Is it possible to stop follow-up of patients with primary T1G3 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder managed with intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy?

BACKGROUND: Recurrence and progression of T1 grade 3 (T1G3) urothelial bladder carcinomas (UBCs) treated with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) are common events, but the long-term follow-up of the disease remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of BCG intravesical therapy in relation to disease recurrence and progression in primary T1G3 UBCs and upper tract disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-institution, retrospective, population-based analysis of 316 patients with primary T1G3 UBC treated with transurethral resection (TUR) and BCG induction intravesical instillations was performed. Response was determined and monitored by routine periodic urine cytology, cystoscopy, and upper tract imaging. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 70 months (maximum 210 months). Among all of the tumours, 49.4 % did not relapse, 48.7 % recurred in the bladder during the first 5 years of surveillance, and only 6 patients (1.9 %) recurred after being free of disease during the first 5 years of follow-up. Nineteen percentage of the UBCs progressed to stage T2, and only 2 patients (1.2 %) progressed after the first 5 years of surveillance. An upper urinary tract recurrence was detected in 9.2 % of the patients; 65.5 % were diagnosed within the upper urinary tract during the first 5 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Following a 5-year tumour-free period, there is minimal risk of recurrence and progression in T1G3 UBCs treated with TUR and BCG induction intravesical instillations. This finding supports a less intensive and potentially less invasive surveillance scheme of bladder follow-up and upper urinary tract imaging in patients without any recurrence.

Robotic kidney transplantation: one year after the beginning.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplantation (KT) is the preferred treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To reduce the morbidity of the open surgery, a robotic-assisted approach has been recently introduced. Our aim is to evaluate surgical and functional results on 17 cases of robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) performed at the same institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2015 to June 2016, we performed 17 cases of RAKT from living donors in pre-emptive patients, who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy. A prospective pilot study was made at Fundació Puigvert (Barcelona), evaluating functional and surgical outcomes. In this series, we considered the functional results, surgical outcomes and complications rates. RESULTS: Seventeen patients successfully underwent RAKT, in particular surgical console time was 181 min (150-200) with vascular suture time 42 min (32-48), and estimated blood loss <70 ml. Overall ischemia time was 98.9 min (84-140). No patient was converted to open transplantation. No major surgical intra-operative complications were observed. The mean post-operative serum creatinine level 160 µmol/L (81-479). We reported a case of delayed graft function (DGF), one case of graft arterial thrombosis and one case of intraperitoneal hematoma. No anastomosis revision and wounds infections occurred. CONCLUSION: RAKT with regional hypothermia appears to be a safe surgical procedure in a properly selected group of patients. The potential advantages of RAKT are related to the quality of the vascular anastomosis, the possible lower complication rate and the shorter recovery of the recipients.

Acute Renal Failure Secondary to Rhabdomyolysis as a Complication of Major Urological Surgery: The Experience of a High-Volume Urological Center.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of acute renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis (ARFSR) as a complication of major urological surgery (MUS), as well as to describe the clinical characteristics and identify possible risk and protective factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cases of ARFSR due to MUS between January 1997 and August 2011 were identified using the institutional database. The incidence was estimated and the clinical characteristics were analyzed using simple scatterplot graphs to identify possible risk and protective factors. RESULTS: In this period, 14,337 MUS procedures were performed, in which 4 cases suffered from ARFSR (the incidence rate was 0.03%). The incidence rates after radical cystectomy and urethroplasty were 0.26% (3/1,175 cases) and 0.15% (1/651 cases), respectively. No case of rhabdomyolysis was reported among the patients who underwent other major surgical procedures. Two patients required dialysis, and all 4 patients recovered to their baseline renal function at an average of 11 days (7-17) with the appropriate treatment. Male gender, younger age, lower ASA score, prolonged operative time, high body mass index, elevated preoperative serum creatinine and estimated blood loss were possible risk factors for developing ARFSR due to MUS. We found that a higher intraoperative administered volume was a possible protective factor. The operative position and type of surgery seemed to play minor roles. Early diagnosis and treatment possibly leads to an improved outcome. CONCLUSION: In our study, ARFSR due to MUS was a rare entity and had a good prognosis. It was more frequent as a complication of radical cystectomy. Further studies are required to confirm our findings.

ΔNp63 expression is a protective factor of progression in clinical high grade T1 bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: Several risk factors have been claimed to predict the progression of clinically high grade T1 bladder tumors. However, these factors are not specific enough to define which patients should be treated immediately with radical cystectomy. Therefore, it is critical to identify molecular markers that can help provide individualized, risk stratified decision making. Our main goal was to evaluate the role of total p63, p53 and ΔNp63 expression in cases of clinically high grade T1 bladder cancer progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total p63, p53 and ΔNp63 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 134 clinically high grade T1 tumors. We assessed clinical progression to muscle invasive disease or radical cystectomy as a patient outcome end point. Survival analysis was done for recurrence-free, progression-free, disease specific and overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients (98.5%) underwent repeat transurethral resection. Cases of early progression (less than 3 months) were excluded from study to avoid under staging. Of the tumors 90 (67.2%) showed ΔNp63 expression loss. During a median followup of 62.1 months 19 patients (14.2%) progressed to muscle invasive disease. The progression rate was 21.1% in patients with tumors characterized by ΔNp63 loss but no progression was observed in those with tumors with ΔNp63 expression (p <0.001). There was no difference in the number of patients who underwent repeat transurethral resection, had associated carcinoma in situ, showed lymphovascular invasion or received followup intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin courses. CONCLUSIONS: ΔNp63 expression is a favorable prognostic factor in clinically high grade T1 bladder cancer. This marker identifies patients at low risk for progression who could benefit from conservative therapy with transurethral bladder tumor resection and bacillus Calmette-Guérin, avoiding over treatment with immediate radical cystectomy.

Mini-laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy with the use of 3-mm instruments and laparoscope.

PURPOSE: To analyze our preliminary outcomes on the use of 3 mm instruments for laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN). METHODS: Our series includes thirteen patients, who underwent LLDN using 3-mm instruments and laparoscope and 5-mm transumbilical trocar. The patients were followed at 7 and 14 days from discharge and were specifically asked about their cosmetic satisfaction. At follow-up, the recipient graft function was controlled, as well as the donor's cosmetic results. Eight months after surgery, all thirteen patients were asked to fill out the Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire and Scoring System (PSAQ). RESULTS: All patients presented good recovery after surgery. Regarding cosmetic outcomes, the donors expressed their satisfaction toward the minimal incision size and optimal esthetic results at 7 and 14 days from discharge home. The low scores on each section of the PSAQ confirmed the favorable outcomes. Early graft function was satisfactory at 1 and 3 months after the kidney transplantation. Furthermore, there were no major complications in the recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Our persistent positive results with the use of 3-mm instruments during LLDN support this technique as a good alternative to the standard laparoscopic approach for minimizing the incision site, while maintaining safety and excellent clinical outcomes. The fact that the general laparoscopic standards are maintained could make this approach a very attractive alternative to the other minimally invasive approaches for live donor nephrectomy. The hope is in that the higher degree of satisfaction in the donor population demonstrated in this study may likely enhance living kidney donation.

Clinical and pathological outcomes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in native kidneys of patients with end-stage renal disease: a long-term comparative retrospective study with RCC diagnosed in the general population.

PURPOSE: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have an increased risk of developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This retrospective study compared clinical and pathological outcomes of RCC occurring in native kidneys of patients with ESRD (whether they underwent kidney transplantation or not) with those of renal tumors diagnosed in the general population. METHODS: The study included a total of 533 patients with RCC. The ESRD cohort included 92 patients with RCC in native kidneys. Of these, 58 and 34 cases were identified before (pre-Tx group) and after kidney transplantation (post-Tx group), respectively. The control group was composed of 441 RCCs diagnosed in the general population. Variables were compared by chi-square and Student's t tests. Cancer-specific survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox methods. RESULTS: The ESRD groups had smaller (P = 0.001), lower-grade, and lower-stage tumors than the non-ESRD group (P = 0.001). The papillary RCC rate was higher in the ESRD groups (P = 0.01). Ten-year cancer-specific survivals were 94.5, 87.9, and 74.6 % in pre-Tx, post-Tx, and non-ESRD patients, respectively (P = 0.003). Mean follow-up was 90.2 months. At multivariate analysis, tumor size (HR = 1.10), pathological stage (HR = 1.46), presence of nodal (HR = 2.22) and visceral metastases (HR = 3.49), and Fuhrman grade (HR = 1.48) were independent adverse prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Native kidney RCCs arising in ESRD patients are lower stage and lower grade as compared to RCCs diagnosed in the general population, and these tumors exhibit favorable clinical and outcome features.

Prostate cancer incidence and newly diagnosed patient profile in Spain in 2010.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for 12% of newly diagnosed cases of cancer in Europe. It is one of the most frequently diagnosed tumours in the developed world. Since the introduction of prostate specific antigen as a test for early detection of PCa, the rate of diagnosis has increased significantly and specific mortality has reduced in most western countries. Most of the data on the incidence of PCa are obtained from population-based cancer registries which frequently do not cover the whole population. This first national hospital-based PCa registry aims not only to estimate the incidence of the disease but to ascertain the clinical profile of newly diagnosed PCa patients, a useful tool for evaluating the impact of the disease and its socio-health management. OBJECTIVES: • To estimate the 2010 incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) in Spain. • To describe the clinical profile of newly diagnosed cases using a nationwide hospital-based registry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • This was a national epidemiological observational study in 25 public hospitals with a specific reference population according to the National Health System. • Sociodemographic and clinical variables of all newly diagnosed, histopathologically confirmed PCa cases were collected in 2010, in the area of influence of each centre. Cases diagnosed in private practice were not collected (estimated nearly 10% in Spain). • Data monitoring was external to guarantee quality and homogeneity. • The age-standardized PCa incidence was determined based on the age distribution of the European standard population. RESULTS: • In all, 4087 new cases of PCa were diagnosed for a reference population of 4933940 men (21.8% of the Spanish male population). • The estimated age-standardized PCa incidence was 70.75 cases per 100000 men. • Mean age at diagnosis was 69 years; 11.6% of patients presented with tumour-related symptoms and 39.5% with LUTS. Median PSA was 8 ng/mL. Gleason score was ≤ 6 in 56.5%, 7 in 26.7% and >7 in 16.8% of patients. At diagnosis, 89.8% had localized, 6.4% locally advanced and 3.8% metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: • This study on PCa incidence in Spain, a western country with intensive opportunistic PSA screening, shows that PCa is a high incidence tumour, diagnosed close to 70 years, usually asymptomatic. • Almost 40% of cases have low risk disease with a risk of over-diagnosis and over-treatment. • Around 55% of patients with intermediate or high risk disease are candidates for active therapy which may result in a reduction of cancer-specific mortality.

Clinical predictive factors of poor outcome in patients with stage pT0 disease at radical cystectomy.

PURPOSE: We evaluated new pre-cystectomy predictive factors for outcomes in patients with no evidence of residual tumor at cystectomy (pT0). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,114 patients underwent radical cystectomy at our institution between August 1978 and June 2002, of whom 141 (12.66%) had stage pT0. We analyzed overall and disease specific survival in relation to pre-cystectomy predictive factors, such as clinical stage, grade, size, previous nonmuscle invasive disease, number of previous recurrences, associated carcinoma in situ and lymphovascular invasion in the transurethral resection. Other factors analyzed were lymph node (N+) at cystectomy and induction chemotherapy. RESULTS: Clinical stage was cTa in 10 patients, cT1 in 34, cT2 in 55, cT3 in 30 and cTis in 12. At a median followup of 42.5 months overall survival was 62.53% and disease specific survival was 79.14%. Metastatic disease developed in 17 cases (12.1%). Univariate analysis revealed worse disease specific survival in patients in whom muscle invasive tumor developed after nonmuscle invasive disease (p<0.05), and in those who presented with 5 or more previous recurrences (p<0.05), lymphovascular invasion in the transurethral resection (p<0.05) and N+ at cystectomy (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed a statistically significant association between disease specific survival and 5 or more previous recurrences (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.07-2.10, p=0.018), muscle invasive tumor after nonmuscle invasive disease (HR 4.4, 95% CI 1.20-16.5, p=0.026) and lymphovascular invasion in the transurethral resection (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.12-2.30, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Although clinical outcomes in patients with stage pT0 disease are often excellent, metastatic disease develops in a percentage of them. Muscle invasive tumor after primary nonmuscle invasive disease, 5 or more previous recurrences and lymphovascular invasion in the transurethral resection predict poor survival.

Prepubertal testicular tumours and efficacy of testicular preserving surgery.

STUDY TYPE: Therapy (case series). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Testicular tumours in childhood are very rare. Historically, most of these tumours have been considered malignant, but more recent studies indicate that benign lesions, particularly teratoma, are much more frequent than previously thought. Testicular tumours in this age group have traditionally been treated with inguinal radical orchiectomy, but more conservative management has been proposed in view of the higher frequency of benign tumours. In children, most testicular tumours are benign, especially before puberty. A testis-sparing procedure should be performed in children with a palpable testicular mass and negative tumour markers. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of testicular tumours in children aged≤13 years, including our experience with testis-sparing surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of 15 patients with testicular tumours aged≤13 years who presented at our centre between 1984 and 2008. The use of testis-preserving surgery according to indication was investigated and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: The clinical presentation was increased testicular size with a palpable mass in 80% of the cases. All 15 patients underwent surgery. The tumour was benign in 12 (80%) patients and malignant in three (20%) patients. Organ-preserving surgery was planned and achieved in 11 patients (73%). Pathology of the tumourectomy specimens disclosed benign tumours in all cases: four epidermoid cysts, two teratomas, one juvenile granulosa cell tumour, one haemangioma, one lipoma, one fibrous hamartoma and one splenogonadal fusion. In four patients who underwent radical orchiectomy, pathology identified one yolk sac tumour (stage I), two mixed germ cell tumours and one gonadoblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: In children, most testicular tumours are benign, especially before puberty. A testis-sparing procedure should be performed in children with a palpable testicular mass and negative tumour markers. The lesion, however, should be thoroughly excised to avoid recurrences.

Can we identify those patients who will benefit from prostate-sparing surgery? Predictive factors for invasive prostatic involvement by transitional cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine which patients may benefit from prostate-sparing surgery and which factors are predictive of invasive prostatic involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 717 men underwent radical cystoprostatectomy (RC) for bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) between 1978 and 2002. Analysis of prostatic urethral involvement by transitional cell carcinoma (pTCC) and of invasive prostatic involvement by TCC was performed according to recurrence, presence of carcinoma in situ (CIS) and multifocality, previous intravesical chemotherapy, grade, stage and location of bladder tumor, presence of CIS in precystectomy transurethral resection (TUR) and indication for RC. RESULTS: pTCC was present in specimens from 140 patients (19.5%), of whom 83 (59.3%) showed invasive prostatic involvement. Tumor location at the trigone or bladder neck (p = 0.011, OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.21-4.33) and a history of CIS (p = 0.003, OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.27-3.22) were independent predictors of pTCC. Presence of a solitary T2-T3 bladder tumor was a predictive factor for invasive prostatic involvement (p = 0.001, OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.70-8.16). Neither solitary tumors nor T2-T3 bladder tumors showed significant differences in 5 year specific survival (p = 0.277 and p = 0.618 respectively) when comparing patients according to the presence of superficial or invasive prostatic involvement. Bladder tumor stage in precystectomy TUR was a predictor of disease-specific survival (p = 0.018, OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.08-2.44). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a history of CIS and bladder tumor location at the trigone or bladder neck are not candidates for prostate-sparing surgery. The only variables that can predict invasive prostatic involvement are the presence of a solitary T2-T3 bladder tumor at the trigone or bladder neck.