Creatinine to Cystatin-C Ratio in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Clinically Pragmatic Prognostic Factor and Sarcopenia Biomarker.

INTRODUCTION: Low creatinine to cystatin-C ratio (Cr/Cys-C) may be a biomarker for low-muscle mass. Furthermore, low Cr/Cys-C is associated with decreased overall survival (OS), but to date, has not been examined in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Our objective is to evaluate associations between low Cr/Cys-C ratio and OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with RCC treated with nephrectomy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with RCC treated with nephrectomy. Patients with end-stage renal disease and less than 1-year follow up were excluded. Cr/Cys-C was dichotomized at the median for the cohort (low vs. high). OS and RFS for patients with high versus low Cr/Cys-C were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and associations with the outcomes of interest were modeled using Cox proportional Hazards models. Associations between Cr/Cys-C and skeletal muscle mass were assessed with correlations and logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 255 patients were analyzed, with a median age of 64. Median (IQR) Cr/Cys-C was 1 (0.8-1.2). Low Cr/Cys-C was associated with age, female sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status ≥1, TNM stage, and tumor size. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis demonstrated an association between low Cr/Cys-C and decreased OS (HR = 2.97, 95%CI, 1.12-7.90, P =0.029) and RFS (HR = 3.31, 95%CI, 1.26-8.66, P = .015). Furthermore, a low Cr/Cys-C indicated a 2-3 increase in risk of radiographic sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Lower Cr/Cys-C is associated with inferior oncologic outcomes in RCC and, pending validation, may have utility as a serum biomarker for the presence of sarcopenia in patients with RCC treated with nephrectomy.

Patients' Perceptions Regarding the Relevance of Items Contained in the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Kidney Symptom Index-19.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal method of assessing health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). This study explored the perceived relevance of items that make up the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Kidney Symptom Index-19 (FKSI-19), as judged by patients with mRCC. METHODS: This was a multinational cross-sectional survey. Eligible patients responded to a questionnaire composed of 18 items that assessed the perceived relevance of each item in the FKSI-19 questionnaire. Open-ended questions assessed additional issues deemed relevant by patients. Responses were grouped as relevant (scores 2-5) or nonrelevant (score 1). Descriptive statistics were collated, and open-ended questions were analyzed and categorized into descriptive categories. Spearman correlation statistics were used to test the association between relevance and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients were included (gender: 78.1 M, 21.9F; median age: 64; treatment: 38.4 immunotherapy, 29.8 targeted therapy, 13.9 immuno-TKI combination therapy) in the study. The most relevant questions evaluated fatigue (77.5), lack of energy (72.2), and worry that their condition will get worse (71.5). Most patients rated blood in urine (15.2), fevers (16.6), and lack of appetite (23.2) as least relevant. Qualitative analysis of open-ended questions revealed several themes, including emotional and physical symptoms, ability to live independently, effectiveness of treatment, family, spirituality, and financial toxicity. CONCLUSION: There is a need to refine widely used HR-QOL measures that are employed among patients diagnosed with mRCC treated with contemporary therapies. Guidance was provided for the inclusion of more relevant items to patients' cancer journey.

Diagnosis and Management of Non-Metastatic Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: AUA/SUO Guideline.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this guideline is to provide a useful reference on the effective evidence-based diagnoses and management of non-metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). MATERIALS/METHODS: The Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) team conducted searches in Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to March 3rd, 2022), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (through January 2022), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (through January 2022). The searches were updated August 2022. When sufficient evidence existed, the body of evidence was assigned a strength rating of A (high), B (moderate), or C (low) for support of Strong, Moderate, or Conditional Recommendations. In the absence of sufficient evidence, additional information is provided as Clinical Principles and Expert Opinions (Table 1).[Table: see text]Results:This Guideline provides updated, evidence-based recommendations regarding diagnosis and management of non-metastatic UTUC including risk stratification, surveillance and survivorship. Treatments discussed include kidney sparing management, surgical management, lymph node dissection (LND), neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: This standardized guideline seeks to improve clinicians' ability to evaluate and treat patients with UTUC based on available evidence. Future studies will be essential to further support these statements for improving patient care. Updates will occur as the knowledge regarding disease biology, clinical behavior and new therapeutic options develop.

Robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: a systematic review of perioperative outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) and to compare the perioperative outcomes of R-RPLND with open RPLND (O-RPLND), as RPLND forms an integral part of the management of testis cancer and R-RPLND is a minimally invasive treatment option for this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed® , Scopus® , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science™ databases were searched for studies reporting perioperative outcomes of primary and post-chemotherapy R-RPLND and studies comparing R-RPLND with O-RPLND. RESULTS: The search yielded 42 articles describing R-RPLND, including five comparative studies. The systematic review included 4222 patients (single-arm studies, n = 459; comparative studies, n = 3763). Of 459 patients in the single-arm studies, 271 underwent primary R-RPLND and 188 underwent post-chemotherapy R-RPLND. For primary R-RPLND, the operative time ranged from 175 to 540 min and the major complication rate was 4.1%. For post-chemotherapy R-RPLND, the operative time ranged from 134 to 550 min and the major complication rate was 8.5%. The conversion rate to open surgery was 2.2% in primary R-RPLND and 9.0% in post-chemotherapy R-RPLND. In comparison with O-RPLND, R-RPLND was associated with a lower transfusion rate (14.5% vs 0.9%, P < 0.001) and a lower complication rate (18.5% vs 7.8%, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted RPLND has acceptable perioperative outcomes in both the primary and post-chemotherapy settings but a notable rate of conversion to open surgery in the post-chemotherapy setting. Compared with O-RPLND, R-RPLND is associated with a lower transfusion rate and fewer overall complications. Given the potential impact of selection bias, the optimal patient selection criteria for R-RPLND remain to be elucidated.

Imaging Techniques to Determine Degree of Sarcopenia and Systemic Inflammation in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide an up-to-date understanding regarding the literature on sarcopenia and inflammation as prognostic factors in the context of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). RECENT FINDINGS: Sarcopenia is increasingly recognized as a prognostic factor in RCC. Emerging literature suggests monitoring quantity of muscle on successive imaging and examining muscle density may be additionally informative. Inflammation has prognostic ability in RCC and is also considered a key contributor to development and progression of both RCC and sarcopenia. Recent studies suggest these two prognostic factors together may provide additional prognostic ability when used in combination. Ongoing developments include quality control regarding sarcopenia research and imaging, improving understanding of muscle loss mechanisms, and enhancing clinical incorporation of sarcopenia via improving imaging analysis practicality (i.e., artificial intelligence) and feasible biomarkers. Sarcopenia and systemic inflammation are complementary prognostic factors for adverse outcomes in patients with RCC. Further study on high-quality sarcopenia assessment standardization and expedited sarcopenia assessment is desired for eventual routine clinical incorporation of these prognostic factors.

Sarcopenia and systemic inflammation are associated with decreased survival after cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at assessing the associations of sarcopenia, muscle density, adiposity, and inflammation with overall survival (OS) after cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: In all, 158 patients undergoing CN from 2001 to 2014 had digitized preoperative imaging for tissue segmentation via Slice-O-Matic software (version 5.0) at the mid-L3 level. The skeletal muscle index was calculated with the skeletal muscle area (cm2 ) normalized for height (m2 ), and the skeletal muscle density (SMD) was calculated with average Hounsfield units. Adiposity was measured with the cross-sectional area (cm2 ) of visceral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular adiposity compartments and was similarly normalized for height. The average fat density was obtained in Hounsfield units. OS was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Associations between body composition, inflammation metrics, and relevant clinicopathology and OS were assessed with univariable and multivariate Cox analyses. RESULTS: Seventy-six of the 158 patients (48%) were sarcopenic. Sarcopenia was associated with elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios (NLRs; P = .02), increased age (P = .001), lower body mass indices (P = .009), greater modified Motzer scores (P = .019), and lower SMD (P = .006). The median OS was 15.0 and 29.4 months for sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic patients, respectively (P = .04). Elevated inflammation (NLR or C-reactive protein), in addition to sarcopenia, was independently associated with OS, with an elevated NLR ≥ 3.5 and sarcopenia associated with the poorest OS at 10.2 months. No associations were observed between measurements of muscle density or adiposity and OS. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia and measures of high systemic inflammation are additively associated with inferior OS after CN and may be of use in preoperative risk stratification. LAY SUMMARY: Body composition and sarcopenia (a deficiency in skeletal musculature) have been shown to affect outcomes in cancer. We found that sarcopenic patients had poor survival in comparison with nonsarcopenic patients in the setting of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Patients with both elevated inflammation and sarcopenia had the poorest survival. Sarcopenia is an objective measure of nutrition that can assist in therapeutic counseling and decision-making for individualized treatment in mRCC.

A Decade of Robotic-Assisted Radical Nephrectomy with Inferior Vena Cava Thrombectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes.

PURPOSE: Open radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy (O-CT) is standard management for renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombus. First reported a decade ago, robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy (R-CT) is a minimally invasive option for this disease. We aimed to perform a systematic review to assess the safety and feasibility of R-CT in terms of perioperative outcomes and compare the outcomes between R-CT and O-CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed®, Scopus®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of ScienceTM databases were searched using the free-text and MeSH terms "renal cell carcinoma," "inferior vena cava," "thrombosis" or "thrombus," "robot" and "thrombectomy." Studies reporting perioperative outcomes of R-CT and studies comparing R-CT with O-CT were included. The review was done in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. RESULTS: The search retrieved 28 articles describing R-CT, including 7 comparative studies. This systematic review included 1,375 patients, out of which 329 patients were in single-arm studies and 1,046 patients were in comparative studies. Of the 329 patients who underwent R-CT, 14.7% were level I, 60.9% level II, 20.4% level III and 2.5% level IV thrombus. Operative time ranged from 150 to 530 minutes; blood transfusion was administered in 38.2% (126). The overall complication rate was 30.3% (99). R-CT, in comparison to O-CT, was associated with a lower blood transfusion rate (18.4% vs 64.3%, p=0.002) and a lower complication rate (14.5% vs 36.7%, p=0.005). Major complication and 30-day mortality rates were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: R-CT has acceptable perioperative outcomes in carefully selected patients. Compared with O-CT, R-CT is associated with a lower blood transfusion rate and fewer overall complications. In experienced hands with carefully selected patients, R-CT is feasible and safe, with acceptable outcomes; however, selection bias limits definitive inference of these results, and optimal patient selection criteria remain to be described.

Role of cytoreductive surgery in the era of immunotherapy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The benefit of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) was first called into question in the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) era. It remains undefined in the context of the recent development and approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and level one evidence supporting the rapid adoption of dual ICI and combination ICI + TKI therapeutic approaches for mRCC. Our objective is to synthesize the available contemporary data regarding the safety, feasibility, and oncologic outcomes with CN for mRCC in the age of immunotherapy as well as to highlight trials in progress that will address this key knowledge gap. RECENT FINDINGS: Data from the SURTIME and CARMENA trials provided insight to guide patient selection for CN in patients with mRCC receiving TKI-based treatment strategies. At present, there is a body of retrospective data supporting the safety and oncologic efficacy of CN in carefully selected patients with mRCC in both the upfront and delayed setting. The results of ongoing trials evaluating the safety and feasibility for CN as well as optimal patient selection and sequencing strategies are eagerly awaited. SUMMARY: Although the optimal selection criteria and timing for CN remains to be established for patients with mRCC in the immunotherapy era, the available body of evidence underscores the importance of careful patient selection. Ongoing prospective studies, such as Cyto-KIK , PROBE , and NORDIC-SUN , will better define the role of CN in the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for mRCC.

Sarcopenia and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score predict postsurgical outcomes in localized renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Body composition and inflammation are gaining importance for prognostication in cancer. This study investigated the individual and combined utility of the preoperative skeletal muscle index (SMI) and the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) for estimating postoperative outcomes in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) undergoing nephrectomy. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of 352 patients with localized RCC. SMI was measured via computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Patients met the criteria for sarcopenia by body mass index- and sex-stratified thresholds. Multivariable and Kaplan-Meier analyses of associations of sarcopenia and mGPS with overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were performed. Variables were analyzed independently and combined into risk groups: low risk (nonsarcopenic, low mGPS), medium risk (sarcopenia only), medium risk (inflammation only), and high risk (sarcopenic, high mGPS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze risk groups in comparison with the Stage, Size, Grade, and Necrosis (SSIGN) score and the modified International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) score. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were at stage pT3 (63%), 39.5% of the patients were sarcopenic, and 19.3% had an elevated mGPS at the baseline. The median follow-up time was 30.4 months. Sarcopenia and mGPS were independently associated with worse OS (hazard ratio for sarcopenia, 1.64; P = .006; hazard ratio for mGPS, 1.72; P = .012), CSS, and RFS. Risk groups had an increasing association with worse RFS (P = .015) and CSS (P = .004) but not OS (P = .087). ROC analyses demonstrated a higher area under the curve for risk groups in comparison with the SSIGN and IMDC scores at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia and an elevated mGPS were associated with worse clinical outcomes in this study of patients with localized RCC. This has implications for preoperative prognostication and treatment decision-making. LAY SUMMARY: Kidney cancer is a disease with a wide variety of outcomes. Among patients undergoing surgical removal of the kidney for cancer that has not spread beyond the kidney, many are cured, but some experience recurrence. Physicians are seeking ways to better predict who is at risk for recurrence or death from kidney cancer. This study has evaluated body composition and markers of inflammation before surgery to predict the risk of recurrence or death after surgery. Specifically, low muscle mass and an elevated inflammation score (the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score) have been associated with an increased likelihood of recurrence of kidney cancer and death.

Efficacy of Upfront Docetaxel With Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Castration-Sensitive Metastatic Prostate Cancer Among Minority Patients.

BACKGROUND: Upfront docetaxel (UD) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been demonstrated to improve survival outcomes in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). However, existing studies have included predominantly Caucasian patients. STUDY QUESTION: To compare the efficacy of addition of UD to ADT in mCSPC to ADT alone among minority patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of mCSPC patients. MEASURES AND OUTCOMES: Patients treated with UD and ADT between January 2014 and December 2017 (UD + ADT, n = 44) were compared with those treated with ADT alone between January 2008 and January 2017 (ADT, n = 38); patients of Caucasian ethnicity were excluded. The outcome of interest was progression-free survival (PFS), which was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 63 (76.8%) patients were African American and 16 (19.5%) were Hispanic. Fifty-five (67%) patients had high-volume mCSPC. The median follow-up was 14 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 10.4-16.5] for UD + ADT and 42 months (95% CI: 17-66.9) for ADT. Median PFS did not differ between groups: UD + ADT: 16 versus ADT: 18 months [hazard ratio (HR) for UD + ADT = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.48-1.62; P = 0.70]. In patients with high-volume disease, median PFS remained similar (UD + ADT: 16 vs. ADT: 14 months (HR for UD + ADT = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.33-1.25; P = 0.19). On multivariable analysis, prolonged time to nadir PSA, HR = 0.83 (95% CI: 0.76-0.90), was independently associated with PFS. The most common toxicities in UD + ADT were anemia and fatigue. Major limitations include small sample size and potential for selection bias due to the retrospective study design. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective review of a minority mCSPC cohort, UD + ADT was not associated with improved PFS compared with ADT alone. Although further study with larger sample size is needed, these results underscore the importance of ensuring accrual of minorities in clinical trials, reflective of the real-world setting.

Personalized Risks of Over Diagnosis for Screen Detected Prostate Cancer Incorporating Patient Comorbidities: Estimation and Communication.

PURPOSE: Shared patient-physician decision making regarding the treatment of prostate cancer detected by prostate specific antigen screening involves a complex calculus weighing cancer risk and patient life expectancy. We sought to quantify these competing risks using the probability that the cancer was over diagnosed, ie would not have been clinically diagnosed (diagnosed without screening) during the remaining lifetime of the patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using an established model of prostate cancer screening and clinical diagnosis we simulated screen detected cases and determined whether a modeled clinical diagnosis would occur before noncancer death. Time of noncancer death was based on comorbidity adjusted population lifetables. Logistic regression models were fitted to the simulated data and used to estimate over diagnosis probabilities given patient age, prostate specific antigen level, Gleason sum and comorbidity category. An online calculator was developed to communicate over diagnosis estimates. Face validity and ease of use were assessed by surveying 32 clinical experts. RESULTS: Estimated probabilities of over diagnosis ranged from 4% to 78% across clinicopathological variables and comorbidity status. When ignoring comorbidity, the estimated probability of over diagnosis in a 70-year-old man with prostate specific antigen 9.4 ng/ml and Gleason 6 was 34%. With severe comorbidities the estimate increased to 51%. Such a personalization may help inform the choice between active surveillance and definitive treatment. Based on responses from 20 of 32 experts we modified the explanation of over diagnosis for the online calculator and the input method for comorbid conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The probability of over diagnosis is strongly influenced by comorbidity status in addition to age. Personalized estimates incorporating comorbidity may contribute to shared decision making between patients and providers regarding personalized treatment selection.

Role of metastasis-directed treatment in kidney cancer.

Despite the rapid elaboration of multiple, novel systemic agents introduced for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in recent years, a durable complete response remains elusive with systemic therapy alone. Definitive treatment of the metastatic deposit remains the sole potentially curative option and is a cornerstone of mRCC therapy, offering potential for both local control and palliation of tumor-related symptoms. In this review, the evidence supporting the definitive treatment of mRCC is examined and summarized, including the use of surgical metastasectomy, thermal ablation, radiotherapy, and other minimally invasive options. Multimodal approaches, including the combination of metastasectomy with novel systemic agents, are discussed. Finally, the authors review considerations for patient selection for this type of therapy and summarize available risk-stratification tools that may help guide shared decision making.

Usefulness of Preoperative Ultrasound for the Evaluation of Testicular Rupture in the Setting of Scrotal Gunshot Wounds.

PURPOSE: A scrotal gunshot wound may result in testicular injury, necessitating urgent scrotal exploration and attempted testicular salvage. Scrotal ultrasound is highly sensitive and specific for testicular rupture in the setting of blunt scrotal trauma but it has been poorly studied in the setting of scrotal gunshot wounds. Our objective was to determine the accuracy of scrotal ultrasound to identify testicular rupture following a scrotal gunshot wound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with a scrotal gunshot wound from 2003 to 2014 in whom preoperative ultrasound was done prior to scrotal exploration. A heterogeneous echo pattern of testicular parenchyma with contour loss was considered a positive examination for testicular rupture. Patients underwent scrotal exploration within 24 hours of presentation. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were estimated and compared to operative findings. ROC curve analysis was done. RESULTS: Of 75 patients who sustained a scrotal gunshot wound ultrasound was positive in 30 and negative in 45. No ultrasound revealed bilateral injuries. Scrotal exploration demonstrated a total of 40 testicular ruptures in 35 patients, of which 30 testicles were salvaged. Ten orchiectomies were performed. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were 60% and 95%, respectively, with 16 missed injuries and 6 false-positive findings. Positive predictive value was 80% and negative predictive value was 87%. The ROC AUC was 0.79. In 6 of the 16 missed injuries there was an ipsilateral hematocele or hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of scrotal ultrasound is limited for evaluating testicular rupture after a scrotal gunshot wound. Large coincident hematoceles or hematomas may obscure the diagnosis of testicular rupture. Negative ultrasound should not preclude scrotal exploration after a scrotal gunshot wound is sustained.

T4 urothelial carcinoma in undiagnosed closed bladder exstrophy in a post-menopausal female.

It is rare to see an adult presenting with exstrophy of the bladder. Malignant conversion in exstrophy occurs in 4%, with adenocarcinoma as the most common histopathology. We report the first case of metastatic high grade urothelial carcinoma with squamous and sarcomatoid differentiation arising from undiagnosed, closed bladder exstrophy in a female at advanced age with associated bilateral deep vein thrombosis and clot retention. The patient developed clinical progression of disease despite neoadjuvant gemcitabine-cisplatin and salvage (or palliative) radiotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a primary urothelial malignancy in occult bladder exstrophy.

Renal fossa recurrence after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: prognostic features and oncological outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinicopathological features associated with increased risk of renal fossa recurrence (RFR) after radical nephrectomy (RN) and to describe the prognostic features associated with cancer-specific survival (CSS) among patients with RFR treated with primary locally directed therapy, systemically directed therapy or expectant management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 2 502 patients treated with RN for unilateral, sporadic, localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) between 1970 and 2006 were reviewed. CSS after RFR was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Associations with the development of RFR and CSS after RFR were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: A total of 33 (1.3%) patients developed isolated RFR (iRFR) and 30 (1.2%) patients developed RFR in the setting of synchronous metastases after RN (study cohort, N = 63). The median follow-up for the series was 9.0 years after RN and 6.0 years after RFR diagnosis. On multivariable analysis, advanced pathological stage (pT2: hazard ratio [HR] 4.36, P = 0.004; pT3/4: HR 4.39, P = 0.003) and coagulative necrosis (HR 2.71, P = 0.006) were independently associated with increased risk of iRFR. The median time to recurrence was 1.5 years after RN among the 33 patients with iRFR, and 1.4 years among all patients. Overall, the median CSS was 2.5 years after diagnosis of iRFR, 1.3 years after RFR in the setting of synchronous metastases, and 2.2 years overall. After primary locally directed therapy (surgery, ablation or radiation), systemic therapy or expectant management, the 3-year CSS rates among patients with iRFR were 63%, 50% and 13% (P = 0.001) and were 64%, 50% and 28% (P = 0.006) among all patients, respectively. On multivariable analysis, when compared with observation, locally directed therapies were associated with a significantly decreased risk of death from RCC (HR 0.26, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Renal fossa recurrence is a rare event after RN for RCC and portends a poor prognosis, even in the absence of synchronous metastases. Development of iRFR is associated with advanced stage and aggressive tumour biology. Patients who underwent primary locally directed therapy had superior CSS compared with those treated with expectant management, supporting the use of aggressive local treatment in carefully selected patients with RFR. Future research is needed to determine the optimum role and sequencing of combined therapy in patients with this rare entity.

Oncologic surveillance following radical cystectomy: an individualized risk-based approach.

PURPOSE: To provide an alternative surveillance approach for bladder cancer (BC) following radical cystectomy (RC) according to more accurate predictions of a patient's projected BC course. METHODS: We identified 1797 patients who underwent RC for M0 BC between 1980 and 2007. Patients were stratified by pathologic stage (pT0Nx-0, pTa/CIS/1Nx-0, pT2Nx-0, pT3/4Nx-0, and pTanyN+), relapse location (urethra, upper tract, abdomen/pelvis, chest, and other), age (≤60, 61-70, 71-80, >80 years) and Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI ≤2 and CCI ≥3). Risks of disease recurrence and non-BC death were modeled using Weibull distributions. Recommended surveillance durations were estimated when the risk of non-BC death exceeded the risk of recurrence. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 10.6 years (IQR 6.8,15.2), 713 patients developed recurrence. Vastly different recurrence patterns were appreciated. Specifically, among patients ≤60 years with pT2Nx-0, non-BC death risk exceeded the risk of recurrence in the abdomen at 7.5 years following surgery when CCI was ≥3, versus at year 10 after RC when CCI was ≤2. Meanwhile, for patients >80 years with pT2Nx-0, non-BC death risk exceeded the risk of abdominal recurrence at 1 year after RC, regardless of CCI. CONCLUSION: We present an alternative post-RC surveillance approach that incorporates a patient's changing risk profile with the influence of competing health factors. We believe this strategy provides more individualized recommendations than current guidelines, and may improve the benefit derived from surveillance while reducing resource misappropriation.