Biomedical subjects

Sompol Permpongkosol

Publications and source records attributed to Sompol Permpongkosol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Complications of 2,775 urological laparoscopic procedures: 1993 to 2005.

PURPOSE: We assessed the complications associated with urological laparoscopic surgery at a single high volume center during a 12-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis was performed, focusing on complications associated with 2,775 laparoscopic surgeries occurring between 1993 and 2005. These included radical nephrectomy (549), partial nephrectomy (345), donor nephrectomy (553), simple nephrectomy (186), pyeloplasty (301), nephroureterectomy (105), retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (86), renal ablation (81), adrenalectomy (106) and radical prostatectomy (463). Complication data were tabulated according to case number, procedure type, patient age, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, conversion status, length of hospitalization, Clavien classification system and annual complication rate during the study. Statistical analysis was performed with Fisher's exact and chi-square tests. RESULTS: A total of 614 complications (22.1%) occurred within each group, broken down into laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (20%), laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (28%), laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (28%), laparoscopic simple nephrectomy (15%), laparoscopic pyeloplasty (13.3%), laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (40.9%), laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (26.7%), laparoscopic renal tumor ablation (18.6%), laparoscopic adrenalectomy (25.4%) and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (15%). Total intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were 4.7% and 17.5%, respectively. Vascular injuries were the most common intraoperative complications. Annual complication rates plateaued in the year 2000 and were not significantly different during the ensuing 4 years (p >0.05). Complications correlated with a greater American Society of Anesthesiologists score as well as a longer hospital stay (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data presented here help define the complication rates for laparoscopic urological procedures in experienced hands at a high volume institution.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Results of computerized tomography guided percutaneous ablation of renal masses with nondiagnostic pre-ablation pathological findings.

PURPOSE: Ablative therapy for renal masses has been criticized because the entire tumor cannot be evaluated pathologically after the procedure. Diagnosis depends on imaging findings and the results of percutaneous needle biopsies, which may be nondiagnostic in up to 21% of cases. We determined outcomes in patients undergoing ablation who had nondiagnostic biopsies at the time of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 79 patients (88 renal masses) underwent percutaneous computerized tomography guided biopsy and ablation of a renal mass under conscious sedation. Patients with nondiagnostic biopsies were identified and the medical records were reviewed retrospectively. All patients had an enhancing renal mass on preoperative computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and all underwent postoperative contrast imaging to evaluate persistent viable tumor. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients (20 tumors) with nondiagnostic percutaneous biopsy (22.7% or 20 of 88) were included in the study. No serious complications occurred. Tumors were treated with frequency ablation (12) or cryoablation (7). In 17 patients (89.5%) post-procedure imaging confirmed the absence of contrast enhancement at a median followup of 27.3 months (range 3 weeks to 56 months). In 2 cases (10.5%) post-procedure imaging showed a residual renal mass or recurrence with enhancement, suggesting that the original percutaneous biopsy result was false negative. In 1 patient residual tumor was identified on initial post-ablation imaging and the patient underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. In another patient recurrence was diagnosed 30 months after ablation and the patient underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Although there was a nondiagnostic percutaneous biopsy in each case, pathological findings in the subsequent surgical specimen confirmed renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Nondiagnostic percutaneous biopsy at renal tumor ablation does not obviate the need for standard post-procedure imaging followup. Of patients with nondiagnostic biopsies in this series 10.5% still harbored viable renal cell carcinoma after percutaneous ablation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Percutaneous computerized tomography guided renal cryoablation using local anesthesia: pain assessment.

PURPOSE: The administration of intravenous sedation during prone computerized tomography guided, percutaneous procedures has the potential for complications. We assessed the pain associated with computerized tomography guided, percutaneous renal cryoablation using straight local anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were treated with cryoablation probes inserted into the renal tumor under computerized tomography guidance with local anesthesia. Patients were asked to rate the pain experienced during needle placement and cryoablation using a visual 10-degree pain score scale. Sedation was given when pain was greater than 7 or when requested by the patient. Parameters assessed were cardiopulmonary complications, the need for intravenous supplementation, the pain score during the procedure and the postoperative score. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients (30 tumors) underwent a total of 26 cryoablation sessions with only local anesthesia. Mean patient age +/- SD was 67 +/- 13 years (range 33 to 88). Average tumor and ice ball size was 2.1 +/- 0.7 (range 1.1 to 4.3) and 4.1 +/- 1.0 cm (range 2.6 to 5.9), respectively. The mean dose of 1% lidocaine was 43.89 +/- 24.97 ml (range 10 to 110). All procedures were completed in an average of 68.78 +/- 20.7 minutes (range 40 to 120). Vital signs were not significantly changed during the procedure. Successful completion of percutaneous computerized tomography guided cryoablation using local anesthesia was accomplished in 22 of the 26 sessions (84.62%) without sedation. Four patients required intravenous supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous computerized tomography guided cryoablation for renal tumors can be performed using local anesthesia with minimal discomfort in most patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Laparoscopic versus open partial nephrectomy for the treatment of pathological T1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma: a 5-year survival rate.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively compared the oncological adequacy of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy to that of open partial nephrectomy in the treatment of patients with pathological stage T1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 143 patients with stage T1N0M0 renal tumors confirmed by pathological examination of the surgical specimen underwent partial nephrectomy between January 1996 and June 2004 with a followup of at least 1.5 years. Of these patients 85 were treated laparoscopically and the remaining 58 underwent open surgery. Medical and operative records were retrospectively reviewed with emphasis on tumor recurrence and survival. Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The mean followup for the laparoscopy group was 40.4 +/- 18.0 months. A total of 83 patients survived. Of these patients 2 patients experienced disease recurrence within 18 to 46.2 months, 1 patient died of cancer metastasis to brain within 29.7 months and 1 died of an unrelated cause. Seeding of the port sites did not develop in any of the patients. The 5-year disease-free and actuarial survival rates for this group were 91.4%, and 93.8%, respectively. The 58 patients who underwent open surgery had a mean followup of 49.68 +/- 28.84 months. A total of 53 patients survived without any disease recurrence, 1 survived with recurrence within 8 months, 1 survived with metastasis within 49 months and 3 died of unrelated causes. The 5-year disease-free and patient survival rates for this group were 97.6% and 95.8%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival and patient survival analysis revealed no significant differences between the laparoscopic and open partial nephrectomy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is an alternative technique with mid-range oncological results comparable to open partial nephrectomy in patients with localized pathological stage T1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Percutaneous computerized tomography guided cryoablation for localized renal cell carcinoma: factors influencing success.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the factors that influenced the initial success rate and complication rate of percutaneous computerized tomography guided cryoablation of localized renal cell carcinoma of clinical stage T1N0M0. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients with a mean age of 71.5 years and a pathological diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma were treated with percutaneous computerized tomography guided cryoablation under conscious sedation on an outpatient basis. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data, tumor characteristics, techniques and results. Tumors with complete loss of contrast enhancement were considered successfully treated. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients with 23 tumors underwent 25 cryoablation sessions. The mean intraoperative computerized tomography scan tumor size was 2.1 cm (range 0.5 to 4.3) and the mean ice ball size was 4.1 cm (range 2.2 to 7.2). Of the patients 82.6% (19 of 23) had a single treatment. Patients were followed with postoperative scans of 4.6 to 18.3 months (mean 12.3). There were 2 recurrences. The rate of successful complete tumor ablation was influenced by various factors. Tumor location and size were the major determinants for achieving tumor eradication. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous renal cryoablation using computerized tomography imaging proved to be a successful technique for guiding probe placement and monitoring ice ball formation. Patient selection based on tumor size and location may aid in improved outcomes. Further study and followup are necessary to determine long-term oncological efficacy.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Primary carcinoid tumors of the kidney.

PURPOSE: We describe in detail the features of carcinoid tumors of the kidney. We evaluated possible prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive search was performed in the medical literature regarding primary carcinoid tumors of the kidney. Epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, histopathological, therapeutic and prognostic data were evaluated. Several potential risk factors were compared with the incidence of metastases and clinical outcome of the patients. RESULTS: A total of 56 case reports were reviewed. Median patient age was 49 years. Horseshoe kidneys were present in 17.8% of cases. Incidental diagnosis was made in 28.6% of patients. The most common symptom was abdominal or flank pain and neuroendocrine syndromes occurred with only 12.7% of primary renal carcinoid tumors. Of the patients 73.6% presented with tumors larger than 4 cm. Metastases were present in 45.6% of patients at initial diagnosis and almost 60% with tumors greater than 4 cm had metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Renal carcinoid is the second most prevalent genitourinary carcinoid in each sex, following testicular carcinoids in men and ovarian tumors in women. Significant adverse prognostic factors include age greater than 40 years, tumor size greater than 4 cm, purely solid tumors on the cut surface, mitotic rate higher than 1/10 high power fields, metastasis at initial diagnosis and tumors extending throughout the renal capsule.

Calcinosis↗

PubMed2006

Transmesenteric laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

PURPOSE: Traditionally transperitoneal laparoscopic access to ureteropelvic junction obstruction has been performed in retrocolic fashion. We assessed transmesenteric laparoscopic pyeloplasty to correct ureteropelvic junction obstruction and compared results to those in patients undergoing traditional retrocolic laparoscopic pyeloplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1999 and July 2005, 188 consecutive transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasties were performed at our institution. A total of 18 patients underwent a transmesenteric approach and 170 underwent the classic retrocolic approach. Patient selection for the transmesenteric approach was at surgeon discretion with the inclusion criterion of recognition of the renal pelvis and/or ureter through the descending colonic mesentery. RESULTS: Compared to patients undergoing traditional retrocolic procedure the transmesenteric approach was more commonly applied in younger individuals and males, and for pathological conditions on the left side and malrotated kidneys. The transmesenteric approach lowered operative time by a mean of 22.5% and decreased hospital stay by 19.2%. The patency success rate was 100% at a mean followup of 18.6 months for the transmesenteric approach and 94.1% at a mean followup of 22 months for the retrocolic approach. CONCLUSIONS: In a select group of patients transmesenteric pyeloplasty may represent a more rapid alternative to the transperitoneal retrocolic approach and speed convalescence with similar success rates.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Positive surgical parenchymal margin after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: oncological outcomes.

PURPOSE: The oncological efficacy of partial nephrectomy is related to obtaining a negative surgical margin intraoperatively. This study assesses the oncological outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for a renal tumor who had positive surgical margin on final pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiences of 2 surgeons with 511 patients with a pathological diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma treated with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy were reviewed. Patients with a positive surgical margin were identified retrospectively. Oncological outcomes were assessed by followup with chest x-ray and computerized tomography every 6 to 12 months for 5 years. RESULTS: There were 9 patients (1.8%) with a positive margin on final pathology. Mean tumor size was 2.8 cm (range 1.7 to 4.0). Two patients underwent secondary completion radical nephrectomy, one at 4 days and the other at 2 months following laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. No residual tumor was identified in the nephrectomy specimen in either patient. Of the remaining 7 patients who elected surveillance, 1 with von Hippel-Lindau disease died of metastatic renal cell carcinoma to pancreas 10 months after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. The remaining patients were disease-free for a median followup of 32 months (range 6 to 76). No patient in the series had port site seeding. CONCLUSIONS: A positive margin following laparoscopic partial nephrectomy does not necessarily indicate residual disease. However, vigilant monitoring is mandatory. While midterm outcomes parallel those of patients with a negative margin, longer followup is necessary to determine the ultimate oncological outcomes in this subgroup of patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Clinical sequelae of radiographic iceball involvement of collecting system during computed tomography-guided percutaneous renal tumor cryoablation.

OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous renal tumor cryoablation is being evaluated as a treatment option for small renal tumors. However, when tumors are located centrally, involvement of the collecting system by the radiographic iceball can occur. We reviewed our series of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous renal tumor cryoablation to identify those cases in which there appeared to be involvement of the collecting system by the radiographic iceball and to determine any clinical sequelae of such involvement. METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical records identified 6 patients who had undergone CT-guided percutaneous renal tumor cryoablation with evidence of collecting system involvement. Measurements of the tumor size, size of the radiographic iceball, and the size of the immediate postprocedure "cryozone" (region of apparent treatment on contrast-enhanced CT) were obtained from the preprocedure, intraprocedure, and immediate postprocedure CT scans. Follow-up imaging was obtained beginning at 3 to 6 months. RESULTS: Six patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria and had at least 3 months of documented follow-up. Despite the apparent involvement of the collecting system during the cryoablation procedure, no patient developed clinical signs or symptoms or radiographic evidence of a urine leak or fistula formation. Furthermore, no evidence of ureteral narrowing or stricture formation has been found to date, with a mean follow-up of 167.7 days (range 90 to 288). CONCLUSIONS: We observed no clinically appreciable urine leaks despite what appeared to be obvious involvement of the collecting system by the radiographic iceball. However, care should be exercised to avoid this insult when possible until additional research has confirmed its safety.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Percutaneous renal cryoablation.

Percutaneous renal cryoablation (PRC) has been gaining acceptance as a minimally invasive option for the treatment of patients with solid renal masses. Herein, we reviewed the historical development of PRC, relevant contemporary clinical data, and future directions of percutaneous approaches to renal masses. Early experience suggests that PRC has the potential to offer an alternative treatment for patients with small renal masses, with the advantages of decreased treatment-associated morbidity and spared renal function. Ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron-emission tomography have all been explored as potential solutions to the challenges of image guidance and follow-up; distinct advantages and disadvantages of each are reviewed here. Encouraging early results regarding oncologic efficacy, rate of complications, and overall costs support the continued evaluation of PRC. Longer-term oncologic follow-up is essential if the potential application of this minimally-invasive technique to a broader spectrum of patients with renal masses is to be determined.

Cryosurgery↗

PubMed2006

Cost analysis of open, laparoscopic, and percutaneous treatment options for nephron-sparing surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES: A variety of nephron-sparing options exist for the management of small renal masses. The perioperative cost of open (OPN) and laparoscopic (LPN) partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic (LCA), and CT-guided percutaneous (PCA) cryoablation was compared using a detailed computer model. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The model incorporates operative time, consumables, anesthesia, CT usage, percutaneous biopsy, hospitalization, and transfusion expenses. Starting values were derived from a retrospective review of 317 patients treated at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions within the past 7 years. Hypothesis testing was performed with sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: The PCA was 2.2 to 2.7 times less costly than the other options and resulted in a cost savings of $3625 to $5155 per case. For OPN, LPN, and LCA, the operative time and hospitalization accounted for 69% to 91% of the cost. In contrast, cryoprobe consumables were responsible for >70% of total cost of PCA. An OPN was 1.2x as costly as LPN and could achieve cost equivalence only with operative times of <2.8 hours or hospitalization of <3 days. An LCA was more costly than all forms of extirpative surgery if more than two cryoprobes were used. Reusing cryoprobes during LCA was always a less-costly option than adding a second cryoprobe to the procedure. The LCA was no longer cost advantageous over OPN if more than four CT scans were obtained during the first postoperative year or if local recurrence rates exceeded 23%. CONCLUSIONS: This model defines and simplifies a series of complex cost relations between the options for nephron-sparing surgery.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

PubMed2006

Percutaneous bladder cryoablation in porcine model.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the morphologic changes of full-thickness bladder cryoablation utilizing contemporary percutaneous technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cryoablation of the bladder wall was conducted in 24 pigs. The bladders were exposed laparoscopically and inspected cystoscopically. The animals underwent either extravesical (serosal) or transvesical (mucosal) approaches for the creation of the cryoablation lesion. Single or double freeze/thaw cycles were applied, and no bladder drainage was used. The bladder was evaluated for perforation, and histologic examination was undertaken to assess the extent of acute, subacute (2 weeks), or chronic (1 month) lesions. RESULTS: Cryoablation reliably produced a controlled transmural area of necrosis (both serosa and mucosa) by both techniques. The size and extent of the lesion were directly proportional to the duration of freezing and the type of cryoprobe used. The pathology report confirmed the full-thickness coagulative necrosis of muscle. Bladder perforation was not detected clinically or at autopsy. CONCLUSION: Cryoablation produces reliable zones of tissue destruction without bladder perforation. These preliminary data show the safety and feasibility for trials in the treatment of bladder tumors by laparoscopic, cystoscopic, or image-guided techniques.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Prophylactic gelatin sponge tract injection to prevent bleeding after percutaneous renal cryoablation in a swine model.

PURPOSE: Achievement of hemostasis can be a challenge during percutaneous renal cryoablation (PRC). This study describes the use of a porcine model to test the ability of gelatin sponge injection into the tract to limit bleeding at the site of cryoprobe puncture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of nine swine (18 kidneys) underwent bilateral ultrasound-guided PRC with double freeze/thaw cycle protocol with use of a 2.4-mm cryoprobe. The cryoablation location and protocol were applied identically to both kidneys in each pig; however, only one side received gelatin sponge injection after cryoablation through a coaxial sheath (3 mm). After removal of the sheath, a midline laparotomy incision was performed and sponges were placed around the kidneys. Blood loss was measured by calculating the change in weight of the sponges after 30 minutes of absorption time. Acute blood loss was compared between the two groups. The kidneys treated with gelatin sponge were removed and grossly and histologically examined to identify the gelatin sponge at the puncture cryolesion. RESULTS: The use of gelatin sponge resulted in significantly less blood loss (mean, 8.24 mg +/- 4.68) compared with the control kidneys (mean, 20.24 mg +/- 8.14; P = .001). Gross and histopathologic results confirmed that the gelatin sponge was in the cryoablation puncture sites. Mean diameters of cryoablation ice balls on the gelatin sponge and control sides were 3.9 cm +/- 0.2 and 3.8 cm +/- 0.4, respectively. The lesions were not significantly different between sides. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous tract injection of gelatin sponge appears promising as a method to decrease acute blood loss from PRC.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

PubMed2006

Trends in the operative management of renal tumors over a 14-year period.

OBJECTIVE: To review the trends in the operative management of renal tumours over a 14-year period at a university hospital, as the therapeutic options available for treating renal tumours have increased over the past decade. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective chart review of 1621 consecutive patients undergoing treatment for renal tumours from January 1991 to March 2005. The characteristics assessed included patient demographics, tumour size, operative duration and treatment. RESULTS: During the study period, 624 (38.6%) open, 883 (54.6%) laparoscopic and 111 (6.7%) percutaneous approaches were performed. The number of renal tumours treated increased annually, as did the use of minimally invasive techniques (93.4% in 2005). Conversely, the number of open surgical treatments used declined both absolutely and proportionally. Over the study period, for tumours of 7 cm, open radical nephrectomy (ORN) was the most common method of treatment over all years. However, since 2002, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) surgery has been increasingly used over ORN for treating this tumour group (73% LRN vs 19.2% ORN in 2004). CONCLUSION: The available treatment options for renal tumours have increased significantly since the early 1990s. At a university hospital in which there are physicians with a specific interest in minimally invasive surgery and ablative treatments, minimally invasive approaches have become the standard treatment.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Leiomyomas of the kidney: emphasis on conservative diagnosis and treatment.

Leiomyomas are benign mesenchymal tumors that rarely occur in the kidney. We present the reports of three renal leiomyomas diagnosed and treated at our institution during the past 10 years. On the basis of our experience, preoperative diagnosis may be possible through image-guided percutaneous biopsy, and conservative treatment with either expectant management or minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgery should always be considered.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Laparoscopic renal-adrenal surgery in patients on oral anticoagulant therapy.

PURPOSE: Patients requiring chronic anticoagulation are theoretically at increased risk for hemorrhage or thromboembolism perioperatively. Experience with laparoscopic renal/adrenal surgery in patients on chronic warfarin is limited. We assessed hemorrhagic/thromboembolic complications in this group of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 787 patients undergoing laparoscopic renal/adrenal surgery were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 25 patients on chronic oral anticoagulation with warfarin were identified. The indications for warfarin therapy as well as perioperative management were reviewed. Clinical parameters, including operative time, estimated blood loss, hemorrhagic/thromboembolic complications and transfusions, were documented and compared with those in patients not receiving chronic anticoagulation. RESULTS: Atrial fibrillation (56% of cases) and a prosthetic mitral valve (28%) were the most frequent indications for chronic anticoagulation. Bridging anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin was the most frequent management method (68% of cases). Patients with anticoagulation were older (p <0.001) and hospitalized longer (<0.001) than those without anticoagulation. Operative time, estimated blood loss and the conversion rate were not significantly different between the groups. However patients on chronic warfarin significantly more often required transfusion (24% vs 5.2%, p <0.005) and had more postoperative bleeding episodes (8% vs 0.9%, p <0.05) than patients not on chronic anticoagulation. No thromboembolic events occurred in the anticoagulated group, while 3 occurred in the nonanticoagulated group (p = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic renal/adrenal surgery in patients requiring chronic anticoagulation therapy can be performed safely. The risk of intraoperative bleeding is not increased, although the incidence of postoperative bleeding as well as transfusions is higher.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2005

Long-term survival analysis after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: This report assesses the long-term oncological efficacy of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy compared with open radical nephrectomy in patients with clinically localized renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the data from 121 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy between 1991 and 1999 for clinical tumor stage T1/2 N0M0. The medical records of all patients were retrospectively reviewed with emphasis on tumor recurrence and survival. Statistical comparison was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The median followup was 73 months for the laparoscopic group and 80 months for the open group. Of the 67 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery, 53 survived without any recurrence of disease, 2 are currently alive with metastasis, 2 died of metastatic disease in months 12 and 17, and 10 patients died without any disease recurrence. Laparoscopic port site metastasis did not develop in any patients. Of the 54 who underwent open surgery, 34 survived without any recurrence of disease, 1 currently has metastasis, 6 died of metastasis within 17 to 74 months, and 13 died without any disease recurrence. A comparison of the 5 and 10-year disease-free survival rates of the laparoscopic and open groups revealed no significant differences. In addition, the 5 and 10-year cancer specific and actuarial survival rates were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Based on long-term followup, our evaluation confirmed for clinical tumor stage T1/2 N0M0 that laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is oncologically equivalent to open radical nephrectomy.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

PubMed2002

Anticarcinogenic effect of FTY720 in human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells: modulation of mitogenic signaling, FAK, cell-cycle entry and apoptosis.

Despite the high frequency of prostate cancer, therapeutic options for advanced disease are limited to chemotherapy, radiation or hormonal therapy and eventually fail in all patients. Therefore, alternative approaches need to be developed. We previously reported that FTY720, a metabolite from Isaria sinclarii, is a unique antitumor agent for an androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line and requires caspase-3 activation in apoptosis. In our study, we have evaluated the effect of FTY720 on a family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), mitochondrial transmembrane potential, caspase-9 and caspase-8 and analyzed the expression of some cell-cycle regulator proteins in DU145 cells in order to understand the various antitumor effects of FTY720. Apoptosis was quantified by phosphatidylserine exposure. Activation of MAPKs, cleavage of caspase-9 and caspase-8, status of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and Cip1/p21, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, were evaluated by Western blot analysis, in addition to FAK and phospho-FAK immunoprecipitation and cell-cycle analysis by FACScan. We found that in DU145 cells, 40 microM FTY720 caused activation of p38 MAPK and the upstream kinase MKK3/MKK6 but not SAPK/JNK. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential, FAK and ERK1/2 were reduced while caspase-9 and caspase-8 were cleaved. The p38-specific inhibitor had no effect on apoptosis induced by FTY720, whereas z-VAD.FMK, a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, did not inhibit the p38 MAPK activation. An amount of 20 microM FTY720 resulted in G(1) arrest and a decrease of CDK2 as well as CDK4, whereas it induced Cip1/p21. FTY720 may exert anticarcinogenic effects against prostate cancer cells possibly involving modulation of mitogenic signaling, cell-cycle regulators, induction of G(1) arrest and apoptotic death in DU145 cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗