The proportion of potential candidates for focal therapy in localized prostate cancer in a real-life cohort and their final pathologic results.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of patients who would have been eligible for focal therapy (FT) in a population of patients who underwent prostatectomies; additionally, to assess the risk of having underestimated disease on the surgical specimen by using consensus selection criteria. METHOD: We retrospectively analyzed data from 446 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2016 and 2018. Patients suitable for FT had unifocal significant prostate cancer on MRI, as well as on pathological data from targeted and systematic biopsies. Inclusion criteria were defined by the 2014 consensus conference, PSA<15ng/mL, tumor stage T1c-T2a and Gleason score 3+3 or 3+4 on biopsies. Disease was considered to be underestimated on postoperative data in the presence of extraprostatic invasion, a high Gleason score (≥4+4) and significant multifocality defined by secondary foci of Gleason 6 (3+3)>5mm or Gleason 7 (3+4). RESULTS: In our cohort of 446 patients, 97 patients met the inclusion criteria, and 27 patients (27.8%) were eligible for focal therapy. Among the eligible patients, 4 patients (14.8%) had pT3, and no patient had significant multifocality or a Gleason score of 8 (4+4) on the surgical specimen. CONCLUSION: In the era of pre-biopsy MRI, there could be a significant proportion of patients who could benefit from focal therapy among patients currently undergoing radical prostatectomy. The 2014 consensus conference eligibility criteria could effectively predict the presence of extraprostatic invasion and safely select patients for FT.

Is the systematic histological analysis of benign prostatic hyperplasia surgical specimen always necessary?

INTRODUCTION: After most surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the resected tissue undergoes a histological examination. This examination is performed for the risk of finding an incidental prostate cancer (iPCa). The improvement of prostate cancer detection in the past few years decreased the global iPCa rate. This raises the question of the real benefit for all patients of a systematic histological analysis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the iPCa detection rate on a large contemporary cohort of patients treated for BPH, and to define predictive factors of iPCa detection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical charts of all consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for BPH in our academic center from 2012 to 2018. Patients with prostate cancer diagnosed before surgery were not included. All the resected tissue underwent standard histopathological examination. iPCa was defined by any grade or stage of prostate cancer identified on the resected tissue by the histological examination. The following variables were analyzed using an uni- and multi-variable logistic regression as potential risk factors of iPCa: age, total PSA, PSA density (PSAd), prostate volume, technique used, weight of resected tissue and use of 5ARI medication. RESULTS: 1045 patients were included in the study. Of them, 439 (42.0%), 206 (19.7%) and 400 (38.3%) underwent HoLEP, OP and TURP, respectively. iPCa was diagnosed in 94 (9.0%) of the 1045. Among them 15 (1.4%) were clinically significant (ISUP score ≥ 2). The multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age (p = 0.03) and PSA density (p < 0.001) as independent predictive factors for the detection of iPCa. Using the median of age and PSAd, we identified a population with 0% of iPCa in our cohort (age < 70 year-old and PSAd < 0.05 ng/mL/mL). CONCLUSION: The global iPCa rate was 9% in this contemporary large cohort of patients who underwent surgical treatment for BPH, with 1.4% of clinically significant cancer. Age and PSAd were independent predictive factors to find iPCa. Patients younger than 70 with a PSAd < 0.05 ng/mL/mL had 0% of iPCA in our cohort. In this specific population, we could probably avoid a systematical histological examination of the resected tissue.

Prostate imaging: Contribution of PET PSMA and MRI.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumour and represents the third cause of cancer-mortality in men. The management of prostate cancer has dramatically changed over the last decades, mainly due to improvement of diagnostic modalities and development of new therapeutic strategies. Imaging plays a key role in all the steps of prostate cancer management. In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography (PET) - computed tomography (CT) have emerged as two major tools for the detection of prostate cancer, tumour staging and treatment choice. Both MRI and PET-CT - using choline or prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as radiotracer - have become mandatory. This article presents the contribution of the latest advances in these two imaging techniques of prostate cancer and their future developments.

[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical activity within academic urological departments in Paris]. / Impact de la pandémie de COVID-19 sur l'activité chirurgicale au sein des services d'urologie de l'Assistance Publique ­ Hôpitaux de Paris.

INTRODUCTION: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in France, all non-emergency surgical activity has been cancelled since March 12, 2020. In order to anticipate the reinstatement of delayed interventions, surgical activity reduction analysis is essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reduction of urological surgery in adult during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 2019. MATERIAL: The data regarding urological procedures realized in the 8 academic urological departments of Parisians centres (AP-HP) were compared over two similar periods (14-29 March 2019 and 12-27 March 2020) using the centralized surgical planning software shared by these centres. Procedure title, type of surgery and outpatient ratio were collected. The interventions were sorted into 16 major families of urological interventions. RESULTS: Overall, a 55% decrease was observed concerning urological procedures over the same period between 2019 and 2020 (995 and 444 procedures respectively). Oncology activity and emergencies decreased by 31% and 44%. The number of kidney transplantations decreased from 39 to 3 (-92%). Functional, andrological and genital surgical procedures were the most impacted among the non-oncological procedures (-85%, -81% and -71%, respectively). Approximatively, 1033 hours of surgery have been delayed during this 16-day period. CONCLUSION: Lockdown and postponement of non-urgent scheduled urological procedures decisions has led to a drastic decrease in surgical activity in AP-HP. Isolated kidney transplantation has been stopped (national statement). Urologists must anticipate for lockdown exit in order to catch-up delayed surgeries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

[Prostatic urethral lift using Urolift® system for benign prostatic hyperplasia: 7years experience]. / Pose d'implants Urolift® intra-prostatique pour hyperplasie bénigne de la prostate : résultats après 7 ans d'expérience.

INTRODUCTION: Urolift® system is a mini-invasive technique, proposed as an alternative treatment for classic surgery of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Our objective was to report the results of Urolift® system in our center after 7years experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Urolift® implants were proposed between February 2012 and March 2019 for patients presenting symptomatic BPH in our center, as an alternative for classic surgery. The efficacy was evaluated with questionnaires about lower urinary tract symptoms (IPSS) and its impact on quality of life (IPSS-QdV). Tolerance was evaluated with questionnaires about erectile (IIEF5) and ejaculatory function (MSHQ-EjD) and complication rate. Survival without additional treatment was assessed using Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Forty patients were treated during this period, with a median follow-up of 32months [12-67]. Three months after the procedure, IPSS and IPSS-QdV were significantly improved (respectively 8 [4-11] vs 20 [17-24]; P<0.0001 and 2 [1-2] vs 5 [4-6]; P<0.0001). MSHQ-EjD and IIEF5 were not modified (respectively 13 [11-14] vs 12 [9-13]; P=0.69 and 21 [18-23] vs 21 [18-23]; P=0.13). Two patients (5%) experienced a urinary retention and needed a bladder catheter. No complication with a Clavien-Dindo score>2 were reported. Survival without additional treatment at 5years was 63%. CONCLUSION: Urolift® implants improved significantly the lower urinary tract symptoms in our population, with a good tolerance profile. More than 60% of the patients did not need an additional treatment after 5years of follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

[Optical coherence tomography of bladder resection specimen]. / Tomographie par densité optique des pièces de résection des tumeurs de vessie.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of bladder urothelial tumors is based on bladder resection and histological analysis of the specimen. The time to obtain the results of the histological analysis increases the treatment delay. Furthermore, the lack of muscle on the specimen forces the surgeon to practice on other procedure. Full field optical coherence tomography (FFOCT) is a recent imaging technique to analyze tissue. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of FFOCT to detect muscle and tumor in bladder resection specimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed with the FFOCT technique bladder resection specimen of 24 consecutives patients. Three readers did the blind analyze of the images, looking for the presence of muscle and tumor on each specimen. Their results were compared with histological analysis to calculate diagnostic accuracy for each reader. RESULTS: Mean sensibilities for the detection of muscle and tumor were respectively 75% and 81%. Mean specificities for the detection of muscle and tumor were respectively 78.3% and 55.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the FFOCT is feasible to analyze bladder resection specimen. Sensibilities and specificities calculated are encouraging for the detection of muscle and tumor. The accuracy of this detection and early-staging tool should be validated by larger studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

[Multidisciplinary and systematic preoperatory-assessment in geriatric urologic oncology surgery: Feasibility and results]. / Évaluation pluridisciplinaire préopératoire systématique en chirurgie cancérologique urologique gériatrique : faisabilité et résultats.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of cancer increases with age, especially for urological cancers. The frailty of the elderly persons may expose them to more postoperative complications resulting in prolonged hospitalization, increased morbidity or even increased mortality, and delayed or impossible return to normal life. In such cases, the benefit of surgery and therefore its realization can be questioned. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This article reports the experience of a pre-operative risk assessment in a population of elderly patients treated for urologic cancer. This retrospective study aims to report the feasibility and the main results of this systematic preoperative multi-professional evaluation. RESULTS: Between April 2016 and February 2017, 31 elderly patients were evaluated. The evaluation revealed: moderate to severe malnutrition in 59 % of cases, a patient judged from a geriatric point of view fit, intermediate or fragile in respectively 25 %, 35 % and 40 % of cases. This evaluation led to propose a modification of an element of care for 66 % of patients and to propose therapeutic abstention for only 3 patients. CONCLUSION: An evaluation whose purpose is to adapt to the physiological age of patients and their overall state of health, surgical treatment and postoperative management is feasible and seems to help unmask elements of fragility usually not detected. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Study of the intra-prostatic arterial anatomy and implications for arterial embolization of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) is an experimental therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Its feasibility is based on the knowledge of the pelvic arterial anatomy, and more specifically the prostate. The aim of this study was to describe the prostatic arterial supply: origins, distribution and variability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively, with two radiologists, 40 arteriographies of patients who underwent PAE in our center. With these observations of 80 hemipelvics, we described the number of prostatic arteries, their origins, their distributions and eventually their anastomoses with other pelvic arteries. RESULTS: There was one prostatic artery in 70% of the cases. It came from a common trunk for the prostate and the bladder in 55% of the cases, from the obturator artery in 17.5% of the cases, from the pudendal artery in 25% of the cases, from the intern iliac artery in 1% of the cases, and from the superior gluteal artery in 1% of the cases. The prostatic artery splitted in two branches (medial and lateral), with no anastomoses in 37% of the cases. Anastomoses with penile and rectal arteries were observed in 29% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: For our 40 patients, we observed many variations of arterial prostatic anatomy. We proposed a classification in order to increase security and efficacy of PAE, and it should be validated with more patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

[Urinary incontinence after HOLEP: Incidence, evolution and predictive factors]. / Incontinence urinaire après énucléation endoscopique de la prostate au laser Holmium : fréquence, évolution, et facteurs prédictifs de survenue.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the early morbidity after HOLEP, the urinary incontinence in particular, and specify its different types, evolution, and predictive factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational, analytical, retrospective, monocentric study including all patients undergoing surgery for benign prostatic hypertrophy (HBP) by HoLEP between November 2015 and January 2017. The data were collected pre-, per- and postoperatively. The follow-up was for 6 months. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy one patients were included. 23 patients (14.6%) had a complication according to Clavien-Dindo classification [4]: 19 (83%) Clavien 2, 1 (4%) Clavien 3b et 3 (13%) Clavien 4. At one month of the surgery, 64 (42.7%) patients had urinary incontinence of which 55 (86.1%) presented pure stress urinary incontinence. 18 (32.7%) were still incontinent at 6 months of the surgery. The delivered amount of energy during the surgery and the preoperative IIEF5 score were statistically significantly associated with the occurrence rate of stress urinary incontinence. There was no correlation between the surgeon's learning curve and the occurrence of incontinence. CONCLUSION: The occurrence rate of urinary incontinence post HoLEP might be related to the adopted surgical technique ; It is crucial to keep the patient well informed of the risk of this complication postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Relation between plasma trough concentration of abiraterone and prostate-specific antigen response in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Abiraterone (ABI) is a major oral agent for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients but its systemic exposure is subject to a large inter-individual variability. We aimed to explore the relationship between ABI trough plasma concentration and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response in mCRPC patients and to identify the critical determinants for its activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a monocentric prospective observational study in mCRPC patients treated with ABI. The plasmatic concentration of ABI at steady state was measured using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The primary objective was to study the relationship between mean ABI plasma exposure (ABI Cmin) and 3-month PSA response. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2016, 61 mCRPC patients were eligible for pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic assessment. Thirty-eight patients experienced PSA response (62%, [confidence interval {CI} 95% 50-78]). In univariate analysis, ABI Cmin was 1.5-fold higher in responders: 12.0 ng/mL (CI 95% 9.4-15.6) versus 8.0 ng/mL (CI 95% 5.8-11.6; P = 0.0015). In multivariate analysis, only ABI Cmin was independently associated with PSA response (odds ratio = 1.12 [CI 95% 1.01-1.25], P = 0.004). By receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimal threshold for ABI Cmin was 8.4 ng/mL. Progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly higher in patients with ABI Cmin above 8.4 ng/mL (hazard ratio 0.55, [CI 95% 0.31-0.99], 12.2 [CI 95% 9.2-19.5] versus 7.4 [CI 95% 5.5-14.7] months otherwise, P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that ABI trough concentration correlates with PSA response and PFS. Moreover, we could determine a cut-off value of plasmatic concentration for PSA response. Altogether, ABI concentration monitoring appears as a new approach to improve clinical outcome in mCPRC patients.

[Are the UroLift(®) implants an alternative for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia? Short-term results and predictive factors of failure]. / La pose d'implants intra-prostatiques UroLift(®) est-elle une alternative chez les patients ayant une hyperplasie bénigne de la prostate ? Résultats initiaux et facteurs prédictifs d'échec.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of UroLift(®) implants after a 2-year experience in the technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The procedure was proposed between February 2012 and April 2014 in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, as an alternative to standard endoscopic ablation techniques. Evaluation of BPH related symptoms relied on the IPSS and IPSS-QoL self-questionnaires, as well as on maximum uroflow (Qmax). Evaluation of erectile and ejaculatory functions relied on the IIEF5 and MSHQ-EjD self-questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were treated during this period. Median age was 66 years [53-78]. Median prostate volume was 38mL [20-80]. Preoperative IPSS and IPSS-QoL were 20 [9-29] and 5 [3-6], respectively. No severe adverse event was observed postoperatively. Median follow-up was 14 [5-31] months. At the end of follow-up, 19 (83%) patients reported sustained symptomatic improvement without any additional treatment. Median IPSS and IPSS-QoL were improved significantly (11 [1-27] and 2 [0-6], P<0.0001), with however no significant improvement in Qmax. Four patients needed additional treatment during the first postoperative year. Among them, 3 had a prostate volume>60mL. No patient reported retrograde ejaculation or worsened erectile function. CONCLUSIONS: UroLift(®) implants allowed symptomatic improvement in more than 80% of the patients after 1-year follow-up. A high prostate volume may potentially be predictive of symptomatic failure. LEVEL OF PROOF: 5.

[Imagery of treated prostate cancer]. / Imagerie post-thérapeutique du cancer de la prostate.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis, localization of recurrence in the management of prostate cancer patients with increasing concentrations of tumor serum markers is crucial for treatment planning of the patients. The present review describes the role of prostate MRI and (18) Fcholine PET/computed tomography (CT) in tumor detection and extent, when there is a suspicion of residual or recurrent disease after treatment of prostate cancer. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching in the PUB MED/MEDLINE database searching for articles in French or English published between the last 12years. RESULTS: In patient with a clinical suspicion of recurrence after treatment for prostate cancer, imaging can be used to distinguish between local recurrence and metastatic disease. (11)C-choline PET/CT and pelvic multiparametric MR imaging (mp MRI) are complementary in this indication. In this paper, the current status of imaging techniques used for the staging of patients with suspected locally recurrent or metastatic disease in patients treated for prostate cancer were reviewed. CONCLUSION: Mp MRI of the prostate may be valuable imaging modality for the detection and localization of local recurrence. C-choline PET/CT offers an advantage in detecting metastatic disease to lymph node and bone.

[Management of low-risk prostate cancer]. / Prise en charge des tumeurs de la prostate à faible risque évolutif.

INTRODUCTION: The widespread use of prostate cancer screening has led to a stage migration resulting in an increase in the diagnosis of low-risk disease, which currently accounts for 40-50% of diagnosed forms. New therapeutic strategies have been developed in order to minimize the risk of overtreatment. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature over the past 20 years was performed using the Medline database. The literature selection was based on evidence and practical considerations. RESULTS: Low-risk tumors are conventionally defined by the d'Amico classification. The use of multiparametric MRI helps to better characterize these tumors. The contribution of molecular biology remains to be determined in clinical practice. Novel therapeutic options for low-risk disease are currently being evaluated. CONCLUSION: The new therapeutic strategies are evolving. They seek to reduce overtreatment without compromising oncological success.

[Prostate cancer surgical margin: review by the CCAFU (Oncology Committee of the French Association of Urology)]. / Les marges chirurgicales dans le cancer de la prostate. CCAFU revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVE: Literature showed the impact of surgical margin status on prognosis after radical prostatectomy (mostly on biochemical survival). Margin status is an easy self-evaluation of surgical practice to assess. The aim of this paper was to define what a positive surgical margin (PSM) is and how to prevent the occurrence, to precise the impact on survival and how to treat. METHOD: A literature analysis with Pubmed has been performed to 2012, furthermore conclusions of the main congresses with selection committee and review publication have also been studied. RESULTS: PSM is defined as "tumor cells touching the ink on the specimen edge". The most frequent reported incidence is between 15 to 20%. Margin status remains one of the major criteria to determine the need of adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery. Quality of life is not or only lightly modified by radiotherapy with the current techniques. Adjuvant radiotherapy improves biological survival but is synonymous with overtreatment in many times. Salvage radiotherapy has to be quickly performed after Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) relapse (PSA<1 ng/mL even<0.5 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: This literature review did not allow to suggest superiority of one surgical technique over another. In the same way, the kind of dissection i.e. bladder neck or neurovascular bundle preservation does no clearly modify PSM rate. However, it seems logical to "customize" dissection according to prostate cancer characteristics (D'Amico criteria for instance) guided with multiparametric MRI. Intrafascial dissection has to be applied only to low risk. Lastly, the debate between adjuvant or salvage radiotherapy is always ongoing.