Expanding the indications for laparoscopic radical nephrectomy

Management of colon-invading renal cell carcinoma: Operative technique and systematic review

Invasion into adjacent organs by non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) occurs in 1% of patients suitable for resection. Colonic invasion is rare and presents technical challenges. No prospective data exists to guide management of these patients. We present the first reported case of a colon-invading RCC managed with simultaneous open right radical nephrectomy and extended right hemicolectomy. PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant case reports reporting management of colon-invading renal cell carcinoma. Case reports, case series and cohort studies were eligible. A chart review was performed on a patient who presented with right-sided colon-invading RCC. Four previously reported cases were identified. The current case was managed with simultaneous open radical nephrectomy and extended right hemicolectomy. The patient remains well six months postoperatively with no evidence of disease recurrence. Histopathological evaluation of the resected specimen confirmed a T4 clear cell RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation. Colon-invading RCC is rare. This is the first reported case of right-sided, colon-invading RCC treated with radical resection. The current case confirms radical resection is a feasible management strategy for similar presentations. En bloc resection of involved organs remains the only potentially curative option for locally advanced disease.

Comparison of the Clinical Efficacy of Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy and Radical Nephrectomy for Treating Small Renal Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignancy of the urinary system with high rates of morbidity and mortality.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate and analyze the clinical efficacy of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for the treatment of small RCC.

Methods

In this retrospective study of 45 patients with small RCC, the patients were divided into two treatment groups: Group A (retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, 25 cases) and Group B (retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, 20 cases).

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in the operative time, amount of intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, preoperative creatinine level, postoperative creatinine level after 24 hours, and survival rate after 1, 2, and 3 years between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in the survival rates and short-term postoperative complications between the laparoscopic partial nephrectomy group and the laparoscopic radical nephrectomy group for small RCC, but the former was slightly more effective.

LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL NEPHRECTOMY FOR RENAL TUMOR>7CM

(Objectives) Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) is now a standard care for the treatment of renal tumors, but the limitation of LRN for large tumors remains to be elucidated. In this study, we examined the safety and efficacy of LRN for >7 cm renal tumors including tumors >10 cm. (Patients and methods) From March 2001 to September 2014, 167 patients received laparoscopic surgery for renal tumors at our institution. Of these, 126 patients (≤4.0 cm: 64 cases, 4.1-7.0 cm: 40 cases, 7.1-10.0 cm: 12 cases, >10.0 cm: 10 cases) underwent LRN. Treatment outcomes including surgical and oncological outcomes among each stage were compared. (Results) Operating time for 7.1-10.0 cm tumors were similar to that <7 cm tumors but that for >10 cm tumors was significantly longer than that <10 cm tumors. There was no significant difference among each stage in terms of complication rate. As expected, recurrence-free survival rate for >10 cm tumors were worse than <10 cm tumors. (Conclusions) Our data suggests that LRN for large tumors >7 cm can be performed safely, but LRN for >10 cm tumors are technically demanding and require longer operation time.

Laparoscopic management of advanced renal cell carcinoma with renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombus

OBJECTIVE

To report the results and oncological efficacy of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in patients with renal cell carcinoma with renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombus.

METHODS

We performed retrospective record review of 41 patients who underwent LRN along with venous thrombectomy at 2 Canadian centers from 2002 to 2012 by dedicated laparoscopic surgeons.

RESULTS

The mean age and body mass index of the 41 study patients (34 males and 7 female) were 64.4 years and 28.7 kg/m(2), respectively. Median tumor size was 9.3 cm; 39 patients had renal vein thrombus, and 2 had inferior vena cava thrombus. Nine patients (22%) had metastatic disease to begin with and underwent laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy. Median estimated blood loss, operative time, and length of stay were 100 mL (range, 50-400 mL), 134.5 minutes (range, 99-183 minutes), and 4 days (range, 4-6 days), respectively. There were 4 (9.7%) grade 2 complications. There was no intraoperative death. Mean duration of follow-up was 42 months (range, 6-107 months). Of 32 patients with localized disease, 4 (12.5%) died of progressive disease, 3 (9.3%) died of unrelated causes, and 3 patients (9.3%) were lost to follow-up. Twenty-two patients (68.7%) were alive at a mean follow-up of 47 months.

CONCLUSION

LRN and venous thrombectomy for advanced renal tumors with venous thrombus are safe procedures in experienced hands with significant laparoscopic skills. The short-term oncological data are encouraging and advocate the efficacy of this procedure in this subset of patients, although longer follow-up is required in larger number of patients to further define its role.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in a patient with severe scoliosis

OBJECTIVE

To report the first case of a left transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in a patient with a severe left convex lumbar scoliosis and to elaborate on the technical difficulties of this procedure.

METHODS

The surgical procedure was performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon after rigorous pre-operative visualization of the altered visceral and vascular abdominal anatomy. A transperitoneal laparoscopic approach with an open introduction technique according to Hasson and a caudo-cranial dissection of the left renal hilum were performed to prevent major vascular and visceral injury in this challenging surgical procedure.

RESULTS

The operation time was 102 minutes and the estimated blood loss was 100 mL. The surgeon was able to complete the transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy without complications.

CONCLUSION

Transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in patients with severe spinal deformities is feasible, but should only be performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons to ensure patient safety and cancer control.

Computer-assisted robotic renal surgery

Computer-assisted robotic renal surgery (CARRS) is a minimally invasive surgical treatment option for renal tumors. We review the literature regarding techniques and outcomes and the potential advantages of CARRS. We retrospectively reviewed the literature regarding techniques and outcomes of CARRS, with specific analysis on robotic radical nephrectomy (RRN) and robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). Multiple papers on RRN and RPN were found where the techniques were performed with either a transperitoneal or a retroperitoneal approach. Preliminary outcomes with RRN and RPN were at least comparable to those of a laparoscopic approach, with some parameters of RPN improved over the laparoscopic approach (warm ischemia time, length of hospital stay and estimated blood loss). CARRS is an emerging field with preliminary outcomes at least comparable to the laparoscopic approach. Large prospective, randomized trials are needed to assess the benefit of CARRS compared with current methods.

Treatment of localised renal cell carcinoma

CONTEXT

The increasing incidence of localised renal cell carcinoma (RCC) over the last 3 decades and controversy over mortality rates have prompted reassessment of current treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To critically review the recent data on the management of localised RCC to arrive at a general consensus.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A Medline search was performed from January 1, 2004, to May 3, 2011, using renal cell carcinoma, nephrectomy (Medical Subject Heading [MeSH] major topic), surgical procedures, minimally invasive (MeSH major topic), nephron-sparing surgery, cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, surveillance, and watchful waiting.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Initial active surveillance (AS) should be a first treatment option for small renal masses (SRMs) <4 cm in unfit patients or those with limited life expectancy. SRMs that show fast growth or reach 4 cm in diameter while on AS should be considered for treatment. Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the established treatment for T1a tumours (<4 cm) and an emerging standard treatment for T1b tumours (4-7 cm) provided that the operation is technically feasible and the tumour can be completely removed. Radical nephrectomy (RN) should be limited to those cases where the tumour is not amenable to nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) has benefits over open RN in terms of morbidity and should be the standard of care for T1 and T2 tumours, provided that it is performed in an advanced laparoscopic centre and NSS is not applicable. Open PN, not LRN, should be performed if minimally invasive expertise is not available. At this time, there is insufficient long-term data available to adequately compare ablative techniques with surgical options. Therefore ablative therapies should be reserved for carefully selected high surgical risk patients with SRMs <4 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

The choice of treatment for the patient with localised RCC needs to be individualised. Preservation of renal function without compromising the oncologic outcome should be the most important goal in the decision-making process.

Role of the laparoscopic approach to cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma: does size matter?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Retrospective studies have shown laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy (LCN) to be a safe procedure in selected patients. The objective of this article is to identify characteristics that may predict when a laparoscopic procedure may offer improved postoperative outcome and whether it affects the timing of postoperative systemic therapy compared with open surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cohort of 43 LCN cases were matched with 43 open cytoreductive nephrectomy (OCN) cases based on both pathologic size of tumor and stage. Eleven cases were laparoscopic converted to open nephrectomy. Cases excluded from the analysis were adjacent organ involvement, inferior vena cava involvement, and bulky lymphadenopathy. Data analysis of 11 variables was performed using the t test, log-rank, and Wilcoxon tests. Significance was at P = 0.05. Survival data were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimate.

RESULTS

Significant differences between LCN vs OCN were estimated blood loss (mean 277 ml vs 816 ml) and length of hospitalization (3.2 days vs 5.1 days). The median size of tumor for LCN cases was 7.5 cm and for OCN, 9.5 cm. The mean size of tumor of LCN vs laparoscopic converted to open cases was 6.8 cm vs 11.2 cm, and this difference was significant. There was no significant difference in postoperative performance status, time to commencement of systemic treatment, or in survival time between both groups. This study provides further evidence that a laparoscopic approach with cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma is a safe option for tumors 10 cm and smaller. The approach (laparoscopic vs open) had no effect on postoperative complications or time to systemic therapy.

CONCLUSION

Procedures with tumors larger than 10 cm were more likely to be converted to an open procedure. Tumors larger than 10 cm may be best approached via an open procedure, especially in the presence of involvement of adjacent organs or bulky lymphadenopathy.

Localized renal cell carcinoma management: an update

OBJECTIVE

To review the current modalities of treatment for localized renal cell carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search for keywords: renal cell carcinoma, radical nephrectomy, nephron sparing surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and cryoablation was performed for the years 2000 through 2008. The most relevant publications were examined.

RESULTS

New epidemiologic data and current treatment of renal cancer were covered. Concerning the treatment of clinically localized disease, the literature supports the standardization of partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic approaches as therapeutic options with better functional results and oncologic success comparable to standard radical resection. Promising initial results are now available for minimally invasive therapies, such as cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation. Active surveillance has been reported with acceptable results, including for those who are poor surgical candidates.

CONCLUSIONS

This review covers current advances in radical and conservative treatments of localized kidney cancer. The current status of nephron-sparing surgery, ablative therapies, and active surveillance based on natural history has resulted in great progress in the management of localized renal cell carcinoma.

Survival of patients with nonmetastatic pT3 renal tumours: a matched comparison of laparoscopic vs open radical nephrectomy

OBJECTIVES

To compare the oncological outcome of patients with pT3 renal tumours treated either by laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) or open RN (ORN).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective review of a multi-institutional database, we identified 1003 patients with a T3N0M0 renal tumour and with no vena caval invasion. Sixty-five patients treated by LRN were matched with up to four patients treated by ORN. Exact matches were made for age, gender, tumour size, perirenal fat invasion, renal vein invasion, and histological subtype. Following the matching process there were 44 patients treated by LRN and 135 by ORN. Qualitative and continuous variables were compared using chi-square and independent-sample t-tests, respectively. Differences in survival were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox regression model was used to test the effect of variables on survival.

RESULTS

The two groups were comparable for age (P = 0.4), gender, tumour size (P = 0.4), tumour grade (P = 0.25) and histological subtype (P = 0.45). The mean follow-up was longer in the ORN group (55 vs 28 months, P < 0.001). There was no difference in survival between the ORN and LRN groups in the whole T3 population (P = 0.7), in those with perirenal fat invasion (P = 0.9), or in the subset with renal vein invasion (P = 0.31). In univariate analysis, the only predictor for death from cancer was tumour grade (P = 0.05). In multivariate analysis, no variable was significantly associated with cancer survival.

CONCLUSIONS

LRN has no adverse effect on cancer survival compared to ORN in patients with microscopic T3 renal cancer. Additional prospective evaluation is warranted.

[Renal metastasis of an esophagus epidermoid carcinoma]

Renal metastases in the evolution of an esophagus epidermoid carcinoma are rare and are frequently bilateral or associated with many other metastases. The authors present an original article of a single metastasis. They discuss the importance of imagery and locoregional status in the management of patient.

A prospective comparison of laparoscopic and robotic radical nephrectomy for T1-2N0M0 renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

We prospectively evaluated the safety, feasibility, and efficiency of robotic radical nephrectomy (RRN) for localized renal tumors (T1-2N0M0) and compared this with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 2006 to August 2007, a prospective data analysis of 15 cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) stage T1-2N0M0, undergoing RRN was done. These patients were compared with a contemporary cohort of 15 patients of RCC with clinical stage T1-2N0M0, undergoing LRN. To keep comparison robust, all cases were performed by a single surgeon. Demographic, intra-operative, post-operative outcomes, pathological characteristics and follow-up data of the two groups were recorded and analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

Patients in group A (RRN) experienced significantly (P = 0.001) long operating time than group B (LRN). However, mean estimated blood loss, intra-operative and post-operative complications, blood transfusion rate, analgesic requirement, hospital stay and convalescence were comparable in two groups (P < 0.05). There was one conversion to open surgery in group A, and none in group B. The mean follow-up was comparable in two groups (8.3 and 9.1 months, respectively, in group A and B, P = 0.09). There were no local, port-site or distal recurrences in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic radical nephrectomy is a safe, feasible and effective for performing radical nephrectomy for localized RCC. Both groups (RRN and LRN) had comparable intra-operative, peri-operative, post-operative and oncological outcomes except for longer operating time with increased cost for RRN. In this comparative study, there were no outstanding benefits of RRN observed over LRN for localized RCC.

Oncologic outcome of 132 cases of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with intact specimen removal for T1-2N0M0 renal cell carcinoma

We present the short and long-term oncologic outcome of 132 patients with pathologically confirmed T1-T2, N0M0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC), who underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with intact specimen removal at our institution. Beginning January 1998, we prospectively collected data of 132 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, whose final pathologic stage was T1 or T2, N0M0, RCC. The clinical data of three groups categorized as group (pT1a)--36 patients, group (pT1b)--51 patients and group (pT2)--45 patients were analyzed statistically to assess oncological outcome. The specimens were removed intact without morcellation in all patients in a homemade plastic bag. The total median follow-up was 56 months (range 3-80 months) and there were no local or port-site recurrences or hernia. Patients with pT2 tumors had significantly greater operating time, blood loss and analgesic requirements than pT1a/pT1b tumor patients. The distant metastases were found in 1, 4 and 5 patients in group pT1a, pT1b and pT2, respectively. The 5-year cancer-specific survival was 97.2, 86.3 and 82.2%, respectively, in pT1a, pT1b and pT2 tumor patients (significantly lower in pT2 than pT1a, P = 0.008). The 5-year recurrence-free survival was 97.2, 84.3 and 82.2%, respectively, in pT1a, pT1b and pT2 tumor patients (significantly lower in pT2 than pT1a, P = 0.02). Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (retroperitoneal and transperitoneal route) with intact specimen removal for localized renal cell carcinoma (T1-2N0M0) provides satisfactory short and long-term oncologic efficacy.