The treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has recently evolved from being predominantly cytokine-based treatment to the use of targeted agents, which include sorafenib, sunitinib, bevacizumab (plus interferon alpha [IFN-α]), temsirolimus, everolimus, pazopanib, and most recently, axitinib. Improved understanding of the molecular pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of RCC has led to the development of specific targeted therapies for treating the disease. In Korea, it has been 5 years since targeted therapy became available for mRCC. Thus, we now have broader and better therapeutic options at hand, leading to a significantly improved prognosis for patients with mRCC. However, the treatment of mRCC remains a challenge and a major health problem. Many questions remain on the efficacy of combination treatments and on the best methods for achieving complete remission. Additional studies are needed to optimize the use of these agents by identifying those patients who would most benefit and by elucidating the best means of delivering these agents, either in combination or as sequential single agents. Furthermore, numerous ongoing research activities aim at improving the benefits of the new compounds in the metastatic situation or their application in the early phase of the disease. This review introduces what is currently known regarding the fundamental biology that underlies clear cell RCC, summarizes the clinical evidence supporting the benefits of targeted agents in mRCC treatment, discusses survival endpoints used in pivotal clinical trials, and outlines future research directions.

The MSKCC and Heng model were both valid models for predicting OS. The no nephrectomy, no hypertension at baseline, and high C-reactive protein levels were independently associated with poorer OS.

PurposeTo determine effectiveness of Valsalva maneuver and standing position on scrotal color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) for the varicocele diagnosis.Materials and MethodsWe reviewed the physical examination and CDU finding in 87 patients who visited National Police Hospital from January 2011 to April 2014. Diameters of pampiniform plexus were measured bilaterally during resting and Valsalva maneuver in the supine position and standing position. We calculated the ratio of mean of maximal vein diameter (mMVD) during resting and Valsalva maneuver (resting-Valsalva ratio) and compared in the both position.ResultsIn the resting and supine position, mMVD of varicocele testis units were 1.8 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.6 mm (grades I, II, III, respectively), and that of normal testis units (NTU) 1.2 mm. During Valsalva maneuver in the supine position, mMVD were 3.0 mm, 3.4 mm, 4.2 mm (grades I, II, III) vs 1.8 mm (NTU) (p=0.007, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). Average of resting-Valsalva ratio in the supine position were 0.69, 0.74, 0.74 (grades I, II, III) and 0.67 (NTU). Whereas in the resting and standing position, mMVD were 2.8 mm, 3.3 mm, 3.8 mm (grades I, II, III) and 1.8 mm (NTU) (p=0.002, p<0.001, p<0.001). During Valsalva maneuver in the standing position, mMVD were 5.0 mm, 5.8 mm, 6.6 mm (grades I, II, III) and 2.5 mm (NTU) (p=0.002, p<0.001, p<0.001). And average resting-Valsalva ratio were 0.76, 0.90, 0.71 (grades I, II, III) and 0.26 (NTU), which showed significant differences from all grades (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001).ConclusionsIt is suggested that the standing position and Valsalva maneuver during CDU could improve diagnostic ability for varicocele. Resting-Valsalva ratio in the standing position could be a new diagnostic index for varicocele diagnosis using CDU.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) between transaxial scanning and midsagittal scanning. We tried to determine which method is superior.Materials and MethodsA total of 968 patients who underwent TRUS for diagnosis of any diseases related to the prostate were included in this study. When measuring prostate volume by TRUS, we conducted the measurements two ways at the same time in all patients: by use of height obtained by transaxial scanning and by use of height obtained by midsagittal scanning. Prostate volume was calculated by using the ellipsoid formula ([height×length×width]×π/6).ResultsFor prostate volume measured by TRUS, a paired t-test revealed a significant difference between using height obtained by transaxial scanning and that obtained by midsagittal scanning in all patients (28.5±10.1 g vs. 28.7±9.9 g, respectively, p=0.004). However, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of prostate volume more than 20 g (known benign prostatic enlargement [BPE]) between the two methods by chi-square test (90.5% [n=876], 90.8% [n=879], respectively; p=0.876). When analyzed in the same way, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of prostate volume more than 30 g (generally, high-risk BPE) between the two methods (34.5% [n=334], 36.3% [n=351], respectively; p=0.447).ConclusionsAlthough prostate volume by TRUS differed according to the method used to measure height, that is, transaxial or midsagittal scanning, we conclude that there are no problems in diagnosing BPE clinically by use of either of the two methods.

PurposeThere is no reported evidence for an anthropometric index that might link obesity to men's sexual health. We evaluated the ability of an anthropometric index and the symptom scores of five widely used questionnaires to detect men's health problems. We determined the predictive abilities of two obesity indexes and other clinical parameters for screening for lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction in middle-aged men.Materials and MethodsA total of 1,910 middle-aged men were included in the study. Participants underwent a detailed clinical evaluation that included recording the symptom scores of five widely used questionnaires. The participants' body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were determined. Serum prostate-specific antigen, urinalysis, testosterone, estimated glomerular filtration rate, evaluation of metabolic syndrome, and transrectal ultrasonography were assessed.ResultsBy use of logistic regression analysis, age and total prostate volume were independent predictors of lower urinary tract symptoms. Metabolic syndrome was the only significant negative predictive factor for chronic prostatitis symptoms. Age and metabolic syndrome were independent predictive factors for erectile dysfunction. Waist-to-hip ratio had a statistically significant value for predicting erectile dysfunction.ConclusionsOur data showed that total prostate volume is a significant predictor of lower urinary tract symptoms, and central obesity has predictive ability for erectile dysfunction. Metabolic syndrome was the only significant negative predictive factor for chronic prostatitis-like symptoms. The management of correctable factors such as waist-to-hip ratio and metabolic syndrome may be considered preventive modalities against the development of men's health problems.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic roles of the prostate volume, tumor volume, and tumor percentage as a function of the pathologic T stage in radical prostatectomy specimens. This study included 259 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2005 and 2010. The mean follow-up period was 41.2 months. In all of the specimens, prostate volume (P = 0.021), the Gleason score (P = 0.035), and seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0.012) were independent predictors of biochemical recurrence (BCR). In the T2 group, multivariate analysis showed that the BCR was significantly associated with prostate specific antigen (PSA) (P = 0.028), a lower prostate volume (P = 0.004), and the Gleason score (P = 0.040). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that a smaller prostate volume was significantly associated with a greater risk of BCR (< 30 vs ≥ 30 mL; P = 0.010). In the T3 group, patients with seminal vesicle invasion had a significantly shorter mean BCR-free survival (P = 0.030). In this study, tumor volume and tumor percentage did not predict BCR. Notably, a lower prostate volume is an independent predictor for BCR only in the organ-confined radical prostatectomy specimens. But, prostate volume could not predict BCR in most locally advanced tumors.

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PurposeHigh serum inorganic phosphorus level is related with atherosclerosis and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. At the same time, the association of phosphorus with erectile dysfunction (ED) is not well reported. We studied the effect of serum phosphorus on ED and the relationship with other clinical variables.Materials and MethodsFrom March to September 2013, 1,899 police men aged 40 to 59 years who entered in a prostate health screening were targeted. All subjects underwent a clinical checking using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire translated into Korean. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone, inorganic phosphorus, body mass index, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and prostate ultrasound were also examined.ResultsSerum inorganic phosphorus (r=–0.108, p<0.001) had the highest correlation coefficient with IIEF-5 score other than age, followed by prostate volume (PV) (r=–0.065, P<0.001). Using logistic regression analysis, age, phosphorus, and MetS were predictive factors for moderate to severe ED in univariate analysis. PSA, testosterone, body mass index, and PV could not predict ED. Age, MetS, and phosphorus were independent predictive factors of moderate to severe ED (p<0.001; odds ratio [OR], 1.119; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.086–1.153; p=0.048; OR, 1.283; 95% CI, 1.003–1.641; and p=0.048; OR, 1.101; 95% CI, 1.076–1.131) in the multivariate analysis.ConclusionsIn our study, phosphorus level is related with ED. Phosphorus is a significant predictor of ED and a strong factor that can be modified in the middle-age. Controlling phosphorus in men may have a particular meaning of preventing the occurrence of ED.