Tieshi Liu

Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation of Renal Tumors: 32-Month Mean Follow-up Results of 106 Patients

OBJECTIVE To report our experience of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on patients with renal tumors. RFA has been increasingly applied in the management of small renal tumors. However, it was performed mostly via percutaneous approach, with limited cases and a short follow-up period. METHODS From February 2006 to March 2008, laparoscopic RFA was performed on 106 renal tumors (size range: 0.9-5.5 cm) in 106 selected patients (74 men and 32 women, age range: 25-81 years). Initial contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination was performed seven days after the procedure, with subsequent CT assessment at three months, six months, and every six months thereafter. Serum creatinine measurement was conducted along with each time CT examination. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 32 months (range: 12-48). All 106 tumors were biopsied before RFA, of which 90 were diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (84.90%). There was one incomplete ablation. One case with radiographic local recurrence was then proved by pathologic analysis of the nephrectomy specimen to have no cancer cells. The local tumor control rate was 98.1% (104/106). Of the 90 RCC cases, the disease-free survival rate was 97.8% (88/90); both the cancer-specific and the overall survival rate were 100%. No death or renal failure after the procedure has yet been found. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that the laparoscopic RFA on small renal mass was safe, with outcomes of patients comparable with those by partial nephrectomy and percutaneous RFA. Further research and a longer follow-up period are needed to confirm our results.

Radio Frequency Ablation versus Partial Nephrectomy for Clinical T1b Renal Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Clinical and Oncologic Outcomes

PURPOSE We compared outcomes in patients treated with radio frequency ablation or partial nephrectomy for clinical cT1b renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients who underwent radio frequency ablation or nephrectomy between February 2006 and December 2010. Radiographic followup with contrast imaging was performed 7 days, 3 and 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter after radio frequency ablation sequentially. The followup protocol for partial nephrectomy was every 6 months in the initial 3 years and annually thereafter. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to generate survival curves, which were compared with the log rank test. Multivariable regression analysis was done to determine predictors of survival. RESULTS A total of 56 patients who met selection criteria were included in study. Patients in the radio frequency ablation group had relatively higher mean age and a higher mean ASA® score than those in the partial nephrectomy group. Mean tumor diameter was significantly larger in the partial nephrectomy cohort. For radio frequency ablation vs partial nephrectomy 5-year overall, cancer specific and disease-free survival was 85.5% (95% CI 72.2-98.8) vs 96.6% (95% CI 95.9-97.3), 92.6% (95% CI 82.4-98.1) vs 96.6% (95% CI 95.9-97.3) and 81.0% (95% CI 66.2-95.8) vs 89.7% (95% CI 78.5-97.9), respectively. The percent decrease in the glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in the radio frequency ablation group at early and last followup. CONCLUSIONS In appropriately selected patients with stage cT1b renal cell carcinoma radio frequency ablation is an effective treatment option that provides 5-year overall, cancer specific and disease-free survival comparable to that of partial nephrectomy as well as better renal function preservation than partial nephrectomy.

Gender disparity of living donor renal transplantation in East China

Gender disparity among living kidney donors is common world wide, which demonstrates different social and economic problems in different countries. However, few data are available for China. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed all 139 living donor renal transplants performed in our center between 2003 and 2010. The annual number of living donor renal transplants increased from six to 26 cases per year during the observation period. Among them, 69.2% of all kidney donors were females, whereas 79.5% of the recipients were male. The average age of recipients was 34.1 ± 7.6 yr and 94% (110/117) were younger than 44 yr. In contrast, 53% (62/117) of all donors were “middle‐aged” (45–59 yr) with an average donor age of 47.8 ± 9.2 yr. The first‐degree relatives accounted for the majority of the donor pool, as the most common donor‐recipient combination consisted of mother to son. In conclusion, there was a male and young preponderance among recipients, and a female and middle‐aged one among donors of living kidney transplants in our transplant center, which might be related to socio‐cultural as well as economic factors.

The Comparison of R.E.N.A.L., PADUA and Centrality Index Score in Predicting Perioperative Outcomes and Complications after Laparoscopic Radio Frequency Ablation of Renal Tumors

PURPOSE We assessed the association between the R.E.N.A.L., PADUA and centrality index scores and perioperative outcomes, and determined the efficacy of each scoring system over the simple parameter of tumor size. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of the records of patients who underwent laparoscopic radio frequency ablation of renal tumors from February 2006 to April 2014 at our institution. Tumors were categorized using the R.E.N.A.L., PADUA and centrality index score, which were determined by analyzing preoperative imaging. The relationships between each variable and change in glomerular filtration rate, estimated blood loss, operative time and postoperative complications were examined. RESULTS Laparoscopic radio frequency ablation was performed in 215 selected patients with preoperative imaging available. The interclass correlations coefficient of the 3 observers was 0.87, 0.84 and 0.82 for the C-Index, the R.E.N.A.L. and the PADUA scoring system, respectively. R.E.N.A.L. score, PADUA score and PADUA complexity were significantly associated with postoperative complications (p=0.040, 0.015 and 0.006, respectively). However, major complications were only associated with high PADUA complexity (chi-square 23.851, p <0.05). Each scoring system had a significant association with operative time and estimated blood loss (p <0.05), except that the C-index score had no relationship with estimated blood loss (p=0.083). The accuracy of each scoring system in predicting perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications was superior to that of tumor size. CONCLUSIONS Each scoring system has an advantage over tumor size in describing tumor complexity and may help with surgical decision making. Further studies are required to validate their efficacy in evaluating the intraoperative and postoperative results after renal laparoscopic radio frequency ablation.

Comparative efficacy and safety of first-line treatments in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer: a network meta-analysis based on phase 3 RCTs

It is impossible to conduct head-to-head trials of all the therapies to determine optimal treatment in the rapidly advancing era of therapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). In this network meta-analysis,we aimed to compare efficacy and safety of first-line treatments for mRCC. We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and unpublished studies were also sought through “clinicaltrials.gov” from their inception through January 31, 2016. A database search identified 1253 articles, with 11 studies meeting the eligibility criteria. A total of 7597 patients in twelve different treatment arms were assessed. Network meta-analysis showed sunitinib had a significantly longer PFS than IFN-α (SMD=−5.68; 95%CI: −10.76,−0.86; P<0.001) and placebo (SMD=−6.71; 95%CI: −12.65,−0.79; P<0.001), meanwhile, pazopanib had a significantly longer PFS compared with placebo (SMD=5.13; 95%CI: 0.43, 10.09; P<0.001). The cumulative ranking probability curve indicated that sunitinib had the highest probability of being the best treatment modality in terms of PFS and it also had the highest probability of being the safest drugs as the first-line treatment when it came to SAE. Thus, sunitinib might be the best choice of first-line treatment for patients with mRCC because it has the most favorable balance between efficacy and safety.

Minimal fat renal angiomyolipoma with lymph node involvement: A case report and literature review

Renal angiomyolipomas (AML), consisting of fatty tissue, blood vessels, and smooth muscular cells in various proportions, is a relatively common benign renal neoplasm. Simultaneous involvement of the kidney and lymph nodes is uncommon and might be confused with an advanced renal cancer. AML is divided into minimal fat AML and fat-predominant AML. However, minimal fat AML with lymph node involvement is extremely rare and difficult to differentiate from RCC on images. We report such a case and review the literature.