Combination of en bloc transurethral resection with laparoscopic partial cystectomy for paraganglioma of the bladder.

INTRODUCTION: Paraganglioma of the bladder is an extremely rare tumor, and special attention should be paid to elevation of blood pressure during tumor resection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old woman presented with elevation of blood pressure during thoracic surgery. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging revealed a bladder tumor, and noradrenalin levels were elevated in plasma and urine. The tumor was surgically removed by en bloc transurethral resection with laparoscopic partial cystectomy of bladder tumor. The margin of the tumor was easily identified, and perioperative blood pressure was stable. There was no evidence of residual tumor, local recurrence, or distant metastasis during 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, we report the first case of paraganglioma of the bladder resected by a minimally invasive and safe procedure: combination of en bloc transurethral resection and laparoscopic partial cystectomy.

Percutaneous cryoablation for stage T1b renal cell carcinoma in a patient with horseshoe kidney.

We report the first case of percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) for stage T1b renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a horseshoe kidney (HK). A 76-year-old man with an HK underwent computed tomography-guided PCA for RCC measuring 42 mm (stage T1b) in diameter. Although transcatheter embolization before the PCA and hydrodissection were required to avoid complication and incomplete ablation, PCA was successfully performed without complication. The complete ablation was confirmed on computed tomography images 1 month after the procedure. There was no recurrence or metastasis during 2 years of follow-up. We believe this is the first report of PCA for stage T1b RCC in a patient with HK. This technique can be performed without regard to tumor size and location and may be considered as a treatment option to avoid complex surgery.

Anatomical localization and clinical impact of sentinel lymph nodes based on patterns of pelvic lymphatic drainage in clinically localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although sentinel lymph node in prostate has been generating renewed interest, its significance remains controversial due to inadequate evidence. METHODS: We reviewed a prospective cohort of 50 consecutive patients with intermediate- to high-risk localized prostate cancer who had undergone laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy by fluorescence detection using intraoperative imaging with indocyanine green and backup extended pelvic lymph node dissection were conducted prior to prostatectomy. Intraoperative and pathological findings were elaborated and compared for confirmation. RESULTS: Sentinel lymph nodes were successfully identified in 47 patients (94%). A median of four sentinel lymph nodes was detected per patient. Lymph node metastasis was confirmed in six patients (12%), all of whom had positive sentinel lymph nodes. Three typical pathways of lymphatic drainage related to sentinel lymph nodes from the prostate were recognized. Ninety-one percent of the positive sentinel lymph nodes (10/11) were located at two predominant sites along these characteristic lymphatic pathways. One site was the junctional nodes, located at the junction between internal and external iliac vessels. The other was the distal internal iliac nodes, located along the inferior vesical artery. CONCLUSIONS: Over 90% of positive sentinel lymph nodes were identified at two predominant sites. Priority should be given to the removal of these sentinel lymph nodes, which are located closer to the prostate, in pelvic lymph node dissection. Particular attention should be paid to identifying these nodes to reduce the possibility of overlooking lymph node metastasis.

[A Case of Metastatic Tubulocystic Carcinoma of the Kidney Treated with Molecularly Targeted Therapy].

A 51-year-old man who presented with gross hematuria and back pain was found to have a right renal mass accompanied with lung and osseous metastases. The patient underwent transabdominal right nephrectomy. The histopathological examination revealed the tumor to be tubulocystic carcinoma of the kidney. After the patient received sunitinib therapy, contrast enhanced computed tomography revealed that the metastatic tumor size was stable in the bone and decreased in the lung. Unfortunately, 9 months after nephrectomy, bone scintigraphy revealed an increase in the size of the metastatic tumor in the bone. The patient's condition worsened gradually, and he died 15 months after the surgery.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization with a Mixture of Absolute Ethanol and Iodized Oil for Poorly Visualized Endophytic Renal Masses Prior to CT-Guided Percutaneous Cryoablation.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the feasibility of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using a mixture of absolute ethanol and iodized oil to improve localization of endophytic renal masses on unenhanced computed tomography (CT) prior to CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation (PCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our institutional review board approved this retrospective study. From September 2011 to June 2015, 17 patients (mean age, 66.8 years) with stage T1a endophytic renal masses (mean diameter, 26.5 mm) underwent TAE using a mixture of absolute ethanol and iodized oil to improve visualization of small and endophytic renal masses on unenhanced CT prior to CT-guided PCA. TAE was considered successful that accumulated iodized oil depicted whole of the tumor edge on CT. PCA was considered successful when the iceball covered the entire tumor with over a 5 mm margin. Oncological and renal functional outcomes and complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: TAE was successfully performed in 16 of 17 endophytic tumors. The 16 tumors were performed under CT-guided PCA with their distinct visualization of localization and safe ablated margin. During the mean follow-up period of 15.4 ± 5.1 months, one patient developed local recurrence. Estimated glomerular filtration rate declined by 8 % with statistical significance (P = 0.01). There was no procedure-related significant complication. CONCLUSION: TAE using a mixture of absolute ethanol and iodized oil to improve visualization of endophytic renal masses facilitated tumor localization on unenhanced CT, permitting depiction of the tumor edge as well as a safe margin for ablation during CT-guided PCA, with an acceptable decline in renal function.

Digestive Tract Complications of Renal Cryoablation.

We report a case each of duodenorenal and colorenal fistula that arose after computed tomography-guided percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) for renal cell carcinoma and use imaging and endoscopic findings to analyze their causes and mechanisms. Both complications occurred though the edge of the iceball did not touch the intestinal wall, and patients' symptoms and fistula formation occurred several days after the PCA procedure. Based on imaging and endoscopy findings, we suspected the colorenal fistula resulted from bowel injury caused by ischemia from the occlusion of small vessels at the procedure's low temperature. Both cases were resolved conservatively without surgical intervention.

A CASE OF ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE EPIDIDYMIS WITH HYDROCELE.

A 72-year-old man presented with left scrotal swelling. The patient was diagnosed with left testicular hydrocele and underwent the hydrocele aspiration. However, it recurred within a short period. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor in the epididymis and the patient then underwent left high orchiectomy. The histopathological examination revealed an adenocarcinoma of the epididymis. Ten months after the surgery, the patient has been free of disease.

Shrinkage of prostate volume in sunitinib-treated patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Sunitinib is widely used to treat patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma; however, its influences on the prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms remain unclear. To investigate the influence of sunitinib on clinical findings of urinary tract, we recruited a total of 20 male patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who are treated with sunitinib. We evaluated clinical findings during clinical visits over 24 weeks: International Prostate Symptom Score, urine flow rate, residual urine volume, serum prostate-specific antigen level and prostate volume. Residual urine and prostate volumes were significantly decreased at Week 24. The residual urine volume was especially decreased in patients with a high residual volume at baseline. No differences were observed in the International Prostate Symptom Score total score, International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life score, maximal urinary flow rate or prostate-specific antigen level. We observed a reduction in prostate volume and an improvement in urinary symptoms through relief from urinary tract obstruction during sunitinib treatment. Careful attention to urinary functions and drug dose adjustment seems to be necessary in patients with comorbid benign prostatic hyperplasia or dysuria.

[Emphysematous pyelonephritis and cystitis concurrence; A case report].

We report a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis coexisting with emphysematous cystitis. A 57-year-old woman seen for abdominal pain, diarrhea, and high fever had been referred after computed tomography (CT) elsewhere had shown an air density mass in the left kidney and pelvis. Abdominal CT on admission showed emphysematous change in the left renal parenchyma and intramural bladder. Serum analysis results showed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and uncontrolled diabetes. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated in the blood. She was diagnosed with sepsis based on these findings due to concurrent emphysematous pyelonephritis and cystitis caused by K. pneumoniae. She was treated conservatively with meropenem, intravenous immunoglobulin, and gabexate mesilate and cured. Concurrent emphysematous cystitis and pyelonephritis is rare., with ours only the fourth case reported in Japan.

[A case of recurrent metastatic testicular cancer, successfully treated with paclitaxel, ifomide and cisplatin].

A 30-year-old man was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and underwent a radical orchiectomy. Pathological diagnosis was a mixed type nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. We diagnosed him as having stage I testicular cancer and decided to forgo adjuvant therapy. After 8 months of follow-up, he was admitted to our department because of brain, lung, and spleen metastases. Since the serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was present at a high level at 1,297 ng/ml, he was given combination chemotherapy consisting of 3 cycles of PEB, cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin and one cycle of PE, cisplatin and etoposide. Because of the decline in lung diffusing capacity, the administration of bleomycin was stopped in the final course. However, the AFP level remained above 14 ng/ml. Then he was given one more cycle of VIP therapy (etoposide, ifosfamide, cisplatin), but the serum AFP level was increased to 56 ng/ml. Then, two cycles of chemotherapy with paclitaxel, ifosfamide and cisplatin were administered as salvage chemotherapy, which led to a normalization of the serum AFP level, and disappearance of the brain and spleen metastases. Residual lung mass was resected at the surgical department, and microscopically no viable tumor cells remained. Three years after his final hospitalization, the patient has had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis.

[Radiation therapy for bone metastasis from renal cell carcinoma with emphasis on local control].

If bone metastasis of renal cell carcinoma is neglected, pain, paralysis, and pathologic fracture develope; consequently, the patient's quality of life is significantly lowered. We investigated the local effect of the radiation therapy to the patients with metastasis. The investigation targeted 22 cases (27 parts) of renal cell carcinoma with bone metastasis that were treated with radiation therapy in our hospital during the last 6 years. We analyzed cell type, presence or absence of organ metastasis, irradiated site, therapeutic dose, treatment period, and combination therapy. The object was classified into 2 groups by metastatic site: the group with metastasis in the vertebra, and the group of metastasis in the pelvis or long bones. We examined re-calcification rate, length of time to recalcification emergence, pain relief and duration of effect as therapeutic effects. The irradiated site was vertebra in 14, pelvis in 7, and long bone in 6 patients. The therapeutic dose was 15 to 50 Gy, and the average was 35.7 Gy. No difference was found in the re-calcification rate and length of time to recalcification according to the metastatic site. The pain relief effect was significant in the pelvis and long bone group compared to the vertebra group. The effect lasted longer when the radiation dose was 35 Gy or more, compared with a lower dose. The radiation therapy for renal cell carcinoma with bone metastasis was effective to relieve pain and improve the patients' quality of life. The results showed that early detection and recognition of bone metastasis provide local control.

Percutaneous cryoablation of renal cell carcinoma guided by horizontal open magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Cryoablation is a treatment option for some patients with small exophytic lesions of the kidney. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility, safety, and intermediate-term treatment outcome of percutaneous cryoablation of renal cell carcinoma guided by horizontal open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: We prospectively used cryoablation to treat 13 patients with radiographically confirmed enhancing small, solid renal tumors (< or =4.8 cm). An argon gas-based cryoablation system was used. One to four cryoprobes with 2 or 3-mm diameters were placed percutaneously into the tumor under local anaesthesia and MRI guidance. Ice ball dimensions were monitored by 2-D MR images. Double freeze-thaw cycles were conducted throughout the procedure. After successful cryoablation, patients were followed on a regular basis to evaluate the treatment's clinical outcome. RESULTS: Median follow up from time of procedure is 35 months (range, 28-42). In all cases the entire procedure was accomplished without significant morbidity or complications. A mild retroperitoneal hematoma, which subsided spontaneously, was noted in one patient. Follow-up dynamic computed tomography (CT) at 3 months after operation confirmed the absence of enhancement in resolved tumor masses for 11 of 13 cases. None of these 11 patients had clinical evidence of recurrent disease at last follow up. The remaining two patients had lesions with some enhanced areas. Subsequent partial nephrectomy histologically confirmed the presence of vital tumor in, respectively, the center and the periphery of the residual masses. One of these patients developed multiple lung and ipsilateral adrenal metastases 13 months after surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous cryoablation of small renal cell carcinomas under horizontal open MRI guidance appears to be safe and feasible. An intermediate-term follow up continues to demonstrate efficacy in most patients; however, a few patients experience incomplete ablation with risk of treatment failure. The ideal candidates for this procedure still need to be determined in longer follow up with diligent observation.

[Invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder: report of 18 cases and review of literature].

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the most effective treatment for improvement of the prognosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects included 18 cases of invasive SCC (T2 or worse) we have experienced in the past 10 years. While clarifying the clinical patterns of these cases, the association between stage, therapy, and prognosis was studied. Of the cases of invasive SCC reported in Japan in the recent 20 years, 54 cases in which the stage, therapy, and prognosis were documented were selected, and the association between the therapy and outcome in each stage was studied. RESULTS: In our series, 11 cases are alive without cancer for over 2 years. Of the above patients, 7 underwent cystectomy. Cancer death was experienced in 7 patients. Of these patients, 3 underwent cystectomy, and 6 were classified as stage III or higher. As far as our study of the cases reported in Japan is concerned, the prognosis of the cases having undergone TUR or partial resection of the bladder alone was poor. But, even if patients underwent cystectomy, most of the patients was cancer death in the cases whose cancer was stage III or higher. In the patients receiving some supportive therapy, 4 patients receiving radiation plus cisplatin-based chemotherapy were all alive without for over 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Total cystectomy is most appropriate as the type of operation for the cases of invasive SCC. But, the cases whose cancer was stage III or higher have high recurrence rate, and must be accompanied with some supportive therapy. We concluded that radiation plus cisplatin-based chemotherapy is a candidate of most effective supportive therapy to improve the prognosis of those patients in the supportive therapy.

Flutamide-induced hepatic dysfunction in relation to steady-state plasma concentrations of flutamide and its metabolites.

The frequency, severity, and outcome of flutamide-induced hepatic injury were prospectively evaluated in 55 patients with prostate cancer who received 125 mg of flutamide 3 times a day (daily dose: 375 mg) combined with an agonistic analogue of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. In addition, we examined plasma and urine concentrations of flutamide and its major metabolites 4 weeks after the beginning of flutamide therapy, and evaluated their significance in predicting flutamide-induced hepatic dysfunction. Hepatic function could be assessed in 50 patients and hepatic dysfunction during therapy was observed in 9 patients (18%); 3 patients (6%) were classified as having moderate liver dysfunction and 6 (12%) were classified as having mild liver dysfunction. The steady-state plasma levels of flutamide and its biologic active metabolite, hydroxyflutamide (OH-Flu), were not related to hepatic dysfunction. However, the concentration of another major metabolite, 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamine (FLU-1) was considerably higher in 2 patients who developed clinically significant hepatic dysfunction. These findings suggest that clinically significant hepatic dysfunction could be induced in patients with compromised flutamide metabolism, which leads to a high concentration of FLU-1. Based on results of this study, we propose that plasma FLU-1 levels are one of the predictive factors for flutamide-induced hepatic dysfunction. This hypothesis will be confirmed in a large-scale study.

[Retrospective analysis of chief complaints of patients with urogenital malignancies over the past decade at the Jikei University Hospital].

We analyzed the chief complaints of patients with four major urogenital malignancies (renal cancer, renal pelvis and ureter cancer, bladder cancer and prostatic cancer) over the past decade (1990-1999) at the Jikei University Hospital. Over the last 10 years, a high percentage of renal cancers were detected incidentally. By contrast, prostatic cancers were more likely (10.5%) than other cancers to be detected on the basis of symptoms of metastasis. However, since 1995 more prostatic cancers are being detected with prostatic-specific antigen screening at the health checkups. Gross hematuria is the chief complaint of most patients with uroepithelial cancers (cancers of the renal pelvis, ureter and bladder cancer). Additionally, renal pelvis and ureter cancers were diagnosed with screening in a few patients in the past five years.