THE ROLE OF LYMPHADENECTOMY IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS.

Prostate cancer is one of the most important men's health issues in developed countries. For patients with prostate cancer a preoperative staging of the disease must be made. Involvement of lymph nodes could be assessed using imaging methods (CT or/and MRI), however, newer methods also exist (PET/CT, PSMA PET/CT). For some patients during radical prostatectomy a pelvic lymphadenectomy is recommended. Pelvic lymphadenectomy is indicated in intermediate- and high-risk group patients and with increased probability of lymph node invasion. The most used prediction tools for preoperative assessment of lymph nodes are Briganti and MSKCC nomograms and Partin tables. Pelvic lymphadenectomy can include different lymph nodes group, but extended lymphadenectomy is the recommended procedure. In 1-20% of patients, the lymph node invasion is present. Pelvic lymphadenectomy is primarily a diagnostic and staging method, and in minority of patients with positive lymph nodes it can be a curative method, too. In other patients with positive lymph nodes adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy) can be beneficial.

Kidney transplantation using a colon pouch (Mainz pouch III): a case report.

Kidney transplantation is the most efficient method of renal replacement therapy. When this method is performed, native urinary bladder is the preferred urinary reservoir. However, in some patients with an anatomically and functionally abnormal lower urinary tract, the urinary bladder cannot be used for transplantation. In these patients, urinary diversion should be performed before kidney transplantation. We present a case of a 32-year-old male patient with orthotopic kidney transplantation performed using a colon pouch (Mainz-pouch III). He was born with severe anomalies including sacral agenesis, anorectal atresia, and hypospadias, which were corrected during childhood. Neurogenic bladder with severe vesicoureteral reflux led to end-stage renal disease. This dysfunctional bladder was unsuitable for kidney transplantation, and a staged approach for future transplantation was chosen. The first step was the creation of urinary diversion. Due to a short appendix, we created a continent, colon pouch (Mainz pouch III). Two years later, orthotopic kidney transplantation was performed using a right cadaveric kidney. The renal vessels were anastomosed to the aorta and inferior vena cava and the pyelon to the native ureter. Four years after transplantation, the patient has stable renal function without any complications. This is the first documented case of using Mainz-pouch III as a reliable option for kidney transplantation in selected patients.

Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Surgery using Transversus Abdominis Plane Block.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter surgery can be performed using regional anesthesia. We present our PD catheter placement and extraction experience using ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. METHODS: In the present study, we analyzed 74 patients from our center with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who underwent PD catheter placement (60 patients) and removal (14 patients) using a TAP block between June 2011 and December 2015. RESULTS: The TAP block was successful for 55/60 (91.7%) patients (insertion) and 13/14 (92.9%) patients (extraction). Other patients had pain at the incision site and required general anesthesia. There were no anesthesia-, surgery- or PD catheter-related complications. CONCLUSION: The TAP block is a safe and effective technique not only for high-risk ESRD patients but for all patients undergoing PD catheter placement or extraction.

Treatment of Kidney Stone in a Kidney-Transplanted Patient with Mini-Percutaneous Laser Lithotripsy: A Case Report.

We report a case of a kidney-transplanted patient with urolithiasis treated with mini-percutaneous laser lithotripsy. The patient presented with renal dysfunction and graft hydronephrosis. Diagnostic procedures revealed ureterolithiasis as a cause of obstruction, and percutaneous nephrostomy was inserted as a temporary solution. Before surgery, the stone migrated to the renal pelvis. Mini-percutaneous laser lithotripsy was successfully performed, and during surgery, all stone fragments were removed. Six months after successful treatment, the patient has good functioning and stone-free graft.

[MINI-PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROLITHOTRIPSY ­ OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE]. / MINIPERKUTANA NEFROLITOTRIPSIJA ­ NASA PRVA ISKUSTVA.

Urolithiasis is a significant problem in the developed countries due to the increased number of patients with stones. Just a few decades ago open surgery was the only surgical treatment which is today, in most cases, replaced with minimally-invasive methods. One of these new methods is mini-percutaneous nephrolihotripsy. We present four patients in whom mini-percutaneous nephrolithotripsy was performed. In all patients the stone was located in the renal pelvis. In three patients the stone was in the native kidney and in one in the transplanted kidney. In all patients laser lithotripsy was successfully performed. On the control x-ray the residual fragments were not found in any patients. Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotripsy is a minimally-invasive method which is successfull in the treatment of nephfrolithiasis in native and transplanted kidneys.

Correlation of tumor-associated macrophages and NK cells with bladder cancer size and T stage in patients with solitary low-grade urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to correlate the level of tumor-infiltrating immune cells with bladder cancer size and T category in patients with solitary low-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2006, 115 patients with solitary low-grade NMIBC after transurethral resection of the bladder without adjuvant therapy were retrospectively identified from the institutional database. Tumor specimens were retrieved and tissue microarrays were constructed. Immunhistochemical staining for tumor-infiltrating immune cells with anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56, CD68, and granzyme B (Gr B) was performed. RESULTS: Immune cells were predominantly observed within the cancer stroma. Statistically significant higher levels of CD56 cells in small tumors and CD68 cells in T1 tumors (p = 0.0310, 0.0151, respectively) were established. CONCLUSION: The current study propose a possible correlation of CD56+ and CD68+ cells with bladder cancer size and stage in patients with solitary low-grade NMIBC.

10-year survival of a patient with metastatic prostate cancer: Case report and literature review.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men. The 5-year relative survival for all stages combined is 98.8%. Patients diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer have median survival from 2 to 3 years. We describe a case of 64-year old man who clinically presented with inguinal lymphadenopathy. Because of elevated PSA levels biopsy of prostate was done and adenocarcinoma was diagnosed. Biopsy of inguinal lymph nodes confirmed the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Hormonal treatment was started and at the most recent follow-up, 10 years later, the patient is asymptomatic with no clinical signs of disseminated disease.

Correlation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with bladder cancer recurrence in patients with solitary low-grade urothelial carcinoma.

The aim of the present study was to correlate tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) with bladder cancer recurrence in patients with solitary low-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We retrospectively identified from the institutional database 115 patients with solitary low-grade NMIBC after transurethral resection (TURBT) without adjuvant therapy and with complete follow-up, between 1996 and 2006. Tumor specimens were retrieved and tissue microarrays were constructed. Patients were divided in two groups: those who developed recurrent disease (n = 69) and those without recurrence (n = 46) during a follow-up period of a minimum of 5 years. Immunohistochemical staining for TIL with anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56, CD68, and granzyme B (GrB) was performed. Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, as well as uni- and multivariate analyses were applied to compare the two patient groups. TIL were predominantly observed in cancer stroma. The number of CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes observed in the non-recurrent group of patients was lower than that in recurrent patients (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0002, respectively). Also, in uni- and multivariate analyses, levels of CD3+ TIL (OR = 5.4035; p = 0.0001 and OR = 5.8280; p = 0.0102) and CD8+ TIL (OR = 3.2857; p = 0.0036 and OR = 5.3257; p = 0.0092) showed prognostic value with regard to NMIBC recurrence. Our results suggest that CD3+ and CD8+ TIL are predictive of bladder cancer recurrence in patients with solitary low-grade NMIBC which might facilitate identification of patients with higher risk of recurrence. However, prospective validating studies have to confirm these results before immunohistochemical staining for CD3 and CD8 TIL can be included in the clinical workup of these patients.

Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement Using an Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter placement is usually performed using general or local anesthesia. We present our PD catheter placement experience using an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, which is a regional anesthesia technique. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed 33 patients from our center with ESRD who underwent PD catheter placement using a TAP block between June 2011 and April 2014. RESULTS: The TAP block was successful for 29/33 (87.9%) patients. Four patients (12.1%) had pain at the incision site and required general anesthesia. There were no anesthesia-, surgery- or catheter-related complications. CONCLUSION: ESRD patients have a substantial number of comorbidities that can be negatively influenced by general anesthesia. Because regional anesthesia has no systemic effect, this procedure could be recommended for this group of patients. A TAP block is an effective, safe method and can be used as the principal anesthesia technique for PD catheter placement.

Transurethral incision of the bladder neck in a woman with primary bladder neck obstruction after kidney transplantation.

Voiding dysfunction is frequently seen in the early posttransplant period. Among other causes, this condition can arise due to bladder outlet obstruction. Primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO) is a possible but very rare cause of bladder outlet obstruction. We present the case of a 52-year-old woman who, after kidney transplantation, presented with PBNO. The diagnosis was established based on symptoms, uroflowmetry, and multichannel urodynamics with electromyography. The transurethral incision of the bladder neck was made at the 5- and 7-o'clock position. After the operation, the maximal flow rate was significantly increased, and postvoid residual urine was decreased compared to the preoperative findings. The patient was followed for 5 years, and her voiding improvement is persistent. This is the first reported case of PBNO treated with a transurethral incision of the bladder neck in a posttransplantation female patient.

Bilateral wünderlich syndrome caused by spontaneous rupture of renal angiomyolipomas.

Wünderlich syndrome (WS) is a urological emergency characterized by retroperitoneal hemorrhage. In most cases, bleeding occurs from a renal angiomyolipoma (AML) and may be the first manifestation of the disease. We report a female patient with bilateral WS due to the metachronous rupture of renal AMLs. Because the patient was stable and the tumor was not malignant, treatment was conservative. Follow-up revealed the full recovery of kidney function and the resolution of the hematoma.

Different presentations of renal cell cancer on ultrasound and computerized tomography.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the kidney. The major goal of imaging techniques is to correctly differentiate between benign and malignant renal lesions. We present the cases of six patients with renal masses that were interpreted completely differently based on ultrasound (US) and computerized tomography (CT) findings.From January 1st, 2008 to March 1st, 2014, 307 patients from our center underwent nephrectomy for RCC. In all patients US and CT were performed before the operation.In six patients, the US indicated a focal, solid renal lesion that was interpreted by CT as a cystic lesion (Bosniak II-III). Because discrepancies were evident, renal biopsies were performed. The biopsies revealed RCC in the six patients, all of whom underwent subsequent nephrectomy. All of the patients were confirmed to have macroscopically solid RCC without any cystic components.In most cases, CT is the most accurate diagnostic technique for the clinical diagnostic classification of renal masses. In cases where US characterizes a renal lesion as solid, despite CT findings of a cystic lesion, kidney biopsies are recommended. The 6 cases reported here support our belief that, in diagnostic processes of RCC, these techniques should be complementary used.

Impact of NK cell count on bladder cancer recurrence.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the local NK cell count in patients with recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: The archival paraffin-embedded primary tumor specimens were derived from retrospectively-selected patients, who were treated between 1996 and 2001 for bladder cancer. The study group consisted of 46 patients who developed recurrent disease during their first two post-operative years. The control group consisted of 27 patients who did not develop recurrent disease during their first two post-operative years. Specimens were assessed immunohistochemically with standard "ABC" technique. The frequency of NK cells was expressed as total number, estimated for each tumor by counting the positive NK cells in 10 high-power representative fields. Statistical analysis was done using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Patients with recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in general have significantly higher values of stromal NK cell count than the control group. Patients with single tumor and smaller tumors show a statistically significant difference in NK cell count between study and control group. There also exists a statistically significant difference in stromal NK cell count in patients with clinical stage Ta tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm an association of the bladder wall NK cell count in bladder cancer patients with the natural history of disease. Further well-performed, reproducible, large, prospective investigation stratified by clinical parameters, such as tumor number and diameter, is needed to display the true value of this marker in the clinical work-up of bladder cancer patients.

Significance of uroplakin III expression in recurrence of solitary muscle non-invasive bladder cancer.

Numerous immunohistochemical biomarkers for patients with urothelial bladder cancer have been identified in order to predict their biological behavior. The aim of this present study was to examine the uroplakin III (UPIII) expression in homogenous group of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and to correlate its value with clinico-pathological characteristics of patients and moreover with COX-2 expression and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Tumor specimens from 127 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, divided into two groups: patients who developed recurrent disease during the first five post-operative years (N=78) and patients without recurrent disease during a follow-up of minimum 5 years (N=49), were retrieved for tissue microarrays construction. On paraffin sections, the immunohistochemical analysis of UPIII expression was performed and staining was semiquantitatively evaluated. Expression of UPIII, including luminal, membranous and cytoplasmic one, was found in more than half of the tumors (57%). Specific staining pattern for UPIII was not associated with age and gender of patients, pathological grade, tumor size, disease stage or recurrence of disease. There was no association between UPIII, COX-2 and TILs, except for a negative moderate association between UP and COX-2 in the group of patients without recurrent tumor, and a strong association between UPIII and in the group with tumor recurrence. The present work gives an insight into the very complex mechanisms involved in tumor biology and progression. Moreover, it highlights the importance of further studies that should include multiple molecular markers in models designed to predict the outcome of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Surgical treatment of kidney cancer in elderly.

The aim of this study was to analyze our patients over the age of 70 suffering from kidney cancer that had undergone surgical treatment. During the 2000-2012 period 634 patients with kidney cancer were treated, 197 of whom were over the age of 70. In this group there were 117 (59.4%) men and 80 (40.6%) women. In most of these patients (156 patients--79.2%) the clear cell type of renal carcinoma was diagnosed. According to TNM classification the dominant stages were Tlb in 62 patients (31.8%) and T1a in 48 patients (24.6%). The most common grade was G2 (73 patients--37%). Radical nephrectomy was performed in 103 (52.3%) patients, simple nephrectomy in 86patients (43.7%), enucleation of the tumor and resection of the kidney in 6 (3.1%) patients, while in 2 patients the tumor was inoperable. Early postoperative compli cations developed in 21 (10.8%) patients. They included complications in distant organs in 11 (5.6%) patients and surgical complications in 10 (5.4%) patients. Five patients (2.6%) died during early postoperative period. Surgery is recommended treatment for elderly patients with kidney cancer with complications comparable with those in younger patients.

Lower cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with recurrence of solitary non-muscle invasive bladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: A new modality is necessary to prevent recurrence of superficial bladder cancer after complete transurethral resection because of the high recurrence rate even with current prophylaxis protocols. METHODS: In order to analyze the predictive value of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in recurrence of this disease tumor specimens from 127 patients with solitary papillary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), 78 with recurrent disease and 49 without recurrence during follow up of minimum 5 years, were retrieved for tissue microarrays construction and immunohistochemical analysis. COX-2 expression was scored according to Allred's scoring protocol, while presence of TILs was categorized as absent (no) or present (yes) on whole tissue sections. RESULTS: COX-2 immunoreactivity was presented in 70 (71%), weak in 16% and strong in 55% of cases, while 29 (29%) tumors were negative. TILs were present in 64 (58%) NMIBC, while 44 cases (41%) did not reveal mononuclear infiltration in tumoral stroma. Statistical analysis demonstrated a higher proportion of patients with recurrence in the group with the COX-2 score 0, and lower in the group with score 2 (p=0.0001, p=0.0101, respectively). In addition, a higher proportion of recurrent patients in the group with no TILs, and lower proportion in the group with TILs were found (p=0.009, p=0.009, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed overexpression of COX-2 and presence of TILs as negative predictors. CONCLUSION: Patients with lower COX-2 expression and absence of TILs in NMIBC need to be followed up more vigorously and probably selected for adjuvant therapy. VIRTUAL SLIDE: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1411318819790406.

The association between the recurrence of solitary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes.

AIM: To evaluate whether tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in biopsy specimens are associated with the clinical outcome of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: We retrieved tumor specimens from 115 patients with solitary papillary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treated between 1996 and 2006 and constructed tissue microarrays. Patients were divided in two groups: those with recurrent disease (N=69) and those without recurrent disease (N=46) during the follow up of minimum 5 years. All patients were treated with initial transurethral resection and none received adjuvant therapy. Immunhistochemical staining was performed with anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, and Granzyme B (GrB). The CD4+:CD8+ and GrB+:CD8 ratios were determined. RESULTS: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were predominantly observed within cancer stroma, and only rare individual cells were observed intraepithelially. The group without recurrent disease had lower levels of CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes than the group with recurrent disease (P=0.0001, P=0.0002, respectively). The CD4+:GrB+ and GrB+:CD8+ ratios were significantly higher in patients without recurrent disease (P=0.0002, P=0.039, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study revealed a possible connection between TIL number and bladder cancer recurrence. TIL subset ratio showed different patterns in recurrent and non-recurrent tumors, which is why it could become a useful a prognostic clinical index if our findings are confirmed in randomized trials.

[Retrograde balloon dilatation as a minimally invasive treatment for ureteral stricture]. / Retrogradna balonska dilatacija kao minimalno invazivni oblik lijecenja stenoze uretera.

Ureteral stricture is not a common urologic condition. Balloon dilatation represents one of the least invasive methods for treatment of ureteral strictures. We retrospectively analysed 24 patients with ureteral strictures treated with retrograde balloon dilatation in our department. The etiology of stricture was iatrogenic in 11 (45.8%) patients, post-TBC in one (4.2%), congenital in one (4.2%), retroperitoneal fibrosis in one (4.2%) and unknown in 10 (41.6%) patients. Twelve (50%) patients had a stricture of pelvic, 9 (37.5%) lumbar, and 3 (12.5%) of terminal ureter. In all patients retrograde balloon dilatation has been performed. Only complication related to the procedure was febrility in 4 patients (16.7%). Restrictures were noted in 12 (50%) patients, who consequently have been treated surgically, or had to be stented. Retrograde balloon dilatation, as a safe and relatively effective treatment, is proposed as the first choice in patients with short ureteral strictures.

Penile metastases of prostate cancer.

Prostatic adenocarcinoma metastasizing to the penis is rare. A case of prostatic adenocarcinoma with metastases to the glans penis is presented. In this case, penile metastases developed nine years after the diagnosis of prostate cancer with regional lymph node metastasis.

[The role of CT peritoneography as diagnostic tool in patient on peritoneal dialysis with dialysate leakage]. / Uloga CT peritoneografije u dijagnostici propustanja dijalizata u pacijenta s peritonejskom dijalizom.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be considered as first method for dialytic treatment because improved quality of life and patient survival compared to hemodialysis. The most frequent complications of PD are peritonitis, peritoneal catheter exit site infection and mechanical complications as dialysate leakage. We present a 62 year old female patient with end-stage renal disease caused by poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. One month after laparoscopic placement of peritoneal catheter patient started with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Few weeks after starting the procedure enlargement of anterior abdominal wall close to the exit site of peritoneal catheter was noticed. Enlargement was disappeared after decreasing intraabdominal pressure with lowering volume of dialysate. Also, patient started with automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), but after abdominal straining enlargement of anterior abdominal wall was present again. Computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis with placement of contrast in dialysate (CT peritoneography) was performed. Imaging revealed dialysate leakage from peritoneal cavity to subcutaneous tissue. PD was temporarly stopped, peritoneal catheter removed and hernioplasty was made. After four weeks new peritoneal catheter was implanted and APD was successfully started (without dialysate leakage). CT peritoneography have important role as diagnostic tool for discovering dialysate leakage. If conservative management was unsuccessfull, surgical treatment is necessary.