Tobacco use and its determinants in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy in West African countries.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients from industrialised countries. In West Africa, few data concerning tobacco consumption exist. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of the International Epidemiological Database to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) network in West Africa was conducted. Health workers administered a questionnaire assessing tobacco and cannabis consumption among patients receiving antiretroviral treatment. Regular smokers were defined as current smokers who smoked >1 cigarette per day for >or=1 year. RESULTS: Overall, 2920 patients were enrolled in three countries. The prevalence of ever smokers and regular smokers were respectively 46.2% (95%CI 42.8-49.5) and 15.6% (95%CI 13.2-18.0) in men and 3.7% (95%CI 2.9-4.5) and 0.6% (95%CI 0.3-0.9) in women. Regular smoking was associated with being from Côte d'Ivoire or Mali compared to Benin (OR 4.6, 95%CI 2.9-7.3 and 7.7, 95%CI 4.4-13.6), severely impaired immunological status at highly active antiretroviral treatment initiation (OR 1.5, 95%CI 1.1-2.2) and history of tuberculosis (TB; OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.1-3.0). CONCLUSION: There are marked differences in smoking prevalence among these West African countries. This survey approach also provides proof of the association between cigarette smoking and TB in HIV-infected patients, a major public health issue in this part of the world.

Surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease: a comparative study between the open and laparoscopic approaches.

OBJECTIVE: Given the demonstrated effectiveness of medical treatment together with the eminent acceptance of the laparoscopic approach, the indications of surgery in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are currently subject to continuous controversy. To participate in this debate, we have the following work hypothesis: "The results of the 360 masculine short and floppy laparoscopic fundoplication are superior to those of open surgery". CLINICAL DESIGN: Prospective, clinical, non-randomized study. PATIENTS: Our work was developed between November 1991 and December 1998 by means of a prospective, non-randomized clinical rehearsal with two groups of patients: Group I (n = 75): 360 degree short and floppy laparoscopic fundoplication in Hospital Dr. Peset, Valencia (Spain). Group II (n = 28): 360 degree short and floppy, open fundoplication in Hospital General, Valencia (Spain). We evaluated the preoperative parameters and found no differences, which allows us to know that both groups were comparable. RESULTS: The analysis of peroperative results (morbidity and surgical time) and of clinical follow-up (every three months and later annually) and instrumental follow-up (TEGD, upper digestive endoscopy, pHmetry and manometry) show no differences, while the postoperative analysis shows statistically significant (s.s.) differences regarding recovery (pain, oral intake, hospital stay and return to previous activities). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the 360 degree short and floppy laparoscopic fundoplication are similar to those of the open approach, but favor the former approach with a better postoperative tolerance.

Cirugía de la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico: estudio comparativo entre los abordajes abierto y laparoscópico / Surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease: a comparative study between the open and laparoscopic approaches

Objetivo: en la actualidad, dada la efectividad demostrada del tratamiento médico junto con la eminente aceptación del abordaje laparoscópico, las indicaciones de la cirugía en el tratamiento de la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico son causa de continua controversia. Para participar en este debate, nos planteamos la siguiente hipótesis de trabajo: "Los resultados de la funduplicatura de 360° corta y holgada por vía laparoscópica son superiores a los de la vía abierta". Diseño clínico: estudio clínico prospectivo no aleatorizado. Pacientes: el trabajo se desarrolló entre noviembre de 1991 y diciembre de 1998, mediante un ensayo clínico prospectivo no aleatorio de dos grupos de pacientes: -Grupo I (n = 75): funduplicatura de 360°, corta y holgada por laparoscopia en el Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset de Valencia. -Grupo II (n = 28): funduplicatura 360°, corta y holgada por vía abierta en el Hospital General Universitario de Valencia. Comparamos, sin hallar diferencias, los parámetros preoperatorios lo que nos permite conocer que los dos grupos son homologables. Resultados: el análisis de los resultados peroperatorios (morbilidad y tiempo quirúrgico) y del seguimiento clínico (a los tres meses y posteriormente de forma anual) e instrumental (TEGD, endoscopia digestiva alta, pHmetría y manometría) no demuestran diferencias; mientras que en el postoperatorio inmediato existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas (e.s.) en lo referente a la recuperación (dolor, tolerancia, estancia y reincorporación a las actividades previas). Conclusiones: los resultados de la funduplicatura de 360° corta y holgada por vía laparoscópica son similares a los de la vía abierta, beneficiándose la primera de una mejor tolerancia postoperatoria

Objective: given the demonstrated effectiveness of medical treatment together with the eminent acceptance of the laparoscopic approach, the indications of surgery in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are currently subject to continuous controversy. To participate in this debate, we have the following work hypothesis: "The results of the 360º short and floppy laparoscopic fundoplication are superior to those of open surgery". Clinical design: prospective, clinical, non-randomized study. Patients: our work was developed between November 1991 and December 1998 by means of a prospective, non-randomized clinical rehearsal with two groups of patients: -Group I (n = 75): 360° short and floppy laparoscopic fundoplication in Hospital Dr. Peset, Valencia (Spain). -Group II (n = 28): 360° short and floppy, open fundoplication in Hospital General, Valencia (Spain). We evaluated the preoperative parameters and found no differences, which allows us to know that both groups were comparable. Results: the analysis of peroperative results (morbidity and surgical time) and of clinical follow-up (every three months and later annually) and instrumental follow-up (TEGD, upper digestive endoscopy, pHmetry and manometry) show no differences, while the postoperative analysis shows statistically significant (s.s.) differences regarding recovery (pain, oral intake, hospital stay and return to previous activities). Conclusions: the results of the 360° short and floppy laparoscopic fundoplication are similar to those of the open approach, but favor the former approach with a better postoperative tolerance

Beta-blockade and exercise capacity in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to determine whether beta-blocker treatment (atenolol) improves cardiopulmonary exercise performance and ventilatory response in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. METHODS: A prospective study comparing the results of cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) was performed before and after atenolol therapy in 17 patients in NYHA classes I and II with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed pre-study, and left ventricular diameters, ejection fraction and mitral valve area monitored. CPETs (Naughton protocol) were performed by two different investigators before and after one-week atenolol therapy (50 mg/day). The second investigator was blinded to the result of the baseline test. O2 consumption, CO2 production, ventilatory parameters and respiratory exchange ratios were measured on line. RESULTS: Maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) did not differ significantly before and after beta-blockade (median 16.8 and 15.0 ml/kg/min, respectively. Median heart rate at rest (72 versus 55 beats/min; p = 0.0003) and during peak exercise (153 versus 105 beats/min; p = 0.0003), and anaerobic threshold (10 versus 8.9 ml/kg/min; p = 0.02) were lower with beta-blockade compared with the baseline state. Minute ventilation at maximum exercise (41 versus 40 l/min) and ventilatory equivalent for CO2 (34 versus 35) were unchanged with atenolol therapy, indicating no improvement in ventilatory performance. When patients were grouped into those in whom VO2max was improved with atenolol therapy (n = 7) and those in whom it was impaired (n = 10), there were no inter-group differences with respect to age, left ventricular function, severity of mitral stenosis, NYHA class and grade of beta-blockade reached. Four patients felt symptomatically worse during atenolol treatment (lower NYHA functional class). CONCLUSION: Beta-blockade does not improve exercise tolerance in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. In addition, ventilatory performance does not change with treatment.

Recent improvements in outcome for elderly patients with de novo acute myeloblastic leukemia.

A retrospective analysis was performed on 263 consecutive patients aged over 60 with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosed in a single institution between 1979 and 1998. Eighty-nine patients (33%) received only palliative treatment, while 174 patients (67%) were treated with different intensive chemotherapy regimens. The 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) for the whole series was 7.7+/-1.2 and 4.3+/-1.6%, respectively. For patients receiving chemotherapy, OS was 10.5+/-2.5 and 7+/-2.6%, while for those patients receiving supportive treatment it was 1.1+/-1.1 and 0%, respectively (P=0.002). Within the group of patients receiving chemotherapy, the complete remission (CR) rate was 46%; treatment failure rate was 54% (36% due to treatment-related mortality and 18% due to resistant disease). Variables influencing CR rate were FAB subtype, CD7 positivity, chemotherapy regimen, creatinine level, hepatomegaly, and period of diagnosis. Median disease-free survival (DFS) duration was 8.4 months with a probability of being disease-free at 10 years of 10+/-5%. There were no significant differences in DFS according to age. According to the period of diagnosis (1979-1986 vs. 1987-1998), improvements in the CR rate (27 vs. 56%, P=0.0002), and OS (10.9 vs. 15.7 months, P=0.0007) were observed. This large single-center study of unselected de novo AML elderly patients substantiates the progressive improvement achieved in the management of elderly patients with AML, probably due to an improvement in supportive care and the administration of conventional induction chemotherapy.

Complicaciones de la cirugía laparoscópica / Complications in laparoscopic surgery

Introducción. La gran difusión de la cirugía laparoscópica y la adaptación de los cirujanos a la misma ha supuesto la aparición de nuevas complicaciones que deben ser perfectamente conocidas para poder evitar en lo posible las causas que las desencadenan. Objetivos. En el presente trabajo se pretende analizar las complicaciones que pueden darse en la cirugía laparoscópica, tanto las inherentes a la técnica laparoscópica en sí como a las propias de cada una de las técnicas que son aplicadas para el tratamiento de las distintas afecciones. Material y métodos. Se realiza una revisión de la bibliografía a la vez que se revisa la experiencia del Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital Dr. Peset desde la puesta en marcha de esta nueva forma de abordar los problemas quirúrgicos. Resultados. Se analizan los resultados obtenidos con las distintas técnicas empleadas en cirugía biliar, gastroesofágica, cólica, etc., haciendo hincapié en la manera de evitar las complicaciones propias de esta forma de aplicar la técnica quirúrgica. Conclusiones. La cirugía laparoscópica se encuentra en pleno desarrollo aunque aún son limitadas las indicaciones en las que se acepta de forma universal su utilización. Es necesario que las tasas de morbilidad sean iguales o inferiores a las de cirugía convencional para que los pacientes se beneficien de las ventajas que comporta esta cirugía menos agresiva (AU)

Absence of platelet response after eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with the correction of thrombocytopenia in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We have analysed the response to eradication of H. pylori in a series of 56 adult patients with chronic ITP. Forty patients had H. pylori infection (71%) that was eradicated in 23 of 32 evaluable patients (72%). Platelet counts did not significantly vary according to H. pylori treatment outcome. Three of 56 patients (5%) achieved a partial response attributable to H. pylori eradication. Therefore, detection of H. pylori infection should not be routinely included in the initial work-up of ITP.

Tratamiento laparoscópico de la coledocolitiasis / Laparoscopic treatment of choledocholithiasis

Introducción. La total aceptación de la colecistectomía laparoscópica ha supuesto un cambio de estrategia a la hora de tratar la litiasis de la vía biliar principal, introduciendo un debate en la comunidad quirúrgica. Objetivos. En el presente trabajo intentamos ofrecer una visión de cuáles son las opciones terapéuticas de las que dispone el cirujano para el tratamiento de la coledocolitiasis (coledocotomía, colecistectomía laparoscópica más esfinterotomía endoscópica, etc.), cuál es la técnica por la que apuestan los autores y una breve descripción de la misma. Resultados. Se comentan los resultados obtenidos en 89 pacientes intervenidos en este grupo de trabajo dignosticados de coledocolitiasis. Discusión. Se analizan las distintas técnicas y la valoración comparativa que hacen los autores de ellas (AU)

Cutaneous promyelocytic sarcoma at sites of vascular access and marrow aspiration. A characteristic localization of chloromas in acute promyelocytic leukemia?

Extramedullary disease (EMD) is a rare clinical event in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Although the skin is involved in half of the reported EMD cases, the occurrence of cutaneous promyelocytic sarcoma (PS) has been described very rarely. We report here three cases of PS which have the peculiarity of appearing at sites of punctures for arterial and venous blood and marrow samples (sternal manubrium, antecubital fossa, wrist over the radial artery pulse, catheter insertion scar). At presentation, all patients had hyperleukocytosis and a morphologic diagnosis of microgranular acute promyelocytic leukemia variant confirmed at the genetic level by demonstration of the specific chromosomal translocation t(15;17). A BCR3 type PML/RARa transcript was documented in the two patients for whom diagnostic RT-PCR was available. Patients had morphologic bone marrow remission at the time the PS appeared. A predilection for the development of cutaneous PS at sites of previous vascular damage has been noted, but the pathogenesis remains largely unknown. A potential role for all-trans retinoic acid has been advocated, although one of the three patients in our series had received no ATRA. A review of the literature revealed six similar cases and hyperleukocytosis at diagnosis was a consistent finding in all of them. A careful physical examination of these particular sites in the follow-up of patients at risk, as well as cutaneous biopsy and laboratory examination of suspected lesions are strongly recommended.

Aspectos diagnósticos y terapéuticos de las lesiones de mama no palpables. Estudio en 160 biopsias / Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of nonpalpable breast lesions. A study of 160 biopsies

Introducción. La prevención del cáncer de mama se realiza mediante el diagnóstico precoz detectando mamográficamente lesiones no palpables que deben ser valoradas para determinar la precocidad diagnóstica y el tipo de tratamiento.Pacientes y método. Tras seleccionar a los pacientes con criterios mamográficos y citológicos se realizaron 160 biopsias (0,65 por ciento de 24.500 mamografías de detección) utilizando aguja-guía de Kopans y Homer, en general de forma ambulatoria, con sedación y anestesia local. Se empleó el diagnóstico histológico de cáncer como patrón-base de los datos estadísticos.Resultados. El 46,87 por ciento de las lesiones biopsiadas fueron microcalcificaciones. La sensibilidad y la especificidad del sistema diagnóstico fue de 0,73 y 0,60, respectivamente. Se detectaron 84 cánceres (valor predictivo positivo: 52,5 por ciento; relación benigna/maligna de las biopsias: 0,9/1); 67 (79,76 por ciento) infiltrantes y 17 (20,24 por ciento) in situ, de los que 68 (80,94 por ciento) se encon traban en estadios 0 y I y 16 (19,96 por ciento) en estadio II. Fueron tratados con tumorectomía ampliada más axilectomía 50 pacientes (59,52 por ciento) y 12 (14,28 por ciento) con quimioterapia.Conclusiones. El impacto del diagnóstico precoz de las lesiones de mama no palpables disminuye la necesidad de tratamientos oncológicos y permite la terapia conservadora, promoviendo la aceptación a la detección y mejorando la calidad de vida de la mujer (AU)

Laparoscopic choledochotomy in the management of choledocholithiasis. A report of 32 cases.

OBJECTIVE: we describe a choledochotomy technique for the laparoscopic removal of calculi in the management of choledocholithiasis, with an analysis of the results obtained in our first 32 patients. METHODS: a prospective study was made of all patients who underwent laparoscopic choledochotomy in our surgical service in the period between December 1993 and December 1996. A total of 112 patients diagnosed as having choledocholithiasis were operated on in our service in the course of the study. Of the 54 patients who initially underwent laparoscopic surgery, 32 underwent cholecystectomy, choledochotomy, extraction of stones and laparoscopic choledochorrhaphy. RESULTS: in 30 patients (93.75%) laparoscopic surgery could be completed without resorting to open surgery; in 5 of these patients primary choledochorrhaphy was performed, and in the remaining patients suturing was performed on a Kehr T-tube. Mean surgical time was 176 min. Two slight complications (one acute gastric dilatation and one small biliary fistula) and one severe complication (bowel fistula) were recorded. Mean hospital stay was 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: choledocholithiasis was successfully managed with laparoscopic choledochotomy and the extraction of stones, with no increase in morbidity or mortality in comparison to other therapeutic modalities.

[Lymphocyte subsets in blood donors]. / Subpoblaciones linfocitarias en donantes de sangre.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the normal values among the different lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood, measured by surface antigen expression, in healthy population. To observe if there are potential differences in respect of age, gender or sample origin. To compare the absolute lymphocyte number obtained with flow cytometry and with a cellular counter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal and prospective study performed with 100 samples of blood donors. Direct immunofluorescence with triple color staining was made on whole blood, red blood cells were then lysed and samples were analysed with a flow cytometer. The lymphocyte subsets studied were the T lymphocytes and their subsets (CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes), the B lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells population. The absolute lymphocyte count was performed with an automatic cellular counter. Donor data such as age, gender and origin were recorded and were statistically analysed. RESULTS: Normal ranges from the studied parameters are similar to other series. Comparison with gender, origin or age groups gave no significant difference, although there seems to be a tendency to decrease with the ageing of the population. Total absolute lymphocyte number did not differ between the results from the cellular counter or from the flow cytometer. CONCLUSIONS: We found no differences in the absolute lymphocyte number nor in the lymphocyte subsets studied (T lymphocytes, CD4 lymphocytes, CD8 lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and NK cells) with respect to gender, age or sample source. We have established reference ranges for our laboratory. We have not found significant differences in the absolute lymphocyte number measured with cell counter or with flow cytometer.

P-glycoprotein expression and prognostic value in acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Drug resistance has become a major cause of treatment failure in patients with acute leukemia. P-glycoprotein (Pgp), which is associated with the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype, has been reported to be an important predictor of treatment outcome. The aim of this study was to analyze the value of Pgp expression in bone marrow or peripheral blood as a predictor of the response to remission induction chemotherapy as well as the duration of remission in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined the expression of Pgp in 82 patients with de novo AML using an immunocytochemical assay with the C219 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: Twenty-seven of the 82 patients (33%) were C219-positive in from 1% to 100% of their cells. Thirteen cases (16%) showed a positive reaction in more than 50% of the leukemic cells. Only hyperleukocytosis was significantly associated with higher expression of Pgp. Although 8 of the 13 cases (62%) with more than 50% of cells having Pgp expression were CD34-positive, this association was not statistically significant. A univariate analysis of resistance to induction therapy showed a significantly higher resistance rate in patients with increased Pgp expression (P = 0.01) as well as in those patients with decreased reactivity to myeloperoxidase. The multivariate analysis revealed the independent prognostic value of Pgp expression. C219 reactivity did not have an influence on remission duration. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that P-glycoprotein expression is a reliable marker of resistance to induction treatment in patients with de novo AML.

Laparoscopic reconstruction of intestinal continuity following Hartmann's procedure.

Laparoscopy-guided reversal of Hartmann's procedure was performed in eleven patients who had been treated surgically for inflammatory disease or cancer of the colon. Restoration of intestinal continuity was achieved in ten of them. There were no postoperative complications. The mean surgical time was 144 minutes and the mean duration of postoperative ileus was 48 hours (range: 30 to 60 hours). The mean hospital stay was 7 days. Our results suggest that laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's procedure is safer than and as effective as open surgery.

Early results of laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the immediate and early postoperative results obtained in patients subjected to laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective, observational cohort study was initiated in January 1993, involving 50 patients subjected to laparoscopic resection for colorectal adenocarcinoma (rectal amputation in 10 cases, lower rectal resection in 13, recto-sigmoidectomy in 18, and miscellaneous colectomies in 9 cases). Seventy-percent of the tumors were in IUCC stages II and III. Mean follow-up was 21 months. RESULTS: Conversion to open surgery was required in 18 cases (36%). Intraoperative problems were limited to a single urethral lesion, while postoperative complications were recorded in 11 patients (22%), and were managed conservatively: a urinary fistula secondary to the aforementioned urethral lesion; subclinical dehiscence of the anastomosis (2 cases); phlebitis (1 case); infection of the surgical wound (4 cases), and urinary and pulmonary infection (1 case each). There were no differences between converted surgery (i.e., conventional laparotomy) and those operations completed endoscopically (with a final assisted or combined minilaparotomy) in terms of the length of the surgical resection piece, the length of the distal margin of the specimen or the number of lymph nodes. Global hospital stay ranged from 9-12 days, versus 5-7 in the group without complications. Global survival is 78% at 42 months, with a disease-free interval of 53% at this time. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic colorectal resection presents an incidence of intra- and postoperative complications characteristic of major surgery, with no differences in surgical specimen size with respect to those operations converted to laparotomy. Global survival is similar to that reported in the literature for open surgery.

[Detection of the PML/RAR alpha rearrangement in acute promyelocytic leukemia using a reverse PCR method]. / Detección del reordenamiento PML/RAR alpha en la leucemia promielocítica aguda mediante un método de PCR reversa.

AIMS: This study describes a molecular method of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the rearrangement PML/RAR alpha in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) in order to assess its specificity and sensibility, and to evaluate its utility in the characterization of APL patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January and June of 1995, 64 samples of bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) cytapheresis were studied. There were 58 APL samples (23 patients: 10 samples obtained with disease activity, 43 samples in complete remission (CR) and 5 PBSC samples) and 6 control samples, of non-APL hematological neoplasms (3 other AML, 1 CML, 1 ALL, and 1 MDS). On the RNA obtained from the isolated mononuclear cells of each sample a conserved region of the PML/RAR alpha fusion gene was amplified by using a RT-PCR with specific primers. RESULTS: The sensitivity assays were performed by diluting PML/RAR alpha positive RNA samples into RNA of controls. The RT-PCR assay was capable to detect the PML/RAR alpha until an 1/1000 dilution in negative control RNA. Nine out of 58 APL samples failed in the amplification of the control gene, and were considered non-evaluable. None of the 6 control samples showed PML/RAR alpha rearrangement. Nine out of 10 APL samples with disease activity were positive for the presence of PML/RAR alpha (the non-positive sample was a non-evaluable one). Six out of 43 APL samples in CR showed the rearrangement, 3 of them corresponding to 2 patients who posteriory relapsed 12 and 19 months after 1st CR. The other 3 positive samples came from other 3 APL patients (24 months in 3rd CR, 14 months in 1st CR and early CR), who remained in CR at the end of the study. No relapse could be noted in patients with negative PCR samples. PML/RAR alpha was not found in any of the 5 APL PBSC samples studied. CONCLUSIONS: The RT-PCR method described here seems to be highly specific as it only detects this rearrangement in LPA patients. Furthermore, the presence of PML/RAR alpha in CR patients could be related to relapse. For all these reasons, this molecular method shows great usefulness and can be advocated, not only for assessing diagnosis, but for as monitoring minimal residual disease in the post remission follow up.

Value of deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy and nuclear morphometry for prediction of disease progression in renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: A retrospective study was performed on 108 patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (pT1 to 3a N0M0) to determine whether ploidy and nuclear morphometry are independent predictive factors in addition to stage and grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content was analyzed by flow cytometry and nuclear morphometry characterized by 5 nuclear descriptors. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify significant prognostic factors for disease progression. RESULTS: A model combining tumor stage and grade, DNA ploidy and nuclear minor axis was chosen as optimal with risk of disease progression increased with increasing tumor stage and grade, DNA aneuploidy and increasing nuclear minor axis. CONCLUSIONS: This improved ability to predict disease progression in localized renal cell carcinoma may have important clinical use.