A contemporary comparison of laparoscopic versus open partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To analyze surgical and oncologic outcomes of patients undergoing open partial nephrectomy (OPN) versus laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: We retrospectively investigated our institutional RCC database for patients who underwent PN for RCC from 1997 to 2018. Decision for technique was at the discretion of the operating urologist, following practice patterns and training history. Outcomes analyzed included pre/peri/post-operative parameters, pathologic outcomes, and disease recurrence rates. RESULTS: 1088 patients underwent PN from 1997 to 2018. After exclusionary criteria, 631 patients who underwent 647 unique PNs for a total of 162 OPN and 485 LPN remained. Baseline, pre-op, and pathologic characteristics were not statistically different. Surgical time was lower in laparoscopic cases [185 vs. 205 min] (p = 0.013). Margin involvement was not statistically different; LPN had lower estimated blood loss (EBL) [150 vs. 250 mL] (p < 0.001) and longer ischemia time [21 vs. 19 min] (p = 0.005). LPN had shorter length of stay [2 vs. 4 days] (p < 0.001), fewer overall complications (p < 0.001), and no significant difference in high-grade complications [2.89 vs. 4.32%] (p = 0.379). Fewer LPN patients developed metastases [1.65 vs. 4.94%] (p = 0.0499). Local recurrence rates were not statistically different [1.24 vs. 3.09%] (p = 0.193). Renal function was equivalent between cohorts post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Long-term oncologic outcomes were not significantly different between LPN versus OPN, with no statistical difference in patient and tumor characteristics. LPN was associated with lower EBL, shorter length of stay, and lower overall complication risk. Renal function was not significantly different between cohorts.

Impact of an Expanded Definition of Family History on Outcomes of Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: Despite family history being an established risk factor for prostate cancer, the role of a broader definition of family history inclusive of not just prostate cancer but other genetically related malignancies has not been investigated in the active surveillance population. Here, we evaluate the impact of an expanded definition of family history on active surveillance outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing active surveillance for prostate cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital from 1997-2019 with detailed data available on family cancer history were identified. Primary outcome was biopsy progression-free survival, and secondary outcomes were treatment-free survival, adverse pathological features at prostatectomy, and biochemical recurrence after treatment. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. RESULTS: Among 855 evaluable patients, 300 (35.1%) patients had any family history of prostate cancer, and 95 (11.1%) had a family history of related malignancies suggestive of a hereditary cancer syndrome. Family history of prostate cancer alone was not associated with biopsy progression, whereas family history suggestive of a hereditary cancer syndrome was associated with a significantly increased risk of biopsy progression (HR 1.43, 95%CI 1.01-2.02), independent of other known clinicopathological risk factors in multivariable analysis. Similarly, family history suggestive of a hereditary cancer syndrome was associated with significantly lower treatment-free survival (HR 1.58, 95%CI 1.14-2.18) in multivariable analysis. No significant association was found between family history and adverse features on surgical pathology or biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: An expanded family history suggestive of a hereditary cancer syndrome is an independent predictor of biopsy progression during active surveillance. Men with such a family history may still be offered active surveillance but should be counseled regarding the higher risk of disease progression.

Complications and Outcomes of Salvage Cystectomy after Trimodality Therapy.

PURPOSE: Salvage cystectomy is required for some patients with intravesical recurrence after trimodality therapy. We compared postoperative outcomes between salvage cystectomy post-trimodality therapy, primary cystectomy and primary cystectomy with prior history of nontrimodality therapy abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 265 patients who underwent radical cystectomy at Massachusetts General Hospital for cT1-T4 bladder cancer between 2003 and 2013. Patients were grouped as salvage cystectomy post-trimodality therapy, primary cystectomy or primary cystectomy with prior history of nontrimodality therapy abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy. Early (≤90 days) and late (>90 days) complications were compared. Disease-specific survival and overall survival were calculated using a Cox regression model, and adjusted survival curves were generated. RESULTS: The median followup from the time of cystectomy was 65.5 months. There was no difference in intraoperative and early complications between the groups. The detection of late complications was higher in salvage cystectomy post-trimodality therapy compared to primary cystectomy and primary cystectomy with prior history of nontrimodality therapy abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy (p=0.03). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, salvage cystectomy post-trimodality therapy was associated with a higher incidence of any late (HR 2.3, p=0.02) and major late complications (HR 2.1, p <0.05). There was no difference in disease-specific survival (p=0.8) or overall survival (p=0.9) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage cystectomy post-trimodality therapy for intravesical recurrence post-trimodality therapy has an intraoperative and early complication rate comparable to primary cystectomy and primary cystectomy with prior history of nontrimodality therapy abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy. Salvage cystectomy post-trimodality therapy is associated with a higher risk of overall and major late complications than primary cystectomy. The disease-specific survival and overall survival of patients who require salvage cystectomy post-trimodality therapy are comparable to both groups.

Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Ultrasound Fusion Biopsy Improves but Does Not Replace Standard Template Biopsy for the Detection of Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: There exists a growing debate as to whether multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with fusion transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy alone without a standard template biopsy is sufficient to evaluate patients with suspected prostate cancer. Our objective was to describe our experience with fusion targeted prostate biopsy and assess whether it could obviate the need for concomitant standard 12-core template prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected database of patients who underwent fusion transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. All images and lesions were graded according to the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System, version 2. All patients underwent targeted biopsy followed by standard 12-core double sextant biopsy within the same session. Clinically significant prostate cancer was defined as Grade Group 2 or greater prostate cancer. RESULTS: A total of 506 patients were included in analysis. Indications were elevated prostate specific antigen with a previous negative prostate biopsy in 46% of cases, prostate cancer on active surveillance in 35%, elevated prostate specific antigen without a prior prostate biopsy in 15% and an isolated abnormal digital rectal examination in 3%. For standard vs fusion prostate biopsy the overall cancer detection rate was 57.7% vs 54.0% (p=0.12) and the clinically significant prostate cancer detection rate was 24.7% vs 30.8% (p=0.001). Of the 185 patients diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer 29 (16%) would have been missed if only targeted fusion prostate biopsy had been performed. CONCLUSIONS: Fusion targeted prostate biopsy is associated with a higher detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer compared to standard double sextant biopsy. However, standard double sextant biopsy should still be performed as part of the routine fusion targeted prostate biopsy procedure to avoid missing a significant proportion of clinically significant prostate cancer.

Active Surveillance of Prostate Cancer is a Viable Option for Men Younger than 60 Years.

PURPOSE: At most centers strict age criteria are lacking for eligibility for active surveillance of prostate cancer. Younger men are often counseled to undergo definitive treatment despite limited data on the outcomes of active surveillance in younger men. We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes in men who enrolled in active surveillance at age less than 60 vs 60 years old or older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 2 institutional cohorts of a total of 2,084 men in whom prostate cancer was managed by active surveillance between 1995 and 2016. We compared outcomes in men who began active surveillance at age 60 vs 60 years or older using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: We identified 417 and 1,667 men who began active surveillance at younger than 60 and 60 years old or older, respectively, who met study inclusion criteria. At a median followup of 6.2 years we found no significant difference between men younger than 60 and 60 years old or older in the 5-year rates of biopsy progression-free survival (83% vs 83%), treatment-free survival (74% vs 71%), metastasis-free survival (99.7% vs 99.0%) or prostate cancer specific survival (100% vs 99.7%). Of the younger men 131 (31%) ultimately underwent treatment, including for pathological progression in 67% and prostate specific antigen progression in 18%. On multivariate analysis significant predictors of biopsy progression and progression to treatment among younger men were 20% or greater involvement of any core on diagnostic biopsy (HR 2.21, p = 0.003) and prostate specific antigen density 0.15 ng/ml/ml or greater (HR 1.93, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Active surveillance is a viable option in select men younger than 60 years with low volume, low risk prostate cancer. However, patients must be surveyed closely and understand the significant likelihood of ultimately requiring treatment.

Predictive Nomogram for Recurrence following Surgery for Nonmetastatic Renal Cell Cancer with Tumor Thrombus.

PURPOSE: Following surgery for nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus the risk of recurrence is significant but variable among patients. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a predictive nomogram for individual estimation of recurrence risk following surgery for renal cell carcinoma with venous tumor thrombus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive data were collected on patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma and thrombus treated at a total of 5 institutions from 2000 to 2013. Independent predictors of recurrent renal cell carcinoma from a competing risks analysis were developed into a nomogram. Predictive accuracy was compared between the development and validation cohorts, and between the nomogram and the UISS (UCLA Integrated Staging System, SSIGN (Stage, Size, Grade and Necrosis) and Sorbellini models. RESULTS: A total of 636 patients were analyzed, including the development cohort of 465 and the validation cohort of 171. Independent predictors, including tumor diameter, body mass index, preoperative hemoglobin less than the lower limit of normal, thrombus level, perinephric fat invasion and nonclear cell histology, were developed into a nomogram. Estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival was 49% overall. Five-year recurrence-free survival in patients with 0, 1, 2 and more than 2 risk factors was 77%, 53%, 47% and 20%, respectively. Predictive accuracy was similar in the development and validation cohorts (AUC 0.726 and 0.724, respectively). Predictive accuracy of the thrombus nomogram was higher than that of the UISS (AUC 0.726 vs 0.595, p = 0.001), SSIGN (AUC 0.713 vs 0.612, p = 0.04) and Sorbellini models (AUC 0.709 vs 0.638, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We present a predictive nomogram for postoperative recurrence in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma with venous thrombus. Improving individual postoperative risk assessment may allow for better design and analysis of future adjuvant clinical trials.

Reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) at first transurethral resection of bladder tumour is a significant predictor of subsequent recurrence and progression.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if moderate chronic kidney disease [CKD; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 ] is associated with high rates of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) recurrence or progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multi-institutional database identified patients with serum creatinine values prior to first transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). The CKD-epidemiology collaboration formula calculated patient eGFR. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated associations with recurrence-free (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: In all, 727 patients were identified with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) patient age of 69.8 (60.1-77.6) years. Data for eGFR were available for 632 patients. During a median (IQR) follow-up of 3.7 (1.5-6.5) years, 400 (55%) patients had recurrence and 145 (19.9%) patients had progression of tumour stage or grade. Moderate or severe CKD was identified in 183 patients according to eGFR. Multivariable analysis identified an eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-1.9; P = 0.002) as a predictor of tumour recurrence. The 5-year RFS rate was 46% for patients with an eGFR of ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 27% for patients with an eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that an eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.75-7.94; P = 0.001) was associated with progression to muscle-invasive disease. The 5-year PFS rate was 83% for patients with an eGFR of ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 71% for patients with an eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Moderate CKD at first TURBT is associated with reduced RFS and PFS. Patients with reduced renal function should be considered for increased surveillance.

Extreme obesity does not predict poor cancer outcomes after surgery for renal cell cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether extreme obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 40 kg/m(2) ) is associated with peri-operative outcomes, overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), or recurrence-free survival (RFS) after surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval, we used an institutional database to identify patients treated surgically between January 2000 and December 2014 with a pathological diagnosis of RCC. Comprehensive clinical and pathological data were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to estimate OS, RFS and CSS. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to evaluate associations with OS, CSS and RFS in patients with extreme obesity, among other known predictive variables. RESULTS: In all, 100 patients (11.9%) with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2) and 743 patients (88.1%) with a BMI < 40 kg/m(2) who were treated surgically for RCC were identified. Morbid obesity was not associated with an increased risk of blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR] 1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.587-1.70; P = 1.0). The median (interquartile range) length of hospital stay (LOS) was 4 (3-6) days. Morbid obesity was not associated with longer LOS (P = 0.26) or 30-day hospital readmission rates (P = 1.0). Major complications (Clavien ≥ 3a) were recorded in 67 patients (7.95%). BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2) was not a predictor of major complications (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.227-1.47; P = 0.251) or 90-day mortality (P = 0.4067). BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2) was not associated with worse OS (P = 0.7), CSS (P = 0.2) or RFS (P = 0.5). BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) was also not associated with worse OS, CSS or RFS (P = 0.3, 0.1, 0.5, respectively). The 5-year OS rate was 68.9% for the entire cohort, including 69 and 70% for patients with BMI < 40 kg/m(2) and BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2) , respectively (P = 0.69). The 5-year CSS was 79.5% for the entire cohort, including 78.4 and 87.9% (P = 0.16) for patients with BMI < 40 kg/m(2) and BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2) , respectively. The 5-year RFS rates for BMI < 40 kg/m(2) and BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2) were 84.1 and 90.6%, respectively (P = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Extreme obesity is not associated with worse peri-operative or cancer outcomes after surgery for RCC. Surgery should remain a standard treatment option in well selected morbidly obese patients.

Renin-Angiotensin Inhibitors Decrease Recurrence after Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor in Patients with Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.

PURPOSE: Prior reports suggest that renin-angiotensin system inhibition may decrease nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer recurrence. We evaluated whether angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker treatment at initial surgery was associated with decreased recurrence or progression in patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using an institutional bladder cancer database we identified 340 patients with data available on initial transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Progression was defined as an increase to stage T2. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations with recurrence-free and progression-free survival. RESULTS: Median patient age was 69.6 years. During a median followup of 3 years (IQR 1.3-6.1) 200 patients (59%) had recurrence and 14 (4.1%) had stage progression. Of those patients 143 were receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers at the time of the first transurethral resection. On univariate analysis factors associated with improved recurrence-free survival included carcinoma in situ (p = 0.040), bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy (p = 0.003) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker therapy (p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.87, p = 0.002) or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker therapy (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45-0.84, p = 0.005) were less likely to experience tumor recurrence. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 45.6% for patients treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers and 28.1% in those not treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers (p = 0.009). Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer pathology (Ta, T1 and carcinoma in situ) in 85 patients on bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy alone and in 52 in whom it was combined with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin alone (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.01-4.77, p = 0.04) showed worse recurrence-free survival compared to patients treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (stage Ta HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21-0.98, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system is associated with improved outcomes in patients with bladder cancer. Renin-angiotensin system inhibitor administration in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer cases should be studied in a prospective randomized trial.

The epigenetics of prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis: update on clinical applications.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is a major deficit in our ability to detect and predict the clinical behavior of prostate cancer (PCa). Epigenetic changes are associated with PCa development and progression. This review will focus on recent results in the clinical application of diagnostic and prognostic epigenetic markers. RECENT FINDINGS: The development of high throughput technology has seen an enormous increase in the discovery of new markers that encompass epigenetic changes including those in DNA methylation and histone modifications. Application of these findings to urine and other biofluids, but also cancer and noncancerous prostate tissue, has resulted in new biomarkers. There has been a recent commercial development of a DNA methylation-based assay for identifying PCa risk from normal biopsy tissue. Other biomarkers are currently in the validation phase and encompass combinations of multiple genes. SUMMARY: Epigenetic changes improve the specificity and sensitivity of PCa diagnosis and have the potential to help determine clinical prognosis. Additional studies will not only provide new and better biomarker candidates, but also have the potential to inform new therapeutic strategies given the reversibility of these processes.

The role of lymphadenectomy in the management of renal cell carcinoma.

The role of lymphadenectomy in the management of renal cell carcinoma has been established in staging but is less well defined as a therapeutic maneuver. Level one evidence suggests no survival benefit or increased complication rate with lymphadenectomy when performed concurrently with radical nephrectomy. However, several retrospective studies have identified a survival benefit when patients with increased risk of micrometastatic lymph node disease undergo lymphadenectomy. We perform a selective review of the literature and present the historical basis, risk assessment, use and development of nodal templates, and therapeutic benefits associated with the use of lymphadenectomy in the management of renal cell carcinoma.

Image-guided percutaneous renal cryoablation: preoperative risk factors for recurrence and complications.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of the R.E.N.A.L nephrometry scoring system in predicting treatment success for image-guided percutaneous cryoablation (PCA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 139 patients with renal masses treated with PCA. Preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance images were reviewed by a urology resident. The primary endpoint variable was incomplete treatment or tumour recurrence. R.E.N.A.L. scores were categorized into low (4-6), moderate (7-9), and high (10-12). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict tumour recurrence. Additional variables collected included age at surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, lesion size, skin-to-tumour distance, skin-to-hilum distance, and number of treatment cryoprobes. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 24 months, there were 10 tumour recurrences (six moderate and four high R.E.N.A.L. score categories). Nephrometry score and number of probes used were not associated with recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, P = 0.9 and P = 0.53, respectively). The tumour distances for patients with recurrence and no recurrence were 10.8 cm and 8.5 cm, respectively (P ≤ 0.05), the skin-to-tumour distance was associated with treatment failure (OR 1.24, P = 0.015); for each unit increase in the mean value, patients were 1.5 times more likely to have a tumour recurrence (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.72). The model that best predicted complications included the number of probes used (P = 0.002) and R.E.N.A.L. score (OR 1.35, P = 0.027). For each additional probe used, patients were twice as likely to have complications (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.28-3.05). With each unit increase in R.E.N.A.L. score, patients were 1.5 times more likely to experience a complication (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.05-2.11). CONCLUSIONS: An increased skin-to-tumour distance is associated with a higher risk of treatment failure after PCA. Furthermore, an increase in both R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score and number of probes used was associated with an increased risk of complications after PCA. The R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score as a measure of tumour complexity was not associated with tumour recurrence.

No association of germline alteration of MSR1 with prostate cancer risk.

The macrophage scavenger receptor 1 gene (MSR1) was recently identified as a candidate susceptibility gene for hereditary prostate cancer and as a risk factor for sporadic prostate cancer. To confirm these findings, we screened MSR1 for germline mutations among individuals with familial prostate cancer and tested gene variants for associations in both sporadic and familial prostate cancer. Our results do not support MSR1 as a risk factor for prostate cancer.

Surgical Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma with Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus.

Most kidney cancers are primary renal cell carcinomas (RCC) of clear cell histology. RCC is unique in its ability to invade into contiguous veins - a phenomenon terms venous tumor thrombus. Surgical resection is indicated for most patients with RCC and an inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus in the absence of metastatic disease. Resection also has an important role in selected patients with metastatic disease. In this review, we discuss the comprehensive management of the patient with RCC with IVC tumor thrombus, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach to the surgical techniques and perioperative management.

Treatment trends of muscle invasive bladder cancer: Evidence from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, 1988 to 2013.

Objective: Guidelines for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) recommend that patients receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy with radical cystectomy as treatment over radical cystectomy alone. Though trends and practice patterns of MIBC have been defined using the National Cancer Database, data using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program have been poorly described. Methods: Using the SEER database, we collected data of MIBC according to the American Joint Commission on Cancer. We considered differences in patient demographics and tumor characteristics based on three treatment groups: chemotherapy (both adjuvant and neoadjuvant) with radical cystectomy, radical cystectomy, and chemoradiotherapy. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to compare likelihood ratios. Temporal trends were included for each treatment group. Kaplan-Meier curves were performed to compare cause-specific survival. A Cox proportional-hazards model was utilized to describe predictors of survival. Results: Of 16 728 patients, 10 468 patients received radical cystectomy alone, 3236 received chemotherapy with radical cystectomy, and 3024 received chemoradiotherapy. Patients who received chemoradiotherapy over radical cystectomy were older and more likely to be African American; stage III patients tended to be divorced. Patients who received chemotherapy with radical cystectomy tended to be males; stage II patients were less likely to be Asian than Caucasian. Stage III patients were less likely to receive chemoradiotherapy as a treatment option than stage II. Chemotherapy with radical cystectomy and chemoradiotherapy are both underutilized treatment options, though increasingly utilized. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed significant differences between stage II and III tumors at each interval. A Cox proportional-hazards model showed differences in gender, tumor stage, treatment modality, age, and marital status. Conclusion: Radical cystectomy alone is still the most commonly used treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer based on temporal trends. Significant disparities exist in those who receive radical cystectomy over chemoradiotherapy for treatment.

Clinicopathological and oncological significance of persistent prostate-specific antigen after radical prostatectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate the association of persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy (RP) with clinicopathological features and long-term oncological prognosis for the development of a potential management strategy. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science up to June 2021 to identify the eligible studies focusing on understanding the impact of persistent PSA in patients who underwent RP for localized prostate cancer. Meta-analyses were performed on parameters with available information. Results: A total of 32 RP studies were identified, of which 11 included 26 719 patients with consecutive cohorts and the remaining 21 comprised 24 177 patients with cohorts carrying specific restrictions. Of the 11 studies with consecutive cohorts, the incidence of persistent PSA varied between 3.1% and 34.6% with a median of 11.0%. Meta-analyses revealed patients with persistent PSA consistently showed unfavorable clinicopathological features and a more than 3.5-fold risk of poorer biochemical recurrence, metastasis, and prostate cancer-specific mortality prognosis independently, when compared to patients with undetectable PSA. Similarly, cases with persistent PSA in different specific patient cohorts with a higher risk of prostate cancer also showed a trend of worse outcomes. Conclusion: We found that the frequency of persistent PSA was about 11.0% in consecutive RP cohorts. Persistent PSA was significantly associated with unfavorable clinicopathological characteristics and worse oncological outcomes. Patients with persistent PSA after RP may benefit from early salvage treatment to delay or prevent biochemical recurrence, improving oncological outcomes for these patients. Further prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted to understand optimal systemic therapy in these patients.

Impact of a negative confirmatory biopsy on risk of disease progression among men on active surveillance for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Most prostate cancer active surveillance (AS) protocols suggest a confirmatory biopsy within 12 to 18 months of diagnosis to mitigate the risk of unsampled high-grade disease. We investigate whether the results of confirmatory biopsy impact AS outcomes and could be used to tailor surveillance intensity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database of prostate cancer patients managed by AS from 1997 to 2019 who underwent confirmatory biopsy and ≥3 biopsies overall. Biopsy progression was defined as either an increase in grade group or an increase in the proportion of positive biopsy cores to >34% and was compared between patients with a negative vs positive confirmatory biopsy using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: We identified 452 patients meeting inclusion criteria for this analysis, of whom 169 (37%) had a negative confirmatory biopsy. With a median follow-up of 6.8 years, 37% of patients progressed to treatment, most commonly due to biopsy progression. A negative confirmatory biopsy was significantly associated with biopsy progression-free survival in multivariable analysis (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.88, P = 0.013), adjusting for known clinical and pathologic factors, including use of mpMRI prior to confirmatory biopsy. Negative confirmatory biopsy was also associated with an increased risk of adverse pathologic features at prostatectomy but not with biochemical recurrence among men who ultimately underwent definitive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A negative confirmatory biopsy is associated with a lower risk of biopsy progression. While the increased risk of adverse pathology at time of definitive treatment sounds a small cautionary note regarding decreasing surveillance intensity, the majority of such patients have a favorable outcome on AS.

Intracorporeal neobladder reconstruction: pressure-flow urodyamic studies in cadaveric orthotopic neobladders.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pressure-flow characteristics of neobladders created in various configurations that may be constructed intra-abdominally. Complete intracorporeal neobladder construction has been previously described but is limited due to excessive operative time and the need for an advanced laparoscopic skill set. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four neobladder configurations were constructed, each using 20 cm of human cadaveric small intestine. The standard hand sewn Studer pouch was compared with a circular loop, W-pouch, and U-pouch with stapled anastamoses. Pressure flow studies were completed using the Aquarius TT UDS system (Laborie Medical Technologies, Toronto, Ontario) and each neobladder was filled to a pressure of 50 cm H2O. Neobladder change in pressure, capacity, and overall compliance were determined. RESULTS: The cystometric capacities of the stapled U-pouch, W-pouch, Circle pouch, and Studer pouch were 167.3 mL, 177.5 mL, 114 mL, and 145.2 mL respectively. The first increase in intravesical pressure was at 90.3 mL, 103 mL, 50 mL, and 85 mL. The greatest compliance of 3.81 mL/cmH2O was demonstrated in the U-pouch, with the W-pouch revealing a compliance of 3.44 mL/cmH2O. The least compliant neobladder was the circle pouch (2.24 mL/cmH20) followed by the standard Studer pouch (2.94 mL/cmH2O). CONCLUSION: The construction of an orthotopic neobladder must not only be technically feasible but maintain adequate capacity and compliance for optimal functioning. Pressure-flow studies demonstrated equivalent results in alternate neobladder configurations. Additional data is needed to determine feasibility in vivo.

Metastatic potential of a renal mass according to original tumour size at presentation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the metastatic potential of renal masses based on original tumour size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 2651 patients who had undergone surgical resection for a unilateral, sporadic renal tumour between 1990 and 2006. Associations of tumour size with synchronous metastasis at presentation [M1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC)] and development of metastases, death from RCC, and death from any cause after surgery were evaluated using logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Of the 2651 patients studied, 182 (6.9%) presented with M1 RCC. Tumour size was significantly greater in patients with M1 RCC than in patients with M0 RCC (a median size of 10 vs 4.5 cm; P < 0.001). Only 1 of the 629 patients (0.2%) with a tumour <3 cm had M1 RCC and that tumour was 2.5 cm. The risk of M1 RCC increased from 1.1% for patients with tumours 3-3.9 cm to 16.5% for patients with tumours ≥7 cm. Of the 2124 patients with M0 RCC, 430 developed distant metastases at a median (range) of 1.4 (0.1-16.2) years after surgery. Only 9 of the 498 patients (1.8%) with a tumour <3 cm developed distant metastases after surgery. Each 1-cm increase in tumour size increased the risk of death from RCC by 20%[hazard ratio (HR) 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-1.22; P < 0.001] and death from any cause by 10% (HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.09-1.12; P < 0.001). For the 1346 patients who were still alive at last follow-up, the median (range) duration of follow-up was 6.9 (0.1-19.7) years. CONCLUSIONS: Tumour size is significantly associated with metastases in patients with renal masses. Patients with tumours <3 cm have a low risk of synchronous metastatic disease.