In the area of urologic oncology, laparoscopic techniques were met with a 'let's wait and see attitude.' Only recently have outcome data exceeding 5 years become available, thus solidifying the place of laparoscopy in treating genitourinary malignancy. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was the first urologic laparoscopic procedure for cancer to significantly decrease the side effects of open surgery while giving equivalent or improved disease specific outcomes. Scepticism about cancer control and difficulty in learning the procedure delayed the dissemination of these techniques to the patient...