Renal cell carcinoma with intracardiac tumor thrombus extension: Radical surgery yields 2 years of postoperative survival in a single-center study over a period of 30 years

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombus extension into the right atrium (level IV) is a rare life-threatening clinical condition that can only be managed by means of a combined urological and cardiac surgical approach. The early and late outcomes of this radical treatment were analyzed in a large single-institution series over a period of 30 years.

Methods

In 37 patients with RCC and intracardiac tumor thrombus extension, nephrectomy was performed followed by the extraction of the intracaval and intracardiac tumor thrombus under direct visual control during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Recently, in 13 patients, selective aortic arch perfusion (SAAP) was instituted during DHCA.

Results

In all patients, precise removal of the tumor thrombus was accomplished in a bloodless field. The mean duration of isolated DHCA was 15 ± 6 min, and 31.5 ± 10.2 min in the case of DHCA + SAAP, at a mean hypothermia of 22.7 ± 4°C. In-hospital mortality was 7.9% (3 patients). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the estimated median survival was 26.4 months whereas the 5-year cancer-related survival rate was 51%.

Conclusions

Despite its complexity, this extensive procedure can be performed safely with a generally uneventful postoperative course. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass with DHCA, with the advantage of SAAP, allows for a safe, precise, and complete extirpation of intracaval and intracardiac tumor mass. Late outcomes after radical surgical treatment in patients with RCC and tumor thrombus reaching up in the right atrium in our series justify this extensive procedure.

Can the prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid reduce the blood loss after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy? Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy with tranEXamic acid (RARPEX): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

The prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid reduces blood loss during procedures at high risk of perioperative bleeding. Several studies in cardiac surgery and orthopedics confirmed this finding. The aim of this prospective, double-blind, randomized study is to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid on peri-and postoperative blood loss and on the incidence and severity of complications.

Methods/design

Based on the results of our pilot study, we decided to conduct this prospective, double-blind, randomized trial to confirm the preliminary data. The primary endpoint is to analyze the effect of tranexamic acid on perioperative and postoperative blood loss (decrease in hemoglobin levels) in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. The additional endpoint is to analyze the effect of tranexamic acid on postoperative complications and confirm the safety of tranexamic acid in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Discussion

No study to date has tested the prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid at the beginning of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. This study is designed to answer the question of whether the administration of tranexamic acid might lower the blood loss after the procedure or increase the rate and severity of complications.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04319614. Registered on 25 March 2020

Investigation of ochratoxin A biomarkers in biological materials obtained from patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma

Ochratoxin A (OTA) exposure can result in chronic renal diseases and cancer. The incidence of kidney, renal pelvis, and ureter malignant neoplasms in the Czech Republic is approximately 29.5 renal tumours per 100,000 inhabitants. The question arises whether mycotoxins are also involved in kidney disease and cancer. A sensitive validated analytical methodology, based on an immunoaffinity clean-up followed by HPLC with fluorescence detection, was developed to explore whether OTA accumulates in clear renal cell carcinoma-adenocarcinoma in Czech patients. Simultaneously, DNA-adducts and OTA metabolites were qualitatively analysed in tissues and urine. OTA was analysed in 33 kidney and tumour samples from 26 men and 7 women collected during nephrectomy from patients of the East Bohemian region from 2015 to 2017. OTA was found in 76% of the analysed samples. Its concentrations ranged from not detectable to 390 ng/kg with a median of 167 ng/kg in kidney samples and from not detectable to 430 ng/kg with a median of 122 ng/kg in tumour samples. Urinary OTA metabolites and DNA adducts were qualitatively analysed for the corresponding 20 patients. The presence of some OTA metabolites such as ochratoxin A hydroquinone and/or decarboxylated ochratoxin A hydroquinone correlate with the presence of OTA-DNA adducts.

Analyses of biomarkers of exposure to nephrotoxic mycotoxins in a cohort of patients with renal tumours

The Czech Republic occupies the first place in the world in the frequency of renal and other urinary tract tumours, but their aetiology is unknown. To explore whether carcinogenic and nephrotoxic mycotoxins may contribute to kidney diseases in the Czech population, biomarkers of ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) exposure were determined in biological specimens from a cohort of 50 patients with malignant renal tumours. Biomarker analyses in blood and urine samples used validated targeted methods for measuring OTA and CIT plus dihydrocitrinone (DH-CIT) after enrichment of analytes by specific immunoaffinity clean-up. OTA and CIT plus its metabolite DH-CIT were frequently detected in patient urine samples (OTA 62%; CIT 91%; DH-CIT 100%). The concentration ranges in urine were 1-27.8 ng/L for OTA, 2-87 ng/L for CIT and 2-160 ng/L for DH-CIT. The analyses of blood samples revealed also a frequent co-occurrence of OTA and CIT, in the ranges of 40-870 ng/L serum for OTA and 21-182 ng/L plasma for CIT. This first analysis of biomarkers in blood and urine samples of Czech patients revealed no major differences in comparison with published data for the general healthy Czech and European populations. Nonetheless, a frequent co-occurrence of CIT and OTA biomarkers in patient samples may be of interest with regard to potential interactions with other risk factors for renal disease.

Colloid Osmotic Pressure Participates on the Post-transplant Lymphocele Pathogenesis

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of colloid osmotic pressure in post-transplant lymphocele pathogenesis. We have analyzed total plasmatic protein and albumin levels, and electrophoresis has been completed in blood samples before transplantation and in days 3 and 14 after transplantation in 50 patients with lymphocele (Lymphocele) and 198 patients without lymphocele (control), respectively. Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) was calculated according to the Hoefs formula. Statistically significant differences were confirmed in albumin levels (42.2 respectively 44.8 g/L) before transplantation (day 0); in total protein (52.5 resp. 55.5 g/L), in albumin (30.1 resp. 32.1 g/L), and COP (15.6 respectively 17.7 kPa) in day 3; and in total protein (52.8 resp. 58.9 g/L), in albumin (30.5 respectively 35.4 g/L), in COP (16.1 respectively 21.2 kPa) in day 14. A potentially critical albumin level was established in 44.1 g/L in the blood analyzed, but its sensitivity was only 62%. The main risk element for the lymphocele formation remains the surgeon's hand. We can proclaim the role of proteins and their COP in the post-transplant lymphocele formation as one of possible pathogenetic cofactors. It is responsible for the impaired mechanisms of the reabsorption the lymph back to the tissues. Better metabolic care could help to reduce incidence of this surgical complication.

Urological surgery in elderly patients: results and complications

Purpose

Owing to the large aging population, a growing number of elderly patients are undergoing surgical treatment. Surgical procedures in elderly patients are associated with a higher risk of complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of urological surgeries in old patients.

Methods

The authors carried out a retrospective study, evaluating results and early postoperative complications in patients aged 75 years and older. The cohort of patients included 221 patients who underwent surgical procedures in the department of urology between January 2011 and December 2012. The average age of patients was 78. The results and complications were categorized based on the type of surgery performed, and the Dindo–Clavien scale.

Results

The median follow-up was 18 months. All surgeries for malignant tumors were performed successfully with no residual disease. Totally, 48 (22%) complications were recorded. The most serious were as follows: one patient (<0.5%) died; and four (<2%) patients underwent reoperation. The most common complications involved infection, mainly sepsis and surgical site infections. Other complications included mild respiratory insufficiency, delirium, bleeding, etc.

Conclusion

Surgeries in elderly patients were effective and safe. The cornerstone of safety is careful preparation and treatment of comorbidities. Complications occurred mainly as a result of emergency procedures during emergency procedures and in major surgeries such as cystectomy and nephrectomy. The standard use of low molecular-weight heparin caused no incidence of thromboembolic disease.

Selective aortic arch perfusion enables to avoid deep hypothermic circulatory arrest for extirpation of renal cell carcinoma with tumour thrombus extension into the right atrium

OBJECTIVES

Renal cell carcinoma with a tumour thrombus extending into the right heart chambers necessitates extensive combined urological and cardiac surgery. Maximum safety and exactness in extirpation of the caval and intracardiac thrombus is achieved under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, at a price of its non-physiological burden and time constraints. We propose a simple surgical manoeuvre enabling selective arch perfusion allowing for a milder hypothermia and liberal interval of circulatory arrest.

METHODS

On a routine cardiopulmonary bypass via median sternotomy, the dissection is extended along the aortic arch to identify the origins of the supra-aortic vessels. After standard aortic cross-clamping and cardioplegic cardiac arrest at moderate hypothermia, a second cross-clamp is applied at the aortic arch beyond the left carotid artery. A selective closed aortic arch perfusion is started while the extirpation of the tumour thrombus from the right atriotomy and abdominal cavotomy is being performed under conditions of circulatory arrest.

RESULTS

Using selective aortic arch perfusion, successful and uncomplicated extirpation of voluminous caval and intracardiac tumour thrombi was accomplished in 3 presented patients. Unexpectedly difficult thrombus adhering to hepatic veins in 1 patient required 42 min of circulatory arrest. Postoperative courses were uneventful in all 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Second aortic cross-clamp to start selective closed aortic arch perfusion provides excellent surgical control of the operative field over a liberal time interval during circulatory arrest under milder hypothermia.

Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy in prostate cancer - impact of PSA level before radiotherapy

PURPOSE

To retrospectively investigate the impact of prostate specific antigen (PSA) level after neoadjuvant androgen- deprivation therapy (ADT) on biochemical relapse-free survival in patients with prostate cancer who received radical radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS

Between March 2003 and March 2008, 128 men with localized prostate cancer underwent neoadjuvant ADT for 4-6 months followed by radical RT. Biochemical relapse-free survival was compared between patients with pre-RT PSA ≤ 0.1 vs > 0.1 ng/mL.

RESULTS

At a median follow up of 47.3 months, biochemical relapse-free survival was significantly higher in patients with a pre-RT PSA ≤ 0.1 ng/mL compared with pre-RT PSA > 0.1 ng/mL (85.6 vs 63.2%, p = 0.0025).

CONCLUSION

The current analysis demonstrating better treatment outcome in patients with excellent biochemical response to neoadjuvant ADT, supports an individualized treatment strategy.

Multidisciplinary approach as the optimum for surgical treatment of retroperitoneal sarcomas in women

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed at evaluating surgical treatment results of retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) in female patients in terms of urological and oncological-gynecological collaboration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of 17 women who underwent resection of a retroperitoneal tumor. The surgical results, complications, and both overall and disease-free survivals were evaluated. The assessment of a positive surgical margin and the size of the tumor were the second objective. The Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis was used for statistical evaluation.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 60 (26 - 128) months. The mean age was 55.4 (35 - 75) years. The mean size of tumors was 14.8 (6 - 45) cm. Local recurrences were recorded in three patients, while distal metastases were reported in one patient. Two patients died of distal metastases. The overall and cancer-specific survival was 87.5% and disease-free survival was 76.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete resection is the only effective treatment of retroperitoneal sarcomas. Presence of positive surgical margin is connected with a high risk of local recurrence regardless of an adjuvant chemo-and radiotherapy. The size of tumor had no impact on the survival or risk of local recurrence in the study group. The uro-gynecological collaboration was evaluated as well-suited in this part of oncological surgery.

Psychosocial implications and the duality of life outcomes for patients with prostate carcinoma after bilateral orchiectomy

OBJECTIVES

The study presented focuses on patients' psychosocial status after a prostate cancer diagnosis that underwent a bilateral orchiectomy.

METHODS

We evaluated the psychosocial implications of 89 patients with prostate cancer after performing castration and a bilateral orchiectomy.

RESULTS

Patients suffered significantly more from sleep disorders during hospitalisation when compared to their time prior to an orchiectomy (p<0.0005). There were some increases in the severity of sleep disorder after discharge (level of evidence p<0.05). However, no additional medications for sleep disorders were required. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in the abuse of medication (p<0.001). Ten per cent of the patients were in the care of a psychologist or a psychiatrist before their diagnosis, and 21% asked for the help of a psychologist or a psychiatrist after having a bilateral orchiectomy. The occurrence of mood disorders is also very different than the occurrence of sleep disorders. Mood disorders occurred much less often after orchiectomy and discharge (p>0.085) compared with the period before surgery. Forty per cent of the patients had mood disorders before their operation, while only 37% still had these after discharge. There was a significant decrease in abuse of medication for anxiety. Twenty-four per cent of the patients took medication during hospitalisation, and only 10% continued after orchiectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study show that patients who were notified about their cancer diagnosis, particularly their health status, exhibited moderate stress and psychological impact.

Magnetic resonance imaging in postprostatectomy radiotherapy planning

PURPOSE

To investigate whether the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in prostate bed treatment planning could influence definition of the clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 21 consecutive patients referred for prostate bed radiotherapy were included in the present retrospective study. The CTV was delineated according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer recommendations on computed tomography (CT) and T(1)-weighted (T(1)w) and T(2)-weighted (T(2)w) MRI. The CTV magnitude, agreement, and spatial differences were evaluated on the planning CT scan after registration with the MRI scans.

RESULTS

The CTV was significantly reduced on the T(1)w and T(2)w MRI scans (13% and 9%, respectively) compared with the CT scans. The urinary bladder was drawn smaller on the CT scans and the rectum was smaller on the MRI scans. On T(1)w MRI, the rectum and urinary bladder were delineated larger than on T(2)w MRI. Minimal agreement was observed between the CT and T(2)w images. The main spatial differences were measured in the superior and superolateral directions in which the CTV on the MRI scans was 1.8-2.9 mm smaller. In the posterior and inferior border, no difference was seen between the CT and T(1)w MRI scans. On the T(2)w MRI scans, the CTV was larger in these directions (by 1.3 and 1.7 mm, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of MRI in postprostatectomy radiotherapy planning resulted in a reduction of the CTV. The main differences were found in the superior part of the prostate bed. We believe T(2)w MRI enables more precise definition of prostate bed CTV than conventional planning CT.

Bipolar transurethral resection of anastomotic strictures after radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE

The efficacy of the bipolar endoscopic resection for anastomotic stricture was assessed and compared with holmium laser treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied a cohort of 39 patients with anastomotic strictures in years 1999 to 2007. Twenty-two patients had undergone bipolar resection, and 17 patients had undergone holmium laser treatment. The mean age of the bipolar cohort was 63.8 years; initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 10.7 ng/mL. The mean age of the laser cohort was 64 years; initial PSA level was 7.8 ng/mL. The results were evaluated by measurement of the maximum urinary flow (Qmax) and the postvoid residual volume of urine (PVR) before surgery, and at 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for statistical analysis, and a P value <0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 42 (14-74) months. Improvements in Qmax and PVR were recorded in the two cohorts. In the bipolar cohort, the mean values of Qmax were 3.9 mL/s, 14 mL/s, and 13 ml/s, while PVR values were 46 mL, 10 mL, and 11 mL. The mean values of Qmax in the laser cohort were 3.7 mL/s, 11 mL/s and 6.1 mL/s; PVR were 25 mL, 16 mL, and 19 mL. Statistically significantly better results of Qmax over 6 months were in the bipolar cohort (P < 0.001). No perioperative complications and no deterioration of urinary continence were recorded.

CONCLUSION

The bipolar resection of an anastomotic stricture is a highly effective method that produces better long-term results than the holmium laser treatment.

The estimation of post-transplant lymphocele origin using creatine kinase activity

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this research was to create a laboratory instrument for the estimation of post-transplant lymphocele origin. It is based on the enzymatic activity of creatine kinase (CK) in the lymphocele content.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 120 lymph samples from different retroperitoneal regions were obtained from non-transplanted patients; equal numbers from the iliac region, renal cysts, and the subdiaphragmatic retroperitoneum. Activities of creatine kinase (CK) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were determined in all samples and statistically analyzed against their activity in serum from patients without surgery.

RESULTS

Activities of CK in the pelvis, retroperitoneum, renal cysts, and serum were 5.06, 0.83, 6.48 (P<0.001), 2.50, 0.73, 3.60 (P<0.001), 0.02, 0.01, 0.05 (P<0.001), and 0.66, 0.41, 0.79 microkat/l, respectively. Activities of GGT in the same lymph samples were 0.26, 0.16, 0.36 (P=0.048), 0.41, 0.25, 0.48 (non-significant), 0.11, 0.07, 1.17 (P=0.003) and 0.34, 0.24, 0.55 microkat/l, respectively. A graph was constructed relating CK activity to lymph origin.

CONCLUSION

Significantly different CK enzyme activity was observed in different regions of the retroperitoneum. The presented graph is a simple instrument for the estimation of the lymphocele content origin. The method requires percutaneous aspiration of the lymphocele and evaluation of the CK and GGT activity in the sample. From the graph the estimated proportion of renal lymph in the lymphocele can be read directly. This instrument can provide better understanding of post-transplant lymphocele fluid source.

Late toxicity after conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer: impact of previous surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVES

To retrospectively compare late toxicity of conventional-dose three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and high-dose intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer.

METHODS

A total of 340 patients with T1-3 prostate cancer were treated with 3D-CRT (n = 228) and IMRT (n = 112). The median follow-up time was 5.9 years and 3.0 years, respectively. The prescription dose was 70 Gy for 3D-CRT and 78 Gy for IMRT. Late gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities were graded according to the Fox Chase modification of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and Late Effects Normal Tissue Task Force criteria.

RESULTS

There was no difference between 3D-CRT and IMRT in the incidence of GI and GU toxicity at 3 years. On multivariate analysis, transurethral resection of prostate/open transvesical prostatectomy (TURP/TVPE) for benign prostatic hyperplasia, carried out before radiotherapy, significantly increased the risk of Grade >or=2 GU toxicity (risk ratio 1.88). Among patients who experienced TURP/TVPE, the 5-year actuarial likelihood of Grade 2-3 urinary incontinence was 23%, compared with 9% for those without prostate surgery (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Tolerance of 3D-CRT and IMRT was similar, despite the use of high radiation dose with IMRT. Previous TURP/TVPE increased the risk of GU toxicity.

Bi-weekly epirubicin, etoposide and low-dose dexamethasone for hormone-refractory prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy and favorable toxicity profile of chemotherapy regimens given at lower doses and frequent intervals. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a bi-weekly chemohormonal regimen consisting of epirubicin, etoposide, and low-dose dexamethasone (EED) in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).

METHODS

We treated a total of 32 patients who had failed hormonal therapy and antiandrogen withdrawal. Chemotherapy was given every 2 weeks and consisted of epirubicin (30 mg/m2 intravenously, day 1) and etoposide (50 mg/m2 orally, days 1-7). Dexamethasone (1.5 mg orally, every other day) was given continuously until disease progression. Twenty patients (63%) had received prior treatment with estramustine phosphate. Each patient's pain response was evaluated according to analgesic use. Toxicity was graded using the Common Toxicity Criteria (version 2.0).

RESULTS

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels showed a decline of 50% or greater in 16 of 32 patients (50%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 32-68%) with a median time to biochemical progression of 5 months (range, 4-9 months). The median survival for all patients was 10.5 months (range, 3-35 months). Four of 10 patients (40%) with measurable soft tissue lesions achieved partial response according to standard criteria. Eleven of 23 symptomatic patients (48%, 95% CI, 27-69%) experienced an improvement in pain with a median duration of 6 months. The regimen was tolerated well by the patients, with only four patients (12%) having grade 3 leukopenia.

CONCLUSION

Chemohormonal EED regimen proved to be active and well-tolerated in patients with HRPC.