[Massive bleeding of the urogenital tract]. / Massive Urogenitalblutung.

Massive bleeding of the urogenital tract is, in the same way as acute bleeding from all other organs, a medical emergency and necessitates precise diagnostics and treatment. In this article the topic is addressed in four main categories: first the inflammatory causes are discussed, followed by surgical, traumatic and neoplastic causes of massive bleeding. Subsequently, the rare but clinically relevant causes of acute and massive bleeding are described.

Novel therapeutic options for second-line therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has gained a variety of therapeutic options since the introduction of targeted therapy, starting in 2007. The basic molecular mechanisms included predominantly the targeting of vascular endothelial growth factor or the inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin. Recently, results from two randomized controlled trials, the CheckMate-25 and the METEOR trial, regarding therapy for RCC in the second-line setting have been published. In the present review, the current status of second-line therapy in mRCC is discussed, together with results from the two newly introduced substances, nivolumab and cabozantinib.

[Castration resistant prostate cancer 2015]. / Kastrationsresistentes Prostatakarzinom 2015.

Prostate cancer is still the most common urological cancer of the elderly man. In some patients, a metastatic prostate cancer arises which may remain a stable disease for years with palliative antiandrogen therapy. On average, after 3-4 years, affected men develop a PSA rise and disease progression with the formation of a so-called castration-resistant disease. 5 years ago cytotoxic chemotherapy with docetaxel was the only life-prolonging treatment option in this situation. In the last 5 years, the results of randomised phase III studies have led to the approval of 5 new agents for the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The results and approval status of the substances, Abiraterone, Enzalutamide, Cabazitaxel, Sipuleucel-T and radium-223 are described below. In addition, some aspects of sequential therapy and possible future molecular approaches are discussed.

[Partial Nephrectomy in cT1 Renal Tumours: Conventional Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy Compared with LESS Partial Nephrectomy in SITUS Technique]. / Nierenteilresektion bei cT1 Nierentumoren: Vergleich der konventionellen laparoskopischen Nierenteilresektion mit der LESS Nierenteilresektion in SITUS-Technik.

BACKGROUND: Partial nephrectomy is the treatment of choice for clinical stage 1 renal tumours. Open partial nephrectomy is the standard operative technique. The use of minimally-invasive strategies such as laparoscopic, robot-assisted partial nephrectomy or laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) partial nephrectomy has increased in recent years. PATIENTS/MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy between December 2008 and November 2013 were evaluated. All patients presented with renal lesions suspicious for malignancy. Operations were performed as conventional laparoscopic transperitoneal partial nephrectomies (cLPN) or LESS partial nephrectomies (LESS-PN) in SITUS technique (single incision transumbilical surgery). The aim of the study was to compare perioperative outcome parameters such as duration of surgery, time of ischaemia, complications, need for transfusion, conversion rates, changes in renal function and duration of hospital stay in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 85 laparoscopic partial nephrectomies were performed in this study (72 cLPN and 13 LESS-PN). The average tumour size was 2.68±1.47 cm (cLPN) vs. 2.46±1.11 cm (LESS-PN). The mean duration of surgery was 175.17±50.026 min (cLPN) and 185.77±35.991 min (LESS-PN). 45 (62.5%) operations (cLPN) vs. 10 (76.9%) (LESS-PN) were performed in zero-ischaemia technique. There were no significant differences in perioperative outcome parameters between both groups. Postoperative complication rates (Clavien-Dindo≥3) were 11.1% (cLPN) vs. 7.7% (LESS-PN). CONCLUSIONS: LESS partial nephrectomy in SITUS technique is an attractive alternative to conventional laparoscopic and open partial nephrectomy.

[C-reactive protein prior to radical cystectomy: preoperative determination of CRP]. / C-reaktives Protein vor radikaler Zystektomie : Präoperative Bestimmung von CRP.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown a positive correlation between elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and systemic spread of malignancies. The goal of the current study was to assess the predictive significance of preoperative CRP in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative CRP values were measured in 194 patients undergoing RC because of urothelial carcinoma between 1996 and 2005. Elevated CRP level was defined as ≥ 5 mg/l. RESULTS: Preoperative increased CRP values were detected in 89 (45.9%) patients and these patients were more likely to have advanced tumor stages (pT3-4), positive resection margins and positive lymph nodes. Advanced urinary diversions were more common in patients with normal CRP values. In multivariate analysis, CRP was identified as an independent prognostic indicator for poor cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSION: The results confirm previous reports that showed a prognostic significance of preoperative CRP elevation.

[Systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma]. / Systemische Therapie des metastasierten Nierenzellkarzinoms.

A better understanding of molecular biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis or, respectively, prognosis of renal cell carcinoma has recently led to a fundamental change in those therapeutic options that are especially effective after systemic disemination. In this context, cytokine-based therapeutic concepts have been replaced by the so-called targeted therapeutic agents that include, above all, tyrosine kinase (TK) and mTOR inhibitors. The present contribution is intended to reflect the current state of the art in the systemic therapy for renal cell carcinoma in first- and second-line use. In addition, the increasing relevance of sequential therapy under consideration of possible side effects is discussed.

[Partial nephrectomy after neoadjuvant administration of sunitinib facilitates preservation of a solitary kidney]. / Partielle Nephrektomie nach neoadjuvanter Therapie mit Sunitinib ermöglicht den Nierenerhalt bei Einzelniere.

We report on a 66-year-old female patient, presenting with a renal mass of 7.1 cm diameter on CT scan indicative of malignancy in the left solitary kidney. At first, the attempt at an open partial nephrectomy was undertaken. The intraoperative findings, however, did not allow for a kidney-preserving surgical procedure, mostly due to the close proximity of the tumour to the hilar vessels. The histopathology obtained during the procedure showed a clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Thus, systemic therapy with sunitinib over a period of 70 days (2 cycles/50 mg p. d.) was initiated. The subsequent CT scan showed shrinkage of the tumour with a partial response according to RECIST criteria (response evaluation criteria in solid tumours) of 32%. After discontinuation of sunitinib therapy, a partial nephrectomy was possible without complications. Postoperative follow-up was uneventful. The glomerular filtration rate before discharge was stable at 48 mL/min. The final tumour pathology showed a clear cell renal cell carcinoma - pTNM: pT1b, pNx, G2, R0.

[Ewing's sarcoma of the kidneys with simultaneous seminoma]. / Ewing-Sarkom der Niere bei gleichzeitig vorliegendem Seminom.

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma (EOE) is rarely observed in the urinogenital tract, which results in only sporadic descriptions of primary EOE of the kidneys in the literature with cytologic analyses. A timely diagnosis and differentiated therapy of this aggressive disease are compromised by its infrequent appearance and scarce available data. With a simultaneously diagnosed seminoma our case report supports and extends further the data collected so far.

FlexGuard: a new laser insertion sheath: functional aspects in ureterorenoscopy (URS).

The evolution of flexible ureteroscopes led to a widespread use for the management of upper urinary tract abnormalities. The cost of purchase, maintenance and the durability of these instruments has become a major issue. This work describes a new device to avoid damages due to incorrect use of the Holmium laser during insertion of the laser fibre. A laser fibre with an optical core of 271 and 430 muicrom outside diameter was slid inside the FlexGuard laser fibre insertion sheath (LISA laser products, Germany). The outside diameter of the sheath measures 2.7 F (0.9 mm) and 2.1 F (0.7 mm) luminal diameter. The distal fibre tip was brought up to a position app. 2 mm inside the distal end of the sheath. The loaded sheath was pushed through the working channel of various ureteroscopes which were in maximum deflection. With the insertion sheath protruding about 2 mm from the distal tip of the URS the fibre was effortless forwarded out of the sheath to approach the stone. Once the laser fibre was in position, the sheath was removed, to increase the volume of irrigation fluid during laser lithotripsy. The radius of curvature (ROC) of the URS in maximum deflection and the integrity of the working channel was investigated. Using the insertion sheath the laser fibre reached the working position without any recognition of scratching or resistance. The integrity of the ureterorenoscopes was checked thoroughly be manually operated manometry. No damage of the inner surface of the working channel occurred. The ROC of the instrument did not change significantly during this procedure. After removal of the sheath the ROC remained stable. With the extended use of ureteroscopy, durability and repair costs are of concern. Damage resulting from incorrect use of laser fibres is a major issue in this respect. FlexGuard proved to avoid this damage in all flexible ureteroscopes investigated without limiting their mobility.