[Nephron-sparing surgery is superior to radical nephrectomy in preserving renal function outcome in tumors larger than 4 cm]. / Intérêt de la néphrectomie partielle pour la préservation de la fonction rénale des patients ayant une tumeur rénale de plus de 4 cm.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to analyse whether nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) was superior to radical nephrectomy (RN) in preserving renal function outcome in tumors larger than 4cm. METHODS: The data from 888 patients who had been operated upon at eight french university hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) pre- and post-surgery was calculated with the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. For a fair comparison between the two techniques, all imperative indications for NSS and all GFR<30 mL/min/1.73 m(2) were excluded from analysis. A shift to a less favorable DFG group following surgery was considered clinically significant. RESULTS: Seven hundred and thirty patients were suitable for comparison. Median age at diagnosis was 60 years (19-88). Tumors measuring more than 4cm represented 359 (49.2%) cases. NSS and RN were performed in 384 (52.6%) and 346 (47.4%) patients, respectively. In univariate analysis, patients undergoing NSS had a smaller risk than RN of developing significant GFR change following surgery. This was true for tumors≤4cm (P=0.0001) and for tumors>4cm (P=0.018). In multivariate analysis, the following criteria were independent predictive factors for developing significant postoperative GFR loss: the use of RN (P=0.001), decreased preoperative DFG (P=0.006), increased age at diagnosis (P=0.001) and increased ASA score (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: The renal function benefit offered by elective NSS over RN persists even when expanding NSS indications beyond the traditional 4 cm cut-off.

[The thermoformable spiral metallic stents in the treatment of localized ureteral stenosis: an alternative to JJ stent? Prospective multicenter study]. / Les endoprothèses métalliques spiralées thermoformables dans le traitement des sténoses urétérales localisées : une alternative aux sondes double J ? Étude prospective multicentrique.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of the effectiveness and tolerance of thermoformable metallic spiral stents Memokath(®) 051 (Bard, Pnn Medical) in the treatment of localized ureteral stenosis in non-operable patients who have JJ ureteral stents. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Prospective, descriptive and multicenter study of patients with ureteral strictures treated with metallic ureteral stents Memokath(®) 051. Assessment criteria (recurrent stenotic, permeability, tolerance) were measured by clinical, biological and radiological examination at 1 month, and then every 3 months. RESULTS: Fifteen stents (average length: 9.15 cm, range 6-15 cm) were implanted in 14 patients (mean age: 55 years, range: 38-72 years) with secondary suspended ureteral stenosis during 2 years in two centers. The median follow-up was 11 months (range 6 to 24 months). Technical difficulty was observed with two patients. Stents are still up in four patients. The stenosis recurred in four patients with spontaneous progression of stenosis but without endoprosthetics tissue invasion. Two and three migration were observed with spontaneous expulsions. Two lower urinary infections and one high occurred, resolved on antibiotic therapy, no inlay or hematuria, no pain (mean VAS score=3/10) or urinary disorders of the lower unit have been identified. CONCLUSION: Stents Memokath(®) 051 are well tolered and seem to position themselves as an interesting alternative to JJ ureteral stent in some frails patients. The refinement of contraindication should help to improve the stent's efficacity and to reduce the risk of migration and expulsion.

Sexual life of male patients with advanced renal cancer treated with angiogenesis inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: The advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) affects patients mainly ∼60 years of age and who may have an active sex life. The objective of the study was to investigate possible sexual disorders in a male population with advanced RCC treated with a molecular targeted therapy (MTT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight male patients with a stabilized advanced RCC on MTT were proposed a personal interview about their sexual life, filled in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) auto-questionnaire, and were reassessed if the treatment was modified. RESULTS: This is the first evaluation of sexual life while on MTT. For 64% of the patients (median age 59 years, treatment duration 12 months), the quality of their sexual life was considered important. The scores of the IIEF were reduced from 30% to 60% in erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction. The erectile dysfunction was more severe in the MTT population compared with age-stratified general or urological populations. The disorders were reversible in a few cases after treatment interruption. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on MTT for an advanced RCC experience a decline of sexual activity. Onco-urologists should systematically inform, screen, initiate management, and refer patients to sexual medicine physicians.

[Bladder cancer and new drugs]. / Nouvelles molécules dans le cancer de la vessie.

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy (MVAC : cisplatin, methotrexate, adriamycin, vinblastine ; or GC : cisplatin, gemcitabine) has been the standard of care for patients with advanced urothelial tumor during the last twenty years. Greater knowledge in the molecular biology of bladder cancer lead to the identification of promising target such as EGFR, HER2, or VEGF-VEGFR pathways. The role of targeted therapies as monotherapy, in combination with chemotheray or as maintenance post-chemotherapy is currently under study.

[How radical nephrectomy compares to partial nephrectomy for the treatment of pT1a papillary renal cell carcinomas?]. / Comment se comparent néphrectomies partielles et élargies pour le traitement des carcinomes papillaires pT1aN0M0? Etude comparative rétrospective de 277 cas.

PURPOSE: Our objective was to compare oncologic results of nephron sparing surgery (NSS) versus radical nephrectomy (RN) in T1aN0-x M0 papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 277 patients treated for a pT1aN0M0 PRCC selected from an academic database from 12 centres. We compared the clinico-pathological features by using Chi-square and Student statistical analyses. Survivals analyses using Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank models were performed. RESULTS: The two groups were composed by 186 patients treated by NSS and 91 by RN. The TNM stage was fixed and the two groups were, in terms of age and Fuhrman grade, comparable. Median age at diagnosis was 59 years (27-85). Median tumor size was 2.7 cm (0.4-4). The average follow-up was 49 months (1-246). Very few events arose in both groups: two local recurrences were observed in the NSS group (1.07%), three patients died of cancer in the NSS treated group (1.6%) and five in the RN treated group (5.5%). The five and 10 cancer-specific survival rate were comparable in the two groups (98% vs. 100% and 98% vs. 97%). The specific survival curves were perfectly similar for both groups (log rank test, p=0.25). CONCLUSION: NSS is equivalent to RN as far as oncologic control of pT1aN0M0 PRCC is concerned.

[Renal angiomyolipoma with inferior vena cava extension]. / Angiomyolipome renal à extension veineuse cave inférieure.

Angiomyolipoma is generally a benign and noninvasive tumor. We report a case of angiomyolipoma with tumor thrombus from the renal vein into the inferior vena cava suggesting a malignant disease.

[Renal cell carcinoma management and therapies in 2010]. / Prise en charge et traitements médicaux des cancers du rein en 2010.

Advanced renal cell carcinoma is associated with a poor prognosis and is refractory to standard chemotherapy. Recent progress in the understanding of molecular biology and pathogenesis of renal cell cancer has been translated into the development of new therapeutic strategies. The management of metastatic RCC has been revolutionized with the development of targeted molecular therapies against VEGF-VEGFR and mTOR. Randomized phase III clinical trials demonstrated clinical benefit for patients with advanced RCC in overall survival and progression free survival. At the moment, six molecules have been approves in advanced RCC: cytokines (IL-2 and IFN), antiangiogenic therapies (sunitinib, sorafenib, bevacizumab) and mTOR inhibitors (Temsirolimus, everolimus). Nephrectomy is an important component of the multimodality treatment of mRCC. Prospective trials will be assessed the value of nephrectomy in patients treated by antiangiogenic therapies. Large randomized trial are ongoing to evaluate these new therapies in adjuvant setting.

[Prospective evaluation of urology residents' interest in andrology]. / Evaluation prospective de l'intérêt des urologues en formation pour l'andrologie.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the interest carried in andrology within the community of the urology residents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between June and October 2008, all urology residents received an anonymous questionnaire by e-mail estimating their interest for andrology. The following elements were reported: age, sex, current status, future activity, participation in theoretical learning and training courses practices, interest for the speciality and the opinion on the current formation. The statistical analysis was performed with the SEM software. RESULTS: Seventy-seven of the 238 urology residents (32.4%) answered the sent questionnaire. The mean age was 29.2 years (25-36). Thirty-two of them were from a Parisian center (41.6%) and 45 (58.4%) from another city. There are 40.3% of urology residents who wished work on the hospital, 27.3% wished develop an exclusive liberal activity. There are 81.8% of the urology residents who declared to be interested in andrology and 29.9% were registered or wished to join the diplôme d'études spécialisées complémentaires (DESC) of Andrology. Concerning the current formation, only 4% of the participants considered that the theoretical education of the andrology was sufficient and only 6.6% of them considered to have acquired a sufficient practical training in andrology during the cursus. CONCLUSION: The andrology is a particularly attractive speciality for the urology residents and the current modalities of formation are considered insufficient by most of them.

[Demography of residents in urology in France: appraisal and perspectives]. / Etat des lieux et perspectives sur la démographie des internes en urologie en 2008.

PURPOSE: The objective was to identify the number of residents registered in the course of urology in France in 2008, and to make a forecast in the number of posts of fellow and specialist assistant available at the end of their course. MATERIAL: From January to February 2008, a questionnaire identified in all French University Hospital the number of residents enrolled in the urology course, and the number of posts of fellow and specialist assistant in urology in the region. The year of the end of the course has been determined for each resident in compliance with seniority, and taking into account the availability. The number of fellow and specialist assistant posts available in the same period was estimated by considering the duration of each postinternship, and any change in the number of posts. RESULTS: Our census counted 207 residents, 76 fellow posts, 10 specialist assistant posts. Of the 207 residents, 29 completed their studies in 2008, 57 in 2009, 60 in 2010, 61 in 2011. Following our methodology, there was a lack of fellow and specialist assistant posts available from November 2010 (-15 posts in 2010, -7 posts in 2011). CONCLUSION: Our study showed an increase in the number of residents enrolled in urology course by years of promotion, causing a lack of fellow and specialist assistant posts from 2010. Apart from an opening of additional fellows and specialist assistants at that time, our study highlights the long-term regulation of entries in the urology course ensuring a postinternship quality.

[What is the clinical practice of partial nephrectomy in France?]. / Quelle pratique de la néphrectomie partielle en France ?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the practice of partial nephrectomy (PN) in France and assess its results in terms of morbidity and cancer control. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seven French University Hospitals in which nephron sparing surgery represents at least 30% of the total number of nephrectomies for renal tumour, participated in this study. All centres included, as exhaustively as possible, all their PN cases. For each patient, 70 variables were harvested in order to characterize the patient population, the indications, the operative technique, the per- and postoperative course and complications, the tumor specificities, the carcinologic control and renal function follow-up. RESULTS: Seven hundred and forty-one PN, of which 579 for malignant tumours were analysed. The mean tumour size was 3.4+/-2.1 cm (0.1-18) and 20.8% of the tumours were larger than 4 cm. In 30.1% of cases, the indication was imperative. Among the PN, 12.2% were performed laparoscopically. The mean operating time was 151+/-54.2 min (55-420). The medical and surgical complications rates were respectively 15.2 and 14.7%. At a mean 38 months follow-up, the local recurrence rate was 3.5% and the specific death rate was 4.5%. CONCLUSION: PN is nowadays getting a more and more widely used technique in France. This expansion is completely justified by its results and urologists must consider nephron sparing surgery as the gold standard treatment for renal tumours measuring less than 4 cm.

[Do broader indications for partial nephrectomy result in excess morbidity?]. / Elargir les indications de la néphrectomie partielle induit-il un surcroît de morbidité? Une étude multicentrique française.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the morbidity of partial nephrectomy (PN) according to tumour size and the type of indication based on a multicentre retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven French teaching hospitals participated in this study. Data concerning tumour size, indication for PN (elective or necessity), age, gender, TNM stage, histological type, Fuhrman grade, ASA score and performance status (ECOG) were analysed. Medical and surgical complications, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion rate and length of hospital stay were also studied. Statistical analysis of qualitative and quantitative variables was performed with Chi-square test (Fisher's test) and Student t-test. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety one patients were included. The median tumour diameter was 3cm (0.4-18). Tumours measuring less or equal to 4cm and incidental tumours represented 77.7 and 80.7% of cases, respectively. Clear cell carcinomas represented 75.1% of malignant tumours. Some 89.1% of tumours were T1, 1.6% were N+ and 2.3% were M+. In the 486 elective indications: the operating time (p = 0.03), mean blood loss (p = 0.04), and urinary fistula rate (p = 0.01) were significantly higher in tumours greater than 4cm. These differences were not associated with an increase in the medical (p = 0.7) or surgical complication rate (p = 0.2), or the length of hospital stay (p = 0.4). CONCLUSION: Broader indications for elective PN is associated with an increased morbidity but which remains acceptable. This is an important point for patient information and to guide the choice of surgical strategy, particularly in elderly, frail patients or patients with major comorbidities.

[Treatment by iterative endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy of an ectopic adrenal adenoma revealed by a Cushing syndrome]. / Traitement par laparoscopie extrapéritonéale itérative d'un adénome corticosurrénalien ectopique responsable d'un syndrome de Cushing.

We report a case of a Cushing syndrome, enduring after retroperitoneal laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy whose aetiology was an ectopic adenoma. This lesion had then been treated by a secondary retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedure.

Combined resection of the pancreas and inferior vena cava for pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma.

Indications for pancreatic resections for metastatic disease have not yet been defined to date, and few guidelines exist for the management of these lesions. However, most authors recommend surgery as the treatment of choice for pancreatic metastasis (PM). Resection of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is rarely done during removal of peripancreatic cancer. This report presents the first case of metachronous PM from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with IVC involvement successfully treated by en-bloc resection in a 70-year-old asymptomatic woman. The abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a 4.0-cm mass in the tail and a 5.0-cm mass in the head of the pancreas with a suspected involvement of vena cava. An en-bloc total pancreatectomy was performed with excision of the involved portion of the cava vein. Histology confirmed the presence of two metastases from RCC with neoplastic infiltration of the IVC and without lymph node involvement. All surgical margins were tumor-free. At most recent follow-up 12 months after pancreatectomy, the patient has no evidence of disease. We believe that a multidisciplinary approach and careful evaluation and treatment of these patients is a mandatory component for patient selection. IVC resection should be performed only when a margin-negative resection is expected to be achieved.

3D modeling from uncalibrated color images for a complete wound assessment tool.

This paper is concerned with the 3D modeling of skin wound using uncalibrated vision techniques for the volumetric assessment of the healing process. We have developed an original approach for matching two color images captured with a free-handled digital camera and generate a semi-dense 3D model. We evaluate the precision of the inferred 3D model by registration to a ground truth on artificial wounds. The method is then applied to volumetric measurements. The clinician requirements of a global 5% precision are overshot as 3% is obtained locally. The best configuration for taking photos lies between 1.2 and 1.5 for distance ratios and between 15 degrees and 30 degrees for vergence of the stereo pair. This work is part of the ESCALE project dedicated to the design of a complete 3D and color wound assessment tool using a simple free handled digital camera: a smart solution for massive diffusion in care centers as such very low cost system should be operated directly by nurses.