Risk stratification for kidney sparing procedure in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Risk stratification for kidney sparing procedures (KSP) to treat upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a major issue. A non-systematic Medline/PubMed literature search was performed using the terms "upper tract urothelial carcinoma" with different combinations of keywords to review the current knowledge on this topic. Original articles, reviews and editorials in English language were selected based on their clinical relevance.

Lynch syndrome and exposure to aristolochic acid in upper-tract urothelial carcinoma: its clinical impact?

The purpose of the current review was to describe the clinical risk for Lynch syndrome (LS) after exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) in cases of upper urinary-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). A systematic review of the scientific literature was performed using the Medline database (National Library of Medicine, PubMed) using the following keywords: epidemiology, risk factor, AA, Balkan nephropathy (BNe), LS, hereditary cancer, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), mismatch repair genes, urothelial carcinomas, upper urinary tract, renal pelvis, ureter, Amsterdam criteria, genetic counselling, mismatch repair genes, genetic instability, microsatellite, and Bethesda guidelines. LS is a specific risk for UTUC, which is the third most frequent cancer (in its tumor spectrum) after colon and uterine lesions.

[PEEK cage fusion after anterior cervical corpectomy : Clinical and radiological results in patients with spondylotic myelopathy].

Background: Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) has become a standard procedure for patients with spondylotic myelopathy due to multisegmental stenosis of the cervical canal. In addition to the fusion technique using autogenous bone grafts and titanium implants, synthetic polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages have been used increasingly during the last years. However, limited evidence on the clinical and radiological results of PEEK cages for ACCF exists in the literature.

Mutations of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, EGFR, and PIK3CA genes in urachal carcinoma: Occurence and prognostic significance.

Purpose: Targeted therapy represents an attractive alternative for rare tumors such as urachal carcinoma (UrC). The aim of this study was to assess the mutations of the most commonly affected 5 genes in the targetable EGFR-pathway in UrC and comapre their frequencies to those of found in urothelial and colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Mutational hot-spots of selected genes were tested in 22 UrC samples by pyrosequencing.

Impact of Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Drugs on Perioperative Outcomes of Robotic-assisted Partial Nephrectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of anticoagulant (AC) or antiplatelet (AP) therapy on the morbidity of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN).

Materials And Methods: From 2011 to 2015, we retrospectively analyzed a prospectively maintained institutional review board-approved database of RAPN from 2 academic departments of urology. We evaluated the occurrence of overall complications and hemorrhagic complications (pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, hematoma, transfusion).

Prognostic significance of markers of systemic inflammatory response in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the C-reactive protein (CRP) are markers of systemic inflammatory response, which have been associated with the prognosis of multiple malignancies, but their relationships with oncologic outcomes of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) have not been well studied yet.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,117 patients with NMIBC who underwent a transurethral resection of the bladder. Univariable and multivariable competing risk regression models were used to assess the association of preoperative NLR and CRP with disease recurrence and progression to muscle-invasive disease.

Independent association of PD-L1 expression with noninactivated VHL clear cell renal cell carcinoma-A finding with therapeutic potential.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is an aggressive tumor that is characterized in most cases by inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene VHL. The VHL/HIF/VEGF pathway thus plays a major role in angiogenesis and is currently targeted by anti-angiogenic therapy. The emergence of resistance is leading to the use of targeted immunotherapy against immune checkpoint PD1/PDL1 that restores antitumor immune response.

[Oncologic and perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy: A single-center prospective series].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to report perioperative and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in a single-center series and to evaluate the impact of the experience on perioperative outcomes.

Methods: Between March 2012 and January 2016, 41 patients underwent RARC associated with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. All RARC included were performed by a single-surgeon in one center.

Genomics in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Purpose Of Review: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a relatively rare and poorly investigated disease. The objective of this review was to discuss recent advances in genomics and their implication regarding prognosis and treatment.

Recent Findings: UTUC were compared with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) at genomic and transcriptomic levels.

Cytoreductive radical prostatectomy in metastatic prostate cancer: Does it really make sense?

Purpose: Surgical removal of the primary tumor in metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) is becoming a hotly debated issue. The purpose of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on cytoreductive radical prostatectomy (cRP) in this setting.

Materials And Methods: We performed a non-systematic Medline/PubMed literature search of articles published in the field between January 2000 and April 2015.

Synchronous Metastatic Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Distinct Morphologic, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Phenotype.

Introduction: Clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs) are highly metastatic tumors with metastases detected at diagnosis (synchronous) or during follow-up (metachronous). To date, there have been no reports comparing primary ccRCC of patients with synchronous and metachronous metastases, who are different in terms of prognosis. Determining whether there is a phenotypic difference between these 2 groups could have important clinical implications.

Studying nanoparticles' 3D shape by aspect maps: Determination of the morphology of bacterial magnetic nanoparticles.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are widely investigated due to their potential use in various applications, ranging from electronics to biomedical devices. The magnetic properties of MNPs are strongly dependent on their size and shape (i.e.

The prognostic role of lymphovascular invasion in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Outcome prediction in patients with bladder cancer has improved through the development of nomograms and predictive models. However, integration of further characteristics such as lymphovascular invasion (LVI) might increase the accuracy and clinical utility of these instruments. Assessment and reporting of LVI in specimens from transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) or biopsy in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) or muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) might enable improved staging, prognostication and clinical decision-making.

Role of routine computed tomography scan in the oncological follow up of patients treated by radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a prolonged follow-up schedule using computed tomography scan on oncological outcomes after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Methods: A single-center retrospective study was carried out. All patients who underwent a radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 1992 and 2012 were included.

Developmental regulation of myeloerythroid progenitor function by the Lin28b-let-7-Hmga2 axis.

For appropriate development, tissue and organ system morphogenesis and maturation must occur in synchrony with the overall developmental requirements of the host. Mistiming of such developmental events often results in disease. The hematopoietic system matures from the fetal state, characterized by robust erythrocytic output that supports prenatal growth in the hypoxic intrauterine environment, to the postnatal state wherein granulocytes predominate to provide innate immunity.

Jewish ethics and xenotransplantation.

Background: Although exclusively secular approaches to xenotransplantation are methodologically necessary to establish a fundamental verdict on its theoretical ethical acceptability, it is nevertheless pragmatically appropriate to take into account specifically religious positions, as religion is a factor relevant to societal acceptability. Apart from the aspect of societal acceptability, Jewish bioethics, like other religiously embedded ethics, may enrich the broader ethical discourse on xenotransplantation, as some of its principles-pikuach nefesh being the most prominent one-are plausible even in the framework of secular ethics.

Methods: This paper first explores concepts of normativity in Jewish ethics before identifying specific ethical issues in Jewish bioethics and possible resolutions offered within the framework of Jewish ethics, and then finally examine the implications for the broader debate on xenotransplantation.

Haralick textural features on T -weighted MRI are associated with biochemical recurrence following radiotherapy for peripheral zone prostate cancer.

Purpose: To explore the association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including Haralick textural features, and biochemical recurrence following prostate cancer radiotherapy.

Materials And Methods: In all, 74 patients with peripheral zone localized prostate adenocarcinoma underwent pretreatment 3.0T MRI before external beam radiotherapy.

MRI to CT Prostate Registration for Improved Targeting in Cancer External Beam Radiotherapy.

External radiotherapy is a major clinical treatment for localized prostate cancer. Currently, computed tomography (CT) is used to delineate the prostate and to plan the radiotherapy treatment. However, CT images suffer from a poor soft-tissue contrast and do not allow an accurate organ delineation.

HER2 overexpression is associated with worse outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression pattern of HER2 overexpression in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and to evaluate its association with clinical outcomes.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 732 patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy for UTUC. HER2 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry and scored according to the HercepTest: Scores of 0 or 1 were considered negative and 2 or 3 as positive.

Resident Rounds: Part III - Case Report: Betel Quid Induced Irritant Contact Dermatitis of the Hand.

Betel quid is a drug used in Far East Asia, India, and the South Pacific. The habit of betel quid chewing is widely reported to cause oral cancer and tooth and gum disease. However, skin disease due to betel quid use is underreported.

Promising role of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy.

Objective: Several retrospective studies with small cohorts reported neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic marker in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) following radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). We aimed at validating the predictive and prognostic role of NLR in a large multi-institutional cohort.

Methods: Preoperative NLR was assessed in a multi-institutional cohort of 2477 patients with UTUC treated with RNU.

Urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract: emerging biomarkers and integrative models for risk stratification.

Introduction: The aim of this review was to provide an overview of current biomarkers and risk stratification models in urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract (UTUC).

Evidence Acquisition: A non-systematic Medline/PubMed literature search was performed using the terms "biomarkers", "preoperative models", "postoperative models", "risk stratification", together with "upper tract urothelial carcinoma". Original articles published between January 2003 and August 2015 were included based on their clinical relevance.