Adrenalectomy Improves Body Weight, Glucose, and Blood Pressure Control in Patients With Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion: Results of an Randomized Controlled Trial by the Co-work of Adrenal Research (COAR) Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the metabolic effects of adrenalectomy in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). BACKGROUND: Despite retrospective studies showing the association of adrenalectomy for MACS with beneficial metabolic effects, there have been only 2 randomized prospective studies with some limitations to date. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study randomized 132 patients with adrenal incidentaloma without any features of Cushing syndrome but with serum cortisol >50 nmol/L after a 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test into an adrenalectomy group (n = 66) or control group (n = 66). The primary outcomes were changes in body weight, glucose, and blood pressure (BP). RESULTS: Among the 118 participants who completed the study with a median follow-up duration of 48 months (range: 3-66), the adrenalectomy group (n = 46) exhibited a significantly higher frequency of improved weight control, glucose control, and BP control (32.6%, 45.7%, and 45.7%, respectively) compared with the control group (n = 46; 6.5%, P = 0.002; 15.2%, P = 0.002; and 23.9%, P = 0.029, respectively) after matching for age and sex. Adrenalectomy [odds ratio (OR) = 10.38, 95% CI = 2.09-51.52, P = 0.004], body mass index (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.08-1.79, P = 0.010), and cortisol after a 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test levels (OR = 92.21, 95% CI = 5.30-1604.07, P = 0.002) were identified as independent factors associated with improved weight control. Adrenalectomy (OR = 5.30, 95% CI = 1.63-17.25, P = 0.006) and diabetes (OR = 8.05, 95% CI = 2.34-27.65, P = 0.001) were independently associated with improved glucose control. Adrenalectomy (OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 0.87-5.94, P = 0.095) and hypertension (OR = 10.77, 95% CI = 3.65-31.81, P < 0.001) demonstrated associations with improved BP control. CONCLUSIONS: adrenalectomy improved weight, glucose, and BP control in patients with MACS.

A Proposal for Standardization of Early Outcomes Following Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy (RARC): RARC Tetrafecta.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is no dedicated tool to record the early outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC), and existing criteria for longer-term outcomes require a minimum of 3 months for assessment. However, early evaluation is essential to prevent future morbidity and mortality, especially in surgeries with a high risk of complications in the short term. We propose a comprehensive approach to report early RARC outcomes and investigate the influence of surgeon experience on these results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients who underwent RARC for bladder cancer between April 2009 and April 2020. The cohort was divided chronologically into three groups: patients 1-60 in group 1, 61-120 in group 2, and 121-192 in group 3. Patients with yields of ≥ 16 lymph nodes (LN), negative soft tissue surgical margins, absence of transfusion, and absence of major complications at 30 days were regarded as attaining the RARC tetrafecta. RESULTS: Of the 192 included patients, 93 (48.4%) achieved RARC tetrafecta, with the proportion increasing with surgical experience from 41.7% in group 1 to 55.6% in group 3. Age [odds ratio (OR) 0.947; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.924-0.970; P = 0.021], LN yield (OR 1.432; 95% CI 1.139-1.867; P = 0.001), and greater surgical experience with RARC (> 120 patients; OR 2.740; 95% CI 1.231-6.100; P = 0.014) were significantly associated with the achievement of RARC tetrafecta. CONCLUSIONS: RARC tetrafecta could be a comprehensive method for reporting early outcomes in patients undergoing RARC, with improvements aligned with the surgeon's experience.

Sextant Systematic Biopsy Versus Extended 12-Core Systematic Biopsy in Combined Biopsy for Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the comparative effectiveness of sextant and extended 12-core systematic biopsy within combined biopsy for the detection of prostate cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent combined biopsy targeting lesions with a Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score of 3-5 were assessed. Two specialists performed all combined cognitive biopsies. Both specialists performed target biopsies with five or more cores. One performed sextant systematic biopsies, and the other performed extended 12-core systematic biopsies. A total of 550 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Cases requiring systematic biopsy in combined biopsy exhibited a significant association with age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-4.32; P = 0.008), PI-RADS score (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.25-4.32; P = 0.008), and the number of systematic biopsy cores (OR, 3.69; 95% CI, 2.11-6.44; P < 0.001). In patients with an index lesion of PI-RADS 4, an extended 12-core systematic biopsy was required (target-negative/systematic-positive or a greater Gleason score in the systematic biopsy than in the targeted biopsy) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: During combined biopsy for prostate cancer in patients with PI-RADS 3 or 5, sextant systematic biopsy should be recommended over extended 12-core systematic biopsy when an effective targeted biopsy is performed.

Fat Loss in Patients with Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic impact of fat loss after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Data from 60 patients treated with ICI therapy for metastatic ccRCC were retrospectively analyzed. Changes in cross-sectional areas of subcutaneous fat (SF) between the pre-treatment and post-treatment abdominal computed tomography (CT) images were expressed as percentages and were divided by the interval between the CT scans to calculate ΔSF (%/month). SF loss was defined as ΔSF < -5%/month. Survival analyses for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were performed. Patients with SF loss had shorter OS (median, 9.5 months vs. not reached; p < 0.001) and PFS (median, 2.6 months vs. 33.5 months; p < 0.001) than patients without SF loss. ΔSF was independently associated with OS (adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-2.07; p = 0.020) and PFS (adjusted HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.17-2.12; p = 0.003), with a 5%/month decrease in SF increasing the risk of death and progression by 49% and 57%, respectively. In conclusion, Loss of SF after treatment initiation is a significant and independent poor prognostic factor for OS and PFS in patients with metastatic ccRCC who receive ICI therapy.

Predicting factor analysis of postoperative complications after robot-assisted radical cystectomy: Multicenter KORARC database study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate postoperative complications following robot-assisted radical cystectomy in patients diagnosed with bladder cancer and reveal if there are predictors for postoperative complications. METHODS: Prospectively collected medical records of 730 robot-assisted radical cystectomy patients between 2007/04 and 2019/05 in 13 tertiary referral centers were reviewed. Perioperative outcomes were compared between two groups by postoperative complications (complication vs non-complication). We assessed recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival between groups. Regression analyses were implemented to identify factors associated with postoperative complications. RESULTS: Any total and high-grade complication (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3) rates were 57.8% and 21.1%, respectively. Patients in complication group had significantly higher proportion of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.048), chronic kidney disease (P = 0.011), dyslipidemia (P < 0.001), longer operation time (P = 0.001), more estimated blood loss (P = 0.001), and larger intraoperative fluid volume (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in cancer-specific survival (log-rank P = 0.038, median cancer-specific survival: both groups not reached). Dyslipidemia (odds ratio 2.59, P = 0.002) and intraoperative fluid volume (odds ratio 1.0002, P = 0.040) were significantly associated with high-grade postoperative complications. Diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 1.97, P = 0.028), chronic kidney disease (odds ratio 1.89, P = 0.046), dyslipidemia (odds ratio 5.94, P = 0.007), and intraoperative fluid volume (odds ratio 1.0002, P = 0.009) were significantly associated with any postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, or a relatively large intraoperatively infused fluid volume are more likely to develop postoperative complications. Patients with postoperative complications might have a possibility of lower cancer-specific survival rate.

Oncological outcome according to attainment of pentafecta after robot-assisted radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer included in the multicentre KORARC database.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the oncological significance of a robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC)-related pentafecta in patients with bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the KORARC database, which includes data from 12 centres, data from 730 patients who underwent RARC between April 2007 and May 2019 were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. Pentafecta was achieved if patients met all of the following criteria: (i) negative soft tissue surgical margin; (ii) ≥16 lymph nodes removed; (iii) no major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade 3-5) within 90 days; (iv) no clinical recurrence within the first 12 months; and (v) no ureteroenteric stricture. Patients were divided into two groups according to pentafecta attainment, and a comparison of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) using multivariate Cox proportional analysis was then carried out. RESULTS: Of the 730 patients included in this analysis, 208 (28.5%) attained the RARC pentafecta; the remaining 522 (71.5%) did not. The mean age of the patients was 64.67 years, 85.1% were men, 53.6% received a conduit, 37.7% received orthotopic neobladders and the total complication rate was 57.8%. Those who attained the pentafecta received more neobladders (P = 0.039), were more likely to be treated with the intracorporeal technique (P < 0.001), had longer operating times (P = 0.020) and had longer console time (P = 0.021) compared with those who did not attain the pentafecta. Over a mean of 31.1 months of follow-up, the pentafecta attainment group had significantly higher OS and CSS rates compared with the non-attainment group (10-year OS 70.4% vs 58.1%, respectively [P = 0.016]; 10-year CSS 87.8% vs 70.0%, respectively [P = 0.036]). Multivariate analysis showed that the RARC pentafecta was a significant predictor of overall mortality (hazard ratio 0.561; P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who attained the RARC pentafecta had significantly better survival outcomes compared with those who did not. These criteria could be used to standardize assessment of the surgical quality of RARC. In the future, a similar study using an independent cohort is warranted to confirm our results.

Association between cancer stigma and job loss among cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: Previous qualitative studies found cancer stigma was associated with work discrimination and job loss among cancer patients. This study aims to quantify the association between cancer stigma and job loss among cancer survivors. METHODS: For this study, we used the data from a face-to-face cross sectional survey conducted at two cancer hospitals in Seoul and Hwasun in South Korea from October 2017 to March 2018. Cancer stigma was assessed using a validated questionnaire which consists of 12 items in three domains: (a) impossibility of recovery; (b) stereotypes; and (c) discrimination. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between cancer stigma and job loss adjusting age, sex, marital status, education, job type, residence area, cancer site, stage, comorbidity, time since diagnosis, and self-efficacy. RESULTS: Among 433 cancer survivors, 24.0% lost their jobs after cancer, and 20.7% experienced discrimination at work. Of total, 21.7% of the survivors agreed that it was difficult to treat cancer regardless of highly developed medical science. Survivors with stigma on impossibility of recovery and stereotypes were 3.10 (95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.76, 5.44]) and 2.10 (95% CI: [1.20, 3.67]) times more likely to lose a job than survivors without cancer stigma. Survivors with discrimination experience at work had 1.98 (95% CI: [1.05, 3.74]) times higher risk of losing a job than survivors without it. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors with cancer stigma were more likely to lose their jobs than survivors without cancer stigma. Considering its social and economic impact on job loss, comprehensive interventions for working cancer survivors as well as public campaigns against cancer stigma would be necessary.

Strategy for Prostate Cancer Patients with Low Prostate Specific Antigen Level (2.5 to 4.0 ng/mL).

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the strategy for detection of prostate cancer (PCa) with low prostate specific antigen (PSA) level (2.5-4.0 ng/mL), prostate biopsy patients with low PSA were assessed. We evaluated the risk of low PSA PCa and the strategy for screening low-PSA patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the patients who underwent prostate biopsy with low PSA level. Baseline characteristics, PSA level before prostate biopsy, prostate volume, prostate specific antigen density (PSAD), and pathological data were assessed. RESULTS: Among the 1986 patients, 24.97% were diagnosed with PCa. The PSAD was 0.12 ± 0.04 ng/mL² in the PCa-diagnosed group and 0.10 ± 0.04 ng/mL² in non-cancer-diagnosed group (P < 0.001). Of the 496 patients diagnosed with PCa, 302 (60.89%) were in the intermediate- or high-risk group. PSAD was 0.13 ± 0.04 ng/mL² in the intermediate- or high-risk group and 0.11 ± 0.03 ng/mL² in the very low- and low-risk group (P < 0.001). Of 330 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, 85.15% were diagnosed as having significant cancer. There was significant correlation between PSAD and PCa (r = 0.294, P < 0.001). PSAD with a specificity of 80.00% of a clinically significant cancer diagnosis was assessed at 0.1226 ng/mL². CONCLUSION: The PCa detection rate in the low-PSA group was not lower than that of previous studies of patients with PSA from 4.0 to 10.0 ng/mL. Further, it may be helpful to define a strategy for PCa detection using PSAD in the low-PSA group.

Synergistic Effects of Combination Therapy with AKT and mTOR Inhibitors on Bladder Cancer Cells.

Despite comprehensive genomic analyses, no targeted therapies are approved for bladder cancer. Here, we investigate whether a single and combination therapy with targeted agents exert antitumor effects on bladder cancer cells through genomic alterations using a three-dimensional (3D) high-throughput screening (HTS) platform. Seven human bladder cancer cell lines were used to screen 24 targeted agents. The effects of 24 targeted agents were dramatically different according to the genomic alterations of bladder cancer cells. BEZ235 (dual phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor) showed antitumor effects against most cell lines, while AZD2014 (mTOR inhibitor) had an IC50 value lower than 2 µM in 5637, J82, and RT4 cell lines. AZD5363 (protein kinase B (AKT) inhibitor) exerted antitumor effects on 5637, J82, and 253J-BV cells. J82 cells (PI3KCA and mTOR mutations) were sensitive to AZD5363, AZD2014, and BEZ235 alone or in AZD5363/AZD2014 and AZD5363/BEZ235 combinations. Although all single drugs suppressed cell proliferation, the combination of drugs exhibited synergistic effects on cell viability and colony formation. The synergistic effects of the combination therapy on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, apoptosis, and EMT were evident in Western blotting. Thus, the 3D culture-based HTS platform could serve as a useful preclinical tool to evaluate various drug combinations.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the role of curcumin in prostate cancer patients with intermittent androgen deprivation.

BACKGROUND: The anti-cancer activities of curcumin are well-documented from preclinical studies using prostate cancer models. Our objective was to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of oral curcumin in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on patients with prostate cancer who received intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD). Participants who finished the first on-treatment period of IAD were randomized into a curcumin or placebo group. The patients took oral curcumin (1440 mg/day) or placebo for six months and were followed up until the beginning of the second on-treatment. The primary end-point was duration of the first off-treatment. The secondary end-points were change in PSA and testosterone levels during 6 months, PSA progression rate, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores at 6 months. Safety assessments included adverse event, adverse drug reaction, and serious adverse event. RESULTS: A total of 97 participants were randomized 1:1 to curcumin (n = 49) and placebo (n = 48) groups. Among them, 82 patients (84.5%) were evaluable for the analysis (39 and 43 patients in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively). The median off-treatment duration was 16.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.3-20.3 months) and 18.5 months (95% CI 12.5-23.0 months) in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the curve of off-treatment duration between the two groups (P = 0.4816). The proportion of patients with PSA progression during the active curcumin treatment period (6 months) was significantly lower in the curcumin group than the placebo group (10.3% vs 30.2%, P = 0.0259). The change of PSA, testosterone levels during 6 months, and HRQOL scores at 6 months were not different between curcumin and placebo groups. Adverse events were higher in the placebo group (16 of 46 vs 7 of 45 patients, P = 0.0349). No significant differences in the adverse drug reaction were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Six months' intake of oral curcumin did not significantly affect the overall off-treatment duration of IAD. However, PSA elevation was suppressed with curcumin intake during the curcumin administration period. Curcumin at this dose was well tolerated and safe.

Combination of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies is not enough for identifying patients eligible for hemiablative focal therapy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate focal therapy (hemiablation) eligibility in men undergoing prostate biopsy and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) with reference to histopathology from radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. METHODS: Subjects were selected among 810 men who underwent prostate biopsy, mpMRI, and RP from January 2016 to December 2017. Hemiablation eligibility criteria were biopsy-proven unilateral cancer, prostate-specific antigen ≤ 15 ng/ml, and Gleason score (GS) ≤ 3 + 4. Evidence of non-organ-confined disease or Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score ≥ 4 on the contralateral lobe on mpMRI was classified as ineligible for hemiablation. Of the 810, data for 185 who met the screening criteria were compared to final pathology findings. Significant cancer at RP was defined as any of the following: (1) GS 6 with tumor volume ≥ 0.5 ml; (2) GS ≥ 3 + 4; or (3) the presence of advanced stage (≥ pT3). RESULTS: Among the 185 candidates for hemiablation, 62 (33.5%) had unilateral cancer on final RP histopathology. Among the 123 bilateral cancers, 50 (27%) were organ confined and had GS ≤ 3 + 4 = 7 and bilateral multifocal tumor in which the index tumor was confined to one lobe and the secondary tumor in the contralateral lobe had tumor volume < 0.5 ml and GS ≤ 6. A total of 112 (60.5%) patients in this series were considered suitable for hemiablation. Significant cancer on biopsy and mpMRI-negative lobes were found in 72 (38.9%) of 185 lobes, including 1 (0.5%) with advanced stage. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of standard prostate biopsy and mpMRI did not accurately identify lobes that could be considered as non-treated regions.

Cancer Location in Upgrading and Detection after Transperineal Template-Guided Mapping Biopsy for Patients in Active Surveillance and Negative Transrectal Ultrasonography-Guided Prostate Biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the efficacy of transperineal template-guided mapping biopsy (TTMB) for patients on active surveillance (AS) or those with previous negative transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUS-Bx). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 99 patients on AS and 60 patients with previous negative TRUS-Bx, which is a total of 159 patients who underwent TTMB from May 2017 to January 2019. Cancer location was analyzed with focus on the anterior and apex lesions of the prostate after TTMB. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging was performed before TTMB. Cancer location after TTMB in 138 patients, excluding 21 patients who were not eligible for analysis (4 patients on AS and 17 patients with previous negative TRUS-Bx) was compared with Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADSTM v2) score. Factors that may affect detecting cancer after TTMB with previous negative TRUS-Bx was analyzed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: In AS patients, 29 patients (29.3%) exhibited an upgrade in Gleason score (GS) after TTMB. Among them, 22 patients (75.9%) showed at the anterior or apex lesions. In patients with previous negative TRUS-Bx, 18 patients (30.0%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Among them, 13 patients (72.2%) exhibited cancer at the anterior or apex lesion. Among the 25 AS patients with PI-RADSTM score 1-2, 5 patients (20.0%) showed an upgrade in GS. Among the 26 patients with previous negative TRUS-Bx and PI-RADSTM score 1-2, 6 patients (23.1%) had cancer. In multivariate regression model, prostate volume (OR 0.951) was identified as the predictor for a positive biopsy result after TTMB with previous negative TRUS-Bx. CONCLUSIONS: TTMB is efficient for patients on AS in the detection of upgraded cancer located in anterior or apex or those with previous negative TRUS-Bx in the detection of anterior or apex cancer. In PI-RADSTM score 1-2, a substantial proportion of patients after experienced upgrade in GS on AS patients or cancer detection on previous negative TRUS-Bx. Moreover, we identified prostate volume is the independent predictor for a positive biopsy result after TTMB with previous negative TRUS-Bx.

Practice pattern of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in Japan, Korea and Taiwan: A Web-based survey.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the treatment pattern of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients among urologists in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, with emphasis on compliance with important treatment guidelines. METHODS: A Web-based questionnaire survey was conceived by representative members of each country's urological oncology society and was open from June 2016 to February 2017 to each society's members. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used. RESULTS: A total of 2334 urologists were invited and 701 responded to the survey with a response rate of 30.0%. Instruments used during transurethral resection of bladder cancer varied significantly between countries and depended on their availability. The re-transurethral resection rate for pT1 or high-grade disease >50% of the time was significantly higher in Japan than in the other two countries, but the collective rate was just 49%. The frequency of intravesical therapy in intermediate- to high-risk disease was generally consistent across countries. However, the choice of agent between chemotherapy and bacillus Calmette-Guérin was significantly different between countries. Maintenance bacillus Calmette-Guérin was used <10% of the time by 45% of respondents, the most important reasons being fear of side-effects, followed by a lack of efficacy and shortage of drug supply. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences between Japan, Korea and Taiwan in the management of intermediate- to high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The results of this survey can serve as the basis for joint efforts to develop common clinical guidelines.

Changeable Conditional Survival Rates and Associated Prognosticators in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Receiving First Line Targeted Therapy.

PURPOSE: In this study we evaluated conditional survival probabilities in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who underwent first line tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. We also identified predictors of conditional survival with time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data on 1,659 individuals with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the Korean Renal Cancer Study Group database, of whom the records of 1,131 were finally analyzed. The primary end point was conditional overall survival. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate conditional overall survival probabilities using the formula, conditional survival (α│ß) = S(α + ß)/S(ß), indicating the likelihood of additional α years survivorship in person who has already survived for ß years after initial therapy. S(χ) represents the actual survival rate. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to identify predictors of conditional survival with time. RESULTS: Six, 12, 18, 24 and 36-month conditional overall survival gradually increased in patients at all additional survival times after initial treatment compared to patient baseline survival estimations. While the actual overall survival rate decreased with time, the 36-month conditional overall survival rate was calculated as 7.3% higher in patients who had already survived 36 months compared to baseline estimations at the time of initial tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. Furthermore, predictors of conditional overall survival changed with time. Only previous metastasectomy remained a key prognosticator of conditional overall survival until 36 months of survival following initial tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Conditional survival improved with time after initial tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Our study offers valuable information for practical survival estimations and relevant prognosticators in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who receive first line tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

RFA versus robotic partial nephrectomy for T1a renal cell carcinoma: a propensity score-matched comparison of mid-term outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare oncological and functional mid-term outcomes following robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using propensity score-matching. METHODS: Between December 2008-April 2016, 63 patients from each treatment group were propensity score-matched for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, tumour size, tumour laterality, tumour histology, R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Post-treatment follow-up periods for RPN and RFA ranged from 1-90 months (median, 24.6) and 1-65 months (21), respectively. Tumour location, percentage of eGFR preservation and 2-year recurrence-free survival rate were compared between groups. RESULTS: Exophytic and endophytic RCC occurred in 73.0 % (46/63) and 27.0 % (17/63) of the RPN group, and 52.4 % (33/63) and 47.6 % (30/63) of the RFA group, respectively (p=0.017). There was 91.7 % preservation of eGFR in the RPN group and 86.8 % in the RFA group (p=0.088). Two-year recurrence-free survival rate was 100 % in the RPN and 95.2 % in the RFA group (p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: RPN provides a higher recurrence-free survival rate than RFA. However, RFA is a better treatment option for an endophytic or recurrent RCC that is difficult to treat with RPN. KEY POINTS: • RPN provides a higher recurrence-free survival rate than RFA. • Unlike RPN, repeat RFA is easy to perform for recurrent RCC. • Endophytic RCC could be better treated with RFA.

Prognostic impact of the pretreatment aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase ratio in patients treated with first-line systemic tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prognostic role of the pretreatment aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase or De Ritis ratio in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving first-line systemic tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively searched the medical records of 579 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who visited Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, from January 2001 through August 2016. After excluding 210 patients, we analyzed 360 patients who received first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Cancer-specific survival and overall survival were defined as the primary and secondary end-points, respectively. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify independent prognosticators of survival outcomes. RESULTS: The overall population was divided into two groups according to the pretreatment De Ritis ratio as an optimal cut-off value of 1.2, which was determined by a time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Patients with a higher pretreatment De Ritis ratio (≥1.2) had worse cancer-specific survival and overall survival outcomes, compared with those with a lower De Ritis ratio (<1.2). Notably, a higher De Ritis ratio (≥1.2) was found to be an independent predictor of both cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio 1.61, 95% confidence interval 1.13-2.30) and overall survival outcomes (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.19-2.39), along with male sex, multiple metastasis (≥2), non-clear cell histology, advanced pT stage (≥3), previous metastasectomy and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center risk classification. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the pretreatment De Ritis ratio can provide valuable information about the survival outcomes of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

Postoperative Outcome of Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma Defined on Preoperative Imaging: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the postoperative outcome of cystic renal cell carcinoma defined on preoperative computerized tomography. We also sought to find the optimal cutoff of the cystic proportion in association with patient prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this institutional review board approved study with waiver of informed consent, 1,315 patients were enrolled who underwent surgery for a single renal cell carcinoma with preoperative computerized tomography. The cystic proportion of renal cell carcinoma was determined on computerized tomography. The optimal cutoff of the cystic proportion was explored regarding cancer specific survival. Renal cell carcinomas were categorized as cystic or noncystic renal cell carcinoma according to a conventional cutoff (ie cystic proportion 75% or greater) and an optimal cutoff. Postoperative outcomes were then compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictor of cancer specific survival. RESULTS: Of the 1,315 lesions 107 (8.1%) were identified as cystic renal cell carcinoma according to a conventional cutoff. The postoperative outcome of cystic renal cell carcinoma was significantly better than that of noncystic renal cell carcinoma (p <0.001). Neither metastasis nor recurrence developed after surgery in patients with cystic renal cell carcinoma. In association with the cancer specific survival rate, the optimal cutoff of the cystic proportion was 45% and 197 cases (15.0%) were accordingly defined as cystic renal cell carcinoma. On Cox regression analysis, a cystic proportion of 45% or greater of the renal cell carcinoma was an independent predictor of a favorable outcome regarding cancer specific survival (HR 0.34, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Cystic renal cell carcinoma defined on preoperative computerized tomography is associated with low metastatic potential and favorable outcomes after surgery. Particularly, a cystic proportion of 45% or greater is an independent prognostic factor for favorable survival.

Prognostic Significance of Pre- to Postoperative Dynamics of the Prognostic Nutritional Index for Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma Who Underwent Radical Nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the prognostic role of Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) dynamics in the pre- and postoperative periods for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who undergo radical nephrectomy (RN). METHODS: The study analyzed 324 patients with RCC who underwent RN. The overall population was classified into four groups according to four types of pre- to postoperative PNI dynamics as follows: group 1 (low â†’ low PNI), group 2 (low â†’ high PNI), group 3 (high â†’ low PNI), and group 4 (high â†’ high PNI). The level of PNI was calculated using the following formula: 10 × serum albumin level (g/dL) + 0.005 × absolute lymphocyte counts in blood (/mm3). The primary end point was cancer-specific survival (CSS), and the secondary end point was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The patients with higher pre- and postoperative PNI (>45) had better survival outcomes than those with lower pre- and postoperative PNI (≤45). Notably, the patients in group 4 showed the best CSS and OS rates, whereas the patients in group 1 had the worst survival outcomes. Furthermore, PNI dynamics were identified as an independent predictor of CSS and OS outcomes, in addition to pre- and postoperative PNI, tumor size, and pathologic T (pT) stage. The patients with localized RCC (≤pT2) showed significant differences in both CSS and OS estimates, whereas the patients with advanced pT stage (≥pT3) demonstrated a difference only in OS outcomes, according to PNI dynamics. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to provide the independent prognostic importance of dynamics of nutritional status for patients with RCC.

Accuracy of preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for prediction of unfavorable pathology in patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the accuracy of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) for preoperative staging and its influence on the determination of neurovascular bundle sparing and disease prognosis in patients with localized prostate cancer. METHODS: We reviewed 1045 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy with preoperative mpMRI at a single institution. Clinical local stages determined from mpMRI were correlated with preoperative and postoperative pathological outcomes. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity to diagnose seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) on mpMRI were 43.8 and 95.4 %, respectively. The negative predictive value was 78.9 %. The sensitivity and specificity to diagnose extracapsular extension (ECE) were 54.5 and 80.5 %, respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing pathological T3 or higher were 52.6 and 82.1 %, respectively. Non-organ-confined disease determined by mpMRI was significantly associated with positive surgical margin and pathological T3 disease on multivariate analysis. Preoperative adverse findings on mpMRI were significantly associated with performance of the non-nerve-sparing technique. CONCLUSION: mpMRI did not show outstanding diagnostic accuracy relative to our expectations in predicting SVI or ECE preoperatively. However, adverse findings on preoperative mpMRI were significantly related to worse postoperative pathological outcomes as well as postoperative biochemical recurrence.