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Although lymphnode dissection (LND) provides staging and therapeutic benefit in bladder cancer, the role of lymphadenectomy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract (UCUUT) remains undefined. The aim of this paper was to examine the staging and therapeutic role of LND in RCC and UCUUT with emphasis on applicability to modern minimally invasive approaches. A Pubmed search was conducted to identify literature published between January 1, 2008 and March 11, 2013 addressing the role of lymphadenectomy in renal and upper urinary tract cancer. Key words included "lymphadenectomy", lymphnode dissection", "lymphnode excision", "lymphatic metastasis", "renal cancer", "renal neoplasm", "renal cell carcinoma", "kidney cancer", "kidney neoplasm", "upper urinary tract", "urothelial carcinoma", "kidney pelvis", "ureteral neoplasm", "transitional cell", "ureter, and upper tract urothelial neoplasm". The staging benefit of LND in RCC and UCUUT remains controversial although lymphnode metastasis is an important prognostic factor in both disease processes. It is not well established whether LND improves survival in RCC and UCUUT. There is no consensus regarding the optimal lymphnode yield or template. Much of the current literature is derived from studies of open surgery. Patients with higher grade and stage may derive the most benefit from LND. LND may provide both staging and survival benefit in select patients undergoing surgery for treatment of either RCC or UTUUC. Patients with clinical stage T2 or higher, those with aggressive histologic subtypes and features, and those with clinically enlarged nodes should undergo LND. Simple LND templates based on tumor location should be used and are amenable to both open and minimally invasive approaches.

Introduction: Subcutaneous penile injection of various oils for penile augmentation has been described among men in Laos. We have now treated three Laotian immigrants with penile disfigurement secondary to sclerosing lipogranulomas, also known as paraffinoma, induced by injection of a mineral oil compound marketed as "1Super Extenze," which they purchased in the United States., Aim: This series describes the clinical course and management of complications associated with the use of "1Super Extenze" in three Laotian men., Methods: Surgeons excised all grossly affected tissue and performed reconstruction using skin grafting, Z-plasty, and tissue advancement, respectively. Tissue from the penile shaft of each patient and a local lymph node in one patient was examined microscopically. Mass spectroscopy was performed on an aliquot of "1Super Extenze.", Main Outcome Measures: Urinary function, sexual function, and cosmesis of the three reported cases, chemical composition of "1Super Extenze," and microscopic analysis of penile and regional lymphatic tissue., Results: Short-term cosmetic and functional outcomes were acceptable after surgical intervention. Histologic findings consistent with sclerosing lipogranulomas were seen in specimens from affected subcutaneous and lymphatic tissue. "1Super Extenze" proved to be composed of mineral oil with tocopherol acetate (vitamin E)., Conclusion: Injection of "1Super Extenze" into the penile shaft results in sclerosing lipogranulomas, which can cause severe sexual and urinary complications. Surgical resection of all grossly involved tissue with appropriate reconstruction can mitigate these problems. This series supports previous recommendations in the literature that men should avoid the use of non-medical foreign bodies and fillers as means of penile augmentation., (© 2010 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Renal cryoablation is a minimally invasive, nephron-sparing option that has shown promise in the treatment of patients with solitary small renal lesions suspicious for malignancy. Few large clinical studies have used this promising technology, although intermediate-term data are encouraging. We present a retrospective review and report the outcomes of a large cohort of patients who underwent renal cryotherapy. Patients who were candidates for partial nephrectomy with peripheral lesions < or = 5.0 cm in maximum diameter and no history of bleeding disorders were offered cryoablation as definitive therapy. Two freeze-thaw cycles were used for all lesions, and all were characterized by intraoperative ultrasound immediately before freezing. Data were collected as part of standard care, and chart review was performed only in cases of missing data. From February 2001 to March 2005, 85 consecutive patients with an average age of 67 years and a mean tumor size of 2.6 cm (range, 1.2-4.7 cm; median, 2.5 cm), underwent renal cryoablation; 70 procedures were performed laparoscopically. Mean estimated blood loss was 58 mL, with 2 patients requiring transfusion. Mean hospital stay was 3.0 days (range, 0-14 days; median, 2 days) for the entire cohort and 2.2 days (range, 0-7 days; median, 2 days) for the laparoscopic group. A total of 7 laparoscopic cases were converted to an open approach early in the experience, 2 of which were considered technical failures. Mean follow-up was 10 months (range, 3-36 months). Abnormal postoperative enhancement occurred in 2 patients at 3 months and 12 months. Radical nephrectomy in the first revealed no viable tumor; needle biopsy in the second revealed renal cell carcinoma, which prompted nephrectomy. Intraoperative needle biopsy yielded a 59% malignancy rate. We conclude that renal cryotherapy is a viable option for nephron-sparing surgery in small, peripheral renal lesions. The procedure is well tolerated, may be considered in patients who are not good candidates for open surgical approaches, results in minimal morbidity, and has shown encouraging treatment results. Close posttreatment surveillance is essential. Longer-term follow-up data will be necessary if the long-term durability of renal cryotherapy is to be established.