IJU this issue

Abstract

This issue of International Journal of Urology contains two Review Articles, eight Original Articles and six Urological Notes. Tanaka et al. (Osaka, Japan) reviewed the current topics and trends of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapies in urological diseases. HBO therapy can be an effective option for treating some urological conditions, including radiationinduced hemorrhagic cystitis, Fournier gangrene and interstitial cystitis. In the past, there have been concerns about whether HBO could accelerate cancer cell growth through increased oxygen delivery. However, previous studies concluded that HBO did not promote cancer aggressiveness and that HBO was a safe treatment for cancer patients. This is good news for many urological physicians. Ito (Tokorozawa, Japan) reviewed recent advances in the systemic treatment of metastatic non-clear cell renal cell carcinomas (nccRCCs). At present, there is no standard treatment for metastatic nccRCCs. There are various types of nccRCCs with different genetic backgrounds and molecular features. Currently, tyrosine kinase inhibitors are a treatment option for metastatic papillary RCC as both first-line and second-line agents, whereas both tyrosine kinase inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors can be applicable for metastatic chromophobe RCC. However, further evidence is required to clarify appropriate therapeutic strategies for nccRCC using new agents and combination regimens. In the Original Articles, Tohi et al. (Kobe, Japan) assessed the perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy without renorrhaphy for cT1b renal tumors compared with cT1a. They concluded that robot-assisted partial nephrectomy without renorrhaphy using the soft-coagulation system and absorbable hemostats appears to be feasible for cT1b tumors, although longer warm ischemic time and a high rate of complications can be expected compared with cT1a tumors. It is notable that pseudoaneurysm occurred in none of the 66 patients with cT1a tumors and only one of the 34 patients with cT1b tumors. Okumi et al. (Tokyo, Japan) investigated biopsy-proven recurrence rates and risk factors for immunoglobulin A nephropathy recurrence in 299 kidney transplant recipients. The 10-year recurrence rate was 34%. Related-donor transplantation and post-transplant increased proteinuria were identified as potential risk factors for recurrence. The results have clinical implications in that the signs of recurrent immunoglobulin A nephropathy should be evaluated carefully in recipients receiving related-donor transplants. In the Urological Notes, Suzuki et al. (Tokyo, Japan) reported penile size and stretched rate in a Japanese male population using fresh cadavers. This is a unique study. As Fukuhara (Osaka, Japan) described in the Editorial Comment, penile size is an important factor for men to have a better self-image and better satisfaction during sexual activity. This study provides on-demand helpful data to urologists, because there is scarce knowledge in this field. Yamada et al. (Kyoto, Japan) investigated the feasibility of virtual reality for surgical planning and intraoperative management in partial nephrectomy. Virtual reality technology allows the surgeon to understand the patient’s anatomy more accurately and plan the surgical procedures with more care. Although the objective usefulness of the case-specific 3-D virtual reality-based surgical simulation is not shown, it can be a useful technique to intuitively understand surgical anatomy and facilitate surgical decision-making in partial nephrectomy. Unfortunately, the limited space does not allow me to introduce all the articles. However, all the papers are very interesting and informative. Please enjoy this issue of International Journal of Urology.