This volume is a report of the proceedings of the Second International Urological Course held in the Ettore Majorana Centre in Erice, Sicily from the 4-8 November 1978. The meeting was sponsored by the Urological Group of the EORTC (European Organisation for Research in the Treatment of Cancer), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Bladder Cancer, the European Urological Association, the Italian Research Council (CNR) , Italian League against Tumours, Italian Government and Regional Sicilian Government. Contributions were accepted on the understanding that the editors could make certain changes leading towards a uniformity of style but accepting as a priority the importance of early publication, if necessary at the expense of stylistic perfection. Editorial notes have been inserted at infrequent intervals, sometimes to summarise discussions and at others in an attempt to clarify certain issues or to highlight conflicting opinions. Although the work has been divided amongst the editors and co­ editors it is only proper to acknowledge that the major role in collating and in correcting much of the material has fallen on Mrs MAske who has also typed the manuscript. We should also like to acknowledge the kindness of the Yorkshire Regional Cancer Organisation who allowed Mrs Aske to devote much of her time to this work, Miss S Barrowby who has also given considerable secretarial assistance and the Department of Medical Photography, st James's University Hospital, Leeds whose staff are responsible for many of the illustrations.