Magnetic resonance imaging-guided cryoablation of recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: initial single institution experience.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided cryoablation in patients with previous radical prostatectomy and MRI visualized biopsy-proven local recurrence of prostate adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen postprostatectomy patients (mean 67, 57-78 years) were treated with MRI-guided cryoablation for recurrent prostate carcinoma. Patients were found to have a hyperenhancing nodule using multiparametric MRI with endorectal coil followed by a positive transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy. Of 18 postsurgical patients, 6 had additional salvage external beam radiation with subsequent recurrence. Under general anesthesia and MRI guidance (wide-bore 1.5T MRI), 2-5 cryotherapy probes were placed in or around the recurrence by transperineal approach and cryoablation performed. The patients were stratified into 2 groups: the initial 9 consecutive patients had cryoprobes placed 1 cm apart with 2 freeze-thaw cycles (group 1), and the subsequent 9 patients had cryoprobes placed 0.5 cm apart with 3 freeze-thaw cycles (group 2). RESULTS: In group I, the average preprocedure prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 1.21 ± 1.12 ng/mL, and 1-3 months postprocedure PSA was 0.14 ± 0.11 ng/mL (P <.01). Sixty-seven percent of patients had PSA ≤0.2 ng/mL at 1-3 months follow-up, but only 25% at 4-6 months. No change in impotence or incontinence occurred. In group II, average preprocedure PSA was 2.24 ± 2.71 ng/mL, and 1-3 month postprocedure PSA was 0.08 ± 0.10 ng/mL (P <.05). Eighty-nine percent of patients had PSA ≤0.2 ng/mL at 1-3 months follow-up and at 4-6 months. Complications in group 2 included worsening incontinence in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: MRI-guided salvage cryoablation of postradical prostatectomy prostate cancer recurrence is safe and feasible. Both techniques produce early PSA decrease with more lasting PSA results in the more aggressive group II methodology.

Is en-bloc resection of locally recurrent rectal carcinoma involving the urinary tract indicated?

BACKGROUND: This study investigated morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival after multimodality management of locally recurrent rectal carcinoma involving the urinary tract. METHODS: A total of 82 patients (63 males) were identified during 1987 to 2000. Data sources were a prospectively collected database of intraoperative radiotherapy, institutional tumor registry, and chart review. The median follow-up was 3.3 years and lasted until death or for at least 2 years on all patients. RESULTS: A total of 20 (24%) of 82 patients had resection of urogenital tract structures without reconstruction. Sixty-two patients (76%) underwent reconstruction with ileal conduit (43%), ureteroneocystostomy (15%), or miscellaneous (18%). The mean number of fixation sites was 2.8 (SD, 1.5), and the mean number of organs at least partially resected was 2.6 (SD, 1.3). Eighty percent of patients underwent intraoperative radiotherapy among adjuvant treatments. Postoperative mortality was 2% (2 of 82), and morbidity was 39% (32 of 82), most frequently consisting of neuropathy and urinary leak (6% each). The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 82%, 45%, and 19%, respectively. The median survival was 2.6 years. The number of sites involved was the only survival predictor at multivariate analysis (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A multimodality approach for locally recurrent rectal carcinoma involving the urinary tract carries acceptable morbidity, mortality, and potential for long-term survival. The number of fixation sites correlates with a poorer prognosis.

Sonographically guided percutaneous radio frequency ablation of a renal cell carcinoma in a transplanted kidney.

Radio frequency ablation is an effective treatment for focal renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We report a patient with RCC in a transplanted kidney that was successfully treated with percutaneous sonographically guided radio frequency ablation.

Subjective and objective comparison of critical care pathways for open donor nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: In the era of minimally invasive techniques and cost containment, care pathways after donor nephrectomy are important. While open donor nephrectomy remains the established procedure, questions regarding the surgical approach, postoperative care and patient morbidity/dissatisfaction have surfaced. We compared results of standard and fast-track care pathways after donor nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and August 1999, 60 patients underwent open donor nephrectomy. By surgeon preference, patients received either ketorolac only (31), ketorolac plus morphine spinal (17) or patient controlled anesthesia (12). Data related to surgery, hospital course and cost were reviewed. Patients were surveyed regarding return to daily activities and groups were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean dose per patient was 183 (ketorolac only), 180 (ketorolac plus morphine spinal) and 69 (patient controlled analgesia) mg. Median hospital stay was 2 days for the fast-track pathways (ketorolac only, ketorolac plus morphine spinal) compared to 3 days for the patient controlled analgesia group (p <0.001). Delayed oral intake was seen in 6% of patients on ketorolac only and 3% for those on ketorolac plus morphine spinal compared to 83% of the patient controlled analgesia group (p <0.001). Return to exercise (median weeks, p <0.79) was 2 for the ketorolac only group, 3.5 for ketorolac plus morphine spinal and 3.5 for patient controlled analgesia. Mean global cost was $9,394 for the ketorolac only group, $9,238 for ketorolac plus morphine spinal and $11,601 for patient controlled analgesia (p <0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Fast-track pathways significantly shortened hospital stay and quickened oral intake. Cost was significantly contained using new pathways. Resumption of daily activities was comparable among the groups. Comparisons of critical care pathways are required to optimize patient care after kidney donation. Prospective trials are needed to verify our results.