Epidemiology and natural history of penile cancer.

An extensive literature search was performed using the key words squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, phimosis, circumcision, chronic balanitis, cigarette smoking, genital warts and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. All selected studies were classified according to the level of evidence (LE). The final grades of recommendation were assigned after discussion by the full panel of the International Consultation on Penile Cancer in November 2008. The factors positively associated with invasive penile cancers include the presence of phimosis (LE 3a), tobacco smoking (LE 3a-4), chewing tobacco (LE 3a), injury to the penis (LE 3a), balanitis (LE 3a), genital warts (LE 3a), and high-risk HPV infection (LE 3a-4).

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma: a rare variant of renal angiomyolipoma.

OBJECTIVE: We present a case of primary renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma, its association with tuberous sclerosis and review the literature. METHODS: We present the case of a 12 year-old male with past medical history of tuberous sclerosis, characterized by developmental delay, tonic and clonic seizures, and cutaneous abnormalities. He presented with macroscopic hematuria and abdominal pain. CT scan of the abdomen showed the presence of a left renal tumor. He underwent left radical nephrectomy. Pathologic study of the specimen showed primary renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma, corroborated by immunohistochemistry staining. Review of the literature was performed for this rare variant and its malignant potential. RESULTS: The presence of this epithelial variant is rare and must be taken into account because of its malignant potential and, thus, with different prognosis and follow up, compared to classical angiomyolipoma. CONCLUSIONS: Renal angiomyolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor, representing a challenge for clinical and pathological diagnosis. Despite the big size they can reach, as well as bilaterality, multiplicity of lesions and/or lymphatic regional involvement, its malignant potential has not been established. Nevertheless, the epithelioid variant has been described recently, a rare entity with aggressive behavior, difficult histological characterization and poor prognosis.

Prostate cancer in Latin America.

There is a very low rate of early prostate cancer detection in Latin America, since patients usually are diagnosed when the disease is in advanced stages. Sporadic prostate cancer screening campaigns do exist which allow us to diagnose this disease in earlier stages. Incidence and mortality rates differ widely from country to country, and they are probable underreported in our region since registers may be city-based instead of country-based.

Leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein: case report and review of the literature.

Leiomyosarcomas of vascular origin is a rare and aggressive pathology, its presentation on the renal vein is infrequent, of which 29 cases have been reported world-wide. We describe a case of a 76 year-old woman, who presented with intermittent left flank pain, irradiated to the lumbar region of 6 months duration. A left radical nephrectomy with en-bloc resection of a para-aortic tumor was performed. Microscopic examination of the specimen reported a moderately differentiated leiomyosarcoma, originated in the wall of the renal vein. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The tumor recurred in the liver. After 24 months from the primary surgery, the patient is alive with evidence of multiple metastatic spread to the liver. She is now under palliative care.