Kidney and Bladder Module Banking

Both the kidney and bladder modules of the Tissue Bank are developing concurrently, are based on the model and experiences gained from implementation of the prostate module, and are in Phase 3 of development. In summary, we are harvesting specimens for internal researchers based upon individual investigator-driven protocols. Our experience has shown that we may easily harvest all tissue types without affecting the surgical pathology diagnostic value of the specimens, and we foresee progression of banking initiatives in these modules to Phase 4 in the near future. There has been a great deal of excitement about these modules, and our only constraints to date for further development of these programs has been identifying the funds for personnel resources.

Since progression to Phase 3 around the beginning of 1996, the Tissue Bank has supplied internal investigators with 40 tumor and normal samples from Renal Cell Carcinoma patients, and 25 tumor and normal sets from Transitional Cell Carcinoma (Bladder) patients.

The methodology for tissue harvesting has been relatively straight-forward compared to prostate banking. This is due primarily to the nature of prostate cancer vs. bladder or renal cancer. Prostate cancer tends to be relatively small, diffusely circumscribed, and somewhat difficult at times to identify grossly. In contrast, bladder and renal cancers can grow to be quite large, are well-circumscribed and defined, and are readily apparent on gross-examination. Banking has proceeded without the constraints of extensive QA imposed on the prostate module, and we envision rapid expansion once necessary funds to support these activities is identified.

• Tissue Banking Development
• The Western Pennsylvania Prostate Tissue Bank
• Method of Processing Radical Prostatectomies
• 'Warm-Autopsy' Metastatic Prostate Cancer Tissue Harvesting
• Kidney and Bladder Module Banking