Molecular diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in patients with upper urinary tract cancer who underwent lymphadenectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the significance of molecular diagnosis of lymph node metastasis using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer. METHODS: A total of 51 patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer who underwent extended lymphadenectomy were included in the present study. Retrieved lymph nodes from each patient were divided into two parts. One part was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for molecular staging, whereas the other one was assessed by routine histopathological examination. Four kinds of molecules (FXYD3, KRT19, KRT20 and UPK2) were selected as markers to detect urothelial cancer cells. RESULTS: The average number of retrieved lymph nodes was 18.3. As UPK2 showed the best discrimination ability among four markers, the patients were classified in three categories according to UPK2 expression: N(+)PCR(+) for patients who had lymph node metastasis by routine pathological diagnosis as well as quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (n = 4); N(-)PCR(+) for patients who had lymph node metastasis by polymerase chain reaction but not by routine pathological diagnosis (n = 7); and N(-)PCR(-) for patients who showed no lymph node metastasis not only by routine pathological diagnosis but also by polymerase chain reaction (n = 40). The prognosis of the N(-)PCR(+) group was better than that of the N(+)PCR(+) group, and similar to that of the N(-)PCR(-) group. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction could detect micrometastasis in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer. However, the prognosis of patients with micrometastasis is better than patients with pathologically metastasized lymph nodes, and similar to patients without micrometastasis.

Overexpression of ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 protein predicts shorter survival in metastatic bladder cancer patients treated with gemcitabine-containing combination chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To identify biomarkers predicting prognosis in bladder cancer patients undergoing the gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen. METHODS: We studied 52 patients with metastatic bladder cancer treated with the gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen by evaluating the relationship between the expression of two biomarkers, ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 and excision repair cross complementing 1, by immunohistochemistry and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The patients with low expression of ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 showed a higher objective response rate by the gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen than those with high expression of ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 (80.0% and 45.5%, respectively). No differences were observed according to the expression level of excision repair cross complementing 1. Low expression of ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 significantly prolonged overall survival and progression-free survival compared with the high expression group. Low expression of excision repair cross complementing 1 tended to prolong overall survival and progression-free survival, but there were no significant differences (P = 0.07 and 0.10, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that the expression of ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 was the only independent prognostic factor (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 seem to be associated with clinical response and survival in patients with metastatic bladder cancer treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Prognostic factors and risk stratification in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer receiving docetaxel-based chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: While novel drugs have been developed, docetaxel remains one of the standard initial systemic therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients. Despite the excellent anti-tumor effect of docetaxel, its severe adverse effects sometimes distress patients. Therefore, it would be very helpful to predict the efficacy of docetaxel before treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate the potential value of patient characteristics in predicting overall survival (OS) and to develop a risk classification for CRPC patients treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy. METHODS: This study included 79 patients with CRPC treated with docetaxel. The variables, including patient characteristics at diagnosis and at the start of chemotherapy, were retrospectively collected. Prognostic factors predicting OS were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model. Risk stratification for overall survival was determined based on the results of multivariate analysis. RESULTS: PSA response ≥50 % was observed in 55 (69.6 %) of all patients, and the median OS was 22.5 months. The multivariate analysis showed that age, serum PSA level at the start of chemotherapy, and Hb were independent prognostic factors for OS. In addition, ECOG performance status (PS) and the CRP-to-albumin ratio were not significant but were considered possible predictors for OS. Risk stratification according to the number of these risk factors could effectively stratify CRPC patients treated with docetaxel in terms of OS. CONCLUSIONS: Age, serum PSA level at the start of chemotherapy, and Hb were identified as independent prognostic factors of OS. ECOG PS and the CRP-to-albumin ratio were not significant, but were considered possible predictors for OS in Japanese CRPC patients treated with docetaxel. Risk stratification based on these factors could be helpful for estimating overall survival.

Naftopidil versus flopropione as medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteral stones: results of a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of naftopidil as medical expulsive therapy (MET) for patients with distal ureteral stones. METHODS: Ninety-two patients presenting with a single distal ureteral stone ≤10 mm were randomly assigned to receive either naftopidil (75 mg of naftopidil once in the morning and placebo twice a day) or flopropione (80 mg three times a day). The primary end point was time to stone expulsion calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Secondary end points were the percentages of patients who required analgesics, hospital admission, and surgery, the number of working days lost to the disease, and treatment safety. RESULTS: Overall, three patients were excluded from the final analysis. No significant differences were noted in age, stone size, and stone side between the treatment arms. The median time to stone expulsion was 8 days [95 % confidence interval (CI), 3-16] for the naftopidil group, and this was significantly less than the 18 days (95 % CI, 11 to not reached) for the flopropione group (p = 0.03). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, the hazard of expulsion was 1.8-fold higher for the naftopidil group than for the flopropione group after adjustment for age, sex, stone side, and stone size. No significant differences were noted in the secondary end points. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of naftopidil significantly improved time to stone expulsion in patients with distal ureteral stones ≤10 mm. We believe that this is the first multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial demonstrating the efficacy of naftopidil for MET.

Weight loss intervention reduces the risk of kidney stone formation in a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of weight loss intervention on the urinary stone risk parameters in a rat model of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: In a prevention study, 4-week-old male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima "Fatty" rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control, food-restricted and food-restricted + exercise-trained groups. In a treatment study, 24-week-old male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima "Fatty" rats that had already developed type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to the same three groups. Blood and 24-h urine chemistry were measured after 16 weeks. RESULTS: In both studies, food-restricted and food-restricted + exercise-trained rats showed significantly higher urinary pH and higher excretion of urinary citrate than control rats. In the prevention study, ion-activity products of calcium oxalate in the food-restricted and food-restricted + exercise-trained groups were significantly lower than that of control rats. In the treatment study, ion-activity products of calcium oxalate index in food-restricted + exercise-trained rats was significantly lower than that of control rats. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss intervention seems to reduce the risk of uric acid stone formation by improving low urine pH and calcium oxalate stone formation by increasing urinary citrate excretion. The present study provides the first theoretical evidence to support weight loss intervention programs for nephrolithiasis patients with metabolic syndrome.

Outcome of metastasectomy for urothelial carcinoma: a multi-institutional retrospective study in Japan.

PURPOSE: We determined prognostic factors associated with prolonged survival after metastasectomy for urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 patients who underwent resection of urothelial carcinoma metastases with curative intent at 4 Japanese university hospitals were included in analysis. Of the patients 41 of 42 underwent systemic chemotherapy before and/or after metastasectomy. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The relationship between clinical characteristics and survival was analyzed using the log rank test. RESULTS: Metastasectomy included lymph node dissection in 20 cases, pulmonary resection in 12, pelvic exenteration in 3, resection of local recurrence in 2, resection of subcutaneous metastasis in 2, liver resection in 1 and other in 2. Median overall survival was 29 months (IQR 19-80) from the initiation of treatment for metastases and 26 months (IQR 11-90) from metastasectomy. The overall 5-year survival rate after metastasectomy was 31%. On univariate analysis patients treated with metastasectomy for a solitary lung or solitary lymph node metastasis had significantly longer survival than the others who underwent metastasectomy (81 vs 19 months, log rank test p = 0.0296). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term cancer control could be achieved in a subgroup of patients who undergo metastasectomy, especially those with a solitary lung or solitary lymph node metastasis.

External validation of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment scoring models to predict recurrence and progression in Japanese patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin.

OBJECTIVE: To validate two prediction models (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment) for recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in Japanese patients who underwent bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation therapy. METHODS: From March 1985 to April 2007, data were analyzed from 366 patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor followed by bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation therapy. The ability of two scoring models to predict recurrence and progression was assessed by concordance index. RESULTS: For recurrence probability, the concordance index of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment models was 0.514 and 0.576, respectively, which was lower than that (0.604) of a selected single prognostic factor (age) by our multivariate analysis. For progression probability, the concordance index of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment models was 0.693 and 0.764, respectively, which was higher than that (0.633) of a selected single factor (T stage) by our multivariate analysis. The Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment scoring system resulted in better stratification of tumor recurrence and progression when compared with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer model, probably because more patients underwent bacillus Calmette-Guérin treatment in the Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment cohort than in the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment scoring system is a good predictor of tumor recurrence and progression in Japanese patients who underwent bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy. A large prospective study is warranted to confirm the efficacy of this system.

Association of metabolic syndrome traits and severity of kidney stones: results from a nationwide survey on urolithiasis in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Although metabolic syndrome and its individual components have been associated with kidney stone disease, whether the clustering of metabolic syndrome traits increases the severity of kidney stone disease has not been examined in a large-scale study. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Data were obtained from 30,448 patients enrolled in the 6th Nationwide Survey on Urolithiasis in Japan conducted in 2005. Patients with lower urinary tract stones, struvite stones, cystine stones, or hyperparathyroidism and those younger than 15 years were excluded. PREDICTOR: Number of metabolic syndrome traits (obesity [body mass index ≥25 kg/m(2)], diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia). OUTCOMES: Severe form of kidney stone disease, defined as recurrent and/or multiple stones, and abnormalities in urine constituents (hypercalciuria, hyperuricosuria, hyperoxaluria, and hypocitraturia). RESULTS: 11,555 patients were included in the final analyses. Proportions of patients with recurrent and/or multiple stones were 57.7%, 61.7%, 65.2%, 69.3%, and 73.3% with 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 metabolic syndrome traits, respectively (P < 0.001). There was a significant and stepwise increase in the odds of recurrent and/or multiple stones after adjustment for age and sex. In patients with 4 metabolic syndrome traits, the odds was 1.8-fold greater compared with patients with 0 traits (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.22-2.66). In addition, the presence of metabolic syndrome traits was associated with significantly increased odds of having hypercalciuria, hyperuricosuria, hyperoxaluria, and hypocitraturia after adjustment for age and sex. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design, absence of dietary data, ill-defined diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome traits, and missing data for the majority of participants. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome trait clustering is associated with greater severity of kidney stone disease; increased urinary calcium, uric acid, and oxalate excretion; and decreased urinary citrate excretion. These results suggest that kidney stone disease should be regarded as a systemic disorder linked to metabolic syndrome.

[A case of collecting duct carcinoma originating from renal cyst].

In December 2003, a 32-year-old man underwent puncture for right renal cyst at a clinic. Since puncture fluid was dark red color in spite of negative cytology, he was being followed, but after a while he did not show up for further examination. In November 2007, he revisited the clinic due to low-grade fever. Computed tomographic findings showed an enlarged cystic mass with a solid component invading the liver and lymph node swelling. He underwent right radical nephrectomy combined with partial liver resection and lymphadenectomy. Histological findings showed collecting duct carcinoma associated with clear cell carcinoma directly invading the liver with lymph node metastasis (pT4N2M0). Although he underwent 4 cycles of gemcitabine-cisplatin therapy and alfa interferon injection 3 times a week thereafter as adjuvant setting, multiple liver metastasis occurred 15 months after surgery. He died of cancer 31 months after surgery in spite of molecular targeted therapy including sorafenib and sunitinib.

[Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy in a horseshoe kidney].

A 66-year-old woman had a 22 mm right kidney stone accompanied with a horseshoe kidney. The size of this stone had been increasing gradually from 7 mm to 22 mm during the past 5 years. Although apparent pelviuretic junction stenosis could not be identified by intravenous urography, external pelvis was dilated in both kidneys. Complete excretion of fragmented stones by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy seemed to be difficult because impaired urinary passage from the renal pelvis to the ureter was suspected. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was also difficult due to malrotation of the pelvic-caliceal system and possible interposition of bowel loops between kidney and abdominal wall. Therefore, we chose laparoscopic pyelolithotomy. This procedure made it possible to remove the stone completely with minimum invasiveness. We assume that laparoscopic pyelolithotomy is a safe and effective approach for renal pelvic stone in case of horseshoe kidney.

Modified 5-Item Frailty Index Score as Prognostic Marker After Radical Cystectomy in Bladder Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: A modified 5-item frailty index was recently developed as a predictor of patient comorbidity-based mortality and morbidity. We evaluate the association between preoperative modified 5-item frailty index score and prognosis after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, we calculated modified 5-item frailty index scores of the 238 patients that underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between March 2009, and March 2018. The patients were classified into high frailty index score (≥ 2) or low frailty index score (≤ 1) groups for comparison of overall and cancer-specific survival between them. To evaluate the prognostic impact of the preoperative frailty index, we also performed Cox proportional regression analyses for overall, and cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: Of 238 patients, 53 patients were classified into the high frailty index score group and 185 patients into the low frailty index score group. Overall, 70 patients died of bladder cancer (29%), and 21 patients died of other causes (9%). The patients with high frailty index score had significantly lower rate of overall survival than those with low frailty index score (P < .01). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in cancer-specific survival rate between the 2 groups (P = .07). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that high modified 5-item frailty index score was independently associated with poor overall survival (P = .01), but not with poor cancer-specific survival (P = .15). CONCLUSION: High preoperative modified 5-item frailty index score could be a significant independent predictor of poor prognosis after radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer.

The prognostic significance of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 expression in patients with metastatic bladder cancer treated with gemcitabine-cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) and excision repair cross complementing 1 (ERCC1) as possible prognostic factors for patients with metastatic bladder cancer treated with gemcitabine-cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study retrospectively evaluated the expression of hENT1 and ERCC1 by immunostaining in chemo-naive primary bladder tumour specimens from 40 patients with metastatic bladder cancer who received treatment with gemcitabine-cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy at Wakayama Medical University Hospital and affiliated hospitals from May 2002 to July 2009. Immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues was performed with specific hENT1 and ERCC1 antibodies scored by two pathologists who were blinded to clinical outcomes. The clinical and histopathological variables were analyzed to evaluate predictive values for survival. RESULTS: The median survival time in patients with high and low hENT1 expression was 17.3 and 11.6 months, respectively (log-rank test, P = 0.003). This contrasted with the median survival in patients with high and low ERCC1 expressions, which did not differ significantly (high ERCC1, 13.6 months; low ERCC1, 17.1 months; P = 0.178). In univariate Cox regression analyses for pretreatment clinicopathological variables, performance status (P = 0.02) and hENT1 expression (P = 0.004), but not ERCC1 expression (P = 0.182), were associated with overall survival. Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model showed that hENT1 expression was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The data obtained in the present study show that high expression of hENT1 in tumour cells is associated with prolonged survival in patients with metastatic bladder cancer treated with gemcitabine-cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy.

[The prognostic significance of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter1 (hENT1) expression in metastatic bladder cancer patients treated with gemcitabine-cisplatin based combination chemotherapy].

Systemic combination chemotherapy, such as the methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (MVAC) regimen, has shown certain activity in advanced bladder cancer, but is associated with a significant toxicity burden, with a treatment-related mortality of about 4%. Therefore, a great deal of interest has been focused on the gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) combination chemotherapy which showed the same antitumor effect as MVAC chemotherapy with far less toxicity. Indeed, the GC regimen is now frequently administered as the first-line chemotherapy against metastatic bladder cancer. For the present, GC/MVAC regimens constitute alternative platform chemotherapy, until new evidence based strategy can be demonstrated. Accordingly it is important to be able to predict whether a regimen is effective in each patient with bladder cancer before the initiation of chemotherapy. Clinicopathological factors as the Karnofsky performance status and the presence of visceral metastases are well-established prognostic markers for poor survival. However, they are inadequate to predict the optimal therapeutic regimen for each individual patient. As for the predictive marker of cisplatin, ERCC1 may predict survival in bladder cancer treated by platinum-based therapy. The predictive potential of gemcitabine has not been previously considered in advanced bladder cancer treated by gemcitabine-combined systemic chemotherapy. In our retrospective study, the predictive value of a high expression level of hENT1 was assessed in bladder cancer treated by gemcitabine combined combination chemotherapy.

Usefulness of Preoperative High Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients Who Undergo Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Multicenter Analysis.

Evidence of the prognostic value of pretreatment systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer is limited. This study aims to assess the association between preoperative SII and prognosis after RC for bladder cancer. In this multicenter retrospective study, we calculated preoperative SII as well as the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in 237 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer between March 2009 and March 2018. Patients were classified into high SII and low SII groups by using the optimal cutoff value (438 × 109/L) based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for cancer-specific death. We compared cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) between the two groups. To evaluate the prognostic impact of preoperative SII, we also performed Cox proportional regression analyses for CSS and OS. Of 237 patients, 127 patients were classified into the high SII group and 110 patients into the low SII group. During the follow-up period, 70 patients died of bladder cancer (30%) and 21 patients died from other causes (9%). Patients with high SII had significantly lower rates of CSS and OS than those with low SII (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that high SII was independently associated with poor CSS (p = 0.01) and poor OS (p < 0.01). In conclusion, high SII could be an independent significant predictor of poor prognosis after RC in patients with bladder cancer.

Insulin resistance increases the risk of urinary stone formation in a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome and urinary stone disease, and whether insulin resistance associated with adiposity affects the risk of urinary stone formation, using a rat model of metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four-week-old male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima 'Fatty' (OLETF, a model of human type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome) rats, and Long-Evans Tokushima (LETO, a non-diabetic control) rats (10 each) were given a standardized diet and free access to water. Body weight and serum and urinary biochemistry were determined every 4 weeks. Ten-week-old male OLETF and LETO rats were divided into three groups of nine each and treated with vehicle or oral administration of 3 or 10 mg/kg/day pioglitazone, an agent that improves insulin resistance. After 4 weeks, body weight and serum and urinary biochemistry were determined. RESULTS: The OLETF rats had significantly lower urinary pH and citrate excretion, and higher urinary uric acid and calcium excretion, than the LETO rats, with increases in body weight, serum triglyceride, glucose and insulin. The administration of pioglitazone to the OLETF rats for 4 weeks significantly increased urinary pH dose-dependently. There was no change in the urinary excretion of citrate, uric acid, calcium, oxalate or magnesium. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that metabolic syndrome causes the changes in urinary constituents, leading to increased risk of both uric acid and calcium stone formation. Improvement in insulin resistance, a central cause of metabolic syndrome, might prevent uric acid stone formation by raising urinary pH.

[Extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma with the manifestation of catecholamines cardiomyopathy: a case report].

A 22-year old female had an episode of acute heart and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation ducing a trip overseas. Echocardiography demonstrated akinesis of the apical area (left ventricle ejectionfraction(LVEF) =15%). Since computed tomography (CT) with coronary angiography to rule out acute coronary syndrome showed no abnormalities, she was diagnosed with morphological stress cardiomyopathy due to akinesis of the apical area. After returning to Japan, she was admitted to our hospital for further examination. She had an increased level of catecholamines in 24-hour urine. ¹³¹Imetaiodobenzyguanidine scintigraphy, CT scan and fluorodexyglucose positron emission tomography revealed a retroperitoneal mass. From these results, a diagnosis of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma with catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy was made. Histological diagnosis of the laparoscopically resected tumor was pheochromocytoma. After the operation, the level of catecholamines in 24-hour urine was normalized.

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the prostate in a young man.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate sarcoma is an extremely rare disease with a poor prognosis. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma has never been described in the prostate.Case presentation: A 27-year-old man complained of frequent urination and dysuria for several years. Various examinations were suggestive of prostate sarcoma. The pathological diagnosis was confirmed as prostate sarcoma via ultrasound-guided transrectal needle biopsy. Because the location of the tumor in the prostate was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, we performed robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. The final pathological diagnosis was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Local recurrence occurred at the front of the rectum 2 months after surgery. Although chemotherapy and radiotherapy were initially effective, he died 18 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the prostate is believed to have a poor prognosis. When selecting the surgical procedure, functionality should be considered for individual cases with complete resection.

The Association of Length of the Resected Membranous Urethra With Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine whether recovery of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy is associated with the preoperative length of membranous urethra (MU), the amount of rhabdosphincter and the length of MU removed with the prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort comprised 179 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP: n = 98) and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP: n = 81) at Wakayama Medical University between July 2010 and May 2014. The length of MU was measured by preoperative MRI. The amount of resected rhabdosphincter and the length of resected MU were assessed in hematoxylin and eosin sections at the apical margin of prostate specimens. Patient-reported urinary continence status was determined at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively, with urinary continence considered as 0-1 pads/day. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to compare time to urinary continence recovery. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors of urinary continence. RESULTS: RARP vs LRP (p = 0.02) and shorter length of resected MU (p = 0.01) showed significantly better postoperative continence recovery by log-rank test. Nerve-sparing, preoperative length of MU, and amount of resected rhabdosphincter did not significantly correlate with continence recovery. Only the length of resected MU was the independent factor for predicting postoperative urinary continence by multivariate Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio 0.84, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the length of resected MU measured by specimen was an independent predictor of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Care should be taken to preserve maximal length of MU for optimal continence outcomes.

Myosteatosis as a novel prognostic biomarker after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

This study aims to evaluate the influence of myosteatosis on survival of patients after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. We retrospectively identified 230 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer at our three institutions between 2009 and 2018. Digitized free-hand outlines of the left and right psoas muscles were made on axial non-contrast computed tomography images at level L3. To assess myosteatosis, average total psoas density (ATPD) in Hounsfield Units (HU) was also calculated as an average of bilateral psoas muscle density. We compared cancer-specific survival (CSS) between high ATPD and low ATPD groups and performed cox regression hazard analyses to identify the predictors of CSS. Median ATPD was 44 HU (quartile: 39-47 Hounsfield Units). Two-year CSS rate in overall patients was 76.6%. Patients with low ATPD (< 44 HU) had significantly lower CSS rate (P = 0.01) than patients with high ATPD (≥ 44 HU). According to multivariate analysis, significant independent predictors of poor CSS were: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 1 (P = 0.03), decreasing ATPD (P = 0.03), non-urothelial carcinoma (P = 0.01), pT ≥ 3 (P < 0.01), and pN positive (P < 0.01). In conclusion, myosteatosis (low ATPD) could be a novel predictor of prognosis after RC for bladder cancer.

PSA at postoperative three months can predict biochemical recurrence in patients with pathological T3 prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prognostic factors and determine which pT3 prostate cancer patients can be safely followed up after surgery without any adjuvant treatment. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out on 106 patients with pT3 prostate cancer. All preoperative and postoperative parameters, including the postoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level at 3 months after surgery, were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 18 months. The overall biochemical recurrence-free rate was 53.7% and 34.1% at 12 and 36 months, respectively. On univariate analysis, all preoperative clinical factors were significantly correlated with biochemical progression. On multivariate analysis, pathological Gleason score, pathological stage and postoperative PSA were significant predictors. Among those with undetectable PSA after surgery, 38 patients (88.4% of 43) did not have disease progression during the follow-up period. On the other hand, of the 27 patients with detectable PSA that was not defined as progressive (range 0.01-0.20), 22 (81.5%) had biochemical disease progression. The progression free probability was significantly different between these two groups (P-value < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: pT3 prostate cancer patients showing low pathological Gleason score, without seminal vesicle invasion, and undetectable postoperative PSA values have low probability of PSA progression. Careful follow up including periodic PSA assessment and clinical observation represents an adequate strategy in the management of these patients.