Cribriform Morphology in Gleason Score 3+4 Moderate-Risk Prostate Cancer: Is it Risk Factor for Biochemical Recurrence?

OBJECTIVE: Studies have reported that the cribriform morphology observed in prostate biopsy is associated with increased up-staging, upgrading, positive surgical margins and aggressive prognosis after radical prostatectomy. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between cribriform morphology and biochemical recurrence in patients with moderate-risk localized PCa with a Gleason score of 3+4 (ISUP grade 2) after radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Datas of 177 patients in the moderate-risk group who were evaluated as ISUP grade 2 after radical prostatectomy were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 groups as without (Group 1) and with biochemical recurrence (Group 2). Age, preoperative PSA level, T stage, follow-up time and presence of cribriform morphology in both groups were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: The mean preoperative serum total PSA level (group 1: 8.2 ± 3.9 and group 2: 11.9 ± 4.7) and presence of cribriform morphology (group 1: 25 (16%) and group 2: 9 (42%)) was significantly higher in group 2 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively). According to the results of univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative serum total PSA level and pres-ence of cribriform morphology were found to be independent risk factors for biochemical recurrence (OR: 4,4; %95 Cl: 1,6-11,7; p=0.003 and OR: 4,7; %95 Cl: 1,7-13,1; p=0,003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cribriform morphology of PCa is a risk factor for biochemical recurrence in patients with moderate risk and GS 3+4. In this respect, individualizing PCa cases accompanied by cribriform morphology from other Gleason Score 3+4 cases seems to be an appropriate approach.

A different perspective: Can urine pH be important in the diagnosis of prostate cancer?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate emphasis of urinary pH in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Patients, who underwent 12-core prostate biopsy because of prostate-specific antigen elevation and suspicious digital rectal examination, were retrospectively reviewed. According to pathology, patients with prostate cancer were classified as group 1, and patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were classified as group 2. Primary endpoint of this study was the urine pH. The age of two groups and urine pH were compared with each other. Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for the intergroup analysis of continuous variables. A cut-off value for urine pH was determined with a receiver operating characteristic curve. p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 119 patients in group 1 and 99 patients in group 2. When urine pHs of both groups were compared, group 1 and group 2 were 5.1 ± 0.45 and 5.5 ± 0.79, respectively (p = 0.0001). The cut-off value determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for urine pH was 5.2 (sensitivity: 42%, specificity: 79%, area under the curve: 0.61; 95% CI: [0.53, 0.68]; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Acidic urine pH may be important for predicting prostate cancer according to this study.

Ureteral access sheath use in retrograde intrarenal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a difference between postoperative urinary infection rates after retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS) when ureteral access sheath (UAS) was used or not used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all patients who underwent RIRS at our institution between January 2016 and October 2018. RESULTS: 129 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 48.8 ± 12.1 years; 94 patients were male and 35 were female. The mean stone size (largest diameter), stone attenuation and stone volume were 15.3 ± 5.8 mm, 1038 ± 368 HU and 1098 ± 1031 mm3, respectively. Out of 129 patients, 81 were treated by using UAS (Group 1) and 48 were treated without use of UAS (Group 2). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of post-operative infection (p = 0.608). However, the operative time of patients with post-operative infection was statistically higher than the other patients; 88.35 ± 22.5 min versus 59.37 ± 22.1 min (p = 0.017). In multivariate regression analysis, operation time (p = 0.02, r = 1.07) was found to be the sole predictor of post-operative infection. CONCLUSIONS: Using UAS during RIRS might reduce the intrarenal pressure and also has several advantages. However not prolonging the operation time too much could be of higher importance than UAS use in terms of preventing post-operative infection after RIRS.

Does neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio demonstrate deterioration in renal function?

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health issue worldwide, which leads to end-stage renal failure and cardiovascular events. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a surrogate marker of inflammation and has been widely studied in malignancies, hypertension, heart diseases, and vascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate if NLR represents renal reserve and function after partial or radical nephrectomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study consists of patients who had undergone radical/partial nephrectomy in our hospital and/or who admitted to urology and nephrology clinics as an outpatient. Patients were divided into four groups: Group 1 (n = 46): Healthy controls; Group 2 (n = 50): Patients who had undergone unilateral partial nephrectomy; Group 3 (n = 46): Patients who had gone unilateral nephrectomy; Group 4 (n = 82): Patients who had CKD. RESULTS: The mean NLR of each group was as follows: Group 1: 2.14 ± 0.73; Group 2: 3.52 ± 3.74; Group 3: 3.64 ± 3.52, and Group 4: 3.53 ± 2.30. NLR was lower in Group 1 compared to other groups but statistically significant difference was observed only between Group 1 (control) and Group 4 (CKD), 2.14 ± 0.73 versus 3.53 ± 2.30 (p = .005). In non-parametric correlation analysis NLR was found negatively correlated with GFR and positively correlated CKD stage (p = .028 for both correlations). CONCLUSIONS: The NLR may constitute a practical predictor of CKD besides Cr in patients who had undergone partial or radical nephrectomy.

Emphasis of FAS/FASL gene polymorphism in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BCa) is the seventh most common cancer among males worldwide. Some reliable markers in blood, urine, and tumor tissue, including clinicopathologic variables, molecular and inflammatory markers, gene polymorphisms, and tumor gene expression profiles are identified for predicting response to BCG immunotherapy in high-risk BCa patients. AIMS: We aimed to determine if FAS and FASL polymorphisms are associated with lack of response to BCG in patients with BCa. METHODS: The study included patients with primary non-muscle invasive BCa that had undergone transurethral resection (TUR). Patient demographics, BCa characteristics, use of BCG immunotherapy, lack of response to BCG (if administered), BCa recurrence, and fatty acid synthetase/fatty acid syntethase ligand (FAS/FASL) polymorphisms were investigated. RESULTS: The study included 127 patients with primary BCa. Mean age of the 107 (84.3%) male and 20 (15.7%) female patients was 59.3 ± 13.2 years. Among the patients that received BCG immunotherapy, more FAS homozygous patients had BCa recurrence than FAS polymorphism-negative patients (P < 0.001) and more patients with homozygote FASL polymorphisms had BCa recurrence than those with heterozygous FASL polymorphisms and no polymorphism. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of FAS/FASL polymorphisms can predict lack of response to BCG immunotherapy and prevent the loss of valuable time before such alternative treatments as early cystectomy are initiated.

Intraparenchymal hematoma as a late complication of retrograde intrarenal surgery

ABSTRACT A 34 year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with left flank pain. A non-contrast enhanced computerized tomography (NCCT) revealed a 1.5x2cm left proximal ureter stone. Patient was scheduled for ureterorenoscopy (URS) and stone removal. She was submitted to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). At the postoperative 1st day, the patient began to suffer from left flank pain. A NCCT was taken, which revealed a subcapsular hematoma and perirenal fluid. The patient was managed conservatively with intravenous fluid, antibiotic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy and was discharged at the postoperative 6th day. Two weeks after the discharge the patient was admitted to emergency department with severe left flank pain, palpitation and malaise. KUB (kidney-ureter-bladder) radiography showed double-J stent (DJS) to be repositioned to the proximal ureter. Patient was evaluated with contrast enhanced CT which revealed an 8cm intraparenchymal hematoma/abscess in the middle part of the kidney. A percutaneous drainage catheter was inserted into the collection. The percutaneous drainage catheter and the DJS were removed at the 10th day of second hospitalization. RIRS surgery is an effective and feasible choice for renal stones with high success and acceptable complication rates. However, clinician should be alert to possible complications.

Intraparenchymal hematoma as a late complication of retrograde intrarenal surgery.

A 34 year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with left flank pain. A non-contrast enhanced computerized tomography (NCCT) revealed a 1.5x2cm left proximal ureter stone. Patient was scheduled for ureterorenoscopy (URS) and stone removal. She was submitted to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). At the postoperative 1st day, the patient began to suffer from left flank pain. A NCCT was taken, which revealed a subcapsular hematoma and perirenal fluid. The patient was managed conservatively with intravenous fluid, antibiotic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy and was discharged at the postoperative 6th day. Two weeks after the discharge the patient was admitted to emergency department with severe left flank pain, palpitation and malaise. KUB (kidney-ureter-bladder) radiography showed double-J stent (DJS) to be repositioned to the proximal ureter. Patient was evaluated with contrast enhanced CT which revealed an 8cm intraparenchymal hematoma/abscess in the middle part of the kidney. A percutaneous drainage catheter was inserted into the collection. The percutaneous drainage catheter and the DJS were removed at the 10th day of second hospitalization. RIRS surgery is an effective and feasible choice for renal stones with high success and acceptable complication rates. However, clinician should be alert to possible complications.

Intravesical migration of intrauterine device mimicking bladder stone on radiologic imaging: a case report.

Due to its high cost-effectiveness, intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the widely used contraception methods worldwide. Intravesical migration of an IUD via perforation of the uterus and bladder is very rare. Endoscopic approach is recommended in the treatment, but open surgery may also be needed rarely. In this report, we present the case of a 37-year-old female who was misdiagnosed radiologically with bladder stone, but later on, it was understood that an IUD migrated to the bladder and resulted in stone formation. Laser lithotripsy was performed, and the migrated IUD was unearthed. Removal of the IUD with cystoscopic forceps was unsuccessful. Postoperative pelvic computed tomography revealed that a part of the IUD was outside the bladder. At the next operation session, laparoscopic removal of the IUD was applied. The patient was followed up for 5 days with a Foley catheter and discharged after performing cystography, assuring us that the bladder contours were normal.

Determination of the efficiency of 8 mg doxazosin XL treatment in patients with an inadequate response to 4 mg doxazosin XL treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 4 mg and 8 mg doxazosin XL treatments in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia-related lower urinary tract symptoms and determine the efficiency of 8 mg in those patients with inadequate response to 4 mg. METHODS: A total of 162 patients were included in this study. Of the patients, 108 were randomized to receive 4 mg doxazosin XL (group 1), and 54 were randomized to receive 8 mg (group 2) treatments. After 1 month of treatment, 31 patients in group 1 whose quality of life (QoL) score was unchanged or had deteriorated were switched to 8 mg doxazosin XL treatment (group 1b). RESULTS: The mean age was 59.8 years. After 1 month of treatment, the mean alteration in the International Prostate Symptom Score was 3.9 and 5.2 (P = .028), for the maximum urinary flow rate (Q(max)), it was 3.0 and 3.6 mL/s (P = .206), and for the QoL score it was 1.3 and 1.7 (P = .038) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. For group 1b, during the period in which the patients were receiving 4 and 8 mg doxazosin XL treatments; the International Prostate Symptom Score changes were 1.3 and 3.6 (P <.001), the Q(max) changes were 1.6 and 3.2 mL/s (P <.019), and the QoL changes were 0.4 and 1.8 (P <.001) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSION: With no changes in side effects, 8 mg doxazosin XL treatment is an efficient choice for patients who did not have an adequate response to 4 mg doxazosin XL treatment.