Staging of transitional cell carcinoma: Has anything changed?

OBJECTIVE: This article is a systematic review of various changes in the evolution of the contemporary clinico-pathological staging of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A thorough search of the literature was done by Medline and other internet references. RESULTS: Accurate staging of TCC is necessary for designing optimal therapy in clinical practice. Further, the current emphasis on bladder conservation and improved long-term disease free survival (DFS) necessitates minimal errors in staging and it's predictability towards recurrence and progression. Traditionally, the staging of TCC revolves around clinical and pathological findings. The staging has evolved through the understanding of various clinico- pathological factors like tumor appearance, number, size, grade, depth of invasion, muscle substratification, lymphovascular invasion and has reached the standard TNM classification. Cystoscopy and transurethral resection still remain the mainstay of staging and noninvasive imaging techniques have further enhanced the accuracy. CONCLUSION: The TNM classification for bladder cancer is currently the gold standard for TCC.

Outcome of radical prostatectomy as primary treatment for high-risk prostate cancer patients.

CONTEXT: Recently, there has been considerable interest in the role of radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with high-risk prostate cancer. AIMS: The objective of our study is to report the outcome of upfront RP in our patients with high-risk prostate cancer (Stage ≥ cT2c, a pre-operative serum prostate specific antigen >20 ng/ml or a biopsy Gleason score [GS] 8-10). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2010, 208 patients of prostate cancer (high risk category D'Amico's criteria) underwent open RP with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data was statistically analyzed using Kaplan Meier method and log rank test to calculate progression free, metastasis free survival (MFS) and cancer specific survival (CSS). Furthermore multivariate analysis (MVA) was carried out using SPSS 14 software. (IBM company). RESULTS: At 7 and 10 years, prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) was found to be 79.7% and 65%, respectively, biochemical recurrence free survival (BRFS) was 42.4% and 36.7%, respectively and the MFS was 71.1% and 64.4% respectively. High GS was highly predictable of PCSS, BRFS and MFS. Node positivity was the single poor risk factor on MVA whereas biopsy GS, pStage (P = 0.016) and seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0.045) had statistical significance in predicting the MFS. CONCLUSIONS: RP provides accurate pathologic staging of patients with high risk prostate cancer, allows better stratification of patients for further adjuvant therapy and either as an initial approach or part of a multimodal regimen, can provide durable local control and provides excellent CSS.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) status in renal cell carcinoma patients with polysomy of chromosome 7.

We investigated 40 cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to study the polysomy 7 status in papillary and clear-cell types (nonpapillary RCC) and relationship with clinical, pathological, and biological features such as grade, stage, tumor proliferation rate (PCNA expression) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) expression and thereby to understand the prognostic significance of polysomy 7 and EGFr expression. In a prospective study, chromosome 7 copy number was analyzed in tumor cells by using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with an alpha-satellite DNA probe for chromosome 7. Both proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and EGFr expression were examined in paraffin sections by immunostaining. The relationship between clinicopathological and clinicobiological parameters was evaluated by appropriate statistical methods. Polysomy 7 was present in 100% of papillary and 56.2% of clear-cell types RCC. In clear-cell RCC, in comparison with polysomy 7-dominant (D) category (20-50% polysomy-7 cells), polysomy 7-major (M) category (>50% polysomy 7 cells) was associated with higher tumor grade (P = 0.05). Polysomy 7 was also correlated with stage of the disease (P = 0.006). The PCNA index ranged between 12.8-89.6% and was comparatively high in high-grade tumors (P = 0.001). The PCNA index was also correlated with polysomy 7 (P = 0.002), and the association was stronger in tumors with polysomy M versus polysomy D category (P = 0.02). The EGFr expression did not correlate with either grade, stage, PCNA, or polysomy 7. The correlation of polysomy 7 with less favorable prognostic factors such as higher tumor grade, stage, and higher proliferative index in the present study indicates that polysomy 7 might be used as a prognostic predictor in clear-cell RCC. Evaluation of clinical end points will confirm the prognostic potential of the genetic marker polysomy 7 in our study.

Is bladder conservation feasible? An Indian experience.

With the introduction of chemotherapy in the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancers, endeavors at improving disease-free survival/overall survival are ongoing. As high objective response rates were seen with MVAC/CMV regimens (M-methotrexate, V-vinblastine, A-adriamycin, C-cisplatin) organ conservation is being attempted. A phase II protocol was designed using MVAC as the initial therapy. Based on the response to two cycles all patients were evaluated and where possible the bladder was preserved. Twenty-nine patients completed the protocol and had a median follow-up of 24 months. Complete response (CR) was noted in 7/29 (24.1%) of patients, while 11/29 (38%) had partial response (PR) and 11/29 (38%) showed no response (NR). Bladder conservation was possible in 15/29 (51.7%) patients initially with the use of radiation therapy after the initial chemotherapy. Ten of these patients are presently alive with their bladders intact. Three patients died of distant disease, two with normal bladders and one with local relapse. Two of the other patients required salvage cystectomy and are alive and disease-free. All complete responders 7/7 (100%) and 5/11 (45%) partial responders could have their bladders conserved. Three of 11 partial responders who refused radiotherapy and 11/11 non-responders underwent radical cystectomy after initial chemotherapy. Subset analysis indicates that low stage and grade tumours had the highest likelihood of bladder preservation, and there was no difference in overall survival in the groups according to response criteria. As our study consists of a small number of selected patients, it would be improper to draw firm conclusions. However, it seems that initial chemotherapy selects out a subset of patients with a good prognosis and the chance for bladder conservation.

Metastatic adenocarcinoma in testis presenting as a testicular mass--a case report and review of literature.

Testicular metastasis presenting as a testicular mass is an extremely rare condition. There are only nine previously reported cases where testicular mass was the first clinical manifestation of underlying malignancy. Here we report a case of metastatic mucin secreting adenocarcinoma in testis presenting as a testicular mass with unknown primary. We have given a brief review of literature about the spread of tumor to testes.

Bladder leiomyoma in pregnancy: a case report.

We herein report a rare case of an asymptomatic bladder mass seen during pregnancy in a young woman. A hypogastric mass was detected at antenatal checkup in the 7th month of pregnancy. The mass increased in size as the pregnancy went to term. Three months after normal delivery, she underwent surgery and a tumor arising from the bladder wall was excised completely. Histology showed a symplastic leiomyoma.

Extra-adrenal non-functioning paraganglioma.

Extra-adrenal non-functioning retroperitoneal paragangliomas are rare tumors. We herein report a case of retroperitoneal tumor which posed a diagnostic and management problem. Review of the literature shows only 16 previously reported cases of extra-adrenal paraganglioma which underwent complete surgical excision.

Primary papillary adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicle.

This paper describes a papillary adenocarcinoma solely confined to the seminal vesicle, in a 26 year old male. Imaging techniques and operative findings revealed an enlarged seminal vesicle, harboring a grossly papillary and friable tumor. Strict criteria for diagnosis have been applied, in this unusual case. The young age and unusual location of this papillary adenocarcinoma prompted us to report this case.

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of prostate in an adult--a diagnostic dilemma.

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate is a rare. Highly malignant tumour. The median age of occurrence is five years, but sporadic cases have been reported in adults' To the best of our knowledge, till date, fewer than ten cases have been reported of which only two are above the age of sixty years. We report a case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of prostate in a patient more than sixty years of age. If one is not aware of this entity, one can make a mistake in the diagnosis as well as treatment.

Synchronous bilateral parotid metastases from renal cell carcinoma. A case report.

An unusual case of bilateral synchronous parotid metastases from renal cell carcinoma presenting seven years after nephrectomy is reported. The patient underwent bilateral superficial parotidectomy and is alive free of disease three and half years after the metastatectomy.

Superficial bladder cancer. A 10 year experience.

A total of 236 patients - 198 males and 38 females with superficial bladder cancer (stage A(TaT1)) were treated with transurethral resection of the tumours. Intravesical chemotherapy (84 patients) or immunotherapy (27 patients) was added in those patients considered to be at high risk of developing local recurrences or stage progression. The five and ten years survival in the single tumour group (117 patients) were 86 percent and 72.9 percent as compared to 72.5 percent and 70.7 percent respectively in the multiple tumour group (119 patients). The five and ten year survival rates for grade I tumours were 88.3 percent and 86 percent respectively, for grade II tumours 80.8 percent and 64 percent and for grade III tumours 56.9 percent and 46 percent respectively. The impact of tumour grade on survival was found to be independent of the number of tumours. The response rates to intravesical thiotepa was 54.9 percent mitomycin 60 percent and with BCG 71.5 percent. All the three reduced the local recurrence rates and increase the mean interval to recurrence but the stage progression rate was significantly lowered only with intravesical BCG. In our study, we have used the Danish strain of BCG available to us and have found it to yield response rates comparable to other centres using Tice or Pasteur strains.

Primary carcinoma of fallopian tube--a case study.

Primary carcinoma of fallopian tube is a rare entity. We report an interesting case of primary carcinoma of fallopian tube with contralateral lymph node involvement. The clinicopathological findings and its management is presented.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of prostate: a rare site of primary extranodal presentation (a report of two cases).

We report two cases of primary extranodal lymphoma of the prostate, an unusual site for extranodal presentation. The clinical presentation and treatment is discussed.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma deciduoid or anaplastic variant? A point to ponder.

A case of peritoneal meosthelioma displaying unusual morphology, occurring in a 53 years old woman is described. The role of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy in the evaluation of this tumour is stressed. The appropriate terminology to be used and possible etiologic factor are also discussed.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma deciduoid or anaplastic variant? Point to ponder.

A case of peritoneal mesothelioma displaying unusual morphology, occurring in a 53 year old woman is described. The role of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy in the evaluation of this tumor is stressed. The appropriate terminology to be used and possible etiologic factor are also discussed.

[Interstitial curietherapy in penile carcinoma. Preliminary study]. / Curiethérapie interstitielle dans le carcinome pénien. Etude préliminaire.

Eight patients of histologically proven penis carcinoma treated by Iridium-192 implant are reported. The tumours were T1 in 2 patients, T2 in 5 patients and T3 in 1 patient. Groin status was N0 in 4 patients and N1-2A in 4 patients (fine needle aspiration cytology was negative in the latter 4 patients). Six patients achieved complete local control with excellent cosmetic result with follow-up ranging from 6 to 24 months. One patient who had local failure was salvaged by partial penis amputation, and one patient was lost to follow-up (LTFU). None of the patients developed groin nodes.