Is previous experience in laparoscopic necessary to perform robotic radical prostatectomy? A comparative study with robotic and the classic open procedure in patients with prostate cancer

PURPOSE: To assess comparative results of robot-assisted radical laparoscopic prostatectomy (RARP) performed by surgeons without any experience in laparoscopic prostatectomy and the open procedure performed by surgeons with large experience. METHODS: We analyzed 84 patients (50 subjected to robotic surgery) from June 2012 to September 2013. Data were prospectively collected in a customized database. Two surgeons carried out all the RARP cases. These two surgeons and six more performed the open cases. The perioperative outcomes between the two groups were analyzed with a minimum followup of 12 months. RESULTS: The corporal mass index (BMI) was higher in the open group (p=0.001). There was more operatve time, less hospitalization and blood loss, better trifecta and pentafecta and earlier continence (p=0.045) in the robotic group (p=0.001). There was no difference in positive surgical margins but with greater extraprostatic extension in the open group (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is a safe procedure even in the hands of surgeons with no previous experience. Besides this, better operative outcomes can be reached with this modern approach. .

Angiogenic potential of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with high-grade gliomas measured with the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM)

High-grade gliomas are highly vascularized tumors. Neo-angiogenesis plays a key role in tumor growth and resistance to therapy. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample could be a useful way to obtain pro-angiogenic predictive or prognostic markers at different stages of the disease. As a first step we looked for pro-angiogenic activity in the CSF of patients with high-grade gliomas. We performed the chicken embryo chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) assay to study the angiogenic potential of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), obtained either by lumbar puncture (LP) or craniotomy from six patients with high-grade brain tumors (three glioblastoma (WHO grade IV), one anaplastic oligodendroglioma (WHO grade III), two anaplastic ganglioglioma (WHO grade III)), and four healthy controls. Significantly increased neo-angiogenesis was observed on the surface of the growing CAM in the 6 patients with high-grade gliomas compared to controls (3.69 ± 1.23 versus 2.16 ± 0.97 capillaries per area (mean ± SD), p<0.005). There was no statistical difference related to the hystological grade of the tumor (WHO grade III or IV), previous treatment (radio-chemotherapy plus temozolomide, temozolomide alone or no treatment), or the site of CSF sample (surgery or lumbar puncture). Our results suggest a pro-angiogenic potential in the CSF of patients with high-grade gliomas.

Actividad angiogénica comparada de líquido cefalorraquídeo de pacientes con tumores primarios del sistema nervioso central / Compared angiogenic activity of cerebrospinal fluid of patients with primary central nervous system tumors

Introducción: Los tumores cerebrales continúan siendo una patología de mal pronóstico, lo que se refleja en la baja expectativa de vida de quienes los padecen. La angiogénesis es un proceso cardinal en el crecimiento tumoral y en la producción de metástasis. No obstante el conocimiento de los mecanismos subyacentes a la oncogénesis, las terapias continúan obteniendo resultados modestos. Está demostrado que el parénquima tumoral secreta factores que estimulan la cascada angiogénica. Sin embargo, no existen trabajos que evalúen el efecto angiogénico del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR). La hipótesis propuesta en este trabajo es que el LCR de los pacientes con tumores primarios del sistema nervioso central (SNC), posee en sí mismo propiedades angiogénicas. Material y Método: Estudio experimental preclínico. Se utilizó, en ciento ochenta huevos de gallina White Leghorn, el modelo de membrana alantocoriónica (MAC) de pollo. Estos huevos fueron incubados y sobre la membrana se implantaron filtros de metilcelulosa con líquidos cefalorraquídeos de pacientes con diferentes tumores cerebrales. Al grupo control se le adicionó suero fisiológico. Tras diez días de incubación se realizaron cortes histológicos de las muestras y se procedió al conteo de vasos sanguíneos en un microscopio con rejilla graduada. Resultados: Se demostró con significancia estadística (p<0,05) que existe efecto angiogénico en el LCR de pacientes con tumores primarios del SNC. Discusión: A partir de los resultados obtenidos, podemos proyectar futuros trabajos hacia nuevas terapias enfocadas en la angiogénesis diferencial. Los factores angiogénicos presentes en el LCR podrían constituir un nuevo blanco terapéutico contra los tumores cerebrales.

Introduction: Nowadays, brain tumors remains being a poor-prognosis pathology, which is reflected in the low life expectancy of the patients. The angiogenesis, is a fundamental process in the tumoral growing and the metastatic feasibility. In spite of knowing of the underlying mechanism of the oncogenesis, therapies still get poor results. It is demonstrated that tumoralparenchyma secretes factors that enhance the angiogenic cascade. However, any work has ever evaluated the angiogenic effect in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) itself. We hypothesize that CSF belonging of patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) brain tumors, presents angiogenic properties on their own. Material and Method: Preclinical experimental trial. In 180 eggs of White Legorn chicken it was used the chorioallantoic membrane (CAMA) assay. This eggs were incubated for tendays and over the membrane were implanted methylcellulose filters containing cerebrospinal fluid coming from patients affected by different brain tumors. The control group was instilledwith saline solution. It was performed different histological sections of the samples and then proceeded to the counting of the vessels in a microscope with a squared grille inside it. Results:We demonstrated with statistical significance (p<0.05) that CSF from primary brain tumor’s affected patients presents angiogenic effect. Discussion: Owing the presented results, we can plan future investigations targeting new therapies focused on the differential angiogenesis. The angiogenic factors in the CSF could represent a new therapeutic target against brain tumors.

Plasmocitoma solitario de cabeza: presentación de dos casos

Se trata de un tumor de baja frecuencia constituido de células plasmáticas que pueden aparecer a nivel de cabeza y cuello. Estos constituyen menos del 1 por ciento de las neoplasias malignas de esta región. Deben ser diferenciados del mieloma múltiple, lo que puede ser dificultoso porque un variable porcentaje va asociado a un desarrollo más tardío de esta patología. Describimos dos casos de plasmocitoma solitario parietal. La clínica, diagnóstico y los problemas terapéuticos(radioterapia, cirugía o combinación de ambos) son discutidos y revisados en la literatura

Solitary plasmocytoma is a rare plasmactic cell tumor occurring in the head and neck. These constitute, less than 1% of all head and neck malignancies. They must be differentiated from multiple myeloma because a varying percentage may be associated at a later date with the development of multiple myeloma. We describe two cases of plasmocytomas, both in parietal bone. The clinical, diagnosis and therapeutic problems (radiation, surgery or a combination of both) are discussed and reviewed in the literature