Is survival after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in Saudi patients different from that of Western patients?

Background: Although radical cystectomy (RC) is considered the gold standard treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer, nearly half of patients develop metastases and ultimately die within 2 years.

Objective: To assess survival, evaluate different prognostic factors that may affect disease-free survival (DFS) in Saudi patients after RC for carcinoma of the bladder and to compare our results with those of Western countries.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Predictors of viable germ cell tumor in postchemotherapeutic residual retroperitoneal masses.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of viable germ cell tumor (GCT) in postchemotherapeutic residual retroperitoneal masses.

Materials And Methods: The pertinent clinical and pathologic data of 16 male patients who underwent postchemotherapeutic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre between 1994 and 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. It was found that all patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced testicular GCT.

Robotic extramucosal excision of bladder wall leiomyoma.

Introduction: Multiple case reports and reviews have been described in the literature for bladder wall leiomyoma resection via different approaches. The minimally invasive partial cystectomy remains the most widely accepted technique; however, case reports for enucleation of bladder wall leiomyoma have also been described. The purpose of this video is to demonstrate the robotic extramucosal excision of a bladder wall leiomyoma, without cystotomy, but with complete removal of the muscular layer.

Pattern of management of urologic cancer in Saudi Arabia.

Background: To compare the current uro-oncologic practice pattern in Saudi Arabia with the standard of care practice and to identify obstacles in our health care system that prevent offering such a treatment.

Materials And Methods: We surveyed 247 practicing urologists in Saudi Arabia using a designed questionnaire. This questionnaire contains 19 questions focusing on management of bladder and renal cancers.

Robotic augmentation enterocystoplasty.

Augmentation enterocystoplasty is an established procedure performed to increase bladder capacity and reduce intravesical pressure in patients with neurogenic bladder. Although the open surgical procedure remains the most widely accepted technique, laparoscopic enterocystoplasty has been described. As an extension of the minimally invasive approach, we describe a technique for robotic augmentation enterocystoplasty with a completely intracorporeal method.

Laparoscopic ablation of giant renal cyst.

We report a case of a symptomatic giant (18 x 10 x 8-cm) renal cyst in a 40-year-old woman that was marsupialized laparoscopically and excised. The surgical technique, based on progressive decompression of the cyst, is fully described. Excellent results were achieved.