Decision regret after prostate biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis: a Korean multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Many people struggle with the choice in a series of processes, from prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis to treatment. We investigated the degree of regret after the prostate biopsy (PBx) and relevant factors in patients recommended for biopsy for suspected PCa. METHODS: From 06/2020 to 05/2022, 198 people who performed PBx at three institutions were enrolled and analyzed through a questionnaire before and after biopsy. Before the biopsy, a questionnaire was conducted to evaluate the sociodemographic information, anxiety scale, and health literacy, and after PBx, another questionnaire was conducted to evaluate the decision regret scale. For patients diagnosed as PCa after biopsy, a questionnaire was conducted when additional tests were performed at PCa staging work-up. RESULTS: 190 patients answered the questionnaire before and after PBx. The mean age was 66.2 ± 7.8 years. Overall, 5.5% of men regretted biopsy, but there was no significant difference between groups according to the PCa presence. Multivariate analysis, to identify predictors for regret, revealed that the case when physicians did not properly explain what the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test was like and what PSA elevation means (OR 20.57, [95% CI 2.45-172.70], p = 0.005), low media literacy (OR 10.01, [95% CI 1.09-92.29], p = 0.042), and when nobody to rely on (OR 8.49, [95% CI 1.66-43.34], p = 0.010) were significantly related. CONCLUSIONS: Overall regret related to PBx was low. Decision regret was more significantly related to media literacy rather than to educational level. For patients with relatively low media literacy and fewer people to rely on in case of serious diseases, more careful attention and counseling on PBx, including a well-informed explanation on PSA test, is helpful.

Correlation between prostatic urethral angulation and symptomatic improvement after surgery in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms according to prostate size.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of prostate anatomical factors on the changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and uroflowmetric values after surgery. METHODS: The medical records of 448 patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) from January 2006 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), and post-void residual urine volume (PVR) at 3 months after TURP were evaluated. Prostate volume, intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), and prostatic urethral angulation (PUA) were measured using transrectal ultrasonography, and their effect on the changes in LUTS after TURP was analyzed using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: Among patients with prostate volume < 50 mL, preoperative IPSS total score (IPSS-t), voiding symptom score (IPSS-vs), and storage symptom score (IPSS-ss) were significantly better in patients with a smaller PUA (< 51°) than in those with a larger PUA (≥ 51°) (p = 0.001, < 0.001, and 0.020, respectively). Changes in IPSS-t, IPSS-vs, IPSS-ss, and PVR at 3 months after TURP were significantly correlated with PUA (p ≤ 0.001, < 0.001, 0.048, and 0.012, respectively). Multivariable linear regression revealed PUA to be independently associated with changes in IPPS-t and IPSS-vs (p = 0.025 and < 0.001, respectively) only in patients with prostate volume < 50 mL. CONCLUSION: Prostatic urethral angulation was significantly associated with postoperative changes in LUTS only in patients with small prostate, and had no clinical significance in patients with large prostate. In patients with small prostate and large PUA, surgery should actively be considered.

The Use of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Does Not Affect the Development of Cardiovascular Disease in Prostate Cancer Patients: a Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate whether androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in prostate cancer (Pca) patients is associated with cardiovascular disease in the cohort based from the entire Korean population. METHODS: Using the Korean National Health Insurance database, we conducted an observational study of 579,377 men who sought treatment for Pca between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016. After excluding patients with previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease or who had undergone chemotherapy, we extracted the data from 2,053 patients who started GnRHa (GnRHa users) and 2,654 men who were newly diagnosed with Pca (GnRHa nonusers) between July 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012, with follow-up through December 31, 2016. The primary outcomes were cerebrovascular attack (CVA) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). RESULTS: GnRHa users were older, were more likely to reside in rural areas, had lower socioeconomic status, and had more comorbidities than nonusers (all P < 0.050). Although GnRHa users had an increased incidence of CVA and IHD (P = 0.013 and 0.048, respectively) in univariate analysis, GnRHa use was not associated with the outcomes in multivariate analysis. Furthermore, the cumulative duration of ADT was not associated with the outcomes whereas the associations between age at diagnosis with all diseases were significant. CONCLUSION: Our complete enumeration of the Korean Pca population shows that ADT is not associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease.

Pathological Characteristics of Prostate Cancer in Men Aged < 50 Years Treated with Radical Prostatectomy: a Multi-Centre Study in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Recently, younger prostate cancer (PCa) patients have been reported to harbour more favourable disease characteristics after radical prostatectomy (RP) than older men. We analysed young men (<50 years) with PCa among the Korean population, paying attention to pathological characteristics on RP specimen and biochemical recurrence (BCR). METHODS: The multi-centre, Severance Urological Oncology Group registry was utilized to identify 622 patients with clinically localized or locally advanced PCa, who were treated with RP between 2001 and 2017. Patients were dichotomized into two groups according to age (< 50-year-old [n = 75] and ≥ 50-year-old [n = 547]), and clinicopathological characteristics were analysed. Propensity score matching was used when assessing BCR between the two groups. RESULTS: Although biopsy Gleason score (GS) was lower in younger patients (P = 0.033), distribution of pathologic GS was similar between the two groups (13.3% vs. 13.9% for GS ≥ 8, P = 0.191). There was no significant difference in pathologic T stage between the < 50- and ≥ 50-year-old groups (69.3% vs. 68.0% in T2 and 30.7% vs. 32.0% in ≥ T3, P = 0.203). The positive surgical margin rates were similar between the two groups (20.0% vs. 27.6%, P = 0.178). BCR-free survival rates were also similar (P = 0.644) between the two groups, after propensity matching. CONCLUSION: Contrary to prior reports, younger PCa patients did not have more favourable pathologic features on RP specimen and showed similar BCR rates compared to older men. These findings should be considered when making treatment decisions for young Korean patients with PCa.

Androgen deprivation therapy during and after post-prostatectomy radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Here we assessed the influence of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) during and/or after post-prostatectomy radiotherapy (RT) on biochemical recurrence (BCR) and radiographic progression in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Patients with prostate cancer who underwent post-prostatectomy RT were analyzed. BCR and radiographic progression after RT were compared according to the concurrent or salvage ADT. Cox regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for BCR and radiographic progression. RESULTS: Of the 227 patients who underwent post-prostatectomy RT, 95 (41.9%) received concurrent ADT for a median of 17.0 months. Despite more aggressive disease characteristics in the concurrent ADT group than in the RT-only group, the former had a better 5-year BCR-free survival rate than the latter (66.1 vs. 53.9%; p = 0.016), whereas the radiographic progression rate was not significantly different between two groups. On the other hand, salvage ADT after post-RT BCR significantly delayed radiographic progression (5-year radiographic progression-free survival; 75.2 vs. 44.5%; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent ADT improved BCR-free survival, and salvage ADT after post-RT BCR improved radiographic progression-free survival. To maximize the oncological benefit, ADT of sufficient duration should be implemented.

Characteristics of Anteriorly Located Prostate Cancer and the Usefulness of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Diagnosis.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the pathological and oncologic characteristics of anteriorly located prostate cancer and assessed the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging to detect anterior prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the records of 728 consecutive patients treated with radical prostatectomy. Patients were categorized with anterior or prostate cancer or tumors involving the anterior and posterior prostate according to the dominant tumor location on whole mount section. RESULTS: The anterior and posterior prostate cancer groups and the group with cancer at both locations represented 31.0%, 46.7% and 22.3% of the total number of patients, respectively. Anterior prostate cancer was less commonly palpable (p <0.001) and needed more frequent repeat biopsy (p = 0.012) than posterior prostate cancer. Moreover, the anterior group had fewer positive cores than the posterior group (p <0.001) despite comparable tumor volumes. Gleason score upgrading was more frequently observed in anterior than in posterior prostate cancer (p = 0.003). However, final pathological features did not significantly differ. Only the seminal vesicle involvement rate was lower in anterior than in posterior prostate cancer (p <0.001). Estimated 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival in patients with anterior prostate cancer was 87.5%, significantly higher than in patients with posterior prostate cancer (77.4%, p = 0.001) and patients with anterior plus posterior involvement (74.4%, p <0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that anterior location was an independent prognostic factor for biochemical recurrence (HR 0.403) along with other well-known prognostic factors. To detect anterior prostate tumors the sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging were 78.1% and 58.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior prostate cancer had pathological features and favorable oncologic outcomes comparable to those of posterior prostate cancer but also more frequent Gleason score upgrading. Magnetic resonance imaging had moderate diagnostic performance for detecting lesions in the anterior prostate.

Statin use after radical prostatectomy reduces biochemical recurrence in men with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The impact of statin use on biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP) is controversial. METHODS: In 2,137 consecutive RP patients between 1998 and 2011 at Asan Medical Center, we aimed to assess the presence and impact of statin use according to types (hydrophilic vs. hydrophobic), dose equivalents (DEs), and postoperative duration of usage (<18, 18-36, >36 months). Between non-users and preoperative or postoperative users, clinicopathological characteristics, and impact of statin use on BCR were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards model. Mean (range) follow-up was 39.4 (8-183) months. RESULTS: Compared to non-users, preoperative users had lower PSA (5.8 vs. 7 ng/ml), but the rates of organ confined disease, pathologic Gleason score (GS) or positive surgical margin (PSM) were not different. After adjusting for pathologic stage, postoperative statin use was associated with a higher BCR-free survival. In multivariate analysis, ≤36 months' statin use independently decreased the risk of BCR along with PSA, pathologic GS, pathologic stage, and PSM. Risk reduction was observed especially in patients with pathologic GS ≥ 7 (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.13-0.59, P = 0.001), NSM disease (HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05-0.63, P = 0.007), or PSA ≥ 10.0 ng/ml (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11-0.81, P = 0.018). Increasing duration of use nullified the effect. Preoperative statin use did not demonstrate significant risk reduction for BCR in any of the stratified multivariate models. CONCLUSION: In Korean men undergoing RP, preoperative statin use was not associated with different pathologic outcome. However, postoperative statin use until 36 months decreased the risk of BCR independently especially in patients with high-risk disease.

Hilar location is an independent prognostic factor for recurrence in T1 renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: We investigated the prognostic significance of tumor location at the renal hilum near the sinus structure on the recurrence in T1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: A total of 1,818 T1 RCC patients who underwent radical (RN) or partial nephrectomy (PN) from 1997 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. A hilar tumor was defined as a tumor abutting the main renal artery and/or vein or its segmental branches, without invasion. We compared the recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates between hilar and nonhilar T1 RCC and analyzed predictors of RFS after nephrectomy. RESULTS: Patients with hilar tumors showed a poorer 5-year RFS compared with nonhilar tumors both in T1a (89.7 vs. 98.5 %, p < 0.001) and T1b (81.6 vs. 95.1 %, p < 0.001) RCCs. Among patients who underwent RN and PN, hilar tumors were associated with lower 5-year RFS (87.6 vs. 97.2 % for RN, 78.1 vs. 98.2 % for PN, both p < 0.001). In T1a hilar tumor, PN was associated with poorer 5-year RFS than RN (79.5 vs. 93.0 %, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, a hilar location remained as an independent predictor of recurrence in both T1a and T1b tumors (both p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hilar tumors show a higher recurrence rate than nonhilar counterparts in T1 RCC. In T1a hilar tumors, PN demonstrated poorer RFS than RN. Potential intrinsic renal anatomical or lymphovascular structural differences as well as differences in cancer characteristics need further investigations.

Efficacy and Safety of Urethral Catheter with Continuous Infusion of Ropivacaine after Urologic Surgery: A Pilot Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) has been found in many patients with urologic surgery. The authors investigated the effect of analgesic-eluting urethral catheters on postoperative CRBD. METHODS: 60 subjects scheduled for urologic surgery requiring urethral catheterization were randomized prospectively to one of three groups (control arm, 0.5% ropivacaine 1 mL/h arm [Study 1 arm] and 0.5% ropivacaine 2 mL/h arm [Study 2 arm]; n = 20 each). The incidence and severity of CRBD were evaluated postoperatively at 24 h as primary outcomes. The incidence of adverse events regarding urethral catheter utilization was assessed as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: The CRBD incidence at 24 h postoperatively in the control, study 1 and study 2 arms was 50.0%, 10.0%, and 15.0%, respectively (p = 0.002). The CRBD severity at 24 h postoperatively showed that patients in the study 1 and study 2 arms had significantly less postoperative CRBD than those in the control arm (visual analog score [VAS]; the mean VAS of the control, study 1, and study 2 arms: 2.1 vs. 1.6 vs. 0.9, p = 0.045). Urethral pain regarding catheter was significantly less severe in the study arms than in the control (VAS score: 6.2 vs. 1.5 vs. 1.4, p < 0.001). The severity and incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly among groups (p = 0.287). Peri-catheter leakage was more frequent in the study 2 arm (p = 0.057). CONCLUSION: The proper usage of a ropivacaine-eluting catheter can not only alleviate CRBD but reduce catheter-related urethral pain in patients with urologic surgery followed by catheterization, without major adverse events.

Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Symptomatic Improvement After Surgery for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Patients With Lower Urinary Tract Symptom and its Relations With Prostatic Urethral Angulation.

PURPOSE: To compare improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia in diabetic versus nondiabetic patients after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). METHODS: The medical records of 437 patients who underwent TURP or HoLEP at a tertiary referral center from January 2006 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 71 patients had type 2 diabetes. Patients in the diabetic mellitus (DM) and non-DM groups were matched 1:1 according to age, baseline International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and ultrasound measured prostate volume. Changes in LUTS were assessed at 3 months after surgery using IPSS and evaluated by categorizing patients according to prostatic urethral angulation (PUA; <50° vs. ≥50°). Medication-free survival after surgery was also investigated. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted between the DM and non-DM groups in baseline characteristics except for comorbidities (i.e., hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and ischemic heart disease, P=0.021, P=0.002, and P=0.017, respectively) and postvoid residual urine volume (115±98 mL vs. 76±105 mL, P=0.028). Non-DM patients showed significant symptomatic improvement regardless of PUA, while DM patients demonstrated improvement in obstructive symptoms only in those with large PUA (≥51°). Among patients with small PUA, DM patients had worse medication-free survival after surgery compared to controls (P=0.044) and DM was an independent predictor of medication reuse (hazard ratio, 1.422; 95% confidence interval, 1.285-2.373; P=0.038). CONCLUSION: DM patients experienced symptomatic improvement after surgery only in those with large PUA. Among patients with small PUA, DM patients were more likely to reuse medication after surgery.

Clinical significance of prostate volume and testosterone reduction on lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.

To investigate the effect of both prostate volume and serum testosterone changes on lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. A total of 167 patients who received androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer treatment from January 2010 to August 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) in the patient groups stratified by prostate volume and the amount of testosterone reduction were assessed every 4 weeks until 12 weeks after androgen deprivation therapy initiation. Longitudinal mixed models were used to assess the adjusted effects of prostate volume and testosterone reduction on IPSS change. All mean values of IPSS-total score (IPSS-total), voiding subscore (IPSS-vs), and storage subscore (IPSS-ss) significantly decreased from baseline to week 12 in both patients with small (< 33 mL) and large (≥ 33 mL) prostates. The mean values of IPSS-total, IPSS-vs, and IPSS-ss similarly decreased in patients with large prostate with a baseline IPSS-total of ≥ 13. However, in those with small prostate, IPSS-ss specifically remained unchanged, while IPSS-total and IPSS-vs significantly decreased. In addition, only in patients with small prostate (< 33 mL), patients with lesser testosterone reduction (< Δ400 ng/dL) showed greater improvement in IPSS-ss by 7.5% compared with those with greater testosterone reduction (≥ Δ400 ng/dL). In conclusion, although androgen deprivation therapy generally improves lower urinary tract symptoms, it may worsen specifically storage symptoms in patients with relatively small prostate and greater testosterone reduction. Our finding suggests that testosterone may influence lower urinary tract symptoms in these patients.

Androgen deprivation therapy and risk of cognitive dysfunction in men with prostate cancer: is there a possible link?

The expansion of the indication to use androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to treat patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer has dramatically increased over the recent decades, resulting in the progress of patients' survival. However, chronic health implications can become more apparent as the number of long-term cancer survivors is expected to be increased along with the adverse effect of ADT. In particular, interest in investigating ADT, especially luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist association with cognitive dysfunction has been growing. Previous studies in animals and humans suggest that the level of androgen decreases with age and that cognitive decline occurs with decreases in androgen. Correspondingly, some of the extensive studies using common neurocognitive tests have shown that LHRH agonists may affect specific domains of cognitive function (e.g., visuospatial abilities and executive function). However, the results from these studies have not consistently demonstrated the association because of its intrinsic limitations. Large-scale studies based on electronic databases have also failed to show consistent results to make decisive conclusions because of its heterogeneity, complexity of covariates, and possible risk of biases. Thus, this review article summarizes key findings and discusses the results of several studies investigating the ADT association with cognitive dysfunction and risk of dementia from various perspectives.

Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma: clinicopathological features and preoperative prediction using multiphase computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: • To analyse the clinicopathological and radiological features of multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma (MCRCC) and to determine the preoperative factors differentiating MCRCC from other cystic RCC (CRCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: • The medical records of 53 patients with complex cystic renal masses evaluated by multiphase computed tomography (CT), surgically removed and confirmed as sporadic RCC were reviewed. • Of these 53 patients, 23 were classified as having MCRCC and 30 as other CRCCs, defined as RCCs with extensive cystic change or cystic necrosis. • Another 22 patients were treated for complex cystic renal masses presumed to be RCC and diagnosed as having benign cyst. RESULTS: • Benign cysts and MCRCCs were significantly more likely to be of Bosniak classification III than other CRCCs (77% vs 61% vs 27%, P= 0.001). • The mean Hounsfield unit (HU) during the corticomedullary phase (CMP) was significantly higher in other CRCCs, with HU ≥38 having 83% sensitivity and 80% specificity for predicting other CRCCs. • In a multiple regression model, Bosniak classification and mean HU during CMP were independent factors predictive of other CRCCs. • In the 41 patients with masses >4 cm in diameter, the combination of Bosniak classification IV and HU ≥38 during CMP showed 63% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 91% positive predictive value and 80% negative predictive value, yielding 2% false-positive and 15% false-negative rates. CONCLUSIONS: • The mean HU during CMP and Bosniak classification can differentiate MCRCC from other CRCCs. • This could help in selecting an appropriate surgical method, such as nephron-sparing surgery, for complex cystic renal masses >4 cm.

Effect of desmopressin lyophilisate (MELT) plus anticholinergics combination on functional bladder capacity and therapeutic outcome as the first-line treatment for primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: A randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of desmopressin plus anticholinergic combination therapy as first-line treatment for children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) and to analyze this combination's effect on functional bladder capacity (FBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 99 children with PMNE were prospectively enrolled from 2015 to 2019 and randomly allocated to a monotherapy group (n=49), with oral desmopressin lyophilisate (MELT) only; and a combination group (n=50), with desmopressin plus an anticholinergic (propiverine 5 mg). Efficacy and FBC were evaluated at 1 and 3 months after treatment initiation; the relapse rate was assessed at 6 months after treatment cessation. RESULTS: The combination therapy group showed a higher rate of complete response than the monotherapy group after 3 months of treatment (44.0% vs. 22.4%, p=0.002). A significant increase in mean FBC was observed only in the combination group, from 88.72±26.34 mL at baseline to 115.52±42.23 mL at 3 months of treatment (p=0.024). Combination therapy was significantly associated with treatment success at 3 months after treatment initiation (odds ratio [OR], 3.527; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.203-6.983; p=0.011) and decreased risk of relapse at 6 months after treatment cessation (OR, 0.306; 95% CI, 0.213-0.894; p=0.021), by multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first prospective, randomized controlled trial showing higher response rates and lower relapse rates with desmopressin plus anticholinergic combination therapy compared with desmopressin monotherapy as first-line treatment for children with PMNE.

The association between family history of prostate cancer and development of prostate cancer among Korean population: A prospective cohort study using KoGES data.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to assess the impact of family history (FH) on prostate cancer (PCa) development among a general Korean population. We conducted a prospective cohort study based on the registry records of 211,789 participants in the database of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study from 2001 to 2013. A total of 69,693 men with appropriate records were evaluated by being categorizing into 2 groups; a PCa group (100) and control group (69,593). FH of PCa was also categorized as FH of total, father, or brother. Odds ratios (ORs) of PCa development were calculated by using stratified logistic regression models. The adjusted OR of PCa history of father was 27.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.7-79.2, P < .001) in PCa patients compared to control, and that of PCa history of brother was 15.8 (95% CI = 3.6-69.6, P < .001). Among the adjusted variables, age (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.14-1.21; P < .001), and hyperlipidemia (OR, 2.25; CI, 1.32-3.84; P = .003) were also identified as significant predictors of PCa development. There was no difference in the impact of FH on PCa development between different age groups at PCa diagnosis (<60 vs ≥60 years). To our knowledge, this study represents the first prospective cohort study based on the registry data of a Korean population showing the significance of FH on PCa development. Additionally, the effect of FH on the early onset of PCa has not been confirmed in our analysis.

Analysis of the late outcome of laparoscopic heminephrectomy in children with duplex kidneys.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with laparoscopic heminephrectomy (LHN) in children with duplex kidneys, highlighting the late outcomes, including anatomical and functional aspects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 17 children (18 renal units) with duplex kidneys who underwent LHN (15) and heminephroureterectomy (three). Before surgery, all patients were evaluated using ultrasonography, voiding cysto-urethrography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging with urography, and nuclear scintigraphy. After surgery patients were evaluated using ultrasonography and nuclear scintigraphy, and by voiding cysto-urethrography if there was a refluxing ureter. RESULTS: All laparoscopic surgery (17 transperitoneal and one retroperitoneal approach), were completed as planned with no intraoperative complications. Complications after surgery included prolonged urine leakage from a refluxing ureteric stump in one heminephroureterectomy, and a complete functional loss of the remnant pole in one retroperitoneal LHN. The function of the remnant pole was preserved in 17 patients (94%); in these 17 the mean decrease in renal function was 2.8%. Follow-up ultrasonography showed asymptomatic cystic structures in six patients. There was an asymptomatic remnant ureteric stump in two cases (one refluxing, one nonrefluxing). CONCLUSION: The loss of function caused by surgery is subtle but some remnant pole will be fully lost while experience is gained. Because the functional impairment due to vasospasm or vascular injury might not be recognized, all remnant kidneys must be evaluated using postoperative nuclear scintigraphy.

Risk of dementia and Parkinson's disease in patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist for prostate cancer: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Recent studies reported conflicting results on the association of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with dementia and Parkinson's disease in patients with prostate cancer (Pca). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) increases the risk of both diseases. A nationwide population cohort study was conducted involving newly diagnosed patients with Pca %who started ADT with GnRHa (GnRHa users, n = 3,201) and control (nonusers, n = 4,123) between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016, using data from the National Health Insurance Service. To validate the result, a hospital cohort of patients with Pca consisting of GnRHa users (n = 205) and nonusers (n = 479) in a tertiary referral center from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2016, were also analyzed. Traditional and propensity score-matched Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the effects of ADT on the risk of dementia and Parkinson's disease. In univariable analysis, risk of dementia was associated with GnRHa use in both nationwide and hospital validation cohort (hazard ratio [HR], 1.696; 95% CI, 1.425-2.019, and HR, 1.352; 95% CI, 1.089-1.987, respectively). In a nationwide cohort, ADT was not associated with dementia in both traditional and propensity score-matched multivariable analysis, whereas in a hospital validation cohort, ADT was associated with dementia only in unmatched analysis (HR, 1.203; 95% CI, 1.021-1.859) but not in propensity score-matched analysis. ADT was not associated with Parkinson's disease in either nationwide and validation cohorts. This population-based study suggests that the association between GnRHa use as ADT and increased risk of dementia or Parkinson's disease is not clear, which was also verified in a hospital validation cohort.

Efficacy and safety of dose escalation in male patients with overactive bladder showing poor efficacy after low-dose antimuscarinic treatment: A retrospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the efficacy and safety of standard-dose antimuscarinic treatment on male patients with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms showing poor efficacy after low-dose antimuscarinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 566 male patients aged ≥40 with OAB symptoms between January 2017 and June 2018. They were treated with low-dose antimuscarinics for at least 4 weeks and showed poor efficacy; therefore, they were switched to standard dose antimuscarinic treatment (5 mg of solifenacin) for ≥12 weeks. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) at baseline (V0), 4 weeks (V1), and 12 weeks (V2) were analyzed. Post void residual urine volume (PVR) was also recorded. RESULTS: The median age, body mass index, and prostate-specific antigen levels were 69.0 years, 24.2 kg/m², and 1.24 ng/dL, respectively. The mean value of the total IPSS and OABSS significantly decreased between V0 and V2 (from 16.73 to 13.69 and 7.33 to 5.34, respectively, all p<0.001). All component scores from each questionnaire demonstrated a significant decrease except for numbers three and six on the IPSS questionnaire. PVR was increased from V0 to V2 (36.40 to 68.90 mL, p=0.015). Four and nine patients experienced constipation and thirst, respectively, and all adverse effects were graded as ≤2. CONCLUSIONS: Standard dose antimuscarinic treatment using solifenacin (5 mg) may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with OAB symptoms refractory to low-dose antimuscarinic treatment.

Taxane-based Chemotherapy Induced Androgen Receptor Splice Variant 7 in Patients with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Tissue-based Analysis.

In total, 95 prostate cancer (Pca) patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate from 2000 to 2013 were assigned to four groups: Group 1, hormone-naïve and T1a or T1b Pca (n = 17); Group 2, hormone-sensitive and metastatic Pca (n = 33); Group 3, chemo-naïve castration-resistant Pca (CRPC), (n = 18); and Group 4, CRPC with chemotherapy (n = 27). Full-length androgen receptor (ARfl) transcript levels significantly increased from Group 1 through to Group 3 (p = 0.045), but decreased from Group 3 through to Group 4. AR splice variant 7 (ARV7) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) transcript levels significantly increased from Group 1 through to Group 4 (p = 0.002 and 0.049, respectively). Kaplan-Meier curve revealed that the high transcript level of these three receptors resulted in significantly poorer cancer-specific survival (CSS) than that by low transcript level, although Cox regression analysis revealed that the ARV7 level alone was an independent prognostic factor for CSS in CRPC patients (high vs. low: hazard ratio, 1.897; 95% confidence interval, 1.102-3.625; p = 0.042). In conclusion, ARV7 and GR transcript levels significantly increase as Pca progresses to CRPC.

Effectiveness of three different luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists in the chemical castration of patients with prostate cancer: Goserelin versus triptorelin versus leuprolide.

Purpose: To investigate the changes in testosterone levels and rates of chemical castration following androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) with goserelin, triptorelin, and leuprolide. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 125 patients with prostate cancer treated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists between January 2009 and December 2015. Changes in testosterone concentration during 9 months of ADT with goserelin 11.34 mg, triptorelin 11.25 mg, and leuprolide 11.25 mg were analyzed using a mixed model. The number of patients with serum testosterone below castration levels defined as various values (<50 ng/dL, <20 ng/dL, or <10 ng/dL) at 3, 6, and 9 months were also evaluated. Results: Of the 125 patients, 59 received goserelin, 44 received triptorelin, and 22 received leuprolide, respectively. The lowest mean testosterone levels during 9 months of treatment were achieved in patients treated with triptorelin, followed by those treated with leuprolide, and then by those treated with goserelin (p=0.001). Significant differences in chemical castration levels were observed only at <10 ng/dL, with 54.2% of goserelin, 93.2% of triptorelin, and 86.4% of leuprolide treated patients (p<0.001). Conclusions: Three LHRH agonists showed comparable efficacy for achieving castration when the castration threshold was 50 or 20 ng/dL. However, triptorelin was the most potent LHRH agonist, achieving the lowest mean testosterone levels and the highest rate of chemical castration at <10 ng/dL testosterone.