. Surgery is the gold standard treatment for T1 renal cancer. Still, surgery is not suitable for every patient due to comorbidities or previous kidney surgery. Guidelines provided by The American Urological Association recommend thermoablation therapies as an alternative to surgery in tumors under 3 cm. Experience regarding percutaneous cryoablation in renal tumors is scarce in Latin America and there are only a handful of publications in this region regarding this subject. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and security of percutaneous cryoablation in a cohort of adult patients with cT1 renal cancer (smaller than 5 cm) as an alternative to surgery. The procedures were performed with CT or Cone Beam CT guidance and under general anesthesia in sterile conditions. Cryoablation was carried out on an outpatient basis. Follow up was done with imaging studies, blood test and clinical consultation. All patients had complete response in imaging studies. There were no complications in 61% of all of them, the remaining patients suffered grade-1 complications such as hematuria, urinary reten tion and perirenal hematoma. In conclusion, percutaneous cryoablation for renal tumors is a safe and effective alternative to surgery.

Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes in Very Elderly Patients (≥75 years) with Renal Cell Carcinoma: Data from the Latin American Renal Cancer Group

Background: The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is increasing globally due to an aging population and widespread use of imaging studies. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and perioperative outcomes of RCC surgery in very elderly patients (VEP), ≥75 years of age. Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study of 3656 patients who underwent the treatment for RCC from 1990 to 2015 in 28 centers from eight Latin American countries. We compared baseline characteristics as well as clinical and perioperative outcomes according to age groups (<75 vs.≥ 75 years). Surgical complications were classified with the Clavien-Dindo score. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with perioperative complications. Results: There were 410 VEP patients (11.2%). On bivariate analysis, VEP had a lower body mass index (p < 0.01) and higher ASA score (ASA >2 in 26.3% vs. 12.4%, p < 0.01). There was no difference in performance status and clinical stage between the study groups. There were no differences in surgical margins, estimated blood loss (EBL), complication, and mortality rates (1.3% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.17). On multivariate regression analysis, age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.33, p < 0.01), EBL ≥ 500 cc (OR 3.34, p < 0.01), and > pT2 stage (OR 1.63, p = 0.04) were independently associated with perioperative complications. Conclusions: Surgical resection of RCC was safe and successful in VEP. Age ≥75 years was independently associated with 30-day perioperative complications. However, the vast majority were low-grade complications. Age alone should not guide decision-making in these patients, and treatment must be tailored according to performance status and severity of comorbidities. (REV INVEST CLIN. 2020;72(5):308-15)

La elevación de los índices preoperatorios de neutrófilos/linfocitos y de plaquetas/linfocitos se asocia a una mayor agresividad local en los tumores renales / Elevation of Preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio and Platelet-Lymphocyte ratio is associated with a Higher Tumor Aggressiveness in Kidney Cancer

Introducción: Existe evidencia de que los índices de neutrófilos/linfocitos (INL) y plaquetas/linfocitos (IPL) se asocian a un peor pronóstico oncológico en distintas enfermedades neoplásicas. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la asociación entre el INL y el IPL preoperatorio y la agresividad local del tumor en el carcinoma de células renales (CCR). Materiales y métodos: Se analizaron el INL y el IPL de 353 pacientes que fueron tratados por CCR, sin enfermedad a distancia, entre enero de 2010 y julio de 2013. Se utilizó la regresión de Cox para estimar la asociación entre ambos índices y el estadío patológico, el grado histológico de Fuhrman/ISUP (International Society of Urological Pathology) y la progresión de la enfermedad. Resultados: La mitad de los pacientes presentó grado ISUP III o IV; 24 pacientes presentaron estadío patológico pT3a o superior. En total, 12 pacientes presentaron recidiva local y 19 presentaron metástasis. En el análisis multivariado, un mayor INL o IPL se asoció a un mayor grado ISUP y estadío patológico avanzado. Las medias de INL e IPL fueron significativamente superiores en los pacientes con grado Fuhrman/ ISUP IV y estadío pT3a o superior (p<0,05). El grado ISUP IV y el estadío pT3b se asociaron significativamente a la progresión de la enfermedad, mientras que el INL y el IPL no lo hicieron. Conclusión: La elevación de INL e IPL se asocia a una mayor agresividad local en el CCR, lo que se manifiesta por tumores con un mayor grado de Fuhrman/ISUP o un estadío localmente avanzado. Evaluar estos cocientes antes de la nefrectomía puede brindarle al cirujano un elemento más para conocer el tipo de tumor al que se enfrenta y programar una estrategia acorde.(AU)

Introduction: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are associated with tumor progression and worse oncologic outcomes in different neoplastic diseases. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between preoperative NLR and PLR and local tumor aggressiveness in renal cell carcinomas (RCC). Materials and methods: Pre-treatment NLR and PLR were analyzed in 353 patients who underwent treatment for non-metastatic RCC. Cox regression was used to estimate the association between NLR and PLR with pathological stage (pT), International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade, and disease progression. Results: ISUP grades III or IV were found in 50% of patients; 24 patients had pT3a stage or higher. After the surgery, 12 patients presented a local relapse, and 19 presented metastases. On multivariable analysis, higher NLR and PLR were significantly associated with a higher ISUP grade and advanced pT stage. Mean NLR and PLR were significantly higher in patients with Fuhrman/ISUP grade IV and pT3a or higher stage (p<0.05). ISUP grade IV and stage pT3b or higher both were associated with disease progression, while NLR and PLR weren't. Conclusion: Elevation of preoperative NLR and PLR is associated with a higher tumor aggressiveness in RCC. Higher ratios are significantly associated with ISUP grade IV and locally advanced stage (pT3b or higher). The preoperative evaluation of these ratios may give the surgeon another element to evaluate the type of tumor he is facing and adopt the best strategy. (AU)

Positive surgical margins are predictors of local recurrence in conservative kidney surgery for pT1 tumors

ABSTRACT Objectives: The clinical significance of positive surgical margin (PSM) after a Nephron Sparing Surgery (NSS) is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between PSM and the risk of disease recurrence in patients with pT1 kidney tumors who underwent NSS. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study. A total of 314 patients submitted to a NSS due to stage pT1 renal tumor between January 2010 and June 2015 were included. Recurrence-free survival was estimated. The Cox model was used to adjust the tumor size, histological grade, pathological stage, age, surgical margins and type of approach. Results: Overall PSM was 6.3% (n=22). Recurrence was evidenced in 9.1% (n=2) of patients with PSM and 3.5% (n=10) for the group of negative surgical margin (NSM). The estimated local recurrence-free survival rate at 3 years was 96.4% (95% CI 91.9 to 100) for the NSM group and 87.8% (95% CI 71.9 to 100) for PSM group (p=0.02) with no difference in metastasis-free survival. The PSM and pathological high grade (Fuhrman grade III or IV) were independent predictors of local recurrence in the multivariate analysis (HR 12.9, 95%CI 1.8-94, p=0.011 / HR 38.3, 95%CI 3.1-467, p=0.004 respectively). Fuhrman grade proved to be predictor of distant recurrence (HR 8.1, 95%CI 1.6-39.7, p=0.011). Conclusions: The PSM in pT1 renal tumors showed to have higher risk of local recurrence and thus, worse oncological prognosis.

Adrenalectomía laparoscópica: ¿abordaje retroperitoneal posterior o transperitoneal lateral? / Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: posterior retroperitoneoscopic or lateral transperitoneal approach?

Objetivo: comparar los resultados obtenidos en adrenalectomía retroperitoneoscópica posterior (ARP) con los obtenidos por vía transperitoneal lateral (ATL) a corto y mediano plazo. Material y métodos: estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Se incluyeron 22 pacientes a quienes se les realizaron 24 adrenalectomías (12 ARP y 12 ATL) entre los meses de enero de 2015 y mayo de 2016. En el grupo ARP se realizó a 1 paciente adrenalectomía bilateral simultánea y a 1 paciente, bilateral sincrónica. Fueron comparados datos basales, clínicos, quirúrgicos y evolutivos. Resultados: la mediana de tiempo de seguimiento fue de 6,5 meses (r 1-16). Los grupos ARP y ATL fueron comparables en edad, sexo, BMI y presencia de cirugías previas. Los adenomas fueron las lesiones predominantes (41,7% en cada grupo). El promedio de tiempo operatorio en ART y ATL fue 104,3 ± 21,2 y 146 ± 32,9 minutos, respectivamente (p 0,05). No hallamos diferencias en tiempo de internación, sangrado y complicaciones. Todos los pacientes lograron curación clínica. Conclusiones: la técnica ARP es una vía segura, con resultados comparables a ATL y menor tiempo operatorio. También permite intervenir de manera simultánea y sincrónica ambas glándulas adrenales sin necesidad de reposicionar al paciente.

Objetive: to compare the results of posterior retroperitoneoscopic (PRA) or lateral transperitoneal approach (LTA) in laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the short and medium term. Material y methods: prospective cohort study. We included 22 patients who underwent 24 adrenalectomies (12 PRA and 12 LTA) between January 2015 and May 2016. In the PRA group, two simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed (1 synchronous bilateral adrenalectomy). Baseline, clinical and surgical outcome were compared. Results: the median follow-up time was 6.5 months (range: 1-16). The PRA and LTA groups were comparable in age, gender, BMI and presence of previous surgeries. Adenomas were the predominant lesions (41.7% in each group). The average operating time in PRA and LTA was 104.3 ± 21.2 and 146 ± 32.9 minutes, respectively (p=0.05). We found no differences in length of hospital stay, bleeding and complications. All patients achieved clinical cure. Conclusions: the PRA technique is a safe approach, with results comparable to LTA and shorter operating time. It also allows to intervene simultaneously and synchronously both adrenal glands without the need of repositioning the patient.

[Risk factors for cardiovascular and chronic diseases in a coffee-growing population]. / Factores de riesgo cardiovascular y de enfermedades crónicas en población caficultora.

OBJECTIVES: Estimating the prevalence of cardiovascular and chronic disease risk factors in a Colombian coffee-growing population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out from February to November 2007. Multistage conglomerate sampling of 55 rural areas in 13 municipalities led to 516 people being surveyed. The questionnaires used were recommended by PAHO (anthropometric and biochemical measurements). The resulting data was subjected to univariate and bivariate descriptive analysis using 95 % CI, significance tests and comparison with previous studies. RESULTS: There was 21.1 % (19.2-23.3 95 %CI) current smoker prevalence, 31.2 % sedentarism (27.8-32.6 95 % CI), 86.3 % people consumed less than 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day (84.4-87.9 95 % CI), 2.2 % had high alcohol consumption level (1.6-3.2 95 %CI), 26.2 % suffered from hypertension (23.9-28.6 95 % CI), 4.6 % diabetes (3.6-5.8 95 % CI), 62.1 % hyperlipidaemia (59.5-64.7 95 % CI) and 42.9 % (40.4-45.5 95 % CI) were overweight or obese. 85 % had at least 2 or more risk factors simultaneously. Sedentarism, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and being overweight /obese was greater in females (p<0.001). Alcohol consumption and smoking were greater in males (p<0.001). Age, civil state, education, income and health system were related to the risk factors being studied. CONCLUSIONS: The study provided fresh knowledge concerning the lack of available information regarding rural Latin-American populations. Compared to the second Colombian study of chronic disease risk factors (ENFREC II), no important advances were found regarding a reduction of the prevalence of risk factors. Further studies are required for going deeper into social determinants and health systems explaining this study's findings.