Xeng Inn Fam

Background and Objectives: Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is a preferred minimally invasive option for renal tumours, but its use in highly complex cases (RENAL score ≥ 9) remains underexplored. Only four Asian countries, India, China, South Korea, and Japan, have published studies on RAPN for complex kidney tumours, highlighting limited evidence. The aim of this study is to assess the perioperative, functional, and oncological effects of RAPN for complex renal tumours at a single tertiary centre in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Patient demographics, tumour characteristics, perioperative parameters, and postoperative results were collected through a retrospective review that was conducted on 35 patients who had undergone RAPN between January 2023 and June 2024. The outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and comparative tests between surgical approaches (transperitoneal vs. retroperitoneal). Results: Of the 35 patients, all had high-complexity tumours. RAPN achieved a “trifecta” outcome in 88.6% of patients. Significantly lower intraoperative blood loss is associated with the retroperitoneal approach in comparison with the transperitoneal approach, whereas other perioperative parameters, which include warm ischaemia time, did not show any significant differences. No positive surgical margins were observed, and no local recurrences or port-site metastases were detected during a mean follow-up of 11.31 ± 5.78 months. Postoperative changes in renal function were negligible, with a mean creatinine change of 5.69 ± 20.39 µmol/L. Conclusions: RAPN is a safe and effective option for complex renal tumours, offering excellent functional and oncological outcomes. The choice between transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches should be tailored to tumour characteristics for optimal surgical outcomes. This single-centre Malaysian study contributes to the limited Southeast Asian literature on RAPN for complex renal tumours.

Primary renal Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a very rare and aggressive malignant tumor. We report a case of a young adult who presented with painless hematuria and acute urinary retention and was subsequently diagnosed with localized left renal Ewing sarcoma following robotic-assisted retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy. Histopathology revealed a tumor composed of nests and lobules of monotonous tumor cells with round nuclei, indistinct nucleoli, and scanty cytoplasm, associated with a vascular-rich to hyalinized stroma and fibrillary neural matrix. Moderate nuclear pleomorphism, scattered necrosis, and pseudorosette formation were noted. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated tumor cell positivity for CD99 and CD117. The patient was subjected to chemotherapy. Early diagnosis and multimodality treatment play an important role in improving survival rate.

Background and Objectives: Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is a preferred minimally invasive option for renal tumours, but its use in highly complex cases (RENAL score ≥ 9) remains underexplored. Only four Asian countries; India, China, South Korea, and Japan have published studies on RAPN for complex kidney tumors, highlighting limited evidence. The aim of this study is to assess the perioperative, functional, and oncological effects of RAPN for complex renal tumours at a single tertiary centre in Malaysia Materials and Methods: Patient demographics, tumour characteristics, perioperative parameters, and postoperative results were collected through a retrospective review that was carried out on 35 patients who had undergone RAPN between January 2023 and June 2024. The outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and comparative tests between surgical approaches (transperitoneal vs. retroperitoneal). Results: Of the 35 patients, all had high-complexity tumours. RAPN achieved a "trifecta" outcome in 88.6% of patients. Significantly lower intraoperative blood loss is associated with the retroperitoneal approach in comparison to the transperitoneal approach, whereas other perioperative parameters, which include warm ischaemia time, did not show any significant differences. No positive surgical margins were observed, and no local recurrences or port-site metastases were detected during a mean follow-up of 11.31 ± 5.78 months. Postoperative changes in renal function were negligible, with a mean creatinine change of 5.69 ± 20.39 µmol/L. Conclusions: RAPN is a safe and effective option for complex renal tumours, offering excellent functional and oncological outcomes. The choice between transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches, should be tailored to tumour characteristics for optimal surgical outcomes. This single-centre study, the first of its kind in Malaysia, adds to the limited Southeast Asian literature. Although the sample size is relatively small, the findings provide a valuable foundation for future larger, multi-centre research.

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma, especially dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL), is a rare tumor type primarily affecting middle-aged and older adults in the retroperitoneum or proximal extremities. This case report highlights an exceptionally large retroperitoneal DDL that had enveloped the entire right kidney and had adhered to nearby tissues. Diagnosing retroperitoneal liposarcoma is challenging due to its asymptomatic nature until it reaches a substantial size. Imaging, particularly contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), play a vital role in diagnosis, staging, and preoperative planning. Surgical resection, with the goal of R0 resection, remains the cornerstone of treatment, albeit this can be challenging due to tumor location. First-line treatment for advanced DDL involves anthracycline-based therapy. Eribulin and pazopanib show promise in second-line treatment. Ongoing clinical trials suggest a shift towards multimodal therapy. This case report reports the largest retroperitoneal liposarcoma and underscores the complexity of managing retroperitoneal DDL.

Conventional techniques of varicocele repair are associated with substantial risks of hydrocele formation, ligation of the testicular artery, and varicocele recurrence. The advantages of the microscopic approach to varicocele repairs are detailed identification and preservation of the vascular structures. In this study, our purpose is to review the outcome of all patients that underwent microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy with the video telescopic operating microscope (VITOM). Hence, a retrospective review of 23 varicocele patients who underwent microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy at the center from the year 2019 until 2021 was done. They, ranging between 18 to 58 years of age, comprising one case of right varicocele, fifteen cases of left varicocele, and seven cases of bilateral varicocele, were all having symptoms (pain and swelling) and clinically palpable varicocele. Ultrasounds were done to confirm the diagnosis and measure the testicular size. The surgery was performed by a single surgeon, under spinal anesthesia. The operation was performed using the VITOM telescope system, with an average operative time of one hour. The patients were followed-up at one month postoperatively to review the wound and symptoms. Phone call evaluations of all 23 patients were done to detect any recurrence or complications. All patients were discharged one day after surgery. Post-operative, all of them have a well-formed scar at the previous subinguinal region incision wound during the clinic visits. None of the 23 patients reported with varicocele recurrence, testicular pain, hydrocele formation or sexual dysfunction. The previous testicular pain or discomfort they encountered prior to the surgery was resolved as well. In conclusion, microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy using the VITOM telescope is feasible and could achieve good outcomes.

Giant paratesticular liposarcoma is a rare presentation of paratesticular tumor. We present a case of the largest paratesticular liposarcoma described to date with a weight of 4,100 g and measuring 460 × 210 × 130 mm. It was initially mistaken as an inguinoscrotal hernia until a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a huge left paratesticular tumor extending from the scrotum to the mid-abdomen. The challenge was to achieve a tumor-free margin orchidectomy due to the poor fat plane of the tumor to the external iliac artery, psoas muscle, descending colon, and anterior abdominal wall. The surgery was started with laparoscopic dissection for the intraabdominal part of tumor from the vital structure, then followed by inguinal radical orchidectomy and inguinal mesh repair. Postoperative histopathological report revealed a paratesticular dedifferentiated liposarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation with clear margin. The patient had good recovery post operation.

Mesotheliomas are malignancies which involve mesothelial cells, and are commonly found in the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium, and (rarely) the testis. We present a case of paratesticular mesothelioma that was excised without the testis. An elderly gentleman presented with a painless right scrotal mass, which appeared clinically benign and separable from the underlying testis. An ultrasound showed an extratesticular lesion adhered to the scrotal wall with a complex hydrocele. An excisional biopsy was conducted, and the Jaboulay procedure was performed on the right testis. Pathological examination revealed mesothelioma, showing focal invasion into the underlying stroma. A post-operative computed tomography (CT) scan evaluation manifested no local or distant metastasis. No further surgery was performed, and no chemotherapy or radiotherapy was offered to the patient. Subsequent clinical examinations and radiological scans carried out during each clinic follow-up for two years showed no new lesion or recurrence.

Small cell prostate neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCPC) is a rare and highly aggressive malignant tumor. We present a case of a 52-year-old Iranian man, presenting with complaints of occasional gross hematuria and perineal pain for 6 months. PSA was 0.8 ng/ml. A digital rectal examination found a huge and hard prostate mass. He underwent a transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) biopsy of the prostate. Histopathology showed high-grade small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Immunohistochemical markers were positive for synaptophysin with a Ki67 index of almost 100%. However, CD56 and chromogranin A markers were negative. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate showed a prostate mass with invasion to the rectum, while contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis (CT TAP) ruled out metastasis. A multidisciplinary team discussion was carried out, and a decision was made for concurrent chemotherapy and radiation (cisplatin and etoposide for 4 cycles and 70 Gy, 35 fractions). There is a lack of consensus on the management of SCPC. The main modality of management in advanced (stage IV) disease is chemotherapy. It is a highly aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis and is not responsive to hormonal therapy.

Background Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are commonly experienced among ageing males. The increasing prevalence of late-onset hypogonadism suggests a possible relationship between serum testosterone and severity of LUTS. This study examines the association between serum testosterone and severity of lower urinary tract symptoms among Malaysian men, as reflected by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Method A total of 163 men with LUTS were enrolled in a cross-sectional study in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Mukhriz, Malaysia. Full examination, IPSS, and serum total testosterone (TT) levels were evaluated. Categorical and continuous correlations were analyzed using chi-square test and age-adjusted Pearson’s partial correlation, respectively. Result Mean age was 66.25 (SD = 7.05), with mean serum TT of 16.74 nmol/L (SD = 6.32). Twenty eight percent (n = 46) had low testosterone levels. Severity of LUTS (mild, moderate, severe) was not found to be dependent on TT status (normal, low, severely low), (χ2 [4, N = 163] = 4.24, P = 0.37). Weak negative correlations between total IPSS and IPSS storage sub-score with serum TT levels were exhibited respectively (r = −0.17, P < 0.05; r = −0.17, P < 0.05). Conclusion Among elderly Malaysian men, severity of LUTS and TT status were not found to be associated, despite a weak negative correlation between IPSS and serum testosterone levels. Nonetheless, with a high prevalence of hypogonadal ageing men, further research regarding serum testosterone measurement among this population may be valuable as part of a multimodal approach to treatment.

Long urethral strictures are often treated with autologous genital skin and buccal mucosa grafts; however, risk of hair ingrowth and donor site morbidity, restrict their application. To overcome this, we introduced a tissue-engineered human urethra comprising adipose-derived stem cell (ASC)-based self-assembled scaffold, human urothelial cells (UCs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ASCs were cultured with ascorbic acid to stimulate extracellular matrix (ECM) production. The scaffold (ECM) was stained with collagen type-I antibody and the thickness was measured under a confocal microscope. Results showed that the thickest scaffold (28.06 ± 0.59 μm) was achieved with 3 × 10⁴ cells/cm² seeding density, 100 μg/mL ascorbic acid concentration under hypoxic and dynamic culture condition. The biocompatibility assessment showed that UCs and SMCs seeded on the scaffold could proliferate and maintain the expression of their markers (CK7, CK20, UPIa, and UPII) and (α-SMA, MHC and Smootheline), respectively, after 14 days of in vitro culture. ECM gene expression analysis showed that the ASC and dermal fibroblast-based scaffolds (control) were comparable. The ASC-based scaffold can be handled and removed from the plate. This suggests that multiple layers of scaffold can be stacked to form the urothelium (seeded with UCs), submucosal layer (ASCs only), and smooth muscle layer (seeded with SMCs) and has the potential to be developed into a fully functional human urethra for urethral reconstructive surgeries.