[Immunotherapy in the management of metastatic renal carcinoma].

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a relatively rare tumor representing 2-3% of all neoplasias. Approximately 30% of patients diagnosed as having RCC present metastases: mean survival ranges between 6 and 10 months, whilst 10-20% present a 2-year survival rate. Treatment of patients with metastatic RCC is a difficult challenge.

[Stenosis of the new bladder neck, a complication of radical prostatectomy: personal experience].

Background: To describe personal experience on stenosis of the new bladder neck, a complication of radical prostatectomy. After a review of the literature, guidelines are proposed to avoid this complication, both from a prophylactic and treatment point of view.

Methods: Between 1992 and 2000, 54 patients were submitted to radical prostatectomy, 18 of whom later presented stenosis in the new bladder neck.

[Postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction].

Background: To evaluate the frequency of erectile dysfunction in patients submitted to radical prostatectomy due to prostate carcinoma and to the possibility, with appropriate treatment, of restoring adequate erections for a satisfactory sexual activity.

Methods: Between 1996 and 2000, thirty-eight patients with prostate carcinoma have been submitted to radical prostatectomy. According to TNM classification upon diagnosis, thirty-three patients (87%) were stage pT2N0M0 and five patients (13%) stage pT3N0M0.

[Incidence and treatment of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence. Personal experience].

Background: To evaluate frequency of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence in order to establish the last invasive and most efficacious treatment to completely restore urinary incontinence.

Methods: Between 1992 and 2000, twenty-four patients with retropubic postprostatectomy urinary incontinence were studied. The symptoms reported by all patients referred to lack of control of urine with consequent leakage upon activities exerting increased abdominal pressure (sneezing, lifting of heavy weights).

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and conservative surgery in invasive bladder cancer. Personal experience].

Background: To evacuate the efficacy of conservative treatment in invasive stage T2 bladder tumours by means of deep transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) followed by three cycles of chemotherapy with methotrexate, vinblastin, adriamycin and cisplatin (M-VAC).

Methods: Between September 1998 and March 2000, 5 patients have been submitted to transparietal TURB for endovesical neoplasia. Following histological confirmation of muscle involvement (stage T2), all patients were assigned to the M-VAC chemotherapy protocol after having established clinical stage with chest, abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) and bone scintiscan.