Advances in Urinary Diversion: From Cutaneous Ureterostomy to Orthotopic Neobladder Reconstruction-A Comprehensive Review.

Bladder cancer ranks as the 10th most prevalent cancer globally with an increasing incidence. Radical cystectomy combined with urinary diversion represents the standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, offering a range of techniques tailored to patient factors. Overall, urinary diversions are divided into non-continent and continent. Among the first category, cutaneous ureterostomy and ileal conduit represent the most common procedures while in the second category, it could be possible to describe another subclassification which includes ureterosigmoidostomy, continent diversions requiring catheterization and orthotopic voiding pouches and neobladders. In this comprehensive review, urinary diversions are described in their technical aspects, providing a summary of almost all alternatives to urinary diversion post-radical cystectomy.

Reliability of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with a Previous Negative Biopsy: Comparison with Biopsy-Naïve Patients in the Detection of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer.

Background: Multiparametric magnetic resonance is an established imaging utilized in the diagnostic pathway of prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer, defined as Gleason Score ≥ 4 + 3 or a maximum cancer core length 6 mm or longer, in patients with a previous negative biopsy. Methods: The study was conducted as a retrospective observational study at the University of Naples "Federico II", Italy. Overall, 389 patients who underwent systematic and target prostate biopsy between January 2019 and July 2020 were involved and were divided into two groups: Group A, which included biopsy-naïve patients; Group B, which included re-biopsy patients. All mpMRI images were obtained using three Tesla instruments and were interpreted according to PIRADS (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System) version 2.0. Results: 327 patients were biopsy-naïve, while 62 belonged to the re-biopsy group. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, total PSA (prostate-specific antigen), and number of cores obtained at the biopsy. 2.2%, 8.8%, 36.1%, and 83.4% of, respectively, PIRADS 2, 3, 4, and 5 biopsy-naïve patients reported a clinically significant prostate cancer compared to 0%, 14.3%, 39%, and 66.6% of re-biopsy patients (p < 0.0001-p = 0.040). No difference was reported in terms of post-biopsy complications. Conclusions: mpMRI confirms its role as a reliable diagnostic tool prior to performing prostate biopsy in patients who underwent a previous negative biopsy, reporting a comparable detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer.

Preoperative Fibrinogen-to-Albumin Ratio as Potential Predictor of Bladder Cancer: A Monocentric Retrospective Study.

Background and objective: Fibrinogen and albumin are two proteins widely used, singularly and in combination, in cancer patients as biomarkers of nutritional status, inflammation and disease prognosis. The aim of our study was to investigate the preoperative fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) as a preoperative predictor of malignancy as well as advanced grade in patients with bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TURBT at our institution between 2017 and 2021 was conducted. FAR was obtained from preoperative venous blood samples performed within 30 days from scheduled surgery and was analyzed in relation to histopathological reports, as was the presence of malignancy. Statistical analysis was performed using a Kruskal−Wallis Test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, assuming p < 0.05 to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 510 patients were included in the study (81% male, 19% female), with a mean age of 71.66 ± 11.64 years. The mean FAR was significantly higher in patients with low-grade and high-grade bladder cancer, with values of 80.71 ± 23.15 and 84.93 ± 29.96, respectively, compared to patients without cancer (75.50 ± 24.81) (p = 0.006). Univariate regression analysis reported FAR to be irrelevant when considered as a continuous variable (OR = 1.013, 95% CI = 1.004−1.022; p = 0.004), while when considered as a categorical variable, utilizing a cut-off set at 76, OR was 2.062 (95% CI = 1.378−3.084; p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, the data were not confirmed in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Elevated preoperative FAR is a potential predictor of malignancy as well as advanced grade in patients with bladder cancer. Further data are required to suggest a promising role of the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio as a diagnostic biomarker for bladder tumors.

Preoperative monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio as a potential predictor of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of preoperative Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte ratio (MLR) as a potential predictor of bladder cancer (BC). METHODS: Clinical data of patients who underwent TURBT at our institution between 2017 and 2021 were collected and retrospectively analysed. MLR was obtained from preoperative blood analyses performed within 1 month from hospital admission. The association of MLR with different clinic-pathological features obtained from histological reports was further analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal Wallis test for non-parametric variables, assuming p<0.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: 510 patients were included in the study (81% males, 19% females), with a mean age of 71.66 ± 11.64 years. Mean MLR was higher in patients with any-type bladder cancer, reporting an MLR of 0.41 ± 0.11 compared to 0.38 ± 0.43 in patients without bladder cancer (p=0.043). In the subsequent comparison among low-grade and high-grade bladder cancer, MLR did not report statistically significant differences, with 0.29 ± 0.12 for low-grade BC and 0.51 ± 0.81 for high-grade BC (p=0.085). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reported elevated preoperative MLR should be considered a potential biomarker predicting malignancy for bladder tumours. Furthermore, research are necessary to assess its role in discerning low-grade from high-grade patients.

Abnormal presentation of a bilateral, synchronous and plurimetastatic medium and large cell testicular lymphoma: A case report.

Primary testicular lymphoma (PTL) accounts for 1-2% of all cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, with a higher incidence in patients aged >60 years. The most common histological subtype is diffuse large-cell B lymphoma. By contrast, the bilateral synchronous and multimetastatic clinical presentation is a rare and unusual clinical presentation. In testicular masses, orchiectomy is essential for histopathological evaluation of the disease and definition of the immunophenotypic structure. The present study reported the case of a paucisymptomatic 54-year-old patient, who presented with erectile dysfunction and increasing testicular volume. Although clinical assessment and ultrasound examination showed an abnormal structure, highly suspicious for testicular cancer, the subsequent bilateral radical orchiectomy permitted the diagnosis of an unusual and rare PTL with multiple metastases reported at the PET/CT scan. In conclusion, the rare and aggressive disease represented by PTL requires a multidisciplinary approach and an aggressive treatment in order to provide the best care for patients affected.

The Role of Testosterone in the Elderly: What Do We Know?

Testosterone is the most important hormone in male health. Aging is characterized by testosterone deficiency due to decreasing testosterone levels associated with low testicular production, genetic factors, adiposity, and illness. Low testosterone levels in men are associated with sexual dysfunction (low sexual desire, erectile dysfunction), reduced skeletal muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mineral density, increased cardiovascular risk and alterations of the glycometabolic profile. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) shows several therapeutic effects while maintaining a good safety profile in hypogonadal men. TRT restores normal levels of serum testosterone in men, increasing libido and energy level and producing beneficial effects on bone density, strength and muscle as well as yielding cardioprotective effects. Nevertheless, TRT could be contraindicated in men with untreated prostate cancer, although poor findings are reported in the literature. In addition, different potential side effects, such as polycythemia, cardiac events and obstructive sleep apnea, should be monitored. The aim of our review is to provide an updated background regarding the pros and cons of TRT, evaluating its role and its clinical applicability in different domains.

Lower urinary tract symptoms and mental health during COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a group of RNA viruses involved in several human diseases affecting respiratory, enteric, hepatic, and neurological systems. COVID-19 was identified in 2020 and was named SARS-CoV-2. To limit worldwide contagion, many countries instituted a lockdown, which conducted to disruption of routine life. In fact, pandemic was associated with several stresses among population, such as loss of employment, deaths of family members, friends, or colleagues, financial insecurity, and isolation. This led to long-lasting psychosocial effects as anxiety and depression, increasing the prevalence of stress and traumarelated disorders in the population. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between lower urinary tracts symptoms (LUTS) and stress/depressive symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional webbased survey (comprehending anthropometric data, education level, occupation status, smoking and alcohol habits, current therapies, quarantine and COVID-19 infection status) was conducted from March to May 2020 in Italy. LUTS were examined through National Institute of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and Genitourinary Pain Index (GUPI). Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was utilized to evaluate depressive and anxiety symptoms. Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H Test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 356 out of 461 subjects fully completed the survey, with a response rate of 77.2%. Data showed that subjects involved in economic difficulties, quarantine measures or with increased HDRS reported a significative statistic worsened urinary symptoms (H(3) = 11.731, p = 0.008), quality of life, (H(3) = 10.301, p = 0.016), total NIH-CPSI/GUPI score (H(3) = 42.150, p = 0.000), and quality of life (H(3) = 48.638, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 pandemic provoked several alterations in everyday life. Although general lockdown, quarantine and social distancing have been necessary to prevent virus spreading, this had long term effects on all population in terms of mental and physical health. NIH-CPSI and GUPI scores increased linearly with stress and anxiety levels measured at HDRS, confirming worse LUTS in subjects who suffered anxiety and stress from COVID-19 pandemic.

18F-FDG PET/CT in non-small-cell lung cancer patients: a potential predictive biomarker of response to immunotherapy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive role of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of response to immunotherapy in patients affected by metastatic lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a single-center database, data for 32 patients (median age: 69 years; range: 37-78) with metastatic lung cancer were retrospectively retrieved. All patients were treated with nivolumab. PD-L1 expression was available in 19/32 patients. All patients underwent F-FDG PET/CT before immunotherapy. Whole-body maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmaxwb), metabolic tumor volume (MTVwb), and total lesion glycolysis (TLGwb) were obtained as the sum of SUVmax, metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis in all metabolic lesions. The best response to therapy was considered in terms of partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD) on the basis of clinical and radiological follow-up. RESULTS: F-FDG PET/CT was positive in 30/32 (94%) patients. The majority of them had a pathological F-FDG uptake in the lung, lymph nodes, and bones. SUVmaxwb, MTVwb, and TLGwb were higher in patients with a positive PD-L1 expression than those with negative expression. Twenty-one patients achieved disease control (PR+SD), whereas 11 did not (PD). SUVmaxwb was significantly higher in patients without a response to therapy than those with a response to immunotherapy (median: 48.97 vs. 20.85; Student t-test: P = 0.002). Similarly, TLGwb and MTVwb were also higher in nonresponders than responders, although not statistically significant. However, the difference was more evident in women than men (median SUVmaxwb in responders and nonresponders for women and men: 17.86 vs. 85.89 and 21.38 vs. 44.38, respectively). CONCLUSION: The entire tumor burden evaluated by F-FDG PET/CT can be predictive of response to immunotherapy in patients with metastatic lung cancer. A large prospective multicenter trial is warranted to definitively assess the usefulness of F-FDG PET/CT as a predictive biomarker of response to immunotherapy.

Comparison Between 18F-Dopa and 18F-Fet PET/CT in Patients with Suspicious Recurrent High Grade Glioma: A Literature Review and Our Experience.

PURPOSES: The aims of the present study were to: 1- critically assess the utility of L-3,4- dihydroxy-6-18Ffluoro-phenyl-alanine (18F-DOPA) and O-(2-18F-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (18F-FET) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) in patients with high grade glioma (HGG) and 2- describe the results of 18F-DOPA and 18F-FET PET/CT in a case series of patients with recurrent HGG. METHODS: We searched for studies using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. The search terms were: glioma OR brain neoplasm and DOPA OR DOPA PET OR DOPA PET/CT and FET OR FET PET OR FET PET/CT. From a mono-institutional database, we retrospectively analyzed the 18F-DOPA and 18F-FET PET/CT of 29 patients (age: 56 ± 12 years) with suspicious for recurrent HGG. All patients underwent 18F-DOPA or 18F-FET PET/CT for a multidisciplinary decision. The final definition of recurrence was made by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or multidisciplinary decision, mainly based on the clinical data. RESULTS: Fifty-one articles were found, of which 49 were discarded, therefore 2 studies were finally selected. In both the studies, 18F-DOPA and 18F-FET as exchangeable in clinical practice particularly for HGG patients. From our institutional experience, in 29 patients, we found that sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-DOPA PET/CT in HGG were 100% (95% confidence interval- 95%CI - 81-100%), 63% (95%CI: 39-82%) and 62% (95%CI: 39-81%), respectively. 18F-FET PET/CT was true positive in 4 and true negative in 4 patients. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for 18F-FET PET/CT in HGG were 100%. CONCLUSION: 18F-DOPA and 18F-FET PET/CT have a similar diagnostic accuracy in patients with recurrent HGG. However, 18F-DOPA PET/CT could be affected by inflammation conditions (false positive) that can alter the final results. Large comparative trials are warranted in order to better understand the utility of 18F-DOPA or 18F-FET PET/CT in patients with HGG.

18F-Choline PET/CT in Leptomeningeal Breast Cancer Metastases.

We describe a case of 47-year-old woman affected by human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive breast cancer with a diffuse leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. An intense uptake of F-choline was reported at fused PET/MRI images in the brain, compatible with a diffuse leptomeningeal disease. This case highlights that F-choline PET would be used for the identification of leptomeningeal involvement in patients affected by breast cancer, as a support of MRI images.

Diagnostic and prognostic impact of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in preoperative and postoperative setting of breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/CT in patients with breast cancer (BC) in the preoperative and the postoperative setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2011 and 2015, we prospectively enrolled 275 patients (mean age: 53 years) with BC (stage I-III; triple-negative or HER2-positive cancer). One-hundred and forty-nine (54.2%) patients underwent F-FDG PET/CT before neoadjuvant therapy and 126 (45.8%) after surgery and before any additional adjuvant therapy. The patients were followed for a median period of 44 (2-57) months. The different effects of PET/CT on the presetting and postsetting phase form a therapeutic and prognostic point of view were assessed by χ, by Kaplan-Meier, and Cox-regression analyses. RESULTS: In the preoperative setting, PET/CT provided additional diagnostic information in 42/149 (28%) patients. In particular, 17/70 (24%) patients at stage III were converted into stage IV and 4/68 (6%) at stage II were upstaged to IV. In the postoperative setting, PET/CT upstaged the disease in both stage IIIC and stage IV in 14/126 (11%) cases. At the end of follow-up, 28/271 (10%) patients died from BC and 40 (15%) had a recurrence of disease. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with a positive PET/CT other than the primary tumor site showed both a worse overall survival and a worse disease-free survival compared with their counterpart (76 vs. 92%; P=0.063 and 65 vs. 100%; P<0.001). Conversely, in the postoperative setting, no differences in overall survival and disease-free survival were found between patients with positive and negative PET/CT findings (both P>0.05). On multivariate Cox-regression analysis, a positive PET/CT was a significant predictive factor of a poor prognosis in the preoperative setting. The significance was lost in the postoperative setting. CONCLUSION: In the preoperative setting, PET/CT can provide additional diagnostic and prognostic information. Conversely, in the postoperative setting, PET/CT adds diagnostic information, but does not provide any adjunctive prognostic assessment.