Prostatectomy pathology findings in an active surveillance population.

OBJECTIVES: The difficulty in predicting indolent prostate cancer leads to the use of different inclusion criteria in an active surveillance (AS) program. This chapter presents the pathology findings of radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients whose disease meet criteria for AS, as well as of those who are operated during AS. METHODS: Two independent Medline searches were conducted, both of them with a double objective: pathological findingsin radical prostatectomy specimens of patients who could have been included in AS and pathological features of patients operated after an AS period. The following terms were used for the research: "prostaticneoplasm", "radical prostatectomy" and "active surveillance": "radical prostatectomy", "after", "following" and "active surveillance". Pathological findings in radical prostatectomy specimens, down staging and downgrading rates were recorded. Active surveillance length and reason for surgery was included when it was available. RESULTS: Depending on different AS inclusion criteria, clinical downgrading rate (pathological Gleason > 6) varied between 12.1 and 61% and clinical downstaging between 0-26%. Pathological Gleason score =8 was reported in 0-7.8% and there were anecdotal findings of seminal vesicle invasion or positive nodes. Overall, unfavorable pathology (Gleason ≥ 7 or stage ≥ pT3)was detected in 13.1-42.4%, based on different definitions. The criteria at John Hopkins were the strictest and had the lowest clinical downgrading and downstaging. On the other hand, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center(MSKCC) criteria had the highest risk of unfavorable pathology but had the highest recruitment capacity. Indolent tumor was observed in 70-82.2% according to the current definition. The average duration in AS prior to surgery was 15-37 months. pT3 stage was seen in 7.7-36.7%, Gleason score 3+4 in 18.6-42.9%, Gleason score 4+3 in 1.4-31.8%, Gleason score >7 in 0-10.3%, positive margins in 3-40.9%. Seminal vesicle invasion rate was extremely low (0-2.9%) as well as positive nodes (0-4.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a low risk of clinical downstaging and downgrading between patients who have being included in AS, it remains feasible. The probability of predicting an indolent tumor depends greatly on the quality of the prostate biopsy and/or the confirmatory biopsy. On the other hand, most patients who progress in an AS program can have a high probability of cure. We are still in the early stages of AS management in order to be able to predict the biological behavior and the cure rate of radical prostatectomy in patients after a long AS period.

[Non-invasive diagnosis of prostate cancer: serum and urine markers]. / Diagnóstico no invasivo del cáncer de próstata; marcadores séricos y en orina.

The great number of biomarkers basic research is presenting in different clinical scenarios of prostate cancer demands the scientific community rigor in their molecular and clinical development for the selection of those which could supply diagnostic and prognostic information for the established nomograms of clinical-pathological factors. Prostate cancer, due to its prevalence and heterogeneity, needs a more directed diagnosis, characterization of malignant potential and monitoring of its multiple therapies. In this review article we try to go over the recent incorporation of new serum and urine markers in the clinical management of this tumor, emphasizing those with greater clinical development.

A single-center comparison of our initial experiences in treating penile and urethral cancer with video-endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) and later experiences in melanoma cases.

Background: Video-endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) is a minimally invasive approach that is increasingly indicated in oncological settings, with mounting evidence for its long-term oncological safety. Objectives: To present our single-center experience of treating penile and urethral cancer with VEIL, as well as its more recent application in melanoma patients. Methods: We prospectively recorded our experiences with VEIL from September 2010 to July 2018, registering the patient primary indication, surgical details, complications, and follow-up. Results: Twenty-nine patients were operated in one (24) or both (5) groins; 18 had penile cancer, 1 had urethral cancer, and 10 had melanoma. A mean 8.62 ± 4.45 lymph nodes were removed using VEIL and of these, an average of 1.00 ± 2.87 were metastatic; 16 patients developed lymphocele and 10 presented some degree of lymphedema; there were no skin or other major complications. The median follow-up was 19.35 months; there were 3 penile cancer patient recurrences in the VEIL-operated side. None of the melanoma patients presented a lymphatic inguinal recurrence. Conclusions: VEIL is a minimally invasive technique which appears to be oncologically safe showing fewer complications than open surgery. However, complications such as lymphorrhea, lymphocele, or lymphedema were not diminished by using VEIL.

Does active surveillance avoid overtreatment in prostate cancer? Lessons learned from salvage radical prostatectomies.

OBJECTIVE: Determine whether our institution´s active surveillance (AS) protocol is a suitable strategy to minimise prostate cancer overtreatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 516 patients on AS after prostate cancer diagnosis. Population divided into "per-protocol" vs "induced" AS depending on fulfilment of protocol´s inclusion criteria. Radical prostatectomies after AS were selected and stratified based on: reclassification, progression or patient anxiety. Clinicopathological features and biochemical relapse-free survival were studied. Primary endpoint was overtreatment ratio based on the presence of insignificant prostate cancer and adverse pathological features in the surgical specimen. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the biochemical relapse-free survival and compared with log-rank test. RESULTS: 304 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria; 100 proceeded to radical prostatectomy (31% "induced", 69% "per-protocol" AS). Surgery indications were reclassification, progression and anxiety in 66%, 18% and 16% of patients respectively. Rate of positive lymph nodes was higher in the progression group (11%) compared to reclassification and anxiety (5% and 0% respectively, P = .002). Positive surgical margins were more frequently reported in the progression cohort compared to reclassification (28% vs 20%). Median follow-up from diagnosis until last radical prostatectomy was 48.3 months (32.4-70). 3 year biochemical relapse-free survival in the salvage radical prostatectomy was 85.4% (95 CI 78.3-93.2). Insignificant cancer was noticed in 7% of patients (Epstein´s vs 24% Wolters´ criteria). Rate of patients with adverse pathological features was 36%. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients who underwent salvage surgery after AS were not overtreated. Radical prostatectomy should be considered a safe rescue treatment.

Undetectable PSA after radical prostatectomy is more likely in low burden N+ prostate cancer patients when an extended lymph node dissection is performed. / Frecuencia de PSA indetectable en pacientes con cáncer de próstata N+ baja carga tras prostatectomía radical y linfadenectomía ampliada.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the likelihood of undetectable PSA (< 0.01 ng/mL) after extended (ePLND) versus standard pelvic lymph-nodes dissection (sPLND) in pN+ patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional prospectively maintained Prostate Cancer Database was queried for patients who underwent radical prostatectomy with PLND and were found with 3or less lymph-nodal metastases between 2007 and 2017. The extension of the PLND was defined according to the number of lymph-nodes (LN) removed. Patients in the 75th or higher percentile of lymph-nodes removed were considered as the ePLND group; patients in the 25th or lower percentile in the sPLND group. Groups were compared in clinical and pathological variables. Student T-test was used for comparing continuous variables; chi-square test was used for categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the probability of undetectable PSA at 3rd month postoperatively. Kaplan-Meier method estimated the probability of biochemical recurrence. Differences between the groups were compared by Log-rank test. RESULTS: 1478 patients were treated within the time span considered. 95 with 1 to 3 lymph-nodal metastases were extracted. After accounting for inclusion criteria, 23 patients with a median of 11 LN removed were included in the sPLND group (25th percentile); 23 patients with > 27 LN were included in ePLND group (75th percentile). Surgical time was longer for ePLND. Sixteen patients (69.6%) who underwent ePLND had undetectable PSA postoperatively. At multivariable analysis, the probability of undetectable PSA at 3rd month was higher in patients who received an ePLND (HR=5.18; IC 95%=1.16-23.11; P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: ePLND is more likely to predict undetectable PSA at third month after radical prostatectomy, irrespective of disease characteristics.

Long-term oncological results of treatment for high-risk prostate cancer using radical prostatectomy in a cancer hospital. / Resultados oncológicos a largo plazo del tratamiento cáncer de próstata de alto riesgo mediante prostatectomía radical en un hospital oncológico.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the most relevant oncologic results of treatment using radical prostatectomy (RP) for high-risk prostate cancer (HRPC) in a specialist cancer hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study of RP was conducted at our centre from 1986 to 2017 on HRPC whose primary objective was to determine overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). The study's secondary objectives were to determine biochemical progression-free survival (BPFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), rescue therapy-free survival (RTFS), hormone therapy-free survival (HTFS) and the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer. We performed a Cox regression analysis to establish predictive models and to better understand the weight of each variable that defines high risk. RESULTS: A total of 2093 RPs were performed, 480 (22.9%) of which were for HRPC. The median follow-up for the overall series was 79.57 months (P25-75 37.92-135.16). Lymphadenectomy was not performed in 6.5% of the cases. The lymphadenectomy was of the obturator type in 51.2% of the cases and extended in 42.3%. Overall survival at 5, 10 and 15 years was 89.8% (95% CI 86.7-92.9%), 73.3% (95% CI 68-78.6%) and 51.4% (95% CI 43.8-59%), respectively. CSS at 5, 10 and 15 years was 94.8% (95% CI 92.4-97.2%), 84.0% (95% CI 79.3-88.7%) and 75.5% (95% CI 68.8-82.2%), respectively. MFS at 5, 10 and 15 years was 87.4% (95% CI 84.1-90.7%), 72.2% (95% CI 66.7-77.7%) and 61.7% (95% CI 54.3-69.1%), respectively. A total of 120 patients of 477 analysed (25.1%) required rescue radiation therapy, and 293/477 never required hormone therapy (61.4%). Of the 93 pN1 patients, 33 (35.5%) did not require hormone therapy. The time from RP to biochemical progression was the variable with the greatest prognostic weight for MFS, CSS and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: RP plus extended lymphadenectomy should be the first therapeutic manoeuvre when feasible within a multimodal strategy. A longer follow-up of the series is needed to validate the hypothesis of better oncologic results based on the earlier implementation of rescue radiation therapy, extended lymphadenectomy and drugs that prolong survival in the CRPC phase.

PCA3 as a second-line biomarker in a prospective controlled randomized opportunistic prostate cancer screening programme. / PCA3 como biomarcador de segunda línea en un programa de screening oportunista prospectivo, aleatorizado y controlado.

OBJECTIVES: PCA3 performance as a single second line biomarker is compared to the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer risk calculator model 3 (ERSPC RC-3) in an opportunistic screening in prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5,199 men, aged 40-75y, underwent prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and digital rectal examination (DRE). Men with a normal DRE and PSA ≥3ng/ml had a PCA3 test done. All men with PCA3 ≥35 underwent an initial biopsy (IBx) -12 cores-. Men with PCA3 <35 were randomized 1:1 to either IBx or observation. We compared them to those obtained with ERSPC RC-3. RESULTS: PCA3 test was performed on 838 men (16.1%). In PCA3(+) and PCA3(-) groups, global PCa detection rates were 40.9% and 14.7% with a median follow-up (FU) of 21.7 months (P<.001). In the PCA3(+) arm (n=301, 35.9%), PCa was identified in 115 men at IBx (38.2%). In the randomized arm, 256 underwent IBx and PCa was found in 46 (18.0%) (P<.001). The biopsy-sparing potential would have been 64.1% as opposed to 76.6% if we had used ERSPC RC-3. However, the estimated false negative cases for HGPCa would have been reduced by 37.1% (89 to 56 patients). Moreover, if we had applied PCA3-35 to avoid IBx, 14.7% PCa and 9.1% of clinical significant PCa patients would not have been diagnosed during this FU. CONCLUSIONS: When PCA3-35 is used as a second-line biomarker when PSA ≥3ng/ml and DRE is normal, IBx could be avoided in 12.5% less than if ERSPC RC-3 is used and would reduce the false negative cases by 36.2%. At a FU of 21.7 months, this dual protocol would miss 9.1% of clinically significant PCa, so strict FU is mandatory with established biopsy criteria based on PSA and DRE in cases with PCA3 <35.

Association between late-onset hypogonadism syndrome plus metabolic syndrome and prostate cancer and its aggressiveness. / Asociación del síndrome de hipogonadismo tardío y síndrome metabólico con el cáncer de próstata y su agresividad.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between prostate cancer (PC) and the presence of metabolic syndrome and late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted on 686 patients who underwent prostate biopsy. We analysed the demographic variables, clinical data and biopsy results. To diagnose metabolic syndrome, we employed the criteria of the American Heart Association. For the diagnosis of LOH syndrome, we employed the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male questionnaire and testosterone levels (TT). We evaluated the relationship between free testosterone (FT) and bioavailable testosterone (BT) on one hand and PC and its aggressiveness on the other, as well as the usefulness of the TT to prostate specific antigen (TT/PSA) ratio in the PC diagnosis. RESULTS: The patient's median age was 65 years. Metabolic syndrome is not associated with PC (39.4% vs. 35%; P=.1) but is associated with a PC Gleason score >7 (50.4% vs. 29.44%; P=.002). LOH, low FT and low BT are associated with an increased presence of PC (51% vs. 35%, P=.02; 44.86% vs. 33.33%, P=.03; and 46.46% vs. 33.08%, P=.01, respectively) and with an increased probability of a PC Gleason score >7 (61.54% vs. 37.5%, P=.02; 54.17% vs. 34.12%, P=.02; 54.35% vs. 34.48%, P=.02, respectively). Additionally, the median TT/PSA ratio was significantly lower in patients with positive biopsies (P=.022). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome was not associated with the probability of having PC but was associated with a PC Gleason score >7. Moreover, LOH syndrome had a higher percentage of PC and a greater presence of PC Gleason scores >7, as did low levels of FT and low levels of BT.

Assessment and clinical factors associated with pain in patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the degree of pain experienced by patients who undergo ultrasound-guided transrectal prostate biopsy in standard clinical practice and assess the clinical factors associated with increased pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of a multicenter series of patients with prostate biopsy according to standard clinical practice. The biopsy was performed transrectally with a protocol of local anesthesia on the posterolateral nerve bundle. The pain was assessed at 20minutes into the procedure using the visual analog scale (0-10). The degree of pain was analyzed, and the association was studied using a univariate/multivariate analysis of selected clinical variables and the degree of pain. RESULTS: A total of 1188 patients with a median age of 64 years were analyzed. Thirty percent of the biopsies were diagnosed with a tumor. The median pain score was 2, with 65% of the patients reporting a pain score ≤2. The multivariate analysis showed that the prostate volume (RR, 1.34; 95% CI 1.01-1.77; P=.04), having a previous biopsy (RR, 2.25; 95% CI 1.44-3.52; P<.01), age (RR, .63; 95% CI .47-.85; P<.01) and feel palpation (RR, 1.95; 95% CI 1.28-2.96; P<.01) were factors independently associated with greater pain during the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal biopsy with local anesthesia is a relatively painless technique. Factors such as age, a previous biopsy, pain on being touched and prostate volume were associated with the presence of greater pain during the procedure.

Urinary tract symptoms and erectile function in patients at risk of prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: We estimate that more tan 63000 prostate biopsies are performed in our country each year. There are no functional status data of those patients and if there is a relationship between biopsy result and functional status. In order to solve that question we have performed this study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 1,128 prostate biopsies were included. Patients fill in the IPSS, IIEF-5 and ICIQ-SF questionnaires before the prostate biopsy was performed. A prospective data collection of clinical, pathological and questionnaires results was done. A descriptive analysis was carried out. IPSS and IIEF-5 results were categorized. Results were compared depending on the biopsy result. In the subgroup of patients with prostate cancer, questionnaires results were stratify according to the clinical risk group. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 65. Prostate cancer detection rate was 32,71%, 52,2% of the sample had mild lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and 13,4% had severe LUTS at the time of the biopsy. Regarding the impact of LUTS on quality of life (QOL), only 12,6% showed a perfect QOL. More than 50 percent of patients suffered from some degree of erectile dysfunction at the time of the biopsy. According to ICIQ-SF, 24% of the sample experienced some kind of urinary incontinence, although it is true that most of them classified it as small amount. Patients with a positive biopsy had a lower IPSS and IIEF-5 average score. There were no differences in the prostate cancer detection rate stratified by the severity of LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing prostate biopsy have, with a high probability, LUTS. Approximately 50% suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction and 24% had some kind of urinary leakage.

[Primary retroperitoneal tumors: our caseload]. / Tumores retroperitoneales primarios: nuestra casuistica.

Primary retroperitoneal tumors are a very uncommon group of neoplasias in urology. Sixty-four primary retroperitoneal tumors admitted and treated in our hospital from january 1974 to october 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical presentation, diagnostic, treatment and evolution are analyzed. Five cases were benign (7.8%) and the remains malign (92.2%). Mesodermic tumors were the most frequent. Surgery was performed in 59 patients (92.2%). Radical resection was possible in 100% of benign tumors and 44.5% of malignant tumors. Palliative radiotherapy was performed as the only treatment in 3 patients. Two patients received only symptomatic treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy (32 patients, 50%) and radiotherapy (19 patients, 29.6%) completed the treatment. Benign tumors 5-year global survival was 100%, malignant tumors 1-year survival was 47.4%, 3-year survival 15.2% and 5-year survival 10.1%. Mean survival was 20.15 months. As it's frequent to find an advanced neoplasm at the diagnostic, surgery must be planned with radical intention. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy could be useful in the therapeutic strategy of these tumors with poor prognosis.

Radical prostatectomy is a reasonable treatment for patients over 70 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the tumor nature and oncological course of patients operated on by radical prostatectomy in three age groups. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From the prospective completion of the data base of our department, we analyzed 1012 patients operated on between 1986 and December 2009. Patients with neo- or adjuvant treatment and those with pre-operative PSA over 50 were excluded. The sample was divided into three groups: younger than 60, 60 to 69 and over 70. The clinical, pathological variables, biochemical course and need for rescue treatment were analyzed. We consider biochemical relapse as when the PSA values reached values greater than 0.4 in two consecutive measurements. Rescue was defined as the need for hormone treatment or radiotherapy. We then made a comparative study, a univariate survival analysis by Kaplan and Meyer Curves and multivariate by Cox's regression. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 55.1 months. Of the 1012 patients included in the study, 317 patients (31.3%) had biochemical progression and 259 (25.6%) required rescue treatment. We observed that the groups with the older age had a significantly higher PSA and higher stages than the rest. No differences were observed in the Gleason score of the surgical specimen or in the state of the surgical margins. Biochemical relapse free survival at 5 years was 72.3% (CI 66.4-78.2) in patients under 60 years, 65.3% (CI 60.6-70.0) for patients under 70 and 62.2% (CI 53.2-71.1) for patients of 70 years or older; P<.05. In the univariate study, age was a factor that was significantly associated to biochemical relapse. However, it loses interest in the multivariate study and PSA, pathological state and Gleason score regain interest. Rescue treatment free survival did not differ by age groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, worse biochemical evolution of patients over 70 was observed. However, this worse biochemical course was conditioned by clinically more aggressive tumors that, in our opinion, justifies the decision made in regards to the surgical approach taken with these patients.

Optimizing prostate cancer screening; prospective randomized controlled study of the role of PSA and PCA3 testing in a sequential manner in an opportunistic screening program.

OBJECTIVES: To reduce unnecessary biopsies (Bx) in an opportunistic screening programme of prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We perform a prospective evaluation of PCA3 as a second line biomarker in an opportunistic screening for prostate cancer (PCa). From September-2010 until September-2012, 2,366 men, aged 40-74 years and with >10 years life expectancy, were initially screened with PSA/digital rectal examination (DRE). Men with previous Bx or with recent urine infections were excluded. Men with abnormal DRE and/or PSA >3 ng/ml were submitted for PCA3. All men with PCA3 ≥ 35 underwent an initial biopsy (IBx) -12cores-. Men with PCA3 < 35 were randomized 1:1 to either IBx or observation. Re-biopsy(16-18 cores) criteria were PSA increase >.5 ng/ml at 4-6 months or PSAv > .75 ng/ml/year. RESULTS: With median follow-up (FU) of 10.1 months, PCA3 was performed in 321/2366 men (13.57%), 289 at first visit and 32 during FU. All 110 PCA3+ men (34.3%) were biopsied and PCa was identified in 43 men in IBx (39.1%). In the randomized arm, 110 were observed and 101 underwent biopsy, finding 12 PCa (11.9%), showing a statistically significant reduction of PCa detection rate in this cohort (P<.001). Global PCa detection rates were 40.9% and 9.5% for the PCA3+ and PCA3- branches, respectively (P<.001). Area under the curve for PSA and PCA3 were .601 and .74, respectively. This is an ongoing prospective study limited by its short follow-up period and still limited enrolment. CONCLUSIONS: PCA3 as a second line biomarker within an opportunistic dual screening protocol, can potentially avoid 65.7% and 50.1% biopsies at first round and at median FU of 10.1 months, respectively, just missing around 3.2% of high grade PCa.

Obligatory information that a patient diagnosed of prostate cancer and candidate for an active surveillance protocol must know.

OBJECTIVES: To know the necessary information to reproduce the results found in the literature on active surveillance (AS) in prostate cancer (PCa) in our own center so that the information would be objective and correctly given to the patients. We have aimed to study the percentage of candidates for AS chosen in our setting, and the data on infrastaging, subgrading and prediction of insignificant PCa, debugging the predictive value of clinical variables to improve our selection criteria and finally to analyze the results of our patients enrolled in AS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retro- and prospective review of our data bases was performed. A one-year period was analyzed to know AS candidates. Analysis of our radical prostatectomy specimens for infrastaging, subgrading and prediction of insignificant PCa (Epstein's criteria) was made as well as a uni/multivariate analysis of clinical variables in patients with insignificant PCa in the specimen. A prospective validation was performed with overall survival and survival free of active treatment (SFAT) as endpoints in patients enrolled in AS. RESULTS: Between October-2010/October-2011, 44.7% of our PCa were candidates for AS, but only 11.2% choose it. The percentages found for infrastaging, subgrading and prediction of insignificant PCa were 14%, 31.4% and 55.7%, respectively. However, only just 6 patients (6.97%) had≥pT3a+Gleason≥7+volume>0.5cc PCa. The multivariate analysis showed that PSA density and number of affected cores were independent predictors of insignificant PCa. With a mean follow-up of 36±39months, 63 out of 232 patients enrolled in AS went on to active treatment (27.1%), with only 13 due to anxiety without pathologic progression. Median time of SFAT was 72.7 months (CI 95% 30.9-114.4). SFAT at 24 months was 76.4% (69.7-83.1%) and at 48 months 58.1% (48.8-67.4%). Only 10 patients died (4.3%), 9 due to causes different of PCa. Estimated overall survival at 5 years was 92.8% (CI 95% 86.7-98.9%). CONCLUSIONS: It should be mandatory to have the exact knowledge of the local data of each Center in order to objectively inform patients about prostate biopsy efficiency, and if percentages of infrastaging, subgrading and prediction of insignificant PCa are in accordance with the literature. At 3 years, we reproduced the results of the longest series of AS, so we have ascertained that our AS protocol can be implemented with increasingly more patients.

Margin status is a very important prognostic factor for patients with pT3b prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Despite early diagnosis of prostate cancer, seminal vesicle invasion is still a common clinical scenario nowadays. The objective of this study is to evaluate clinical and pathological prognostic factors in that subgroup of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After approval of our Ethical Committee, we selected all pT3b prostate cancer patients operated between 1987 and 2010. Neoadjuvant treatment patients were excluded. The biochemical free survival periods BFS and the period free of complementary treatment were calculated with the Kaplan Meier method. Cox regression model was used to select those variables associated with biochemical failure and the need for complementary treatment. We considered complementary treatment when radiotherapy or hormone therapy in an adjuvant or salvage scheme was required. RESULTS: 101 patients were selected from 1470 procedures. Among these, 28 patients died (27,7%), 18 due to tumor, and 74 showed biochemical relapse (73,3%). The median follow up was of 4 years and 4 months. The five years BFS was 30.2% (IC 95%: 20.2-40.1), whereas the 5 year period free of complementary treatment was 16.9% (IC 95%: 8.1-25.8%). In the multivariate analysis, margin status (R) was independently and significantly associated with biochemical relapse and the need for complementary treatment. Likewise, the preoperative PSA was associated to biochemical relapse and N1 tumours were clearly associated to complementary treatment. CONCLUSION: pT3b prostate cancer patients with R1 disease have a worse biochemical prognosis and higher probability of complementary treatment.

[Computer-aided analysis of transrectal ultrasound images of the prostate]. / Análisis de imagen asistido por ordenador en ecografía transrectal de próstata.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy. Nevertheless, suspicious images are frequently not found. Imaging analysis studies aim to identify ultrasound patterns characteristic of apparently hidden conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We digitally recorded 288 TRUS ultrasound guided transrectal biopsies and extracted 3 static images from the puncture-biopsy area. The extraction of the texture characteristics were obtained by "simple mapping" on a gray scale and spatial gray level dependence matrices (SGLDM), also known as Haralick's co-occurrence matrices, which study the relationship of each pixel and its neighbors. A pattern recognition software system was developed with two different classification methods: nearest neighbor (k-NN) and Markov's hidden models. Finally, a virtual experiment was carried out in which four urologists compared their diagnostic accuracy for prostate cancer with our system in 408 TRUS images, not in real time. RESULTS: The diagnostic capacity (R.O.C. curve) with the simple gray map study was 59.7% with nearest-neighbor classification and 61.6% with Markov's hidden models classification. The co-occurrence matrices showed an area under R.O.C. curve of 60.1% and 60.0% with k-NN and Markov's hidden models classification, respectively. The virtual experiment was conducted with a simple gray map study and k-NN classification. The images processed by our system showed the following diagnostic accuracy: 63.3, 67, 64.3 and 63.7% compared to 61.7, 60.5, 66.2 and 60.7% with the original image. CONCLUSIONS: Our pattern recognition system for prostate cancer TRUS images has a limited, yet stable, accuracy.

[Reconstruction of the glans with free-skin graft applying the Bracka technique]. / Reconstrucción del glande con injerto cutáneo libre según técnica de Bracka.

INTRODUCTION: We analyse our experience in the conservative surgical management of penile cancer and/or penile skin pathologies at our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have retrospectively reviewed all the skin grafting procedures performed in penile surgery in the last eight years. We show the indications and results of these surgical procedures and the detailed surgical technique originally described by Bracka. RESULTS: Ten patients had several types of partial penile removal surgery followed by free-skin graft resurfacing, creating a neoglans. There were no relevant or major complications; two patients suffered partial necrosis of the skin graft. There was no local recurrence. 6 Patients returned to normal sexual activity after complete healing. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant number of patients with penile cancer and/or other penile skin pathologies who can undergo definitive and non-mutilating surgery with excellent oncologic, cosmetic and functional results with skin grafting.

[Outcomes of expanded use of PCA3 testing in a Spanish population with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer]. / Resultados del uso expandido del PCA3 score en una población española con sospecha de cáncer de próstata.

OBJECTIVES: DD3(PCA3) (PCA3) gene expression is prostate cancer-specific. Routine use of this biomarker has resulted in a 35-67% reduction in the number of required biopsies. The aim of this study is to evaluate our outcomes in its routine use and to establish in which group of patients this is the most efficient, depending on the number of previous PCA3 biopsies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 474 consecutive patients who had previously undergone a biopsy (group A, n=337) or not (group B, n=134) for whom a PCA3 was requested were analyzed. We subdivided group A into A(1) (a previous biopsy, n=182) and A(2) (<1 previous biopsy, n=155). The recommendation of whether to perform a biopsy or not was made independently by each of the 11 clinicians and guided by prostatic specific antigen (PSA) levels and digital rectal examination. RESULTS: Median age was 65 years (range 38 to 84). PCA3 score had an informative ratio of 99.6%, with a median of 29 (range 1-3245). The percentage of biopsy sparing was 49% of the cases. ROC analysis demonstrated an AUC for PSA and PCA3 of 0.532 (P=.417) and 0.672 (P<.0001), respectively. Sensitivities of PSA≥ 4 and PCA3≥ 35 were 87% vs. 85%, with specificities of 12% vs. 33%, PPV 34% vs. 39% and NPV 63% vs. 81%, respectively. The PCA3 score showed direct correlation with the percentage of positive biopsies (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of PCA3, due to its high NPV, results in a significant reduction in the number of biopsies. PCA3 appears to be more efficient in biopsy-naive patients. Among patients already biopsied, the results are superior in those biopsied only once.

[Immunohistochemical expression of microvascular density and carbonic anhidrase IX in renal carcinoma. Relation to histological type and tumoral progression]. / Expresión inmunohistoquímica de la densidad microvascular y de la anhidrasa carbónica IX en carcinoma renal. Relación con el tipo histológico y con la progresión tumoral.

PURPOSE: to correlate the immunohistochemical expression of microvascular density (MVD) and the carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) with the different histological subtypes of renal carcinoma and its progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we studied 93 patients with renal cell carcinoma operated between 1990 and 2008. Antibodies employed for immunohistochemistry (IHC); CD31 (1: 40, Dako) and CD34 (1: 50, Dako) for MVD and CAIX (1: 100, Santa Cruz). CAIX was validated semiquantitatively as: strongly positive (>85%); weakly positive (10% -85%); and negative (< 10%), independently of the intensity of the stain. MVD was validated with both anti-CD31 and anti-CD34 by means of a whole section, to select the microscopic field (x100) with highest density of stained vessels, counting the number of vessels in a photographic field of 0.53 mm(2). Results are expressed as the maximal number of vessels by mm(2) of tumour tissue. RESULTS: median follow up was 40 months (1-160). We found no differences of expression with any of the 3 IHC markers between tumours that progressed (49) and tumours that did not progress (44). The IHC expression of CAIX was strongly related to MVD, measured for both CD31 and CD34 (p<0.0001). MVD with both antibodies was inversely related to tumour size and Fuhrman grade and was also stronger in clear cell carcinomas compared to the rest of histological subtypes, measured by CD31 (p = 0.001) and CD34 (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: neither MVD nor CAIX expressions were related to tumour progression, but were related to histological subtypes. This fact, added to their co-expression, could prompt the use of the CAIX expression, which is far more reproducible, as a quick and easy approximation to MVD. More research should be done to use it as marker for targeted therapy.

[Metastatic progression, cancer-specific mortality and need for secondary treatments in patients with clinically high-risk prostate cancer treated initially with radical prostatectomy]. / Progresión metastática, mortalidad cáncer específica y necesidad de tratamientos de segunda línea en pacientes con cáncer de próstata de alto riesgo tratados inicialmente mediante prostatectomía radical.

PURPOSE: To determine our results in high risk (HR) prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and to establish preoperative prognosis factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 925 RP. Mean follow-up for the HR group was 89.8+/-53.6 months. Following NCCN criteria, we operated 210 (22.7%) HR and 715 (77.3%) low/intermediate risk patients. End point was metastatic progression. Kaplan-Meier method for survival comparison among groups and Cox regression model for multivariate analysis of preoperative prognostic factors were used. RESULTS: Revised period; 1986-2007. Fifty-four patients (25.7%) were free of disease and 8 patients (3.8%) died for other causes free of disease. Disease progressed in 148 patients (70.5%); death due to tumour progression occurred in 42 cases (20%) and due to other causes in 25 patients (11.9%). Seventy-nine patients in HR group (38%) vs 549 low/intermediate risk group (78.5%) did not deserve further treatments (p<0.001). The uni and multivariate analysis for metastatic progression showed both Gleason score at biopsy (RR=1.922; 95% CI 1.106-3.341, p=0.020) and clinical stage (RR=2.290; 95% CI 1.269-4.133, p=0.006) showed independent prognostic value for metastatic progression, but not PSA. CONCLUSIONS: A HR patient can be cured in a third of the cases and will need multimodal treatments in more than half of the times. We prompt surgery in a young healthy patient with a resectable tumour, mainly if just one bad prognostic factor is present and defiantly if this is just PSA elevation.