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Simple Summary: Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is an attractive alternative treatment method for patients with small renal tumours. It has been compared to current standard—partial nephrectomy—in several studies. Most of them, however, are limited by a selection bias. In this study, we evaluated the results of ultrasonography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and partial nephrectomy in patients who, due to tumour- and patient-related factors, were most suitable for both treatment methods. The oncological results of both methods were comparable, all of recurrent or residual tumours were successfully re-treated. Percutaneous ablation was associated with significantly shorter procedure length and hospital stay, lower blood loss and analgesics used. Over the recent years, progress in imaging techniques has led to an increased detection of kidney tumours, including small renal masses. While surgery is still the standard of care, there is a growing interest in minimally invasive methods. Ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous ablation is particularly attractive because it is a safe and relatively simple procedure. In this study, we investigated the results of US-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and partial nephrectomy (PN) in the treatment of cT1a renal cancers. Between August 2016 and February 2022, 271 patients with renal tumours underwent percutaneous RFA as initial treatment in our institution. In the same period, 396 patients with renal tumours underwent surgical tumour excision. For the purpose of this study, only patients with confirmed renal cancer with matched age and tumour characteristics (size, location) were selected for both groups. Thus, a group of 44 PN patients and 41 RFA patients were formed with the same qualification criteria for both groups. Parameters such as procedure length, blood loss, hospital stay, analgesics used, and pre- and post-procedural serum creatinine were compared between these groups. Patients followed up with contrast-enhanced CT. There was no significant difference in age, tumour size, tumour location, and creatinine levels between these groups. All procedures were generally well tolerated. During a median follow-up of 28 months, two cases of recurrence/residual disease were found in each group. The overall survival was 100% in both groups, and all patients were disease-free at the end of observation. Percutaneous RFA was associated with a significantly shorter procedure length and hospital stay, lower blood loss, and lower analgesics used than PN. In the selected group of renal cancer patients, US-guided percutaneous RFA was associated with a shorter hospital stay, less analgesics used, and a shorter procedure length than PN, without differences in the oncological results or kidney function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is a relatively simple, safe and inexpensive treatment method for patients with small renal tumours and thus an attractive alternative in such cases. It has been, however, reported to be associated with an increased risk of recurrence in comparison with the current standard—partial nephrectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate tumour characteristics associated with an increased risk of residual disease/recurrence and to find which tumours can be treated with ultrasonography-guided percutaneous ablation without an increased risk of recurrence. Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was safe and well-tolerated. Its effectiveness depended on tumour size, with best results for exophytic lesions smaller than 3 cm. Most of the recurrent or residual tumours were successfully re-treated with ultrasonography-guided percutaneous ablation. Over the recent years, the progress in imaging techniques has led to an increased detection of kidney tumours, including small renal masses. While surgery is still the standard of care, there is a growing interest in minimally invasive methods. Ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous ablation is particularly attractive because it is a safe and relatively simple procedure. In this study, we investigated the success of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in relation to kidney tumour diameter and location. Between August 2016 and September 2021, 253 patients with 259 renal tumours underwent US-guided RFA as a primary treatment in our institution. A total of 67 patients were excluded from this study. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and tumour biopsy were performed before the procedure. Patients were followed with contrast-enhanced CT, the average follow-up time was 28 months. The studied group was composed of 186 patients with 191 renal tumours—only biopsy-confirmed renal cancers were included. During the follow-up, 46 cases of residual disease and 4 cases of local progression were found. There was a significant correlation between tumour size and the ablation success rate. The success rate was 73.5% and 87.6% for lesions ≤25 mm, 94.6% for lesions ≤25 mm and exophytic, 79.1% for lesions 26–30 mm and 84.4% for lesions 26–30 mm and exophytic, respectively. Four Clavien-Dindo grade ≥2 complications were observed. US-guided percutaneous RFA of T1a renal cancers is safe and well-tolerated. Its effectiveness depends on tumour size, with best results for exophytic lesions smaller than 3 cm. Most of the recurrent or residual tumours can be successfully re-treated with US-guided percutaneous RFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Renal mass biopsy (RMB) is still underutilized, partially because many urologists argue that it does not substantially influence the management of renal masses. We sought to evaluate the influence of RMB on the management of renal tumours in our institution. Materials and Methods: A total of 387 RMBs performed at our institution from January 2016 to June 2020 were included. Patient demographics, mass size, biopsy result, and subsequent clinical management were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The mean mass size was 47.8 mm. Fifty-six percentage of tumours ≤40 mm (247) and 8% of tumours >40 mm (64) were biopsied. Seventy-six RMBs of disseminated tumours were performed. 14.9% of RMBs were non-diagnostic, and 27.1% of RMBs of tumours ≤40 mm were benign. The majority of tumours with first non-diagnostic RMB followed by histopathological verification were found to be malignant. There was significantly more conservative management and no radical nephrectomies in the benign biopsy group. One case of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥2 complication occurred. Conclusions: RMB result affects treatment decisions. Ultrasound-guided RMB is a safe procedure, and performing biopsies of tumours ≤40 mm may reduce the number of unnecessary interventions. Non-diagnostic RMBs should be repeated or treated as malignant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complete resection is the only potential curative treatment of synchronous colorectal liver metastases. Although simultaneous liver and colon resections became an accepted procedure at specialized centres for selected patients, there is still little data about the long‐term results of simultaneous operative procedures compared with those of delayed operations. In this retrospective study, the long‐term survival rates of the patients who underwent simultaneous or delayed resections were presented. Methods: A retrospective analysis of liver resections in our institution between 1997 and 2012 was performed. Among 131 patients presented with synchronous colorectal liver metastases, 52 underwent simultaneous and 79 delayed resection. Patients with extrahepatic metastases were excluded, except for 10 patients with metastases limited to liver and lungs that were qualified as resectable. Results: Age, sex and localization of the primary tumour were similar in the two groups. In the delayed resection group, the majority of colon resections were performed in different hospitals. The frequency of complications did not differ between the groups. The 1, 5 and 10 years survival rates were 77%, 43% and 20% in simultaneous and 86%, 37% and 19% in delayed resection group, respectively. No cancer related deaths occurred after more than 10 years of observation. Conclusion: The long‐term outcome of simultaneous resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastases is comparable to delayed resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Over the recent years, the progress in imaging techniques has led to increased detection of small renal masses (SRMs), including in elderly and high-risk patients. Partial nephrectomy (nephron-sparing surgery - NSS), the current standard of care in T1a kidney tumours, has some limitations in patients who are poor candidates for surgery, as it is associated with potential perioperative complications and possible renal function loss. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a minimally invasive method that can be performed percutaneously, is an option in such cases. Aim: To present our experience in treatment of SRMs using RFA in comorbid patients. Material and methods: In the years 2006-2012, 103 percutaneous, ultrasound-guided RFA procedures were performed in the Oncology Centre in Bydgoszcz in patients with an ASA score ≥ 3. Abdominal computed tomography and tumour biopsy were performed before the procedure. The average follow-up time was 46 months. Results: The 1, 3 and 5-year overall survival rates were respectively 97%, 90% and 75%, while cancer-specific survival was 100%. No Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 complications were observed. Conclusions: Radiofrequency ablation performed percutaneously is a minimally invasive treatment and may be applied in patients who are, due to comorbidities, poor candidates for surgery. In comorbid patients, where other causes of death play an important role, the application of a minimally invasive treatment method with satisfactory oncological effectiveness is justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The optimal strategy for the treatment of synchronous colorectal liver metastases has not been established yet. In this study, we present the outcomes and survival rates of the patients who underwent simultaneous or delayed resections. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of liver resections in our institution between 1997 and 2006. Results: Among the 89 patients presenting with synchronous colorectal liver metastases, 28 underwent simultaneous and 61 underwent delayed resection. Age, sex and localization of the primary tumour were similar in the 2 groups. Duration of surgery and hospital stay were longer in the simultaneous resection group, and blood loss was also greater in this group. However, these factors did not influence the frequency of complications, which did not differ between the groups. When we included data from initial colectomy, these differences were either not significant or in favour of synchronous resection. In the delayed resection group, colon resection was performed in different hospitals. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 78%, 70% and 45%, respectively, in the simultaneous and 88%, 55% and 38%, respectively, in the delayed resection groups. Conclusion: In select patients, the risk of simultaneous resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastases is comparable to delayed resection, and increases in blood loss and operating time associated with simultaneous resections do not have a negative influence on long-term outcome. Positive outcomes of simultaneous liver resections in our study could be a result of good patient selection or experience with oncological liver surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rho-kinase and GTP-ase Rho are important regulators of vascular tone and blood pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Rho-kinase in artery reactions induced by angiotensin II (ANG II) and the effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury as well as the function of intra- and extracellular calcium in these reactions. Experiments were performed on mesenteric superior arteries procured from cadaveric organ donors and conserved under the same conditions as transplanted kidneys. The vascular contraction in reaction to ANG II was measured in the presence of Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632, after ischemia and reperfusion, in Ca2+ and Ca2+-free solution. The maximal response to ANG II was reduced after ischemia, while an increase was observed after reperfusion. Vascular contraction induced by ANG II was decreased by Y-27632. Y-27632 reduced vascular contraction after reperfusion, both in Ca2+ and Ca2+-free solution. Reperfusion augments vascular contraction in reaction to ANG II. The Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 reduces the hypersensitivity to ANG II after reperfusion mediated by both intra- and extracellular calcium. These results confirm the role of Rho-kinase in receptor-independent function of ANG II and in reperfusion-induced hypersensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The optimal strategy for the treatment of synchronous colorectal liver metastases has not been established yet. In this study, we present the outcomes and survival rates of the patients who underwent simultaneous or delayed resections.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of liver resections in our institution between 1997 and 2006.Results: Among the 89 patients presenting with synchronous colorectal liver metastases, 28 underwent simultaneous and 61 underwent delayed resection. Age, sex and localization of the primary tumour were similar in the 2 groups. Duration of surgery and hospital stay were longer in the simultaneous resection group, and blood loss was also greater in this group. However, these factors did not influence the frequency of complications, which did not differ between the groups. When we included data from initial colectomy, these differences were either not significant or in favour of synchronous resection. In the delayed resection group, colon resection was performed in different hospitals. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 78%, 70% and 45%, respectively, in the simultaneous and 88%, 55% and 38%, respectively, in the delayed resection groups.Conclusion: In select patients, the risk of simultaneous resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastases is comparable to delayed resection, and increases in blood loss and operating time associated with simultaneous resections do not have a negative influence on long-term outcome. Positive outcomes of simultaneous liver resections in our study could be a result of good patient selection or experience with oncological liver surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]