One-year clinical outcomes of MR-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy with rectal spacer for patients with localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This prospective study aimed to investigate adaptive magnetic resonance (MR)-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (MRgSBRT) with rectal spacer for localized prostate cancer (PC) and report 1-year clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive patients with low- to high-risk localized PC that underwent 5-fraction adaptive MRgSBRT with rectal spacer were enrolled. The dosimetric comparison was performed on a risk- and age-matched cohort treated with MRgSBRT but without a spacer at a similar timepoint. Clinician-reported outcomes were based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Patient-reported outcomes were based on the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) questionnaire at baseline, acute (1-3 months), subacute (4-12 months), and late (> 12 months) phases. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 390 days (range 28-823) and the median age was 70 years (range 58-82). One patient experienced rectal bleeding soon after spacer insertion that subsided before MRgSBRT. The median distance between the midline of the prostate midgland and the rectum after spacer insertion measured 7.8 mm (range 2.6-15.3), and the median length of the spacer was 45.9 mm (range 16.8-62.9) based on T2-weighted MR imaging. The use of spacer resulted in significant improvements in target coverage (V100% > 95% = 98.6% [range 93.4-99.8] for spacer vs. 97.8% [range 69.6-99.7] for non-spacer) and rectal sparing (V95% < 3 cc = 0.7 cc [range 0-4.6] for spacer vs. 4.9 cc [range 0-12.5] for non-spacer). Nine patients (26.5%) experienced grade 1 gastrointestinal toxicities, and no grade ≥ 2 toxicities were observed. During the 1-year follow-up period, EPIC scores for the bowel domain remained stable and were the highest among all other domains. CONCLUSIONS: MRgSBRT with rectal spacer for localized PC showed exceptional tolerability with minimal gastrointestinal toxicities and satisfactory patient-reported outcomes. Improvements in dosimetry, rectal sparing, and target coverage were achieved with a rectal spacer. Randomized trials are warranted for further validation.

En bloc resection of bladder tumors: challenges and unmet needs in 2022.

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer accounts for the majority of new bladder cancer diagnoses, and endoscopic transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) represents the standard-of-care. Although a relatively safe and common procedure, TURBT is often hampered by the questionable quality of resection. The evolution of surgical techniques has brought en bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT) to the forefront. ERBT has emerged as an alternative to conventional TURBT, incorporating a more delicate en bloc sculpting and tumor excision, in contrast to 'piecemeal' resection by conventional TURBT. ERBT appears safe, feasible and effective with demonstrably higher rates of detrusor muscle in the pathologic specimen, all while providing better staging and obviating the need for a re-TURBT in selected patients. However, the method's adoption in the field is still limited. This review summarizes the recent evidence relevant to ERBT while further highlighting the technique's limitations and unmet needs.

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor remains the standard-of-care for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The procedure is the first-line diagnostic test and treatment for early-stage bladder cancer. However, the poor post-operative outcomes relevant to the surgical technique have led to constant questioning of its efficacy for years. A novel procedure, en bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT), has come to the forefront. This represents an attractive method that can be accomplished by a breadth of energy delivery systems. Thus far, this technique appears feasible, safe and efficient, providing excellent and precise histological specimens. Despite the recent surge in studies reporting on ERBT, well-designed, properly conducted randomized controlled trials examining the technique's long-term efficacy are still lacking and excitedly anticipated in the years to come. The present article gives an overview of current knowledge surrounding the role of ERBT, outlines the existing challenges and unmet needs, and provides future perspectives on the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Novel approach of laparoscopic transperitoneal en bloc resection of urachal tumor and umbilectomy with a comparison of various techniques.

Urachal carcinoma is a rare cancer that accounts for less than 1% of all bladder cancers. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment. With partial cystectomy, long-term survival is possible following complete resection of the tumor. In this paper, we describe a novel approach of laparoscopic en bloc partial cystectomy and umbilectomy. We emphasize the importance of complete resection of the tumor and umbilicus and prevention of tumor spillage during the procedure. The literature is also reviewed for the comparison of various laparoscopic techniques.

Primary bladder amyloidosis--case report of a patient with delayed upper urinary tract obstruction 3 years after the diagnosis.

Primary bladder amyloidosis is a rare disease. There are approximately 100 reported cases. The lesions can be confused with bladder neoplasm and are characterised histologically by the classical apple green birefringence under polarised light. In this article, we report a 51-year-old lady with known history of primary bladder amyloidosis presenting with gross hydronephrosis 3 years after the first diagnosis. Laparoscopic ileal replacement of bilateral ureters was performed. There was no recurrent ureteric obstruction 2 years after surgery. This case demonstrates the progressive nature of primary amyloidosis of bladder. The diagnosis of primary bladder amyloidosis warrants long-term surveillance of upper urinary tract.