Recurrence and progression in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer using EORTC risk tables.

OBJECTIVES: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the recurrence and progression at 1, 3 and 5 years in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who underwent a transurethral resection of bladder cancer following intravesical adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy if indicated and to compare them with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk tables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2011, a total of 259 patients with NMIBC were treated with transurethral resection of bladder cancer. According to the clinical and pathological factors used by the EORTC scoring system, the patients were divided into four groups, and for each group, the probabilities of recurrence and progression were calculated. RESULTS: The recurrence and progression rates of NMIBC of our patients were similar to those in the EORTC risk score system. Moreover, in our sample group, we found a minimally significant reduction in the recurrence rate in the intermediate- and high-risk groups. CONCLUSION: From the results obtained, we considered it essential to introduce the use of EORTC risk tables into our clinical practice to determine the recurrence and progression of NMIBC.

The Impact of Primary Tumor Location on Long-Term Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Treated with Radical Nephroureterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) accounts for up to 10% of all urothelial neoplasms. Currently, various tumor-related factors are proposed to be of importance in UTUC prognostic models; however, the association of the primary UTUC location with oncological outcomes remains controversial. Thus, we sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the latest available evidence and assess the impact of primary tumor location on long-term oncological outcomes in patients with UTUC undergoing radical nephroureterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized systematic literature search was conducted in October 2021 through the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. The primary endpoint was cancer-specific survival (CSS), and the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Effect measures for the analyzed outcomes were reported hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Among the total number of 16,836 UTUC in 17 included studies, 10,537 (62.6%) were renal pelvic tumors (RPTs), and 6299 (37.4%) were ureteral tumors (UTs). Pooled results indicated that patients with UT had significantly worse CSS (HR: 1.37, p < 0.001), OS (HR: 1.26, p = 0.003, and DFS (HR: 1.51, p < 0.001) compared to patients with RPT. Based on performed subgroup analyses, we identified different definitions of primary tumor location and geographical region as potential sources of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral location of UTUC is associated with significantly worse long-term oncological outcomes. Our results support the need for close follow-up and the consideration of perioperative chemotherapy in patients with UTUC located in the ureter. However, further prospective studies are needed to draw final conclusions.

The Impact of Diagnostic Ureteroscopy Prior to Radical Nephroureterectomy on Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of intravesical recurrence (IVR) following radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is reported in up to 50% of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). It was suggested that preoperative diagnostic ureteroscopy (URS) could increase the IVR rate after RNU. However, the available data are often conflicting. Thus, in this systematic review and meta-analysis we sought to synthesize available data for the impact of pre-RNU URS for UTUC on IVR and other oncological outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed in June 2021. Cumulative analyses of hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were conducted. The primary endpoint was intravesical recurrence-free survival (IVRFS), with the secondary endpoints being cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and metastasis-free survival (MFS). RESULTS: Among a total of 5489 patients included in the sixteen selected papers, 2387 (43.4%) underwent diagnostic URS before RNU and 3102 (56.6%) did not. Pre-RNU diagnostic URS was significantly associated with worse IVRFS after RNU (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.29-1.61, p < 0.001) than RNU alone. However, subgroup analysis including patients without biopsy during URS revealed no significant impact of diagnostic URS on IVRFS (HR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.90-1.80, p = 0.16). The results of other analyses showed no significant differences in CSS (HR = 0.94, p = 0.63), OS (HR: 0.94, p = 0.56), and MFS (HR: 0.91, p = 0.37) between patients who underwent URS before RNU and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis confirm that diagnostic URS prior to RNU is significantly associated with worse IVRFS, albeit with no concurrent impact on the other long-term survival outcomes. Our results indicate that URS has a negative impact on IVRFS only when combined with endoscopic biopsy. Future studies are warranted to assess the role of immediate postoperative intravesical chemotherapy in patients undergoing biopsy during URS for suspected UTUC.

Multicentre clinical evaluation of the safety and performance of a simple transperineal access system for prostate biopsies for suspected prostate cancer: The CAMbridge PROstate Biopsy DevicE (CamPROBE) study.

OBJECTIVES: To report the prospective multicentre clinical evaluation of a first-in-man disposable device, Cambridge Prostate Biopsy Device, to undertake local anaesthetic outpatient transperineal prostate biopsies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Disposable single-use Cambridge Prostate Biopsy devices were manufactured based on a previous prototype. The lead site developed a user training course and disseminated the method to other sites. The Cambridge Prostate Biopsy Device (CamPROBE) was offered as an alternative to transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy to men due for a biopsy as part of their clinical management. Data on safety (infections and device performance), clinical utility, patient reported experience, biopsy quality and cancer detection were collected. Procedure time and local anaesthetic use was recorded in the lead site. The study was funded by a United Kingdom National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) i4i product development award. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were recruited (median age 69 y) across six sites; five sites were new to the procedure. Overall, 19/40 were first prostate biopsies and 21/40 repeat procedures. Both image-targeted and systematic biopsy cores taken. There were no infections, device deficiencies or safety issues reported. The procedure was well tolerated with excellent patient-reported perception and low pain scores (median of 3, scale 0-10). Histopathology quality was good and the overall cancer diagnosis rate (first diagnostic procedures) was 68% (13/19) and for significant cancers (⩾ histological Grade Group 2), 47% (9/19). In the lead centre (most experienced), median procedure time was 25 minutes, and median local anaesthetic use 11 ml (n=17). CONCLUSIONS: Data from this device evaluation study demonstrate that the United Kingdom-developed Cambridge Prostate Biopsy Device/method for transperineal biopsies is safe, transferable and maintains high diagnostic yields. The procedure is well tolerated by patients, suited to the local anaesthetic outpatient setting and could directly replace transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Acute poisoning with Tricholoma equestre.

Four cases, including three adults and one child, suffering from acute poisoning with Tricholoma equestre were described. The patients had eaten from 100 to 400 grams of the mushroom within a few consecutive meals. After consuming about 1000 grams of Tricholoma equestre for 3-4 days, the subjects developed fatigue, muscle weakness, myalgia, and in two cases acute respiratory failure with the need of respiratorotherapy. Maximal serum CK was 48136 U/L in the adults and 306 U/L in children. Maximal serum levels of AST and ALT were 802 U/L and 446 U/L in adults and 39 U/L, and 56 U/L in a child. All routine biochemical tests were within normal range. No other causes of rhabdomyolysis such as parasitic or viral infections, immune diseases, trauma or exposure to medications were found. Patient, aged 72 yrs., who developed acute respiratory failure, died in the second day of hospitalization. In other patients all the above mentioned symptoms and biochemical abnormalities disappeared from 2 to 3 weeks of hospitalization. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of appearance of rhabdo-myolysis after repeated consumption of large quantities of Tricholoma equestre.

[Misuse of substances theoretically without abuse potential--case series]. / Naduzywanie substancji teoretycznie bez znanego potencjalu uzalezniajacego--przeglad przypadków.

The aim of our study was to present cases of misuse of different substances theoretically without abuse potential. In the last few years such behavior became an increasing problem in toxicological and emergency units. Lack of typical signs of intoxication with psychoactive substances, and negative results of standard toxicological tests may be a challenge for toxicologists and emergency medicine practitioners.

Development of a Disease-Specific Ureteral Calculus Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Instrument.

INTRODUCTION: Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are powerful instruments to assess the impact of a disease on health from the patient's perspective. We describe the process of designing, testing, and validating the Cambridge Ureteral Stone PROM (CUSP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients recently diagnosed with ureteral stones were approached for participation in focus groups, structured interviews, and test-retest validation studies. Statistical tests included Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency, Spearman's and Pearson's correlation coefficients for test-retest validity, permutation tests of equality of means and Spearman's correlation coefficients for discriminant validity. RESULTS: Forty-three patients participated in the development of the CUSP. Twenty-two patients were involved in the focus groups and structured interviews and a further 21 participated in the prospective test-retest study. Expressed comments were grouped into seven broad health domains: pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, work and daily activities, anxiety, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and urinary symptoms. Items were selected from established PROM platforms to form the draft (dCUSP) instrument, which was then used for test-retest validation and item reduction. All domains scored highly for Cronbach's alpha (>0.8), with the exception of GI symptoms. Large Spearman's (>0.76) and Pearson's correlation estimates (>0.83) were obtained for test-retest validity, suggesting that answers were reliable through the time period tested. The estimates of the Spearman's correlation coefficient between each pair of domains ranged from 0.17 to 0.78 and the upper bounds of the corresponding 95% confidence intervals were all smaller than 0.95, suggesting that each domain measures something different. The tests of equality of the mean of scores of the control (n = 25) and patient groups were all significant, suggesting that CUSP successfully discriminated patients suffering from ureteral stones for every domain. CONCLUSION: CUSP is a patient-derived ureteral stone PROM, which can be used to measure ureteral stone disease health outcomes from the patient's point of view.

Metastatic malignant melanoma of the urinary bladder: Case report and literature review.

Metastatic malignant melanoma of the urinary bladder is a rare clinical finding suggestive of advanced disease. Only 17 cases have been described in the English literature. We present a case of an 84-year-old male who was referred to the urology department with the incidental finding of bladder metastases on computed tomography (CT) one year following the diagnosis of malignant melanoma of the skin. Herein, we will discuss epidemiology, prognosis, and management options of metastatic malignant melanoma based on literature review.

Intratesticular epidermoid cyst: is radiological diagnosis enough?

Intratesticular epidermoid cysts are rare solid tumorlike lesions. They constitute 1% of all testicular tumors. Major advances have been achieved during the last decades, shifting the management of epidermoid cysts to a more conservative approach. We present a case of a 20-year-old male who was referred to the urology department with a two-year history of a gradually increasing painless right-sided scrotal lump. We will discuss the diagnostic work up of intratesticular epidermoid cyst, with the operative management and literature review.

Long-term results of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiographic drainage for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous stenting is established in the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction. We examined the indications, success rate, complications, and long-term postoperative course of patients undergoing this procedure. METHODS: All patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and metal stenting over a 12-month period in a tertiary referral center were studied. Data regarding diagnosis, number and type of procedures, complications, and survival were collected from multidisciplinary case notes and general practitioner records. RESULTS: There were 21 patients of median age 70 (mean, 71; range, 54-93), 56.5% (11) had pancreatic cancer and 33% (7) cholangiocarcinoma. The mean number of PTC procedures was 2.43 and mean length of stay in hospital 20.66 days (range, 3-99). Serum bilirubin fell post drainage from 397 to 226 (µmol/L; p < 0.001) on discharge, however, in 19% (4) there was no significant reduction. Complications included cholangitis (19%) and acute pancreatitis (10%). Mortality was high and 9 patients (43%) died within 30 days, of whom 2 died in the hospital (1 from ascending cholangitis and another from pneumonia). The median time between discharge and death was 25 days (mean, 59.1 days) and no patient was alive after 193 days. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis following PTC stenting of malignant biliary obstruction is extremely poor despite adequate drainage. The procedure can lead to significant morbidity and a lengthy hospital stay. Patient selection is therefore of paramount importance and an expedient treatment protocol and early return home recommended.