Pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic lesion of the urinary bladder: A rare entity posing a diagnostic challenge and therapeutic dilemma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic lesions of the urinary bladder are relatively rare entities of an uncertain pathogenesis and benign indolent nature.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present an extremely rare case of an ALK-1-positive pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic lesion of the urinary bladder, which was initially misinterpreted as a low-grade leiomyosarcoma of myxoid subtype on histologic examination owing to prominent atypia, high mitotic activity, abnormal mitotic figures and infiltration of the bladder wall. Although the histologic features were suggestive of a sarcoma, the correct diagnosis was finally established and radical surgical treatment was subsequently avoided. The patient is currently free of disease without any evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis at 3 years post-operatively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The key differentiating point rests in distinguishing the aforementioned mass forming lesion from the myxoid subtype of low-grade leiomyosarcoma in order to avoid unnecessary radical therapy.</p

Leiomyosarcoma of the Prostate: Case Report and Review of 54 Previously Published Cases

Prostate leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare and highly aggressive neoplasm that accounts for less than 0.1% of primary prostate malignancies. We present a patient with primary leiomyosarcoma of the prostate and review 54 cases reported in the literature to discuss the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this uncommon tumor. Median survival was estimated at 17 months (95% C.I. 20.7–43.7 months) and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 68%, 34%, and 26%, respectively. The only factors predictive of long-term survival were negative surgical margins and absence of metastatic disease at presentation. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for appropriate management of this dire entity

Diagnosis and Management of Postpercutaneous Nephrolithotomy Residual Stone Fragments

Residual stone fragments can occur in up to 8% of patients who are treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). When left untreated, approximately half of these patients will experience a stone-related event, for which more than half will need a secondary surgical intervention. Predictors of adverse events are a residual fragment larger than 2 mm that is located in the pelvis or ureter. Preventive measures for the creation of residual fragments include a carefully selected access giving exposure to the bulk of the stone, the creation of multiple tracts, the use of single pulse pneumatic lithotripsy, the prevention of stone migration with ureteral balloons or stone cones, and careful flushing of the stones from the collecting system. Plain radiography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, linear tomography, and ultrasonography have all been used to judge the result of PCNL and to detect the presence of residual fragments. Thin-slice, unenhanced helical CT, however, is more sensitive and should be performed at 1 month after surgery. While medical therapy and shockwave lithotripsy possess a minor role, second-look flexible nephroscopy and/or flexible ureterorenoscopy seem to be the treatments of choice for residual stone fragments after PCNL

The Impact of COVID-19 Disease on Urology Practice

The diagnosis and timely treatment of cancer patients should not be compromised during an infectious disease pandemic. The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has serious implications on urology practice and raises particular questions for urologists about the management of different conditions. It was recommended to cancel most of the elective urological surgeries. Urological cancers surgeries that should be prioritized are radical cystectomy for selective tumors, orchiectomy for suspected testicular tumors, nephrectomy for c T3+, nephroureterectomy for high-grade disease, and radical adrenalectomy for tumors &gt;6 cm or adrenal carcinoma. Most prostatectomies can be delayed without compromising the survival rate of patients. Urological emergencies should be treated adequately even during this pandemic. There is a potential risk of coronavirus diffusion during minimally invasive procedures performed. It is crucial to use specific precautions when urologists performed those type of surgeries. It was also recommended to suspend the kidney transplantation program during the COVID-19 pandemic except for specific cases. In this review, we discussed the triage of urological surgeries, the risk of minimally invasive urological procedure, the kidney transplantation challenges, the systemic therapies, intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), endourology, teleconferencing, and telemedicine application in urology during the COVID-19 pandemic

Molecular pathogenetics of renal cancer

Recent developments in genetics and molecular biology have led to an increased understanding of the pathobiology of renal cancer. Thorough knowledge of the molecular pathways associated with renal cancer is a prerequisite for novel potential therapeutic interventions. Studies are ongoing to evaluate novel anticancer agents that target specific molecular entities. This article reviews current knowledge on the genetics and molecular pathogenesis of sporadic and inherited forms of renal cancer. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

Clinical usage of the squamous cell carcinoma antigen in patients with penile cancer

Background: We present our initial experience with the use of the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen (SCCAg) in 16 men with penile SCC (SCC group), in four men with condyloma acuminatum (benign group), and in 32 blood donors (control group). Methods: The SCCAg levels were measured at presentation and every 6 months (upper limit was 2 ng/mL). The mean follow-up time was 4 years. Results: All non-SCC patients had normal SSCAg serum levels in contrast with the SCC patients. The presence of nodal and/or distant metastases resulted in statistically significant higher SCCAg levels, both at presentation and during the follow-up. In patients undergoing lymph node dissection with elevated SCCAg levels prior to the procedure, there was a statistically significant decrease of the SCCAg levels after the operation. Conclusion: The SCCAg level could be a serum marker that holds promise for clinical use in penile SCC. Sequential monitoring of SCCAg level might indicate developing of nodal and/or distant metastases and could be useful in following the response to treatment