[Transurethral lithotripsy with rigid and flexible ureteroscopy for renal and ureteral stones: results of the first 100 procedures].

We evaluated the clinical outcome of transurethral lithotripsy (TUL) using rigid & flexible ureteroscopy and holmium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser in our hospital. We retrospectively reviewed 100 consecutive transurethral lithotripsy procedures performed on 82 patients from May 2008 to June 2010 at our hospital. Twenty-five patients (30%) had multiple stones and 10 patients (12%) had bilateral stones. The main stones were located in the renal pelvis, ureteropelvic junction, upper ureter, middle ureter, and lower ureter in 14, 12, 26, 3, and 27 cases, respectively. Median operative time was 75 minutes (range, 18-238 minutes). Operative complications were 5 cases of pyelonephritis and 1 case of ureteral perforation that was managed conservatively with percutaneous nephrostomy. The average number of procedures was 1.22 with 65 patients requiring one, 16 requiring two, and 1 requiring three procedures. Three patients had shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and two patients had minipercutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PNL) after first TUL. However, all of these patients eventually needed additional TUL. The overall success rate was 99% (81/82). Rigid & flexible ureteroscopy and holmium : YAG laser lithotripsy achieved excellent results of treatment for urolithiasis. TUL gave a high stone-free rate with low complication rates. In Japan, where shock wave lithotripters are widely used, trend of treatment for urolithiasis will shift from SWL to TUL.

[Result of treatment for advanced germ cell tumor in the last decade].

PURPOSE: We retrospectively analyzed our therapeutic results of advanced male germ cell tumors in terms of efficacy and feasibility of our treatment strategy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one new cases were treated in Saitama Cancer Center between April 1997 and August 2007. Patients age ranged from 16 to 58 (median 33). Primary site of the tumor was testis in 41 (80%) patients, retroperitoneum in 6 (12%), and mediastinum in 4 (8%). Histology of the primary germ cell tumor was pure seminoma in 14 (27%), and non-seminoma in 30 (59%). Twenty (39%), 14 (27%) and 17 (33%) were classified as good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk, retrospectively, based on The International Germ Cell Consensus Classification (IGCCC) criteria. The initial treatment for good-risk patients was BEP x 3. Intermediate- or poor-risk patients were treated by VIP from 1997 to 2000, VIPVB from 2001 to 2004, and BEP from 2005 to 2007. Second line salvage treatments were high-dose VIP or ICE from 1997 to 2000. TIP x 4 has been employed since. Marker-negative cases with residual tumors underwent surgical resection of the mass lesion. RESULTS: Five-year survival rate was 100%, 74%, and 76% in patients with good-, intermediate- and poor-risk characteristics, respectively. After two courses of initial chemotherapy, tumor marker decline was satisfactory in 37 patients (73%) and unsatisfactory in 14 (27%). Of these 14 patients, 12 (86%) had unsatisfactory hCG decline, 4 (29%) had unsatisfactory AFP decline, and 2 (14%) had unsatisfactory decline in both markers. Five-year overall survival was 94% in cases with satisfactory maker decline and 71% in those with unsatisfactory marker decline (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In this IGCCCG era, 5 year survival rates of the advanced germ cell tumors have improved by the earlier administration of second line chemotherapies based on both the prognostic factor-based staging system and the tumor marker decline in initial chemotherapy. Development of effective treatment for cases with unfavorable tumor maker decline is the most challenging issue to be addressed.

[Clinical evaluation of postoperative urinary incontinence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: "cross sectional study based on the original questionnaire"].

A cross-sectional study for certain symptoms of postoperative incontinence was done for patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) using our original self-administered questionnaire. A total of 104 patients, who underwent LRP from April 2002 to March 2005 in our institute and related hospitals, participated in our questionnaire study. Mean age and median observation period was 64.6 years old (range 51-74) and 18 months (range 3-36). The patients were classified into "D group" (disappearance of incontinence during 3 months after LRP) and "C group" (continuous incontinence more than 3 months). Then age, body mass index, preoperative PSA level, status of voiding, defecation and potency were compared. Patients with incontinence were divided according to observation period into "short period group" (S group; 3-11 months), "intermediate period group" (IM group; 12-23 months) and "long period group" (L group; more than 23 months). Incitant factors of incontinence, status of taking pads and QOL score were compared. There were no differences between the D and C groups at any measurements. About 40% of incontinence patients were pad-free, although most of these patients did not satisfy the status of voiding. The incitant factor in 90% of the S group was "cough or sneeze", but that in the L group was "without notice" (about 40%) and "too late to toilet (voiding)" (about 25%). After all, postoperative QOL score was still lower in the patients with incontinence regardless of its volume. Further study to revolutionary improve incontinence is required.

Castleman's disease in the pararenal retroperitoneal space, which is indistinguishable from renal cell carcinoma: a case report.

A 29-year-old woman was hospitalized in our institute with the diagnosis of a right renal mass by ultrasonography on medical checkup. Computerized tomography showed a lower pole solid mass (9 cm in diameter), which was enhanced homogeneously, as well as the renal cortex in the arterial phase. The tumor was excised using radical nephrectomy based on the preoperative diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma, and thus lymph node dissection was also performed. The excised tumor was isolated from the kidney in a thin capsule, macroscopically. Postoperative pathological diagnosis revealed hyaline vascular type Castleman's disease. There was no recurrence at 1 year after the operation without any adjuvant therapy because of the complete resection.

[A large amount of distilled water ineffective for prevention of bladder cancer cell implantation at the time of transurethral resection].

A previous study indicated that distilled water could prevent bladder tumor cell implantation in an in vitro assay. We investigated whether a large amount of distilled water irrigation prevented recurrence of superficial bladder cancer in the clinical setting and then we estimated whether cancer cell implantation at the time of transurethral resection is a major mechanism of recurrence. Between May 2000 and January 2002, 22 patients with primary, superficial bladder carcinoma who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) were enrolled in this study. The patients underwent bladder washout with 1,000 ml distilled water immediately after TURBT, and then intravesical irrigation with 3,000 ml water for three hours. Control patients were randomly chosen from those who previously underwent TURBT in our hospital and had similar prognostic factors. The 1- and 2-year recurrence-free rates in the patients undergoing distilled water irrigation were both 45% and those in the control patients were 65% and 45%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups. This result indicates that distilled water was ineffective in preventing recurrence of superficial bladder tumor.

[Sepsis following transrectal prostate biopsy: a report of 2 cases and reviewed similar cases in Japan].

We report two cases of sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), potentially fatal complications, following transrectal prostate biopsy. We also review similar cases reported in Japan. Case 1: A 63-year-old man received a cathartic and levofloxacin (LVFX) for prophylaxis. After transrectal prostate biopsy, he presented with fever and chills. Blood cultures grew Escherichia coli resistant to LVFX. Under a diagnosis of sepsis, he received intensive management that included endotoxin removal therapy. The patient was hospitalized for 27 days. Case 2: A 64-year-old man received a cathartic and cefazolin (CEZ) for prophylaxis. He presented with fever and chills after biopsy, and was admitted to hospital. Blood cultures grew E. coli resistant to CEZ. Under a diagnosis of sepsis, he received intravenous antibiotics, transfusion, and anti-DIC drugs. The patient was hospitalized for 11 days.

[A case of asymptomatic adrenal hematoma which progressively enlarged during follow-up].

We report a case of asymptomatic adrenal hematoma that enlarged during a 3-year follow-up. A 66-year-old woman exhibited a 4 cm right adrenal mass, incidentally discovered by computed tomography of abdomen, which progressively enlarged to 6 cm in diameter during the 3 years. The patient underwent right adrenalectomy with a diagnosis of a suspected non-functional adrenal tumor. Histopathological examination indicated adrenal hematoma without tumor cells. The patient had received aspirin medication for 4 years, and it is possible that the enlargement of the mass might have been due to aspirin medication.

[A comparative study assessing clinical effects of naftopidil and tamsulosin hydrochloride on benign prostatic hyperplasia].

We compared the efficacy of naftopidil with that of tamsulosin hydrochloride for benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. Eighty-five patients without improvement of quality of life (QOL) score by the administration of 50-75 mg naftopidil for more than four weeks were assigned to receive doses of 0.1-0.2 mg tamsulosin hydrochloride and 89 patients without improvement of QOL score by the administration of 0.1-0.2 mg tamsulosin hydrochloride for more than four weeks were assigned to receive doses of 50-75 mg naftopidil once a day for 8 weeks. International prostate symptom score, maximum flow rate, residual urine volume and side effect profile were determined before the administration of the first medicine, before the administration of the second medicine and after 8 weeks of treatment with the second medicine. In the group without improvement of QOL score by naftopidil, significant improvements in symptoms of urgency, weak stream and straining were observed after 8 weeks of treatment with tamsulosin hydrochloride. In the group without improvement of QOL score by tamsulosin hydrochloride, significant improvements in symptoms of incomplete emptying, intermittency and nocturia were observed after 8 weeks of treatment with naftopidil. In conclusion, improvement of symptoms by each alpha 1-blocker differs symptom by symptom. Tamsulosin hydrochloride was superior to naftopidil for the symptoms of urine flow and naftopidil was superior to tamsulosin hydrochloride for the symptom of nocturia.

[Cyclophosphamide-induced bladder cancer: three case reports].

Three cases of cyclophosphamide (CPM)-induced transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder are reported. A 36-year-old female (case 1) and a 63-year-old male (case 2) received CPM at total doses of 104 g and 100 g, respectively, for the therapy of Wegener's granulomatosis. A 50-year-old female (case 3) received CPM at a dose of 57 g for the therapy of recurrent breast cancer. They visited our institute with the chief complaint of macrohematuria. In all cases, cystoscopy revealed bladder tumor with hemorrhagic cystitis. They underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Histological examination revealed grade 2 TCC in cases 1 and 2 and grade 3 TCC in case 3. All patients underwent intravesical instillation of Mitomycin C with or without hyperthermia. Including our 3 cases, 17 cases of CPM-induced bladder tumor have been reported in the Japanese literature.

[Clinical study of surgical site infection following portless endoscopic urological surgery (PLES)].

We investigated the clinical risk factors and bacteriological examination for surgical site infection (SSI) in 144 portless endoscopic surgeries consisting of 66 clean and 78 clean-contaminated surgeries in urological diseases from April 2000 to December 2001. There were no cases of SSI in the clean surgeries. SSI occurred in 5 cases (3.5%) of clean-contaminated surgeries including total cystectomy and ileal conduit in 4 cases and total prostatectomy in 1 case. Multivariate statistical studies revealed that usage of ileum during operation and preoperative hypo-albuminemia were significant risk factors for SSI. Gram-negative rods and anaerobic bacteria were isolated from the operative wound in the total cystectomy and ileal conduit, suggesting that SSI in the operation with usage of the ileum was partially derived from contamination with endogenous bacteria, while, normal flora of the skin in the wound did not cause any post-operative SSI.

[A case bilharziasis in a Japanese male].

Bilharziasis is an endemic disease distributed mostly in African countries and the Middle East, and causes severe disturbances of urinary tract secondarily. Although it used to be a very rare disease in Japan, modern human mobility and jet travel have brought this tropical disease into our country far from endemic areas. A 25-year-old Japanese male presented to our hospital with macroscopic hematuria. He had an experience of traveling to Malawi two years before. Cystourethroscopy demonstrated so-called 'bilharzial tubercles', many yellowish specks of mucosa at the posterior wall and dome of the bladder. The diagnosis of bilharziasis was made by detection of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine and histological specimen obtained by transurethral biopsy. In this case, radiographic and pathological examinations revealed neither obstructive uropathy nor urothelial malignancy. He was treated with praziquantel, and the disease is under good control.

The androgen receptor as putative therapeutic target in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a central role in the initiation and growth of prostate cancer. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been a gold standard for advanced prostate cancer for decades. Unfortunately, suppressive effects of ADT do not last long and hormone-refractory prostate cancer develops within several years. In spite of extensive research on mechanisms of hormone-independent growth of prostate cancer, there are few effective treatment options for recurrent tumors and most patients die from the disease in a short period of time. Accumulating evidence suggests that the AR signaling system remains intact and activated despite low levels of androgens in hormone-resistant prostate cancer. Currently, modifications to the AR via mutations, amplification and phosphorylation have been proposed as underlying mechanisms of hormone-resistance of prostate cancer cells. In addition, changes in AR cofactors are implicated in ligand-independent activation of AR signaling. Thus, the development of novel and more effective treatment modalities targeting the AR and AR-related molecules may provide better management of androgen-independent prostate cancer. Although recent patents on the AR related to prostate cancer are focused on antiandrogens, future trend will be shifted to agents or methods suppressing molecules or pathways that activate AR signaling in low androgen environments.

Effects of steroidal and non-steroidal antiandrogens on wild-type and mutant androgen receptors.

BACKGROUND: Molecular basis for secondary antiandrogen therapy in prostate cancer with mutant androgen receptors (ARs) is not fully elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effects of steroidal and non-steroidal antiandrogens on transcriptional activities of wild-type and mutant (W741C, T877A, and W741C+T877A) ARs were measured. Crystal structure analysis and docking studies were performed using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) package. RESULTS: DHT-induced transcriptional activity of the T877A mutant and the W741C mutant was suppressed by bicalutamide and hydroxyflutamide, respectively. Nilutamide suppressed the W741C mutant and the double mutant. Cyproterone acetate modestly inhibited the W741C mutant and the double mutant. The structural studies suggested that nilutamide and cyproterone acetate retain their antiandrogenic properties against both the W741C mutant and the double mutant due to fact that mutation W741C does not permit formation of key hydrophobic interaction between ligand and AR ligand binding domain, which is necessary for their conversion into agonists. CONCLUSIONS: Switching antiandrogens may be reasonable in prostate cancer with mutant ARs.

Deferred combined androgen blockade therapy using bicalutamide in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer during androgen deprivation monotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of adding bicalutamide on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) during androgen deprivation monotherapy (ADMT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with HRPC were treated with deferred combined androgen blockade (CAB) therapy, administering bicalutamide 80 mg once daily. HRPC was defined biochemically as three consecutive rises in PSA level during ADMT. The treatment response was defined as a > or = 50% decline in PSA levels. Prognostic values of various pretreatment variables for responsiveness to deferred CAB were determined statistically. When the disease relapsed during deferred CAB, bicalutamide was discontinued and the patients were evaluated for the antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome (AWS). RESULTS: Of the 44 patients, 29 (66%) had a PSA response; the median PSA failure-free survival was 9.2+ months. Biopsy Gleason score was the only pretreatment variable predictive of a PSA response (mean Gleason score 7.9 in responders and 8.7 in nonresponders). The PSA doubling time (PSA-DT) was the only statistically significant variable of PSA failure-free survival in a multivariate analysis. The 1- and 2-year PSA failure-free survival rates were 43% and 31% in patients with a PSA-DT of >4 months, while it was 21% and none, respectively, in those with a PSA-DT of <4 months. Responders to deferred CAB had a statistically longer cancer-specific survival than nonresponders. None of 20 patients who were evaluated for AWS had the condition. CONCLUSIONS: Deferred CAB therapy using bicalutamide is effective in patients with progression during ADMT, particularly in those with lower Gleason score tumours or a longer PSA-DT. AWS after deferred CAB is uncommon.

Three-dimensional combination of transrectal and transperineal biopsies for efficient detection of stage T1c prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although an increasing number of men present with stage T1c prostate cancer, the optimal biopsy strategy for detecting stage T1c disease still remains to be defined. The aim of this study was to explore an efficient first-time biopsy scheme for detecting stage T1c and T2 prostate cancer. METHODS: A transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic three-dimensional 26-core (3D26) biopsy comprising 12 transrectal and 14 transperineal sampling sites was performed in 321 men with median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 6.0 ng/ml in the first-time biopsy setting. By analyzing site-specific cancer detection rates, we determined the best combination of transperineal and transrectal sampling sites. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was detected in 109 of the 321 men (34%) with a major complication rate of 0.6%. 3D26 biopsy significantly improved cancer detectability by 60% relative to the conventional transrectal sextant (TR6) biopsy. Improvement was significant in 263 men with normal digital rectal examination (DRE) (85%, P = 0.0004) but not in 58 men with abnormal DRE (22%, P = 0.18). The mean Gleason score of the 41 cancers without a positive core within the TR6 sites was marginally lower than that of 68 cancers with a positive core within the TR6 sites (P = 0.04). Recursive partitioning revealed that a three-dimensional 14-core (transrectal 8-core plus transperineal 6-core) and a three-dimensional 8-core (transrectal 4-core plus transperineal 4-core) biopsies could detect more than 95% of stage T1c and T2 cancers with a minimum number of cores, respectively. CONCLUSION: We propose a three-dimensional 14-core and a three-dimensional 8-core biopsy as efficient first-time biopsy schemes to detect stage T1c and T2 prostate cancer, respectively.

Surgical strategy for treating renal cell carcinoma with thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava.

OBJECTIVE: A surgical strategy for treating malignant renal tumors with thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) was assessed. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records for all patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC; n=30) or Wilms tumor (n=1) with tumor thrombus extending into the IVC who underwent surgical intervention at our institution between January 1980 and December 2001. Tumors were classified preoperatively according to the cephalad extension of thrombus, and intraoperative procedures were selected on the basis of degree of extension. Patients with RCC underwent radical nephrectomy and removal of thrombus with (n=11) or without (n=19) IVC resection. Partial normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass without cardiac arrest was used in 4 patients. The Pringle maneuver was performed in 8 patients. Infrarenal abdominal aortic cross-clamping was used in 8 patients to maintain systemic blood pressure. IVC cross-clamping and the Pringle maneuver were performed in 5 patients with suprahepatic thrombus extension. Temporary placement of a filter in the IVC or plication of the IVC above the hepatic vein was performed before hepatic mobilization, to decrease the risk for pulmonary embolism. RESULTS: One patient died intraoperatively of pulmonary embolism. Postoperative complications occurred in 11 patients; all resolved with conservative therapy. The postoperative duration of survival in patients with RCC was 37 +/- 44 months (range, 4-180 months); the 5-year survival rate was 42%. CONCLUSION: Aortic cross-clamping during IVC occlusion prevented hypotension and maintained hemodynamic stability that has required bypass in other series. This surgical treatment with the less extensive approach could result in long-term survival of patients with RCC in whom tumor thrombus extends into the IVC. We recommend that radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy, with or without caval resection, be performed in these patients, with less invasive additional maneuvers.

Reconstruction of the sympathetic pathway projecting to the prostate, by nerve grafting in the dog.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the possibility of nerve grafting to repair the sympathetic pathway projecting to the prostate, as contraction of the prostate is known to be controlled by the sympathetic pathway via the hypogastric nerve (HGN), and injuries to the pathway cause significant disturbances in prostatic secretion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In six dogs both of the HGNs were partly removed and immediately repaired with an autologous nerve graft. The left HGN was repaired with a colonic (autonomic) nerve graft and the right with a genitofemoral (somatic) nerve graft. Twenty months after surgery the reconstruction of the sympathetic pathway was assessed by measuring contraction of the prostate after stimulating the lumbar splanchnic nerves (LSNs). RESULTS: Nine of the 17 right LSNs stimulated elicited prostatic contractions. After transecting the left HGN five of these nine responses were restored. Seven of the 11 left LSNs stimulated elicited prostatic contractions; after transection of the left HGN four of these seven responses were preserved. CONCLUSION: The sympathetic pathways via the HGN to the canine prostate can be reconstructed by nerve grafting, regardless of the use of autonomic or somatic nerve grafts, and the cross-innervation mechanism from the LSN to the prostate can also be repaired.

Positive expression of HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 in invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2alpha/endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1) in bladder cancer. METHODS: Two bladder cancer cell lines (T24, EJ-1) were examined for the expression of HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 mRNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 protein by Western blot analysis, respectively. Expression of HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 protein was also investigated immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded sections from 24 patients with bladder cancer. RESULTS: HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 mRNA and protein could be detected in the two bladder cell lines under normoxia. The normal urothelium and all 7 superficial cases (pTis-pTa) were negative for HIF-2alpha/EPAS1. Five of the 8 pT1 cases (62.5%) and all 9 muscle-invasive cases were positive. The invasive compartment showed stronger HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 immunoreactivity compared with the superficial compartment. All the tumor clusters infiltrating to the interstitial tissue among muscle fibers showed moderate to strong positive staining. CONCLUSIONS: HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 is mostly expressed in invasive bladder cancer, which indicates a possible role for HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 in the invasion of bladder cancer.

Portless endoscopic adrenalectomy via a single minimal incision using a retroperitoneal approach: experience with initial 30 cases.

AIM: To assess the feasibility of portless endoscopic adrenalectomy via a single minimum incision that narrowly permits extraction of the specimen. METHODS: For 30 cases of adrenal tumor, portless endoscopic surgery through a single flank incision (3-9 cm; mean, 5.6 cm) was performed without gas inflation or trocar port placement. All of the instruments used during surgery were reusable. The cases included primary aldosteronism (12), Cushing's syndrome (6), preclinical Cushing's syndrome (3), pheochromocytoma (1), non-functioning cortical adenoma (6), adrenocortical carcinoma (1) and adrenocortical hemorrhage (1). RESULTS: Resection of the tumor was successfully completed, without complications, in all of the cases. Operative time was between 83 and 240 min (mean, 147 min). Estimated blood loss was 5-470 mL (mean, 139 mL). None of the patients required blood transfusion. Postoperative course was uneventful. Wound pain was mild and walking and full oral feeding were resumed on the first and second postoperative day, respectively, in the majority of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal tumors are good candidates for portless endoscopic surgery, which is safe, cost-effective, minimally invasive and matches favorably with laparoscopic surgery.

Portless endoscopic radical nephrectomy via a single minimum incision in 80 patients.

AIM: To assess the feasibility of our portless endoscopic radical nephrectomy via a single minimum incision, which narrowly permitted extraction of the specimen in the initial 80 patients. METHODS: Radical nephrectomy was carried out extraperitoneally in patients with T1-3aN0M0 renal tumors using an endoscope through a single minimum incision without trocar ports and gas. All the instruments used were reusable. RESULTS: The average length of incision, operative time and estimated blood loss were 6.6 cm (range, 4-9 cm), 3. 1 h (range, 1.7-5.6 h) and 324 mL (range, 10-2288 mL), respectively. The complication rate was 2.5% (2/80); complications included injury of the pleura and hemorrhage from the vena cava, both of which were repaired by suture during operation. Transfusion was performed in three patients (3.8%). Average times to oral feeding and walking were both 1.4 days. Wound pain was minimal and analgesics were generally not required by the second postoperative day. In patients with larger incisions (7 cm or more), estimated blood loss increased (approximately 100 mL on average) and oral feeding resumed later (0.3 days on average), relative to patients with smaller incisions (6 cm or less). However, overall results were similar between the two patient groups. In patients with a large tumor (7 cm or greater), operative time did not increase and complications and transfusions were both avoided. CONCLUSION: Portless endoscopic radical nephrectomy via a single minimum incision is a safe, reproducible, cost-effective and minimally invasive treatment option for patients with T1-3aN0M0 renal tumors.