Evaluation of a nitinol stone retrieval basket as an alternative to biopsy forceps for biopsy of suspected upper tract genitourinary malignancies.

Background: The anatomical nature of the ureteroscopic approach for biopsy of upper urothelial tract tumors requires the utilization of small instruments, often limiting biopsy specimen quality. This leads to lower-than-desired tumor grading accuracy and malignancy detection capabilities on the initial evaluation of upper tract tumor specimens. This is problematic because optimal treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) depends on early disease detection and subsequent accurate diagnosis. Objective: The objective of our study was to compare the biopsy capabilities of two ureteroscopic biopsy instruments - biopsy forceps and the nitinol stone retrieval basket. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of ten patients who underwent biopsy of an upper tract mass with either instrument. Average specimen size, muscularis propria presence, and malignancy detection sensitivity were the variables of interest. Results: The nitinol stone retrieval basket obtained larger biopsy samples than the biopsy forceps, with average biopsy volumes being 0.0674 cm3 and 0.0075 cm3, respectively (P = 0.00017); this was the only statistically significant result of our study. Muscularis propria was present in 31% (4/13) of the biopsies with the nitinol stone retrieval basket, whereas 0% (0/5) of the biopsy forceps biopsies contained muscularis propria (P = 0.2778). Regarding malignancy detection sensitivity, the nitinol stone retrieval basket biopsies identified malignancy in 100% of the specimens that had confirmed malignancy; the biopsy forceps only detected malignancy 40% of the time (P = 0.4134). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the nitinol stone retrieval basket is a useful diagnostic tool for UTUC, although further investigation is warranted to determine its superiority compared to biopsy forceps.

Prognostic predictors of lymph node metastasis in penile cancer: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Purpose: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis is a rare disease in developed countries but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A crucial prognostic factor is the presence of inguinal lymph node metastases (ILNM) at the time of diagnosis. At least 25% of cases have micrometastases at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, we performed a literature review of studies evaluating factors, both clinical and pathological, predictive of lymph node metastases in penile SCC. Materials and methods: Studies were identified using PubMed and search terms included the following: penile cancer, penile tumor, penile neoplasm, penile squamous cell carcinoma, inguinal lymph node metastasis, lymph node metastases, nodal metastasis, inguinal node metastasis, inguinal lymph node involvement, predictors, and predictive factor. The number of patients and predictive factors were identified for each study based on OR, HR, or RR in multivariate analyses, as well as their respective significance values. These were compiled to generate a single body of evidence supportive of factors predictive of ILNM in penile SCC. Results: We identified 31 studies, both original articles and meta-analyses, which identified factors predictive of metastases in penile SCC. The following clinical factors were predictive of ILNM in penile SCC: lymphovascular invasion (LVI), increased grade, increased stage (both clinical and pathological), infiltrative and reticular invasion, increased depth of invasion, perineural invasion, and younger patient age at diagnosis. Biochemically, overexpression of p53, SOD2, Ki-67, and ID1 were associated with spread of SCC to inguinal lymph nodes. Diffuse PD-L1 expression, increased SCC-Ag expression, increased NLR, and CRP >20 were also associated with increased ILNM. Conclusions: A multitude of factors are associated with metastasis of SCC of the penis to inguinal lymph nodes, which is associated with poor clinical outcomes. The above factors, most strongly LVI, grade, and node positivity, may be considered when constructing a nomogram to risk-stratify patients and determine eligibility for prophylactic inguinal lymphadenectomy.

Prognostic predictors of lymph node metastasis in penile cancer: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis is a rare disease in developed countries but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A crucial prognostic factor is the presence of inguinal lymph node metastases (ILNM) at the time of diagnosis. At least 25% of cases have micrometastases at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, we performed a literature review of studies evaluating factors, both clinical and pathological, predictive of lymph node metastases in penile SCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies were identified using PubMed and search terms included the following: penile cancer, penile tumor, penile neoplasm, penile squamous cell carcinoma, inguinal lymph node metastasis, lymph node metastases, nodal metastasis, inguinal node metastasis, inguinal lymph node involvement, predictors, and predictive factor. The number of patients and predictive factors were identified for each study based on OR, HR, or RR in multivariate analyses, as well as their respective significance values. These were compiled to generate a single body of evidence supportive of factors predictive of ILNM in penile SCC. RESULTS: We identified 31 studies, both original articles and meta-analyses, which identified factors predictive of metastases in penile SCC. The following clinical factors were predictive of ILNM in penile SCC: lymphovascular invasion (LVI), increased grade, increased stage (both clinical and pathological), infiltrative and reticular invasion, increased depth of invasion, perineural invasion, and younger patient age at diagnosis. Biochemically, overexpression of p53, SOD2, Ki-67, and ID1 were associated with spread of SCC to inguinal lymph nodes. Diffuse PD-L1 expression, increased SCC-Ag expression, increased NLR, and CRP >20 were also associated with increased ILNM. CONCLUSIONS: A multitude of factors are associated with metastasis of SCC of the penis to inguinal lymph nodes, which is associated with poor clinical outcomes. The above factors, most strongly LVI, grade, and node positivity, may be considered when constructing a nomogram to risk-stratify patients and determine eligibility for prophylactic inguinal lymphadenectomy.

What you need to know: updates in penile cancer staging.

PURPOSE: We sought to discuss the updates in the 8th edition (8E) of The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging for penile cancer and to provide relevant evidence associated with the major changes that occurred. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed® and Web of Science® was performed for relevant English language articles from 2004 through 2019. Literature resulting from this search were reviewed and articles pertinent to penile cancer staging changes were included. RESULTS: Modifications were observed in the tumor and nodal staging. In the 8E AJCC, Ta disease indicates noninvasive localized squamous cell carcinoma, which allows for inclusion of other historical variants. T1 is subcategorized into T1a and T1b according to existence of lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion and high-grade tumor. This subcategorization demonstrates different risks for lymph node (LN) metastases and will affect decision strategy when opting for inguinal lymphadenectomy. Urethral invasion is no longer a differentiator between T2 and T3 disease, as T2 includes invasion of the corpus spongiosum and T3 involves invasion of the corpus cavernosum. For nodal staging, pN1 has been increased from a single LN metastases to two unilateral inguinal LN metastases, while pN2 has been modified to three or more inguinal LN metastases. This change was evidenced by demonstrating no significant difference in disease specific mortality between the previous edition's pN1 and pN2. CONCLUSIONS: The 8E penile cancer staging provides several modifications that have relevant clinical implications in the management of penile cancer. Nevertheless, it requires refinements that allow for better staging of penile tumors.