Aneurysm formation appears to be related to tumor size, and large aneurysms confer a higher probability of rupture.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and therapeutic effects of the combination of renal arterial embolization and radiofrequency (RF) ablation to reinforce the anticancer effect on renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) measuring 3.5 cm or larger. This study was undertaken to evaluate this combined therapy on large RCCs-based tumor geometry. Eleven patients with 12 RCCs 3.5 cm or larger in diameter (3.5-9.0 cm) underwent combined therapy. Two were exophytic tumors, and the remaining 10 tumors had components extending into the renal sinus fat. Tumor vessels were selectively embolized in nine patients and the renal artery was completely embolized in two patients with polyvinyl alcohol or ethanol mixed with iodized oil. RF ablation was percutaneously done under the computed tomographic (CT)-fluoroscopic guidance. Response to treatment was evaluated by dynamic contrast-enhanced CT and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Tumor enhancement was eliminated after a single RF session in nine tumors (75%), after two sessions in two tumors (17%), and after four sessions in one tumor (8%). Both exophytic tumors (100%) and 7 of 10 tumors having components in the renal sinus fat (70%) were completely ablated with a single RF session. All tumors remained controlled during a mean follow-up period of 13 months and showed significant reduction in tumor sizes (5.2 +/- 1.7 cm to 3.6 +/- 1.4 cm, p < 0.001). A delayed abscess developed in the ablated lesion in a patient, which was percutaneously drainaged. Combined therapy as described in this report is a feasible, relatively safe, and promising treatment method for large RCCs regardless of tumor geometry.

Background: Urolithiasis is a major health problem in the northeast part of Thailand. In this study, we examined the prevalence of renal stone disease and differences of urinary components between ston? formers and healthy control subjects in northeastern rural areas of Thailand.

Our data suggest that enhanced androgen-independent PSA gene expression in MAP kinase-induced LNCaP cells is mediated, at least in part, by the "B" motif of the PSA promoter.

Although oxalate is a major component of kidney stones, the factors affecting renal oxalate handling are poorly understood. This uncertainty stems in part from complexities inherent to available preparations; thus the present studies examined oxalate handling in a simpler model system, LLC-PK1 cells, an epithelial cell line of porcine origin. Initial studies on monolayers in dishes demonstrated that these cells accumulate oxalate via a process or processes sensitive to the anion transport inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). Subsequent studies using LLC-PK1 monolayers on membrane filters examined the characteristics and distribution of these transporter(s). At the apical surface, DIDS-sensitive uptake was sensitive to [Cl-] but not [SO4(2-)] or [HCO3-] and was unaffected by alterations in pH or membrane potential. At the basolateral surface, oxalate uptake was [Cl-] insensitive but markedly affected by variation in pH, [SO4(2-)], or [HCO3-]. Uptake at the two membrane surfaces was also differentially affected by transport inhibitors and organic acids. Thus LLC-PK1 cells appear to express unique transporters at each membrane surface: oxalate/Cl- exchange at the apical surface and oxalate/SO4(2-) (or HCO3-) exchange at the basolateral surface.