Kidney cancer

Selective arterial embolization of angiomyolipomas: a comparison of smaller and larger embolic agents Villalta, J. D. et al. J. Urol. 186, 921–927 (2011)

A retrospective review of transarterial angiomyolipoma embolizations from 1999 to 2010 shows that large embolic agents (>150 µm) are more effective in the long term than small agents (<150 µm). Although embolizations with both large and small agents decreased angiomyolipomas, patients embolized with small agents had a higher risk of repeat embolization of the same mass and a higher risk of pulmonary complications than those embolized with large agents.

Bladder cancer

Association between smoking and risk of bladder cancer among men and women Freedman, N. D. et al. JAMA 306, 737–745 (2011)10.1001/jama.2011.1142

Researchers have evaluated the association between tobacco smoking and bladder cancer risk in 281,394 men and 186,134 women of the NIH–AARP Diet and Health Study cohort (followed up between 1996 and 2006). Compared with previous data from 1963–1987, the relative risk of bladder cancer in former and current smokers was higher in the current study: population attributable risk for smoking was 50% in men and 52% in women.

Prostate cancer

Androgen-deprivation therapy and the risk of stroke in patients with prostate cancer Azoulay, L. et al. Eur. Urol. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2011.08.041

A study of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with prostate cancer shows that different forms of ADT might increase the risk of stroke. 22,310 patients (≥40 years of age) were followed up over a mean of 3.9 years; those who received gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, oral antiandrogens, or bilateral orchiectomy had a higher risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack than those who did not receive ADT.

Penile cancer

Paclitaxel in pretreated metastatic penile cancer: final results of a phase II study Di Lorenzo, G. et al. Eur. Urol. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2011.08.028

Paclitaxel treatment is moderately active and well tolerated in patients with pretreated metastatic penile cancer, according to a new study. In 25 patients treated with paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 at 3-week intervals), 20% partially responded to therapy. Overall, no deaths were reported and, among responders, the most common adverse effects were neutropenia, nausea and oral mucositis. Paclitaxel may be combined with other agents for more effective therapies.