Neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not increase peri-operative morbidity following radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is associated with a higher risk of post-operative complications following radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of patients undergoing RC for non-metastatic urothelial BCa at 13 tertiary care centres from 2007-2019. Patients who received NAC ('NAC + RC' group) were compared with those who underwent upfront RC ('RC alone' group) for intra-operative variables, incidence of post-operative complications as per the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) and rates of re-admission and re-intervention. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of CDC overall and CDC major (grade III-V) complications. We also analysed the trend of NAC utilization over the study period. RESULTS: Of the 3113 patients included, 968 (31.1%) received NAC while the remaining 2145 (68.9%) underwent upfront RC for BCa. There was no significant difference between the NAC + RC and RC alone groups with regards to 30-day CDC overall (53.2% vs 54.6%, p = 0.4) and CDC major (15.5% vs 16.5%, p = 0.6) complications. The two groups were comparable for the rate of surgical re-intervention (14.6% in each group) and re-hospitalization (19.6% in NAC + RC vs 17.9% in RC alone, p = 0.2%) at 90 days. On multivariable regression analysis, NAC use was not found to be a significant predictor of 90-day CDC overall (OR 1.02, CI 0.87-1.19, p = 0.7) and CDC major (OR 1.05, CI 0.87-1.26, p = 0.6) complications. We also observed that the rate of NAC utilization increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 11.1% in 2007 to 41.2% in 2019, reaching a maximum of 48.3% in 2018. CONCLUSION: This large multicentre analysis with a substantial rate of NAC utilization showed that NAC use does not lead to an increased risk of post-operative complications following RC for BCa. This calls for increasing NAC use to allow patients to avail of its proven oncologic benefit.

Accuracy of PET-choline in nodal staging of localized very high-risk prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Localized very high-risk prostate cancer (VHR PCa) has long suffered from the inex-istence of good lymph node staging methods other than invasive surgery, as computed tomogra-phy has low sensitivity for nodal disease. With the rising use of positron emission tomography (PET), it is clinically meaningful to know its value for these patients. Our goal was to evaluate the real-life diagnostic accuracy of PET Choline in nodal staging, comparing it with the gold standard of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed data from a high-volume center, including patients with VHR PCa according to current NCCN guidelines who underwent community 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT; followed by ro-botic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) and ePLND between 2010 and 2021. RESULTS: We included 44 patients and 88 lymph node regions. Among those, 14/44 (31.8%) patients and 20/88 (22.7%) regions had nodal disease present on definitive pathology. In comparison with ePLND, we found a sensitivity of 64.3% (95% CI, 39.2-89.4%), specificity of 83.3% (95% CI, 70.0- 96.7%), PPV of 64.3% (95% CI, 39.2-89.4%), and NPV of 83.3% (95% CI, 70.0-96.7%) for nodal disease on a patient-based analysis; and sensitivity of 35.0% (95% CI, 14.1-60.0%), specificity of 88.2% (95% CI, 80.6-95.9%), PPV of 46.7% (95% CI, 21.4-71.9%), and NPV of 82.2% (95% CI, 73.4-91.0%) on a region-based analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In our view 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT doesn't meet the criteria to be a standard exam for pre-operative staging for patients with VHR PCa, mostly due to its low sensitivity. However, other radiotracers should continue to be investigated in this setting.

Molecular biomarkers in the context of focal therapy for prostate cancer: recommendations of a Delphi Consensus from the Focal Therapy Society.

BACKGROUND: Focal therapy (FT) for prostate cancer (PCa) is promising. However, long-term oncological results are awaited and there is no consensus on follow-up strategies. Molecular biomarkers (MB) may be useful in selecting, treating and following up men undergoing FT, though there is limited evidence in this field to guide practice. We aimed to conduct a consensus meeting, endorsed by the Focal Therapy Society, amongst a large group of experts, to understand the potential utility of MB in FT for localized PCa. METHODS: A 38-item questionnaire was built following a literature search. The authors then performed three rounds of a Delphi Consensus using DelphiManager, using the GRADE grid scoring system, followed by a face-to-face expert meeting. Three areas of interest were identified and covered concerning MB for FT, 1) the current/present role; 2) the potential/future role; 3) the recommended features for future studies. Consensus was defined using a 70% agreement threshold. RESULTS: Of 95 invited experts, 42 (44.2%) completed the three Delphi rounds. Twenty-four items reached a consensus and they were then approved at the meeting involving (N.=15) experts. Fourteen items reached a consensus on uncertainty, or they did not reach a consensus. They were re-discussed, resulting in a consensus (N.=3), a consensus on a partial agreement (N.=1), and a consensus on uncertainty (N.=10). A final list of statements were derived from the approved and discussed items, with the addition of three generated statements, to provide guidance regarding MB in the context of FT for localized PCa. Research efforts in this field should be considered a priority. CONCLUSIONS: The present study detailed an initial consensus on the use of MB in FT for PCa. This is until evidence becomes available on the subject.