In 1972 we first reported that vena caval extension by tumor thrombus was a potentially curable lesion provided that complete removal could be achieved. We have developed a technique for safe removal of extensive vena caval thrombi extending up to the right atrium without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass or hypothermic cardioplegia. Cardiopulmonary bypass, however, is advocated for some type III thrombi, but the addition of the pump and heparinization compounds the magnitude of the procedure. We use a right thoracoabdominal approach for tumors arising from either kidney with vascular isolation of the vena cava from its insertion into the right atrium to the iliac bifurcation. From 1972 to 1988, 56 patients ranging in age from 31 to 76 years were evaluated and 53 underwent radical nephrectomy with en bloc vena caval tumor thrombectomy. Of these patients, 21 had subhepatic caval thrombus extension (level 1); 24 had extension into the intrahepatic vena cava (level 2), and 8 had thrombi extending into the heart (level 3). Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival was 56%, 34%, and 25%, respectively. Crucial to survival was complete surgical excision. Successful extirpation of all apparent tumor was possible in 75% of the patients in this series. With an expected 5-year survival rate of 57% for those without metastatic disease to other organs, we continue to advocate an aggressive optimistic approach for patients if there is no preoperative evidence of metastatic disease.

Summary. Movement characteristics of freely swimming spermatozoa were studied with high-speed cinemicrography. At 21\ s=deg\ C, flagellar beat frequency was higher in midcycle human cervical mucus than in native semen or Tyrode's solution; the beat shape differed, possessing diminished amplitude and wavelength. Although the spermatozoa swam straighter in the mucus, the progressive swimming speeds did not differ in the three media. Swimming speed and beat frequency were linearly related in semen and in Tyrode, but in mucus the linearity was less certain. In midcycle cervical mucus at 37\s=deg\C, beat frequencies and swimming speeds were greater than at 21\ s=deg\ C, but the trajectories were equally straight, and the distances swum per beat (kinetic efficiencies) did not differ.

In 45 of 165 male cystectomy patients with bladder cancer (27 per cent) incidental adenocarcinoma of the prostate was found during the diagnostic evaluation or histological examination of the cystoprostatectomy specimens. Of the patients 37 had stage A1 or A2 and 8 had stage C or D1 prostate cancer. Clinical presentation, stage and grade distributions for each primary and prognostic variable are reviewed. Over-all, 67 per cent of the patients currently are alive with a 3-year actuarial survival rate of 60 per cent. The presence of incidental stage C or D1 prostate cancer in the surgical specimen implies incomplete surgical excision and it may warrant additional postoperative treatment. However, a significantly increased mortality rate among these patients has not been identified during the limited median followup of 25 months.

Between 1972 and 1983, 25 patients were treated for renal carcinoma with tumor extension into the vena cava but without other clinical evidence of disseminated disease. Of these patients 12 had vena caval tumor thrombus extension up to the level of the hepatic veins (group 1), 10 had extension into the intrahepatic vena cava (group 2) and 3 had tumor extending into the right atrium (group 3). A perioperative management plan and an anatomical surgical approach have been developed to allow safe en bloc removal of these extensive tumor thrombi without removal of the vena cava. Successful management is dependent upon preoperative evaluation to determine precisely the extent of the disease, prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism and a well planned surgical method. For patients without evidence of metastatic or perinephric disease, the 5-year actuarial survival rate of 33 per cent is comparable to that of other patients without thrombus. Complete resection was possible in 20 patients (80 per cent), with a 5-year actuarial survival rate of 36 per cent. While patients with metastatic tumor cannot be cured, short-term palliation can be achieved for patients who have an imminent risk of vena caval occlusion or pulmonary embolism by an en bloc removal of tumor and thrombus, even for those with intra-atrial extension. Over-all, operative intervention was successful, with 22 of 25 patients leaving the hospital alive.

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