Penile cancer care in the Netherlands: increased incidence, centralisation, and improved survival.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) incidence and centralisation trends in the Netherlands over the past three decades, as well as the effect of centralisation of PSCC care on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the Netherlands PSCC care is largely centralised in one national centre of expertise (Netherlands Cancer Institute [NCI], Amsterdam). For this study, the Netherlands Cancer Registry, an independent nationwide cancer registry, provided per-patient data on age, clinical and pathological tumour staging, follow-up, and vital status. Patients with treatment at the NCI were identified and compared to patients who were treated at all other centres. The age-standardised incidence rate was calculated with the European Standard Population. The probability of death due to PSCC was estimated using the relative survival. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate predictors of survival. RESULTS: A total of 3160 patients were diagnosed with PSCC between 1990 and 2020, showing a rising incidence (P < 0.001). Annual caseload increased at the NCI (1% in 1990, 65% in 2020) and decreased at other (regional) centres (99% to 35%). Despite a relatively high percentage of patients with T2-4 (64%) and N+ (33%) at the NCI, the 5-year relative survival was higher (86%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 82-91%) compared to regional centres (76%, 95% CI 73-80%, P < 0.001). Patients with a pathological T2 tumour were treated with glans-sparing treatment more often at the reference centre than at the regional centres (16% vs 5.0%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, histological grading, T-stage, presence of lymph node involvement and year of diagnosis, treatment at regional centres remained a predictor for worse survival (hazard ratio 1.22, 95% CI 1.05-1.39; P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The incidence of PSCC in the Netherlands has been gradually increasing over the past three decades, with a noticeable trend towards centralisation of PSCC care and improved relative survival rate.

Impact of Maximal Transurethral Resection on Pathological Outcomes at Cystectomy in a Large, Multi-institutional Cohort.

PURPOSE: While the presence of residual disease at the time of radical cystectomy for bladder cancer is an established prognostic indicator, controversy remains regarding the importance of maximal transurethral resection prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We characterized the influence of maximal transurethral resection on pathological and survival outcomes using a large, multi-institutional cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 785 patients from a multi-institutional cohort undergoing radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We employed bivariate comparisons and stratified multivariable models to quantify the effect of maximal transurethral resection on pathological findings at cystectomy and survival. RESULTS: Of 785 patients, 579 (74%) underwent maximal transurethral resection. Incomplete transurethral resection was more frequent in patients with more advanced clinical tumor (cT) and nodal (cN) stage (P < .001 and P < .01, respectively), with more advanced ypT stage at cystectomy and higher rates of positive surgical margins (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). In multivariable models, maximal transurethral resection was associated with downstaging at cystectomy (adjusted odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.5). In Cox proportional hazards analysis, maximal transurethral resection was not associated with overall survival (adjusted HR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-1.1). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing transurethral resection for muscle-invasive bladder cancer prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, maximal resection may improve pathological response at cystectomy. However, the ultimate effects on long-term survival and oncologic outcomes warrant further investigation.

Staging fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a nationwide population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To provide insight into the use and staging information on lymph-node involvement added by fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), based on a nationwide population-based cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed a nationwide cohort of patients with MIBC without signs of distant metastases, newly diagnosed in the Netherlands between November 2017 and October 2019. From this cohort, we selected patients who underwent pre-treatment staging with CT only or CT and FDG-PET/CT. The distribution of patients, disease characteristics, imaging findings, nodal status (clinical nodal stage cN0 vs cN+) and treatment were described for each imaging modality group (CT only vs CT and FDG-PET/CT). RESULTS: We identified 2731 patients with MIBC: 1888 (69.1%) underwent CT only; 606 (22.2%) underwent CT and FDG-PET/CT, 237 (8.6%) underwent no CT. Of the patients who underwent CT only, 200/1888 (10.6%) were staged as cN+, vs 217/606 (35.8%) who underwent CT and FDG-PET/CT. Stratified analysis showed that this difference was found in patients with clinical tumour stage (cT)2 as well as cT3/4 MIBC. Of patients who underwent both imaging modalities and were staged with CT as cN0, 109/498 (21.9%) were upstaged to cN+ based on FDG-PET/CT. Radical cystectomy (RC) was the most common treatment within both imaging groups. Preoperative chemotherapy was more frequently applied in cN+ disease and in FDG-PET/CT-staged patients. Concordance of pathological N stage after upfront RC was higher among patients staged as cN+ with CT and FDG-PET/CT (50.0% pN+) than those staged as cN+ with only CT (39.3%). CONCLUSION: Patients with MIBC who underwent pre-treatment staging with FDG-PET/CT were more often staged as lymph node positive, regardless of cT stage. In patients with MIBC who underwent CT and FDG-PET/CT, FDG-PET/CT led to clinical nodal upstaging in approximately one-fifth. Additional imaging findings may influence subsequent treatment strategies.

The influence of multidisciplinary team meetings on treatment decisions in advanced bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of specialised genitourinary multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs) in decision-making and identify factors that influence the probability of receiving a treatment plan with curative intent for patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data relating to patients with cT2-4aN0/X-1 M0 urothelial cell carcinoma, diagnosed between November 2017 and October 2019, were selected from the nationwide, population-based Netherlands Cancer Registry ('BlaZIB study'). Curative treatment options were defined as radical cystectomy (RC) with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, chemoradiation or brachytherapy. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between MDTM factors and curative treatment advice and how this advice was followed. RESULTS: Of the 2321 patients, 2048 (88.2%) were discussed in a genitourinary MDTM. Advanced age (>80 years) and poorer World Health Organization performance status (score 1-2 vs 0) were associated with no discussion (P < 0.001). Being discussed was associated with undergoing treatment with curative intent (odds ratio [OR] 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-4.9), as was the involvement of a RC hospital (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.09-2.65). Involvement of an academic centre was associated with higher rates of bladder-sparing treatment (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.31-3.21). Patient preference was the main reason for non-adherence to treatment advice. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with MIBC, the probability of being discussed in a MDTM was associated with age, performance status and receiving treatment with curative intent, especially if a representative of a RC hospital was present. Future studies should focus on the impact of MDTM advice on survival data.

Prognostic impact of variant histologies in urothelial bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate variant histologies (VHs) for disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients with invasive urothelial bladder cancer (BCa) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed a multi-institutional cohort of 1082 patients treated with upfront RC for cT1-4aN0M0 urothelial BCa at eight centres. Univariable and multivariable Cox' regression analyses were used to assess the effect of different VHs on DSS in overall cohort and three stage-based analyses. The stages were defined as 'organ-confined' (≤pT2N0), 'locally advanced' (pT3-4N0) and 'node-positive' (pTanyN1-3). RESULTS: Overall, 784 patients (72.5%) had pure urothelial carcinoma (UC), while the remaining 298 (27.5%) harboured a VH. Squamous differentiation was the most common VH, observed in 166 patients (15.3%), followed by micropapillary (40 patients [3.7%]), sarcomatoid (29 patients [2.7%]), glandular (18 patients [1.7%]), lymphoepithelioma-like (14 patients [1.3%]), small-cell (13 patients [1.2%]), clear-cell (eight patients [0.7%]), nested (seven patients [0.6%]) and plasmacytoid VH (three patients [0.3%]). The median follow-up was 2.3 years. Overall, 534 (49.4%) disease-related deaths occurred. In uni- and multivariable analyses, plasmacytoid and small-cell VHs were associated with worse DSS in the overall cohort (both P = 0.04). In univariable analyses, sarcomatoid VH was significantly associated with worse DSS, while lymphoepithelioma-like VH had favourable DSS compared to pure UC. Clear-cell (P = 0.015) and small-cell (P = 0.011) VH were associated with worse DSS in the organ-confined and node-positive cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: More than 25% of patients harboured a VH at time of RC. Compared to pure UC, clear-cell, plasmacytoid, small-cell and sarcomatoid VHs were associated with worse DSS, while lymphoepithelioma-like VH was characterized by a DSS benefit. Accurate pathological diagnosis of VHs may ensure tailored counselling to identify patients who require more intensive management.

Recent developments in perioperative combination therapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A summary of recent literature to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of systemic perioperative treatment combinations for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). RECENT FINDINGS: We discuss recent developments in standard and experimental treatment modalities. The VESPER trial has shown that six cycles of neoadjuvant dose-dense MVAC are superior to four cycles of gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC), though it is unclear whether the superiority is derived from the specific regimen or number of cycles. Adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy, a subject of longstanding debate, was shown to have comparable overall survival-benefit to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in an updated meta-analysis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and anti-PD-(L)1 show encouraging results, but with no comparative studies to standard care, context is lacking. Immunotherapeutic neoadjuvant anti-CTLA-4/PD-(L)1 combinations or combinations of checkpoint inhibitors with antibody-drug-conjugates are in early stages of development and show promising preliminary results. SUMMARY: Six cycles of neoadjuvant dose-dense MVAC are superior to four cycles of gemcitabine/cisplatin. Adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy is a viable option for patients with high-risk tumours who did not receive prior neoadjuvant treatment. The added value of anti-PD-(L)1 to chemotherapy still needs to be established. Novel developments in immunotherapy combinations, while promising, are still in an early stage and randomized studies are ongoing.

BCG-Unresponsive Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Current Treatment Landscape and Novel Emerging Molecular Targets.

Urothelial carcinoma (UC), the sixth most common cancer in Western countries, includes upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and bladder carcinoma (BC) as the most common cancers among UCs (90-95%). BC is the most common cancer and can be a highly heterogeneous disease, including both non-muscle-invasive (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive (MIBC) forms with different oncologic outcomes. Approximately 80% of new BC diagnoses are classified as NMIBC after the initial transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBt). In this setting, intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the current standard treatment for intermediate- and high-risk patients. Unfortunately, recurrence occurs in 30% to 40% of patients despite adequate BCG treatment. Radical cystectomy (RC) is currently considered the standard treatment for NMIBC that does not respond to BCG. However, RC is a complex surgical procedure with a recognized high perioperative morbidity that is dependent on the patient, disease behaviors, and surgical factors and is associated with a significant impact on quality of life. Therefore, there is an unmet clinical need for alternative bladder-preserving treatments for patients who desire a bladder-sparing approach or are too frail for major surgery. In this review, we aim to present the strategies in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC, focusing on novel molecular therapeutic targets.

The Utility of Inflammatory Serum Markers in the Assessment of Perioperative Morbidity after Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer.

Background and Objectives: To date, sparse evidence exists about the impact of inflammatory serum markers in predicting perioperative complications after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC). Here, we evaluated the role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma fibrinogen in predicting perioperative morbidity and unplanned 30-days readmission after RC for BC. Materials and methods: We relied on a collaborative database of 271 patients who underwent open RC for cT1-4a N0 M0 BC between January 2012 and December 2022. Univariable and multivariable binomial logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) testing the ability of each serum marker to predict postoperative complications (any-grade and major complications), and 30-days unplanned readmission. Results: The median age at RC was 73 yr (IQR 67-79). A total of 182 (67.2%) patients were male and the median BMI was 25.2 (IQR 23.2-28.4). Overall, 172 (63.5%) patients had a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) greater than 2 points and 98 (36.2%) were current smokers at the time of RC. Overall, 233 (86.0%) patients experienced at least one complication after RC. Of these, 171 (63.1%) patients had minor complications (Clavien-Dindo grade 1-2) while 100 (36.9%) experienced major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3). According to multivariable analysis, current smoking status, high plasma fibrinogen, and preoperative anemia were independently associated with major complications (OR 2.10, 95%CI 1.15-4.90, p = 0.02), (OR 1.51, 95%CI 1.26-1.98, p = 0.09), and (OR 1.35, 95%CI 1.17-2.57, p = 0.03), respectively. Overall, 56 (20.7%) patients experienced a 30-days unplanned readmission. According to univariable analysis, high preoperative CRP and hyperfibrinogenemia were significantly associated with an increased risk of unplanned readmission (OR 2.15, 95%CI 1.15-4.16, p = 0.02; OR 2.18, 95%CI 1.13-4.44, p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusions: In our study, the preoperative immune-inflammation signature described by NLR, PLR, LMR, SII, and CRP showed a low reliability in predicting perioperative course after RC. Preoperative anemia and hyperfibrinogenemia were independent predictors of major complications. Further studies are pending in order to draw definitive conclusions.

Survival after neoadjuvant/induction combination immunotherapy vs combination platinum-based chemotherapy for locally advanced (Stage III) urothelial cancer.

Despite treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy and surgical resection, clinical outcomes of patients with locally advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) remain poor. We compared neoadjuvant/induction platinum-based combination chemotherapy (NAIC) with combination immune checkpoint inhibition (cICI). We identified 602 patients who attended our outpatient bladder cancer clinic in 2018 to 2019. Patients were included if they received NAIC or cICI for cT3-4aN0M0 or cT1-4aN1-3M0 UC. NAIC consisted of cisplatin-based chemotherapy or gemcitabine-carboplatin in case of cisplatin-ineligibility. A subset of patients (cisplatin-ineligibility or refusal of NAIC) received ipilimumab plus nivolumab in the NABUCCO-trial (NCT03387761). Treatments were compared using the log-rank test and propensity score-weighted Cox regression models. We included 107 Stage III UC patients treated with NAIC (n = 83) or cICI (n = 24). NAIC was discontinued in 11 patients due to progression (n = 6; 7%) or toxicity (n = 5; 6%), while cICI was discontinued in 6 patients (25%) after 2 cycles due to toxicity (P = .205). After NAIC, patients had surgical resection (n = 50; 60%), chemoradiation (n = 26; 30%), or no consolidating treatment due to progression (n = 5; 6%) or toxicity (n = 2; 2%). After cICI, all patients underwent resection. After resection (n = 74), complete pathological response (ypT0N0) was achieved in 11 (22%) NAIC-patients and 11 (46%) cICI-patients (P = .056). Median (IQR) follow-up was 26 (20-32) months. cICI was associated with superior progression-free survival (P = .003) and overall survival (P = .003) compared to NAIC. Our study showed superior survival in Stage III UC patients pretreated with cICI if compared to NAIC. Our findings provide a strong rationale for validation of cICI for locally advanced UC in a comparative phase-3 trial.

Multicenter evaluation of neoadjuvant and induction gemcitabine-carboplatin versus gemcitabine-cisplatin followed by radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy (RC) is recommended in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, up to 50% of patients are cisplatin ineligible. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes after ≥ 3 cycles of preoperative gemcitabine-carboplatin (gem-carbo) versus gemcitabine-cisplatin (gem-cis). METHODS: We identified 1865 patients treated at 19 centers between 2000 and 2013. Patients were included if they had received ≥ 3 cycles of neoadjuvant (cT2-4aN0M0) or induction (cTanyN + M0) gem-carbo or gem-cis followed by RC. RESULTS: We included 747 patients treated with gem-carbo (n = 147) or gem-cis (n = 600). Patients treated with gem-carbo had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (p = 0.016) and more clinically node-positive disease (32% versus 20%; p = 0.013). The complete pathological response (pCR; ypT0N0) rate did not significantly differ between gem-carbo and gem-cis (20.7% versus 22.1%; p = 0.73). Chemotherapeutic regimen was not significantly associated with pCR (OR 0.99 [95%CI 0.61-1.59]; p = 0.96), overall survival (OS) (HR 1.20 [95%CI 0.85-1.67]; p = 0.31), or cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR 1.35 [95%CI 0.93-1.96]; p = 0.11). Median OS of patients treated with gem-carbo and gem-cis was 28.6 months (95%CI 18.1-39.1) and 45.1 months (95%CI 32.7-57.6) (p = 0.18), respectively. Median CSS of patients treated with gem-carbo and gem-cis was 28.8 months (95%CI 9.8-47.8) and 71.0 months (95%CI median not reached) (p = 0.02), respectively. Subanalyses of the neoadjuvant and induction setting did not show significant survival differences. CONCLUSION: Our results show that a subset of cisplatin-ineligible patients with MIBC achieve pCR on gem-carbo and that survival outcomes seem comparable to gem-cis provided patients are able to receive ≥ 3 cycles and undergo RC.

Robot-Assisted Partial Cystectomy versus Open Partial Cystectomy for Patients with Urachal Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Localized urachal cancer (UrC) can be treated with an open partial cystectomy (OPC) with en bloc resection of the urachal remnant and umbilicus. Robot-assisted partial cystectomy (RAPC) is an alternative approach, of which its safety and efficacy for UrC remains to be determined. In the present study, we analyze these outcomes after RAPC, compared with OPC. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 55 cN0M0 UrC patients who underwent RAPC (n = 8) or OPC (n = 47) between 1994 and 2020. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Positive surgical margins (PSM), port-site recurrences (PSR) versus wound recurrences were compared. Complications were recorded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 40 months (IQR 21-95). Two-year OS and RFS for RAPC were 73% (95% confidence intervals (CI); 56-89 months) and 60% (95% CI; 42-78 months), respectively, versus 90% (95% CI; 85-95 months) and 66% (95% CI; 59-73 months) for OPC. PSM rate was 13% in both groups. PSR occurred in 2/8 (25%) patients after RAPC. No wound recurrences occurred after OPC. Postoperative complications occurred in 2/8 (25%) patients after RAPC, versus 5/47 (11%) after OPC (p = 0.27). CONCLUSION: Both RAPC and OPC seem feasible surgical modalities to treat localized UrC with comparable survival. The PSR rate of 25% after RAPC should prompt us to be cautious to recommend RAPC as no such recurrences were seen using OPC.

The clonal relation of primary upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma and paired urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

The risk of developing urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) in patients treated by radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for an upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is 22% to 47% in the 2 years after surgery. Subject of debate remains whether UTUC and the subsequent UCB are clonally related or represent separate origins. To investigate the clonal relationship between both entities, we performed targeted DNA sequencing of a panel of 41 genes on matched normal and tumor tissue of 15 primary UTUC patients treated by RNU who later developed 19 UCBs. Based on the detected tumor-specific DNA aberrations, the paired UTUC and UCB(s) of 11 patients (73.3%) showed a clonal relation, whereas in four patients the molecular results did not indicate a clear clonal relationship. Our results support the hypothesis that UCBs following a primary surgically resected UTUC are predominantly clonally derived recurrences and not separate entities.

Hospital volume is associated with postoperative mortality after radical cystectomy for treatment of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To contribute to the debate regarding the minimum volume of radical cystectomies (RCs) that a hospital should perform by evaluating the association between hospital volume (HV) and postoperative mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2018 were retrospectively identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. To create a calendar-year independent measure, the HV of RCs was calculated per patient by counting the RCs performed in the same hospital in the 12 months preceding surgery. The relationship of HV with 30- and 90-day mortality was assessed by logistic regression with a non-linear spline function for HV as a continuous variable, which was adjusted for age, tumour, node and metastasis (TNM) stage, and neoadjuvant treatment. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range; range) HV among the 9287 RC-treated patients was 19 (12-27; 1-75). Of all the included patients, 208 (2.2%) and 518 (5.6%) died within 30 and 90 days after RC, respectively. After adjustment for age, TNM stage and neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative mortality slightly increased between an HV of 0 and an HV of 25 RCs and steadily decreased from an HV of 30 onwards. The lowest risks of postoperative mortality were observed for the highest volumes. CONCLUSION: This paper, based on high-quality data from a large nationwide population-based cohort, suggests that increasing the RC volume criteria beyond 30 RCs annually could further decrease postoperative mortality. Based on these results, the volume criterion of 20 RCs annually, as recently recommended by the European Association of Urology Guideline Panel, might therefore be reconsidered.

Sexual Satisfaction in Men Suffering From Erectile Dysfunction After Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of erectile function is an important postoperative quality of life concern for patients after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer. Although erectile function may recover, many men continue to suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). AIM: This study aims to determine whether satisfaction with sexual life improves in patients with ED after RARP and which factors are associated with satisfaction during follow-up. METHODS: A review was carried out of a prospectively maintained database of patients with prostate cancer who underwent a RARP between 2006 and 2019. The "International Index of Erectile Function" questionnaire was used to describe ED (range 5-25), overall satisfaction with sexual life and sexual desire (range for both: 2-10). Patients with ED due to RARP were compared with those without ED after RARP. Mixed effect model was used to test differences in satisfaction over time. Mann-Whitney U tests and multiple logistic regression were used to assess factors associated with being satisfied at 24 and 36 months. OUTCOMES: The main outcomes of this study are the overall satisfaction with sexual life score over time and factors which influence sexual satisfaction. RESULTS: Data of 2808 patients were reviewed. Patients whose erectile function was not known (n = 643) or who had ED at the baseline (n = 1281) were excluded. About 884 patients were included for analysis. They had an overall satisfaction score of 8.4. Patients with ED due to RARP had mean overall satisfaction scores of 4.8, 4.8, 4.9, and 4.6 at 6 mo, 12 mo, 24 mo, and 36 mo. These scores were significantly lower than those of patients without ED at every time point. In multiple regression analysis, higher overall satisfaction score at the baseline and higher sexual desire at 24 and 36 months' follow-up were associated with satisfaction with sexual life at 24 and 36 months' follow-up. No association was found for erectile function. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Interventions focusing on adjustment to the changes in sexual functioning might improve sexual satisfaction; especially for those men who continue to suffer from ED. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths of this study are the large number of patients, time of follow-up, and use of multiple validated questionnaires. Our results must be interpreted within the limits of retrospectively collected, observational data. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction with sexual life in men with ED due to RARP may take a long time to improve. One could counsel patients that sexual satisfaction is based on individual baseline sexual satisfaction and the return of sexual desire after RARP. Albers LF, Tillier CN, van Muilekom HAM, et al. Sexual Satisfaction in Men Suffering From Erectile Dysfunction After Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer: An Observational Study. J Sex Med 2021;18:339-346.

Association of patients' sex with treatment outcomes after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy for T1G3/HG bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of patients' sex with recurrence and disease progression in patients treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for T1G3/HG urinary bladder cancer (UBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the data of 2635 patients treated with adjuvant intravesical BCG for T1 UBC between 1984 and 2019. We accounted for missing data using multiple imputations and adjusted for covariate imbalance between males and females using inverse probability weighting (IPW). Crude and IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of patients' sex with HG-recurrence and disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 2170 (82%) males and 465 (18%) females were available for analysis. Overall, 1090 (50%) males and 244 (52%) females experienced recurrence, and 391 (18%) males and 104 (22%) females experienced disease progression. On IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses, female sex was associated with disease progression (HR 1.25, 95%CI 1.01-1.56, p = 0.04) but not with recurrence (HR 1.06, 95%CI 0.92-1.22, p = 0.41). A total of 1056 patients were treated with adequate BCG. In these patients, on IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses, patients' sex was not associated with recurrence (HR 0.99, 95%CI 0.80-1.24, p = 0.96), HG-recurrence (HR 1.00, 95%CI 0.78-1.29, p = 0.99) or disease progression (HR 1.12, 95%CI 0.78-1.60, p = 0.55). CONCLUSION: Our analysis generates the hypothesis of a differential response to BCG between males and females if not adequately treated. Further studies should focus on sex-based differences in innate and adaptive immune system and their association with BCG response.

Risk factors associated with positive surgical margins' location at radical cystectomy and their impact on bladder cancer survival.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors associated with positive surgical margins' (PSMs) location and their impact on disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients with bladder cancer (BCa) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). METHODS: We analyzed a large multi-institutional cohort of patients treated with upfront RC for non-metastatic (cT1-4aN0M0) BCa. Multivariable binomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess the risk of PSMs at RC for each location after adjusting for clinicopathological covariates. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate DSS stratified by margins' status and location. Log-rank statistics and Cox' regression models were used to determine significance. RESULTS: A total of 1058 patients were included and 108 (10.2%) patients had PSMs. PSMs were located at soft-tissue, ureter(s), and urethra in 57 (5.4%), 30 (2.8%) and 21 (2.0%) patients, respectively. At multivariable analysis, soft-tissue PSMs were independently associated with pathological stage T4 (pT4) (Odds ratio (OR) 6.20, p < 0.001) and lymph-node metastases (OR 1.86, p = 0.04). Concomitant carcinoma-in-situ (CIS) was an independent risk factor for ureteric PSMs (OR 6.31, p = 0.003). Finally, urethral PSMs were independently correlated with pT4-stage (OR 5.10, p = 0.01). The estimated 3-years DSS rates were 58.2%, 32.4%, 50.1%, and 40.3% for negative SMs, soft-tissue-, ureteric- and urethral PSMs, respectively (log-rank; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PSMs' location represents distinct risk factors' patterns. Concomitant CIS was associated with ureteric PSMs. Urethral and soft-tissue PSM showed worse DSS rates. Our results suggest that clinical decision-making paradigms on adjuvant treatment and surveillance might be adapted based on PSM and their location.

Diagnostic Laparoscopy and Abdominal Cytology Reliably Detect Peritoneal Metastases in Patients with Urachal Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Urachal adenocarcinoma (UrAC) is a rare malignancy that can cause peritoneal metastases (PM). Analogous to other enteric malignancies, selected patients with limited PM of UrAC can be treated by cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to address the value of diagnostic laparoscopy (DLS) and abdominal cytology (ACyt) for the detection and evaluation of the extent of PM in patients with UrAC. METHODS: A consecutive series of cN0M0 patients with UrAC who underwent DLS with or without ACyt at a tertiary referral center between 2000 and 2018 was assessed. Patients were staged with computed tomography (CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT or bone scan. DLS was performed to rule out PM and to evaluate the extent and resectability of PM if seen on imaging. Sensitivity and specificity values were calculated for imaging, DLS, ACyt, and the combination of DLS and ACyt. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with UrAC underwent DLS. ACyt was obtained in 19 patients. Four patients had suspicion of PM on imaging. In the 28 patients who were PM-negative on imaging, DLS and ACyt revealed PM in 6 (21%) patients, of whom 5 had macroscopically visible PM; 1 patient had positive ACyt without visible PM. Sensitivity of combined DLS/ACyt for the detection of PM was 91%, with a specificity of 100%, whereas sensitivity of imaging was 36%. DLS correctly predicted resectability in all patients. CONCLUSION: Combined DLS/ACyt proved an effective tool to detect occult PM and to evaluate the extent of PM to select UrAC patients for possible treatment with CRS/HIPEC.

18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this narrative review, we assessed the role of F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/CT (FDG-PET/CT) in preoperative staging and response evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (MIBC), and to assess its incremental value to contrast-enhanced (CE)CT and MRI in terms of patient management at initial diagnosis and detection of recurrence. RECENT FINDINGS: A literature search in PubMed yielded 46 original reports, of which 15 compared FDG-PET/CT with CECT and one with MRI. For primary tumor assessment, FDG-PET/CT proved not accurate enough (13 reports; n = 7-70). For lymph node assessment, sensitivity of FDG-PET/CT is superior to CT with comparable specificity in 19 studies (n = 15-233). For detection of distant metastases, data from eight studies (n = 43-79) suggests that FDG-PET/CT is accurate, although comparative studies are lacking. Limited evidence (four studies, n = 19-50) suggests that FDG-PET/CT is not accurate for response evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. FDG-PET/CT incited change(s) in patient management in 18-68% of patients (five reports; n = 57-103). For detection of recurrence, seven studies (n = 29-287) indicated that FDG-PET/CT is accurate. SUMMARY: Most studies evaluated FDG-PET/CT for lymph node assessment and reported higher sensitivity than CT, with comparable specificity. FDG-PET/CT showed incremental value to CECT for recurrence and often incited change(s) in patient management.

Concurrent Radiotherapy and Panitumumab after Lymph Node Dissection and Induction Chemotherapy for Invasive Bladder Cancer.

PURPOSE: In this prospective study we evaluated the safety and efficacy of concurrent radiotherapy and panitumumab following neoadjuvant/induction chemotherapy and pelvic lymph node dissection as a bladder preserving therapy for invasive bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with cT1-4N0-2M0 bladder cancer were treated with pelvic lymph node dissection and 4 cycles of platinum based induction chemotherapy followed by a 6½-week schedule of weekly panitumumab (2.5 mg/kg) and concurrent radiotherapy to the bladder (33 × 2 Gy). As the primary objective we compared concurrent radiotherapy and panitumumab toxicity to a historical control toxicity rate of concurrent cisplatin/radiotherapy (less than 35% of patients with Grade 3-5 toxicity). A sample size of 31 patients was estimated. Secondary end points included complete remission at 3-month followup, the bladder preservation rate, EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) expression and RAS mutational status. RESULTS: Of the 38 cases initially included in this study 34 were staged cN0. After pelvic lymph node dissection 7 cases (21%) were up staged to pN+. Of the 38 patients 31 started concurrent radiotherapy and panitumumab. During concurrent radiotherapy and panitumumab 5 patients (16%, 95% CI 0-31) experienced systemic or local grade 3-4 toxicity. Four patients did not complete treatment due to adverse events. Complete remission was achieved in 29 of 31 patients (94%, 95% CI 83-100). At a median followup of 34 months 4 patients had local recurrence, for which 3 (10%) underwent salvage cystectomy. Two tumors showed EGFR or RAS mutation while 84% showed positive EGFR expression. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent radiotherapy and panitumumab following induction chemotherapy and pelvic lymph node dissection has a safety profile that is noninferior to the historical profile of concurrent cisplatin/radiotherapy. The high complete remission and bladder preservation rates are promising and warrant further study.