Comparative analysis of dual immune checkpoint inhibitor combination therapy versus immune checkpoint inhibitor plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor combination therapy for renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Whether immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus ICI combination therapy or ICI plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combination therapy is useful for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis (IVCTT) remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the therapeutic effects and incidence of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) associated with ICI-based combination therapy in 36 patients with advanced RCC with IVCTT. RESULTS: The median age at initiation of treatment was 71 years; the IVCTT stages were cT3b in 22 patients and cT3c in 14. The ICI-ICI and ICI-TKI groups comprised 15 and 21 patients, respectively. Median tumor shrinkage at the best response showed that the primary tumor diameter decreased by 1.8 cm (22%), and the IVCTT height decreased by 1.5 cm (26%). A higher proportion of patients in the ICI-TKI group experienced tumor shrinkage than those in the ICI-ICI group (primary tumor, p = 0.0325; IVCTT, p = 0.0112). Approximately 27% of patients experienced an increase in the IVCTT height with ICI-ICI combination therapy. No significant difference was observed in the relative tumor shrinkage of IVCTT, primary or level-down staging of IVCTT, other treatment effects, incidence of TRAEs, surgical outcomes, or prognosis between the groups. CONCLUSION: ICI-based combination therapy is effective against IVCTT and primary RCC. Although ICI-ICI is associated with a higher probability of tumor growth compared with ICI-TKI in the frequency of tumor regression, both therapies may be almost equally effective against primary RCC with IVCTT.

Predictors of Long-Term Urinary Incontinence After Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.

Introduction: Urinary incontinence is a major complication after radical prostatectomy. We analyzed the predictors of urinary incontinence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Material and Methods: One hundred twenty-one patients, whose urinary continence status was evaluable at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, were included from October 2016 to September 2021. Data were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. The continence status was evaluated by interviewing the patients about the number of urinary pads used per day. We compared the patients' age, body mass index, prostate volume, membranous urethral length on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, surgeon experience, and pathological findings between patients with and without regained continence at 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Results: The urinary continence rates were 30%, 57.8% and 79.3% at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively, after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Twelve months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, 96 patients had regained continence and did not require urinary pads, whereas 25 patients had persistent urinary incontinence and required urinary pads. Membranous urethral length and surgeon experience were significantly different between patients with and without regained continence at 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (P=0.05). However, no significant differences existed in age, body mass index, prostate volume, and pathological findings between patients with and without regained continence at 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Conclusion: Membranous urethral length and surgeon experience are predictors of urinary incontinence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Measuring the membranous urethral length is recommended before performing the operation.

Parathyroidectomy for tertiary hyperparathyroidism after second kidney transplantation: a case report.

Successful kidney transplantation usually resolves secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). However, some patients fail to normalize, and their condition is often referred to as tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT). Surgical consensus on the timing of post-transplant parathyroidectomy (PTX) for THPT has not been reached. Herein, we report a case of a 58-year-old post-transplant woman, considering the concrete timing of PTX for both SHPT and THPT. She initiated hemodialysis with end-stage renal disease at the age of 24, and underwent first kidney transplantation at the age of 28. When peritoneal dialysis (PD) was induced due to the worsening kidney function at the age of 50, the serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level remarkably increased (2332 pg/mL). Although cinacalcet was administered, the patient's iPTH levels were not sufficiently suppressed for seven years. Diagnostic images including ultrasound, computed tomography, and 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy indicated THPT as the reason for prolonged post-transplant hypercalcemia. Therefore, PTX was performed 14 months after the second transplantation. Histology showed nodular hyperplasia of all parathyroid glands, indicating autonomous secretion of parathyroid hormone. In general, patients with more severe THPT are recognized with more severe SHPT prior to transplantation during the dialysis period. We should consider a referral for surgery based on the individual risk factors. We recommend to perform parathyroidectomy earlier, before the kidney transplantation in the clinical suspicion of severe SHPT.