Evolving horizons in renal angiomyolipoma: two decades of management strategies and clinical perspectives in a single institutional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess various management options for renal angiomyolipoma (AML) to guide clinical practice. METHODS: A single center retrospectively reviewed an AML series from 2002 to 2022. The image reports and chart reviews of patients who received two abdominal scans at least 6 months between the first and last scans were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 203 patients with 209 tumors were identified and followed up for a median of 42.6 months. Active surveillance (AS) was the most frequently selected option (70.9% of cases). Interventions were required for 59 AMLs, of which 20 were treated with embolization, 29 with partial nephrectomy, 9 with radical nephrectomy, and 1 with radiofrequency (RF) ablation. The median size of the lesions at intervention was 5 cm. The average growth rate of the lesions was 0.12 cm/year, and there was a significant difference in the average growth rate of lesions ≤4 cm and those >4 cm (0.11 vs. 0.24 cm/year; p = 0.0046). CONCLUSION: This series on AMLs confirms that lesions >4 cm do not require early intervention based on size alone. Appropriately selected cases of renal AML can be managed by AS.KEYWORDS: Angiomyolipoma; active surveillance; embolization; nephrectomy; nephron-sparing surgery.

The Impact of Histological Variants on Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Treated with Radical Cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous entity characterized by a wide range of different morphologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic effect of bladder tumor with variant histology that is treated with radical cystectomy on oncological outcomes. METHODS: One hundred eighty-six patients who underwent radical cystectomy between September 2001 and June 2020 were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups variant histology group (n = 54) and transitional cell cancer group (n = 132). Clinicopathologic data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics. In the mul- tivariate analysis of cancer-specific survival in transitional cell cancer against variant histology, high-grade detection of primary transurethral bladder tumor pathology, cystectomy pT, cystectomy positive lymph node, and positive surgical margin in cys- tectomy were determined to be statistically significant. Diagnosis of pT2 and high grade of primary transurethral bladder tumor pathology, cystectomy ≥ pT3, cystec- tomy positive lymph node, and positive surgical margin in cystectomy were statis- tically significant in multivariate analysis of overall survival. Cancer-specific survival time was estimated at 65.1 ± 8.3 months for variant histology and 134.2 ± 10.4 months for transitional cell cancer (P=.004). The estimated overall survival time was 61.9 ± 8.0 months in variant histology and 119.0 ± 9.8 months in transitional cell cancer (P = .014). CONCLUSION: Pathological features and prognosis of bladder cancer with variant histol- ogies are worse than those of pure urothelial bladder cancer. Overall survival and can- cer-specific survival are shorter in bladder cancer with variant histology than in pure urothelial bladder cancer. Following the diagnosis of variant histology in transurethral bladder tumor, poor prognosis must be considered in the treatment plan.

The cribriform morphology impairs Gleason 7 prostate cancer lesion detection on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is a useful tool for the detection of tumor lesions however, some clinically significant lesions are still missed. We determined whether the cribriform pattern has an effect on lesion detection in mpMRI. METHODS: We reviewed the single-institution database of the patients who underwent mpMRI before radical prostatectomy. We included the patients only with the Gleason 7 final pathology of open radical prostatectomy with curative intent between 2016 and 2021. Prostatectomy mappings according to the 16-sector map and cribriform patterns were re-evaluated by two genitourinary pathologists. Prostate mpMRIs were read by two genitourinary radiologists. If the index and nonindex lesions in pathology mapping were matched with mpMRI as Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System-3 or higher, it was defined as detectable. We compared the detection rates of lesions with and without cribriform morphology. In regression analysis, we also assessed the factors affecting the detectability of prostate cancer lesions. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients and 157 lesions were included in our study. While 52 of 83 cribriform pattern positive lesions could be detected in mpMRI, 59 of 74 cribriform pattern negative lesions could be detected (62.7% vs. 79.7%, respectively, p = 0.019). The lesions were also distributed homogeneously according to diameters and analyzed separately. All lesions between 21 and 30 mm with the negative cribriform pattern were detected on mpMRI. However, only 77.8% of cribriform pattern positive lesions between 21 and 30 mm could be detected (p = 0.034). The Higher D'Amico risk group and the absence of cribriform morphology were independent predictors for the lesion detection on mpMRI. CONCLUSION: The presence of cribriform pattern in Gleason 7 prostate cancer lesions decreases the lesion detection rate of mpMRI.

Comparison of Biparametric and Multiparametric Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Predicting Oncologic Outcomes After Radical Prostatectomy.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the difference in predicting the pathological stage of retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) scores of 3 and 4 on biparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI) compared to patients who upgraded from PIRADS 3 to PIRADS 4 based on the contrast-enhanced PIRADS version 2.1. Methods: This study evaluated 107 patients who underwent RRP and had preoperative multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and were followed regularly. Group 1 included 31 patients evaluated as PIRADS 3 in both bpMRI and mpMRI, group 2 included 31 patients evaluated as PIRADS 3 in bpMRI and PIRADS 4 in mpMRI, and group 3 included 45 patients evaluated as PIRADS 4 without contrast. Comparisons were made between groups 1 and 2 and between groups 2 and 3. Results: No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of demographic data, preoperative or postoperative radiology, and pathology findings. Extraprostatic extension positivity and BCR were more common in group 2 compared to group 1 although not significant. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors in predicting BCR, which revealed the positivity of seminal vesicle invasion and high pathological stage in the pathology report as significant factors. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA density were higher in group 3 than in group 2, but without significance. Conclusions: This study revealed that mpMRI did not contribute in predicting BCR after RRP compared to bpMRI.

The prognostic impact of tumor necrosis in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the impact of tumor necrosis in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer on patients' recurrence and progression rates and survival outcomes. METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively in a single tertiary center in Turkey. Medical records of patients who underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor between January 2016 and January 2021 were reviewed. Patients with pTa and pT1 non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who had undergone complete resection were included in our study. All pathological specimens were reevaluated for the presence of tumor necrosis. RESULTS: A total of 287 patients (244 males and 43 females) were included in our study. Of them, 33 (11.5%) patients had tumor necrosis. The rates of multiple and large tumors (>3 cm) were higher in patients with tumor necrosis (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). Tumor necrosis was associated with higher rates of pT1 diseases (p<0.001), high-grade tumors (p<0.001), and the presence of lymphovascular invasion (p=0.007). The mean recurrence-free survival of patients with tumor necrosis was 42.3 (4.6) months, and the recurrence-free survival of patients without tumor necrosis was 43.5 (1.8) months (p=0.720). The mean progression-free survival of patients with tumor necrosis was 43.1 (4.6) months, and the progression-free survival of patients without tumor necrosis was 58.4 (0.9) months. In log-rank analysis, there was a statistically significant difference between patients with and without tumor necrosis in terms of progression-free survival (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and tumor necrosis in pathological specimens have shorter progression-free survival and more adverse pathological features.

The prognostic impact of tumor necrosis in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the impact of tumor necrosis in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer on patients' recurrence and progression rates and survival outcomes. METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively in a single tertiary center in Turkey. Medical records of patients who underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor between January 2016 and January 2021 were reviewed. Patients with pTa and pT1 non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who had undergone complete resection were included in our study. All pathological specimens were reevaluated for the presence of tumor necrosis. RESULTS: A total of 287 patients (244 males and 43 females) were included in our study. Of them, 33 (11.5%) patients had tumor necrosis. The rates of multiple and large tumors (>3 cm) were higher in patients with tumor necrosis (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). Tumor necrosis was associated with higher rates of pT1 diseases (p<0.001), high-grade tumors (p<0.001), and the presence of lymphovascular invasion (p=0.007). The mean recurrence-free survival of patients with tumor necrosis was 42.3 (4.6) months, and the recurrence-free survival of patients without tumor necrosis was 43.5 (1.8) months (p=0.720). The mean progression-free survival of patients with tumor necrosis was 43.1 (4.6) months, and the progression-free survival of patients without tumor necrosis was 58.4 (0.9) months. In log-rank analysis, there was a statistically significant difference between patients with and without tumor necrosis in terms of progression-free survival (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and tumor necrosis in pathological specimens have shorter progression-free survival and more adverse pathological features.

Oncologic outcomes and predictive factors for progression in pT3a renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate oncologic outcomes of pT3a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients that treated with radical or partial nephrectomy and identify clinical or pathological factors that predict local recurrence or metastasis. METHODS: In this single center, retrospective study, we evaluated medical records of 856 patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for RCC. Patients who had pT3aN0M0 RCC in final pathology and at least 6 months of follow-up included in the study. Patients' demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, tumor characteristics and oncological outcomes were recorded. Cancer specific and overall survivals were our primary outcomes. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors affecting oncologic outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 86 pT3aN0M0 RCC patients were included final analysis of our study. During the mean 60.75 months follow up, 3 patients (3.5%) had experienced local recurrence and 19 patients (22.1%) had experienced metastasis. Total of 24 patients (27.9%) had died during the follow up. In this population 10-year OS was 70.8%, 10-year PFS was 61.3% and 10-year CSS was 78.4%. In multivariate analysis, chronic renal failure (CRF) was an independent worse prognostic factor for overall survival (p=0.03). Besides this sarcomatoid differentiation was an independent prognostic factor for PFS, CSS and OS (p=<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study investigated the predictive factors for worse oncologic outcomes in pT3aN0M0 RCC patients. Although many factors have predictive value in univariate analysis, only sarcomatoid differentiation have independent predictive value for worse CSS, PFS and OS. Besides sarcomatoid differentiation, CRF is an independent prognostic factor for poor OS.

The Clinical Impact of Tumor Grade Heterogeneity in Non-muscle-invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the oncological outcomes of mixed-grade tumors by comparing them with pure low-grade and high-grade tumors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with primary non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the histological grade of their tumors: low-grade, mixed-grade, and high-grade. Clinicopathological characteristics and oncological outcomes, such as recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS), were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: A total of 369 patients (190 low, 40 mixed, and 139 high-grade) were included in our study, with a mean follow-up of 55.94±41.73 months. Patients with mixed-grade tumors had lower rates of pT1 stage diseases than those with high-grade tumors (42.5% vs. 64.0%, respectively) and higher rates than those with low-grade tumors (14.7% vs. 42.5%, respectively) (p=0.001). There was no significant difference in RFS between low-, mixed-, and high-grade tumor patients (p=0.887). Patients with mixed-grade tumors had worse PFS and CSS outcomes than those with low-grade tumors (199.84±23.22 vs. 214.94±15.92 for PFS and 202.07±19.86 vs. 233.61±9.84 for CSS, respectively) and better PFS and CSS outcomes than those with high-grade tumors (199.84±23.22 vs. 163.28±16.18 for PFS and 202.07±19.86 vs. 180.81±15.89 for CSS, respectively), although these comparisons were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mixed-grade tumors had worse PFS and CSS outcomes than patients with low-grade tumors and better PFS and CSS outcomes than patients with high-grade tumors, although these comparisons were not statistically significant. Our results should be verified by future studies.

Predictive risk factors of urinary tract infection following flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of current study was to evaluate prevalence of postoperative urinary tract infections (UTI) following flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS) and to determine predictive factors for those UTIs. METHODS: A total of 420 patients with urolithiasis that underwent f-URS between August 2018 and August 2019 were enrolled in the study. Peri-operative characteristics of patients with and without postoperative UTIs were compared using univariate analyses. Predictive factors for UTIs following f-URS were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Forty-one (9.8%) out of 420 patients had postoperative urinary infection after f-URS and those patients were classified as group 1. Group 2 consisted of 379 patients that did not develop postoperative UTIs. The percentage of female gender was 58.5% vs 42% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.042). The preoperative UTI history rate was 51.2% vs 20.8% (p<0.001) and preoperative double J stent (DJS) insertion rate 39% vs 17.7% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.001). Univariate regression analyses showed that the female gender (OR=1.98), history of UTI (OR=3.99), and preoperative DJS insertion (OR=2.98) significantly increased the possibility of postoperative UTI (p<0.05). Multivariate regression analyses revealed that history of UTI (OR=3.41, 95%CI:1.73-6.72, p<0.001) and preoperative DJS insertion (OR=2.30, 95%CI:1.13-4.68, p=0.021) were independent risk factors for infectious complications following f-URS. If both factors are present, the probability of infection is 55.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Even if f-URS is considered a safe procedure, the risk of postoperative infectious complications is far from negligible. We found that the presence of UTI history and preoperative DJS were independent risk factors for UTI after f-URS.

OBJETIVOS: El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de las infecciones del tracto urinario (UTI) postoperatorias después de la ureteroscopia flexible (f-URS) y determinar los factores predictivos de esas infecciones. MÉTODOS: Se inscribieron en el estudio un total de420 pacientes con urolitiasis que se sometieron a f-URSentre agosto de 2018 y agosto de 2019. Las característicasperioperatorias de los pacientes con y sin ITUUTI postoperatorias se compararon mediante análisisunivariados. Los factores predictivos de las infeccionesurinarias después de f-URS se determinaron mediante unanálisis de regresión logística multivariante. RESULTADOS: Cuarenta y uno (9,8%) de 420 pacientes tuvieron infección urinaria postoperatoria después de f-URS y esos pacientes se clasificaron como grupo 1. El grupo 2 consistió en 379 pacientes que no desarrollaron UTI postoperatorias. El porcentaje de sexo femenino fue del 58,5% frente al 42% en los grupos 1 y 2, respectivamente (p=0,042). La tasa de antecedentes de UTI preoperatoria fue del 51,2% frente al 20,8% (p<0,001) y la tasa de inserción preoperatoria de un stent doble J (DJS) del 39% frente al 17,7% en los grupos 1 y 2, respectivamente (p=0,001). Los análisis de regresión univariante mostraron que el sexo femenino (OR=1,98), los antecedentes de UTI (OR=3,99) y la inserción preoperatoria de DJS (OR=2,98) aumentaron significativamente la posibilidad de UTI postoperatoria (p<0,05). Los análisis de regresión multivariante revelaron que los antecedentes de UTI (OR=3,41, IC del 95%: 1,73­6,72, p<0,001) y la inserción preoperatoria de DJS (OR=2,30, IC del 95%: 1,13­4,68, p=0,021) eran factores de riesgo independientes para las complicaciones infecciosas después de f-URS. Si ambos factores están presentes, la probabilidad de infección es del 55,2%. CONCLUSIONES: Incluso si la f-URS se considera un procedimiento seguro, el riesgo de complicaciones infecciosas postoperatorias está lejos de ser insignificante. Encontramos que la presencia de antecedentes de UTI y la DJS preoperatoria eran factores de riesgo independientes de UTI después de f-URS.

The effect of ideal urine culture time on urinary infections after flexible ureteroscopy: A match-pair case-control study.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of the ideal period (Δ-day), which is a period between the sterile urine culture and initiation of flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS), on postoperative urinary tract infections (UTI) in our tertiary referral centre. METHODS: After obtaining the approval of the local ethics committee, retrospective data were collected for all f-URS procedures performed between January 2017 and March 2019. Patients that developed UTI were matched in 1:1 proportion with patients that did not develop UTI based on their demographic and stone characteristics. The group of patients with postoperative UTI was compared with the control group. RESULTS: A total of 916 f-URS cases that had all required data were analysed. Sixty-eight patients with postoperative UTI were determined and a total of 136 patients were included in the study after match-pair. We found that if the Δ-day is longer than 2 weeks, the possibility of postoperative urinary infection rates increases with statistical significance (P = .006). According to our subgroup analysis, postoperative UTI was more common if the Δ-day >14 days. ROC curve analysis provided a 14.5-day period as a cut-off value of Δ-day for postoperative UTI. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to examine the impact of the Δ-day for f-URS on postoperative UTIs. In brief, prolonging the Δ-day, especially if Δ-day >14 days, leads to an increase in the rates of postoperative UTI. We conclude that it is preferred to either perform the f-URS in the early period after the urine culture analysis or doing the urine culture analysis shortly before the surgery.

The clinical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily urological practice: first 3-month multicenter results from Istanbul

Background/aim: The aim of this paper was to determine the general tendencies of urology patients and effect of COVID-19 pandemic on daily urological practice at tertiary centers located in the most affected area in Turkey. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 39,677 patients (group 1) that applied to 6 different large-volume tertiary centers in Istanbul for outpatient consultation, surgery, or other procedures in the 3-month period between March 16 and June 14, 2020. The distribution of the number of patients who applied to subspecialty sections of urology outpatient clinics and inpatient services were recorded by weeks. That data was compared to data obtained from 145,247 patients that applied to the same centers in the same period of the previous year (group 2). The reflection of worldwide and Turkish COVID-19 case distribution on the daily urological practice was analyzed. Results: There was a decrease in the number of patients in all subspecialty sections the in group 1 compared to group 2; however, there was a significant proportional increase in urooncology and general urology admissions. A decrease of approximately 75% was observed in the total number of surgeries (p < 0.001). We detected a negative correlation between the numbers of admission to all outpatient clinics and COVID-19 cases or deaths in Turkey (p < 0.05). The same negative correlation was present for all surgical procedures and consultations (p < 0.05). The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the number of cases in Turkey, and the number of deaths worldwide affect the number of outpatient clinic admissions (R2 = 0.38, p = 0.028) and urological surgery (R2 = 0.33, p = 0.020) in Turkey negatively. Conclusion: This novel pandemic has implications even for urology practice. Urological surgical procedures were more affected by COVID-19-related deaths in Turkey and worldwide. Outpatient admissions and urological surgeries decreased significantly by increasing COVID-19 case numbers in Turkey and worldwide deaths.