Quality of early prostate cancer follow-up care from the patients' perspective.

PURPOSE: To develop optimal cancer survivorship care programs, this study assessed the quality of prostate cancer follow-up care as experienced by patients shortly after completion of primary treatment. METHODS: We surveyed 402 patients with localized prostate cancer participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing specialist versus primary care-based follow-up. For the current study, we used patient-reported data at the time of the first follow-up visit at the hospital, prior to randomization. We assessed patients' ratings of the quality of follow-up care using the Assessment of Patient Experiences of Cancer Care survey. This survey includes 13 scales about different aspects of care and an overall rating of care. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with perceived follow-up quality. RESULTS: Patients reported positive experiences at first follow-up for 9 of 13 scales, with mean (M) scores ranging from 79 to 97 (on a 0-100 response scale). Patients reported most frequently (over 70%) suboptimal care regarding symptom management (84%; M = 44, SD = 37), health promotion (75%; M = 45, SD = 39), and physician's knowledge about patients' life (84%; M = 65, SD = 23). Overall, patients' lower quality of follow-up ratings were associated with younger age, higher education level, having more than one comorbid condition, having undergone primary surgery, and experiencing significant symptoms. CONCLUSION: Patients with prostate cancer are generally positive about their initial, hospital-based follow-up care. However, efforts should be made to improve symptom management, health promotion, and physician's knowledge about patients' life. These findings point to areas where prostate cancer follow-up care can be improved.

Short-term Changes in Health-related Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing Radical Surgery for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Results from a Prospective Phase 2 Clinical Trial.

Background and objective: The possible negative impact of radical surgery on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) plays an important role in preoperative counseling. Here, we analyzed the HRQoL of patients treated for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in the context of a single-arm phase 2 multicenter study, in which the safety and efficacy of a single preoperative intravesical instillation with mitomycin C were investigated. Our objective was to investigate early changes in HRQoL in patients undergoing radical surgery for UTUC and identify factors associated with these outcomes. Methods: Patients with pTanyN0-1M0 UTUC were prospectively included. HRQoL was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire at baseline, and at 1 and 3 mo after surgery. A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the changes in HRQoL over time and identify the variables associated with these outcomes. The clinical effect size was used to assess the clinical impact and level of perceptibility of HRQoL changes for clinicians and/or patients based on given thresholds. Key findings and limitations: Between 2017 and 2020, 186 patients were included. At baseline, 1 mo after surgery, and 3 mo after surgery, response rates were 91%, 84%, and 78%, respectively. One month after surgery, a statistically significant and clinically relevant deterioration was observed in physical, role, and social functioning, and for the included symptom scales: constipation, fatigue, and pain. An improvement in emotional functioning was observed. At 3 mo, HRQoL returned to baseline levels, except emotional functioning, which improved at 1 mo and persisted to be better than that before surgery. Age >70 yr was associated with worse physical functioning, but better social and emotional functioning. Male patients reported better emotional functioning than females. Postoperative complications were negatively associated with social functioning. Conclusions and clinical implications: UTUC patients treated with radical surgery experienced a significant, albeit temporary, decline in HRQoL. Three months following surgery, HRQoL outcomes returned to baseline levels. This information can be used to counsel UTUC patients before undergoing radical surgery and contextualize recovery after surgery. Patient summary: We investigated the changes in quality of life as reported by patients who underwent surgery for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We found that patients experienced a decline in quality of life 1 mo after surgery, but this was temporary, with full recovery of quality of life 3 mo after surgery. These findings can help doctors and other medical staff in counseling UTUC patients before undergoing radical surgery.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-targeted Prostate Biopsy Compared with Systematic Prostate Biopsy in Biopsy-naïve Patients with Suspected Prostate Cancer.

Background: It remains uncertain whether transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided systematic biopsies can be omitted and rely solely on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsies (MRI-TBx) in biopsy-naïve men suspected of prostate cancer (PCa). Objective: To compare PCa detection in biopsy-naïve men between systematic biopsy and MRI-TBx. Design setting and participants: A prospective cohort study was conducted in a Dutch teaching hospital. Consecutive patients with suspected PCa, no history of biopsy, and no clinical suspicion of metastasis underwent both TRUS-guided systematic biopsies and MRI-TBx by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-ultrasound fusion, including sham biopsies in case of negative mpMRI. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Clinically significant PCa (csPCa), defined as group ≥2 on the International Society of Urological Pathology grading, was detected. Results and limitations: The overall prevalence of csPCa, irrespective of biopsy technique, was 37.4% (132/353) in our population. MRI-TBx were performed in 263/353 (74.5%) patients with suspicious mpMRI (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS] ≥3). The detection rates for csPCa were 39.5% for MRI-TBx and 42.9% for systematic biopsies. The added values, defined as the additional percentages of patients with csPCa detected by adding one biopsy technique, were 8.7% for the systematic biopsies and 5.3% for MRI-TBx. In patients with nonsuspicious mpMRI, five cases (6%) of csPCa were found by systematic biopsies. Conclusions: This study in biopsy-naïve patients suspected for PCa showed that systematic biopsies have added value to MRI-TBx alone in patients with mpMRI PI-RADS >2. Patient summary: We studied magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided prostate biopsy for diagnosing prostate cancer and compared it with the standard method of prostate biopsy. Standard systematic biopsies cannot be omitted in patients with suspicious MRI, as they add to the detection of significant prostate cancer.

Optimization of Preoperative Lymph Node Staging in Patients with Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Using Radiomics on Computed Tomography.

Approximately 25% of the patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are clinically node negative have occult lymph node metastases at radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph node dissection. The aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative CT-based radiomics to differentiate between pN+ and pN0 disease in patients with clinical stage cT2-T4aN0-N1M0 MIBC. Patients with cT2-T4aN0-N1M0 MIBC, of whom preoperative CT scans and pathology reports were available, were included from the prospective, multicenter CirGuidance trial. After manual segmentation of the lymph nodes, 564 radiomics features were extracted. A combination of different machine-learning methods was used to develop various decision models to differentiate between patients with pN+ and pN0 disease. A total of 209 patients (159 pN0; 50 pN+) were included, with a total of 3153 segmented lymph nodes. None of the individual radiomics features showed significant differences between pN+ and pN0 disease, and none of the radiomics models performed substantially better than random guessing. Hence, CT-based radiomics does not contribute to differentiation between pN+ and pN0 disease in patients with cT2-T4aN0-N1M0 MIBC.

Narrow band imaging-assisted transurethral resection for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer significantly reduces residual tumour rate.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether narrow band imaging (NBI)-assisted transurethral resection (TUR) (NBI-TUR) has an impact on non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) residual tumour rate compared to white light (WL)-assisted TUR (WL-TUR). METHODS: Patients with NMIBC treated with either NBI- or WL-TUR were compared in a frequency-matched index-control setting. During NBI-TUR, all suspicious lesions identified by either WL or NBI were resected. Index patients (NBI-TUR, n = 40) were prospectively recruited and control patients (WL-TUR, n = 120) were retrospectively collected, whilst being blinded for their first follow-up (fFU)-status. Non-radical TUR cases, patients without evidence of urothelial carcinoma in the pathology specimen and those with isolated carcinoma in situ or muscle invasive disease were excluded. Matching was based on the risk of tumour recurrence defined by (a) the EORTC risk score for recurrence and (b) the administration or not of one single chemotherapeutic intravesical instillation immediately after TUR. All patients underwent routine follow-up with WL cystoscopy supplemented with cytology at 3 months or re-TUR in selected cases. The residual tumour rates at fFU (RR-fFU) of patients with NMIBC submitted to either NBI- or WL-TUR were compared. RESULTS: Baseline patient and tumour characteristics were comparable between groups. The RR-fFU for WL- and NBI-TUR was 30.5% (36 out of 118 patients) and 15.0% (6 out of 40 patients), respectively (OR: 2.7, one-sided 95% CI: 1.2-6.1; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: NBI-TUR decreases residual tumour rate significantly when compared to a matched cohort of WL-TUR.

Trends in epidemiology and treatment of upper urinary tract tumours in the Netherlands 1995-2005: an analysis of PALGA, the Dutch national histopathology registry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in incidence, distribution of stage and grade as well as surgical treatment of upper urinary tract (UUT) tumours in the Netherlands from 1995 to 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The PALGA registry, a nationwide network and registry of pathology encompassing all hospitals in the Netherlands, was used as primary data source. Pathology reports of all primary surgical procedures or biopsies without further surgical treatment within the next year, of cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter during the period 1995-2005, were included. The number of surgically treated UUT tumours per year, type of treatment and tumour characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: The population consisted of 2321 (67%) men and 1145 (33%) women with a mean age of 68.6 years. The distribution according to side was similar (left 44.1%, right 41.5%), bilateral tumours were rare (0.6%) and most tumours were in the renal pelvis (51.3%). Both the incidence and the incidence rate per 100 000 person-years increased during the study period (P < 0.001). Most urothelial cancers were grade 2 (40.9%) or 3 (41.2%) and stage Ta (30.6%), T1 (18.1%) or T3 (22.8%). There was an increase in grade 3 (P = 0.003) and muscle-invasive (P = 0.003) tumours in men only. Nephroureterectomy was performed in 41.3% of the cases and there was an increasing trend to endoscopic surgery (P = 0.019), although the absolute number was low. CONCLUSION: The incidence of surgically treated UUT tumours increased, with a significant trend towards more advanced disease in men. Most tumours were treated by nephroureterectomy or nephrectomy, although there was an increasing trend to endoscopic surgery.

How to improve the effectiveness of transurethral resection in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The high rate of early recurrences in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer is considered to be strongly related to the effectiveness of transurethral resection (TUR). The aim of this article is to review methods, currently available or in development, that aim at improving TUR, with an emphasis on studies over the past year. RECENT FINDINGS: It has been shown that re-TUR diminishes staging error and improves local tumour control. However, instead of simply repeating the standard procedure, it makes more sense to improve the technique itself. Modifications in TUR equipment, such as bipolar resection and laser treatment, mainly have the potential to reduce complication rates and possibly thereby improve the effectiveness of TUR. New imaging techniques that can be used during TUR such as narrow-band imaging and optical coherence tomography seem promising, whereas photodynamic diagnosis has already proven its potential role in improving the effectiveness of TUR. SUMMARY: The currently available techniques of re-TUR and photodynamic diagnosis have demonstrated potential to improve effectiveness of TUR and should be used in selected cases. New techniques such as narrow-band imaging and optical coherence tomography seem promising, but more evidence is needed before these methods can be implemented in daily practice.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization as prognostic predictor of tumor recurrence during treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

A significant number of patients with intermediate- or high-risk bladder cancer treated with intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy are non-responders to this treatment. Since we cannot predict in which patients BCG therapy will fail, markers for responders are needed. UroVysion® is a multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test for bladder cancer detection. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether FISH can be used to early identify recurrence during treatment with BCG. In a multicenter, prospective study, three bladder washouts at different time points during treatment (t 0 = week 0, pre-BCG, t 1 = 6 weeks following TURB, t 2 = 3 months following TURB) were collected for FISH from patients with bladder cancer treated with BCG between 2008 and 2013. Data on bladder cancer recurrence and duration of BCG maintenance therapy were recorded. Thirty-six (31.6%) out of 114 patients developed a recurrence after a median of 6 months (range 2-32). No significant association was found between a positive FISH test at t 0 or t 1 and risk of recurrence (p = 0.79 and p = 0.29). A positive t 2 FISH test was associated with a higher risk of recurrence (p = 0.001). Patients with a positive FISH test 3 months following TURB had a 4.0-4.6 times greater risk of developing a recurrence compared to patients with a negative FISH. Patients with a positive FISH test 3 months following TURB and induction BCG therapy have a higher risk of developing tumor recurrence. FISH can therefore be a useful additional tool for physicians when determining a treatment strategy.

Computed tomography-urography for upper urinary tract imaging: is it required for all patients who present with hematuria?

PURPOSE: To define in which patients who present with microscopic or macroscopic hematuria CT urography (CTU) is indicated as an imaging mode for the upper urinary tract (UUT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on consecutive patients who attended a modern protocol-driven hematuria clinic from January 2006 to February 2010. Standard tests (history taking, physical examination, urinalysis via dipstick method, ultrasonography of kidneys and bladder performed by urologists, cystoscopy, and cytology) were directed to all patients, whereas the mode of additional UUT imaging (ultrasonography by a radiologist or four-phase CTU/magnetic resonance (MR) urography (MRU) when CTU was contraindicated) was selected according to a risk factor-based management algorithm. The added value of cross-sectional urography (CTU/MRU) supplementary to ultrasonography (by urologists) to detect renal masses, UUT tumors, and stones was assessed. Univariate and multivariate analysis on predictive factors for cross-sectional urography result were performed. RESULTS: From the total of 841 patients, lesions that might account for hematuria could not be identified in 462 (54.9%), whereas in 250 (29.7%) and 124 (14.7%) patients, hematuria was from benign and malignant disease, respectively. Cross-sectional urography revealed relevant UUT lesions in 73 of 525 (13.9%) patients. Only result of ultrasonography (odds ratio [OR] 7.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.0-14.9), P<0.001) and type of hematuria (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.1, P=0.01) were significant predictors for cross-sectional urography result. In 44 of 456 (9.6%) patients with no abnormalities on ultrasonography, CTU/MRU revealed that these were false negatives, with most lesions missed being stones. In 253 of 309 (81.9%) patients with macroscopic hematuria, no lesions were detected in the UUT on CTU/MRU, in contrast to 199 of 216 patients (92.1%) with microscopic hematuria. CONCLUSION: For patients who present with microscopic hematuria, ultrasonography is sufficient to exclude significant UUT disease. For patients with macroscopic hematuria, the likelihood of finding UUT disease is higher, and a CTU as a first-line test seems justified.

Advanced diagnostics in renal mass using optical coherence tomography: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To avoid unnecessary surgical treatment of small renal masses (≤ 4 cm), a more accurate diagnostic method would be desirable since radiological differentiation between malignant and benign is difficult and nondiagnostic biopsies account from 9% to 37%. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures backscattered light versus depth, with an attenuation coefficient (µ(t)) that may vary among different histological types. We hypothesize that quantitative measurements of µ(t) using OCT can differentiate between normal renal parenchyma and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both normal and tumor renal tissues (RCC) were harvested after partial or radical nephrectomy. Analysis of µ(t) was based on difference of (1) µ(t) between normal and tumor tissue across all patients and (2) µ(t) between normal and tumor tissue within individual patients. RESULTS: Tissue samples of 18 patients were measured, of which 4 were excluded (urothelial carcinoma, oncocytoma, and benign lesion without normal tissue available). Of the remaining 14 patients, 8 contributed with both normal and RCC tissue and 6 with only normal or RCC tissue. Independent observation showed a significant difference between the median µ(t) of normal renal tissue (4.95 mm⁻¹) and the median µ(t) of RCC (8.86 mm⁻¹). No statistically significant difference was found when comparing the difference in µ(t) between normal renal parenchyma and RCC within individual patients. CONCLUSION: There is a significant difference in µ(t) between normal and RCC tissue across all patients. These results overpower the lack of significant difference within individuals, encouraging further research and suggesting a possible role for OCT in the diagnostic work-up of renal masses.

Emerging optical techniques in advanced cystoscopy for bladder cancer diagnosis: A review of the current literature.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The current standard for the diagnosis and followup of bladder cancer remains white light cystoscopy, despite its well-known limitations. The aim of this paper is to review the current literature on three optical diagnostics that have been developed to improve the performance of white light cystoscopy: photodynamic diagnosis, narrow-band imaging and optical coherence tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed search was performed for all articles on bladder cancer and photodynamic diagnosis, narrow-band imaging, and optical coherence tomography. Relevant papers on the working mechanism or clinical performance of the techniques were selected. RESULTS: Photodynamic diagnosis and narrow-band imaging both aim to improve the visualization of bladder cancer. Both techniques have demonstrated an improved detection rate of bladder cancer. For photodynamic diagnosis, decreased residual tumor rates and increased recurrence free survival after photodynamic diagnosis-assisted transurethral resection have been shown. Both techniques have a relatively high false positive rate. Optical coherence tomography is a technique aiming at real-time noninvasive pathological diagnosis. Studies have shown that optical coherence tomography can accurately discriminate bladder cancer from normal bladder mucosa, and even suggest that a reliable estimation of the stage of a bladder tumor can be made. CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic diagnosis is the technique with most evidence of clinical effectiveness to date, but low specificity is limiting a widespread use. For the novelties, narrow-band imaging, and optical coherence tomography, more evidence is needed before these techniques can be implemented in daily urological practice.

Quantitative measurement of attenuation coefficients of bladder biopsies using optical coherence tomography for grading urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Real-time grading of bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) is clinically important, but the current standard for grading (histopathology) cannot provide this information. Based on optical coherence tomography (OCT)-measured optical attenuation (µ(t)), the grade of bladder UC could potentially be assessed in real time. We evaluate ex vivo whether µ(t) differs between different grades of UC and benign bladder tissue. Human bladder tissue specimens are examined ex vivo by 850-nm OCT using dynamic focusing. Three observers independently determine the µ(t) from the OCT images, and three pathologists independently review the corresponding histology slides. For both methods, a consensus diagnosis is made. We include 76 OCT scans from 54 bladder samples obtained in 20 procedures on 18 patients. The median (interquartile range) µ(t) of benign tissue is 5.75 mm(-1) (4.77 to 6.14) versus 5.52 mm(-1) (3.47 to 5.90), 4.85 mm(-1) (4.25 to 6.50), and 5.62 mm(-1) (5.01 to 6.29) for grade 1, 2, and 3 UC, respectively (p = 0.732). Interobserver agreement of histopathology is "substantial" [Kappa 0.62, 95% confidence interval (IC) 0.54 to 0.70] compared to "almost perfect" [interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.87, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.92] for OCT. Quantitative OCT analysis (by µ(t)) does not detect morphological UC changes. This may be due to factors typical for an ex-vivo experimental setting.

Narrow band imaging cystoscopy improves the detection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether narrow band imaging (NBI) improves detection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer over white-light imaging (WLI) cystoscopy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, within-patient comparison on 103 consecutive procedures on 95 patients scheduled for (re-) transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (84) or bladder biopsies (19) in the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam (September 2007-July 2009) and in the General Faculty Hospital, Prague (January 2009-July 2009). WLI and NBI cystoscopy were subsequently performed by different surgeons who independently indicated all tumors and suspect areas on a bladder diagram. The lesions identified were resected/biopsied and sent for histopathological examination. Number of patients with additional tumors detected by WLI and NBI were calculated; mean number of urothelial carcinomas (UCs) per patient, detection rates, and false-positive rates of both techniques were compared. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients had a confirmed UC; there were 226 tumors in total. In 28 (35.9%) of these patients, a total of 39 additional tumors (17.3%) (26pTa, 6pT1, 1pT2, 6pTis) were detected by NBI, whereas 4 additional tumors (1.8%) (1pTa, 1pT1, 2pTis) within 3 patients (2.9%) were detected by WLI. The mean (SD, range) number of UCs per patient identified by NBI was 2.1 (2.6, 0-15), vs 1.7 (2.3, 0-15) by WLI (P <.001). The detection rate of NBI was 94.7% vs 79.2% for WLI (P <.001). The false-positive rate of NBI and WLI was 31.6% and 24.5%, respectively (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: NBI cystoscopy improves the detection of primary and recurrent nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer over WLI. However, further validation of the technique with comparative studies is required.

A new generation of optical diagnostics for bladder cancer: technology, diagnostic accuracy, and future applications.

CONTEXT: New developments in optical diagnostics have a potential for less invasive and improved detection of bladder cancer. OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the technology and diagnostic yield of recently developed optical diagnostics for bladder cancer and to outline their potential future applications. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A PubMed literature search was performed, and papers on Raman spectroscopy (RS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and narrow-band imaging (NBI) regarding bladder cancer were reviewed. Technology, clinical evidence, and future applications of the techniques are discussed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: With RS, the molecular components of tissue can be measured objectively in qualitative and quantitative ways. The first studies demonstrating human in vivo applicability are still awaited. OCT produces high-resolution, cross-sectional images of tissue, comparable with histopathology, and provides information about depth of tumour growth. The first in vivo studies of OCT demonstrated promising diagnostic accuracy. RS and OCT are not suitable for scanning the entire bladder. PDD is a technique using fluorescence to indicate pathologic tissue. Several studies have shown that PDD increases the detection rate of bladder tumours and improves resection, resulting in fewer early recurrences. The relatively low specificity of PDD remains a problem. NBI enhances contrast of mucosal surface and microvascular structures. The NBI technique has clear advantages over PDD, and the two studies published to date have shown promising preliminary results. PDD and NBI do not contribute to histopathologic diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: RS and OCT aim at providing a real-time, minimally invasive, objective prediction of histopathologic diagnosis, while PDD and NBI aim at improving visualisation of bladder tumours. For RS, OCT, and NBI, more research has to be conducted before these techniques can be implemented in the management of bladder cancer. All techniques might be of value in specific clinical scenarios.