Laparoscopic approaches to urologic malignancies

Urologic laparoscopy has had its greatest impact on patients with genitourinary malignancies. Only pelvic lymph node dissection and the occasional nephrectomy were considered oncologically feasible early in the evolution of laparoscopic urology. Presently, multiple approaches are considered standard at centers of excellence and in the general community. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy and radical nephrectomy have gained overwhelming acceptance. Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy has been found to be feasible for select patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Minimally invasive nephron-sparing approaches, such as cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, continue to generate great interest, but follow-up remains limited. Early data with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy suggest excellent continence rates and equivalent oncologic results based on pathologic surrogates of cure. However, long-term data are still needed, in addition to validated information regarding return of erectile function and quality of life. Other novel therapies, such as laparoscopic radical cystectomy with urinary diversion and laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, hold great promise of benefiting patients with urologic malignancies.