Arabic translation and validation of pediatric lower urinary tract symptom score (PLUTSS).

Objectives: To develop and validate an Arabic version of the pediatric lower urinary tract symptom score (PLUTSS). Methods: The linguistic translation of the PLUTSS into Arabic was carried out by following the guidelines that have been set out for cross-cultural adaptation of health-related QoL measures (Translation, Reconciliation, Retranslation, Review of retranslation, Debriefing and final review). The questionnaires were applied to 80 patients, 40 patients seeking urology clinic for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and 40 patients visiting a pediatric clinic without urological compliant. The discrimination validity and strength of association were tested using Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests. Reliability of translation was tested for internal consistency using the Cronbach's α and ROC Curve was used to evaluate the ability of the questionnaire to discriminate between cases and controls. Results: Patients with LUTS had a higher PLUTSS score and QoL score than controls (P < 0.001). The value of Cronbach's alpha of the 13 items (excluding Qol) evaluated on the scale was 0.717 (95% CI: 0.616-0.800). The ROC curve determined the ability of the questionnaire to discriminate between cases and controls where the area under the curve was 0.901 (95% CI: 0.830-0.972). Conclusion: The Arabic translated version of the PLUTSS is an acceptable and reliable tool for assessing and evaluating pediatric patients with LUTS in Arabic-speaking countries.

Establishment and characterization of primary cell lines of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and its metastasis.

PURPOSE: We established cell lines from penile squamous cell carcinoma and its lymph node metastasis, and investigated the role of chemokines, chemokine receptors and podoplanin in cancer progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor specimen of primary tumors, and lymph node and distant metastases were cultured in vitro and xenotransplanted in SCID beige mice. Specimens were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry. Comparative screening for chemokines, chemokine receptors and podoplanin was done by polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence activated cell sorting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We established 2 cell lines from a primary tumor and its corresponding lymph node metastasis, respectively. Heterotopic xenotransplantation revealed reliable tumor growth in vivo. Morphological and immunohistological analysis showed comparable features for human tumors, cell lines in vitro and xenotransplanted tumors in mice regarding the primary tumor and metastasis. Comprehensive analysis of chemokines and chemokine receptors in the metastasis derived cell line and in the cell line originating from the primary tumor revealed the most pronounced changes for CXCL14. This pattern was confirmed on the protein level. Comparative analysis of podoplanin showed marked down-regulation in the metastatic variant on the mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge we established the first pair of cell lines of a human primary penile tumor and the corresponding lymph node metastasis. These cell lines offer unique possibilities for further comparative functional investigations in in vitro and in vivo settings. They enable studies of new potential therapeutic agents and other assays to better understand the molecular mechanisms of penile cancer progression.

External validation of the proposed T and N categories of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to validate recently proposed modifications to the current TNM classification of penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) by using data from four German urological centers. METHODS: We identified 89 patients treated for histologically confirmed PSCC between 1996 and 2008 and reclassified them according to the proposed TNM staging revisions. The proposed changes restricted T2 to tumoral invasion of the corpus spongiosum, whereas invasion of the corpus cavernosum was considered as T3. No changes were made to T1 and T4. Furthermore, N1 was limited to unilateral and N2 to bilateral inguinal lymph node involvement regardless of their number. Pelvic lymph node involvement and fixed lymph node were considered as N3 tumors. The range of follow up after initial treatment was 1-142 months (mean 38). RESULTS: Node-negative cases following the current classification were 65.2% (30/46), 48.5% (16/33) and 87.5% (7/8) for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. According to the proposed classification, N0 cases were markedly reduced in the T3 group (55.5%, 10/18) and relatively changed in the T2 group (56.5%, 13/23). T4 patients had no negative disease status. The 3-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates for the proposed categories were 85.4%, 71.6% and 62.4% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. For the current categories, the 3-year DSS rates were 85.4%, 66.9% and 100% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The 3-year DSS of the current N categories was 78.7%, 51% and 13.3% for N1, N2 and N3, respectively. According to the newly proposed categories, the 3-year DSS was 70%, 50% and 13.3% for N1, N2 and N3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Tumor and nodal staging of the newly proposed TNM classification show a more distinctive survival compared to the current one. However, a multi-institutional validation is still required to further corroborate the proposed modifications.

Can bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate be a better alternative to the bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate?: A prospective comparative study.

ABSTRACT: To analyze the efficacy and safety between bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate (BipoLEP) and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP).One hundred twenty eight patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were recruited and divided into group 1 (BipoLEP group, n = 72) and group 2 (B-TURP group, n = 56). The study period was from October 2016 to February 2019. All data parameters were prospectively collected and analyzed.In these 2 groups, there were no significant differences of the mean ages (71.88 ±â€Š6.54 years vs 73.05 ±â€Š7.05 years, P = .407), prostate volumes (99.14 ±â€Š9.5 mL vs 95.08 ±â€Š10.93 mL, P = .302) and the mean operation times (93.7 ±â€Š27.5 minutes vs 89.8 ±â€Š22.4 minutes, P = .065). In BipoLEP group, it had more prostate tissue resected (64.2 ±â€Š22.1 g vs 52.7 ±â€Š28.6 g, P = .018), less duration of continuous bladder irrigation (20.7 ±â€Š6.5 hours vs 29.6 ±â€Š8.3 hours, P = .044), shorter catheterization time (4.3 ±â€Š1.5 days vs 5.6 ±â€Š2.1 days, P = .032), shorter hospitalization stay (5.2 ±â€Š1.4 days vs 6.5 ±â€Š1.9 days, P = .031) and less complications (3 cases vs 9 cases, P = .021). There were significant improvements in 3-month postoperative parameters, including: post void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostatic Symptoms Scale, and quality of life in each group (p < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences of preoperative and 3-month postoperative parameters, including: post void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostatic Symptoms Scale, and quality of life between these 2 groups (P > .05).BipoLEP can produce a more radical prostatic resection with better safety profile and faster postoperative recovery. It may become a more favorable surgical alternative to the B-TURP, especially for the prostate larger than 80 g.

Interobserver variation in grading and staging of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis in relation to the clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To examine interobserver variations in assessing grade and stage of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the pathological features and clinical outcome in 75 patients with SCC of the penis, who were treated in participating urological centres between 1996 and 2005; the assessments of the local pathologists and the review pathologists were compared. RESULTS: There was conformity in tumour grade in 67% and the assessment of tumour stage conformed in 84%; the combination assessment of both grade and stage conformed in 56%. CONCLUSION: Accurate histological subtyping by the surgical pathologist demands standardized guidelines, in particular for histological grading, which is crucial for clinical treatment, but shows significant interobserver variation.

Lymphatic spread in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis is independent of elevated lymph vessel density.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential effect of tumour-induced lymphangiogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis as a possible mechanism responsible for lymphatic spread. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Specimens from 65 patients with invasive tumours (31 with and 34 without metastases) were evaluated for lymphatic vessel density (LVD) by the 'hot-spot' method as the density of lymphatic endothelium hyaluronan receptor (LYVE-1)-positive lymphatic vessels per unit area of tissue. LVD was examined in peritumoral, intratumoral and normal tissue areas. The LVD of each tumour in these locations was calculated as the mean of the three highest lymph vessel counts in three to five hot-spots. The nodal status was based on histopathological examination or an uneventful follow-up of >or=2 years. RESULTS: In all patients the mean (SD) peritumoral LVD of 8.05 (3.14)/0.75 mm(2) was significantly higher than for intratumoral and normal tissue, of 4.67 (2.58) and 5.20 (1.87), respectively (P < 0.001). The slightly lower intratumoral LVD than in normal tissue was not significant. The peritumoral LVD was 8.07 (3.29) in metastatic and 8.03 (3.03) in non-metastatic carcinomas. The intratumoral LVD was 5.13 (3.01) in node-positive carcinomas and 4.28 (2.15) in tumours with no lymphatic node metastasis (LNM). Comparing tumours with and without LNM, there was no statistically significant difference between intra- and peritumoral LVD. CONCLUSION: Increased LVD does not significantly affect the lymphatic spread in penile carcinomas, indicating that there must be alternative mechanisms that selectively enable tumour cells to invade lymph vessels and to metastasize into the lymph nodes.

Should being aged over 70 years hinder penile prosthesis implantation?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the satisfaction profiles following penile prosthesis surgery in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) in their seventh decade of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 174 patients received, for the first time, a penile prosthesis between 1990 and 2007 in our department. Among these, 35 patients were aged > or =70 years at prosthesis implantation. Of these, 18 patients were still alive at the time of follow-up. Using a telephone survey, patients were asked to answer the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) as well as the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF). Another question in the survey was developed by the authors based on a comprehensive review of the literature, which assessed the usefulness of the device for the patient and the degree of their usage. This was formulated as follows: How many times per 2 weeks do you have a sexual intercourse? RESULTS: In all, 15 of 18 patients were either very or somewhat satisfied (83%). At follow-up 11 out of 15 (73%) patients were using their prosthesis regularly. The mean IIEF and EDITS scores were 21.80 and 75.20, respectively. CONCLUSION: A penile prosthesis remains a highly promising treatment in older patients with a similar satisfaction rate to those published for younger patients. Thus, the motivation of the patient and not the age of the patient should be the main determinant factor in this surgical procedure.

Lymph-node metastases in intermediate-risk squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the metastatic risk of pT1 G2 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients with pT1 G2 penile SCC and determined their groin status at first presentation, their nodal status after inguinal lymph node dissection and their follow-up for at least 18 months. RESULTS: Four of the 20 patients had a clinically positive groin; three of these were found to have lymph node metastases. Among the 16 patients with a clinically negative groin, one of five who had surgical lymph node staging had lymph node metastases. During surveillance six of 11 patients developed lymph node metastases. There was lymphovascular invasion in three of 10 patients with lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: As the metastatic risk of pT1 G2 penile SCC was 50% in this series of patients, and 44% in those with an initially negative groin, surgical staging of inguinal lymph nodes is recommended in patients with pT1 G2 penile SCC.

Computer-aided (HistoScanning) biopsies versus conventional transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies: do targeted biopsy schemes improve the cancer detection rate?

OBJECTIVE: To define potential improvement in prostate cancer detection by application of a computer-aided, targeted, biopsy regimen using HistoScanning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 80 patients who underwent systematic transrectal, targeted transrectal, and targeted perineal biopsies. Each patient was diagnosed preoperatively by HistoScanning, defining a maximum of 3 suspicious areas. These areas were biopsied, both transrectally and via the perineum, with a maximum of 3 cores per location. RESULTS: We detected prostatitis in 30 patients (37.5%), premalignant lesions in 10 (12.5%), and prostate cancer in 28 (35%). The transrectal technique was used to detect 78.6% of all cancers using 14 cores by systematic biopsy. With a maximum of 9 targeted cores, 82.1% of all cancers were detected with the targeted perineal approach and 53.6% were detected with the targeted transrectal approach. Although our data did not show significant difference in the performance of targeted transperineal compared with systematic transrectal biopsies, the detection rate of targeted transrectal biopsies was significantly lower. CONCLUSION: The presented targeted biopsy scheme achieved an overall detection rate of 85% of prostate-specific antigen-relevant pathologic lesions within the prostate. Thus, the presented procedure shows an improved detection rate compared with standard systematic prostate biopsies, and the number of cores required is reduced. Furthermore, the perineal HistoScanning-aided approach seems to be superior to the transrectal approach with respect to the prostate cancer detection rate. The presented procedure might be a step toward reliable ultrasound-based tissue characterization and toward fulfilling the requirements of novel therapeutic strategies.

Microvessel density as a prognostic factor in penile squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential effect of tumor-induced angiogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis as a possible prognostic factor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was preformed to detect microvessels in tumor samples of 64 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. We used a monoclonal mouse antibody directed against CD34 antigen. Only 61 (30 with and 31 without metastasis) patients had good staining properties and were included. After immunostaining, the entire tumor section was scanned microscopically at low power (× 40) to identify hot spots within the tumor and at its periphery. Individual tumor microvessels were then counted under high power (× 200) to obtain a vessel count in a defined area, and the mean of the 3 highest microvessel counts was taken as the microvessel density (MVD). Microvessel counting was performed using a computer-aided image analysis system. The nodal status was based on histopathologic examination or an uneventful follow-up ≥ 2 years. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OAS) was 75% and 30 % for those with high and low peritumoral MVD, respectively (log rank P = 0.01). No difference was noticed within the tumor with regard to high (5-year OAS of 65.03%) and low (5-year OAS of 60.56%) intratumoral MVD (log rank P = 0.99). The mean intratumoral MVD was 32.35 (3.16), 37.94 (3.35), and 62.66 (5.47) in T1, T2, and T3 respectively (ANOVA P = 0.0006), with increasing tendency. The mean peritumoral MVD was 55.91 (5.60), 56.8 (4.00), and 78.86 (8.71), respectively (P = 0.06). No correlation between MVD lymph node status and tumor grade was seen (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In our group of patients, a high peritumoral MVD was associated with a better 5-year OAS. However, for a reliable and reproducible assessment of tumor angiogenesis in penile squamous cell carcinoma, validation procedures and quality control protocols are mandatory.

Management of recurrent post-prostatectomy incontinence after previous failed retrourethral male slings.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to establish the feasibility of combining 2 minimally invasive procedures in patients with failed primary treatment (male sling) in post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) patients. METHODS: From January 2007 to July 2008, 40 men with PPI were implanted with a suburethral tape (2 patients with Seratim, 3 with I-Stop and 35 with Advance). The median preoperative pad count was 4 (range 2-10). Prior to sling placement, 6 patients had undergone ProACT implantation. Of these, 4 patients required explantation due to balloon migration and 2 patients had their balloons kept in situ, with the balloons deflated. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were socially continent at this time. Fifteen patients (37.5%) did not improve or their improvement was not significant. These patients had a preoperative pad count between 7 and 10. Two of these patients had prostate adjustable continence therapy (ProACT) systems still in place. By gradually filling the balloons to 3 mL, both of these patients achieved complete continence, which was maintained at a mean follow-up of 8.5 months. Three patients with prior pelvic irradiation received an artificial urinary sphincter and achieved continence at mean follow-up of 8.3 months. The remaining 10 patients received a ProACT system in addition to the already implanted sling. After appropriate healing and filling of the balloons (average balloon volume 5 mL), all 10 patients reached complete continence; they were pad-free at a mean follow-up of 6 months (range 3-9). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ProACT and a suburethral tape was demonstrated to be a possible treatment option in recurrent or persistent PPI.

Histological detection of minimal metastatic disease in inguinal non-sentinel lymph nodes in penile cancer.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to detect lymphatic spread by serial step-section technique in non-sentinel lymph nodes (NSLNs), which were earlier assessed as negative by histological examination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Inguinal dissection specimens of 13 men with penile cancer were investigated. The LNs were sectioned at multiple levels (150 mum-intervals) and then H&E- and immuno-stained for cytokeratin (Lu-5). RESULTS: 196 LNs of 13 men were examined. In 2 out of 13 patients (15%) previously ranked as pN0, minimal lymph node involvement was detected by serial step sections and both immunohistochemistry and H&E staining. Both patients have had an uneventful follow-up of currently 62 and 16 months. CONCLUSION: Conventional histological examination of NSLNs fails to detect lymphatic spread in penile cancer. Step-section technique at 3 section levels, rather than immunohistochemistry, helps to safely detect minimal metastatic disease. The prognostic relevance is still unclear and has to be investigated in larger cohort studies.

Ewing's sarcoma of the urogenital tract.

This article reviews the current available information on Ewing's sarcoma of the urogenital tract, focusing on the presentation, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of this uncommon entity. Because of the rapid local growth of these tumors, an immediate decision for treatment initiation is mandatory. The classical presentation depends mainly on the site of involvement of these tumors, involving a palpable mass, hematuria, and pain. No specific diagnostic imaging is available to date, and the only diagnostic method remains histological examination in combination with immunohistochemistry. Treatment involves primary surgical resection of all tumor tissues followed by adjuvant multi-agent chemotherapy. Overall survival is poor, although a 13-year survival has been reached in one case.