Background. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer. Taking account of morbidity and mortality increase, it is evident that searching for independent prognostic factors is needed. Aim of the Study. The aim of the study was to analyze routinely performed blood parameters as potential prognostic factors for kidney cancer. Material and Methods. We have retrospectively reviewed the records of 230 patients treated for renal cell carcinoma in the years 2000–2006. Preoperative blood parameters, postoperative histopathological results, and staging and grading were performed. To estimate the risk of tumor recurrence and cancer specific mortality (CSM) within five years of follow-up, uni- and multivariate Cox and regression analyses were used. To assess the quality of classifiers and to search for the optimal cut-off point, the ROC curve was used. Results. T stage of the tumor metastasis is the most important risk factor for early recurrence and cancer specific mortality (p < 0.001). The preoperative platelet count (PLT) above 351 × 103/uL (95.3%; 55.1%) and AUC of 77% are negative prognostic factors and correlate with increased cancer specific mortality (CSM) during the five-year follow-up (p < 0.001). Increased risk of local recurrence was observed for PLT above 243.5 × 103/ul (59%; 88%) and AUC of 80% (p = 0.001). The opposite was observed in the mean platelets volume (MPV) for cancer specific mortality (CSM). The cut-off point for the MPV was 10.1 fl (75.4%; 55.1%) and for the AUC is of 68.1% (p = 0.047). Conclusions. Many analyzed parameters in univariate regressions reached statistical significance and could be considered as potential prognostic factors for ccRCC. In multivariate analysis, only T stage, platelet count (PLT), and mean platelet volume (MPV) correlated with CSM or recurrent ccRCC.

Purpose. the aim of the study was to analyse the physiological response of wheelchair basketball (Wb) athletes related to type of impairment and functional classification in game situations. Methods. Overall, 15 male players from the Polish National Wheelchair basketball team were observed during friendly and championships games (2017 and 2018). Heart rate (peak and average: HR peak , HR av) and the number of sprints were monitored for each player per a full game with Polar team Pro. For each athlete, 5 HR zones were calculated based on peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, HR peak , body weight, and age (aerobic laboratory test). Heart rate reserve (HRR) and percentage of HRR (%HRR) were established. Results were compared between athletes related to the type of impairment (spinal cord injuries and other physical impairments) and functional classification (group A: 1.0-2.5 points; group b: 3.0-4.5 points). Results. the results showed the specificity of Wb games, i.e. all players were found in all HR zones with different contribution. Group A athletes played less than those form group b in the 5 th HR zone (15% and 21%, respectively), had significantly lower HR peak , HR av , HRR, %HRR, and did more sprints. Conclusions. the study confirmed a differential specificity of a Wb game. significant differences were observed in the physiological response between Wb athletes representing different functional levels. this knowledge is important to plan preseason conditioning exercises for individual Wb athletes. Further studies are needed to better understand the physiological response of Wb players.

IntroductionFailure to perform surgical repair of varicocele before puberty is among the common causes of male infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the testicular volume and fertility potential in men after laparoscopic varicocelectomy conducted in adolescence due to varicocele and concomitant testicular hypotrophy.Material and methodsFrom 1996 through 2011, eighty–two adolescents were operated on for unilateral primary varicocele with testicular hypotrophy. Sixty–eight patients were subject to the current analysis. The age of the patients was 13 to 17 years (mean 15.3 years). Clinical diagnosis was established on the basis of andrologic examination and ultrasonography with an assessment of testicular size and varicocele severity. Laparoscopic surgical repair was performed by a transperitoneal approach with division of testicular vein only.ResultsAn increase in left testicular volume when compared with the contralateral testis was found in 25 (78.1%) young men with clinical grade 2 varicocele (p = 0.02) and in 32 (88.8%) subjects with grade 3 abnormality (p = 0.04). An increase in left testicular volume was found in 46 (85.1%) of 54 patients with unilateral varicocele and in 12 (85.7%) of 14 subjects operated on for bilateral disease. A left testicular volume increase was comparable independent of the use of uni– or bilateral repair. Fifty–eight (85.2%) of our 68 patients had normozoospermia.ConclusionsLaparoscopic varicocele repair resulted in a significant increase of hypotrophic testicular volume in 83.8% of our subjects.

BackgroundSeveral nomograms were developed for predicting the potential recurrence and cancer death risk in renal cell carcinoma patients. The combination of TNM classification and appropriately selected clinical classifiers allows for the creation of simple and effective risk calculators.Material/MethodsThere were 230 patients with renal cell cancer enrolled in this study. Basic parameters of blood count, serum creatinine and sodium concentrations, and histopathological features of the tumors were analyzed. A determination of whether any of the tested parameters could be used to assess the prognosis of kidney cancer was performed.ResultsWhen the platelet cell count (PLT) increased by 10 thousand/μL, the risk of metastasis was higher by 5%, and cancer recurrence and death by 10%. A low-risk recurrence group was identified: T1b, PLT <230, Na of 140.6 mmol/L. A high-risk recurrence group was identified: T3a, PLT >280, Na of 143.4 mmol/L. A low-risk cancer specific mortality group was identified: T2a, absence of metastases, preoperative creatinine level of 85.6 μmol/L, and the value of PLT 227.0×103. A high-risk cancer specific mortality group was identified: T3a, the presence of metastases in the lungs (M), serum creatinine before treatment level of 97.9 μmol/L, and the value of PLT 299.5×103.ConclusionsPreoperative PLT, serum sodium, and tumor staging were independent risk factors for local recurrence. Blood PLT, serum sodium, creatinine, and tumor staging were useful indicators for estimating 5-year cancer specific survival.

The endoscopic injection of vesicoureteric orifices with synthetic or natural materials is a widely recognized method of treating vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The aim of this study is to present two cases of clinically significant complications following the use of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer, which led to the progression of the reflux degree, permanent infection of the urinary tract, and the necessity to perform surgical treatment.

BackgroundThe aim of the following study is to evaluate the advancement of incidentally diagnosed prostate cancer in specimen after cystoprostatectomies caused by muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Secondly we assessed the survival in patients after radical cystoprostatectomy whose postoperative specimen was characterized by the presence of co-existing prostate cancer or prostate infiltration by urothelial bladder cancer.MethodsBetween 1993 and 2009 a total of 320 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer underwent cystoprostatectomy. The first analyzed group consisted of 52 patients with bladder cancer infiltrating prostate, while the second group consisted of 21 patients with co-existing prostate cancer. In all patients cancer specific survival and progression were analyzed. Average follow up was 75.2 months (range: 0 - 181).ResultsCancer-specific survival was significantly shorter in group I (p = 0.03). Neoplastic progression in patients from group I was observed in 42.2% of patients, while in patients from group II in 23.6% of patients (p = 0.04). No statistical difference was observed in the percentage of positive lymph nodes between the groups (p = 0.22). The median Gleason score in patients with co-existing prostate cancer was equal to 5. The stage of prostate cancer pT2/pT3 was equal to 20 (96%)/1 (4%) patients. 12 (57%) prostate cancers were clinically insignificant. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 2 (9%) patients.Conclusions1. Incidentally diagnosed prostate cancer in specimen after cystoprostatectomies is frequently clinically insignificant and characterized by low progression.2. Patients with bladder cancer infiltrating prostate are characterized by higher percentage of progression and death in comparison with patients with co-existing prostate cancer.

Introduction.A review of Polish and international literature does not give a clear indication of the level of anaerobic capacity that sailors with disabilities demonstrate with regard to their functional capacities. This study sought to determine differences in functional capacity levels between sailors from three medical and functional groups. Material and methods. The research was carried out during a sports camp at the National Sailing Centre in Górki Zachodnie in 2014. Eighteen males with locomotor disabilities were included in the study. The athletes were members of the National Team of Sailors with Disabilities of the Polish Yachting Association. The sportsmen competed in the Skud 18 and 2.4mR Paralympic classes. A 30-second Wingate test for upper limbs was employed in the study. Results. Significant differences in mean power (MP) values were noted between the groups under investigation. The group of wheelchair sailors with improper core stability (A) and the group of wheelchair sailors with proper core stability (B) had significantly lower scores than the group of study participants who were able to move freely, that is to walk (C). Conclusions. The study revealed that a 30-second anaerobic capacity test performed on an arm ergometer differentiated disabled sailors from selected groups in terms of mean power. Research on anaerobic capacity may be used to verify the current classification in Paralympic sailing and will make it possible to differentiate present competition categories.

Introduction: Paralympic sailing was introduced at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games. Since then it has been developing rapidly and an increasing number of individuals in Poland and abroad regularly take part in sports competitions. Currently, disabled athletes can compete in three classes: Sonar, 2.4mR and Skud 18. The review of the Polish and foreign literature does not give a clear indication of the motives for participation in Paralympic sailing. Material and methods: The study was carried out on 52 regatta sailors with physical disabilities. Group I consisted of 20 sailors from the Polish National Team. Group II consisted of 32 sailors from 10 European countries. The study was conducted during the National Team camp in Górki Zachodnie and during the European Championships in Switzerland. The Participation Reasons Scale (PRS – developed by Brasile and Hedrick in 1991) was used in the study. Results: Excitement of the activity and an opportunity to improve abilities were rated highest by the disabled sailors from the Polish National Team. In the group of sailors from other European countries, the motives rated highest included the chance to be with friends and challenges related to sailing. Conclusions: Sports-related aspects and emotions are the main factors motivating disabled persons to practise sailing. If we take into account the needs indicated by the sailors in planning sports activities for people with disabilities, it may contribute to faster development of Paralympic sailing in our country.