High-dose tamoxifen in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

The effectiveness of high-dose Tamoxifen in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma was evaluated. Fifteen patients were treated for eight weeks with 80 mg of Tamoxifen daily. Side effect were minimal. Results showed progression of disease in 47 per cent of the patients, no change in disease was seen in 40 per cent, and 13 per cent showed a partial objective response. Twenty per cent of patients showed deterioration of performance status. High-dose Tamoxifen does not appear to be useful in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Treatment of testicular tumors arising in patients with previous inguinal and/or scrotal surgery.

Of 20 patients with testicular tumors that occurred after previous inguinal and/or scrotal surgery 6 with seminomas were treated with traditional radiation therapy that included the ipsilateral groin, while 14 with nonseminomatous tumors were treated with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection with or without chemotherapy. No patient suffered inguinal lymph node metastases. Based on the satisfactory results in these patients to date and the lack of subsequent detectable recurrence of tumor we do not advocate additional treatment to the superficial inguinal lymph nodes and scrotum.

Iglesias articulated endoscopy teaching attachment.

A new articulated teaching attachment with a single joint is described. The attachment allows a 360-degree rotation in 3 planes (sagittal, horizontal and frontal) by the 3 rotary unions at the single joint with only 2 tubes. Simultaneous observation by 2 persons and the operator is achieved by combining 2 of these optical units. The attachment may be sterilized by soaking. It can be dismantled for cleaning and for replacement of any damaged parts. Finally, it facilitates taking still photographs, movies and television endoscopy without interference to the operator.