Hypertension is the primary component of metabolic syndrome associated with pathologic features of kidney cancer

Modeling Physical Forces Experienced by Cancer and Stromal Cells Within Different Organ-Specific Tumor Tissue

Mechanical force exerted on cancer cells by their microenvironment have been reported to drive cells toward invasive phenotypes by altering cells' motility, proliferation, and apoptosis. These mechanical forces include compressive, tensile, hydrostatic, and shear forces. The importance of forces is then hypothesized to be an alteration of cancer cells' and their microenvironment's biophysical properties as the indicator of a tumor's malignancy state. Our objective is to investigate and quantify the correlation between a tumor's malignancy state and forces experienced by the cancer cells and components of the microenvironment. In this study, we have developed a multicomponent, three-dimensional model of tumor tissue consisting of a cancer cell surrounded by fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM). Our results on three different organs including breast, kidney, and pancreas show that: A) the stresses within tumor tissue are impacted by the organ specific ECM's biophysical properties, B) more invasive cancer cells experience higher stresses, C) in pancreas which has a softer ECM (Young modulus of 1.0 kPa) and stiffer cancer cells (Young modulus of 2.4 kPa and 1.7 kPa) than breast and kidney, cancer cells experienced significantly higher stresses, D) cancer cells in contact with ECM experienced higher stresses compared to cells surrounded by fibroblasts but the area of tumor stroma experiencing high stresses has a maximum length of 40 μm when the cancer cell is surrounded by fibroblasts and 12 μm for when the cancer cell is in vicinity of ECM. This study serves as an important first step in understanding of how the stresses experienced by cancer cells, fibroblasts, and ECM are associated with malignancy states of cancer cells in different organs. The quantification of forces exerted on cancer cells by different organ-specific ECM and at different stages of malignancy will help, first to develop theranostic strategies, second to predict accurately which tumors will become highly malignant, and third to establish accurate criteria controlling the progression of cancer cells malignancy. Furthermore, our in silico model of tumor tissue can yield critical, useful information for guiding ex vivo or in vitro experiments, narrowing down variables to be investigated, understanding what factors could be impacting cancer treatments or even biomarkers to be looking for.

Effect of smoking, hypertension and lifestyle factors on kidney cancer - perspectives for prevention and screening programmes

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) incidence has doubled over the past few decades. However, death rates have remained stable as the number of incidental renal mass diagnoses peaked. RCC has been recognized as a European health care issue, but to date, no screening programmes have been introduced. Well-known modifiable risk factors for RCC are smoking, obesity and hypertension. A direct association between cigarette consumption and increased RCC incidence and RCC-related death has been reported, but the underlying mechanistic pathways for this association are still unclear. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of RCC, but interestingly, improved survival outcomes have been reported in obese patients, a phenomenon known as the obesity paradox. Data on the association between other modifiable risk factors such as diet, dyslipidaemia and physical activity with RCC incidence are conflicting, and potential mechanisms underlying these associations remain to be elucidated.

Lifestyle and Clinical Factors in a Nationwide Stage III and IV Renal Cell Carcinoma Study

BACKGROUND

The aim was to investigate whether patient-related or clinical risk factors present at the diagnosis of advanced stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC) had an impact on the overall mortality, cancer-specific mortality, and recurrence risk in a national cohort.

METHODS

Patients registered with stage III and IV RCC in the Danish Renal Cancer Database (DaRenCa) in 2014-2016 were included in the study and followed up until recurrence or death. We conducted a Cox Proportional Hazard Model to examine the association between several variables and the development of RCC. These variables included BMI, hypertension, smoking status, symptoms at diagnosis, performance status, multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion, surgical margin, and primary metastasis. Separate analyses were performed for cc-RCC and non-ccRCC patients.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 929 patients, 424 individuals died from RCC during the follow-up period, with a median follow-up time of 4.1 (95% CI: 0.8-5.0) years for ccRCC and 2.0 (95% CI: 0.1-5.0) years for non-ccRCC. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that a positive surgical margin (HR 1.53 and 1.43), synchronous metastasis (HR 2.06 and 3.23), and poor performance status (HR 4.73 and 5.27) were significantly associated with a decreased 5-year overall and cancer-specific survival, respectively. Furthermore, a positive surgical margin was associated with a higher risk of recurrence in ccRCC. MDT discussion was found to reduce mortality risk in non-ccRCC.

CONCLUSION

Clinical- and disease-related variables have a greater impact on RCC mortality and recurrence than the selected lifestyle-related factors. The inclusion of MDT discussion in the diagnosis and management of advanced RCC should be further evaluated for its potential to improve patient outcomes.

Hypertension Was Associated with Higher Tumor Stages in Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Large Sample Single-Center Study

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is known to increase the risk of thyroid cancer. However, few studies have explored the association between HTN and the prognostic factors of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 2838 PTC patients treated with surgery at our center between January 2017 and September 2020. The association between both HTN and antihypertensive drug use and the clinicopathological features of the PTC patients was analyzed. The odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using both univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, which were adjusted for the patients' age, sex, and thyroid-stimulating hormone level. Results: A total of 2838 patients were enrolled in this study, including 409 patients with HTN. In the multivariate analysis, HTN was associated with larger tumor size [OR = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-2.07], lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.02-1.99), and higher tumor stages (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.12-2.86). There was no statistical difference between females >40 years of age and any pathological features, while a positive association was observed between older males and larger tumors (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.01-3.45), and lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.08-3.73). No statistical difference was found in the effects of taking alone calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II-receptor blockers, and their combination on the pathological features of PTC. Conclusion: PTC patients with HTN, particularly males of age >40, tend to have invasive features. Common antihypertension therapy appears to exert no effect on the pathological characteristics of these patients.

Association of Hypertension and Organ-Specific Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Hypertension and cancer are two of the leading global causes of death. Hypertension, known as chronic high blood pressure, affects approximately 45% of the American population and is a growing condition in other parts of the world, particularly in Asia and Europe. On the other hand, cancer resulted in approximately 10 million deaths in 2020 worldwide. Several studies indicate a coexistence of these two conditions, specifically that hypertension, independently, is associated with an increased risk of cancer. In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis initially to reveal the prevalence of hypertension and cancer comorbidity and then to assess which organ-specific cancers were associated with hypertension by calculating the summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our analysis shows that hypertension plays a role in cancer initiation. Our extended analysis on how the hypertension-associated angiogenesis factors are linked to cancer demonstrated that matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 appear to be two key factors facilitating cancer in hypertensive patients. This work serves as an important step in the current assessment of hypertension-promoted increased risk of 19 different cancers, particularly kidney, renal cell carcinoma, breast, colorectal, endometrial, and bladder. These findings provide new insight into how to treat and prevent cancer in hypertensive patients.

Preoperative Metabolic Syndrome and HDL-C Level Predict the Prognosis of Patients Following Radical Cystectomy: A Propensity Score Matching Study

Objective

To investigate the prognostic significance of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in patients with bladder cancer (BCa) treated with radical cystectomy (RC).

Methods

A total of 335 BCa patients who underwent RC between 2004 and 2019 at Peking University Third Hospital (PUTH) were analyzed retrospectively. The Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test was performed to assess overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to identify the prognostic factors of OS and PFS before and after propensity score matching (PSM).

Results

Enrolled patients were allocated into two groups according to the presence or absence of MetS (n=84 MetS vs n=251 non-MetS), and 82 new matched pairs were identified to balance the baseline characteristics after 1:1 PSM. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, MetS was associated with better OS (P=0.031) than the group without MetS. In addition, a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 was associated with better OS (P=0.011) and PFS (P=0.031), while low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was associated with worse OS (P=0.033) and PFS (P=0.010). In all patients, multivariate Cox analysis showed that hemoglobin, pathologic tumor stage and lymph node status were identified as independent prognostic factors for both OS and PFS, while age, MetS and HDL-C were independent prognostic factors only for OS. Reproducible results of multivariate analysis can still be observed in propensity matched patients. The results of further subgroup analysis revealed that the association of MetS with increased OS (P=0.043) and BMI ≥25 with increased OS (P=0.015) and PFS (P=0.029) was observed in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients.

Conclusions

MetS was independently associated with better OS in BCa patients after RC, and HDL-C was the only component of MetS that was independently associated with worse OS. MetS and HDL-C may become reliable prognostic biomarkers of OS in BCa patients after RC to provide individualized prognostication and assist in the formulation of clinical treatment strategies.

Association Between Statins and the Risk of Kidney Cancer Incidence and Mortality Using the Korean National Health Insurance Claims Database

BACKGROUND

Conflicting results have been reported regarding the potential preventive effects of statins on the risk of cancer. This study investigated the associations of statin use with the incidence and mortality of kidney cancer in South Korea.

METHODS

In this retrospective population-based cohort study using the National Health Insurance claims database, we compared patients aged 45-70 years who had used statins for at least 6 months to non-statin users matched by age and sex from 2005 to June 2013. The main outcomes were kidney cancer incidence and mortality according to statin use. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTS

In the cohort of 1 008 101 people, the aHRs for the association between statin use and the outcomes were .84 (95% CI: 0.71-.99) for kidney cancer incidence and .65 (95% CI: 0.41-.98) for kidney cancer mortality. In the matched cohort of 337 578, the risk per 1000 people of cancer incidence and mortality was 1.63, 1.07, and .24, .17 in statin users and non-users, respectively. In matched cohort, the risk of kidney cancer incidence and mortality decreased, but it is not statistically significant. Also, there was no linear relationship with increased doses.

CONCLUSION

Statin use might be associated with a decreased risk of kidney cancer incidence and mortality, but it showed no statistical significance. This study was a large-scale analysis, however, further studies that are larger and multinational in scope are needed to confirm the beneficial effects of statins on survival.

Occupational disparities in tumor grade and cytosolic HMGB1 expression in renal cell cancer

Objectives

We sought to examine occupational disparities in tumor grade and cytosolic expression of high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) among renal cell cancer (RCC) patients.

Methods

This retrospective study included 318 RCC patients with complete information on occupation and pathology in Kanagawa Cancer Registry (KCR). Longest‐held occupations were grouped into manual workers (e.g., manufacturing, construction) versus “others.” Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for high‐grade histology were estimated by logistic regression, adjusted for age and sex. We also examined a sub‐sample of 74 low‐grade RCC inpatients to estimate the OR for positive cytosolic HMGB1 expression in manual workers, adjusting for age, sex, and other available covariates.

Results

High‐grade tumors were more prevalent in manual workers compared to other occupations: 23.0% (14/61) versus 10.9% (28/257, p = .01) with an adjusted OR of 2.28 (95% CI, 1.11–4.69). In the sub‐sample of low‐grade RCCs, positive cytosolic HMGB1 expression was more prevalent in manual workers compared to other occupations: 71.4% (10/14) versus 38.3% (23/60, p = .03) with a sex‐ and age‐adjusted OR of 3.76 (95% CI, 1.03–13.7).

Conclusions

Manual workers are associated with increased risks of high‐grade renal cell tumors and cytosolic HMGB1 expression.

Usefulness of the mayo adhesive probability score as a predictive factor for renal function deterioration after partial nephrectomy: a retrospective case-control study

PURPOSE

Whether the Mayo adhesive probability score, an index of the perinephric fat environment, could be a predictive factor for renal function deterioration after partial nephrectomy was investigated.

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study of 78 patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was performed. An estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation rate at ≤ 90% at 3 months after surgery was defined as postoperative renal function deterioration. These patients were divided into two groups (non-deterioration and deterioration groups). Patient factors including Mayo adhesive probability scores (both tumor and unaffected sides) and surgical factors were evaluated to identify the predictors for postoperative renal function deterioration. The statistical analysis used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven (47.4%) patients had postoperative renal function deterioration after partial nephrectomy. Univariate analysis identified Mayo adhesive probability score on the unaffected side (p = 0.02), and warm ischemia time (p < 0.01) as predictors of postoperative renal function deterioration. On multivariate analyses, Mayo adhesive probability score on the unaffected side (odds ratio: 1.38 [1.05-1.79], p = 0.02) and warm ischemia time (odds ratio: 1.04 [1.01-1.07], p < 0.01) were significantly associated with postoperative renal function deterioration as same as univariate analysis. On receive operating characteristic curve analysis, Mayo adhesive probability score on the unaffected side (cutoff value 1.5; p = 0.02) and warm ischemia time (cutoff value 26.5 min; p = 0.01) were significant predictors of renal function deterioration 3 month after surgery.

CONCLUSION

The Mayo adhesive probability score on the unaffected side and warm ischemia time are useful predictors for renal function deterioration after partial nephrectomy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

2019-249, January 21st, 2019, retrospectively registered.

Can we Avoid the Unnecessary Loss of nephrons in the Management of Small Solid Renal Masses? Additional Clinical Parameters to Predict Benign-malign Distinction

Objectives:

We aimed to investigate the predictive value of additional parameters for distinguishing benign-malign tumors and to prevent the loss of nephrons in small (≤4 cm) solid renal masses.

Methods:

The data of 56 patients underwent partial or radical nephrectomy between September 2009 and December 2017 due to diagnosis of localized renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic datas, histopathological tumor types, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), the Framingham risk score and its components, postoperative follow-up results were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups as benign and malign.

Results:

Among 56 patients with a median age of 60 (min: 35-max: 74) years, 13 patients had benign and 43 patients had malign pathologies. MLR (p=0.011), NLR (p=0.032), PLR (p=0.006), MPV (p=0.025), eGFR (p=0.019) and the Framingham score (p=0.008) were significantly higher in malign group. Among the components constituting the Framingham score, only presence of smoking (p=0.032), presence of hypertension (p=0.041) and total cholesterol values (p=0.021) were significantly higher. In multivariate analysis, NLR>2.02 (OR: 7.184, p=0.037), PLR>109.65 (OR: 12.692, p=0.002), MPV>3.44 (OR: 10.543, p=0.046) and Framingham score >10.5 (OR: 12.287, p=0.007) were found as predictive factors for distinguishing small solid renal masses concerning malignancy.

Conclusion:

We think that NLR, PLR, MPV and the Framingham scores may be used in the clinical evaluation of small solid renal masses. In this way, we may prevent the unnecessary loss of nephrons in benign masses with suspicion of malignancy.

Effect of Metabolic Syndrome and Individual Components on Colon Cancer Characteristics and Prognosis

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is recognized as a risk factor for colon cancer (CC). However, whether the cluster of metabolic changes that define MS also influence CC prognosis remains unclear. Thus, our aim was to investigate whether the presence of MS or any of the MS individual components could provide prognostic information on tumor phenotype and survival outcomes. Clinical and pathological data from patients with CC (n = 300) who underwent surgical resection at a single tertiary hospital were retrospectively collected to evaluate presence of MS components and diagnostic criteria, CC phenotype and disease outcomes. Patients were allocated into two groups according to the presence or absence of MS (n = 85 MS vs n = 83 non-MS). The overall prevalence of MS individual components was 82.7% for increased waist-circumference (WC), 61.3% for high blood pressure (BP), 48.8% for low HDL-cholesterol, 39.9% for high fasting glucose, and 33.9% for hypertriglyceridemia. Patients in the MS group presented smaller tumors (p = 0.006) with lower T-stage (p = 0.002). High BP (p = 0.029) and hypertriglyceridemia (p = 0.044) were associated with a smaller tumor size, while low-HDL (p = 0.008) was associated with lower T-stage. After propensity score matching using age, tumor size and staging as covariates high-BP (p = 0.020) and WC (p = 0.003) were found to influence disease-free survival, but not overall survival. In conclusion, despite MS being an established risk factor for CC, our data does not support the hypothesis that MS components have a negative impact on disease extension or prognosis. Nevertheless, a protective role of BP and lipid lowering drugs cannot be excluded.

Contribution of RAGE axis activation to the association between metabolic syndrome and cancer

Far beyond the compelling proofs supporting that the metabolic syndrome represents a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, a growing body of evidence suggests that it is also a risk factor for different types of cancer. However, the involved molecular mechanisms underlying this association are not fully understood, and they have been mainly focused on the individual contributions of each component of the metabolic syndrome such as obesity, hyperglycemia, and high blood pressure to the development of cancer. The Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE) axis activation has emerged as an important contributor to the pathophysiology of many clinical entities, by fueling a chronic inflammatory milieu, and thus supporting an optimal microenvironment to promote tumor growth and progression. In the present review, we intend to highlight that RAGE axis activation is a crosswise element on the potential mechanistic contributions of some relevant components of metabolic syndrome into the association with cancer.

Etiologic heterogeneity of clear-cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma in the Netherlands Cohort Study

At present, mostly case‐control and retrospective studies have investigated the association between etiologic risk factors and the development of histologic subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Therefore, we assessed the heterogeneity between body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and hypertension across clear‐cell RCC (ccRCC) and papillary RCC (pRCC) risk in the prospective Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer. In 1986, 120 852 participants aged 55 to 69 completed a self‐administered questionnaire on diet and other risk factors for cancer. Participants were followed up for cancer through record linkage. Tumor histology was assessed through centralized revision by two experienced uropathologists. After 20.3 years of follow‐up, 384 histologically verified RCC cases, including 315 ccRCC and 46 pRCC cases and 4144 subcohort members were eligible for case‐cohort analysis. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by multivariable‐adjusted proportional hazards models. Overall, BMI was associated positively with ccRCC risk, but inversely with pRCC risk. Cigarette smoking was associated with an increased ccRCC, but a decreased pRCC risk. Alcohol consumption was inversely associated with both ccRCC and pRCC risk. Hypertension was associated with an increased risk of both ccRCC and pRCC. Statistically significant etiologic heterogeneity was observed for BMI, BMI change since age 20, and smoking duration in current smokers across ccRCC and pRCC risk. In conclusion, we observed potential heterogeneity for BMI, BMI change and smoking duration across ccRCC and pRCC risk.

What's new?

Etiologic risk factors for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) include alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, and hypertension. Little is known, however, about variability in how these factors affect the development of RCC histologic subtypes. In this population‐based prospective cohort study, examination of variability in associations between established etiologic factors and RCC histologic subtypes revealed significant heterogeneity between BMI and ccRCC and pRCC risk and between risk of these subtypes and smoking duration in current smokers. The findings provide novel insight into relationships between etiologic heterogeneity and mechanisms of RCC development.

Hypertension is associated with oral, laryngeal, and esophageal cancer: a nationwide population-based study

Several studies have reported an association between hypertension and upper aerodigestive tract cancer, but no large-scale, population-based studies have been conducted to confirm this.The aim of this study was to explore the association between hypertension and risk of upper aerodigestive tract cancer in Koreans. Participants who underwent a national health screening examination from January 1 to December 31, 2009 (n = 9,746,606) were enrolled. We assessed the development of oral, laryngeal, or esophageal cancer until 2016 using records from the Korean Health Insurance claims database during the study period. During the seven-year follow-up period, 6,062, 2,658, and 4,752 subjects were newly diagnosed with oral, laryngeal, and esophageal cancer, respectively. Participants with metabolic syndrome had the highest risk of developing oral cancer (hazard ratio (HR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.16), laryngeal cancer (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.17-1.38), and esophageal cancer (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.19). Hypertension was a remarkable risk factor for each cancer (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.17 for oral cancer; HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.13-1.33 for laryngeal cancer; HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.18-1.33 for esophageal cancer) after adjusting for age and other variables including gender, smoking status, alcohol intake, exercise, body mass index, and diabetes. Patients with untreated hypertension were at highest risk of developing oral cancer (HR 1.15; 95% CI 1.05-1.26), laryngeal cancer (HR 1.25; 95% CI 1.09-1.44), and esophageal cancer (HR 1.47; 95% CI 1.33-1.63) after adjusting for confounders. Hypertension was associated with the risk of oral, laryngeal, and esophageal cancer, despite of the lack of detailed biochemical information including the cancer cell types (squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma), cancer stage, physical findings and other medical history. Further studies are warranted to determine the reasons for this association and to establish effective interventions in this vulnerable population.

Metabolic Syndrome Predicts Worse Perioperative Outcomes in Patients Treated With Partial Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To test the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components (high blood pressure, body mass index [BMI]  ≥ 30, altered fasting glucose, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high triglycerides) on perioperative outcomes after partial nephrectomy (PN).

METHODS

Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2000-2015) we identified all PN patients. First, temporal trends of MetS were reported. Second, the effect of MetS components was tested in multivariable logistic regression models predicting overall and specific perioperative complications. Third, we tested for dose-response from the concomitant effect of multiple MetS components. All models were weighted and adjusted for clustering, as well as all available patient and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 25,875 patients: (1) 59.3% had high blood pressure, (2) 14.7% had BMI  ≥ 30, (3) 21.7% had altered fasting glucose, (4) 20.2% had high triglycerides, and (5) <0.01% had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. One vs 2 vs 3 vs 4 MetS components were recorded in 34.9% vs 22.9% vs 8.9% vs 2.2% patients. Of all, 11.1% exhibited  ≥ 3 components and qualified for MetS. The rates of MetS increased over time (estimated annual percentage changes: +12.0%;P <.001). The 4 tested MetS components (high blood pressure, BMI  ≥ 30, altered fasting glucose, and high triglycerides) achieved independent predictor status in multivariable models predicting overall, cardiac, miscellaneous medical, vascular, and respiratory complications, as well as transfusions. Moreover, a statistically significant dose-response was confirmed for the same endpoints.

CONCLUSION

MetS and its components consistently and strongly predict perioperative complications after PN. Moreover, the strength of the effect was directly proportional to the number of MetS components exhibited by each individual patient, even if formal MetS diagnosis of  ≥ 3 components has not been met.

Sex-specific analysis of renal cell carcinoma histology and survival in Japan: A population-based study 2004 to 2016

Background and aims

In Western countries, sex differences in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) histology and survival have been previously described: compared with men, clear cell subtype is more common but overall prognosis is better among women. The goal of the present study was to examine sex differences in RCC histology and survival in Japan, using a large-scale population-based data set.

Methods

With the use of a population-based cancer registry in Japan (2004-2016), patients with primary RCC were followed for 5 years (median follow-up time 2.1 years). We distinguished histological subtypes of clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe from "others" subtype. Sex-specific prevalence ratio (PR) for each histological subtype was estimated by Poisson regression with robust variance, adjusted for age and year of diagnosis. Sex-specific survival rates were estimated by Cox proportional hazard regression, adjusted for age, year of diagnosis, histological subtypes, and other prognostic variables, with multiple imputation.

Results

The prevalence of clear cell and "others" subtypes was similar between men and women among all the 5265 study subjects during the 12 years of study (clear cell, male 88.6% vs female 87.1%; "others", male 5.3% vs female 5.3%). However, papillary subtype was less common among women than men (male 4.6% vs female 2.8%; PR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.45-0.88), while chromophobe subtype was more common among women (male 1.6% vs female 4.8%; PR = 3.18; 95% CI, 2.26-4.47). Although "others" subtype (but not papillary/chromophobe subtypes) independently predicted prognosis (HR = 1.74; 95% CI, 1.32-2.30), no sex differences were observed in RCC survival.

Conclusion

We did not observe a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of clear cell subtype between men and women in Japan, which differs from the pattern previously described in Western countries. Sex differences in RCC histology may not affect RCC survival in this population.

Metabolic Syndrome Resolved within Two Years is Still a Risk Factor for Kidney Cancer

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and kidney cancer is increasing, but studies on the effects of MetS and its components on kidney cancer development have had ambiguous results. Overall, 7,613,865 patients from the Korean National Health Insurance System were analyzed and followed up until 2017. Patients with ≥3 of the necessary five components of MetS were diagnosed with MetS. Patients were divided into subgroups according to two consecutive physical examinations conducted every two years. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to survey the independent association between MetS and the risk of kidney cancer development. Kidney cancer risk was significantly higher in patients with MetS, and there was no difference according to sex. The hazards ratio of kidney cancer increased with increasing number of MetS components. For patients not diagnosed with MetS but with abdominal obesity and hypertension, the likelihood of developing kidney cancer was similar to that of patients diagnosed with MetS. Patients with improved MetS within two years had increased risk of kidney cancer compared with those without MetS. MetS is an independent risk factor for kidney cancer, and the obesity and hypertension components of MetS are also powerful risk factors.

Predictive factors for the development of renal insufficiency following partial nephrectomy and subsequent renal function recovery: A multicenter retrospective study

Patients who undergo partial nephrectomy (PN) may exhibit renal function insufficiency, and a subset of these patients achieves renal function recovery. We evaluated the predictors of renal insufficiency and subsequent renal function recovery following PN. Data on 393 patients who underwent PN for solid renal tumors between March 2001 and November 2013, obtained from 6 institutions, were retrospectively reviewed. Renal insufficiency was defined as new onset of chronic kidney disease stage ≥3 postoperatively on the second of 2 consecutive tests. Renal function recovery was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 ml/minute/1.73 m following renal insufficiency. Tumor complexity was stratified according to the RENAL classification system. The median (interquartile range) age, tumor size, and follow-up period were 53 (45-63) years, 2.6 (1.9-3.8) cm, and 36 (12-48) months, respectively. Tumors were of low complexity in 258/393 (65.6%) of cases. Renal insufficiency developed in 54/393 (13.5%) patients, in which age ≥60 years and preoperative creatinine ≥1.1 mg/ml were independent predictors. Tumor complexity, clamp type, and operative method were not significant prognostic factors. Among patients with newly developed renal insufficiency, 18/54 (33.3%) patients exhibited renal function recovery within a median period of 18 months, of which preoperative creatinine <1.1 mg/ml was an independent predictor. Age ≥60 years and preoperative creatinine ≥1.1 mg/ml were risk factors for renal insufficiency following PN. Patients with renal insufficiency whose preoperative creatinine was <1.1 mg/ml were likely to have renal function recovery.

Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep is Associated with Increased Mortality

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the association between periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) and mortality.

METHODS

Nocturnal polysomnographic recordings of 1,344 subjects obtained from 1995 to 2008 were reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on PLMS and insomnia: reference group (PLMS≤5), insomnia group (PLMS≤5 with insomnia symptoms), 5<PLMS≤15 group, and the PLMS>15 group. We searched each subject's Identification Number in the death records from the Statistics of Korea, the national bureau of statistics, to determine deaths in the cohort that occurred prior to December, 2013. Cox-proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier survival curve analyses were used to compare mortality among the four groups.

RESULTS

Hazard ratios (HRs) in the 5<PLMS≤15 and PLMS>15 groups were significantly higher than that in the reference group before adjusting for age and gender [HR, 3.37; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.73-6.55; p<0.001; HR, 5.77; 95% CI, 3.24-10.29; p<0.001]. Only the PLMS>15 group had a higher mortality rate than that in the reference group after adjusting for age, gender, and sleep efficiency (HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.06-2.21; p=0.033).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that PLMS may be associated with increased mortality.

Insights into the relationships between diabetes, prediabetes, and cancer

Diabetes mellitus and cancer are two growing health problems. They have in common many modifiable risk factors including sex, age, obesity, physical activity, diet, alcohol, and smoking, and have a long latency before overtly manifesting. Patients with diabetes experience a roughly 20-25% higher cancer incidence compared to individuals without diabetes, and it depends on cancer site. Moreover, patients with diabetes who further develop cancer have increased early and late mortality in comparison with cancer patients without diabetes. Prediabetes and metabolic syndrome are also related to an increased risk of developing and die from cancer. Possible mechanisms linking diabetes and prediabetes with cancer include hyperglycemia (endogenous or exogenous), hyperinsulinemia, and alterations of insulin-like growth factor system, chronic subclinical inflammation, abnormalities in sex hormone metabolism, and adipokines. It becomes crucial to define the right orientation of the associations between diabetes and cancer in order to identify the modifiable pathogenic mechanisms. The common soil hypothesis claims that prediabetes and diabetes, as well as metabolic syndrome, may be considered a surrogate sign for dietary risk factors of cancer. The clepsydra of foods may help choose foods associated with healthy benefit while avoiding foods associated with harm, including cancer.

Metabolic Syndrome Negatively Impacts the Outcome of Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on outcome of patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A retrospective database was compiled consisting of 646 patients who underwent surgery for localized RCC between 2005 and 2014. A total of 439 patients were eligible for final analysis. For diagnosis of MetS, the WHO criteria of 1998 were used. Median follow-up was 32 months (ranging from 2 to 119). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses were performed to compare patients with and without MetS or its components. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). In our cohort, 9.8% (n = 43) of patients were diagnosed with MetS. There were no differences between patients with and without MetS regarding clinicopathological parameters with the exception of patients' age (p = 0.002). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses revealed a shorter PFS for patients with MetS (p = 0.018), whereas no differences were found for each of the single components of MetS, namely, diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.332), BMI >30 kg/m² (p = 0.753), hypertension (p = 0.451), and hypertriglyceridemia (p = 0.891). Logistic regression identified age (HR = 1.92, p = 0.03), tumor stage (HR = 4.37, p < 0.001), grading (HR = 4.57, p < 0.001), nodal status (HR = 3.73, p = 0.04), surgical margin (HR = 1.96, p = 0.04), concomitant sarcomatoid differentiation (HR = 5.06, p < 0.001), and MetS (HR = 1.98, p = 0.04) as independent factors for PFS. For CSS, only age (HR = 2.62, p = 0.035), tumor stage (HR = 3.06, p < 0.02), and grading (HR = 6.83, p < 0.001) were significant. In conclusion, patients with localized RCC and MetS show significantly reduced PFS and might profit from specific consultation and follow-up.