Triple Synchronous Urogenital Malignancies of the Bladder, Kidney, and Prostate: Management in a Single Operation.

Synchronous occurrence of three primary malignancies is a rare occurrence, and treatment options are often a difficult undertaking. We present a case of a 57-year-old Hispanic male with synchronous urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder, renal cell carcinoma, and prostate adenocarcinoma. We elected to manage this patient with a single operation. To our knowledge, this is only the second time a reported operation has been performed of this nature, which includes 21 case reports of triple primary genitourinary tumors, 15 of which are reported as synchronous.

Non-infectious complications following transrectal prostate needle biopsy - Outcomes from over 8000 procedures.

Background: Prostate needle biopsy (PNB) remains the referent standard for diagnosing prostate cancer. Contemporary data highlight an increase in PNB-related infections particularly when performed transrectally. Non-infectious complications, however, may similarly contribute to biopsy-related morbidity. We review the incidence and predictors of non-infectious complications following transrectal PNB in a large statewide quality registry. Methods: Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsies performed between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence and distribution of non-infectious complications were annotated. Clinical, demographic, and biopsy variables of interest were evaluated by logistic regression for potential association with specific types of non-infectious complications. Results: Of 8,102 biopsies, 277 (3.4%) biopsies had reported post-procedure complications including 199 (2.5%) non-infectious and 78 (0.9%) infectious. Among the non-infectious complications, the most common events included urinary or rectal bleeding (74; 0.9%), urinary retention (70, 0.9%), vasovagal syncope (13, 0.2%), and severe post-operative pain (10, 0.1%). Approximately 56% of these non-infectious complications required an Emergency Department visit (111/199) and 27% (54/199) hospital admission for monitoring. Increasing transrectal ultrasound prostate volume was associated with post-procedure urinary retention (Odds ratio (OR) 1.07, 1.02-1.11, p = 0.002). No specific variables noted association with post-biopsy bleeding. Conclusion: Non-infectious complications occurred 2.5 times more often than infectious complications following transrectal ultrasound prostate needle biopsies. Larger prostate size was associated with a greater risk of post-procedure urinary retention. These data originating from experience from over 100 urologists across different health systems provide an important framework in counseling patients regarding expectations following transrectal prostate biopsy.

Nephroureterectomy vs. segmental ureterectomy of clinically localized, high-grade, urothelial carcinoma of the ureter: Practice patterns and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Nephroureterectomy (NU) remains the gold-standard for upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). However, nephron-sparing management (NSM), specifically segmental ureterectomy (SU) for urothelial tumors distal to the renal pelvis may offer decreased risk of renal insufficiency and equivalent cancer control. OBJECTIVES: To identify patient-specific and facility-related factors that are associated with the selection of SU vs. NU for patients with clinically localized, high-grade, ureteral UTUC. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: We searched the National Cancer Database between 2004 and 2015 for patients with high-grade, clinically localized, primary ureteral UTUC managed by either NU or SU. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to assess patient, disease-specific, facility and treatment-related factors associated with SU vs. NU. Since surgical approach was only indexed after 2010, separate multivariable logistic regressions were performed including and excluding surgical approach in order to capture patients treated between 2004 and 2009. Survival analysis utilized Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Multivariate analysis including surgical approach demonstrated that among other factors, higher clinical stage (P = 0.034), larger tumor size (P < 0.001), the addition of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.002), and the utilization of minimally invasive surgery (P < 0.05) decreased the likelihood of patients receiving SU. In this same cohort, institutions with larger facility volumes (P = 0.038) and performing intraoperative lymph node dissection (P < 0.001) were associated with a higher probability of SU. Excluding surgical approach, once again more advanced clinical stage (P = 0.005), larger tumor size (P < 0.001), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.003) decreased the probability of patients receiving SU, while increasing age (P = 0.049) and intraoperative lymph node dissection (P < 0.001) were more closely associated with SU compared to NU. No differences were noted in pathological T stage (P > 0.05), 30-day readmission (P = 0.7), 30-day mortality (P = 0.09), and 90-day mortality (P = 0.157) on multivariate analysis between SU and NU. Additionally, no significant differences were seen in median overall survival between patients receiving SU or NU (53 vs. 50 months; P = 0.143). CONCLUSIONS: Comparable outcomes suggest segmental ureterectomy for high-grade ureteral UTUC is appropriate in well-selected patients. Practice patterns appear consistent with guideline recommendations (decreased tumor size and lower clinical stage favor SU), but treatment disparities may exist based on a multitude of patient, pathologic- and facility-related factors. Improved dissemination of knowledge regarding practice patterns and outcomes of SU for UTUC of the ureter has the potential to improve delivery of NSM in appropriate patients. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study, we examined factors associated with different surgical procedures for cancer of the ureter. We found that smaller tumor sizes, a less advanced clinical stage, intraoperative lymph dissection higher facility volumes tended to favor kidney-sparing treatment, while survival outcomes appear comparable to renal extirpation.

Surgical and Oncological Outcomes in Patients After Vascularised Flap Reconstruction for Locoregionally Advanced Penile Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of locoregionally advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma (LAPSCC) is challenging. The exact role (in terms of oncological benefit) of extensive surgery is not well established. Moreover, surgery invariably leads to large defects requiring reconstructive surgery. Rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) and abdominal advancement flaps have an independent and constant blood supply, are easily harvested, and provide substantial skin coverage and soft tissue. OBJECTIVE: To determine the surgical and oncological outcomes in patients with LAPSCC undergoing surgical resection with RAM flaps. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: From 2002 to 2016, a multi-institutional database identified 15 LAPSCC patients undergoing flap reconstructions. INTERVENTION: Local surgical resection with RAM or abdominal advancement flap reconstruction. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Perioperative and pathologic data were collected. Postoperative complications were identified using the Clavien-Dindo classification for surgical complications. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Fifteen patients (median age 61 yr) were treated, ten with curative intent. Thirteen patients received induction chemotherapy. Thirteen of the 15 patients (87%) experienced wound complications, including five Clavien-Dindo grade III complications. In 11/15 patients (73%), the disease recurred (median recurrence-free interval 106 d). The majority of recurrences (91%) were locoregional, and in four cases the patient also had lesions in distant organs. Ten of the 15 patients (67%) died of their disease. The overall median follow-up interval was 10.5 mo. The study was limited by its retrospective design, the absence of quality-of-life measurements, and the cohort size. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that surgical resection with reconstruction is associated with a risk of perioperative complications, including high-grade Clavien-Dindo complications. With a cure rate of 27%, surgery must be carefully considered and there is a need for alternative treatments. Lack of robust quality-of-life-data is also a serious shortcoming in the decision process for this patient category. PATIENT SUMMARY: Surgery in locoregionally advanced penile cancer has a low cure rate. Reconstruction of defects is surgically feasible, albeit with a high risk of complications. Furthermore, decision-making lacks robust data on quality of life after surgery.

Adjuvant pelvic radiation is associated with improved survival and decreased disease recurrence in pelvic node-positive penile cancer after lymph node dissection: A multi-institutional study.

PURPOSE: Few studies have examined the role of radiation therapy in advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma. We sought to evaluate the association of adjuvant pelvic radiation with survival and recurrence for patients with penile cancer and positive pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) after lymph node dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively across 4 international centers of patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma undergoing lymph node dissections from 1980 to 2013. Further, 92 patients with available adjuvant pelvic radiation status and positive PLNs were analyzed. Disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: 43% (n = 40) of patients received adjuvant pelvic radiation after a positive PLN dissection. Median follow-up was 9.3 months (interquartile range: 5.2-19.8). Patients receiving adjuvant pelvic radiation had a median DSS of 14.4 months vs. 8 months in the nonradiation group, respectively (P = 0.023). Patients without adjuvant pelvic radiation were associated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.01-2.92; P = 0.04) and DSS (HR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.09-3.36; P = 0.02) on multivariable analysis. Median time to recurrence was 7.7 months vs. 5.3 months in the radiation and nonradiation arm, respectively (P = 0.042). Patients without adjuvant pelvic radiation was also independently associated with higher overall recurrence on multivariable analysis (HR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.06-3.12; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant pelvic radiation is associated with improved survival and decreased recurrence in this population of patients with penile cancer with positive PLNs.

Contemporary management of patients with penile cancer and lymph node metastasis.

Penile cancer is a rare disease that causes considerable physical and psychological patient morbidity, especially at advanced stages. Patients with low-stage nodal metastasis can achieve durable survival with surgery alone, but those with extensive locoregional metastasis have overall low survival. Contemporary management strategies for lymph node involvement in penile cancer aim to minimize the morbidity associated with traditional radical inguinal lymphadenectomy through appropriate risk stratification while optimizing oncological outcomes. Modified (or superficial) inguinal lymph node dissection and dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy are diagnostic modalities that have been recommended in patients with high-risk primary penile tumours and nonpalpable inguinal lymph nodes. In addition, advances in minimally invasive and robot-assisted lymphadenectomy techniques are being investigated in patients with penile cancer and might further decrease lymphadenectomy-related adverse effects. The management of patients with advanced disease has evolved to include multimodal treatment with systemic chemotherapy before surgical intervention and can include adjuvant chemotherapy after pelvic lymphadenectomy. The role of radiotherapy in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting remains largely unclear, owing to a lack of high-level evidence of possible benefits. New targeted therapies have shown efficacy in squamous cell carcinomas of other sites and might also prove effective in patients with penile cancer.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients With Bladder Cancer: Oncologic Outcomes From a Single Institution Experience.

INTRODUCTION: We conducted this study to determine if, in appropriately selected elderly patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), clinical outcomes including pathologic complete response/downstaging and overall survival were similar to a younger cohort. METHODS: Chart review was performed on patients receiving NAC for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) from 2004 to 2013. A total of 116 patients were identified that underwent NAC from 2004 to 2013 for ≥ cT2N0M0 UCB. Patients were excluded who received 2 cycles or less of chemotherapy (N = 18; 11 patients in the younger cohort, 7 in the elderly group; P = .74). Data was analyzed, and Kaplan-Meir analysis curves were used for survival and recurrence. RESULTS: Forty-six elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) (67% cisplatin-based regimen) were identified and compared with 70 (93% cisplatin-based regimen) younger patients. The estimated glomerular filtration rate, performance status, preoperative hemoglobin, and body mass index were significantly worse in elderly patients. Dose reduction and pathologic downstaging to non-muscle-invasive disease was not statistically different between older and younger patients Complete pathologic response in older patients (16%) and in the younger cohort (17%) were similar (P = .146). There was no significant difference in follow-up, recurrence, or in median overall survival between patient groups (28 months elderly vs. 35 months younger; P = .78). Age was not an independent predictor of pathologic downstaging, complete response, overall survival, or recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: NAC in elderly patients (≥ 70 years old) demonstrated equivalent toxicity and oncologic outcomes in our single-institution cohort. Although older patients had significantly poorer performance status and renal function, there were no differences in survival or response to NAC.

Sulforaphane for the chemoprevention of bladder cancer: molecular mechanism targeted approach.

The clinical course for both early and late stage Bladder Cancer (BC) continues to be characterized by significant patient burden due to numerous occurrences and recurrences requiring frequent surveillance strategies, intravesical drug therapies, and even more aggressive treatments in patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. For these reasons, BC is also the most expensive cancer to treat. Fortunately, BC offers an excellent platform for chemoprevention interventions with potential to optimize the systemic and local exposure of promising agents to the bladder mucosa. However, other than smoking cessation, there is a paucity of research that systematically examines agents for chemoprevention of bladder cancers. Adopting a systematic, molecular-mechanism based approach, the goal of this review is to summarize epidemiological, in vitro, and preclinical studies, including data regarding the safety, bioavailability, and efficacy of agents evaluated for bladder cancer chemoprevention. Based on the available studies, phytochemicals, specifically isothiocyanates such as sulforaphane, present in Brassicaceae or "cruciferous" vegetables in the precursor form of glucoraphanin are: (a) available in standardized formulations; (b) bioavailable- both systemically and in the bladder; (c) observed to be potent inhibitors of BC carcinogenesis through multiple mechanisms; and (d) without toxicities at these doses. Based on available evidence from epidemiological, in vitro, preclinical, and early phase trials, phytochemicals, specifically isothiocyanates (ITCs) such as sulforaphane (SFN) represent a promising potential chemopreventitive agent in bladder cancer.

Bilateral benign renal oncocytomas and the role of renal biopsy: single institution review.

BACKGROUND: The goal was to assess the natural history and management of patients with pathologically proven bilateral (synchronous) RO after undergoing initial partial nephrectomy (PN). METHODS: All patients underwent either robotic/laparoscopic or open PN by two experienced genitourinary oncologists from 2005-2013. Final pathology was determined by surgical excision, CT-guided percutaneous core biopsy (CT-biopsy) or fine needle aspiration (FNA). Patient demographics, tumor characteristics (pathologic data, location, size) type of surgery, pre/post estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and surgical complications were recorded. RESULTS: Twelve patients were identified with bilateral RO. Median age at the time of surgery was 68 years (46-77) (Table 1). The median size of the largest tumor(s) resected was 2.75 cm (1.5-5.5 cm) and second largest tumor(s) was 1.75 cm (1.0-4.0 cm). Four patients underwent bilateral staged PN and one patient underwent simultaneous bilateral PN (horseshoe kidney). Two patients underwent RFA at the time of biopsy of the contralateral mass after PN. Five patients underwent CT-bx/FNA (5/5) of the contralateral mass followed by active surveillance. Mean follow up was 34 months. There was no significant change in median creatinine pre- and post-operatively. One patient was lost to follow up and one patient died of unknown causes 5 years post-operatively. eGFR decreased an average of 16.96% post-operatively, including a single patient whose eGFR increased by 7.8% after surgery and a single patient whose eGFR did not change (Table 2). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with bilateral renal masses and pathologically proven RO can be safely managed with active surveillance after biopsy confirmation of the contralateral mass.

The Role of Human Papilloma Virus in Penile Carcinogenesis and Preneoplastic Lesions: A Potential Target for Vaccination and Treatment Strategies.

Penile cancer is a rare and devastating disease, especially at advanced stages. The etiology of penile cancer is multifactorial with multiple established risk factors including infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Approximately 40% of penile cancers are attributable to HPV, although the literature describing HPV as a prognostic factor is mixed. The pathogenesis of HPV infection as well as vaccination practices may provide valuable therapeutic agents to treat this rare and difficult disease.

Contemporary Issues Surrounding Small Renal Masses: Evaluation, Diagnostic Biopsy, Nephron Sparing, and Novel Treatment Modalities.

Incidental identification of small renal masses (SRMs) has become increasingly common with widespread adoption of cross-sectional imaging. To date, early detection of SRMs has not translated to a substantial improvement in cancer-specific survival. Guidelines on the management of SRMs are evolving to reflect recent developments in treatment. The major approaches to managing SRMs include active surveillance, partial/radical nephrectomy, and ablative therapies, such as radiofrequency ablation with cryoablation. The goal of treatment is to optimize oncologic and renal function outcomes while avoiding overtreatment and associated morbidity. In this review, we summarize the diagnosis of SRMs, the role of renal mass biopsy, different treatment strategies, and future directions, including emerging molecular biomarkers.

Management of Penile Cancer.

Although rare, penile cancer carries high morbidity and mortality particularly when pertaining to the management of locally advanced or metastatic disease. The current scientific literature lacks level 1 evidence and current guidelines are based largely on retrospective studies and small single center studies. Despite these limitations, there has been paradigm shifts in the management of both local and systemic disease. Current guidelines emphasize penile sparing strategies, minimizing morbidity from surgical management of loco-regional metastasis and multimodal management of bulky inguinal lymph node metastases. The present review highlights the current state of knowledge and recommended treatment strategies of penile carcinoma.

Early identification of asymptomatic brain metastases from renal cell carcinoma.

Current guidelines for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) do not recommend routine brain imaging as part of the surveillance protocol unless central nervous system (CNS) symptoms or abnormal laboratory values suggest brain involvement. We hypothesized that strict adherence to these guidelines will delay diagnosis and management of RCC brain metastases. Retrospective review of our IRB-approved kidney cancer database examined a consecutive series of subjects from 1995 to 2012. We identified all mRCC patients with radiographic evidence of renal cell brain metastasis (RCCBM). RCCBM patients were divided into two cohorts: CNS symptoms present at RCCBM diagnosis and those without symptoms present at diagnosis. Fifty-two patients within our database met criteria; CNS symptoms were present at RCCBM diagnosis in 73 % (36) of patients. Median size of RCCBM on presentation was smaller in the asymptomatic verses the symptomatic cohort (0.83 vs. 1.7 cm, p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis demonstrated presence of CNS symptoms and female gender as a survival advantage (p < 0.05) while poor performance status, history of tobacco abuse and coexistence of lung metastasis were poor indicators for survival (p < 0.05). Patients with pulmonary metastases and a history of tobacco abuse are more likely to harbor RCCBM and perhaps in the absence of CNS symptoms these subjects should have routine brain surveillance incorporated into the RCC follow up. Overall, the current urologic guidelines may be missing a subset of metastatic RCC patients who could potentially benefit from early radiation or neurosurgical intervention. This may result in improved overall survival.

Adjunctive use of narrow band imaging during transurethral resection/vaporization of bladder tumors to aid In identifying mucosal and sub-mucosal hypervascularity.

For patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, cystoscopy and transurethral resection/vaporization of the bladder tumor plays an integral role in the treatment of a given patient's bladder cancer. Although considered the current gold standard for tumor detection, traditional or white light cystoscopy has been shown to have its limitations visualizing both small papillary tumors and/or carcinoma in-situ. Current efforts have been directed to closing this gap with data demonstrating that by identifying these previously missed lesions, tumor recurrence and progression rates are reduced, thereby improving patient outcomes. Narrow Band Imaging, which can be used during cystoscopy and transurethral resection/vaporization of bladder tumors, can aid in visualizing mucosal and sub-mucosal hypervascularity--a probable surrogate for malignant lesions--potentially visualizing the boundaries of lesions that may have been missed during white light cystoscopy alone. This technique may produce equivalent visual markers with fewer logistical hurdles than currently available methods. In this article, we detail our technique for the adjunctive use of Narrow Band Imaging during cystoscopy and transurethral resection/vaporization of bladder tumors to aid in visualizing mucosal and sub-mucosal hypervascularity. Although not yet readily adopted, Narrow Band Imaging may be a practical and easy to use adjunct to existing methods in visualizing occult bladder lesions.