Does overweight impact on the prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma? A single center experience of 683 patients.

Background And Objectives: An increased incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in obese patients has been reported by several authors. We investigated the association of body mass index (BMI) with prognosis of patients with RCC.

Methods: From January 1994 to December 2000, 693 operations for RCC in 683 consecutive patients were performed at our institution.

Selenium levels of patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer compared with control group.

Objectives: To compare the toenail selenium level of patients with prostate cancer with that of controls. A tumor-protective effect of selenium has been discussed for many years. Published data about the influence of the selenium level in the plasma and toenails are controversial.

Impact of tumor-associated symptoms on the prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma: a single-center experience of 683 patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of cancer-associated symptoms present at the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) on the prognosis of patients. Increasing numbers of RCC are currently detected incidentally by routine ultrasonography.

Methods: From January 1994 to December 2000, 693 operations for RCC in 683 consecutive patients have been performed at our institution.

Outcome and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy as first-line therapy of lower pole nephrolithiasis.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as initial therapy for isolated lower pole kidney stones smaller than 20 mm.

Patients And Methods: During a 24-month period 116 patients with previously untreated single stones under 20 mm in diameter were treated with a Dornier lithotripter S. They were analyzed with regard to stone site and size, number of ESWL sessions, auxiliary measures, retreatment rates, complications and the time taken for stone clearance.

Detection of prostate cancer by TURP or open surgery in patients with previously negative transrectal prostate biopsies.

Objectives: To evaluate retrospectively the effectiveness of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in diagnosing prostate cancer in patients with obstructive voiding symptoms and a history of negative transrectal prostate biopsy but elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE).

Methods: In 1189 consecutive patients undergoing TURP or open prostatectomy between 1994 and 2000 for obstructive voiding symptoms, we identified 445 patients (37.4%) with at least one previous set of transrectal prostate biopsies because of an elevated PSA level and/or abnormal DRE findings.

Findings and clinical course of a localized primitive peripheral neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a very aggressive neoplasm, considered to have an unfavorable prognosis, and renal location is extremely rare. We present the findings and clinical course of a patient with localized disease who is free of disease more than 3 years after first presentation. In suspicious cases we recommend to surgically explore renal masses as early as possible.

Did the rate of incidental prostate cancer change in the era of PSA testing? A retrospective study of 1127 patients.

Objectives: To evaluate, in a retrospective study, the impact of routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing on the rate of incidental prostate cancer in patients undergoing surgery for obstructive symptoms caused by presumed benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) and to investigate the indication of a routine biopsy before alternative treatment procedures for BPE. In the pre-PSA era, the diagnosis of incidental carcinoma was exclusively based on normal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings.

Methods: Since January 1993, 2422 operations (2283 transurethral resection of the prostate, 139 retropubic adenoma enucleations) for BPE were performed at our institution.

Do patients with a higher body mass index have a greater risk of advanced-stage renal cell carcinoma?

Objectives: To evaluate whether patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) are at elevated risk of an advanced tumor stage for renal cell carcinoma at diagnosis. A high BMI has recently been proved to be associated with advanced tumor stages for some malignant diseases.

Methods: From January 1994 to December 2000, 693 operations for renal cell carcinoma were performed in 683 patients at our institution.

Patient self-reporting questionnaire on urological morbidity and bother after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Objectives: We assessed the incidence of morbidity and bother on quality-of-life (QL) after radical retropubic prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

Methods: At least 12 months after surgery, self-reporting questionnaires were completed and returned by 368 (77.8%) of 473 eligible patients.

Is repeated transurethral resection justified in patients with newly diagnosed superficial bladder cancer?

Objectives: To assess the value of repeated transurethral resection (TUR) in patients with newly diagnosed superficial bladder cancer.

Methods: A second TUR was performed in 110 consecutive patients (24 women and 86 men) with newly diagnosed superficial bladder cancer. The mean age was 66 years (range 30 to 85).