Real world evidence of enfortumab vedotin in patients with advanced urothelial cancer: A multicenter observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the characteristics of patients and assess the effectiveness of enfortumab vedotin (EV) in those with treatment-resistant advanced urothelial cancer in a real-world setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter observational study was conducted on 103 evaluable patients with advanced urothelial cancer who received EV. Outcomes were assessed by radiographic response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), with treatment-related adverse events (trAEs). Radiographic response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, while trAEs were studied in line with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 8.9 months (range, 0.1-16.4). The observed objective response rate was 50.5%. The median PFS was 6.0 months (95% CI: 4.7-9.8), and the median OS was 14.5 months (95% CI: 12.4-not reached). Out of the 103 patients, 19 (18.4%) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or more, 14 (14.7%) had an non-urothelial carcinoma histology, and 40 (38.3%) had at least one pre-existing comorbidity. There were 26 (25.2%) patients who reported 49 trAEs, with 9 (18.3%) being grade 3 or higher. The most common trAEs included rash, occurring in 18.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the characteristics and outcomes of patients with previously treated advanced urothelial cancer receiving EV. The findings demonstrate that EV showed robust anti-tumor activity and had manageable safety profiles outside the clinical trial setting.

Aristolochic acid-containing Chinese herbal medicine and upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in Taiwan: a narrative review.

PURPOSE: The high incidence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in Taiwan is largely due to exposure to aristolochic acid (AA), a principal component of Aristolochia-based herbal medicines. Here we systematically review the molecular epidemiology, clinical presentation and biomarkers associated with AA-induced UTUC. METHODS: This is a narrative review. Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to December 31, 2021. Studies evaluating the association, detection, and clinical characteristics of AA and UTUC were included. RESULTS: A nationwide database revealed 39% of the Taiwanese population had been exposed to AA-containing herbs between 1997 and 2003. Epidemiological reports revealed AA posed a significantly higher hazard for renal failure and UTUC in herbalists and the general population who ingested AA-containing herbs. The presence of aristolactam-DNA adducts and a distinctive signature mutation, A:T to T:A transversions, located predominantly on the non-transcribed DNA strand, with a strong preference for deoxyadenosine in a consensus sequence (CAG), was observed in many UTUC patients. Clinically, AA-related UTUC patients were characterized by a younger age, female gender, impaired renal function and recurrence of contralateral UTUC. To date, there are no preventive measures, except prophylactic nephrectomy, for subjects at risk of AA nephropathy or AA-related UTUC. CONCLUSION: AA exposure via Aristolochia-based herbal medicines is a problem throughout Taiwan, resulting in a high incidence of UTUC. Aristolactam-DNA adducts and a distinctive signature mutation, A:T to T:A transversions, can be used as biomarkers to identify AA-related UTUC. AA-related UTUC is associated with a high recurrence rate of contralateral UTUC.

Late adverse events in patients with pelvic cancer after oncologic treatment-intervention and treatment effect.

PURPOSE: Few studies have focused on the late adverse events after oncologic treatment in pelvic cancer patients. Here, the treatment effect/interventions were studied on late side effects as GI, sexual, and urinary symptoms in pelvic cancer patients who visited a highly specialized rehabilitation clinic in Linköping. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal cohort study included 90 patients who had at least one visit at the rehabilitation clinic for late adverse events at Linköping University hospital between 2013 to 2019. The toxicity of the adverse events was analyzed by using the common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE). RESULTS: By comparing the toxicity of symptoms between visits 1 and 2, we showed that the GI symptoms decreased with 36.6% (P = 0.013), the sexual symptoms with 18.3% (P < 0.0001), and urinary symptoms with 15.5% (P = 0.004). Patients who received bile salt sequestrant had a significant improvement in grade of GI symptoms as diarrhea/fecal incontinence at visit 2 compared to visit 1 where 91.3% were shown to have a treatment effect (P = 0.0034). The sexual symptoms (vaginal dryness/pain) significantly improved due to local estrogens between visits 1 and 2 where 58.1% had a reduction of symptoms (P = 0.0026). CONCLUSION: The late side effects as GI, sexual, and urinary symptoms was significantly reduced between visits 1 and 2 at the specialized rehabilitation center in Linköping. Bile salt sequestrants and local estrogens are effective treatments for side effects as diarrhea and vaginal dryness/pain.

Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Pelvic and Perineal Region: A Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Study.

BACKGROUND: Advanced pelvic squamous cell carcinoma (pSCC) is a broad category of cancers affecting different pelvic organs and usually featuring unfavorable clinical outcomes. Thus, we aimed to assess genomic differences among pSCC cases and learn whether pSCC could potentially benefit from targeted therapies and/or immunotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1917 advanced pSCCs, including penile (penSCC), male urethral (murthSCC), male anal (manSCC), female urethral (furthSCC), vulvar (vulSCC), cervical (crvSCC), female anal (fanSCC), and vaginal (vagSCC), underwent comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP). We used hybrid capture-based CGP to evaluate recurrent genomic alterations (GAs). Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was determined on up to 1.1 Mb of sequenced DNA and microsatellite instability (MSI) was determined on up to 95 loci. Programmed cell-death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC; Dako 22C3). RESULTS: PIK3CA was the most frequently identified potentially "actionable" GA (22%-43%), followed by mTOR pathway [PTEN (0%-18%), FBXW7 (7%-29%)], and cell-cycle GAs. DNA-damage response (DDR) GAs and receptor-tyrosine kinase (RTK) targeted options were uncommon. NOTCH1 GAs were present in >15% of penSCC and vulvSCC. TMB ≥10 mut/Mb was >15% in manSCC, fanSCC, crvSCC, and vagSCC. PD-L1 high expression was >18% in all pSCC except urthSCC, manSCC, and vagSCC. HPV-16/18 detection was highest in manSCC, fanSCC, and crvSCC. CONCLUSION: Despite similar histology, pSCCs can differ in GAs and HPV status. Overall, PIK3CA is the most frequent potentially "targetable" GA followed by mTOR and cell cycle pathway. RTK and DDR GAs are rare in pSCC. Immunotherapy could be considered for pSCC management based on TMB and PD-L1 expression.

Intra-abdominal lymph node flaps in lymphedema therapy: An anatomical guide to donor site selection.

BACKGROUND: Secondary lymphedema is a leading sequela of cancer surgery and radiotherapy. The microsurgical transfer of lymph node flaps (LNFs) to affected limbs can improve the symptoms. The intra-abdominal cavity contains an abundant heterogenic source. The aim of this study is to aid selection among intra-abdominal LNFs. METHODS: Eight LNFs were harvested in a microsurgical fashion at five sites in 16 cadavers: gastroepiploic, jejunal, ileal, ileocolic, and appendicular. These flaps were compared regarding size, weight, arterial diameter, and lymph node (LN) count after histologic verification. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen flaps were harvested. The exposed area correlated with the flap weight and volume (r2 = 0.86, r = 0.9). While gastroepiploic LNFs (geLNFs) showed the highest median weight of 99 ml, the jejunal LNFs (jLNFs) had the highest density with 3.8 LNs per 10 ml. The most reliable jLNF was 60 cm from the ligament of Treitz. Three or more LNs were contained in 94% of the jejunal, 88% of the ileal/ileocolic, and 63% of the omental LNs. The ileocolic LNF had the largest arterial diameter of 3 mm, yet the smallest volume. CONCLUSIONS: jLNF and ileal LNF provide a reliable, high LN density for simultaneous, smaller recipient sites. geLNFs are more suitable for larger recipient sites.

Significant impact of a history of prior or concomitant upper urinary tract cancer on the recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the upper urinary tract cancer status on recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival, and to develop risk stratification systems that include the upper urinary tract cancer status for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study included 40 (upper urinary tract cancer-non-muscle invasive bladder cancer group) and 285 (non-muscle invasive bladder cancer alone group) patients with and without a history of prior or concomitant upper urinary tract cancer, respectively. Nine clinicopathological findings between the two groups were compared, and risk stratification systems for the recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer were developed. RESULTS: Recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival in the upper urinary tract cancer-non-muscle invasive bladder cancer group were significantly inferior to those in the NMIBC alone group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively). Multivariate analyses identified the following independent prognosticators: multiplicity and upper urinary tract cancer status for recurrence-free survival, and pT category and upper urinary tract cancer status for progression-free survival. Significant differences were noted by the risk stratification systems based on the positive number of independent predictors of recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). The concordance indices of recurrence-free survival were 0.627, 0.588 and 0.499 in this study stratification, EORTC risk table and CUETO model, respectively. Those of progression-free survival were 0.752, 0.740 and 0.714, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest the significant impact of a history of prior or concomitant UUTC on recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients, and risk stratification systems that include the upper urinary tract cancer status for the recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer are promising tools for predicting the outcomes of these patients.

[Results of laparoscopic pelvic exenterations]. / Rezul'taty laparoskopicheskikh tazovykh ekzenteratsii.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical outcomes after pelvic exenteration for advanced primary or recurrent pelvic cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the outcomes in 35 patients after pelvic exenteration for advanced primary or recurrent pelvic cancer (gynecological cancer, urologic cancers, colon cancer). There were 3 (8.57%) men and 32 (91.43%) women. Mean BMI was 26 kg/m2. RESULTS: Total exenteration was performed in 10 (28.57%) patients, anterior exenteration - 18 (51.43%) patients, posterior exenteration - 7 (20.0%) patients. Intraoperative complications (damage to the common iliac vessels) occurred in 1 (2.86%) patient. Mean surgery time was 280 minutes (range 180-600), mean intraoperative blood loss - 400 ml (range 100-2000). Mean postoperative ICU-stay was 24 hours. Major postoperative complications Clavien-Dindo grade 3-4 were detected in 3 (8.57%) patients. One (2.86%) patient died in 84 days after surgery from multiple organ failure due to progression of disease (Clavien-Dindo grade 5). There were 4 (11.43%) patients with complications Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3. Negative resection margin (R0) was achieved in 32 (91.43%) cases. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 70 months (median 16.5 months). Overall survival was assessed in 25 patients. Other 10 patients or their relatives did not get in touch and therefore did not participate in assessment of survival. Overall 2-year survival assessed in 6 patients with cervical cancer was 24%. Overall 2-year survival estimated in 8 patients with bladder cancer was 100%. A patient with colon cancer lived for 23 months. Among 2 patients with vulvar cancer, 1 patient died in 25 months after surgery, the second one was followed-up for 11 months. Patients with primary multiple tumors were followed-up for 10-21 months. Overall 1-year survival was 100%. One patient died after 21 months. CONCLUSION: Analyzing own findings and world literature data, we can conclude that laparoscopic technique ensures better intra- and postoperative results compared to standard laparotomy. However, there are insufficient data to confirm superiority of laparoscopic approach regarding oncological results.

The efficacy of the ganglion impar block in perineal and pelvic cancer pain.

BACKGROUND: Visceral pain conducted by sympathetic fibers with pelvic and perineal origin can be treated using ganglion impar (GIB) or Walters' block in a simple and effective manner. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness, security, and performance difficulty of GIB in patients with pelvic and perineal oncological pain. METHODS: A retrospective study between January 2016 and August 2017. Patients with poorly controlled pelvic oncological pain and patients experimenting opioid side effects in which GIB was performed ambulatory were included. Prognostic GIB was performed, under echographic and fluoroscopic control, with local anesthetic and corticoid. The neurolytic block was performed under fluoroscopic guidance. The technique was performed by the same anesthetist with pain management competence. For statistical analysis, Microsoft Excel 2013® and IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 were used. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included. One patient was excluded. A statistical significant basal pain score reduction was observed ((median of the verbal numerical scale (VNS) 7 (p25 = 7; p75 = 8)) compared with 72 h median VNS 4 ((p25 = 3; p75 = 5.3) p = 0.001, and 3 months (median VNS 4 (p25 = 3, p75 = 7)) p = 0.003 after the procedure. Regarding morphine consumption, a statistically significant reduction was observed 3 months after GIB performance (p = 0.012). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: GIB is a safe and easy-to-perform technique achieving satisfactory and statistically significant results, regarding pain control improvement and opioid consumption reduction in patients which meet selection criteria. Prospective, randomized studies with more patients are needed for further conclusions.

Supporting self-management of radiation-induced bowel and bladder dysfunction in pelvic-cancer rehabilitation: An ethnographic study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe and understand strategies that oncological nurses use to support self-management of radiation-induced bowel and bladder issues in pelvic-cancer rehabilitation patients. BACKGROUND: Nurse-led self-management of radiation-induced bowel and bladder issues holds the potential to support cancer survivors. DESIGN: An ethnographic approach was applied in this study, which adhered to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. METHODS: Data collection was conducted in Sweden between October 2015-April 2018, involving observations of nurses' daily work, formal and informal interviews, individual and group interviews, and reviews of relevant documents used in the studied practice. Furthermore, 15 supportive nurse-patient talks were observed, and an ethnographic analysis was performed. RESULTS: The analysis identified the following three categories of nursing strategies that support self-management of radiation-induced bowel and bladder issues in pelvic-cancer rehabilitation patients: encouraging self-reflection, tailoring solutions together and keeping patients motivated. Nurses and patients jointly make sense of patients' symptoms using data that patients collect about themselves. Based on their shared understanding, they can co-create solutions to meet each individual patient's needs and develop routines to keep the patient motivated in performing the devised solutions. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the strategies nurses use to support patients in self-management of radiation-induced bowel and bladder issues entail intertwining patients' experiences with their nurses' medical knowledge and specific clinical practice. Nurses' strategies build on their ability to connect patients' experiences and the elements of their own work practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: A deeper understanding of nurses' strategies to support self-management of radiation-induced bowel and bladder issues in pelvic-cancer rehabilitation patients can improve other self-management programmes, inform nurses' education and aid in the design of tools for pelvic-cancer rehabilitation support.

Renal capsule metastasis from renal pelvic cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic renal cancers are relatively common. Most are metastases to the renal parenchyma via a hematogenous route and are derived from lung, breast, and gastrointestinal cancer, malignant melanoma, and hematologic malignant cancer. However, little is known about renal capsule metastasis from other cancers. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 71-year-old woman with breast cancer who was treated with endocrine therapy. She presented with gross hematuria and was diagnosed as having right renal pelvic cancer and renal cell cancer. She underwent right laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy. Pathological findings revealed right pelvic cancer and renal capsule metastasis. CONCLUSION: Renal capsule metastasis derived from renal pelvic cancer is very rare. When diagnosing renal capsule cancer, we believe that renal capsule metastasis should also be taken into consideration. Clinical and radiological differential diagnosis of renal capsule metastasis from renal cell cancer and primary renal capsule cancer is difficult. Assessment of the histopathological findings of the surgical specimens seems to be the only realistic approach to achieving the correct diagnosis.

Mathematical model of perineural tumor spread: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Perineural spread (PNS) of pelvic cancer along the lumbosacral plexus is an emerging explanation for neoplastic lumbosacral plexopathy (nLSP) and an underestimated source of patient morbidity and mortality. Despite the increased incidence of PNS, these patients are often times a clinical conundrum-to diagnose and to treat. Building on previous results in modeling glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), we present a mathematical model for predicting the course and extent of the PNS of recurrent tumors. METHODS: We created three-dimensional models of perineurally spreading tumor along the lumbosacral plexus from consecutive magnetic resonance imaging scans of two patients (one each with prostate cancer and cervical cancer). We adapted and applied a previously reported mathematical model of GBM to progression of tumor growth along the nerves on an anatomical model obtained from a healthy subject. RESULTS: We were able to successfully model and visualize perineurally spreading pelvic cancer in two patients; average growth rates were 60.7 mm/year for subject 1 and 129 mm/year for subject 2. The model correlated well with extent of PNS on MRI scans at given time points. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first attempt to model perineural tumor spread and we believe that it provides a glimpse into the future of disease progression monitoring. Every tumor and every patient are different, and the possibility to report treatment response using a unified scale-as "days gained"-will be a necessity in the era of individualized medicine. We hope our work will serve as a springboard for future connections between mathematics and medicine.

Use of Functional Foods and Oral Supplements as Adjuvants in Cancer Treatment.

In cancer patients treated with radiotherapy to the abdominopelvic region, dietary modifications and the use of functional foods (fortified food with added ingredients to provide specific health improving benefits, such as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and glutamine), may contribute to the improvement of the toxic effects of treatment, including nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, among others. With the aim of analyzing which coadjuvant foods benefit these patients, scientific evidence was gathered by a group of experts. For these patients, the authors recommend a diet that includes sufficient foods rich in antioxidants and polyphenols instead of supplements. Docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids have proven useful for the management of anorexia/cachexia in pancreatic cancer patients. Probiotics composed of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. are regarded as safe even in patients with neutropenia and have been proven to decrease gastrointestinal symptoms. Several factors should be considered before probiotic supplementation, these include the stage of the disease, radiation dose, and symptomatology of each patient. There is no demonstrated clear benefit to the use of glutamine, so it is not recommended due to its high cost.

Epidemiological Profile, Gastrointestinal Toxicity, and Treatment of Pelvic Cancers in Patients Managed with Radiotherapy to the Abdominal Pelvic Area.

Mexico has seen an increase in cancer prevalence in its entire population as well as particular age ranges, predominantly the older segment. The most frequently reported pelvic cancers in Mexico are cervical, endometrial, bladder, prostate, rectum, and anal canal. Approximately 80% of the population diagnosed with pelvic cancers present with locally advanced tumors and require concomitant chemoradiotherapy, sequential chemoradiotherapy, or radiotherapy alone. The toxicity of any of these treatment modalities may be manifested as intestinal injury, a significant problem that can compromise the response to treatment, the patient's nutritional state, quality of life, and survival. In this article, we will approach key aspects in nutrition as well as the epidemiological characteristics and toxicities in patients affected by these pelvic tumors.

Nutritional Assessment Tools for the Identification of Malnutrition and Nutritional Risk Associated with Cancer Treatment.

Malnutrition and muscle wasting are common features of cancer cachexia that may interfere with the patient's response to cancer treatment, survival, and quality of life. An accurate nutritional screening at the time of diagnosis and throughout the patient's treatment fosters better control of the disease. Several screening tools have proven to be useful for this purpose. Nevertheless, nutritional evaluation is not a routine practice in this clinical setting and procedures must be standardized. Nutritional risk screening (NRS), malnutrition screening tool (MST), and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) are the most common screening tools, and each one possesses some benefits when screening patients for malnutrition; however, weight loss over a specific time period, dietary intake and anorexia must also be considered. The body mass index-adjusted weight loss grading system predicts survival. We recommend the application of MST or NRS, followed by PG-SGA, food intake determination, measurement of body weight, and its changes as well as body composition, biochemical nutritional markers, muscle function, and physical performance.

Effects of Dietary Components During and After Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy, Radiotherapy, or Sequential Chemoradiotherapy to the Abdominopelvic Area.

Radiotherapy is a fundamental part of the treatment of pelvic neoplasms. Up to 90% of patients develop gastrointestinal symptoms as a result of acute injury to the small and large intestine, particularly in the mucosa. Radiotherapy leads to atrophy of the intestinal epithelium, acute crypt inflammation, inflammatory infiltration of the epithelium, malabsorption of lactose, and biliary salts as well as alterations in pancreatic enzymes and biliary salts, resulting in the malabsorption syndrome and dysbiosis. The most commonly reported symptoms of pelvic radiation disease include changes in bowel habits (94%), decreased fecal consistency (80%), frequency of bowel movements (74%), bowel urgency (39%), and fecal incontinence (37%). Although nutritional interventions with dietary modifications have been reported to prevent and treat gastrointestinal symptoms, the evidence remains inconclusive.

Epidemiological Data on the Nutritional Status of Cancer Patients Receiving Treatment with Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy, Radiotherapy or Sequential Chemoradiotherapy to the Abdominopelvic Area.

Cancer patients are particularly susceptible to undernourishment so associated weight loss is frequent. Approximately 15% of patients lose >10% of their usual body weight, 40-80% become undernourished, and about 20% die as a result. Well-nourished patients have a higher survival rate when compared with patients at risk of undernourishment (19.9 vs. 3.7 months); hence, nutritional intervention is pivotal. Undernourishment negatively influences the patient's prognosis, and its prevalence depends on the tumor type and location, disease stage, treatment, and the applied nutritional evaluation tool. During abdominopelvic radiotherapy, up to 90% of patients experience symptoms of varying severity; weight loss during radiotherapy is an early indicator of nutritional deterioration, and he the use of radiation is associated with a higher likelihood of undernourishment. In patients with gynecological malignancies, 12.5-54% are malnourished before receiving oncological treatment, worsening after treatment in 35.8-82% of cases. There is also deterioration of the nutritional status in patients with colorectal cancer once pelvic radiotherapy is initiated, whereby 50% of cases are malnourished at the beginning of treatment, and 66.7% are so when it ends. Although there are notable differences in the impact of radiotherapy on weight according to the radiated region, 88% patients receiving abdominal radiotherapy were found to lose weight compared to 38% of patients whose treatment was limited to the pelvis.

Nutrient Recommendations for Cancer Patients Treated with Pelvic Radiotherapy, with or without Comorbidities.

Radiotherapy is one of the main treatment options used in pelvic cancers. Ionizing radiation induces damage to surrounding tissues, resulting in disruption of normal physiological functions and symptoms such as diarrhea, tenesmus, incontinence, and rectal bleeding, which can all significantly alter the patient's quality of life. These patients are at increased risk of developing protein-calorie malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Therefore, designing a proper nutritional intervention plan, with an optimal proportion of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, is required to reduce or even reverse the patients' poor nutritional status, increase their tolerance and response to oncology treatment, decrease the rate of complications and improve their quality of life. The aim of this review was to establish a nutritional plan that includes recommendations on macronutrient proportions and micronutrient intake in patients receiving pelvic radiotherapy. The following nutritional plan has been recommended in the literature: Energy: 28-31 kcal/kg/day, using the Harris-Benedict formula adjusted for body weight in obese patients; protein: 20-30%; fat: 30-40%; and carbohydrates: 40-50%. The maintenance of adequate levels of Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin must be emphasized. Physical activity must also be increased to maintain muscle mass. Nutrient requirements must be established in an integral manner, considering the patient's age, nutritional status, and the presence of comorbidities. Unnecessary dietary restrictions should be avoided to ensure an adequate nutritional status.

Postoperative paralytic ileus remains a problem following surgery for advanced pelvic cancers.

BACKGROUND: Paralytic postoperative ileus (POI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after abdominal surgery. Despite increased awareness and implementation of various measures, POI remains a problem, perhaps moreso for those patients undergoing extensive oncological surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to describe the extent of POI after advanced cancer surgery in the era of contemporary treatment modalities of POI. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent either abdominoperineal excision with transpelvic vertical rectus abdominal musculocutaneous (VRAM)-flap after anal cancer or pelvic exenteration at single institution from January 2012 to November 2013 was carried out. Patients were identified from operative codes, and data were retrieved from patient records. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included in the study, 21 abdominoperineal excision and 68 pelvic exenteration procedures. Median nasogastric tube duration was 4 days (range: 0-44). Median time to first flatus was 1 day (range 0-15). Median time to defecation was 3 days (range 0-16 days). Twenty-three patients (28%) experienced prolonged ileus. There was a significant longer time to first defecation for patients who received a VRAM flap (P = 0.046). There was also a significant association between longer operative times and first flatus (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study reveals that POI remains as a significant clinical problem in patients undergoing advanced pelvic cancer surgery, despite the increased awareness and implementation of enhanced recovery protocols. New regimens for better prophylaxis are needed, and further research on POI treatment is important.

Clinical significance of a second-line chemotherapy regimen with paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin for metastatic urothelial carcinoma after failure of cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has been commonly used as the first-line chemotherapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma. However, after failure of the first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy, there is no established standard second-line chemotherapy. Starting in 2006, paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin chemotherapy has been performed as the second-line chemotherapy in our institution. Here, we report the treatment results of paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin chemotherapy. METHODS: From 2006 to 2015, 33 patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma were treated with paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin chemotherapy after failure of first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy in our institution. We retrospectively examined the treatment outcome and predictive factors for therapeutic effects of paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin. The median age, treatment cycle and follow-up period were 62.5 years, 3 cycles and 10.4 months, respectively. RESULTS: The median overall survival and progression-free survival were 10.4 and 3.5 months, respectively. Complete and partial responses were found in 3 and 7 patients, respectively, with an overall response rate of 30%. All patients developed grade 3-4 neutropenia, but there was no treatment-related death. In multivariate analysis, the only prognostic factor for progression-free survival was 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance. CONCLUSIONS: A paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin regimen as second-line chemotherapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma was effective and tolerable. Moreover, paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin chemotherapy may be more effective in patients with satisfactory renal function.

Tumour multifocality and grade predict intravesical recurrence after nephroureterectomy in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma without a history of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC) without a history of bladder cancer have a different natural history of intravesical recurrence after nephroureterectomy compared with those with a history of bladder cancer. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors for post-operative intravesical recurrence in patients with non-metastatic upper urinary tract-localized urothelial carcinoma without a history of bladder cancer and who were not taking medication during the perioperative period. METHODS: This retrospective study included 133 patients who were treated between 1995 and 2012. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the clinical and pathological factors associated with the cumulative incidence of bladder cancer. RESULTS: Of the 133 patients, 51 (38.3%) developed intravesical recurrence during a median follow-up of 71 months (range, 0.8-210.8). In the multivariate analysis, multifocality (P = 0.03) and high tumour grade (P = 0.007) were significantly associated with the cumulative incidence of bladder cancer. We constructed a prediction classification model on the basis of the total number of risk factors. The 2-year cumulative incidence rates were 5.6, 34.8 and 50.0% in individuals with no, one and two risk factors, respectively. There was a significant difference between patients with no risk factors and those with two risk factors (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although this retrospective study had several limitations, tumour multifocality and tumour grade were found to be potential risk factors for intravesical recurrence in our cases.