Predicting Response to Intravesical BCG in High-Risk NMIBC Using an Artificial Intelligence-Powered Pathology Assay: Development and Validation in an International 12-Center Cohort.

PURPOSE: There are few markers to identify those likely to recur or progress after treatment with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). We developed and validated artificial intelligence-based histologic assays that extract interpretable features from transurethral resection of bladder tumor digitized pathology images to predict risk of recurrence, progression, development of BCG-unresponsive disease, and cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-BCG resection-derived whole-slide images and clinical data were obtained for high-risk NMIBC cases treated with BCG from 12 centers and were analyzed through a segmentation and feature extraction pipeline. Features associated with clinical outcomes were defined and tested on independent development and validation cohorts. Cases were classified into high or low risk for recurrence, progression, BCG-unresponsive disease, and cystectomy. RESULTS: Nine hundred forty-four cases (development: 303, validation: 641, median follow-up: 36 months) representative of the intended use population were included (high-grade Ta: 34.1%, high-grade T1: 54.8%; carcinoma in situ only: 11.1%, any carcinoma in situ: 31.4%). In the validation cohort, "high recurrence risk" cases had inferior high-grade recurrence-free survival vs "low recurrence risk" cases (HR, 2.08, P < .0001). "High progression risk" patients had poorer progression-free survival (HR, 3.87, P < .001) and higher risk of cystectomy (HR, 3.35, P < .001) than "low progression risk" patients. Cases harboring the BCG-unresponsive disease signature had a shorter time to development of BCG-unresponsive disease than cases without the signature (HR, 2.31, P < .0001). AI assays provided predictive information beyond clinicopathologic factors. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated AI-based histologic assays that identify high-risk NMIBC cases at higher risk of recurrence, progression, BCG-unresponsive disease, and cystectomy, potentially aiding clinical decision making.

Bladder-sparing Therapy for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: International Bladder Cancer Group Recommendations for Optimal Sequencing and Patient Selection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There has been a recent surge in the development of agents for bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive (BCG-U) non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Critical assessment of these agents and practical recommendations for optimal selection of patients and therapies are urgently needed, especially in the absence of randomized trials on bladder-sparing treatment (BST) options. METHODS: A global committee of bladder cancer experts was assembled to develop recommendations on BST for BCG-U NMIBC. Working groups reviewed the literature and developed draft recommendations, which were then voted on by International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG) members using a modified Delphi process. During a live meeting in August 2023, voting results and supporting evidence were presented, and recommendations were refined on the basis of meeting discussions. Final recommendations achieved >75% agreement during the meeting, and some were further refined via web conferences and e-mail discussions. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: There is currently no single optimal agent for patients with BCG-U disease who seek to avoid radical cystectomy (RC). BST selection should be personalized, taking into account individual patient characteristics and preferences, tumor attributes, and efficacy/toxicity data for the agents available. For patients with BCG-U carcinoma in situ (CIS), gemcitabine/docetaxel (GEM/DOCE), nadofaragene firadenovec (NFF), and nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln (NAI) + BCG are recommended; because of its systemic toxicity, pembrolizumab should only be offered after other options are exhausted. For patients with BCG-U papillary-only tumors, GEM/DOCE, NFF, NAI + BCG, single-agent chemotherapy, hyperthermic mitomycin C, and pembrolizumab are recommended. Given the modest efficacy of available options, clinical trial participation is encouraged. For unapproved agents with reported data, IBCG recommendations await the final results of pivotal trials. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The IBCG consensus recommendations provide practical guidance on BST for BCG-U NMIBC.

Comparative Analysis of Very Reduced vs Full Dose BCG Treatment for High-Risk Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Contemporary Experience from Chile.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is recommended for high-risk (HR) non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), but BCG shortages have led to exploration of reduced-dose regimens and shortened maintenance durations out of necessity, with limited data on treatment efficacy in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: Oncological outcomes of HR-NMIBC patients treated with reduced (RD,1/4th dose) vs full dose (FD) BCG instillations of Danish Strain 1331 BCG. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of HR-NMIBC patients treated with BCG between 2003 and 2022 at our center in Santiago Chile. We stratified patients according to either RD (1/4th dose) or FD BCG. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression models were used to predict recurrence. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival estimates. RESULTS: Of a total of 200 patients, 116 (58%) had RD and 84 (42%) FD BCG. Median follow-up was 57 months (IQR: 29-100). Patients who received FD BCG had a lower risk of recurrence (HR: 0.41, 95% CI 0.22-0.74) and high-grade (HG)-recurrence (HR: 0.30, 95% CI 0.15-0.61; p = 0.001). More patients in the RD vs FD group progressed to MIBC (10/84 vs 2/116; p = 0.18). Additionally, patients were less likely to stop BCG treatment in the RD group compared to the FD group due to toxicity (5% vs 11%, p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: A 1/4th dose of Danish Strain 1331 BCG treatment was associated with worse recurrence free rate and HG-recurrence rate in our cohort. Patients with RD had lower discontinuation treatment rates due to a reduced toxicity profile. These findings would suggest that RD BCG would compromise oncological outcomes in HR-NMIBC patients.

Mortalidad por cáncer de próstata en Chile: tendencias del período 1955-2019 / Prostate cancer mortality trends in Chile (1955-2019)

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the tumor with the highest incidence among men and one of Chile's leading causes of death. AIM: To analyze temporal trends in prostate cancer mortality in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mortality rates in Chile for the period between 1955 and 2019 were calculated. The number of deaths was obtained from the national demographic yearbooks and the Ministery of Health mortality registries. Population estimates from the demographic center of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations were used. Chilean census population of 2017 was used as reference to calculate adjusted rates. Trends were analyzed using a join point regression. RESULTS: Crude mortality rates of prostatic cancer increased between 1995 and 2012 in three different phases, namely between 1955 and 1989 with a 2.7% annual increase, between 1989 and 1996 at a 6.8% annual rate, and between 1996 to 2012 with a 2.8% annual increase. From 2012 the rate remained stable. Adjusted mortality rates increased slowly at a 1.7% rate from 1955 to 1993, accelerating between 1993 and 1996, when they increased 12.1% per year. From 1996 onwards there was a significant decrease in mortality at a 1.2% annual rate. This decrease was significant and observed within all age groups but more importantly at older ages. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer mortality in Chile has decreased significantly during the last two decades, like that observed in developed nations.

Long-Term Oncological and Functional Outcomes After Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy for Clinically Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate long-term oncological and renal function outcomes in patients treated with robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing RAPN for clinically localized RCC between January 2014 and December 2019 at a tertiary robotic reference center were evaluated. Clinical course, pathologic characteristics, and long-term outcomes were obtained from our institutional review board-approved RCC database. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients were available for analysis. Median follow-up was 46 months (10.8-97.8 months), with 77 patients (32.9%) having at least 5-years of follow-up. Pathology revealed clear-cell RCC in 67.5% (n = 158). Among unfavorable factors, nuclear grades 3 or 4 were found in 67 (29.4%), lymphovascular invasion in 10 (4.3%), positive surgical margins in 22 (9.4%), necrosis in 21 (9%), and sarcomatoid pattern in 2 patients (0.9%). At 12 months, mean serum creatinine was 1.04 mg/dL and 12.9% of patients experienced upstaging in chronic kidney disease. Overall recurrence-free survival at 5-years was 97.8%. There were five local (2.1%) and two distant (0.9%) recurrences, none of them resulting in cancer-specific death. Median time to recurrence was 20 months (11-64 months). Warm ischemia time [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.14, p = 0.034] and sarcomatoid pattern (HR = 124.57, p = 0.001) were the only variables associated with local relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this large cohort demonstrate that patients undergoing RAPN have a low incidence of local and distant relapse, resulting in excellent long-term survival while preserving stable renal function in most patients.

[Prostate cancer mortality trends in Chile (1955-2019)]. / Mortalidad por cáncer de próstata en Chile: tendencias del período 1955-2019.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the tumor with the highest incidence among men and one of Chile's leading causes of death. AIM: To analyze temporal trends in prostate cancer mortality in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mortality rates in Chile for the period between 1955 and 2019 were calculated. The number of deaths was obtained from the national demographic yearbooks and the Ministery of Health mortality registries. Population estimates from the demographic center of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations were used. Chilean census population of 2017 was used as reference to calculate adjusted rates. Trends were analyzed using a join point regression. RESULTS: Crude mortality rates of prostatic cancer increased between 1995 and 2012 in three different phases, namely between 1955 and 1989 with a 2.7% annual increase, between 1989 and 1996 at a 6.8% annual rate, and between 1996 to 2012 with a 2.8% annual increase. From 2012 the rate remained stable. Adjusted mortality rates increased slowly at a 1.7% rate from 1955 to 1993, accelerating between 1993 and 1996, when they increased 12.1% per year. From 1996 onwards there was a significant decrease in mortality at a 1.2% annual rate. This decrease was significant and observed within all age groups but more importantly at older ages. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer mortality in Chile has decreased significantly during the last two decades, like that observed in developed nations.

A prospective randomized study comparing bipolar plasmakinetic transurethral resection of the prostate and monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: efficacy, sexual function, Quality of Life, and complications

ABSTRACT Objective: To generate high-quality data comparing the clinical efficacy and safety profile between monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (M-TURP) and bipolar plasmakinetic resection of the prostate (PK-TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and Methods: Prospective, randomized, single-blinded study conducted in a tertiary-care public institution (Dec/2014-Aug/2016). Inclusion criteria: prostate of <80g in patients with drug-refractory lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), complications derived from BPH, or both. Exclusion criteria: a history of pelvic surgery/radiotherapy, neurogenic bladder dysfunction or documented/suspected prostate carcinoma. Treatment efficacy evaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Efficacy outcomes: international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality-of-life (QoL) score, international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine (PVRU) volume, and prostate volume (PV). Complications and sequelae also assessed. Comparisons performed with parametric/non-parametric tests. Results: Out of the 100 hundred patients, 84 qualified for the analysis (45 M-TURP/39 PK-TURP). No significant differences found in baseline characteristics or operative data, except for a longer operative time in PK-TURP (MD:7.9min; 95%CI:0.13-15.74; p=0.04). No differences found in IPSS, Qmax or PVRU volume. QoL score at 12 months was higher in PK-TURP (MD:0,9points; 95%CI:0.18-1.64; p=0.01). No differences in sexual function, PV, complications or sequelae were found. This study is "rigorous" (Jadadscale) and has a low risk of bias (Cochrane-Handbook). Conclusions: Based on this controlled trial, there is not significant variation in effectiveness and safety between M-TURP and PK-TURP for the treatment of BPH. The small difference in QoL between PK-TURP and M-TURP at the one-year follow-up is not perceivable by the patients and, therefore, not clinically relevant.

A prospective randomized study comparing bipolar plasmakinetic transurethral resection of the prostate and monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: efficacy, sexual function, Quality of Life, and complications.

OBJECTIVE: To generate high-quality data comparing the clinical efficacy and safety profile between monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (M-TURP) and bipolar plasmakinetic resection of the prostate (PK-TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, randomized, single-blinded study conducted in a tertiary-care public institution (Dec/2014-Aug/2016). INCLUSION CRITERIA: prostate of <80g in patients with drug-refractory lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), complications derived from BPH, or both. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: a history of pelvic surgery/radiotherapy, neurogenic bladder dysfunction or documented/suspected prostate carcinoma. Treatment efficacy evaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Efficacy outcomes: international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality-of-life (QoL) score, international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine (PVRU) volume, and prostate volume (PV). Complications and sequelae also assessed. Comparisons performed with parametric/non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Out of the 100 hundred patients, 84 qualified for the analysis (45 M-TURP/39 PK-TURP). No significant differences found in baseline characteristics or operative data, except for a longer operative time in PK-TURP (MD:7.9min; 95%CI:0.13-15.74; p=0.04). No differences found in IPSS, Qmax or PVRU volume. QoL score at 12 months was higher in PK-TURP (MD:0,9points; 95%CI:0.18-1.64; p=0.01). No differences in sexual function, PV, complications or sequelae were found. This study is "rigorous" (Jadad-scale) and has a low risk of bias (Cochrane-Handbook). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this controlled trial, there is not significant variation in effectiveness and safety between M-TURP and PK-TURP for the treatment of BPH. The small difference in QoL between PK-TURP and M-TURP at the one-year follow-up is not perceivable by the patients and, therefore, not clinically relevant.

Postadmixture Selection on Chileans Targets Haplotype Involved in Pigmentation, Thermogenesis and Immune Defense against Pathogens.

Detection of positive selection signatures in populations around the world is helping to uncover recent human evolutionary history as well as the genetic basis of diseases. Most human evolutionary genomic studies have been performed in European, African, and Asian populations. However, populations with Native American ancestry have been largely underrepresented. Here, we used a genome-wide local ancestry enrichment approach complemented with neutral simulations to identify postadmixture adaptations underwent by admixed Chileans through gene flow from Europeans into local Native Americans. The top significant hits (P = 2.4×10-7) are variants in a region on chromosome 12 comprising multiple regulatory elements. This region includes rs12821256, which regulates the expression of KITLG, a well-known gene involved in lighter hair and skin pigmentation in Europeans as well as in thermogenesis. Another variant from that region is associated with the long noncoding RNA RP11-13A1.1, which has been specifically involved in the innate immune response against infectious pathogens. Our results suggest that these genes were relevant for adaptation in Chileans following the Columbian exchange.

Arsenic exposure is associated with significant upper tract urothelial carcinoma health care needs and elevated mortality rates.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) health care needs and specific mortality rates in an arsenic-exposed region in Northern Chile and compare them to those of the rest of the country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Arsenic levels of drinking water were correlated with UTUC hospital discharges and cancer-specific mortality rates. Mortality and hospital admission rate ratios were estimated using a Poisson regression model. RESULTS: There were 257 UTUC-specific deaths in Chile between 1990 and 2016; 81 (34%) of them occurred in Antofagasta, where only 3.5% of the population lives. The peak mortality rate observed in Antofagasta was 2.15/100,000 compared to 0.07/100,000 in the rest of the country. Mortality in the exposed region was significantly higher when compared to the rest of the country (MRR 17.6; 95%CI: 13.5-22.9). The same trend was observed for UTUC hospital discharges (RR 14.8; 95%CI: 11.5-19.1). CONCLUSION: Even stronger than for bladder cancer, exposure to arsenic is related to a significant need for UTUC health care and high mortality rates, even 25 years after having controlled arsenic levels in drinking-water. Awareness of this ecologic factor in these affected regions is therefore mandatory.

What Is the Significance of Variant Histology in Urothelial Carcinoma?

CONTEXT: Urothelial carcinoma can exhibit a wide range of variant morphologies. Many variants present diagnostic challenges and carry clinical implications that inform prognosis and treatment decisions. OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic significance of histological variants of urothelial carcinoma. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A PubMed/MEDLINE-based literature search was conducted using the key terms "urothelial carcinoma", "variant histology", "nested", "micropapillary", "microcystic", "sarcomatoid", "squamous differentiation", "glandular differentiation", "clear cell", "plasmacytoid", "lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma", "squamous cell carcinoma", "small cell carcinoma", "adenocarcinoma", "radiotherapy", "neoadjuvant chemotherapy", and "adjuvant chemotherapy". EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The incidence of variant histology is increasing due to improved recognition. Nonetheless, diagnosis can pose challenges due to sampling limitations and interobserver variability. Although associated with advanced disease at presentation, survival outcomes for most variants do not differ significantly compared with pure urothelial carcinoma of the same stage. Controversy exists regarding optimal management due to the low quality of available evidence. For most cases, radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection (with neoadjuvant chemotherapy when appropriate) represents the standard of care. Small cell carcinoma and lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma appear to be particularly chemosensitive. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate identification of variant histological subtypes is an important part of risk stratification, as these variants exhibit aggressive biological behaviour. Variant histology tumours are associated with advanced disease at presentation, which must be considered when counselling patients regarding survival outcomes. Optimal management remains to be defined but in most cases; neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection remains the mainstay of treatment. PATIENT SUMMARY: It is important to recognise histological variants of urothelial carcinoma as they indicate aggressive disease. When compared with patients with pure urothelial carcinoma of the same disease stage, survival does not appear to be significantly worse. In most cases, patients with invasive variant histology should be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy. Take Home Messages Accurate identification of variant histology is important as it exhibits aggressive biological behaviour and affects treatment. Although associated with advanced disease at presentation, with appropriate treatment, survival outcomes are not significantly different compared with pure urothelial carcinoma of the same stage.

Impact of arsenic exposure on clinicopathological characteristics of bladder cancer: A comparative study between patients from an arsenic-exposed region and nonexposed reference sites.

BACKGROUND: Beyond exposure to arsenic in drinking-water, there is few information about demographic and clinicopathological features of patients with bladder cancer living in arsenic-exposed regions. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of arsenic exposure on clinicopathological characteristics in patients with bladder cancer from a contaminated region compared to those of 2 reference areas. METHODS: Data of 285 patients with bladder cancer (83 with arsenic exposure from Antofagasta and 202 controls from 2 different sites in Santiago) were obtained through personal interviews and from review of medical records. Demographic, clinicopathological parameters, and information on relevant environmental risk factors were compared with parametric and nonparametric tests as needed. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify independent predictors for high grade and muscle-invasive disease (T2-4). RESULTS: We found no significant differences between groups regarding age at presentation (66.4 vs. 66.5 and 67.2 years; P = 0.69, for exposed vs. the 2 nonexposed groups, respectively) and female gender (28.9% vs. 29.8% and 26.2%; P = 0.84). Proportion of current smokers was significantly lower in the exposed population (10.7% vs. 38.6% and 26.9%; P < 0.001). There was a significantly higher proportion of locally advanced (10.8 vs. 1.8 and 0.7% T3/4; P = 0.002) and high-grade tumors (79.5% vs. 63.2% and 64.1%; P = 0.001) within arsenic-exposed patients. Arsenic exposure was the only significant predictor for the presence of high-grade tumors (adjusted OR: 5.10; 95%CI: 2.03-12.77) on multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed relevant clinical differences in bladder cancer patients with a history of arsenic exposure as compared to nonexposed cases. The more aggressive phenotype associated to arsenic-related bladder cancer should be considered when designing efficient screening strategies for this high-risk population.

Adaptation to Extreme Environments in an Admixed Human Population from the Atacama Desert.

Inorganic arsenic (As) is a toxic xenobiotic and carcinogen associated with severe health conditions. The urban population from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile was exposed to extremely high As levels (up to 600 µg/l) in drinking water between 1958 and 1971, leading to increased incidence of urinary bladder cancer (BC), skin cancer, kidney cancer, and coronary thrombosis decades later. Besides, the Andean Native-American ancestors of the Atacama population were previously exposed for millennia to elevated As levels in water (∼120 µg/l) for at least 5,000 years, suggesting adaptation to this selective pressure. Here, we performed two genome-wide selection tests-PBSn1 and an ancestry-enrichment test-in an admixed population from Atacama, to identify adaptation signatures to As exposure acquired before and after admixture with Europeans, respectively. The top second variant selected by PBSn1 was associated with LCE4A-C1orf68, a gene that may be involved in the immune barrier of the epithelium during BC. We performed association tests between the top PBSn1 hits and BC occurrence in our population. The strongest association (P = 0.012) was achieved by the LCE4A-C1orf68 variant. The ancestry-enrichment test detected highly significant signals (P = 1.3 × 10-9) mapping MAK16, a gene with important roles in ribosome biogenesis during the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the genetic factors involved in adaptation to the pathophysiological consequences of As exposure.

Epidemiology, prevention, screening, diagnosis, and evaluation: update of the ICUD-SIU joint consultation on bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: To update current recommendations on prevention, screening, diagnosis, and evaluation of bladder cancer (BC) based on a thorough assessment of the most recent literature on these topics. METHODS: A non-systematic review was performed, including articles until June 2017. A variety of original articles, reviews, and editorials were selected according to their epidemiologic, demographic, and clinical relevance. Assessment of the level of evidence and grade of recommendations was performed according to the International Consultation on Urological Diseases grading system. RESULTS: BC is the ninth most common cancer worldwide with 430,000 new cases in 2012. Currently, approximately 165,000 people die from the disease annually. Absolute incidence and prevalence of BC are expected to rise significantly during the next decades because of population ageing. Tobacco smoking is still the main risk factor, accounting for about 50% of cases. Smoking cessation is, therefore, the most relevant recommendation in terms of prevention, as the risk of developing BC drops almost 40% within 5 years of cessation. BC screening is not recommended for the general population. BC diagnosis remains mainly based on cystoscopy, but development of new endoscopic and imaging technologies may rapidly change the diagnosis algorithm. The same applies for local, regional, and distant staging modalities. CONCLUSIONS: A thorough understanding of epidemiology, risk factors, early detection strategies, diagnosis, and evaluation is essential for correct, evidence-based management of BC patients. Recent developments in endoscopic techniques and imaging raise the hope for providing better risk-adopted approaches and thereby improving clinical outcomes.

Prevalence of Chlamydia Trachomatis, Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas Vaginalis Infection in Chilean Adolescents and Young Adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis infection in sexually active Chilean adolescents and young adults. A comparative analysis was performed between genders to identify demographic, clinical, and sexual behavior characteristics to predict the occurrence of C trachomatis. DESIGN: Analytical observational study. SETTING: Santiago, Chile. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred eighty-six sexually active volunteers aged 24 years or younger (171 female and 115 male); 82.9% (237/286) of them were classified as having high socioeconomic status. INTERVENTIONS: Confidential survey and self-collected samples (urine for men and vaginal swabs for women). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence, demographic characteristics, symptoms, and sexual behavior characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of C trachomatis was 8.7% (10/115) in men and 8.8% (15/171) in women (P = .58). N gonorrhoeae was detected in 1 subject, whereas no T vaginalis cases were detected. In multivariate analysis, having some college education was protective (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.89), whereas having a higher number of sexual partners was a risk factor (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3) for C trachomatis infection. The latter was also predicted by postcoital bleeding (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.30-16.23) in the female model. CONCLUSION: C trachomatis infection rates were similar between both genders. Protective characteristics for the occurrence of this infection were having some college education, lower number of sexual partners, and if female, the absence of postcoital bleeding. This study highlights the importance of C trachomatis screening among the Chilean affluent population younger than 25 years. However, further studies are needed in a more diverse and representative sample to recommend universal screening in Chilean adolescents and young adults.

[Adolescents find it easy to collect their own samples to study sexually transmitted infections]. / Adolescentes encuentran fácil tomar sus propias muestras para estudio de infecciones de transmisión sexual.

BACKGROUND: As alternative for patients that fear genital examination, we assessed adolescent's comfort and ease with self-collected samples for nucleic acid amplification testing for sexually transmitted infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sexually active Chilean adolescents and youth under 25 years (174 males and 117 females) were enrolled. Females used self-collected vaginal swabs and males collected first-stream urine. A satisfaction survey evaluating self-sampling system was applied. RESULTS: Self-collection was considered easy in 99.3% of the interviewees (CI 95% 0.88-0.98). In women, 79.3% preferred vaginal self-collected samples than pelvic exam (CI 95% 0.73-0.85). In men, 80.3% preferred self-collected first-stream urine to urethral swabs (CI 95% 0.73-0.87). Assuming that self-collected sampling were available, 89.6% of women (CI 95% 0.85-0.94) and 93.2% of men (CI 95% 0.89-0.98) would be prone to be tested more often. Ease of self-collected sampling is not associated with age, gender, educational level or poverty. CONCLUSIONS: Chile currently does not have sexually transmitted infections surveillance or screening programs for youth and adolescents. Given self-collected sampling's good acceptability, it could be successfully used when these programs are implemented.

Adolescentes encuentran fácil tomar sus propias muestras para estudio de infecciones de transmisión sexual / Adolescents find it easy to collect their own samples to study sexually transmitted infections

Background: As alternative for patients that fear genital examination, we assessed adolescent's comfort and ease with self-collected samples for nucleic acid amplification testing for sexually transmitted infections. Patients and Methods: Sexually active Chilean adolescents and youth under 25 years (174 males and 117 females) were enrolled. Females used self-collected vaginal swabs and males collected first-stream urine. A satisfaction survey evaluating self-sampling system was applied. Results: Self-collection was considered easy in 99.3% of the interviewees (CI 95% 0.88-0.98). In women, 79.3% preferred vaginal self-collected samples than pelvic exam (CI 95% 0.73-0.85). In men, 80.3% preferred self-collected first-stream urine to urethral swabs (CI 95% 0.73-0.87). Assuming that self-collected sampling were available, 89.6% of women (CI 95% 0.85-0.94) and 93.2% of men (CI 95% 0.89-0.98) would be prone to be tested more often. Ease of self-collected sampling is not associated with age, gender, educational level or poverty. Conclusions: Chile currently does not have sexually transmitted infections surveillance or screening programs for youth and adolescents. Given self-collected sampling's good acceptability, it could be successfully used when these programs are implemented.

Introducción: Como alternativa para pacientes que temen al examen genital o para aquellos asintomáticos, se evaluó la satisfacción de adolescentes con el sistema de autotoma -muestra tomada por el propio paciente- para amplificación de ácidos nucleicos y determinación de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS). Material y Método: Se enrolaron 174 mujeres y 117 hombres menores de 25 años sexualmente activos. Las mujeres se realizaron autotoma con tórula vaginal. Los hombres, autotoma de orina de primer chorro. Se aplicó encuesta de satisfacción. Resultados: A 99,3%, le resultó fácil obtener muestras mediante autotoma (IC 95% 0,88-0,98). En mujeres, 79,3% prefirió la autotoma vaginal por sobre el examen pélvico (IC 95% 0,73-0,85). En hombres, 80,3% prefirió la autotoma de orina por sobre el hisopado uretral (IC 95% 0,73-0,87). Si la autotoma estuviera disponible, 89,7% de las mujeres (IC 95% 0,85-0,94) y 93,2% de los hombres (IC 95% 0,89-0,98) estarían dispuestos a someterse a un examen de ITS en forma más seguida. Encontrar fácil la autotoma no se asoció con edad, género, escolaridad ni pobreza. Conclusiones: Chile aún no tiene programas de vigilancia o detección de ITS para jóvenes y adolescentes. Dada la buena aceptabilidad de la autotoma, se podría emplear exitosamente cuando estos programas se implementen.

Clinical risk stratification in patients with surgically resectable micropapillary bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse survival in patients with clinically localised, surgically resectable micropapillary bladder cancer (MPBC) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) with and without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and develop risk strata based on outcome data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of our database identified 103 patients with surgically resectable (≤cT4acN0 cM0) MPBC who underwent RC. Survival estimates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was performed to identify risk groups for survival. RESULTS: For the entire cohort, estimated 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 52% and 58%, respectively. CART analysis identified three risk subgroups: low-risk: cT1, no hydronephrosis; high-risk: ≥cT2, no hydronephrosis; and highest-risk: cTany with tumour-associated hydronephrosis. The 5-year DSS for the low-, high-, and highest-risk groups were 92%, 51%, and 17%, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients down-staged at RC