Genitourinary Cancers

A recently published population-based study reinforces prior evidence from retrospective studies of the increased survival benefit of partial nephrectomy over radical nephrectomy, and suggests a cancer-specific survival benefit for nephron-sparing approaches as well.

A personalized immunotherapy (AGS-003) nearly doubled expected progression-free survival and overall survival when added to standard sunitinib (Sutent) in patients with unfavorable-risk metastatic renal cell carcinoma, according to results from a single-arm phase II study.

Active surveillance appears to be a reasonable option for older patients with small renal masses, most of which are discovered during imaging for unrelated conditions, says the author of a recent study.

Abbott has announced that the ARCHITECT AFP test, which may help physicians detect the progression of testicular cancer, received FDA approval.

Small kidney tumors have an aggressive potential and should be treated, according to the results of a large multicenter study presented at the European Association of Urology annual congress in Milan, Italy.

In patients with small renal masses, partial nephrectomy results in better overall survival and lower costs compared with radical nephrectomy, say researchers from Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington.

A new immunoassay that tests for the presence of three biomarkers appears to be a valid screening method for the early detection of renal cell carcinoma, according to a recent study.

Use of tivozanib, an experimental tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with increased specificity and potency for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, as initial targeted therapy for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma did not translate into improved overall survival compared with sorafenib (Nexavar) in a phase III clinical trial.

To optimize outcomes for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, multimodal therapy is often required.

A large retrospective study of older patients diagnosed with small kidney tumors showed that patients who undergo surgery to remove these tumors have the same risk of dying of kidney cancer over a 5-year period as those who undergo surveillance.

MicroRNA expression appears to serve as a biomarker for predicting the progression of bladder urothelial carcinoma, the authors of a study from Israel reported.

A technique of zero-ischemia robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) using near-infrared fluorescence imaging appears to be associated with better postoperative kidney function compared with conventional RPN with main-artery renal clamping.

This month's round-up of new products includes CIVCO patient drapes, MediSafe Projects' medication alert app, a direct purchase program for Zoladex, and GAMMEX non-latex-sensitive surgical gloves.

Findings from a recent survey cement the idea that urology departments at academic centers have adopted thermal ablation as an alternative for management of patients with small renal masses, say researchers from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Two recent studies appear to shed light on the effect of smoking on bladder cancer outcomes and the role a certain protein plays in metastatic disease.

Hospital volume is a key predictor of survival for patients with urothelial bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy and has a greater impact than surgeon volume, findings from a retrospective analysis suggest.

In patients with stage pT1 urothelial bladder cancer, intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (TheraCys, TICE BCG) combined with electromotive mitomycin-C produces higher remission rates and longer remission times than BCG alone, Italian researchers reported.

Minimally invasive retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testicular cancer reduces length of stay while obtaining a perioperative safety profile comparable to that seen with the open procedure, researchers from the University of California, San Diego Health System reported.