Assessing Functional Outcomes of Partial Versus Radical Nephrectomy for T1b-T2 Renal Masses: Results from a Multi-institutional Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Deterioration of renal function is associated with increased all-cause mortality. In renal masses larger than 4 cm, whether partial versus radical nephrectomy (PN vs. RN) might affect long-term functional outcomes is unknown. This study tested the association between PN versus RN and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), recovery of at least 90% of the preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1 year, upstaging of chronic kidney disease (CKD) one stage or more at 1 year, and eGFR decline of 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 or less at 1 year. METHODS: Data from 23 high-volume institutions were used. The study included only surgically treated patients with single, unilateral, localized, clinical T1b-2 renal masses. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 968 PN patients and 325 RN patients were identified. The rate of AKI was lower in the PN versus the RN patients (17% vs. 58%; p < 0.001). At 1 year after surgery, for the PN versus the RN patients, the rate for recovery of at least 90% of baseline eGFR was 51% versus 16%, the rate of CKD progression of ≥ 1 stage was 38% versus 65%, and the rate of eGFR decline of 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 or less was 10% versus 23% (all p < 0.001). Radical nephrectomy independently predicted AKI (odds ratio [OR], 7.61), 1-year ≥ 90% eGFR recovery (OR, 0.30), 1-year CKD upstaging (OR, 1.78), and 1-year eGFR decline of 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 or less (OR, 2.36) (all p ≤ 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: For cT1b-2 masses, RN portends worse immediate and 1-year functional outcomes. When technically feasible and oncologically safe, efforts should be made to spare the kidney in case of large renal masses to avoid the hazard of glomerular function loss-related mortality.

Intraoperative image-guidance during robotic surgery: is there clinical evidence of enhanced patient outcomes?

BACKGROUND: To date, the benefit of image guidance during robot-assisted surgery (IGS) is an object of debate. The current study aims to address the quality of the contemporary body of literature concerning IGS in robotic surgery throughout different surgical specialties. METHODS: A systematic review of all English-language articles on IGS, from January 2013 to March 2023, was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane library's Central, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases. Comparative studies that tested performance of IGS vs control were included for the quantitative synthesis, which addressed outcomes analyzed in at least three studies: operative time, length of stay, blood loss, surgical margins, complications, number of nodal retrievals, metastatic nodes, ischemia time, and renal function loss. Bias-corrected ratio of means (ROM) and bias-corrected odds ratio (OR) compared continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively. Subgroup analyses according to guidance type (i.e., 3D virtual reality vs ultrasound vs near-infrared fluoresce) were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies, based on 11 surgical procedures of three specialties (general surgery, gynecology, urology), were included in the quantitative synthesis. IGS was associated with 12% reduction in length of stay (ROM 0.88; p = 0.03) and 13% reduction in blood loss (ROM 0.87; p = 0.03) but did not affect operative time (ROM 1.00; p = 0.9), or complications (OR 0.93; p = 0.4). IGS was associated with an estimated 44% increase in mean number of removed nodes (ROM 1.44; p < 0.001), and a significantly higher rate of metastatic nodal disease (OR 1.82; p < 0.001), as well as a significantly lower rate of positive surgical margins (OR 0.62; p < 0.001). In nephron sparing surgery, IGS significantly decreased renal function loss (ROM 0.37; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted surgery benefits from image guidance, especially in terms of pathologic outcomes, namely higher detection of metastatic nodes and lower surgical margins. Moreover, IGS enhances renal function preservation and lowers surgical blood loss.

Retzius sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: optimizing functional results.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to critically evaluate the existing body of evidence regarding the efficacy of Retzius-sparing radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) in achieving improved functional outcomes. Moreover, we explored possible strategies to further optimize functional outcomes. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review (PROSPERO ID CRD42024539915) was performed on 9th September 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Only original articles in the English language reporting functional outcomes after RS-RARP were included. RESULTS: Overall, the search string yielded 99 results on PubMed, 122 on Scopus, and 120 on Web Of Science. After duplicate exclusion, initial screening and eligibility evaluation, a total of 47 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, corresponding to a cohort of 13.196 patients. All studies reported continence recovery. RS-RARP appeared to achieve better and faster continence recovery compared to S-RARP. However, it should be noted that continence definition was heterogeneous and not based on validated condition-specific questionnaires. Seven (15%) studies provided for any sort of rehabilitation for urinary incontinence after RS-RARP. 22 studies analyzed potency recovery rates, showing no difference between RS-RARP and S-RARP. The evaluation of this outcome poses a great challenge due to the lack of standardized assessment tools and reporting methods. Only two studies reported on the consistent use of post-operative PDE5i as penile rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The current review highlights the satisfactory functional results of Retzius-sparing robot assisted radical prostatectomy, which holds true irrespective of disease stage and prostate volume, with promising results even in patients previously treated for BPH or in the salvage setting. How can we optimize those results? The answer does not probably lie in further refinement of the surgical technique, but in giving greater attention to patient counselling and rehabilitation strategies in order to minimize regret and maximize satisfaction.

Prostate size ≥ 100 g and its association with long-term outcomes of Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether perioperative and functional outcomes of Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) may be affected by large prostate sizes (PS). METHODS: All patients treated with RS-RARP were identified and compared according to PS. The definition of PS relied on the prostatic weight at final pathology (PS < 100 g vs ≥ 100 g). Multivariable logistic regression models tested immediate and 12-month urinary continence recovery (UCR, namely, 0-1 safety pad per-day), and positive surgical margins (PSM). Multivariable Poisson log-linear regression analyses tested operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), and length of stay (LOS). The analyses relied on the database of a high-volume European institution (2010-2022). RESULTS: Of 1,555 overall patients, 1503 (96.7%) had a PS < 100 g and 52 (3.3%) had a PS ≥ 100 g. No differences were recorded in LOS (3 days), and intraoperative (1.9 vs 2.3%) as well as postoperative complications (13 vs 12%; all p values > 0.05). No significant difference was recorded in PSM (25 vs 23%, p = 0.6). In patients with PS ≥ 100 g vs < 100 g, immediate UCR rate was 42 vs 64% (p = 0.002), and 12-month UCR rate was 87 vs 88% (p = 0.3). PV ≥ 100 g independently predicted worse immediate UCR (odds ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.30-0.98, p = 0.044), but not worse 12-month UCR (p = 0.3) or higher PSM (p = 0.7). PV ≥ 100 g independently predicted longer OT (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.12, 95% CI 1.10-1.15, p < 0.001) and higher EBL (IRR 1.26, 95% CI 1.24-1.28, p < 0.001), but not longer LOS (p = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: RS-RARP is a valid option for prostate cancer treatment, even in case of very large prostates. Specifically, no significant association was recognized between PS ≥ 100 g and PSM or 12-month UCR.

Identifying low cancer-specific mortality risk lymph node-positive radical prostatectomy patients.

OBJECTIVES: To identify low cancer-specific mortality (CSM) risk lymph node-positive (pN1) radical prostatectomy (RP) patients. METHODS: Within Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database (2010-2015) pN1 RP patients were identified. Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox-regression (MCR) models were used. Pathological characteristics were used to identify patients at lowest CSM risk. RESULTS: Overall, 2197 pN1 RP patients were identified. Overall, 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate was 93.3%. In MCR models ISUP GG1-2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.12, p < 0.001), GG3 (HR: 0.14, p < 0.001), GG4 (HR: 0.35, p = 0.002), pT2 (HR: 0.27, p = 0.012), pT3a (HR: 0.28, p = 0.003), pT3b (HR: 0.39, p = 0.009), and 1-2 positive lymph nodes (HR: 0.64, p = 0.04) independently predicted lower CSM. Pathological characteristics subgroups with the most protective hazard ratios were used to identify low-risk (ISUP GG1-3 and pT2-3a and 1-2 positive lymph nodes) patients versus others (ISUP GG4-5 or pT3b-4 or ≥3 positive lymph nodes). In Kaplan-Meier analyses, 5-year CSS rates were 99.3% for low-risk (n = 480, 21.8%) versus 91.8% (p < 0.001) for others (n = 1717, 78.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node-positive RP patients exhibit variable CSS rates. Within this heterogeneous group, those at very low risk of CSM may be identified based on pathological characteristics, namely ISUP GG1-3, pT2-3a, and 1-2 positive lymph nodes. Such stratification scheme might be of value for individual patients counseling, as well as in design of clinical trials.

A population-based validation of the IGCCCG Update Consortium for survival in metastatic non-seminoma testis cancer.

BACKGROUND: In 2021, the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) Update Consortium reported improved overall survival (OS) rates in a modern cohort of metastatic non-seminoma testis cancer patients within each of the IGCCCG prognosis groups (96% in good vs. 89% in intermediate vs. 67% in poor), compared to the previous IGCCCG publication (92% in good vs. 80% in intermediate vs. 48% in poor). We hypothesized that a similar survival improvement may apply to a contemporary North-American population-based cohort of non-seminoma testis cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2010-2018) was used. Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression models tested the effect of IGCCCG prognosis groups on overall mortality (OM). RESULTS: Of 1672 surgically treated metastatic non-seminoma patients, 778 (47%) exhibited good vs. 251 (15%) intermediate vs. 643 (38%) poor prognosis. In the overall cohort, five-year OS rate was 94% for good prognosis vs. 87% for intermediate prognosis vs. 65% for poor prognosis. In multivariable Cox regression models predicting OM, intermediate (Hazard ratio [HR] 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-3.9, P < 0.001) and poor prognosis group (HR 6.6, 95% CI 1.0-1.0, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of higher OM, relative to good prognosis group. CONCLUSIONS: The survival improvement reported by the IGCCCG Update Consortium is also operational in non-seminoma testis cancer patients within the most contemporary SEER database. This observation indicates that the survival improvement is not only applicable to centres of excellence, but also applies to other institutions at large.

Differences in overall survival of penile cancer patients versus population-based controls.

PURPOSE: To assess whether 5-year overall survival (OS) of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) patients differs from age-matched male population-based controls. METHODS: We relied on the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database (2004-2018) to identify newly diagnosed (2004-2013) SCCP patients. For each case, we simulated an age-matched control (Monte Carlo simulation), relying on the Social Security Administration (SSA) Life Tables with 5 years of follow-up. We compared OS between SCCP patients and population-based controls in a stage-specific fashion. Smoothed cumulative incidence plots displayed cancer-specific mortality (CSM) versus other-cause mortality (OCM). RESULTS: Of 2282 SCCP patients, the stage distribution was as follows: stage I 976 (43%) versus stage II 826 (36%) versus stage III 302 (13%) versus stage IV 178 (8%). At 5 years, OS of SCCP patients versus age-matched population-based controls was as follows: stage I 63% versus 80% (Δ = 17%), stage II 50% versus 80% (Δ = 30%), stage III 39% versus 84% (Δ = 45%), stage IV 26% versus 87% (Δ = 61%). At 5 years, CSM versus OCM in SCCP patients according to stage was as follows: stage I 12% versus 24%, stage II 22% versus 28%, stage III 47% versus 14%, and stage IV 60% versus 14%. CONCLUSION: SCCP patients exhibit worse OS across all stages. The difference in OS at 5 years between SCCP and age-matched male population-based controls ranged from 17% to 61%. At 5 years, CSM accounted for 12% to 60% of all deaths, across all stages.

Survival of stage III non-seminoma testis cancer patients versus simulated controls, according to race/ethnicity.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether 5-year overall survival (OS) differs and to what extent between the American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III non-seminoma testicular germ cell tumor (NS-TGCT) patients and simulated age-matched male population-based controls, according to race/ethnicity groups. METHODS: We identified newly diagnosed (2004-2014) stage III NS-TGCT patients within the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database 2004-2019. For each case, we simulated an age-matched male control (Monte Carlo simulation), relying on Social Security Administration (SSA) Life Tables with 5 years of follow-up. We compared OS rates between stage III NS-TGCT patients and simulated age-matched male population-based controls, according to race/ethnicity groups (Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander and African American). Both, cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and other-cause mortality (OCM) were computed. RESULTS: Of 2054 stage III NS-TGCT patients, 60% were Caucasians versus 33% Hispanics versus 4% Asians/Pacific Islanders versus 3% African Americans. The 5-year OS difference between stage III NS-TGCT patients versus simulated age-matched male population-based controls was highest in Asians/Pacific Islanders (64 vs. 99%, Δ = 35%), followed by African Americans (66 vs. 97%, Δ = 31%), Hispanics (72 vs. 99%, Δ = 27%), and Caucasians (76 vs. 98%, Δ = 22%). The 5-year CSM rate was highest in Asians/Pacific Islanders (32%), followed by African Americans (26%), Hispanics (25%), and Caucasians (20%). The 5-year OCM rate was highest in African Americans (8%), followed by Caucasians (4%), Asians/Pacific Islanders (4%), and Hispanics (2%). CONCLUSION: Relative to SSA Life Tables, the highest 5-year OS disadvantage applied to stage III NS-TGCT Asian/Pacific Islander race/ethnicity group, followed by African American, Hispanic and Caucasian, in that order.

Effect of positive surgical margins at radical prostatectomy on cancer-specific mortality in high/very high-risk prostate cancer patients with Gleason Grade Group 4-5.

BACKGROUND: The effect of positive surgical margins (PSM) on cancer specific mortality (CSM) in high/very high-risk (HR/VHR) prostate cancer (PCa) with aggressive Gleason Grade Group (GGG) is unknown. We tested PSM effect on CSM in this setting, in addition to testing of radiotherapy (RT) benefit in PSM patients. METHODS: We relied on Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2010-2015), focusing on HR/VHR patients with exclusive GGG 4-5 at radical prostatectomy (RP). Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression models tested the relationship between PSM and CSM. Moreover, the effect of RT on CSM was explored in PSM patients. RESULTS: Of 3383 HR/VHR patients, 15.1% (n = 511) exhibited PSM. Patients with PSM harbored higher rates of GGG 5 (60.1% vs. 50.9%, p < 0.001), pathologic tumor stage T3a (69.1% vs. 45.2%, p < 0.001) and lymph node involvement (14.1% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.001), relative to patients without PSM. PSM rates decreased over time (2010-2015) from 16.0% to 13.6%. Seven-year CSM-free survival rates were 91.6% versus 95.7% in patients with and without PSM, respectively. In multivariable Cox regression models, PSM was an independent predictor of CSM (hazard ratio = 1.6, p = 0.040) even after adjustment for age, prostate specific antigen, pathologic tumor stage and lymph node status. Finally, in PSM patients, RT delivery did not reduce CSM in either univariable or multivariable Cox regression models. CONCLUSIONS: In HR/VHR PCa patients with exclusive GGG 4-5, PSM at RP adversely affect survival. Moreover, RT has no protective effect on CSM. In consequence, lowest possible PSM rates are crucial in such patients.

Cancer-specific Mortality After Cryoablation vs Heat-based Thermal Ablation in T1a Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Guidelines suggest less favorable cancer control outcomes for local tumor destruction in T1a renal cell carcinoma patients with tumor size 3.1-4 cm. We compared cancer-specific mortality between cryoablation vs heat-based thermal ablation in patients with tumor size 3.1-4 cm, as well as in patients with tumor size ≤3 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2018), we identified patients with clinical T1a stage renal cell carcinoma treated with cryoablation or heat-based thermal ablation. After up to 2:1 ratio propensity score matching between patients treated with cryoablation vs heat-based thermal ablation, we addressed cancer-specific mortality relying on competing risks regression models, adjusted for other-cause mortality and other covariates (age, tumor size, tumor grade, and histological subtype). RESULTS: Of 1,468 assessable patients with tumor size 3.1-4 cm, 1,080 vs 388 were treated with cryoablation vs heat-based thermal ablation, respectively. After up to 2:1 propensity score matching that resulted in 757 cryoablations vs 388 heat-based thermal ablations, in multivariable competing risks regression models, heat-based thermal ablation was associated with higher cancer-specific mortality (HR:2.02, P < .001), relative to cryoablation. Of 4,468 assessable patients with tumor size ≤3 cm, 3,354 vs 1,114 were treated with cryoablation vs heat-based thermal ablation, respectively. After up to 2:1 propensity score matching that resulted in 2,217 cryoablations vs 1,114 heat-based thermal ablations, in multivariable competing risks regression models, heat-based thermal ablation was not associated with higher cancer-specific mortality (HR:1.13, P = .5) relative to cryoablation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings corroborated that in cT1a patients with tumor size 3.1-4 cm, cancer-specific mortality is twofold higher after heat-based thermal ablation vs cryoablation. Conversely, in patients with tumor size ≤3 cm either ablation technique is equally valid. These findings should be considered at clinical decision making and informed consent.

In-Hospital Venous Thromboembolism and Pulmonary Embolism After Major Urologic Cancer Surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to test for temporal trends of in-hospital venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary embolism (PE) after major urologic cancer surgery (MUCS). METHODS: In the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2010-2019), this study identified non-metastatic radical cystectomy (RC), radical prostatectomy (RP), radical nephrectomy (RN), and partial nephrectomy (PN) patients. Temporal trends of VTE and PE and multivariable logistic regression analyses (MLR) addressing VTE or PE, and mortality with VTE or PE were performed. RESULTS: Of 196,915 patients, 1180 (1.0%) exhibited VTE and 583 (0.3%) exhibited PE. The VTE rates increased from 0.6 to 0.7% (estimated annual percentage change [EAPC] + 4.0%; p = 0.01). Conversely, the PE rates decreased from 0.4 to 0.2% (EAPC - 4.5%; p = 0.01). No difference was observed in mortality with VTE (EAPC - 2.1%; p = 0.7) or with PE (EAPC - 1.2%; p = 0.8). In MLR relative to RP, RC (odds ratio [OR] 5.1), RN (OR 4.5), and PN (OR 3.6) were associated with higher VTE risk (all p < 0.001). Similarly in MLR relative to RP, RC (OR 4.6), RN (OR 3.3), and PN (OR 3.9) were associated with higher PE risk (all p < 0.001). In MLR, the risk of mortality was higher when VTE or PE was present in RC (VTE: OR 3.7, PE: OR  4.8; both p < 0.001) and RN (VTE: OR 5.2, PE: OR  8.3; both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RC, RN, and PN predisposes to a higher VTE and PE rates than RP. Moreover, among RC and RN patients with either VTE or PE, mortality is substantially higher than among their VTE or PE-free counterparts.

Effect of inguinal lymph node dissection in lymph node negative patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

INTRODUCTION: The survival benefit of inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) vs no ILND in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) and the absence of lymph node invasion is unclear. We addressed this uncertainty within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER 2000-2018) database. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified lymph node negative SCCP patients who either underwent ILND (pN0) or clinical examination only (cN0). We tested for the effect of ILND vs no ILND on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in Kaplan-Meier plots, univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses, in a pT stage-specific fashion, before and after 1:3 propensity score matching (PSM). Sensitivity analyses were conducted according to historical and contemporary treatment periods as well as geographic regions. RESULTS: Of 2520 SCCP patients, 369 (15%) underwent ILND (pN0) vs 2151 (85%) did not (cN0). The pN0 vs cN0 distribution according to pT stages was as follows: 80 (7%) vs 1092 (93%) in pT1b, and 289 (21%) vs 1059 (79%) in pT2-3. At 36 months, CSM-free survival in pT2-3 stage was 89% in ILND vs 74% in no ILND patients (multivariable hazard ratio: 0.42, CI 0.30-0.60, p < 0.001). This result was confirmed in sensitivity analyses, and after 1:3 PSM. The same analyses could not be completed in pT1b stage due to insufficient number of observations and events. CONCLUSIONS: In pT2-3 stage SCCP, a significantly lower CSM was recorded in lymph node negative patients treated with ILND than in their clinical lymph node negative counterparts who did not undergo ILND.

Regional differences in clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients across the USA.

PURPOSE: To test for regional differences in clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (ccmRCC) patients across the USA. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2000-2018) was used to tabulate patient (age at diagnosis, sex, race/ethnicity), tumor (N stage, sites of metastasis) and treatment characteristics (proportions of nephrectomy and systemic therapy), according to 12 SEER registries. Multinomial regression models, as well as multivariable Cox regression models, tested the overall mortality (OM) adjusting for those patient, tumor and treatment characteristics. RESULTS: In 9882 ccmRCC patients, registry-specific patient counts ranged from 4025 (41%) to 189 (2%). Differences across registries existed for sex (24-36% female), race/ethnicity (1-75% non-Caucasian), N stage (N1 25-35%, NX 3-13%), proportions of nephrectomy (44-63%) and systemic therapy (41-56%). Significant inter-registry differences remained after adjustment for proportions of nephrectomy (46-63%) and systemic therapy (35-56%). Unadjusted 5-year OM ranged from 73 to 85%. In multivariable analyses, three registries exhibited significantly higher OM (SEER registry 5: hazard ratio (HR) 1.20, p = 0.0001; SEER registry 7:HR 1.15, p = 0.008M SEER registry 10: HR 1.15, p = 0.04), relative to the largest reference registry (n = 4025). CONCLUSION: Important regional differences including patient, tumor and treatment characteristics exist, when ccmRCC patients included in the SEER database are studied. Even after adjustment for these characteristics, important OM differences persisted, which may require more detailed analyses to further investigate these unexpected differences.

Contemporary conditional cancer-specific survival rates in surgically treated adrenocortical carcinoma patients: A stage-specific analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We examined the effect of disease-free interval (DFI) duration on cancer-specific mortality (CSM)-free survival, otherwise known as the effect of conditional survival, in surgically treated adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) patients. METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2018), 867 ACC patients treated with adrenalectomy were identified. Conditional survival estimates at 5-years were assessed based on DFI duration and according to stage at presentation. Separate Cox regression models were fitted at baseline and according to DFI. RESULTS: Overall, 406 (47%), 285 (33%), and 176 (20%) patients were stage I-II, III and IV, respectively. In conditional survival analysis, providing a DFI of 24 months, 5-year CSM-free survival at initial diagnosis increased from 66% to 80% in stage I-II, from 35% to 66% in stage III, and from 14% to 36% in stage IV. In multivariable Cox regression models, stage III (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.38; p < 0.001) and IV (HR: 4.67; p < 0.001) independently predicted higher CSM, relative to stage I-II. The magnitude of this effect decreased over time, providing increasing DFI duration. CONCLUSIONS: In surgically treated ACC, survival probabilities increase with longer DFI duration. This improvement is more pronounced in stage III, followed by stages IV and I-II patients, in that order. Survival estimates accounting for DFI may prove valuable in patients counseling.

Age represents the main driver of surgical decision making in patients candidate to radical cystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Age might influence the choice of surgical approach, type of urinary diversion (UD) and lymph node dissection (LND) in patients candidate to radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). Similarly, age may enhance surgical morbidity and worsen perioperative outcomes. We tested the impact of age (octogenarian vs. younger patients) on surgical decision making and peri- and postoperative outcomes of RC. METHODS: Non-metastatic muscle-invasive UBC patients treated with RC at 18 high-volume European institutions between 2006 and 2021 were identified and stratified according to age (≥80 vs. <80 years). Intraoperative Complications Assessment and Reporting with Universal Standards and European Association of Urology guidelines recommendations were accomplished in collection and reporting of, respectively, intraoperative and postoperative complications. Multivariable logistic regression models (MVA) tested the impact of age on outcomes of interest. Sensitivity analyses after 1:3 propensity score matching were performed. RESULTS: Of 1955 overall patients, 251 (13%) were ≥80-year-old. Minimally invasive RC was performed in 18% and 40% of octogenarian and younger patients, respectively (p < 0.001). UD without bowel manipulation (ureterocutaneostomy, UCS) was performed in 31% and 7% of octogenarian and younger patients (p < 0.001). LND was delivered to 81% and 93% of octogenarian and younger patients (p < 0.001). At MVA, age ≥80 years independently predicted open approach (odds ratio [OR]: 1.55), UCS (OR: 3.70), and omission of LND (OR: 0.41; all p ≤ 0.02). Compared to their younger counterparts, octogenarian patients experienced higher rates of intraoperative (8% vs. 4%, p = 0.04) but not of postoperative complications (64% vs. 61%, p = 0.07). At MVA, age ≥80 years was not an independent predictor of length of stay, intraoperative or postoperative transfusions and complications, and readmissions (all p values >0.1). These results were replicated in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Age ≥80 years does not independently portend worse surgical outcomes for RC. However, octogenarians are unreasonably more likely to receive open approach and UCS diversion, and less likely to undergo LND.

Adrenocortical carcinoma with venous tumor invasion: is there a role for mini-invasive surgery?

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate early oncologic outcomes in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) with venous invasion (VI) treated using both open and mini-invasive approaches. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 4 international referral center databases, including all the patients undergoing adrenalectomy for ACC with VI from January 2007 to March 2020. According to CT scan or MRI, the tumor thrombus was classified into four levels: (1) adrenal vein invasion; (2) renal vein invasion; (3) infra-hepatic Inferior vena cava (IVC); and (4) retro-hepatic IVC. In addition, we divided our patients into patients who had undergone open surgery and mini-invasive surgery. RESULTS: We identified 20 patients with a median follow-up of 12 months. The median tumor size was 110mm. ENSAT stage was II in 4 patients, III in 13 patients, and IV in 3 patients. Tumor thrombus extended in the adrenal vein (n=5), renal vein (n=1), infra-hepatic IVC (n=9), or into the retro-hepatic IVC (n=5). Ten patients were treated with a mini-invasive approach. The patient treated with an open approach reported a more aggressive disease. The two groups did not differ in surgical margins, surgical time, blood losses, complications, and length of stay. The prognosis resulted worse in the patient undergoing open. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a difference in OS for the patients stratified by ENSAT stage (Log-rank p=0.011); we also reported a difference in DFS for patients stratified for thrombus extension (p=0.004) and ENSAT stage (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The DFS of patients with VI from ACC is influenced by the staging and the extension of the venous invasion; the staging influences the OS. The mini-invasive approach seems feasible in selected patients; however, further studies investigating the oncological outcomes are needed. A mini-invasive approach for adrenal tumors with venous invasion is an explorable option in very selected patients.

Survival of Testicular Pure Embryonal Carcinoma vs. Mixed Germ Cell Tumor Patients across All Stages.

Background and Objectives: The impact of pure histological subtypes in testicular non-seminoma germ cell tumors on survival, specifically regarding pure embryonal carcinoma, is not well established. Therefore, this study aimed to test for differences between pure embryonal carcinoma and mixed germ cell tumor patients within stages I, II and III in a large population-based database. Materials and Methods: We relied on the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (2004-2019) to identify testicular pure embryonal carcinoma vs. mixed germ cell tumor patients. Cumulative incidence plots depicted cancer-specific mortality that represented the main endpoint of interest. Multivariable competing risks regression models tested for differences between pure embryonal carcinoma and mixed germ cell tumor patients in analyses addressing cancer-specific mortality and adjusted for other-cause mortality. Results: Of 11,223 patients, 2473 (22%) had pure embryonal carcinoma. Pure embryonal carcinoma patients exhibited lower cancer-specific mortality relative to their mixed germ cell tumor counterparts for both stage III (13.9 vs. 19.4%; p < 0.01) and stage II (0.5 vs. 3.4%, p < 0.01), but not in stage I (0.9 vs. 1.6%, p = 0.1). In multivariable competing risks regression models, pure embryonal carcinoma exhibited more favorable cancer-specific mortality than mixed germ cell tumor in stage III (hazard ratio 0.71, p = 0.01) and stage II (hazard ratio 0.11, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Pure embryonal carcinoma exhibits a more favorable cancer-specific mortality profile relative to mixed germ cell tumor in stage II and III testicular cancers. Consequently, the presence of mixed germ cell tumor elements may be interpreted as a risk factor for cancer-specific survival.

Challenging cases in high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between enlarged prostate, bulky median lobe (BML) or prior benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) surgery and perioperative functional, and oncological outcomes in high-risk (HR) prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP). METHODS: 320 HR-PCa patients treated with RS-RARP between 2011 and 2020 at a single high-volume center. The relationship between prostate volume, BML, prior BPH surgery and perioperative outcomes, Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade ≥ 2 90-day postoperative complications, positive surgical margins (PSMs), and urinary continence (UC) recovery was evaluated respectively in multivariable linear, logistic and Cox regression models. Complications were collected according to the standardized methodology proposed by EAU guidelines. UC recovery was defined as the use of zero or one safety pad. RESULTS: Overall, 5.9% and 5.6% had respectively a BML or prior BPH surgery. Median PV was 45 g (range: 14-300). The rate of focal and non-focal PSMs was 8.4% and 17.8%. 53% and 10.9% patients had immediate UC recovery and CD ≥ 2. The 1- and 2-yr UC recovery was 84 and 85%. PV (p = 0.03) and prior BPH surgery (p = 0.02) was associated with longer operative time. BML was independent predictor of time to bladder catheter removal (p = 0.001). PV was independent predictor of PSMs (OR: 1.02; p = 0.009). Prior BPH surgery was associated with lower UC recovery (HR: 0.5; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: HR-PCa patients with enlarged prostate have higher risk of PSMs, while patients with prior BPH surgery have suboptimal UC recovery. These findings should help physicians for accurate preoperative counseling and to improve surgical planning in case of HR-PCa patients with challenging features.

Contemporary vs historical survival rates in metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma according to race/ethnicity.

PURPOSE: Systemic therapies (ST) improved contemporary survival rates, relative to historical in clear cell metastatic renal carcinoma (ccmRCC) patients. The magnitude of this improvement is unknown according to race/ethnicity. METHODS: Within the SEER registry (2000-2017), ccmRCC patients were stratified according to race/ethnicity (Caucasian, Hispanic, African American, Asian) and historical (2000-2009) vs contemporary (2010-2017) years of diagnosis. Competing risks regression (CRR) with adjustment for other-cause mortality and Poisson smoothed cumulative incidence plots addressed cancer-specific mortality (CSM). RESULTS: Of 10,141 mRCC patients, 4316 (43%) vs 5825 (57%) were diagnosed in historical vs contemporary era. Of 4316 historical patients, 3203 (74%) vs 593 (14%) vs 293 (7%) vs 227 (5%) were Caucasian, Hispanic, African American and Asian. Of 5825 contemporary patients, 4124 (71%) vs 977 (17%) vs 362 (6%) vs 362 (6%) were Caucasian, Hispanic, African American and Asian. Between 2000 and 2017, ST rates ranged from 12 to 57% in Caucasians, 2 to 57% in Hispanics, 33 to 50% in African Americans, 17 to 70% in Asians and universally increased toward a plateau in 2010. In Caucasians, CSM decreased from 80 to 74% vs 79 to 74% in Hispanics vs 79 to 77% in African Americans, but not in Asians (67-73%). Nonetheless, these rates translated into independent predictor status of contemporary years of diagnosis in all race/ethnicity groups: CSM hazard ratios of 0.75, 0.75, 0.73 and 0.80 in, respectively, Caucasian, Hispanic, African American and Asian. CONCLUSIONS: In all race/ethnicity groups, contemporary ST rates increased and improved CSM rates have also been recorded.