Differential use of partial nephrectomy for intermediate and high complexity tumors may explain variability in reported utilization rates.

Purpose: Partial nephrectomy has become a reference standard for tumors amenable to a kidney sparing approach but reported utilization rates vary widely. The R.E.

The influence of surgical approach to the renal mass on renal function.

The National Kidney Foundation estimates that 26 million Americans are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The high prevalence of obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes places millions more at risk for developing CKD. Although long-term sufficient renal function is routine in screened kidney donors, CKD is present in more than 30% of patients with a newly diagnosed renal mass and develops in most patients who undergo radical nephrectomy and a portion of those who undergo nephron-sparing approaches.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy as management for pelvic organ prolapse.

Background And Purpose: Robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (RALS) is a new surgical management option for pelvic organ prolapse that secures the apex of the vagina to the sacral promontory. Limited literature exists on outcomes of this procedure. We present our initial experience with RALS.

Increasing the number of biopsy cores before renal cryoablation increases the diagnostic yield.

Background And Purpose: Renal cryoablation has been established as a primary management option for many small renal masses. Biopsy is performed intraoperatively and typically consists of one core being taken. This method was used to reduce the potential for seeding tumor and to minimize bleeding, although there have been no reports of tumor formation caused by biopsy seeding and blood loss is minimal.

Immunotherapy for prostate cancer.

The absence of curative therapies for advanced or recurrent forms of prostate cancer has prompted a vigorous search for novel treatment strategies. Immunotherapy encompasses one particularly promising systemic approach to treat prostate cancer. Immune-based strategies to treat prostate cancer have recently been facilitated by the identification of a number of prostate tissue/tumor antigens that can be targeted, either by antibody or T cells, to promote prostate tumor cell injury or death.