Prepubertal testicular tumours and efficacy of testicular preserving surgery

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Testicular tumours in childhood are very rare. Historically, most of these tumours have been considered malignant, but more recent studies indicate that benign lesions, particularly teratoma, are much more frequent than previously thought. Testicular tumours in this age group have traditionally been treated with inguinal radical orchiectomy, but more conservative management has been proposed in view of the higher frequency of benign tumours. In children, most testicular tumours are benign, especially before puberty. A testis‐sparing procedure should be performed in children with a palpable testicular mass and negative tumour markers.

OBJECTIVE

? To report our experience of testicular tumours in children aged ≤13 years, including our experience with testis‐sparing surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? A retrospective study was performed of 15 patients with testicular tumours aged ≤13 years who presented at our centre between 1984 and 2008. The use of testis‐preserving surgery according to indication was investigated and outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

? The clinical presentation was increased testicular size with a palpable mass in 80% of the cases. All 15 patients underwent surgery. The tumour was benign in 12 (80%) patients and malignant in three (20%) patients. ? Organ‐preserving surgery was planned and achieved in 11 patients (73%). ? Pathology of the tumourectomy specimens disclosed benign tumours in all cases: four epidermoid cysts, two teratomas, one juvenile granulosa cell tumour, one haemangioma, one lipoma, one fibrous hamartoma and one splenogonadal fusion. ? In four patients who underwent radical orchiectomy, pathology identified one yolk sac tumour (stage I), two mixed germ cell tumours and one gonadoblastoma.

CONCLUSIONS

? In children, most testicular tumours are benign, especially before puberty. A testis‐sparing procedure should be performed in children with a palpable testicular mass and negative tumour markers. ? The lesion, however, should be thoroughly excised to avoid recurrences.     

Leydig cell tumour of the testis: presentation, therapy, long-term follow-up and the role of organ-sparing surgery in a single-institution experience

OBJECTIVE

To report our single‐centre experience of patients with Leydig cell tumour (LCT) of the testis, which represents the most frequent interstitial neoplasm of the testis, and for which the natural history and therapy are debated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1990 and 2006, 37 patients were treated for LCT of the testis. All patients had testicular markers assessed and 21 (57%) had their hormonal profile assessed (total testosterone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and oestradiol). We analysed the symptoms at presentation, laboratory findings, organ‐sparing vs. radical surgery and oncological and symptomatic follow‐up data.

RESULTS

Medical referral was for a testicular mass in 32% of patients, gynaecomastia in 8%, testicular pain in 8%, infertility in 11%, and isosexual pseudo‐puberty in 5%. The mean (range) diameter of the tumour was 16.5 (6–68) mm. Before surgery testosterone levels exceeded the upper limit in a third of patients, while levels were hypogonadal in 19%. Oestradiol levels were increased in 29% of patients. At surgery, 29 patients (78%) had organ‐sparing surgery. The median (range) follow‐up was 4.6 (0.6–16.2) years; no patient had disease relapse. Gynaecomastia was present in two of six patients at the follow‐up, despite pharmacological treatment. Four patients had a low testosterone level.

CONCLUSION

Patients diagnosed with LCT have a good prognosis; this study shows the safety of conservative surgery. Surgical removal of the tumour is not always associated with resolution of symptoms and abnormal laboratory values.     

Routine scrotal ultrasonography during the follow‐up of patients with testicular cancer leads to earlier detection of asynchronous tumours and a high rate of organ preservation

Study Type – Diagnosis (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of patients with asynchronous tumours detected before and after the introduction of scrotal ultrasonography (SUS) during routine follow‐up examinations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Since January 2001 SUS was also used during the follow‐up of patients with testicular cancer. A series of 16 consecutive patients with asynchronous bilateral testicular tumours diagnosed while still complying with routine follow up investigations were identified and divided into two groups; group A was diagnosed by palpation only, before 2001, and group B was diagnosed after 2000. The groups were compared statistically for the interval between asynchronous tumours, clinical stage, tumour diameter at the time of diagnosis and rate of testis‐sparing surgery.

RESULTS

All tumours in group A were diagnosed by palpation, but only two in group B were palpable at the time of diagnosis. The mean tumour diameter was statistically significantly smaller in group B (1.2 cm) than in group A (2.68 cm); testis‐sparing surgery was used in all of group B and only three patients in group A. After organ‐sparing surgery all patients had normal testosterone levels. All patients after organ‐sparing surgery had adjuvant scrotal radiotherapy because of germ cell tumour, and no patient had a local recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that using SUS for the remaining testicle in routine follow‐up visits of patients with testicular cancer leads to the earlier detection of smaller tumours and, consequently, a higher rate of organ preservation. The maintenance of physiological endocrine function might finally result in a better quality of life.     

Testicular lesions other than germ cell tumours: feasibility of testis-sparing surgery

OBJECTIVE

To review all non‐germ‐cell testicular lesions presenting at our institution and to determine the feasibility of testis‐sparing surgery for these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All surgery for testicular masses between June 1995 and June 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with atrophy, germ cell tumours, infection or torsion were excluded. The study comprised men who had radical orchidectomy for suspected germ‐cell tumour but had other final pathology, and those where testis‐sparing surgery was attempted for a presumed benign lesion.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with lesions appropriate for the study were identified; all but one had a palpable lesion. The lesions could be categorized as inflammatory (three hyalinized fibrosis, two sarcoidosis, one chronic inflammation), cystic (one epidermoid cyst, one unilocular cyst), benign neoplasms (two adenomatoid tumours, one Leydig cell tumour, one capillary haemangioma) or malignant neoplasms (one lymphoma). Based on the preoperative impression, testis‐sparing surgery was attempted in eight of the lesions and was successful in six where it was attempted. In the other five, testis‐sparing surgery was not attempted because the preoperative impression was that of a germ cell tumour. Testis‐sparing surgery was successful in only six of the 13 patients with these lesions.

CONCLUSION

Testis‐sparing surgery might be possible if there is significant suspicion of a benign lesion. If frozen‐section analysis is equivocal, a radical orchidectomy is required. Testis‐sparing surgery was feasible in highly selected cases.     

Partial nephrectomy in two patients with known T3a tumours involving the renal vein

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Although nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS) has became accepted therapy for T1 tumours, radical nephrectony is considered the best therapy for T3a tumours involving the renal vein. NSS can be considered in T3a or greater tumours if imperative indications exist, such as bilateral disease or solitary kidney. However, there is little published data on the characteristics of these patients, the impact of surgery on their renal function, and long‐term oncologic outcomes. This study profiles single‐institution experience with nephron‐sparing surgery for known T3a tumours involving the renal vein, including patient characteristics, tumour characteristics, preoperative and follow‐up imaging, preoperative and follow‐up estimated glomerular filtration rate, length of temporary postoperative haemodialysis, and oncologic outcome. Additionally, we compare this to other published data on nephron‐sparing surgery for similar tumors.

OBJECTIVE

• ? To present two patients with T3a tumours involving the renal vein who underwent nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS) for imperative reasons.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent NSS for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with known renal vein tumour thrombus (RVTT).
• ? Both patients underwent open partial nephrectomy and renal vein thrombectomy of a solitary kidney.
• ? Primary outcomes of the study include radiographic evidence of recurrence, haemodialysis requirement and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before and after surgery.

RESULTS

• ? Patient 1 is 24 months from NSS and has no evidence of recurrence based on CT scan. His final pathology revealed a 9‐cm, T3a, clear cell, Fuhrman grade II carcinoma. He spent 42 days on haemodialysis and is now off all dialysis. His preoperative and most recent eGFR are 48 and 23 mL/min/1.73 m² based on the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation and 69.4 and 29.8 mL/min by the Cockcroft–Gault equation.
• ? Patient 2 is 9 months from NSS and has no evidence of recurrence based on CT scan. Her final pathology revealed a 6‐cm, T3a, clear cell, Fuhrman grade II–III carcinoma. She spent 30 days on haemodialysis and is now off all dialysis. Her preoperative and most recent eGFR are 58 and 30 mL/min/1.73 m² based on the MDRD equation and 62.2 and 32.8 mL/min by the Cockcroft–Gault equation.

CONCLUSION

• ? Based on our review, preservation of renal function and favourable oncological outcome can be accomplished with NSS in patients with known stage T3a RCC with RVTT and should be considered in carefully selected patients.

     

Transurethral resection of bladder tumour complicated by perforation requiring open surgical repair – clinical characteristics and oncological outcomes

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Evidence suggests that open repair of a bladder perforation during TURBT may increase the risk of pelvic or distant disease recurrence. The study demonstrates that while bladder violation during TURBT may carry a potential for considerable morbidity, it does not seem to substantially increase the risk of extravesical tumour seeding and disease recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

? To examine the clinical characteristics and long‐term outcomes of patients with bladder perforation requiring open surgical repair as a complication of transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT).

PATIENT AND METHODS

? A search of our institutional database yielded 4144 patients who underwent TURBT from 1996 to 2008, of whom 15 (0.36%) required open surgical intervention to repair a large bladder perforation. ? In all cases, a filling cystogram was performed before laparotomy. Clinical, pathological and follow‐up data were reviewed, and the incidence and time of extravesical tumour recurrence were recorded.

RESULTS

? Median patient age was 77 years. Intraperitoneal perforation was diagnosed in 12 patients, generally involving the posterior wall. Concomitant bowel injury was identified in two patients and managed by primary repair. Two patients in whom the diagnosis and intervention were delayed died within 1 week of surgery. ? Metastatic progression was observed in two patients shortly after the perforation (median interval, 4.8 months), and local pelvic recurrence was noted in one of them. ? None of the patients with stage Ta tumours had evidence of extravesical progression. Actuarial estimates of disease‐free survival at 1, 3 and 5 years after the perforation were 83%, 71% and 41%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

? A significant bladder perforation during TURBT requiring open surgical repair is more likely to occur in elderly patients with large posterior wall tumours and heavily pretreated bladders. ? Despite its potential for considerable morbidity, this adverse event does not seem to substantially increase the risk of extravesical tumour seeding. Prompt diagnosis, immediate intervention and meticulous bladder and bowel inspection during laparotomy are imperative.     

Metachronous renal tumours after surgical management of oncocytoma

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Oncocytoma is a benign renal tumour that cannot be differentiated from renal cell carcinoma radiographically. Follow‐up after surgery for oncocytoma is highly variable and the natural history of surgically treated renal oncocytoma is poorly defined. We sought to assess the risk of metachronous renal tumours in a cohort of patients treated surgically for renal oncocytoma. We report a large cohort of oncocytoma patients following surgical management. This study defines the risk of metachronous renal tumours after surgical treatment of renal oncocytoma. Our findings suggest that patients with metachronous renal tumours after treatment of renal oncocytoma may have a smaller risk of renal cell carcinoma compared with patients presenting with a primary renal mass. Our findings did not support concern for increased risk of renal cell carcinoma following surgical treatment of primary renal oncocytoma.

OBJECTIVE

? To assess the risk of metachronous renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and benign renal tumours after surgical treatment of primary renal oncocytoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? Patients treated for primary renal oncocytoma between 1970 and 2007 were identified. Tumours were reviewed by a urological pathologist and patients were followed for subsequent renal tumours.

RESULTS

? Of 424 patients with a median follow up of 7.1 year, 17 (4.0%) patients were diagnosed with a metachronous renal tumour at a median of 3.0 years (range 0.3–16 years). Of the 17 metachronous tumours, eight were oncocytoma, four were RCC and five were not resected or biopsied. ? Eleven metachronous tumours occurred after solitary unilateral oncocytoma, five occurred after multifocal unilateral oncocytoma, and one occurred after multifocal bilateral oncocytoma. ? Estimated 10‐year tumour‐free and RCC tumour‐free survival was 94.8% and 98.7%, respectively. Patients with primary multifocal oncocytoma were at higher risk of metachronous tumour (hazard ratio 4.0; P = 0.007). Initial oncocytoma size (hazard ratio 1.1; P = 0.11) was not highly associated with risk of tumour recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

? To our knowledge, we report the largest cohort of oncocytoma after surgical management. Metachronous renal neoplasm in a patient with previous oncocytoma is more likely to be benign compared with patients who present with a renal tumour for the first time. Multifocal primary oncocytoma is associated with metachronous renal tumours. ? Overall, the risk of metachronous RCC in a patient with an oncocytoma is similar to that of the general population, which does not support the use of routine cross‐sectioning imaging surveillance.     

Organ-sparing surgery is the treatment of choice in benign testicular tumors

Purpose

Ablation of the testis has been the reference standard for malignant and benign testicular tumors in the past. Nowadays, an organ-sparing surgery (OSS) can be attempted in special cases. Removal of a testis for a benign lesion should be avoided. In this retrospective survey, we analyze the results and long-term follow-up of OSS in benign testicular tumors.

Methods

Charts of all patients that underwent OSS because of a benign testicular tumor between 1999 and 2011 at our department were searched and the data from patients were collected. Before surgery, all patients underwent ultrasound (US) and complete staging. Surgery was performed under US or palpation guidance. Frozen-section examination of the tumor and tumor bed biopsies was obtained. All patients underwent postoperative follow-up. We retrospectively reviewed surgical technique, histology, epidemiology, and outcome in all patients.

Results

In the study period, 40 benign testicular tumors were surgically removed in 37 consecutive patients. Definitive histology did not report of any malignant histopathologic features in all patients. All patients are free of disease after a mean follow-up of 63 months (range 10–120). During this period, two patients developed a second leydig cell tumor (LCT) on the contralateral side; another patient had a second LCT within the same testicle, but on the opposite pole. All patients underwent a subsequent organ-sparing tumor resection.

Conclusions

An overtreatment for benign testicular tumors should be avoided. Our initial results indicate that OSS in benign tumors is a safe, feasible treatment for patients.     

Single-institution experience with primary tumours of the male urethra

OBJECTIVE

To assess primary tumours of the urethra in males.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our database from 1986 to 2006 for primary tumours of the male urethra; nine patients with primary tumours of the urethra were analysed and follow‐up information was obtained.

RESULTS

Three patients had tumours of the prostatic urethra, two of which had proliferating focal inflammation and one a low‐grade, superficial urothelial cancer. All patients were treated successfully with transurethral resection. Six patients had carcinoma of the bulbar or penile urethra, including two with previous local percutaneous radiotherapy for prostate cancer. All had primary surgical excision that was adapted to tumour location and extension. One patient had adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. All but one patient remain recurrence‐free after a median follow‐up of 20 months.

CONCLUSION

Primary carcinoma of the male urethra is a rare entity. Previous radiotherapy might be a predisposing factor. Local surgical tumour control is essential for long‐term survival, but the extent of surgery depends on tumour location and stage. Multimodal therapy might be required to obtain an optimum oncological outcome.     

Extracorporeal high intensity focused ultrasound for renal tumours: a 3‐year follow‐up

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether primary extracorporeal high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is safe, feasible and effective for managing small renal tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Although surgery currently remains the standard treatment for localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the increasing incidence of small renal cancers has led to a shift towards nephron‐sparing surgery, with associated morbidity in 20–25% of cases, and minimally invasive ablative therapies present an alternative management. HIFU results in ‘trackless’ homogenous tissue ablation and when administered via an extracorporeal device, is entirely noninvasive. The study comprised 17 patients (mean tumour size 2.5 cm) with radiologically suspicious renal tumours who underwent extracorporeal HIFU using the Model‐JC System (Chongqing HAIFU^TM, China), under general anaesthesia with one overnight hospital stay. Real‐time diagnostic ultrasonography was used for targeting and monitoring. Patients were followed with a clinical review and gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging at 12 days and every 6 months for a mean of 36 months. The outcomes measures were patient morbidity and oncological efficacy of HIFU treatment.

RESULTS

Of the 17 patients, 15 were treated according to protocol; two procedures were abandoned due to intervening bowel. There were no major complications related to HIFU. Radiological evidence of ablation was apparent at 12 days in seven of the 15 patients. Before the 6‐month follow‐up one patient had surgery due to persisting central enhancement. Fourteen patients were evaluated at the 6‐month follow‐up; eight tumours had involuted (mean 12% decrease in tumour area). Four patients had irregular enhancement on imaging and had alternative therapies. Ten patients remain on follow‐up at a mean (range) of 36 (14–55) months after HIFU (mean 30% decrease in tumour area). There was central loss of enhancement in all.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal HIFU achieves stable lesions in two‐thirds of patients, with minimal morbidity, and might be appropriate in selected cases. Further trials with accurate histological follow‐up are essential to fully evaluate this novel technique.     

Towards the definition of the best management and prognostic factors of teratoma with malignant transformation: a single‐institution case series and new proposal

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

? To investigate the optimal management and prognostic factors of patients with malignant transformation (MT) in germ‐cell tumour (GCT) by re‐evaluating Institutional series.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? Patients with an MT within GCT have been identified from the institutional database and all slides have been reviewed by the referral pathologist.

RESULTS

? From June 1982 to October 2009, 48 patients and 13 somatic histologies have been identified. Twelve patients presented with stage I, 12 with stage II and 24 with stage III disease. All stage I patients are alive and disease‐free after a median follow up of 88 months (interquartile range 38–103). ? Of the 36 metastatic cases, 11 underwent GCT‐oriented chemotherapy plus surgery and seven of them are currently disease‐free. Three patients underwent MT‐chemotherapy, one relapsed and is still under treatment. Overall, 17 patients relapsed (35%) and three of them have been rescued by GCT‐chemotherapy. Five‐year overall survival was 100% for stage I, 80% (95% CI 40–94) for stage II and 44% (95% CI 19–67) for stage III patients. Stage III disease at MT, incomplete surgical removal and primitive neuroectodermal tumours plus adenocarcinoma histologies were significant adverse prognostic factors for survival.

CONCLUSIONS

? New insights emerged into the impact of histology and chemotherapy on MT. The development of an adenocarcinoma component as well as the possible efficacy of a GCT‐tailored chemotherapy in a multimodal strategy are addressed for the first time, while disease extent at transformation and extent of radical surgery are confirmed as significant prognosticators. ? An international web database for registration of all cases of MT worldwide is presented.     

Carcinoid tumours of the testis

OBJECTIVE

To review previous reports of carcinoid (an endocrine tumour mostly of the gastrointestinal tract) tumours of the testis.

METHODS

Carcinoid tumours of the testis are rare and can be divided into primary carcinoid (group 1), testicular metastasis from another location (group 2) and carcinoid within a testicular teratoma (group 3). A case of testicular carcinoid within our clinic prompted us to review previous reports; all the cases found were assessed for patient and tumour characteristics, diagnostic tools used, treatment and prognosis.

RESULTS

In all, 62 cases were assessed and divided into groups 1 (44 patients), 2 (six) and 3 (12), respectively. Seven patients in group 1 developed metastases. A wide variety of diagnostic tools was used to search for other tumour sites. All patients were treated with orchidectomy. Three patients with a primary carcinoid were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (two) or radiotherapy (one), with unknown results. All but one of the nine patients who died were known to have metastasis, either from a primary testicular carcinoid or testicular metastases from an intestinal carcinoid.

CONCLUSION

When a testicular carcinoid tumour is discovered, other tumour sites should be excluded. The most useful diagnostic tools for this purpose seem to be urinary 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid measurement, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, computed tomography and video‐capsule endoscopy. Localized testicular carcinoid tumours have an excellent prognosis after orchidectomy.     

Bilateral vs unilateral laparoscopic intrafascial nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy: evaluation of surgical and functional outcomes in 457 patients

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Bilateral nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy still represents an issue for urologists as the indications to perform it depend oft from the personal clinical experience. Moreover, until now data concerning bilateral and unilateral laparoscopic nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy have been limited. This study states that bilateral laparoscopic intrafascial nerve‐sparing technique results in superior functional outcomes when compared with unilateral nsLRP and it suggests to prefer a bilateral nerve‐sparing technique in younger patients with low‐risk, organ‐confined prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the surgical and functional outcomes in bilateral and unilateral nerve‐sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (nsLRP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2005 and May 2009, 457 nsLRP were performed at our clinic. In all, 250 patients underwent a bilateral nsLRP and 207 patients underwent an unilateral nsLRP. One surgeon performed all the operations. All patients presented at biopsy a localized prostate cancer. Demographic data and perioperative and postoperative measurements and outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

The operative times for bilateral nsLRP and unilateral nsLRP were 165 ± 45 min and 130 ± 25 min, respectively. The mean intra‐operative blood loss was 450 ± 300 mL and 270 ± 160 mL in the bilateral and unilateral nsLRP groups with a transfusion rate of 3% and 1%, respectively (P= 0.013). Conversion to open surgery was never deemed necessary. Postoperatively, the mean Gleason Score after nsLRP and distribution of tumour stages was similar in the two groups, and the frequency of positive margins in both groups did not present any statistically significant difference. At 12 months, a complete continence was reported in 97% of patients who underwent a bilateral nsLRP and in 88% of patients of the unilateral nsLRP group. At that time, 69% in the bilateral nsLRP and 43% in the unilateral nsLRP groups reported the ability to engage in sexual intercourse.

CONCLUSION

The bilateral laparoscopic intrafascial nerve‐sparing technique results in superior functional outcomes with regard to urinary continence and sexual potency, when compared with unilateral nsLRP, reporting similar oncological outcomes.     

Survival after partial and radical nephrectomy for the treatment of stage T1bN0M0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the USA: a propensity scoring approach

Study Type – Therapy (cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Partial nephrectomy has become the standard of care for T1a renal tumours, and the application of nephron‐sparing techniques has increasingly been expanded to patients with localized T1b cancers. However, the relative efficacy of partial versus radical nephrectomy for these medium‐sized tumours has yet to be definitively established. This study employs a propensity scoring approach within a large US population‐based cohort to determine that no survival differences exist among patients with T1b renal tumours undergoing partial versus radical nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES

• ? To compare survival after partial nephrectomy (PN) vs radical nephrectomy (RN) among patients with stage TIb renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using a propensity scoring approach.
• ? Propensity score analysis is a statistical methodology that controls for non‐random assignment of patients in observational studies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry, 11 256 cases of RCCs of 4–7 cm that underwent PN or RN between 1998 and 2007 were identified.
• ? Propensity score analysis was used to adjust for potential differences in baseline characteristics between patients in the two treatment groups.
• ? Overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) of patients undergoing PN vs RN was compared in stratified and adjusted analysis, controlling for propensity scores.

RESULTS

• ? In all, 1047 (9.3%) patients underwent PN. For the entire cohort, no difference in survival was found in patients treated with PN as compared with RN, as shown by the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for OS (1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–1.36) and renal‐CSS (HR 0.91; 95% CI: 0.65–1.27).
• ? When the cohort was stratified by tumour size and age, no difference in survival was identified between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

• ? Even when stratified by tumour size and age, a survival difference between PN and RN in a propensity‐adjusted cohort of patients with T1b RCC could not be confirmed.
• ? If validated in prospective studies, PN may become the preferred treatment for T1b renal tumours in centres experienced with nephron‐sparing surgery.

     

Pathological tumour diameter predicts risk of conventional subtype in small renal cortical tumours

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether pathological tumour diameter assists in predicting conventional vs other histological subtypes in renal cortical tumours (RCTs) of ≤4 cm diameter.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 393 patients from Columbia University’s Comprehensive Urologic Oncology Database who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy between 1988 and 2005 and had RCTs of ≤4 cm were analysed. Logistic regression analysis using tumour diameter as a continuous variable was used to determine whether size predicted histological subtype. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to estimate the likelihood of having conventional histology based on diameter.

RESULTS

The median patient age at surgery was 64.3 years and median tumour diameter was 3 cm, In all, 256 (65.1%) of the RCTs were conventional subtype and 137 (34.9%) were nonconventional. Logistic regression analysis showed that for every 1 cm increase in diameter up to 4 cm, the RCT was 1.27 times more likely to be conventional (P = 0.020). The ORs showed that a 4‐cm RCT was 2.06 times more likely to be conventional than tumours of 0.6–1.5 cm.

CONCLUSION

There was a positive association between RCT diameter and the risk of having conventional renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Given that RCC histological subtype is a prognostic indicator for outcome, these findings may be applied in the selection of treatment options. Further studies investigating tumour size and other variables predictive of tumour histology will help clinicians better predict the RCC subtype.     

Delayed proximal ureteric stricture formation after complex partial nephrectomy

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? As the indications for nephron sparing surgery continue to evolve, so do the potential complications. This study examines a rare but likely underreported complication of nephron sparing surgery in order to better counsel and treat patients with complex renal tumours.

OBJECTIVE

• ? To report and review our incidence of delayed ureteric stricture (US) after complex nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? Using our institutional kidney cancer database, we identified 720 patients who underwent NSS from 1 January 2000 until 31 December 2010 and identified eleven (1.5%) patients with a delayed US.
• ? Patient and tumour characteristics were reviewed.

RESULTS

• ? Median (range) tumour size and RENAL nephrometry score was 4.1 (2–7.2) cm and 10p (4–11p), respectively.
• ? There were eight of 10 solitary tumours (80%) located in the lower or mid‐pole of the kidney.
• ? There were eight of 11 patients with delayed US (72.7%) who experienced a postoperative urinary leak.
• ? There were two of 11 (18.2%) patients who experienced a postoperative retroperitoneal haemorrhage, with one of these patients requiring selective embolization.
• ? All US were in the upper third of the ureter and were diagnosed at a minimum of 10 weeks postoperatively (median 154 days, range 70–400 days).

CONCLUSIONS

• ? US formation is an uncommon and under‐reported event after complex NSS.
• ? Risk factors appear to include tumour complexity, imperative indications, mid‐ or lower pole location, postoperative urinary leak and haemorrhage.
• ? Although uncommon, postoperative US can occur after NSS for complex renal masses, necessitating patient counselling and diligent postoperative surveillance.

     

Biopsy-confirmed de novo renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in renal grafts: a single-centre management experience in a 2396 recipient cohort

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The renal cell carcinoma incidence among renal transplant recipients is approximately 0.5%; however, a significant increase in the number of RCC in renal grafts can be expected in the forthcoming years due to the increase in donor age and in renal graft survival. Our findings support evidence that radiological screening of kidney recipients allows the detection of small tumors for which a conservative management by nephron sparing surgery or nonsurgically destructive techniques can be proposed with mid‐term oncological safety. Systematic tumor biopsy may also help in the management and treatment decision.

OBJECTIVE

? To study the natural history of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) development in renal grafts and their management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? We report a single‐centre series of de novo RCC in allografts from a cohort of 2396 consecutive renal transplant recipients.

RESULTS

? In all, 17 RCCs were detected in 12 patients, representing 0.5% of kidney recipients. ? The mean patient age was 55 years and the time to RCC diagnosis since transplantation was 13 years. The mean diameter of the RCC was 23 mm. ? Biopsies were taken in all cases. Concordance between biopsy and surgical specimens was 100% for nuclear grade and pathological type. ? Four graft removals were performed and six patients underwent nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS). Two cryoablations were performed. ? Overall, nine papillary RCC, five clear cell carcinomas, and one chromophobe cell carcinoma were removed surgically. The mean follow‐up was 43 months. One local recurrence was reported in a patient treated by NSS.

CONCLUSIONS

? Our findings support evidence that radiological screening of kidney recipients allows the detection of small tumours for which a conservative management by NSS or non‐surgically destructive techniques can be proposed with mid‐term oncological safety. ? Systematic tumour biopsy may help in the management and treatment decision. ? Several questions remain unanswered such as the importance of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in the chemoprevention of the recurrence and the genetic cell origin of RCC in renal grafts.     

Changes in the stage and surgical management of renal tumours during 1995-2005: an analysis of the Dutch national histopathology registry

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in the pathological characteristics, stage of primary renal tumours and their surgical management in the Netherlands during the period 1995–2005.

METHODS

Extracts from the records of all patients who had surgery for primary renal tumours in the Netherlands during the period 1995–2005 were reviewed. Data were collected from PALGA, the nationwide network and archive of histocytopathology. The 2002 Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis and the three‐tier Fuhrman grade were used for staging and grading.

RESULTS

In all there were 12 471 operations for primary renal masses during the study period. The incidence of surgically removed renal cancers increased from 6.2 in 1995 to 7.5 cases per 100 000 inhabitants (P = 0.005) in 2005. The mean (sd , median) age of the patients was 63.3 (11.9, 65.0) years, with a male‐to‐female ratio of 3:2. The mean (sd ) tumour size of malignant tumours decreased from 7.3 (3.6) to 6.9 (3.7) cm (P = 0.301). The percentage of benign removed tumours remained relatively stable (P = 0.056), with a mean of 5.4% of all resected tumours. There was an increase of grade 1 tumours; the incidence of T1 tumours increased from 36.6% to 44.2%, and advanced tumours decreased from 46.4% to 33.7%, respectively. The percentage of nephron‐sparing surgery increased from 3.5% in 1995 to 10.1% (P = 0.003) in 2005, mainly in the T1a tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

During the last decade there was an increase in the incidence of surgically treated renal tumours in the Netherlands. Tumours with favourable histopathological characteristics, low stage and grade, accounted for most of this increase. The percentage of surgically removed benign tumours remained stable. The use of nephron‐sparing surgery increased during the last decade, especially in T1a tumours.     

Prognostic variables to predict cancer-related death in incidental renal tumours

OBJECTIVE

To identify, in a large multicentre series of incidental renal tumours, the key factors that could predict cancer‐related deaths, as such tumours have a better outcome than symptomatic tumours and selected patients are increasingly being included in watchful‐waiting protocols.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 3912 patients were extracted from three international kidney‐cancer databases. Age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis (TNM) stage, tumour size, Fuhrman grade, and final pathology were recorded. Benign tumours and malignant lesions with incomplete information were excluded from final analysis.

RESULTS

The mean (sd ) age of the patients was 60.6 (12.2) years and the mean tumour size 5.5 (3.5) cm. Most tumours were malignant (90.2%) and of low stage (T1‐T2, 71.7%) and low grade (G1‐G2, 72.4%). There were nodal and distant metastases in 5.7% and 13% of the patients. In all, 525 (14.4%) patients died from cancer; in this group, tumours were >4 cm in 88.2% and had nodal or distant metastases in 20.2% and 49.3%, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that tumour size >4 cm, ECOG PS ≥1, TNM stage and Fuhrman grade were independent predictors of cancer‐related death.

CONCLUSION

A significant proportion of incidental renal tumours can lead to the death of the patient. Standard prognostic variables for renal cell carcinoma appear to remain valid for this subset of patients. A watchful‐waiting strategy should not be recommended if the tumour diameter is >4 cm, if biopsy confirms high‐grade tumours, or if there is an impaired ECOG PS, or computed tomography findings suggest the presence of advanced T stage.     

Reduced bladder tumour recurrence rate associated with narrow‐band imaging surveillance cystoscopy

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)
Level of Evidence 2b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Narrow‐band imaging cystoscopy is a new imaging modality developed to enhance conventional standard white‐light cystoscopy to evaluate bladder tumors. The current paper suggests that fulguration of low‐risk papillary bladder tumours using NBI cystoscopy results in fewer subsequent tumour recurrences than fulguration using standard cystoscopy. How, or if, NBI cystoscopy will become integrated into routine management of non‐invasive bladder tumours remains for further study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate frequency of recurrences among patients with papillary bladder tumours followed sequentially with conventional white‐light (WLI) cystoscopy and narrow‐band imaging (NBI) cystoscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cohort of 126 patients with recurrent low‐grade papillary bladder tumours were followed every 6 months for 3 years by conventional WLI cystoscopy, and then over the next 3 consecutive years by NBI cystoscopy. Recurrent tumours detected were treated by outpatient fulguration or transurethral resection. We compared the tumour recurrence rate during follow‐up with WLI and NBI cystoscopy, using patients as their own controls.

RESULTS

Of the 126 patients, 94% had tumour recurrences during WLI cystoscopy vs 62% during NBI cystoscopy. The mean number of recurrent tumours was 5.2 with WLI cystoscopy vs 2.8 with NBI cystoscopy, and the median recurrence‐free survival time was 13 vs 29 months (P= 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Compared with follow‐up with WLI cystoscopy, NBI cystoscopy was associated with fewer patients having tumour recurrences, fewer numbers of recurrent tumours, and a longer recurrence‐free survival time.