Changes in the diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and the development of non-infectious pneumonitis in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with everolimus.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate how treatment with everolimus changes readouts of the pulmonary function test (PFT) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We also attempted to determine whether changes of PFT or everolimus-associated non-infectious pneumonitis (NIP) might affect the efficacy of everolimus.

Materials And Methods: The results of PFTs, radiological reports and medical records of 36 mRCC patients treated with everolimus after failure to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR-TKI) were reviewed.

Prognostic factors of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with extensive sarcomatoid component.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical characteristics including the response to targeted therapy, the benefits of cytoreductive nephrectomy, or the prognostic factors in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with extensive sarcomatoid component (ESC), a rare but fatal disease.

Methods: Data from 37 consecutive patients with metastatic or recurrent RCC with ESC (≥25 % on resected kidney or exclusive sarcomatoid histology on needle biopsy) were analyzed.

Results: Of the 37 patients, 27 patients (73 %) had synchronous metastatic disease.

Relationship between the integrity of the pelvic floor muscles and early recovery of continence after radical prostatectomy.

Purpose: We investigated how the preoperatively estimated integrity of pelvic floor muscles related to the recovery of continence after radical prostatectomy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 94 patients underwent magnetic resonance image of the prostate and urodynamic studies before undergoing radical prostatectomy and evaluation of voiding symptoms before, and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Incontinence was defined as any unwanted urine leakage.

Transforming growth factor-beta downregulates interleukin-2-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 in human renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: We investigated signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5) activation status in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in the process.

Methods: Twenty normal and RCC tissues were obtained from radical nephrectomy specimens for the assessment of expressions of phosphorylated STAT5 (p-STAT5) and TGF-beta1 (Western blot) and for localization and assessment of their relationship (immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence stains). By using four RCC cell lines and four primary cultured cells, the effect of TGF-beta1 and/or interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the expressions of p-STAT5 were analyzed.

Changes in the upper urinary tract after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion: a comparison of antirefluxing and refluxing orthotopic bladder substitutes and the ileal conduit.

Purpose: We evaluated and compared the effects of different types of urinary diversion on functional and radiographic changes in the upper urinary tract.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed data on 275 patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for bladder cancer and were observed at least 12 months. Of the patients 197 received an orthotopic bladder substitute, including antirefluxing ureteral anastomoses in 111 (group 1) and refluxing ureteral anastomoses in 86 (group 2).