Tumor banks: the cornerstone of basic research in urology

PURPOSE: Tumor banks have the primary responsibility for collecting, cataloging, storing and disseminating samples of tissues, cells and fluids, which are used by researchers to identify diagnostic molecular markers, prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets. The objective of this review was to describe a simple, reliable and reproducible protocol for obtaining and storing samples of urological tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urogenital tumor tissues were collected by the surgeons from the Urology Division of University of Sao Paulo Medical School. The obtained surgical specimens were immediately placed in liquid nitrogen, dry ice or in a tube containing RNAlater ®, and then stored by cryopreservation (-80°C). A mirror fragment was fixed in 10 percent formalin processed routinely and embedded in Paraplast®. RESULTS: We developed a protocol for the collection, cataloging, storage, conservation and use of tumor samples. During a period of one year the Urological Tumor Bank of the Urology Division stored 274 samples of prostate, bladder, kidney, penis and testicle tumors of different histological types, 74 urine and 271 serum samples. CONCLUSIONS: Having biological materials characterized and available along with the clinical patient information provides an integrated portrait of the patients and their diseases facilitating advances in molecular biology. It also promotes the development of translational research improving methods of diagnosis and cancer treatment.

Reunión Conjunta de la Sociedad Argentina de Cancerología (SAC) y la Sociedad Argentina de Cirugía Laparoscópica (SACIL) / Joint meeting of the Argentine Society of Cancerology and the Argentine Society of Laparoscopy Surgery

Las Sociedades Argentina de Cancerología y Argentina de Cirugía Laparoscópica se reunieron en la Asociación Médica Argentina para tratar el tema: Cirugía Laparoscópica en el carcinoma del ovario. El tema es controvertido, las indicaciones de la cirugía laparoscópica resultan muy precisas y por lo tanto limitadas aún en manos experimentadas.

Treatment of severe actinic rectitis

Background: The authors report the treatment of three female patients with severe actinic rectitis, with stenosis of perforation, submitted to anterior proctosigmoidectomy and transanal coloanal anastomosis. methods: In all cases surgery consisted of total proctosigmoidectomy, mucosectomy of the anal canal, lowering of the left colon through the pelvis and tansanal anastomosis performed manually at the level of the pectineal line using separate absorbable sutures. A protective intestinal shunt was performed in all cases. Results: The three patients did not present transoperative or immediate postoperative complications, but the first patient developed deep venous thrombosis of the leg that was submitted to successful clinical treatment. The intestinal shunts were later closed in all three cases. Sphincter function was considered very good in the first case and regular in the remaining two. Conclusion: The surgical technique utilized was considered to be adequate for the cases reported and is the first option for the maintenance of transit in patients with severe actinic rectitis since the anastomosis is performed using non-irradiated colon with the pectineal line, practically outside the pelvis.