MRI at diagnostic versus confirmatory biopsy during MRI-based active surveillance of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Active surveillance (AS) is a management strategy for patients with favorable risk prostate cancer. Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) may impact upgrading rates, but there is mixed evidence on the appropriate timing to introduce mpMRI. We evaluated timing of initial mpMRI use for patients on AS and compared upgrading and intervention rates for AS candidates who received initial mpMRI before diagnostic biopsy vs. confirmatory biopsy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients enrolled in AS captured by the Prospective Loyola Urology mpMRI (PLUM) Prostate Biopsy Cohort which captures men undergoing MRI-fusion prostate biopsy. We included patients enrolled in AS between January 2014 and October 2022. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent MRI-fusion prostate biopsy while on AS at our institution. The cohort was stratified by men who underwent first mpMRI prior to diagnostic biopsy (MRI-DBx), confirmatory biopsy (MRI-CBx), or a subsequent surveillance biopsy. Oncologic outcomes including pathologic reclassification, intervention-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 346 patients identified on AS, 94 (27.2%) received mpMRI at the time of diagnostic biopsy, 182 (52.6%) at confirmatory biopsy, and 70 (20.2%) at a later biopsy. At confirmatory biopsy (median 14 months), there was no difference in upgrading (HR 0.95, P = 0.78) or intervention rates (HR 0.97, P = 0.88) between MRI-DBx and MRI-CBx. PI-RADS score on initial mpMRI was associated with upgrading during AS follow-up relative to men with negative mpMRI (HR 4.20 (P = 0.04), 3.24 (P < 0.001), and 1.99 (P < 0.001) for PI-RADS 5, 4, and 3, respectively), and PSA density was associated with intervention (HR 1.52, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: mpMRI can serve as a prognostic tool to select and monitor AS patients, but there was no difference in upgrading or intervention rates based on initial timing of MRI.

Variability in prostate cancer detection among radiologists and urologists using MRI fusion biopsy.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of radiologist and urologist variability on detection of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion prostate biopsies. Patients and methods: The Prospective Loyola University MRI (PLUM) Prostate Biopsy Cohort (January 2015 to December 2020) was used to identify men receiving their first MRI and MRI/TRUS fusion biopsy for suspected PCa. Clinical, MRI and biopsy data were stratified by radiologist and urologist to evaluate variation in Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) grading, lesion number and cancer detection. Multivariable logistic regression (MVR) models and area under the curve (AUC) comparisons assessed the relative impact of individual radiologists and urologists. Results: A total of 865 patients (469 biopsy-naïve) were included across 5 urologists and 10 radiologists. Radiologists varied with grading 15.4% to 44.8% of patients with MRI lesions as PI-RADS 3. PCa detection varied significantly by radiologist, from 34.5% to 66.7% (p = 0.003) for PCa and 17.2% to 50% (p = 0.001) for csPCa. Urologists' PCa diagnosis rates varied between 29.2% and 55.8% (p = 0.013) and between 24.6% and 39.8% (p = 0.36) for csPCa. After adjustment for case-mix on MVR, a fourfold to fivefold difference in PCa detection was observed between the highest-performing and lowest-performing radiologist (OR 0.22, 95%CI 0.10-0.47, p < 0.001). MVR demonstrated improved AUC for any PCa and csPCa detection when controlling for radiologist variation (p = 0.017 and p = 0.038), but controlling for urologist was not significant (p = 0.22 and p = 0.086). Any PCa detection (OR 1.64, 95%CI 1.06-2.55, p = 0.03) and csPCa detection (OR 1.57, 95%CI 1.00-2.48, p = 0.05) improved over time (2018-2020 vs. 2015-2017). Conclusions: Variability among radiologists in PI-RADS grading is a key area for quality improvement significantly impacting the detection of PCa and csPCa. Variability for performance of MRI-TRUS fusion prostate biopsies exists by urologist but with less impact on overall detection of csPCa.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Before Radical Cystectomy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Elective and Eligibility Factors Impacting Utilization.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess utilization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and etiologies for lack of NAC receipt among patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with MIBC undergoing radical cystectomy at a single institution (2005-2021) were included. Patients were categorized by receipt of NAC, and reasons for no NAC were categorized into eligibility and elective factors. Overall survival was analyzed using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models and modeled with Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty patients with MIBC were included; 154 (40.5%) received NAC. Patients were not candidates for NAC due to renal dysfunction (16.6%), clinical contraindications (4.7%), salvage setting (2.1%), and histology (5.3%; total N = 109). Among 271 (71.3%) who were eligible, utilization increased from early (2005-2016) to recent (2016-2021) time periods (34.2% to 85.7% among NAC-eligible, P < .001; 22.8% vs 67.1% among all MIBC, P < .001). Elective factors for not receiving NAC included patient symptoms (7.8%), disease progression concern (7.0%), patient preference/refusal (20.3%) and provider discretion (8.1%) among 271 NAC-eligible patients. Notably, patient preference/refusal decreased from 33.6% to 3.4% in recent years (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, lack of NAC utilization due to renal dysfunction (HR 2.18, P = .002), clinical contraindications (HR 2.62, P = .01), and elective factors (HR 1.88, P = .01) were associated with worse overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: NAC utilization increased over time with 85.7% of eligible patients with MIBC receiving NAC in recent years. Renal dysfunction, patient preference, and clinical contraindications were primary etiologies for lack of NAC. Fewer patients refused NAC in recent years leading to a potential ceiling for NAC utilization.

Incidental Discovery of Hepatocellular Carcinoma on 18F-PSMA PET CT Performed for Prostate Cancer Reassessment.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA PET) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to identify prostate cancer in the setting of biochemical recurrence but can also identify other malignancies. 18F-PSMA PET has not been studied as a potential tool for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We describe the case of a 76-year-old male with a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after definitive prostate cancer treatment and no prior liver pathology who was incidentally found to have HCC on 18F-PSMA PET.

Impact of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin and chemotherapy on the bladder microbiome in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Introduction: Intravesical therapy (IVT), including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), is the standard of care for high grade (HG) non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Despite the use of IVT, many patients recur after treatment. The bladder microbiome and its role in disease processes has recently risen to prominence. We aim to characterize changes that occur in the bladder microbiome over the course of intravesical therapy and assess whether these changes correlate with outcomes in patients with NMIBC. Methods: Patients with NMIBC undergoing induction BCG or intravesical therapy were prospectively enrolled from January 2019 to March 2020. Patients with clinical T2 or greater pathology or active urinary tract infection at enrollment were excluded. Twenty-nine patients had catheterized (bladder) urine samples collected prior to induction intravesical therapy and prior to each IVT instillation. Twenty-seven received BCG while 2 received intravesical gemcitabine. Bacteria were identified using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Bladder microbiome changes were evaluated and differences between patients who recurred and patients who did not recur after IVT were investigated. Results: Across the 29 patients analyzed, bacterial richness decreased significantly following intravesical therapy (Richness, P=0.01). Evenness and overall diversity did not change significantly (Pielou, P=0.62; Shannon, P=0.13). Patients who experienced recurrence had a higher relative abundance of Aerococcus in their urine (P<0.01), while those who did not recur had significantly more Ureaplasma (P=0.01) and Escherichia/Shigella species (P=0.05). Patients with decreased levels of alpha diversity were more likely to fall within the non-recurrence cohort. Conclusion: IVT for NMIBC appears to change the urinary microbiome by decreasing richness while not altering evenness or overall diversity. The presence of Aerococcus species may be predictive of a poor cancer response to IVT, while the presence of Ureaplasma and Escherichia/Shigella may predict a favorable response to IVT. Further studies are warranted to elucidate and confirm the significance of changes in the bladder microbiome.

A prostate biopsy risk calculator based on MRI: development and comparison of the Prospective Loyola University multiparametric MRI (PLUM) and Prostate Biopsy Collaborative Group (PBCG) risk calculators.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a prostate cancer (PCa) risk calculator (RC) incorporating multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and to compare its performance with that of the Prostate Biopsy Collaborative Group (PBCG) RC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men without a PCa diagnosis receiving mpMRI before biopsy in the Prospective Loyola University mpMRI (PLUM) Prostate Biopsy Cohort (2015-2020) were included. Data from a separate institution were used for external validation. The primary outcome was diagnosis of no cancer, grade group (GG)1 PCa, and clinically significant (cs)PCa (≥GG2). Binary logistic regression was used to explore standard clinical and mpMRI variables (prostate volume, Prostate Imaging-Reporting Data System [PI-RADS] version 2.0 lesions) with the final PLUM RC, based on a multinomial logistic regression model. Receiver-operating characteristic curve, calibration curves, and decision-curve analysis were evaluated in the training and validation cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 1010 patients were included for development (N = 674 training [47.8% PCa, 30.9% csPCa], N = 336 internal validation) and 371 for external validation. The PLUM RC outperformed the PBCG RC in the training (area under the curve [AUC] 85.9% vs 66.0%; P < 0.001), internal validation (AUC 88.2% vs 67.8%; P < 0.001) and external validation (AUC 83.9% vs 69.4%; P < 0.001) cohorts for csPCa detection. The PBCG RC was prone to overprediction while the PLUM RC was well calibrated. At a threshold probability of 15%, the PLUM RC vs the PBCG RC could avoid 13.8 vs 2.7 biopsies per 100 patients without missing any csPCa. At a cost level of missing 7.5% of csPCa, the PLUM RC could have avoided 41.0% (566/1381) of biopsies compared to 19.1% (264/1381) for the PBCG RC. The PLUM RC compared favourably with the Stanford Prostate Cancer Calculator (SPCC; AUC 84.1% vs 81.1%; P = 0.002) and the MRI-European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) RC (AUC 84.5% vs 82.6%; P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The mpMRI-based PLUM RC significantly outperformed the PBCG RC and compared favourably with other mpMRI-based RCs. A large proportion of biopsies could be avoided using the PLUM RC in shared decision making while maintaining optimal detection of csPCa.

The rising incidence of ductal adenocarcinoma and intraductal carcinoma of the prostate: Diagnostic accuracy of biopsy, MRI-visibility, and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Ductal adenocarcinoma (DA) and intraductal carcinoma (IDC) of the prostate are associated with higher stage disease at radical prostatectomy (RP). We evaluated diagnostic accuracy of biopsy, MRI-visibility, and outcomes for patients undergoing RP with DA/IDC histology compared to pure acinar adenocarcinoma (AA) of the prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of men receiving RP between 2014 and 2021 revealing AA, DA, or IDC on final pathology was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed. RESULTS: A total of 609 patients were included with 103 found to have DA/IDC. Patients with DA/IDC were older and had higher PSA, biopsy grade group (GG), RP GG, and other pathologic findings (extraprostatic extension, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, pN stage) compared to AA patients (all P < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, higher age, RP GG, and pT3a were associated with DA/IDC on RP (all P < 0.05). Sensitivity and specificity of biopsy compared to RP for diagnosis of DA/IDC was 29.1% (16.7% DA, 27.8% IDC) and 96.6% (99.3% DA, 96.6% IDC), respectively. In a subset of 281 men receiving MRI, PI-RADS distribution was similar for patients with DA/IDC vs. AA (90.7% vs. 80.7% with PI-RADS 4-5 lesions, P = 0.23) with slightly higher biopsy sensitivity (41.9%). DA/IDC was associated with worse BCR (HR = 1.77, P = 0.02) but not biopsy DA/IDC (P = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity of prostate biopsy was low for detection of DA/IDC histology at RP. Patients with DA/IDC histology had unfavorable pathologic features at RP and worse BCR. Of patients with DA/IDC at RP, 90.7% were categorized as PI-RADS 4 to 5 on preoperative MRI.

MRI vs Transrectal Ultrasound to Estimate Prostate Volume and PSAD: Impact on Prostate Cancer Detection.

OBJECTIVES: To compare multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) to estimate prostate volume and prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) as well as subsequent impact on prostate cancer (PCa) detection. METHODS: Patients referred for mpMRI prior to mpMRI-TRUS fusion-guided prostate biopsy between 2015 and 2020 were identified. Volume and calculated PSAD by mpMRI and TRUS were compared. Associations with presence of any PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa; Gleason ≥3 + 4) were evaluated using linear regression (interaction by volume quartile), logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristics. RESULTS: Among 640 men, TRUS underestimated prostate volume relative to mpMRI (median 49.2cc vs. 54.1cc) with 8% lower volume per cc up to 77.5cc (First-third quartile) and 39% lower volume per additional cc above 77.5cc (fourth quartile). For men undergoing radical prostatectomy, mpMRI had a higher correlation coefficient relative to TRUS (0.913 vs 0.878) when compared to surgical pathology. mpMRI PSAD had slightly higher odds vs TRUS PSAD for detecting any PCa (OR 2.94 and OR 2.78, both P <.001) or csPCa (OR 4.20 and OR 4.02, both P <.001). AUC improvements were of borderline significance for mpMRI vs. TRUS PSAD for any PCa (0.689 vs 0.675, P = .05) and not significant for csPCa (0.732 vs 0.722, P = .20). PSAD was not associated with PCa detection for prostates ≥77.5cc. CONCLUSION: TRUS underestimates prostate volume relative to mpMRI. PSAD based on mpMRI may be better associated with detection of PCa compared to TRUS, but utility of PSAD may be limited for larger prostates.

MRI versus non-MRI diagnostic pathways before radical prostatectomy: Impact on nerve-sparing, positive surgical margins, and biochemical recurrence.

PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to biopsy has improved detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (CaP), but its impact on surgical outcomes is less well established. We compared MRI vs. non-MRI diagnostic pathways among patients receiving radical prostatectomy (RP) for impact on surgical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men diagnosed with CaP and receiving RP at Loyola University Medical Center (2014-2021) were categorized into MRI or non-MRI diagnostic pathways based on receipt of MRI before prostate biopsy. Primary outcomes of interest included positive surgical margin (PSM) rates, the performance of bilateral nerve-sparing, and biochemical recurrence (BCR). Multivariable logistic regression models, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox proportional hazards regression were employed. RESULTS: Of 609 patients, 281 (46.1%) were in the MRI and 328 (53.9%) in the non-MRI groups. MRI patients had similar PSA, biopsy grade group (GG) distribution, RP GG, pT stage, and RP CaP volume compared to non-MRI patients. PSM rates were not statistically different for the MRI vs. non-MRI groups (22.8% vs. 26.8%, P = 0.25). Bilateral nerve-sparing rates were higher for the MRI vs. non-MRI groups (OR 1.95 (95%CI 1.32-2.88), P = 0.001). The MRI group demonstrated improved BCR (HR 0.64 (95%CI 0.41-0.99), P = 0.04) after adjustment for age, PSA, RP GG, pT, pN, and PSM status. On meta-analysis, a 5.2% PSM reduction was observed but high heterogeneity for use of nerve-sparing. CONCLUSIONS: An MRI-based diagnostic approach selected patients for RP with a small reduction in PSM rates, greater utilization of bilateral nerve-sparing, and improved cancer control by BCR compared to a non-MRI approach even after adjustment for known prognostic factors.

Percentage of sarcomatoid histology is associated with survival in renal cell carcinoma: Stratification and implications by clinical metastatic stage.

PURPOSE: Sarcomatoid dedifferentiation in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents an aggressive histology where degree of sarcomatoid histology (SH) may impact prognosis for cM0 and cM1 patients. We aimed to evaluate the association of percentage of SH with survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients ≥18 years old diagnosed with RCC with any degree of SH after nephrectomy were included (2005-2020) from a single-center. Associations of degree of SH and cM stage with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight patients were included with 80 (62.5%) cM0 and 48 (37.5%) cM1. cM1 patients were more likely to be male with higher clinical T stage (P = 0.001) than cM0, but a similar proportion had ≥20% SH (47.9% vs. 42.5%, P = 0.55). With median 19.4 months follow-up, SH was associated with worse OS per 10% increase (hazard ratio [HR] 1.12 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.03-1.23], P = 0.009) and a ≥20% cutoff (HR 2.87 [95% CI 1.27-6.47], P = 0.01). Patients with cM0 disease and <20% SH had better 2-year OS (81.4%) compared to cM0 and ≥20% SH (44.8%) or cM1 patients who received nephrectomy (54.8%). Tumor size was also an independent predictor. Sites of distant metastasis and lines of therapy were similar for metachronous and synchronous patients. SH stratified 2-year RFS (cM0: 70.2% for <20% SH vs. 32.1% for ≥20% SH). CONCLUSIONS: SH in RCC is independently associated with OS and RFS. Patients who are cM0 with any SH may be candidates for adjuvant immunotherapy while those with ≥20% SH likely carry micrometastatic disease and should receive closer surveillance.

Risk of prostate cancer for men with prior negative biopsies undergoing magnetic resonance imaging compared with biopsy-naive men: A prospective evaluation of the PLUM cohort.

BACKGROUND: Men with prior negative prostate biopsies have a lower risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer in comparison with biopsy-naive men. However, the relative clinical utility of identified lesions on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is uncertain between the 2 settings. METHODS: Patients from the Prospective Loyola University mpMRI (PLUM) Prostate Biopsy Cohort (January 2015 to June 2020) were examined. The detection of any prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason score ≥ 3 + 4) was stratified by Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores in the prior negative and biopsy-naive settings. Multivariable logistic regression models (PLUM models) assessed predictors, and decision curve analyses were used to estimate the clinical utility of PI-RADS cutoffs relative to the models. RESULTS: Nine hundred men (420 prior negative patients and 480 biopsy-naive patients) were included. Prior negative patients had lower risks of any prostate cancer (27.9% vs 54.4%) and clinically significant prostate cancer (20.0% vs 38.3%) in comparison with biopsy-naive patients, and this persisted when they were stratified by PI-RADS (eg, PI-RADS 3: 13.6% vs 27.4% [any prostate cancer] and 5.2% vs 15.4% [clinically significant prostate cancer]). The rate of detection of clinically significant prostate cancer was 5.3% among men with prior negative biopsy and PI-RADS ≤ 3. Family history and Asian ancestry were significant predictors among biopsy-naive patients. PLUM models demonstrated a greater net benefit and reduction in biopsies (45.8%) without missing clinically significant cancer in comparison with PI-RADS cutoffs (PI-RADS 4: 34.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with prior negative biopsies had lower prostate cancer detection by PI-RADS score category in comparison with biopsy-naive men. Decision curve analyses suggested that many biopsies could be avoided by the use of the PLUM models or a PI-RADS 4 cutoff without any clinically significant cancer being missed. LAY SUMMARY: Men with a prior negative prostate biopsy had a lower risk of harboring prostate cancer in comparison with those who never had a biopsy. This was true even when patients in each group had similar multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) findings in terms of Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS)-graded lesions. Decision curve analyses showed that many biopsies could be avoided by the use of the Prospective Loyola University mpMRI prediction models or a PI-RADS 4 cutoff for patients with prior negative biopsies.

Systematic versus Targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Ultrasound Fusion Prostate Biopsy among Men with Visible Lesions.

PURPOSE: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-ultrasound (US) fusion-guided biopsy may improve prostate cancer (PCa) detection and reduce grade misclassification. We compared PCa detection rates on systematic, magnetic resonance imaging-targeted, and combined biopsy with evaluation of important subgroups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men with clinical suspicion of harboring PCa from 2 institutions with visible Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADSTMv2) lesions receiving mpMRI-US fusion-guided prostate biopsy were included (2015-2020). Detection of PCa was categorized by grade group (GG). Clinically-significant PCa (csPCa) was defined as ≥GG2. Patients were stratified by biopsy setting and PI-RADS. RESULTS: Of 1,236 patients (647 biopsy-naïve) included, 626 (50.6%) harbored PCa and 412 (33.3%) had csPCa on combined biopsy. Detection of csPCa was 27.9% vs 23.3% (+4.6%) and GG1 PCa was 11.3% vs 17.8% (-6.5%) for targeted vs systematic cores. Benefit in csPCa detection was higher in the prior negative than biopsy-naïve setting (+7.8% [p <0.0001] vs +1.7% [p=0.3]) while reduction in GG1 PCa detection remained similar (-5.6% [p=0.0002] vs -7.3% [p=0.0001]). Targeted biopsy showed increased csPCa detection for PI-RADS 5, decrease in GG1 for PI-RADS 3, and both for PI-RADS 4 relative to systematic biopsy. Combined biopsy detected more csPCa (+10.0%) and slightly fewer GG1 PCa (-0.5%) compared to systematic alone. Upgrading to ≥GG2 by targeted biopsy occurred in 9.8% with no cancer and 23.6% with GG1 on systematic biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Combined biopsy doubled the benefit of targeted biopsy alone in detection of csPCa without increasing GG1 PCa diagnoses relative to systematic biopsy. Utility of targeted biopsy was higher in the prior negative biopsy cohort, but advantages of combined biopsy were maintained regardless of biopsy history.

African American Men have Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer Detection Despite Similar Rates of Anterior Prostatic Lesions and PI-RADS Grade on Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the frequency of anterior prostate lesions (APL) on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) prior to biopsy differed between African American (AA) and non-AA men and evaluate implications of race and tumor location for prostate cancer (PCa) detection. METHODS: Patients from the Prospective Loyola University mpMRI (PLUM) Prostate Biopsy Cohort (January 2015-December 2020) without prior diagnosis of PCa were evaluated for APLs by race. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated predictors of APLs and associations of APLs and race with detection of any PCa (grade group 1+) and clinically significant PCa (csPCa; grade group 2+). Additional stratified and propensity score matched analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Of 1,239 men included, 190 (15.3%) were AA and 302 (24.4%) had at least one APL with no differences by race on multivariable analysis. While men with APLs were twice as likely to harbor PCa or csPCa, the unadjusted proportion of targeted biopsy-confirmed APL PCa (12.6% vs 12.0%) or csPCa (8.4% vs 8.9%) were similar for AA and non-AA men. AA men had higher risk of prostate cancer on targeted cores (OR 1.66 (95%CI 1.06 - 2.61), P = 0.026) which was independent of lesion location or PI-RADS. CONCLUSION: AA men were found to have similar rates of APLs on mpMRI to non-AA men indicating access to mpMRI may mitigate some of the historical racial disparity based on lesion location. AA men have increased risk of PCa detection compared to non-AA men independent of anterior location or lesion grade on mpMRI reinforcing the importance of identifying genetic, biologic, and socioeconomic drivers.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Toxicity After Definitive High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Among Veterans With Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for prostate cancer. There is limited research, however, investigating toxicity outcomes with HDRBT treatment among veterans. The objective of this study is to assess the impact on health-related quality of life (hrQOL) and physician-graded toxicities associated with HDRBT as monotherapy among veterans treated at Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital in Hines, Illinois. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2019, 74 veterans with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer were treated with HDRBT as monotherapy with 27 Gy in 2 fractions, delivered over 2 implants. Veteran-reported hrQOL in the genitourinary (GU), gastrointestinal (GI), and sexual domains was assessed using the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26) questionnaire. Mixed linear effect models were used to assess differences in the hrQOL scores at follow-up compared with baseline scores. Statistically significant differences in hrQOL scores from baseline were further assessed for clinical significance, using minimal clinically important difference (MCID) evaluations. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 18 months. Veterans reported declines in GU, GI, and sexual hrQOL scores immediately after treatment, with the IPSS and EPIC-26 hrQOL scores all displaying significant decrease from baseline over time. The majority of the declines in hrQOL scores met criteria for MCID. These hrQOL scores trended toward a return to baseline, with the EPIC-26 urinary obstruction score returning to baseline at the 18-month follow-up assessment and the EPIC-26 bowel score returning to baseline at the 12-month follow-up. The IPSS, urinary incontinence, and sexual scores did not return to baseline at 18 months. The grade 2 maximum physician-graded GU, GI, and sexual toxicity rates were 65%, 5%, and 53%, respectively. There was 1 incidence of grade 3 GU toxicity but no grade 3 GI or sexual toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: HDRBT as monotherapy is a well-tolerated treatment option for veterans with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer, with favorable veteran-reported and physician-graded toxicities. Veterans should be educated about HDRBT as an option when counseled regarding treatment for localized prostate cancer.

Patient and physician reported toxicity with two-fraction definitive high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy: the impact of implant interval.

PURPOSE: High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is an effective method of treating localized prostate cancer. There are limited data on the relationship between implant interval and outcomes. This study aims to assess if the implant interval between HDR treatments has an impact on patient-reported health-related quality of life (QOL) and physician-graded toxicity in men treated for localized prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were treated with HDR brachytherapy as monotherapy with 27 Gy in 2 fractions, given over two implants, performed 1-2 weeks apart. Patients were dichotomized into one-week and two-week cohorts. Patient-reported EPIC-26 genitourinary (GU), gastrointestinal (GI), and sexual QOL were assessed. Linear regression, chi-squared testing, and generalized linear mixed effect models were used to assess the differences in patient characteristics, patient-reported QOL, and physician-graded toxicity. RESULTS: Outcomes of 122 patients were analyzed. Median follow-up was 18 months. Patient-reported GU and GI QOL worsened after treatment with a return towards baseline over time, while patient-reported sexual QOL worsened after treatment, but did not return towards baseline. There were no differences in patient-reported health related QOL as a function of implant interval. Maximum physician-graded GU, GI, and sexual toxicity rates of grade 2 or 3 were 68%, 3%, and 53%, respectively. There was no difference in rates of grade 2 or 3 toxicity as a function of implants interval. CONCLUSIONS: HDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer is a well-tolerated treatment. The interval between treatments is not associated with differences in patient-reported QOL or physician-graded toxicities.

Thirty-day hospital revisits after prostate brachytherapy: who is at risk?

BACKGROUND: Transperineal prostate brachytherapy is a common outpatient procedure for the treatment of prostate cancer. Whereas long-term morbidity and toxicities are widely published, rates of short-term complications leading to hospital revisits have not been well described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent brachytherapy for prostate cancer in an ambulatory setting were identified in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Ambulatory Surgery Database for California between 2007 and 2011. Emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient admissions within 30 days of treatment were determined from the California Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Emergency Department Database and State Inpatient Database, respectively. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2011, 9,042 patients underwent brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Within 30 days postoperatively, 543 (6.0%) patients experienced 674 hospital encounters. ED visits comprised most encounters (68.7%) at a median of 7 days (interquartile range 2-16) after surgery. Inpatient hospitalizations occurred on 155 of 674 visits (23.0%) at a median of 12 days (interquartile range 5-20). Common presenting diagnoses included urinary retention, malfunctioning catheter, hematuria, and urinary tract infection. Logistic regression demonstrated advanced age {65-75 years: odds ratio [OR], 1.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.60, P = 0.01]; >75 years: OR 1.5 [95% CI 1.18-1.97, P = 0.001]}, inpatient admission within 90 days before surgery [OR 2.68 (95% CI 1.8-4.0, P < 0.001)], and ED visit within 180 days before surgery [OR 1.63 (95% CI 1.4-1.89, P < 0.001)] as factors that increased the risk of hospital-based evaluation after outpatient brachytherapy. Charlson comorbidity score did not influence risk. CONCLUSIONS: ED visits and inpatient admissions are not uncommon after prostate brachytherapy. Risk of revisit is higher in elderly patients and those who have had recent inpatient or ED encounters.