A Novel Modality Enables New Evidence-Based Individual Risk Stratification That Can Potentially Lead to Decisive Management and Treatment Decisions in Prostate Cancer.

A key step in providing management/treatment options to men with suspected prostate cancer (PCa) is categorizing the risk in terms of the presence of benign, low-risk, intermediate-risk, or high-risk disease. Our novel modality brings new evidence, based on the long-known hallmark characteristic of PCa-decreased zinc (Zn), which is the most direct metabolic sign of malignancy and its aggressiveness. To date, this approach has not been adopted for clinical use for a number of reasons that are described in this article, and which have been addressed by our approach. Zn has to be measured on fresh samples, prior to fixating in formalin; therefore, samples have to be scanned during the biopsy session. As Zn depletion occurs in the glands where the tumors develop, estimation of the glands' levels in the scanned tissue, along with their compactness, are essential for accurate diagnosis. Combined with the Zn depletion, this facilitates a reliable assessment of disease aggressiveness. Data gathered in the clinical study described here indicate that, in addition to improving the biopsy quality by real-time interactive guidance, a malignancy score can now be established for the entire prostate, allowing higher granularity personalized risk stratification and more decisive treatment decisions for all PCa patients.

Can We Predict a Higher Risk of Urothelial Bladder Cancer With a Simple Blood Test?

BACKGROUND/AIM: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to develop tools prioritizing high risk patients for urgent evaluation. Our objective was to determine whether Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), an inflammation-based score, can predict higher grade and stage urothelial bladder cancer in patients with gross hematuria who need urgent evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed a database of 129 consecutive patients presenting with gross hematuria. GPS was calculated using pretreatment C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels. Patients with bacteriuria or other known malignancies were excluded. The relationship between GPS and final diagnosis was analyzed with multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included in the study and 24 patients were identified without any pathology and 77 with a bladder tumor. Pathology demonstrated 21 with muscle invasive, 18 with high grade non-muscle invasive, and 38 with low grade superficial bladder cancer. Twenty-six of 39 (67%) patients with high grade tumors had a GPS of 1 or 2 compared to only 8 out of 62 (13%) patients with either low grade or negative findings (p<0.0001). Ten of 21 (48%) patients with muscle invasive disease had a GPS of 2 compared to 1 out of 18 (6%) with high grade non muscle invasive tumors (p=0.04). On multivariate analysis, GPS was a strong independent predictor of high grade and stage bladder cancer. CONCLUSION: GPS may serve as a highly accessible predictor of high grade, high stage, and large urothelial bladder tumors at the time of initial evaluation and can help identify patients who need urgent evaluation.

Preoperative 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT defines a subgroup of high-risk prostate cancer patients with favorable outcomes after radical prostatectomy and lymph node dissection.

BACKGROUND: High-risk prostate cancer is associated with adverse pathology and unfavorable outcomes after radical prostatectomy. 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT is more accurate than conventional imaging for preoperative staging. We aimed to evaluate whether lymph node involvement on 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT prior to radical prostatectomy in patients with high-risk prostate cancer is associated with worse short-term oncologic outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 149 patients with high-risk localized or locoregional prostate cancer who underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT prior to radical prostatectomy between 2015 and 2020. None of the patients received neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment. The study endpoints were PSA persistence and biochemical recurrence. Logistic regression models were used to identify preoperative predictors of PSA persistence. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to estimate biochemical recurrence-free survival. RESULTS: Of 149 identified patients, 19 (13%) were found to have lymph node involvement on preoperative 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for identifying pathologic lymph node involvement were 68%, 95%, and 92%, respectively. PSA persistence rate was lower among patients with PET-negative lymph nodes than those with PET-positive nodes (15 vs. 84%, p < 0.001). Positive nodes on imaging (OR = 41.03, p < 0.001) and clinical T2c-T3 stage (OR = 6.96, p = 0.002) were associated with PSA persistence on multivariable analysis. Among patients with PET-negative nodes the 1- and 2-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rates were 87% and 76%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative staging with 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT may identify a subgroup of high-risk prostate cancer patients with favorable short-term outcomes after radical prostatectomy without adjuvant treatment. Future studies will evaluate whether these results are sustained during long-term follow-up.

The effect of delaying transperineal fusion biopsy of the prostate for patients with suspicious MRI findings-Implications for the COVID-19 era.

OBJECTIVE: Image guided biopsies are an integral part of prostate cancer evaluation. The effect of delaying biopsies of suspicious prostate mpMRI lesions is uncertain and clinically relevant during the COVID-19 crisis. We evaluated the association between biopsy delay time and pathologic findings on subsequent prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining IRB approval we reviewed the medical records of 214 patients who underwent image-guided transperineal fusion biopsy of the prostate biopsy between 2017 and 2019. Study outcomes included clinically significant (ISUP grade group ≥2) and any prostate cancer on biopsy. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between biopsy delay time and outcomes while adjusting for known predictors of cancer on biopsy. RESULTS: The study cohort included 195 men with a median age of 68. Median delay between mpMRI and biopsy was 5 months, and 90% of patients had a ≤8 months delay. A significant association was found between PI-RADS 5 lesions and no previous biopsies and shorter delay time. Delay time was not associated with clinically significant or any cancer on biopsy. A higher risk of significant cancer was associated with older age (P = 0.008), higher PSA (0.003), smaller prostate volume (<0.001), no previous biopsy (0.012) and PI-RADS 5 lesions (0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that under current practice, where men with PI-RADS 5 lesions and no previous biopsies undergo earlier evaluation, a delay of up to 8 months between imaging and biopsy does not affect biopsy findings. In the current COVID-19 crisis, selectively delaying image-guided prostate biopsies is unlikely to result in a higher rate of significant cancer.

Long-term biochemical progression-free survival following brachytherapy for prostate cancer: Further insight into the role of short-term androgen deprivation and intermediate risk group subclassification.

INTRODUCTION: Brachytherapy is a well-established treatment of localized prostate cancer. Few studies have documented long-term results, specifically biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) in men with brachytherapy alone, with or without short-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), or in combination with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Our aim was to analyze long-term bPFS of brachytherapy treated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 1457 patients with low and intermediate risk prostate cancer treated with brachytherapy alone (1255) or combined with EBRT (202). Six-months ADT was administrated for all EBRT combined patients and for prostate volume downsizing when >55 cc (328). Failure was by the Phoenix definition. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression estimated and compared 10-yr and 15-yr rates of bPFS. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 6.1 yr. Ten and 15-yr bPFS rates of the entire cohort were 93.2% and 89.2%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, PSA density (PSAD), ADT and clinical stage were significantly associated with failure. The most powerful independent factor was PSAD with a HR of 3.5 (95% CI, 1.7-7.4) for PSAD above 0.15. No significant difference was found between low and intermediate risks patients regardless of treatment regimen. However, comparison of two intermediate risk groups, Gleason score (GS) 7, PSA<20 ng/ml versus GS≤6 and PSA = 10-20 ng/ml, revealed 10- and 15-yr bPFS rates of 94.2% and 94.2% compared to 88.2% and 79.9%, (P = 0.022), respectively. ADT improved bPFS rates in low risk patients. The ten and 15-yr bPFS rates were 97.6% and 94.6% compared to 92.3% and 88.2%, (P = 0.020), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective large scale study suggests that brachytherapy provides excellent long-term bPFS rates in low and intermediate risk disease. Combination of brachytherapy with EBRT yields favorable outcomes in GS 7 intermediate risk patients and short-term ADT has a positive effect on outcomes in low risk patients. Further prospective studies are warranted to discriminate the role of adding either EBRT and/or ADT to brachytherapy protocols.

Can urologists accurately stage and grade urothelial bladder cancer by assessing endoscopic photographs?

Introduction Assessment of urothelial bladder cancer during cystoscopy or transurethral resection of bladder tumour has a significant impact on the urologist's decision-making: treatment with simple outpatient fulguration, required depth of resection, and need of immediate post-surgical intravesical therapy. These choices depend heavily on the urologist's ability to accurately assess pre-biopsy tumour stage and grade. The aim of the study was to determine whether evaluation of photographs taken during transurethral resection of bladder tumour can reliably characterize a tumour's stage and grade. Methods Smartphone photographs of 50 urothelial bladder cancer cases were taken at the beginning of transurethral resection of bladder tumour and individually presented to seven senior urologists. All urologists were blinded to the final pathological report and to any other urological evaluation. Each one was asked to rate the tumour as low vs high grade and noninvasive Ta vs noninvasive T1 or muscle invasive. Results were compared with final pathology. Individual appraisal and the majority's opinion were evaluated. Results Urologists have correctly predicted tumour stage and grade in 63.5% of cases (222 of 350, average of 32 out of 50 accurate assessments). The final majority assessment was correct in 40 of 50 cases (80%). Sensitivity and specificity of the final results for the diagnosis of T1 or higher were 80% and 88.6%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for Ta low grade were 83.3% and 80%, respectively. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented attempt to evaluate urologists' ability to assess urothelial bladder cancer stage and grade using endoscopic photographs. Urologists can usually identify stage and grade of urothelial bladder cancer but accuracy increases when multiple senior urologists examine the same photographs and achieve majority consensus. Presenting photographs of urothelial bladder cancer to a team of urologists may lead to an excellent decision regarding type and extent of surgical treatment and substantiate appropriate post-surgical management.

A Novel Urine-Based Assay for Bladder Cancer Diagnosis: Multi-Institutional Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: CellDetect is a unique histochemical stain enabling color and morphological discrimination between malignant and benign cells based on differences in metabolic signature. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to validate the performance of this assay in a controlled, blinded, multicenter study. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study, conducted in nine hospitals, included patients with documented history of bladder cancer, monitored for urothelial carcinoma (UCC) or scheduled for bladder cancer surgery. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Cystoscopy and/or biopsy were used as a reference standard to determine sensitivity and specificity. Smears were stained by CellDetect and interpreted by two cytologists blinded to the patient's final diagnosis. The findings were compared with those of standard urine cytology and BTA stat. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Two hundred and seventeen voided urine specimens were included. Ninety-six (44%) were positive by histology and 121 (56%) were negative by either cystoscopy or histology. The overall sensitivity of CellDetect was 84%. Notably, the sensitivity for detecting low-grade nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer tumors was greater than this of BTA stat (78% vs 54%) and more than two-fold higher compared with standard cytology (33%, p ≤ 0.05). The specificity was 84% in patients undergoing routine surveillance by cystoscopy. At a median follow-up of 9 mo, 21% of the patients with positive CellDetect and negative reference standard developed UCC, which was significantly higher compared with the 5% of the true negative cases. Limitations include the lack of instrumental urine samples and the lack of patients with nongenitourinary cancers in the study population. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the performance of CellDetect as a urine-based assay to identify UCC in patients with history of bladder cancer. The high sensitivity was maintained across all cancer grades and stages without compromising the assay specificity. Further studies are required to test whether this novel stain can be incorporated in routine bladder cancer surveillance as a noninvasive alternative to cystoscopy. PATIENT SUMMARY: Surveillance of bladder cancer requires frequent invasive procedures. In the present study, we validate the ability of a novel biomarker to accurately identify early-stage tumors in urine specimens for the noninvasive monitoring of patients with history of bladder cancer.

High cancer detection rate using cognitive fusion - targeted transperineal prostate biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: MRI of the prostate improves diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer. Different fusion approaches with transrectal ultrasound images are employed. To determine detection rate of prostate cancer in men undergoing transperineal MRIbased cognitive fusion biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-four consecutive men underwent a multiple-core prostate transperineal biopsy. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to address the relationship between clinical parameters and prostate cancer detection rate. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen patients underwent mpMRI prior to the transperineal biopsy, 52 (45%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer, of them, 36 had Gleason score ≥7 (69%). Among these 114 patients, 82 had suspicious lesions on MRI, and 43 of them were diagnosed with cancer (52%). On multivariate analysis, the most significant independent predictive factors were PSA density (P<0.001) and suspicious MRI lesion (P=0.006). Men with a PSA density of more than 0.22 and a suspicious lesion on MRI had a detection rate of 78%. Detection rate among 50 patients with no MRI study prior to this biopsy was 26%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that among a group of mostly multi-biopsied patients, the presence of mpMRI lesions and high PSA density values helped to detect clinically significant prostate cancer using cognitive MRI/TRUS fusion biopsies.

High cancer detection rate using cognitive fusion - targeted transperineal prostate biopsies

ABSTRACT Objective MRI of the prostate improves diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer. Different fusion approaches with transrectal ultrasound images are employed. Objective To determine detection rate of prostate cancer in men undergoing transperineal MRI-based cognitive fusion biopsy. Materials and Methods One hundred and sixty-four consecutive men underwent a multiple-core prostate transperineal biopsy. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to address the relationship between clinical parameters and prostate cancer detection rate. Results One hundred and fourteen patients underwent mpMRI prior to the transperineal biopsy, 52 (45%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer, of them, 36 had Gleason score ≥7 (69%). Among these 114 patients, 82 had suspicious lesions on MRI, and 43 of them were diagnosed with cancer (52%). On multivariate analysis, the most significant independent predictive factors were PSA density (P<0.001) and suspicious MRI lesion (P=0.006). Men with a PSA density of more than 0.22 and a suspicious lesion on MRI had a detection rate of 78%. Detection rate among 50 patients with no MRI study prior to this biopsy was 26%. Conclusions This study showed that among a group of mostly multi-biopsied patients, the presence of mpMRI lesions and high PSA density values helped to detect clinically significant prostate cancer using cognitive MRI/TRUS fusion biopsies.

Implementation of supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a novel position for an old operation.

INTRODUCTION: Supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has become increasingly widespread during the last 2 decades. The aim of this study was to analyze the transition from prone to mainly supine PCNL in 2 endourologic centers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data on 214 consecutive supine PCNLs divided into the first (2011-2013) and last (2014-2016) 3 years of this study. The first 27 cases were also included in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) by comparison with 24 prone PCNLs. We compared the clinical outcome and implementation rate. The surgical team was surveyed for their overall impression of performing supine PCNLs. RESULTS: The RCT revealed a trend toward shorter operative time (138 vs. 150 minutes), anesthesia time (174 vs. 192 minutes) and hospitalization (2.2 vs. 2.6 days) in the supine PCNL group, without statistical significance and similar stone free rates (SFR) as for the prone PCNL group. Implementation of the supine PCNL reached 96% in 3 years. There was a decrease in operative time (110 vs. 154 minutes; P <0.0001), hospital stay (1.5 vs. 2.1 days; P <0.01), blood transfusion (5% vs. 14%; P <0.05) and rate of ancillary procedures (5% vs. 16%; P <0.05) in the last 3 years of the study. SFR remained stable. Both the surgeons and anesthesiologists expressed their unanimous preference for the supine position over the prone position. CONCLUSIONS: Supine PCNLs are easy to implement without a significant learning curve for an experienced endourologist. They can be employed in complex cases and improve surgeon's ergonomics and anesthesiologist's access to the patient.

Upper Calyx Accessibility Through a Lower Calyx Access Is Not Influenced by Morphometric and Clinical Factors in Supine Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether morphometric and clinical parameters influence accessibility to the upper calyx through a lower calyx tract during supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SPCNL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data for 114 consecutive SPCNLs performed between June 2014 and March 2016 in an academic medical center were analyzed. Successful approachability was defined as rigid nephroscopic access to the upper calyx introduced through a lower calyx access as attested by direct visualization of the upper calyx papillae and position of the nephroscope on intraoperative pyelography. Demographic, morphometric, and clinical parameters were assessed. Analysis of variance, Fisher's exact, chi-square tests, and univariate and multivariate models were applied. RESULTS: Successful approach was achieved in 94 (82%) patients. In univariate analyses previous kidney operations (p = 0.03), body weight (p = 0.04), and acute lower calyx access to the upper calyx axis angle (p = 0.01E-13) correlated with failed access. Multivariate analyses revealed that an acute angle was the sole independent factor for failed access (odds ratio [OR] 1.4, p < 0.05; confidence interval [95% CI] 1.021, 2.035). Limitations include the inability to objectively determine the mobility of the kidney as a co-factor in successful approachability. CONCLUSIONS: SPCNL offers effective endoscopic accessibility through a lower calyx access. Previous kidney operations and body weight tend to negatively influence this accessibility. An acute angle between the lower calyx and the upper calyx is the single independent factor associated with failed accessibility.

Sulfadiazine-Induced Obstructive Nephropathy Presenting with Upper Urinary Tract Extravasation.

Background: Obstructive nephropathy is an uncommon side effect of sulfadiazine, which is used for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. We present a case of acute renal colic and urine extravasation of a patient shortly after she was started on this medication. Case Presentation: A 31-year-old female presented with acute renal colic 2 weeks after starting treatment with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine for ocular toxoplasmosis. Results: A noncontrast computed tomography revealed left hydronephrosis and fluid located around the kidney and in the left gutter. There were no urinary stones. Administration of intravenous contrast revealed significant urine extravasation at the level of the ureteropelvic junction. Intravenous contrast injection confirmed that the extravasation consisted of urine leakage at the ureteropelvic junction. Her clinical condition improved with the insertion of an internal stent, which was left in place for 4 weeks. A retrograde pyelography performed at the time of the internal stent removal ruled out persistent extravasation and filling defects in the left upper urinary tract. Considering the clinical circumstances and the imaging results, it appears that this is a first reported case of sulfadiazine-induced obstructive uropathy associated with urine extravasation. Conclusion: Although rare, obstructive uropathy related to sulfadiazine medication should be promptly suspected, diagnosed, and treated. Patients should be instructed to substantially increase their liquid intake while on that medication.

Upper Calyx Approachability through a Lower Calyx Access for Prone Versus Supine Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

PURPOSE: We assessed the approachability of the upper calyx through lower calyx access for prone and supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy and used computerized tomography to analyze anatomical factors that may influence it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective series of 45 patients treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy were operated on in the prone (20) and supine (25) positions. Computerized tomography simulated access to the lower and upper calyx longitudinal axes were used to measure skin-to-lower calyx distance, thickness of the body wall, muscle and fat, the muscle-to-fat thickness ratio and the angle between the lower calyx tract and the upper calyx axis. Intraoperative approachability to the upper calyx was also evaluated. RESULTS: The upper calyx was successfully approached in 20% of prone and 80% of supine percutaneous nephrolithotomies (p <0.0001). The average skin-to-lower calyx distance was 98.4 mm (range 65.3 to 128.6) in the prone position and 98.7 mm (range 60.8 to 150) in the supine position (p = 0.99). Body wall and muscular thickness, and the muscle-to-fat thickness ratio were significantly lower in supine than prone nephrolithotomy (p <0.001, <0.0005 and <0.05, respectively). The average angle between the lower and upper calyces axes was wide in the supine position (141 degrees, range 90 to 170) and acute in the prone position (84 degrees, range 65 to 110, p <0.05(E-10)). CONCLUSIONS: Upper calyx endoscopic approachability through the lower calyx is significantly higher in supine than in prone percutaneous nephrolithotomies, possibly due to a thinner body wall, a thinner muscular layer, a lower muscle-to-fat thickness ratio and a wider angle between the lower and upper calyx axes.

[Position statement for the diagnosis and treatment of men with benign prostate enlargement and lower urinary tract symptoms].

Benign prostate enlargement causing lower urinary symptoms is a common progressive phenomenon in adult men. Lower urinary tract symptoms may emerge during the storage, voiding, and post micturition phases, harm quality of life and may be caused by a variety of factors. The purpose of evaluation is to identify benign prostate enlargement and factors other than enlarged prostate as the cause of symptoms, and recognize the risk factors for progression of the condition. The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, and to prevent deterioration of symptoms and development of complications. Medical therapy is the basic approach, whereas surgery and minimally invasive procedures are reserved for patients not interested in medical therapy or for those in whom symptoms were not alleviated by means of medical therapy. In the present position statement, we present the approach to the evaluation and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostate enlargement.

Comparison between preoperative and real-time intraoperative planning ¹²5I permanent prostate brachytherapy: long-term clinical biochemical outcome.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome through biochemical no evidence of disease (bNED) rates among men with low to intermediate risk prostate cancer treated with two different brachytherapy implant techniques: preoperative planning (PP) and real-time planning (IoP). METHODS: From June 1998 to July 2011, 1176 men with median age of 67 years and median follow-up of 47 months underwent transperineal ultrasound-guided prostate ¹²5I-brachytherapy using either PP (132) or IoP (1044) for clinical T1c-T2b prostate adenocarcinoma Gleason <8 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <20 ng/ml. Men with Gleason 7 received combination of brachytherapy, external beam radiation and 6-month androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Biological effective dose (BED) was calculated using computerized tomography (CT)-based dosimetry 1-month postimplant. Failure was determined according to the Phoenix definition. RESULTS: The 5- and 7-year actuarial bNED rate was 95% and 90% respectively. The 7-year actuarial bNED was 67% for the PP group and 95% for the IoP group (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analyses identified implant technique or BED, ADT and PSA as independent prognostic factors for biochemical failure. CONCLUSIONS: Following our previous published results addressing the limited and disappointing outcomes of PP method when compared to IoP based on CT dosimetry and PSA kinetics, we now confirm the long-term clinical, bNED rates clear cut superiority of IoP implant methodology.

HIF1A C1772T polymorphism leads to HIF-1α mRNA overexpression in prostate cancer patients.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) gene polymorphisms have been investigated for a possible role in mediating genetic predisposition to cancer. Our previous data show that men homozygous to C1772T polymorphism had 4-fold risk to develop prostate cancer. Therefore, we studied the effects of C1772T polymorphism on HIF-1α expression. HIF-1α mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in peripheral blood leukocytes of prostate cancer patients with the TT genotype compared with the CC genotype. Expression of C1772T HIF-1α in HIF-1α knockout cancer cells showed higher expression levels and stabilization of HIF-1α mRNA compared with the wild-type. Mutated HIF-1α protein half-life was similar to that of the wild-type. Hence, our data provide evidence that C1772T polymorphism causes activation of HIF-1α as a gain-of-function mechanism driven by stabilization of HIF-1α mRNA. These findings may also explain the increased risk of men homozygous to this mutation to develop prostate cancer.

High detection rate of significant prostate tumours in anterior zones using transperineal ultrasound-guided template saturation biopsy.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Men with persistent suspicion for prostate cancer after previous negative standard transrectal biopsy series are offered saturation biopsy either transrectally or transperineally to increase cancer detection rate. A high-risk group of men with at least two previous negative transrectal biopsies underwent transperineal template-guided saturation biopsy. Prostate cancer was detected in 26%, predominantly in the anterior zones. PSA velocity or doubling time were the most powerful factors to predict cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the detection rate and the regional location of prostate cancer in men undergoing transperineal template-guided saturation biopsy (TTSB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 92 consecutive men with at least two previous negative transrectal biopsy series who underwent a multiple-core prostate TTSB at our centre were included in the study. • Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to address the relationship between parameters before TTSB and prostate cancer-detection rate. • Covariates consisted of age at biopsy, free and total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, digital rectal examination findings, histological findings on previous biopsy, PSA velocity (PSAV), PSA-doubling time (PSADT) and the number of previous negative biopsy sets. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 26% of the men. • A median of 30 cores was taken by TTSB. • Adenocarcinoma in >2 cores was detected in 58.5% and Gleason score ≥7 was detected in 46% of the diagnosed men. • Most of the tumours (83.3%) were found in the anterior zones of the gland, with a significantly higher number of positive cores vs the posterior zones (mean 4.9 vs 1.5, P= 0.015). • PSADT and PSAV were the only independent predictors of prostate cancer detection at multivariate analyses with odds ratios of 0.71 (P= 0.014) and 1.58 (P= 0.025), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TTSB has a high prostate cancer-detection rate, especially in the anterior zones. • Men after at least two previous negative transrectal biopsy series and persistent suspicion of prostate cancer, as evidenced by rapid PSA dynamics, should be offered TTSB.

Non-contrast computed tomography after percutaneous nephrolithotomy: findings and clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the post-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (NCCT) findings and assessed their clinical significance. NCCT evaluates stone clearance after PNL and also reveals procedure-related changes. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients who underwent PNL were evaluated by NCCT one day post-procedure. Two radiologists analyzed the type and severity of the NCCT findings, which were then statistically analyzed in relation to the patient's clinical course. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 54 years (range 18-82) and the mean maximal stone diameter was 37 mm (range 15-70). The median operative time was 110 minutes for an immediate stone-free rate of 83%, changing to 94% (P = .073) after a second-look PNL in 11 patients. The post-PNL NCCT findings were hydronephrosis (70%), atelectasis (54%), ipsilateral pleural effusion (52%), paracolic gutter fluid (44%), perinephric hematoma (40%), perinephric fluid (32%), ureteronephrosis (31%), renal swelling (23%), contralateral pleural effusion (22%), residual fragments (RFs) (17%), subcapsular hematoma (10%), and flank hematoma (6%). Univariate analysis revealed a significant association with clinical variables for all NCCT findings except for atelectasis, ureteronephrosis, contralateral pleural effusion, RFs, and flank hematoma. In multivariate analysis, only perinephric fluid (P = .007) and ipsilateral pleural effusion (P = .034) were associated with longer hospitalization, and perinephric fluid with longer recovery (P = .004). The complication rate was 12%, but none were linked with the radiological findings. CONCLUSION: This work describes the post-PNL NCCT findings and their clinical significance. Perinephric fluid and ipsilateral pleural effusion were found to independently predict longer hospitalization and recovery time.

Validation and comparison of the two Kattan nomograms in patients with prostate cancer treated with (125) iodine brachytherapy.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Prognostic (cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Nomograms are based on large patient population. Their applicability should be externally validated. Among 747 brachytherapy patients we evaluated two Kattan nonograms and conclude that they have limited value to predict PSA-free survival. OBJECTIVE: To validate and compare the preoperative and postoperative Kattan prediction nonograms for prostate cancer recurrence after brachytherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n= 747) treated with (125) I-brachytherapy were evaluated. Both nomograms were used to calculate the prediction of 5-year biochemical-freedom from failure (BFFF) based on clinical stage, Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, receipt of androgen deprivation therapy and the post-implant dosimetry variable D90 (values of the minimal dose received by 90% of the prostate volume). The predicted values using the Kattan nomograms and the observed values were compared. Predictive accuracy was determined using the concordance index. RESULTS: The 5-year BFFF probability was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92-96%) for the modified American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) definition and 97% (95% CI, 95-98%) for the Phoenix definition using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The predicted values of BFFF using both Kattan nomograms were lower than the observed rates in our cohort. The concordance index values were 0.51 and 0.52 for preoperative and postoperative nomograms, respectively. Concordance correlation coefficient between the two nomograms was 0.15. CONCLUSIONS: In our population, the 5-year BFFF outcomes rates were superior to nomogram predictions. Neither nomogram predicted outcomes after (125) I-brachytherapy in this non-US cohort. The postoperative nomogram was also a poor predictor, although it included D90 dosimetry values, as a variable of treatment quality. Strict inclusion criteria, perhaps more favourable than the ones on which the Kattan nomograms were based, could be the explanation for these discrepancies.