Systemic therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): an evidence-based recommendation of the German interdisciplinary RCC guidelines group.

PURPOSE: The treatment landscape in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has evolved dramatically in recent years. Within the German guideline committee for RCC we evaluated current medical treatments and gave recommendations. METHODS: A systematic review of published evidence for medical treatment of mRCC was performed (July 2016-August 2019) to cover the duration from last guideline update in 2016. Evidence was graded according to SIGN ( http://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign50.pdf ). Recommendations were made on the basis of a nominal group work with consensus approach and included patient advocates and shareholder of the German RCC treatment landscape. Each recommendation was graded according to its strength as strong recommendation (A) or recommendation (B). Expert statements were given, where appropriate. RESULTS: Strong first-line recommendations (IA) exist for axitinib + pembrolizumab (all risk categories) and ipilimumab + nivolumab (intermediate or poor risk only). Axitinib + avelumab is a recommended first-line treatment across patients with any risk category (IB). In patients who are not candidates for immune check point inhibitor (ICI) combinations, targeted agents should be offered as an alternative treatment. Subsequent treatment after ICI-based combinations remain ill-defined and no standard of care can be formulated. CONCLUSION: ICI-based combinations are the first-line standard of care and should be considered accordingly. There is an unmet medical need for pivotal studies that define novel standards in patients with failure of ICI-based combinations.

18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT for response assessment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma undergoing tyrosine kinase or checkpoint inhibitor therapy: preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION: Tyrosine kinase (TKI) and checkpoint inhibitors (CI) prolonged overall survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Early prediction of treatment response is highly desirable for the individualization of patient management and improvement of therapeutic outcome; however, serum biochemistry is unable to predict therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, we compared 18F-PSMA-1007 PET imaging for response assessment in mRCC patients undergoing TKI or CI therapy compared to CT-based response assessment as the current imaging reference standard. METHODS: 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT was performed in mRCC patients prior to initiation of systemic treatment and 8 weeks after therapy initiation. Treatment response was evaluated separately on 18F-PSMA-PET and CT. Changes on PSMA-PET (SUVmean) were assessed on a per patient basis using a modified PERCIST scoring system. Complete response (CRPET) was defined as absence of any uptake in all target lesions on posttreatment PET. Partial response (PRPET) was defined as decrease in summed SUVmean of > 30%. The appearance of new, PET-positive lesions or an increase in summed SUVmean of > 30% was defined as progressive disease (PDPET). A change in summed SUVmean of ± 30% defined stable disease (SDPET). RECIST 1.1 criteria were used for response assessment on CT. Results of radiographic response assessment on PSMA-PET and CT were compared. RESULTS: Overall, 11 mRCC patients undergoing systemic treatment were included. At baseline PSMA-PET1, all mRCC patients showed at least one PSMA-avid lesion. On follow-up PET2, 3 patients showed CRPET, 3 PRPET, 4 SDPET, and 1 PDPET. According to RECIST 1.1, 1 patient showed PRCT, 9 SDCT, and 1 PDCT. Overall, concordant classifications were found in only 2 cases (2 SDCT + PET). Patients with CRPET on PET were classified as 3 SDCT on CT using RECIST 1.1. By contrast, the patient classified as PRCT on CT showed PSMA uptake without major changes during therapy (SDPET). However, among 9 patients with SDCT on CT, 3 were classified as CRPET, 3 as PRPET, 1 as PDPET, and only 2 as SDPET on PSMA-PET. CONCLUSION: On PSMA-PET, heterogeneous courses were observed during systemic treatment in mRCC patients with highly diverging results compared to RECIST 1.1. In the light of missing biomarkers for early response assessment, PSMA-PET might allow more precise response assessment to systemic treatment, especially in patients classified as SD on CT.

Adjuvant therapy in renal cell carcinoma: the perspective of urologists.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, there was no approved adjuvant therapy (AT) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) unless sunitinib was approved in the US. We evaluated clinical opinion and estimated use regarding different treatment options and patient selection of AT in RCC patients based on current scientific data and individual experience in Germany. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous survey during a national urology conference in 01/2017. Answers of 157 urologists treating RCC patients could be included. Questions were related to practice setting, treatment of RCC, follow-up strategy, physicians' personal opinion and individually different important parameters regarding S-TRAC and ASSURE-trial. RESULTS: 82% were office based. 67% were located in larger cities. 83% reported that nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) was performed in tumors with diameter < 4 cm. Follow-up was done mainly in concordance with guideline recommendations. 68% treated an average of 2.9 patients/year with systemic therapy. Therapy was predominantly advocated using sunitinib (94%). Urologists were informed about S-TRAC and ASSURE-trial. For 47%, reported hazard ratio is the most important parameter to understand trial results followed by overall survival (OS) in 46%, disease-free survival in 38%, and results of other trials in 34%. The most convincing parameter to decide on AT is OS (69%). 62% placed their confidence in ASSURE over STRAC-trial. 44% would use AT for 12 months. Nodal involvement was the most common denominator for use of AT. 82% favor sunitinib as AT. CONCLUSIONS: A minority of urologists would use AT and are more confident in ASSURE-trial. Reluctance of prescribing AT mainly is based on lack of OS data and conflicting trial results.

Adjuvant sunitinib in patients with high-risk renal cell carcinoma: safety, therapy management, and patient-reported outcomes in the S-TRAC trial.

Background: Adjuvant sunitinib has significantly improved disease-free survival versus placebo in patients with renal cell carcinoma at high risk of recurrence post-nephrectomy (hazard ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.98; two-sided P = 0.03). We report safety, therapy management, and patient-reported outcomes for patients receiving sunitinib and placebo in the S-TRAC trial. Patients and methods: Patients were stratified by the University of California, Los Angeles Integrated Staging System and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score, and randomized (1 : 1) to receive sunitinib (50 mg/day) or placebo. Single dose reductions to 37.5 mg, dose delays, and dose interruptions were used to manage adverse events (AEs). Patients' health-related quality of life, including key symptoms typically associated with sunitinib, were evaluated with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results: Patients maintained treatment for 9.5 (mean, SD 4.4) and 10.3 (mean, SD 3.7) months in the sunitinib and placebo arms, respectively. In the sunitinib arm, key AEs occurred ∼1 month (median) after start of treatment and resolved within ∼3.5 weeks (median). Many (40.6%) AEs leading to permanent discontinuation were grade 1/2, and most (87.2%) resolved or were resolving by 28 days after last treatment. Patients taking sunitinib showed a significantly lower EORTC QLQ-C30 overall health status score versus placebo, although this reduction was not clinically meaningful. Patients reported symptoms typically related to sunitinib treatment with diarrhea and loss of appetite showing clinically meaningful increases. Conclusions: In S-TRAC, AEs were predictable, manageable, and reversible via dose interruptions, dose reductions, and/or standard supportive medical therapy. Patients on sunitinib did report increased symptoms and reduced HRQoL, but these changes were generally not clinically meaningful, apart from appetite loss and diarrhea, and were expected in the context of known sunitinib effects. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00375674.

Clinical Usage of Different Guidelines in Routine Management, Therapy and Follow-Up of Patients with Renal Cell Cancer in Germany.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usage of different guidelines and to estimate the impact of changed recommendation in routine management, therapy and follow-up of patients with renal cell cancer (RCC). METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was sent to 600 urologists in Germany. Twenty-seven percent of them were included in the analysis. The questions were about the practice setting, surgical and medical treatment of RCC, follow-up modalities, knowledge and usage of RCC guidelines. Results were correlated with the recommendations of the EAU-guideline. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of the urologists were office based. Sixty percent were located in bigger cities. Ninety-eight percent of the colleagues reported to be knowledgeable about the EAU-guidelines, 62% reported to know the American Urological Association, 59% DGU/AWMF, 19% National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 19% European Society for Medical Oncology, 13% Onkopedia, and 3% British Association of Urological Surgeons-guidelines. Eighty-seven percent reported that partial nephrectomy (Nx) was performed in tumours with diameter <4 cm. Forty-one percent performed a radical Nx for tumours that were 4-7 cm. Follow-up of RCC was done in 99%. Fifty-nine percent underwent an abdominal CT scan after 6 months. Thirty-nine percent got a chest X-ray done. Among those with metastatic RCC, only 84% were offered systemic therapy. First-line therapy was predominantly advocated using sunitinib. CONCLUSION: Almost all urologists know and use the EAU-guidelines. Other guidelines are rarely used. Follow-up is performed in discordance with the EAU-recommendations. Interestingly, only 84% with metastatic disease are introduced to systemic therapy.

Dual energy can accurately differentiate uric acid-containing urinary calculi from calcium stones.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of dual-energy CT (DECT) in the detection of the chemical composition of urinary calculi in correlation with infrared spectroscopic stone analysis. METHODS: We reviewed the CT scans of 255 patients who underwent DECT due to a clinical suspicion of urolithiasis. Out of this group, we included 64 patients with clinically symptomatic urolithiasis requiring stone removal. After surgical removal of the stone by ureterorenoscopy, chemical composition was analyzed with infrared spectroscopy. We correlated DECT stone characterization results with chemical stone composition based on dual-energy indices (DEI). A total of 213 renal and ureteral stones could be removed and chemically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 213 calculi were evaluated. Thirty eight out of sixty four (59 %) patients had >1 stone. DECT was used to differentiate stones by using DEI. Stones harboring calcium (CA) were color-coded in blue, while stones containing uric acid (UA) were colored red. Median DEI in UA-containing stones were 0.001. Non-UA-containing stones had a DEI between 0.073 for pure CA stones and 0.077 containing CA and other substances (p = 0.001; p = 0.03, respectively). Sensitivity of DECT was 98.4 % for differentiation of UA from non-UA-containing calculi. Specificity was 98.1 %. Mean effective radiation dose of DECT was 4.18 mSv (0.44-14.27 mSv), thus comparable to conventional CT scans of the abdomen. Conventional measurement of Hounsfield units did not correlate with stone composition. CONCLUSION: DECT with image post-processing reliably discriminates UA-containing calculi from all other stones, but the study offered limitations. Discrimination within the non-UA stones cannot be reliably achieved but is clinically insignificant.

Axitinib versus sorafenib in advanced renal cell carcinoma: subanalyses by prior therapy from a randomised phase III trial.

BACKGROUND: In the AXIS trial, axitinib prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) vs sorafenib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) previously treated with sunitinib or cytokines. METHODS: In post hoc analyses, patients were grouped by objective response to prior therapy (yes vs no), prior therapy duration (< vs ⩾median), and tumour burden (baseline sum of the longest diameter < vs ⩾median). PFS and overall survival (OS), and safety by type and duration of prior therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: Response to prior therapy did not influence outcome with second-line axitinib or sorafenib. PFS was significantly longer in axitinib-treated patients who received longer prior cytokine treatment and sorafenib-treated patients with smaller tumour burden following sunitinib. Overall survival with the second-line therapy was longer in patients who received longer duration of prior therapy, although not significant in the sunitinib-to-axitinib sequence subgroup; OS was also longer in patients with smaller tumour burden, but not significant in the cytokine-to-axitinib sequence subgroup. Safety profiles differed modestly by type and duration of prior therapy. CONCLUSIONS: AXIS data suggest that longer duration of the first-line therapy generally yields better outcome with the second-line therapy and that lack of response to first-line therapy does not preclude positive clinical outcomes with a second-line vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted agent in patients with advanced RCC.

A new concept for early recovery after surgery for patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: results of a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: Early recovery after surgery concepts have gained wide acceptance in various surgical specialties. However, limited data are available for radical cystectomy. A new early recovery after surgery concept was compared to a more conservative regimen in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 101 consecutive patients were prospectively randomized to early recovery after surgery (62) or a conservative regimen (39) (intended randomization ratio was 2 early recovery after surgery-to-1 conservative regimen). Primary end points were differences in quality of life, and secondary end points included postoperative morbidity, demand for analgesics, time spent in the intermediate care unit, mobility and number of gastrointestinal events during hospital stay. RESULTS: Quality of life parameters, as measured by the EORTC (European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer) Quality of Life questionnaire QLQ-30 did not change significantly between postoperative days 3 and 7 and at discharge from hospital in the conservative regimen group, whereas a significant improvement was observed in the early recovery after surgery group. Postoperative morbidity was lower in the early recovery after surgery group in terms of wound healing disorders (p = 0.006), fever (p = 0.004) and thrombosis (p = 0.027). The demand for analgesics was significantly lower in the early recovery after surgery group. The amount of food consumed in relation to the amount of food offered was significantly higher for the early recovery after surgery group as early as day 3 (p = 0.02). Time spent in the intermediate care unit was significantly shorter for the early recovery after surgery group (p <0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to gastrointestinal events. The main limitations of this study were the lack of long-term data as well as the single center approach. CONCLUSIONS: Early recovery after surgery of patients who underwent radical cystectomy appears to have significant benefits compared to a conservative regimen in terms of postoperative morbidity, quality of life, use of analgesics and time spent in the intermediate care unit.

A multinational phase II trial of bevacizumab with low-dose interferon-α2a as first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: BEVLiN.

BACKGROUND: Avastin and Roferon in Renal Cell Carcinoma (AVOREN) demonstrated efficacy for bevacizumab plus interferon-α2a (IFN; 9 MIU tiw) in first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We evaluated bevacizumab with low-dose IFN in mRCC to determine whether clinical benefit could be maintained with reduced toxicity. METHODS: BEVLiN was an open-label, single-arm, multinational, phase II trial. Nephrectomized patients with treatment-naive, clear cell mRCC and favourable/intermediate Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center scores received bevacizumab (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks) and IFN (3 MIU thrice weekly) until disease progression. Descriptive comparisons with AVOREN patients having favourable/intermediate MSKCC scores treated with bevacizumab plus IFN (9 MIU) were made. Primary end points were grade ≥3 IFN-associated adverse events (AEs) and progression-free survival (PFS). All grade ≥3 AEs and bevacizumab/IFN-related grade 1-2 AEs occurring from first administration until 28 days after last treatment were reported. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients were treated; the median follow-up was 29.4 months. Any-grade and grade ≥3 IFN-associated AEs occurred in 53.4% and 10.3% of patients, respectively. The median PFS and overall survival were 15.3 [95% confidence interval (CI): 11.7-18.0] and 30.7 months (95% CI: 25.7-not reached), respectively. The ORR was 28.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a historical control AVOREN subgroup, low-dose IFN with bevacizumab resulted in a reduction in incidence rates of IFN-related AEs, without compromising efficacy [NCT00796757].

Final results of the European Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Sorafenib (EU-ARCCS) expanded-access study: a large open-label study in diverse community settings.

BACKGROUND: The European Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Sorafenib (EU-ARCCS) expanded-access study provided sorafenib to advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients in whom previous systemic therapy had failed. The study assessed the safety and use of sorafenib for the treatment of advanced RCC in a large community-based patient population across 11 countries in Europe. PATIENTS AND METHODS: EU-ARCCS was a single-arm, open-label trial of sorafenib in advanced RCC patients. End points included safety, time to progression, progression-free survival (PFS), and disease control rate (DCR). Subgroup analyses included age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, histology, prior therapy, and number and sites of metastases. RESULTS: About 1159 advanced RCC patients were enrolled. Most patients (94%) experienced drug-related adverse events (AEs) of any grade, with the most common grade ≥3 AEs including hand-foot skin reaction (13%), diarrhea (7%), fatigue (7%), hypertension (6%), and rash/desquamation (5%). The incidence of AEs in the subgroups was similar to that in the overall population. Median PFS was 6.6 months; DCR at ≥8 and ≥12 weeks was 85% and 78%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The sorafenib safety profile in European community-based practice settings was similar to that reported in clinical trials. The heterogeneous advanced RCC patient population in EU-ARCCS permitted assessment of sorafenib in important subpopulations of advanced RCC patients.

Outcome of treatment discontinuation in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and no evidence of disease following targeted therapy with or without metastasectomy.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown if discontinuation of targeted therapy (TT) and readministration in case of recurrence is feasible in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in which complete response (CR) is achieved by TT alone or no evidence of disease (NED) with additional resection of residual metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients in whom TT was discontinued after CR to TT alone or NED after additional metastasectomy were included in this retrospective analysis. Outcome criteria evaluated were time off TT, recurrence of metastases and response to re-exposure to TT. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify variables potentially predictive of outcome. RESULTS: In 36 patients with CR or NED under TT with sunitinib (22), sorafenib (11), bevacizumab/interferon (2) and temsirolimus (1), TT was discontinued. Recurrence was observed in 24 patients (66.7%). Re-exposure to TT was effective in 86.9% of these cases. Twelve patients (33.3%) remained recurrence free at a median follow-up of 12 months (range 3-31). Median time off TT was 7 months (range 1-31). Factors that correlate with outcome could not be identified. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of patients with mRCC and CR or NED, discontinuation of TT was followed by recurrence, but re-exposure to TT was effective.

Malnutrition and clinical outcome in urological patients.

INTRODUCTION: In a previous study we evaluated the risk for malnutrition among urological patients in a German university hospital. There are published different studies in other surgical fields that could show a correlation between malnutrition and clinical outcome. As data on this issue is still rare in the urological field we aimed to correlate the risk of malnutrition with different parameters regarding clinical outcome. METHODS: In the time from 2007 to 2009 a total of 320 patients were evaluated regarding the risk of malnutrition and occurrence of complications during the time of hospitalization at our Urological department. The Nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS) by Kondrup et al. was used for the estimation of the risk level for malnutrition. Patients of a German university hospital were included independently of intervention, age or gender. Parameters for clinical outcome were: pulmonary complications (infectious/noninfectious), cardiovascular complications (infectious/noninfectious), other infections (urinary tract infection etc.), wound healing disorders and time of hospitalization. RESULTS: In this evaluation 320 patients were included for analysis. Forty patients (13%) presented with a normal nutritional status (NRS score 0) at the time of admission to the hospital and 212 patients (66%) were at risk for forming malnutrition problems (NRS score 1-2). Sixty eight patients (21%) of this urological cohort were detected with a malnutrition according to the applied NRS Score (≥3). Regarding the occurrence of overall complications in this cohort the rate was rather low compared to other surgical fields. Of 320 patients only 22 patients (7%) presented with relevant complications during their hospitalization. However if data were stratified for peri- and postoperative complications in correlation to nutritional status of patients, an evident trend to a higher complication rate of 9% was obvious. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of exclusively urological patients, the risk for post-surgical complications was higher in patients who were malnourished as defined using the Nutritional Risc Screening System (NRS) by Kondrup et al. Further studies need to show whether an adequate nutritional supportive therapy could help to optimize the clinical outcome of malnourished urological patients.

Efficacy of retrograde ureteropyeloscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for intrarenal calculi >2 cm.

The objectives of this study are to assess the efficacy and safety of retrograde ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for intrarenal calculi greater than 2 cm in diameter. A total of 24 patients with a stone burden >2 cm were treated with retrograde ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy. Primary study endpoints were number of treatments until the patient was stone free and perioperative complications with a follow-up of at least 3 months after intervention. In 24 patients (11 women and 13 men, 20-78 years of age), a total of 40 intrarenal calculi were treated with retrograde endoscopic procedures. At the time of the initial procedure, calculi had an average total linear diameter of 29.75 ± 1.57 mm and an average stone volume of 739.52 ± 82.12 mm(3). The mean number of procedures per patient was 1.7 ± 0.8 (range 1-3 procedures). The overall stone-free rate was 92%. After 1, 2 and 3 procedures 54, 79 and 92% of patients were stone free, respectively. There were no major complications. Minor postoperative complications included pyelonephritis in three cases (7.5%), of whom all responded immediately to parenteral antibiotics. In one patient the development of steinstrasse in the distal ureter required ureteroscopic fragment disruption and basketing. Ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy represents an efficient treatment option and allows the treatment of large intrarenal calculi of all compositions and throughout the whole collecting system even for patients with a stone burden of more than 2 cm size.

Comparison of guideline recommendations with daily practice in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES AND AIMS: To compare guideline recommendations with daily practice patterns in a German patient cohort with renal cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 81 patients with T1 oder T2 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were included in this prospective single-center study. All patients were operated in a single institution either by open radical nephrectomy (ORN) or nephron sparing surgery (NSS). Patients and doctors were evaluated using a written questionnaire with a follow-up of 12 months. Follow-up intervals, follow-up modalities (e. g. imaging modalities, laboratory controls of blood and urine) and the call on psycho-oncological support were evaluated. RESULTS: The majority of patients (72%) were followed up by their urologists. Follow-up examinations included abdominal ultrasound, urine and blood diagnostics, conventional chest x-rays, computed tomography (CT) of abdomen, chest or head or abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). There were no significant differences between patients operated by ORN or NSS. In total, 12.5% of patients were asking for psycho-oncological support. CONCLUSIONS: In general, patients were followed up according to existing guideline recommendations. Only a small proportion of patients asked for psycho-oncological treatment.

[Cutaneous side effects of the multikinase inhibitors sorafenib and sunitinib]. / Kutane Nebenwirkungen der Multikinaseinhibitoren Sorafenib und Sunitinib.

Molecular targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies and low molecular weight inhibitors is gaining increasing importance particularly in the treatment of malignant tumors. These drugs are specific and highly selective agents that intervene in the dysfunctional regulatory processes of malignant cells in order to influence cell proliferation, cell differentiation, or angiogenesis. The multikinase inhibitors sorafenib and sunitinib exhibit a favorable tolerability profile and spectrum of side effects, especially in comparison to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. However, they induce specific cutaneous side effects that can in turn be indicators of antitumor activity. This review article compares the cutaneous side effects of the two multikinase inhibitors sorafenib and sunitinib and discusses the therapeutic options for the individual cutaneous reaction patterns.

Advanced Molecular Imaging in Histologically Verified Metanephric Adenoma.

Metanephric adenoma (MA) describes a rare renal tumor and is generally considered a benign lesion. However, there are cases with regional lymphogenic and distant metastases. Noninvasive diagnosis of MA using conventional imaging remains challenging. Here, we describe a case of histologically verified MA with additional advanced molecular imaging consisting of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT, 99mTc-Sestamibi SPECT and contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Perioperative blood loss in open retropubic radical prostatectomy - Is it safe to get operated at an educational hospital?

INTRODUCTION: Blood loss during radical prostatectomy has been a long term issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the training level of the first assistant regarding blood loss in open retropubic radical prostatectomy at an educational hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 364 patients underwent radical prostatectomy from 11/2006 to 10/2007 at one institution operated by one surgeon. In 319 patients all predefined parameters were obtained. Training level was determined by year of residency (1-5 yrs) or consultant status. Perioperative blood loss was calculated using three parameters: Hemoglobin level before and after surgery, postoperative sucker volume and weight of compresses. Furthermore the influence of prostatic size and BMI was analyzed. RESULTS: The Hb-decrease 24h postoperatively was 2.4 g/dl median (-0.4-7.6g/dl); sucker volume was 250 ml median (10-1500 ml); weight of compresses and swabs was 412 g median (0-972 g). One patient needed a transfusion with two erythrocyte concentrates one day after the surgery. There was no significant correlation regarding Hb-decrease (p = 0.86) or sucker volume plus weight of compresses (p=0.59) in regard to the years of residency of the assisting physician. Also the number of assisted operations (n 20) had no significant influence on calculated blood loss (p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: For an experienced surgeon the impact of the assistant regarding blood loss seems negligible. The training level of the assistant was not significantly correlated to a rise or decrease of perioperative blood loss. In our data radical prostatectomy could be safely performed at an educational hospital independent of the training level of the first assistant.

[Follow-up of renal cell carcinoma in a nonmetastatic stage]. / Nachsorge beim Nierenzellkarzinom im nicht fernmetastasierten Stadium.

Postoperative follow-up care after curative surgery or ablative treatment is the standard of care in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma. The goal is to identify and treat postoperative complications and local recurrences early on. Follow-up investigations and their relevance are widely acknowledged and validated and patients undergoing follow-up seem to benefit from a longer survival in nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma. Hence there is no consensus on a standardized follow-up strategy. The most disputed question is around the frequency of the investigations and the duration of the follow-up. Without an evidence-based follow-up protocol, urologists should carry out an individualized, potentially lifelong follow-up regimen, which also includes the patients' needs and perspectives.

Multislice computed tomography versus contrast-enhanced ultrasound in evaluation of complex cystic renal masses using the Bosniak classification system.

To assess the diagnostic performance of multislice computed tomography (MS-CT) in the classification of atypical or complex cystic renal masses using the Bosniak system in comparison to contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and, in unclear cases, to the surgery findings.Thirty-two consecutive patients (14 women, 18 men; age range 39-72 years) with 37 atypical or complex cystic renal masses at MS-CT underwent conventional ultrasound (US) and CEUS. CEUS employed a low-MI technique using 1.6-2.4 ml SonoVue (Bracco, Italy) i.v. and a 2-4 MHz multifrequency transducer (Siemens, Sequoia, Acuson). Fourteen masses were resected, the remaining 23 lesions were followed up for periods ranging from 3 months to 2 years. Images and digital cine clips of all lesions were evaluated by blinded readers. On the basis of MS-CT appearance the lesions were assigned to the Bosniak classification. Similar criteria modified for US imaging were used to score atypical cysts at CEUS. In the Bosniak classification at MS-CT the lesions were scored as category II (n=15), IIF (n=7), III (n=8) and IV (n=7). At CEUS, masses were classified as Bosniak classification II (n=8), IIF (n=12), III (n=8) or IV (n=9). All type IV and 6/8 type III and 1/8 type IIF lesions were removed surgically. All category IV and 3/8 category III lesions of the surgical group were malignant, the one type IIF lesion was benign. All class II and IIF cysts except one were stable after a follow-up period ranging from 3 months to 2 years. In 7/37 lesions (19%) the MS-CT and CEUS scores were different, while in 30/37 (81%) they were equivalent. CEUS depicted more thin septa than MS-CT, or upgraded wall thickness, resulting in a Bosniak score upgrade from category II to IIF in 5 lesions. Two cystic renal masses could not be clearly assigned by MS-CT but were considered malignant due to the additional information from CEUS, which was confirmed by surgical removal (small cystic renal cancer).CEUS with SonoVue allows an early evaluation of atypical or complex cystic renal masses. It is an additional examination to MS-CT. Due to the dynamic examination, additional information about perfusion of the cystic septa or cystic renal cancer can be gained.