Low transscrotal orchidopexy is a safe and effective approach for undescended testes distal to the external inguinal ring.

OBJECTIVES: To review the results of a low transscrotal orchidopexy in patients with palpable undescended testes located distal to the external inguinal ring. METHODS: Between July 1998 and June 2005, transscrotal orchidopexy with a single low scrotal incision was performed in 32 patients for 49 undescended testes. The indication was an undescended testis that lay distal to the external ring and could be pulled down manually into the scrotum under general anesthesia. RESULTS: All testes that were treated with the low transscrotal approach were successfully fixed in the middle or lower portion of the scrotum. The mean operative time was significantly shorter for the low transscrotal orchidopexy (45.2 min) than for the inguinal orchidopexy (66.6 min) for 107 undescended testes at similar locations. The median follow-up duration was 39.1 months; all testes except 1 (97.7%) were located in a good position within the scrotum and had a good consistency; 1 testis ascended postoperatively and required inguinal orchidopexy. No inguinal hernias or hydroceles occurred after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Low transscrotal orchidopexy appears to be an excellent alternative to the standard inguinal orchidopexy for undescended testes located distal to the external inguinal ring.

Transperitoneal versus retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare perioperative outcome of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches during laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) and to identify selection criteria for each approach. METHODS: Over a 7-year period, 100 consecutive patients (median age 62 years, range 20-80) underwent LRN for a renal tumor with clinical stage T1a-T3a. The first choice approach was retroperitoneal. The transperitoneal approach was chosen in selected cases based on tumor characteristics. Thirty-three patients underwent the transperitoneal approach, and 67 had the retroperitoneal approach. Perioperative parameters including operative time, blood loss and complications and pathology data were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 33 transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomies (TLRN) and 67 retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomies (RLRN) were carried out. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of size (5.3 vs 3.0 cm, P < 0.0001) and clinical T stage (higher in the TLRN group, P < 0.0001) of the tumors. Intraoperative complications included bradycardia, pneumothorax, renal vein injury, and renal artery injury in the TLRN group, and pneumothorax in the RLRN group. There were no differences in terms of operative time, blood loss and tumor grade between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approaches yielded excellent surgical outcomes. The transperitoneal approach should be chosen based on tumor size and location to minimize vascular injury.

[Clinical study of prostate specific antigen failure after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer: a single center experience].

Between January 1996 and December 2007, 111 patients with prostate cancer underwent radical prostatectomy, including 34 who received preoperative hormonal therapy. In this study, we reviewed 77 patients who did not undergo neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. The mean age was 65.5 years old and followup time was 40.7 months. The clinical stage was T1c in 60 patients, T2 in 16, and T3 in 1. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) at diagnosis ranged from 3.44 to 46.08 ng/ml (mean 10.18). At our institution, PSA failure after surgery was defined as PSA elevation above 0.2 ng/ml. The pathological stage was pT2 in 59 patients, pT3a in 11, pT3b in 7 and pN + (obturator lymph node) in none. The surgical margin was positive in 29.3% of the pT2 patients and 68.8% of the pT3 patients. Sixteen patients (20.8%) had PSA failure. PSA values at diagnosis and pathological T stage were significantly relevant to PSA failure. Patients with PSA failure underwent radiation therapy or hormonal therapy as a salvage adjuvant therapy. The PSA level was controlled well in majority of the patients. Only one patient died of cancer. In conclusion, 33 out of 111 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy had PSA failure. Sixteen of the 77 patients who were not given neoadjuvant therapy had PSA failure. The significant factors related to PSA failure were PSA values at diagnosis and pathological T stage.

[A case of retroperitoneal serous cyst resected by laparoscopic surgery].

A 40-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of pain extending from the left lateral abdomen to the left inferior limb. The abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed an 8x7x12 cm retroperitoneal serous cystic mass. The serum carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) level was slightly elevated to 2.7 ng/ml. Therefore, we suspected it to be malignant, and we performed laparoscopic resection carefully. The retroperitoneal cyst was not adherent to the surrounding tissues and was easily dissected and removed under laparoscopy. Carbohydrale antigen (CA)19-9, CA125 and CEA levels in the fluid were elevated, but a cytology of the fluid was negative and no malignant sign was seen in the cyst wall. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of retroperitoneal serous cyst resected by laparoscopic surgery in the Japanese literature.

Prognostic significance of serum hepatocyte growth factor in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: comparison with serum vascular endothelial growth factor.

No adequate serum predictive biomarker currently exists, which can identify the activity of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We investigate the association of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels with clinicopathologic parameters in untreated clear cell RCC patients. We measured serum levels of HGF and VEGF in 45 patients with untreated clear cell RCC and 45 healthy controls using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients with clear cell RCC had significantly higher serum HGF and VEGF concentrations than healthy subjects: median, 1070.7 versus 728.3 pg/ml (p<0.0001) for HGF; and median, 397.5 versus 245.6 pg/ml (p=0.0003) for VEGF. We found a significant correlation between serum level of HGF and clinical stage and tumor grade. Survival of patients with high serum HGF (>1150 pg/ml) was significantly reduced compared to patients with low serum HGF concentrations (p=0.0044). In patients with nuclear grade 2 or high stage RCC, the higher serum HGF group exhibited significantly lower cause-specific survival (p=0.0087 and p< 0.05, respectively). No significant difference was observed between serum VEGF levels and cause-specific survival rate. Serum HGF might be a diagnostic and prognostic indicator in clear cell RCC, especially for patients with grade 2 or high stage RCC.

Strategy for repeat prostate biopsy: predictors of positive biopsy and additional biopsy location.

PURPOSE: We analyzed patterns of tumor distribution in radical prostatectomy specimens from patients with repeat biopsies to determine additional appropriate biopsy locations for repeat biopsy. METHODS: Between January 2000 and June 2005, a total of 382 patients underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Of these, 47 patients underwent repeat biopsy. Radical prostatectomy was performed for 7 of 22 cancer-positive cases. The 7 specimens were superimposed to create an idealized prostate gland at 3 levels: apex, mid-prostate, and base. We compared these tumor maps with those from 35 initial biopsy positive patients. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was detected in 22 of 47 patients who underwent repeat biopsy. Tumor mapping showed that tumors detected on repeat biopsy in comparison with tumor maps of initial biopsy were dense at the periurethral area of the apex in prostate. CONCLUSIONS: Additional biopsy cores taken from periurethral area of the apex on repeat biopsy might further enhance the detection of cancers.

[Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy for ureteral calculi: three case reports].

With the development of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), improved endourologic instrumentation, and medical dissolution therapy, the need for open ureterolithotomy has become less common. Open operation is occasionally necessary when less invasive techniques fail. As in many of the surgical specialties, laparoscopy has become more common in urologic surgery. We recently experienced three cases of ureteral stones, which were treated by laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. The stones were all large and impacted stones. The patients were a 73-year-old man and two 34-year-old men. All procedures were performed by a retroperitoneal approach. We used Roticulator endo mini-shears resourcefully, when we incised the ureteral wall. After surgery, all three patients were stone-free, and hydronephrosis was improved.

[Case of tuberculous epididymitis caused by intravesical BCG therapy].

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy is commonly used against superficial urothelial carcinoma, especially carcinoma in situ (CIS). We report a case of tuberculous epididymitis that occurred during a course of intravesical BCG therapy. A 76-year-old man had received intravesical BCG therapy for multiple superficial bladder cancer and CIS in prostatic urethra after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-Bt). He recognized hard nodules in the left scrotum after 4 times intravesical BCG therapy. Skin fistula in scrotum occurred 5 months later. We performed left orchiectomy with scrotum skin resection. Histological diagnosis was tuberculous epididymitis. Postoperatively, he was administered chemotherapy consisting of isoniazid, refampin and ethambutol.

Massive leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord.

A 56-year-old man was diagnosed with a right testicular tumor. Orchiectomy with high ligation of the spermatic cord was performed. Histological examination revealed leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord. Distant metastases were not found. The patient was treated with adjuvant radiation therapy to control the disease, since a high incidence of local recurrence has been reported. The patient had no evidence of disease 24 months postoperatively.

[A non-seminomatous extra-gonadal germ cell tumor responding to intensive treatment: a case report].

A 23-year-old man presented with lumbago as a chief complaint. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed multiple lung tumors, multiple liver tumors, bulky retroperitoneal tumors with marked elevation of serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha-fetoprotein, and beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG-beta). The patient was referred to our hospital for treatment. Scrotal ultrasonography and physical examination revealed bilateral normal testes. Because of bulky retroperitoneal masses with elevated specific tumor markers as well as bilateral normal testes, our diagnosis led to extra-gonadal germ cell tumor. Because the pulmonary lesion had increased rapidly, chemotherapy was performed without the tumor biopsy. After multiple chemotherapy regimens including BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin), high-dose chemotherapy, and TIN (paclitaxel, ifosfamide, nedaplatin), all tumor marker levels fell into within the normal range. The tumor size was decreased remarkably on CT. Then, retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy were performed to confirm whether they still contained viable tumor cells. They contained only necrotic tissues without viable cancer cells by pathological examination. Consequently, the patient has been free of recurrence for 18 months after intensive treatment.

[A case of renal capsular hemangiosarcoma].

We report herein a case of renal capsular hemangiosarcoma. A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for treatment of a retroperitoneal tumor identified incidentally on abdominal computed tomography (CT) for follow-up of superficial bladder tumor. The tumor was about 7cm in diameter, positioned between the right kidney and the liver. Right nephrectomy was performed under a diagnosis of renal capsular tumor. Pathological diagnosis was hemangiosarcoma and positive surgical margins were suspected. Radiotherapy was performed postoperatively to a total dose of 50 Gy. Hemangiosarcoma frequently occurs in the skin, but is rare in the retroperitoneal cavity. Neither metastasis nor recurrence has been seen as of 19 months postoperatively.

Long-term recurrence-free survivor after laparoscopic removal of solitary adrenal metastasis from endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Solitary adrenal metastasis from endometrial adenocarcinoma is extremely rare. We report herein the case of a laparoscopically resected solitary adrenal metastasis originating from endometrial adenocarcinoma. The patient was a 55-year-old woman who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy for stage IIIc endometrial carcinoma, followed by 7 courses of adjuvant chemotherapy comprising carboplatin and paclitaxel. However, the patient developed an isolated right adrenal metastasis 15 months postoperatively. The solitary adrenal metastasis (diameter, 5.7 cm) was removed laparoscopically. The patient has now been in good health without recurrence for 5 years and 7 months after laparoscopic surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of solitary adrenal metastasis originating from endometrial adenocarcinoma that is controlled for the long term by successful laparoscopic resection.

Bilateral adrenal myelolipoma associated with adrenogenital syndrome.

Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign tumor, occasionally reported in association with endocrine disorders. We report herein a case of bilateral adrenal myelolipoma associated with adrenogenital syndrome caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency. A diagnosis of 21-hydroxylase deficiency was confirmed by mutation analysis of the CYP21 gene. Our case represents only the second case of bilateral adrenal myelolipoma associated with adrenogenital syndrome caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Clinical research of renal vein control using Hem-o-lok clips in laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Control of the renal vein represents a crucial step in laparoscopic nephrectomy. Although endovascular gastrointestinal anastomosis (GIA) staplers have generally been used for renal vein control because of the large diameter of the vessel, Hem-o-lok clips have recently been used for renal artery control. GIA staplers are expensive and can malfunction on rare occasions, resulting in severe complications. We evaluated renal vein control using Hem-o-lok clips (adaptive vascular width 7-16 mm) in laparoscopic nephrectomy. Since April 2004, we have ligated renal arteries using Hem-o-lok clips. From June 2004, this method was applied for renal vein control in 40 laparoscopic nephrectomies. After renal pedicle dissection, renal pedicle ligation was accomplished using extra large (XL) Hem-o-lok clips on both the renal arteries and veins by placing two clips on the patient side and one clip on the specimen side. Ligation times for obtaining renal vein control were compared between XL Hem-o-lok clips and GIA staplers in 40 cases before June 2004. Vascular control using XL Hem-o-lok clips was successful in all 40 cases, without any slipping of clips or uncontrolled bleeding. After renal pedicle dissection, ligation time for achieving renal vein control was 167.0 +/- 48 s (range: 122-295 s) using XL Hem-o-lok clips (mean, three clips) and 68 +/- 24.0 s (range: 54-150 s) using a GIA stapler. XL Hem-o-lok clips allow safe and reliable control of renal veins in laparoscopic nephrectomy. Ligation time is only 100 s longer than using a GIA stapler. In addition, costs are reduced by more than 90% compared to GIA stapling.

Indications for laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non-functional adrenal tumor with hypertension: usefulness of adrenocortical scintigraphy.

AIM: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is currently indicated for biochemically and clinically functional adrenal tumors and potentially malignant tumors of the adrenal glands. Non-functional adenomas greater than 5 cm in diameter of the adrenal gland are generally considered to represent potentially malignant tumors. The present study shows indications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non-functional adrenal tumors with hypertension in a retrospective fashion. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2004, 110 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed at Tokushima University Hospital. All 110 patients underwent detailed endocrinological examination before surgery. Medical and operative records of these 110 patients (57 men, 53 women), including operative parameters, histopathological findings and pre- and postoperative hypertension, were reviewed. Forty-five patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non-functional adrenal tumors, and [(131)I]6beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholest-5(10)-en-3beta-ol (NP-59) scintigraphy was performed for patients with preoperative hypertension. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 55.0 years (range, 22-77 years). Mean maximum tumor diameter was 42 mm (range, 20-105 mm). All adrenal tumors were removed successfully by laparoscopic surgery. Hypertension was postoperatively improved in seven of the 11 patients with preoperative hypertension, without subclinical Cushing syndrome. Importantly, all patients who improved hypertension after adrenalectomy displayed strong accumulation in adrenal tumors with visualization of the contralateral gland on NP-59 scintigraphy. Conversely, blood pressure did not improve in four patients for whom scintigraphy yielded negative results. CONCLUSIONS: The indication of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non-functional adrenal tumors is generally considered for lesions more than 5 cm diameter. However, the present study suggests that laparoscopic surgery should be considered even in patients with tumors less than 5 cm in diameter, if both hypertension and accumulation in tumors on NP-59 scintigraphy are present.

Role of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt pathway in bladder cancer cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand.

TRAIL/Apo2L is a pro-apoptotic cytokine that is capable of inducing apoptosis in a wide variety of cancer cells but not in normal cells. Among various molecular strategies by which cancer cells evade apoptosis, PI3K/Akt signaling represents a dominant survival pathway. In this report, we investigated the role of PI3K/Akt pathway in TRAIL-induced apoptotic death in human bladder cancer cells. We observed that RT4 cells had very low level of constitutively active Akt and were sensitive to TRAIL, whereas UM-UC-3 and T24 cells had higher levels of constitutively active Akt and were resistant to TRAIL. Downregulation of constitutively active Akt by PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, reversed cellular resistance to TRAIL. However, transfecting constitutively active Akt into RT4 cells increased Akt activity and inhibited TRAIL-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that elevated Akt activity protects UM-UC-3 and T24 cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis, and the PI3K/Akt signaling might inhibit apoptotic signals. Thus, the modulation of Akt activity by combining pharmacological drugs or genetic alterations of the Akt expression could induce cellular responsiveness to TRAIL and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway could serve as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in bladder cancer.