Challenging the Urologist of the Future: Time for a Change?

Physicians need both medical expertise and diverse skills for effective patient care. Adaptability is also key in embracing advances in technology and new techniques. We outline six thought-provoking points to guide the new generation of urologists.

Recurrence rates and survival in a Danish cohort with renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with localised and locally advanced renal cancer experience about 20% recurrence during a five-year follow-up period. The aim of the present study was to report recurrence rates and survival in a Danish population with renal cancer. METHODS: Data on patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at our institute from January 2005 to December 2013 were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: Overall, 367 patients were diagnosed with RCC during the period, and 78 patients (21%) presented with metastasis. The mean follow-up period for all patients was 41 months (standard deviation = 29, 95% confidence interval: 38-44). The total recurrence rates (RRs) at one, three and five years were 4.5%, 13.5% and 22.3%, respectively. Overall survival rates in the patients who underwent surgery with localised and locally advanced disease were 96.1%, 88.2% and 78.3% for one, three and five years, respectively. The mean time to first recurrence was 26.6 months. The one-year RR was 1.2%, 5.5% and 13.8% for low, intermediate and high-risk Leibovich scores, respectively. The three-year RR was 8.3%, 14.1% and 29.6% for low, intermediate and high-risk Leibovich scores, respectively; and the five-year RR was 12.0%, 26.6% and 52.9% for low, intermediate and high-risk Leibovich scores, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: RRs after localised and locally advanced RCC was 22%. According to the risk of recurrence, we recommend a follow-up programme after nephrectomy with computed tomography every second year for low-risk patients, annually for intermediate-risk patients and every six months for high-risk patients. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: none.

[Partial priapism].

Partial priapism, also called partial segmental thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum, is a rare urological condition. Factors such as bicycle riding, drug usage, penile trauma and haematological diseases have been associated with the condition. Medical treatment with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or acetylsalicylic acid is first choice treatment, and surgery is preserved for patients unresponsive to analgesics. In this report we describe the case of a 70-year-old man with partial priapism after blood transfusions treated successfully with LMWH.

Partial priapism.

With only 34 prior cases in world literature, partial priapism (PP), also called partial segmental thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum, is a rare urological condition. The aetiology and treatment of PP is still unclear, but bicycle riding, trauma, drug usage, sexual intercourse, haematological diseases and α-blockers have been associated with PP. In this case report and world literature review, we describe the case of a 50-year-old man suffering from PP after ingesting 100 mg of sildenafil. The patient was treated with a surgical incision for corpus cavernosum and clot evacuation, as a conservative treatment of PP was not feasible due to severe pain and unresponsiveness to analgesics.

[Primary eosinophilic esophagitis]. / Primaer eosinofil øsofagitis.

Primary eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a rare disease with symptoms similar to those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, EE is caused by severe eosinophilic invasion of the esophageal epithelium, typically followed by dysphagia. A man 28 years of age presented persistent symptoms of GERD despite traditional antireflux therapy. Histologic evaluation showed eosinophilia (85 eosinophils/high-power field (x 400)). Treatment by bouginage resulted in mucosal lacerations and transitory clinical improvement. Local steroid therapy for four weeks eliminated the symptoms.