Current Trends in Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma with Venous Thrombus Extension.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the evidence regarding the current trends in surgical management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. Recent published series have shown the role of minimally invasive surgery in IVC thrombectomy. This review article evaluates the present RCC with venous extent literature to assess the role of open and minimally invasive surgery in this scenario. RECENT FINDINGS: Robotic urological surgery has shown to have known benefits in radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, and pyeloplasty. Recent published series showed feasibility of robotic IVC thrombectomy even for level IV cases. With growing number of robot-assisted and laparoscopic surgeries worldwide, there is a current tendency to treat this complex and challenging pathology with a minimally invasive approach, without compromising oncological outcomes.

Small renal masses in Latin-American population: characteristics and prognostic factors for survival, recurrence and metastasis - a multi-institutional study from LARCG database.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics of small renal masses (SRM) (≤ 4 cm) in a Latin-American population provided by LARCG (Latin-American Renal Cancer Group) and analyze predictors of survival, recurrence and metastasis. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study of 1523 patients submitted to surgical treatment for non-metastatic SRM from 1979 to 2016. Comparisons between radical (RN) or partial nephrectomy (PN) and young or elderly patients were performed. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests estimated 10-year overall survival. Predictors of local recurrence or metastasis were analyzed by a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: PN and RN were performed in 897 (66%) and 461 (34%) patients. A proportional increase of PN cases from 48.5% (1979-2009) to 75% (after 2009) was evidenced. Stratifying by age, elderly patients (≥ 65 years) had better 10-year OS rates when submitted to PN (83.5%), than RN (54.5%), p = 0.044. This disparity was not evidenced in younger patients. On multivariable model, bilaterality, extracapsular extension and ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) classification ≥3 were predictors of local recurrence. We did not identify significant predictors for distant metastasis in our series. CONCLUSIONS: PN is performed in Latin-America in a similar proportion to developed areas and it has been increasing in the last years. Even in elderly individuals, if good functional status, sufficiently fit to surgery, and favorable tumor characteristics, they should be encouraged to perform PN. Intending to an earlier diagnosis of recurrence or distant metastasis, SRM cases with unfavorable characteristics should have a more rigorous follow-up routine.

Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes in Very Elderly Patients (≥75 years) with Renal Cell Carcinoma: Data from the Latin American Renal Cancer Group.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is increasing globally due to an aging population and widespread use of imaging studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and perioperative outcomes of RCC surgery in very elderly patients (VEP), ≥ 75 years of age. METHODS: This is a retrospective comparative study of 3656 patients who underwent the treatment for RCC from 1990 to 2015 in 28 centers from eight Latin American countries. We compared baseline characteristics as well as clinical and perioperative outcomes according to age groups (less than 75 vs. ≥75 years). Surgical complications were classified with the Clavien-Dindo score. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with perioperative complications. RESULTS: There were 410 VEP patients (11.2%). On bivariate analysis, VEP had a lower body mass index (p less than 0.01) and higher ASA score (ASA > 2 in 26.3% vs. 12.4%, p < 0.01). There was no difference in performance status and clinical stage between the study groups. There were no differences in surgical margins, estimated blood loss (EBL), complication, and mortality rates (1.3% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.17). On multivariate regression analysis, age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.33, p less than 0.01), EBL ≥ 500 cc (OR 3.34, p less than 0.01), and > pT2 stage (OR 1.63, p = 0.04) were independently associated with perioperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection of RCC was safe and successful in VEP. Age ≥75 years was independently associated with 30-day perioperative complications. However, the vast majority were low-grade complications. Age alone should not guide decision-making in these patients, and treatment must be tailored according to performance status and severity of comorbidities.

Positive surgical margins are predictors of local recurrence in conservative kidney surgery for pT1 tumors.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical significance of positive surgical margin (PSM) after a Nephron Sparing Surgery (NSS) is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between PSM and the risk of disease recurrence in patients with pT1 kidney tumors who underwent NSS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. A total of 314 patients submitted to a NSS due to stage pT1 renal tumor between January 2010 and June 2015 were included. Recurrence-free survival was estimated. The Cox model was used to adjust the tumor size, histological grade, pathological stage, age, surgical margins and type of approach. RESULTS: Overall PSM was 6.3% (n=22). Recurrence was evidenced in 9.1% (n=2) of patients with PSM and 3.5% (n=10) for the group of negative surgical margin (NSM). The estimated local recurrence-free survival rate at 3 years was 96.4% (95% CI 91.9 to 100) for the NSM group and 87.8% (95% CI 71.9 to 100) for PSM group (p=0.02) with no difference in metastasis-free survival. The PSM and pathological high grade (Fuhrman grade III or IV) were independent predictors of local recurrence in the multivariate analysis (HR 12.9, 95%CI 1.8-94, p=0.011 / HR 38.3, 95%CI 3.1-467, p=0.004 respectively). Fuhrman grade proved to be predictor of distant recurrence (HR 8.1, 95%CI 1.6-39.7, p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The PSM in pT1 renal tumors showed to have higher risk of local recurrence and thus, worse oncological prognosis.

A case of emphysematous cystitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare type of urinary tract infection that is characterized by air pockets within the bladder wall and lumen, which come from gas that is mainly produced by gram-negative bacteria, notably Escherichia coli. This infection is more common in older women with poorly controlled diabetes. An abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan is the gold standard method to make the diagnosis. The infection can be life-threatening, so prompt treatment is essential. We present a case of a 39-year-old woman with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes who developed emphysematous cystitis after a bilateral adrenalectomy. The infection was diagnosed by a CT scan that revealed gas in the bladder wall. A urine culture revealed 106 colonies/mL of Klebsiella pneumoniae. After a month of treatment with intravenous antibiotics (vancomycin plus meropenem plus colistin), bladder drainage, and strict glycemic control, the patient had a good outcome.

Functional and oncologic outcomes after nephron-sparing surgery in a solitary kidney: 10 years of experience.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate functional and oncologic outcomes of partial nephrectomy (PN) in patients with a solitary kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with a solitary kidney undergoing nephron-sparing surgery between March 2003 and March 2013 was performed. GFR was recorded before the procedure and 3 months after surgery, thus establishing a change (cGFR). Several variables that may influence cGFR were analyzed. Complications are herein described, namely bleeding, fistula, acute renal failure and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Local recurrence and margin status are also described. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan Meier method (2 patients with metastasis at the time of surgery were excluded from the analysis). RESULTS: Forty-five patients were available for analysis. Median follow-up was 27.56 months (r 3-96). Mean cGFR was-7.12mL/min (SD 2.1). Variables significantly related with lower GFR after surgery were loss of renal mass (p=0.01)) and male gender (p=0.03). Four patients (8.8%) experienced hemorrhage. Nine patients (20%) developed a urinary fistula. Only one patient with bleeding required open surgery. Two patients (4.4%) needed transient dialysis. Three patients (6.6%) developed ESRD. Four patients (8.8%) had positive surgical margins (PSMs) and four patients (88%) had local recurrence (2 of these had PSMs). Five patients (11.1%) died during follow-up. Four patients (8.8%) died because of renal cancer. Estimated 2-year overall survival, disease-free survival and cancer specific survival rates were 88.4% (CI 95% 70.5-96); 87.7% (CI 95% 68.1-96) and 92.4% (CI 95% 75-98), respectively. CONCLUSION: Loss of renal mass and male gender were associated with lower postoperative GFR. Our outcomes were comparable with those in the World literature.

[Current patterns of presentation of renal tumors]. / Formas actuales de presentación del tumor renal.

The aim of this paper is to describe the epidemiological characteristics, clinical management and pathologic patterns in a population with renal tumors in our institution. Prospective data collection was performed over a period of 4.5 years, from January 2010 to June 2014. A total of 819 cases (796 patients) were treated for renal mass during this period. The mean age was 60.7 years (SD 13.1). There were 553 (69.5%) males (male to female ratio: 2.2: 1). Twenty nine per cent (230 patients) were obese (BMI = 30). The diagnosis was incidental in 653 cases (79.7%), 48.8% presented one or more risk factors, being smoking the most frequent (34%). In 238 patients (29.9%) there was more than one comorbidity; 18% had preoperative creatinine = 1.3 mg/dl. Lesions were = 4 cm (cT1a) in 45% of the patients, and 10.8% (86) had metastases at diagnosis. The lesions were resected in 93.5% and actively monitored in 6.5% (not resected). In surgery treated patients, radical nephrectomy was performed in 51.5% of cases, and nephron sparing surgery in 48.5% of them. The laparoscopic approach was used in 56.2%. The pattern of presentation of renal masses is characterized by incidental diagnosis in early disease stages. Nephron sparing surgery is the first choice in nearly half of patients. Active surveillance has been used in a greater percentage than previously reported.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a predictor of locally advanced renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma are associated with locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (LARCC) after surgery. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted from May 2009 to January 2011. Altogether, 192 patients with non-disseminated disease and with preoperative quantitative determination of the CRP were evaluated. We evaluated the relation between age, gender, history of smoking, symptoms and CRP higher than 10 mg/L, with LARCC. The chi-square and Fisher's tests were used to compare categorical variables. For the multivariate analysis, we used logistic regression methods. RESULTS: The median age was 62 years (r=23-85), 72.4% were males. The median CRP was 2.40 mg/L (r=0.1-173). Of all the patients, 43.2% had a history of smoking and 81.8% were asymptomatic. As for the tumors, 77.1%were clear cell carcinoma, 14.6% chromophobe, 4.7% papillary, 2.6% oncocytomas, and 1% other varieties of renal cell carcinoma. As for the TNM classification, 45.8% corresponded to stage pT1a, 27.6% pT1b, 13% pT2, and 13.5% pT3, pT4 was not found. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of symptoms (p=0.002, OR=3.1) and the presence of CRP higher than 10 mg/L (p=0.006, OR=4) remained as the only prognostic variables of LARCC. CONCLUSIONS: Values of CRP higher than 10 mg/L increase 4 times the possibilities of finding LARCC in the pathological study of the surgical specimen. This variable should be taken into account when deciding what is the best surgical option.

Reference penile size measurement and correlation with other anthropometric dimensions: a prospective study in 800 men.

Virility and sexual pleasure have long been associated with penile size and this, in turn, has typically been linked to some anthropometric measurements, such as foot size or height, leading to various misconceptions from both men and women. Our intention is to estimate penile size parameters in Argentina and evaluate the correlation between penile size and certain anthropometric measurements. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter, and observational study. Male patients who underwent a urological procedure were included in four hospitals located in different regions of the country. Different anthropometric measurements were obtained: height, weight, penile circumference, flaccid and stretched length, and foot length. A total of 800 patients were evaluated. Mean left foot was 26.4 cm. Mean flaccid penile length was 11.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8-14) cm, and mean penile circumference was 10.1 (95% CI: 8-12) cm. Finally, mean stretched penis was 15.2 (95% CI: 11-18.5) cm. We can confirm that estimates of the average penile measurements in Argentina are flaccid penis length of 11.4 cm, penile circumference of 10.1 cm, and stretching the penis to the maximum in flaccidity of 15.2 cm. Correlations between flaccid penis length, stretched out, penile circumference, height, weight, and length of the left foot were evaluated, finding low or no correlation between those mentioned, except for flaccid and stretched length.

[Current role of bilateral adrenalectomy in Ectopic Cushing syndrome.] / Rol actual de la adrenalectomía bilateral en el manejo del síndrome de Cushing Ectópico.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to describe the clinical features and the perioperative results of the bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy (BLA) of salvaje in 5 patients treated for an Ectopic Cushing Syndrome (CS) who were refractory to medical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical records of our institution. Five BLAs were performed in patients with Ectopic CS refractory to medical treatment during the period from January 2009 and June 2017. All patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team that jointly decided the most appropriate time for surgery. The following protocol data were analyzed: age, sex, location of the secreting tumor, duration of hypercortisolism, reason for hospitalization, initial therapeutic management), biochemical data (pre-op serum cortisol, plasma ACTH and free urinary cortisol), surgical data (surgical approach, surgical time, type of surgery, need for conversion toopen surgery), perioperative data (post op surgical stay, post op complications according to the Clavien-Dindo scale 14, mortality, clinical cure rate and biochemical cure rate, follow up time). RESULTS: Five patients underwent BLA. The approach for the BLA was minimally invasive, either trans peritoneal (n=3) or posterior retroperitoneoscopic (n=2). Mean hospitalization time was 23.4 days (r=4-81). None of the patients died because of surgical complications, and all of them achieved biochemical and clinical remission of their hypercortisolism after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: BLA is an effective salvage alter native to control the symptoms associated with overproduction of corticosteroids in patients with ectopic CS refractory to medical treatment.

OBJETIVO: Describir las características clínicas y los resultados perioperatorios de la adrenalectomía bilateral laparoscópica (ABL) en 5 pacientes tratados con diagnóstico de Síndrome de Cushing Ectópico (SCE).MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de todos los pacientes con SCE sometidos a una ABL, entre enero de 2009 y junio de 2017. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados por un equipo multidisciplinario que decidió conjuntamente el momento más adecuado para la cirugía. Fueron analizados los siguientes datos protocolares: edad, sexo, origen del tumor secretor, duración del hipercortisolismo, motivo de internación, manejo terapéutico inicial, datos bioquímicos (cortisol sérico preoperatorio, ACTH plasmática y cortisol libre urinario), datos quirúrgicos (vía de abordaje, tiempo quirúrgico, tipo de cirugía, necesidad de conversión a cirugía abierta), datos perioperatorios (tiempo de internación postoperatoria, complicaciones según la escala de Clavien-Dindo, mortalidad, tasa de curación clínica y tasa de curación bioquímica, tiempo de seguimiento). RESULTADOS: Cinco pacientes fueron sometidos a ABL. El abordaje fue mínimamente invasivo, ya sea transperitoneal (n=3) o retroperitoneoscópico posterior (n=2). El tiempo de internación fue de 23,4 días (r=4-81). Ningún paciente falleció por complicaciones quirúrgicas, y todos lograron la curación bioquímica y clínica de su hipercortisolismo después de la cirugía. CONCLUSIONES: ABL es un procedimiento de rescate eficaz para controlar los síntomas asociados al hipercortisolismo en pacientes con SCE refractario al tratamiento médico.

Prognostic Factors in De Novo Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Report From the Latin American Renal Cancer Group.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of clinical and pathological variables on cancer-specific and overall survival (OS) in de novo metastatic patients from a collaborative of primarily Latin American countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 4,060 patients with renal cell carcinoma diagnosed between 1990 and 2015, a total of 530 (14.5%) had metastasis at clinical presentation. Relationships between clinical and pathological parameters and treatment-related outcomes were analyzed by Cox regression and the log-rank method. RESULTS: Of 530 patients, 184 (90.6%) had died of renal cell carcinoma. The median OS of the entire cohort was 24 months. American Society of Anesthesiology classification 3-4 (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.64), perirenal fat invasion (HR: 2.02), and ≥ 2 metastatic organ sites (HR: 2.19) were independent prognostic factors for 5-year OS in multivariable analyses. We created a risk group stratification with these variables: no adverse risk factors (favorable group), median OS not reached; one adverse factor (intermediate group), median OS 33 months (HR: 2.04); and two or three adverse factors (poor risk group), median OS 14 months (HR: 3.58). CONCLUSION: Our study defines novel prognostic factors that are relevant to a Latin American cohort. With external validation, these easily discerned clinical variables can be used to offer prognostic information across low- and middle-income countries.

Renal fossa recurrence after radical nephrectomy: Current management, and oncological outcomes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Kidney cancers represent 2% of cancers worldwide; the most common type is renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC). Surgical treatment remains the only effective therapy for localized renal cell carcinoma. Approximately 20% to 38% of patients undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN) for localized RCC will have subsequent disease progression, with 0.8% to 3.6% of local recurrences within the ipsilateral retroperitoneum (RFR). The main objective of this study is to evaluate prognostic features, oncological outcomes, and current management for renal fossa recurrence in patients with history of RN for RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 733 patients who underwent open or laparoscopic RN for unilateral T1-T4 N0 M0 RCC between 2010 and 2016 at the Urology Department of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. RESULTS: During the mentioned period, of a total of 733 RNs (open/laparoscopic), 561 patients with RCC were included in the study. After a median follow-up time of 24 months (12-36) (interquartile range), 21 (3.74%) patients out of 561, developed renal fossa recurrence. Of these, 13 (2.31%) patients were diagnosed with isolated local renal fossa recurrence and different treatment approaches were adopted; 11 patients underwent open surgical resection, 1 patient laparoscopic surgical resection, and 1 case was treated with cryoablation. Regarding cancer-specific survival, estimated 4-year cancer-specific survival in patients without RFR, with isolated RFR (iRFR) and not isolated RFR (niRFR) was 82.7% (CI 95% 70.2-95.2), 69.2% (IC 44.2-94.2) and 0%, respectively (log rank test P < 0.0001 being niRFR group different to others. Non isolated RFR was a death risk factor with a HR of 11.4 (4.8-27.2) compared with iRFR or no recurrence. Overall, 51% (IC 26.6-71.2) of patients with any RFR died at 4 years follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although RFR is a rare condition, in the absence of distant metastatic disease, aggressive surgical resection should be our aim. High pathological tumoral stage at original nephrectomy and high tumoral grade are independent risk factors for RFR. This group of patients needs closer follow-up to detect earlier recurrences and decide a treatment strategy.

Utilización de pentoxifilina en fase aguda de enfermedad de La Peyronie / Use of Pentoxifylline in the acute phase of Peyronie's disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: existe una gran variedad de tratamientos orales para la Enfermedad de La Peyronie (EP), pero ninguno demostró ser efectivo. En los últimos años se ha propuesto a la Pentoxifilina (PTX) como un potencial agente para su tratamiento. OBJETIVO: evaluar la evolución clínica de los pacientes que recibieron PTX al menos 3 meses durante la fase aguda de la EP. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo y observacional. Los datos se obtuvieron de las historias clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico de EP entre enero y octubre de 2017. Para la evaluación objetiva, se utilizaron autofotografías y técnica de Kelami. RESULTADOS: 93 hombres cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. El tiempo medio de tratamiento con PTX fue de 7,9 meses, y el de seguimiento, 10,8 meses. El 59,1% de los pacientes no tuvo modificaciones en su curvatura, el 9,7% mejoró, mientras que el 31,2% empeoró. De 49 pacientes que penetraban sin dificultad, 34 (69,4%) no tuvieron cambios, 12 (24,5%) pasaron a tener dificultad y 3 (6,1%) se convirtieron en no penetradores (p 0,0001). De los 41 pacientes que tenían dificultad en la penetración, 13 (31,7%) pudieron penetrar sin dificultad, 7 (17,1%) pasaron a no poder hacerlo, mientras que el resto (21 pacientes) se mantuvo sin cambios (p 0,0001). La correlación entre la curvatura inicial y la curvatura luego del tratamiento medido en todos los pacientes fue significativa (p 0,028). CONCLUSIÓN: la PTX podría tener un efecto positivo en estabilizar la enfermedad, y los hombres con EP en fase aguda podrían beneficiarse con el tratamiento.

INTRODUCTION: There is a wide variety of oral treatments for Peyronie's Disease (PD) but none proved to be effective. In recent years, Pentoxifylline (PTX) has been proposed as a potential agent for the treatment. Objective: To evaluate the clinical evolution of patients who received PTX at least 3 months during the acute phase of PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective and observational cohort study. The data were obtained from the clinical records of patients diagnosed with PE between January 2007 and October 2017. For their objective evaluation, autographs and the Kelami technique were used. RESULTS: 93 men met the inclusion criteria. The mean time of treatment with PTX was 7.9 months and the follow-up time was 10.8 months. 59.1% of patients had no changes in their curvature, 9.7% improved, while 31.2% worsened. Of 49 patients who entered without difficulty in penetrating, 34 (69.4%) had no changes, 12 (24.4%) had difficulty and 3 (6.1%) became non-penetrators (p 0.0001). Of the 41 patients who had difficulty in penetrating, 13 (31.7%) could penetrate without difficulty, 7 (17.1%) were unable to do so, while the rest (21 patients) remained unchanged (p. 0.0001). The correlation between initial curvature and curvature after treatment measured in all patients was significant (p 0.028). CONCLUSION: PTX could have a positive effect in stabilizing the disease and men with acute phase PE could benefit with treatment.

Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes in Very Elderly Patients (≥75 years) with Renal Cell Carcinoma: Data from the Latin American Renal Cancer Group

Background: The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is increasing globally due to an aging population and widespread use of imaging studies. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and perioperative outcomes of RCC surgery in very elderly patients (VEP), ≥75 years of age. Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study of 3656 patients who underwent the treatment for RCC from 1990 to 2015 in 28 centers from eight Latin American countries. We compared baseline characteristics as well as clinical and perioperative outcomes according to age groups (<75 vs.≥ 75 years). Surgical complications were classified with the Clavien-Dindo score. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with perioperative complications. Results: There were 410 VEP patients (11.2%). On bivariate analysis, VEP had a lower body mass index (p < 0.01) and higher ASA score (ASA >2 in 26.3% vs. 12.4%, p < 0.01). There was no difference in performance status and clinical stage between the study groups. There were no differences in surgical margins, estimated blood loss (EBL), complication, and mortality rates (1.3% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.17). On multivariate regression analysis, age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.33, p < 0.01), EBL ≥ 500 cc (OR 3.34, p < 0.01), and > pT2 stage (OR 1.63, p = 0.04) were independently associated with perioperative complications. Conclusions: Surgical resection of RCC was safe and successful in VEP. Age ≥75 years was independently associated with 30-day perioperative complications. However, the vast majority were low-grade complications. Age alone should not guide decision-making in these patients, and treatment must be tailored according to performance status and severity of comorbidities. (REV INVEST CLIN. 2020;72(5):308-15)

Current patterns of presentation and treatment of renal masses: a clinical research office of the endourological society prospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess epidemiologic characteristics, clinical and pathologic patterns of presentation, and treatment strategies in a contemporary population with renal masses (RMs). METHODS: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society collected prospective epidemiologic, clinical, and pathologic data on consecutive patients with RMs who were treated during a 1-year period in 98 centers worldwide. Preoperative assessment and treatment were performed according to local clinical practice guidelines. RESULTS: From January 2010 to February 2012, 4288 patients (4355 cases, 4815 tumors) were treated for a RM. The mean age of the cohort was 61.5 years, and the ratio male:female 1.8:1. Caucasians represented 75% of the population, and the median body mass index was 27. The cohort exhibited a high rate of comorbidity (65.6%), including a 48.5% rate of hypertension; one-third of patients had a combination of two or more comorbidities. One-third of patients (36%) had risk factors for renal-cell carcinoma (RCC), of which smoking and obesity were the most common. Diagnosis was incidental in 67% of cases, and 22.2% of cases had chronic kidney disease stage ≥III at presentation. Median radiologic size was 44 mm (range 2-300 mm) and 68% were cT1. Radical nephrectomy and nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) including ablation were performed in 52% and 46% of cases, respectively, while 3.6% of cases were actively surveyed. Median pathologic size was 43 mm (range 2-300 mm) and 63% of the RCCs were pT1. CONCLUSIONS: Current patterns of presentation of RMs are consistent with the decreasing trends in age and clinical or pathologic size and increasing incidental diagnosis. Patients exhibit a considerable basal comorbidity and presence of risk factors for RCC. Half of the cases are treated by a nephron-sparing modality with an increase in the penetration of NSS techniques in the contemporary urologic practice.

Ondas de choque de baja intensidad como alternativa terapéutica de la disfunción eréctil: experiencia inicial en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires y revisión de la bibliografía / Low Intensity Shock Waves as a Therapeutic Alternative for Erectile Dysfunction: Initial Experience at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires and Review of The Literature

Objetivos: los inhibidores de fosfodiesterasa revolucionaron el tratamiento de la disfunción eréctil. Las ondas de choque de baja intensidad emergen como una alternativa terapéutica no invasiva. Materiales y métodos: estudio de cohorte prospectiva y observacional, en el que se evaluó la respuesta de 17 pacientes sexualmente activos al tratamiento con ondas de choque de baja intensidad a los 3 y 6 meses, mediante el Indice Internacional de Función Eréctil (IIEF-6), las preguntas 2 y 3 del Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP-2 y SEP-3), y el Erection Hardness Score (EHS) para evaluar la rigidez peneana, así como una evaluación de satisfacción global con el tratamiento (GAQ) y de recomendación del mismo. Resultados: 6 pacientes presentaban disfunción eréctil leve y 11 disfunción eréctil moderada-severa. Ambos grupos mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el IIEF-6, SEP-2, SEP-3 y EHS, a los 3 y 6 meses. Sin embargo, no todos los pacientes se mostraron satisfechos o recomendarían el tratamiento, sobre todo en aquellos con disfunción eréctil moderada-severa previo al tratamiento. Conclusión: las ondas de choque de baja intensidad son un tratamiento emergente para la disfunción eréctil, aunque aun sin evidencia clara de su eficacia e indicaciones. Los dispares resultados de los grupos se han debido probablemente a la heterogeneidad de las condiciones basales de los pacientes.(AU)

Objectives: Iphosphodiesterase inhibitors revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Low intensity shockwave therapy emerge as a non-invasive therapeutic alternative. Materials and methods: this was a prospective and observational study, in which 17 sexually active patients were evaluated 3 and 6 months after treatment with low intensity shockwave therapy, using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6), questions 2 and 3 of the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP-2 and SEP-3), and the Erection Hardness Score (EHS) to assess penile rigidity, as well as a global satisfaction evaluation with the treatment (GAQ) and if they would recommend it to others. Results: 6 patients showed mild erectile dysfunction and 11 moderatesevere erectile dysfunction. Both groups showed statistically significant differences in IIEF-6, SEP-2, SEP-3 and EHS, after 3 and 6 months. However, not all of them were satisfied with the treatment or would recommend it to others, especially those with moderate-severe basal erectile dysfunction. Conclusion: low intensity shockwave therapy is an emergent treatment for erectile dysfunction, although there is no sufficient evidence of its efficacy and indications. The differences between groups were due probably to the heterogeneity of the basal conditions of the patients.(AU)

Positive surgical margins are predictors of local recurrence in conservative kidney surgery for pT1 tumors

ABSTRACT Objectives: The clinical significance of positive surgical margin (PSM) after a Nephron Sparing Surgery (NSS) is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between PSM and the risk of disease recurrence in patients with pT1 kidney tumors who underwent NSS. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study. A total of 314 patients submitted to a NSS due to stage pT1 renal tumor between January 2010 and June 2015 were included. Recurrence-free survival was estimated. The Cox model was used to adjust the tumor size, histological grade, pathological stage, age, surgical margins and type of approach. Results: Overall PSM was 6.3% (n=22). Recurrence was evidenced in 9.1% (n=2) of patients with PSM and 3.5% (n=10) for the group of negative surgical margin (NSM). The estimated local recurrence-free survival rate at 3 years was 96.4% (95% CI 91.9 to 100) for the NSM group and 87.8% (95% CI 71.9 to 100) for PSM group (p=0.02) with no difference in metastasis-free survival. The PSM and pathological high grade (Fuhrman grade III or IV) were independent predictors of local recurrence in the multivariate analysis (HR 12.9, 95%CI 1.8-94, p=0.011 / HR 38.3, 95%CI 3.1-467, p=0.004 respectively). Fuhrman grade proved to be predictor of distant recurrence (HR 8.1, 95%CI 1.6-39.7, p=0.011). Conclusions: The PSM in pT1 renal tumors showed to have higher risk of local recurrence and thus, worse oncological prognosis.

La elevación de los índices preoperatorios de neutrófilos/linfocitos y de plaquetas/linfocitos se asocia a una mayor agresividad local en los tumores renales / Elevation of Preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio and Platelet-Lymphocyte ratio is associated with a Higher Tumor Aggressiveness in Kidney Cancer

Introducción: Existe evidencia de que los índices de neutrófilos/linfocitos (INL) y plaquetas/linfocitos (IPL) se asocian a un peor pronóstico oncológico en distintas enfermedades neoplásicas. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la asociación entre el INL y el IPL preoperatorio y la agresividad local del tumor en el carcinoma de células renales (CCR). Materiales y métodos: Se analizaron el INL y el IPL de 353 pacientes que fueron tratados por CCR, sin enfermedad a distancia, entre enero de 2010 y julio de 2013. Se utilizó la regresión de Cox para estimar la asociación entre ambos índices y el estadío patológico, el grado histológico de Fuhrman/ISUP (International Society of Urological Pathology) y la progresión de la enfermedad. Resultados: La mitad de los pacientes presentó grado ISUP III o IV; 24 pacientes presentaron estadío patológico pT3a o superior. En total, 12 pacientes presentaron recidiva local y 19 presentaron metástasis. En el análisis multivariado, un mayor INL o IPL se asoció a un mayor grado ISUP y estadío patológico avanzado. Las medias de INL e IPL fueron significativamente superiores en los pacientes con grado Fuhrman/ ISUP IV y estadío pT3a o superior (p<0,05). El grado ISUP IV y el estadío pT3b se asociaron significativamente a la progresión de la enfermedad, mientras que el INL y el IPL no lo hicieron. Conclusión: La elevación de INL e IPL se asocia a una mayor agresividad local en el CCR, lo que se manifiesta por tumores con un mayor grado de Fuhrman/ISUP o un estadío localmente avanzado. Evaluar estos cocientes antes de la nefrectomía puede brindarle al cirujano un elemento más para conocer el tipo de tumor al que se enfrenta y programar una estrategia acorde.(AU)

Introduction: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are associated with tumor progression and worse oncologic outcomes in different neoplastic diseases. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between preoperative NLR and PLR and local tumor aggressiveness in renal cell carcinomas (RCC). Materials and methods: Pre-treatment NLR and PLR were analyzed in 353 patients who underwent treatment for non-metastatic RCC. Cox regression was used to estimate the association between NLR and PLR with pathological stage (pT), International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade, and disease progression. Results: ISUP grades III or IV were found in 50% of patients; 24 patients had pT3a stage or higher. After the surgery, 12 patients presented a local relapse, and 19 presented metastases. On multivariable analysis, higher NLR and PLR were significantly associated with a higher ISUP grade and advanced pT stage. Mean NLR and PLR were significantly higher in patients with Fuhrman/ISUP grade IV and pT3a or higher stage (p<0.05). ISUP grade IV and stage pT3b or higher both were associated with disease progression, while NLR and PLR weren't. Conclusion: Elevation of preoperative NLR and PLR is associated with a higher tumor aggressiveness in RCC. Higher ratios are significantly associated with ISUP grade IV and locally advanced stage (pT3b or higher). The preoperative evaluation of these ratios may give the surgeon another element to evaluate the type of tumor he is facing and adopt the best strategy. (AU)

Adrenalectomía laparoscópica: ¿abordaje retroperitoneal posterior o transperitoneal lateral? / Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: posterior retroperitoneoscopic or lateral transperitoneal approach?

Objetivo: comparar los resultados obtenidos en adrenalectomía retroperitoneoscópica posterior (ARP) con los obtenidos por vía transperitoneal lateral (ATL) a corto y mediano plazo. Material y métodos: estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Se incluyeron 22 pacientes a quienes se les realizaron 24 adrenalectomías (12 ARP y 12 ATL) entre los meses de enero de 2015 y mayo de 2016. En el grupo ARP se realizó a 1 paciente adrenalectomía bilateral simultánea y a 1 paciente, bilateral sincrónica. Fueron comparados datos basales, clínicos, quirúrgicos y evolutivos. Resultados: la mediana de tiempo de seguimiento fue de 6,5 meses (r 1-16). Los grupos ARP y ATL fueron comparables en edad, sexo, BMI y presencia de cirugías previas. Los adenomas fueron las lesiones predominantes (41,7% en cada grupo). El promedio de tiempo operatorio en ART y ATL fue 104,3 ± 21,2 y 146 ± 32,9 minutos, respectivamente (p 0,05). No hallamos diferencias en tiempo de internación, sangrado y complicaciones. Todos los pacientes lograron curación clínica. Conclusiones: la técnica ARP es una vía segura, con resultados comparables a ATL y menor tiempo operatorio. También permite intervenir de manera simultánea y sincrónica ambas glándulas adrenales sin necesidad de reposicionar al paciente.

Objetive: to compare the results of posterior retroperitoneoscopic (PRA) or lateral transperitoneal approach (LTA) in laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the short and medium term. Material y methods: prospective cohort study. We included 22 patients who underwent 24 adrenalectomies (12 PRA and 12 LTA) between January 2015 and May 2016. In the PRA group, two simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed (1 synchronous bilateral adrenalectomy). Baseline, clinical and surgical outcome were compared. Results: the median follow-up time was 6.5 months (range: 1-16). The PRA and LTA groups were comparable in age, gender, BMI and presence of previous surgeries. Adenomas were the predominant lesions (41.7% in each group). The average operating time in PRA and LTA was 104.3 ± 21.2 and 146 ± 32.9 minutes, respectively (p=0.05). We found no differences in length of hospital stay, bleeding and complications. All patients achieved clinical cure. Conclusions: the PRA technique is a safe approach, with results comparable to LTA and shorter operating time. It also allows to intervene simultaneously and synchronously both adrenal glands without the need of repositioning the patient.

Addition of metformin to sildenafil treatment for erectile dysfunction in eugonadal nondiabetic men with insulin resistance. A prospective, randomized, double-blind pilot study.

Erection depends largely on the release of nitric oxide (NO) by vascular endothelial cells. Insulin resistance (IR) is a metabolic abnormality that produces endothelial dysfunction characterized by decreased synthesis and release of NO. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of treatment with metformin on the response to sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and IR enrolled in a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind placebo study. We included 30 male patients with ED, IR, and poor response to sildenafil. Exclusion criteria included pharmacologic, anatomic, or endocrine ED; diabetes; prostatic surgery; or chronic illnesses. Erectile function was rated according to the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5); IR was measured by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA; IR = HOMA ≥ 3). Patients were randomized to receive metformin (n = 17) or placebo (n = 13). After treatment with metformin, patients with ED showed a significant increase in IIEF-5 score and a significant decrease in HOMA, both occurring at month 2 (IIEF-5: 17.0 ± 6.0 vs 14.3 ± 3.9, P = .01; HOMA: 3.9 ± 1.6 vs 5.5 ± 2.4, P = .01) to 4 of treatment (IIEF-5: 19.8 ± 3.8 vs 14.3 ± 3.9, P = .005; HOMA: 4.5 ± 1.9 vs 5.5 ± 2.4, P = .04), with no changes in these parameters in patients with ED receiving placebo. Patients treated with metformin had more adverse events than those who received placebo: 61.5% compared with 7.7%, P = .03, respectively. Adverse events were mild, mainly gastrointestinal, and did not cause discontinuation of treatment. Treatment with metformin in patients with ED and poor response to sildenafil reduced the IR and improved erectile function.