[Is the discipline associated with self-confidence in handling rational antibiotic prescription? : Results from the MR2 study in German hospitals]. / Ist die Fachrichtung assoziiert mit der Selbstsicherheit im Umgang mit rationaler Antibiotikaverordnung? : Ergebnisse der MR2-Studien an deutschen Kliniken.

BACKGROUND: Besides public awareness and specialist knowledge and training of physicians, their self-confidence plays a key role for clinical decision-making in the respective area. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study investigated the influence of the discipline on differences in self-confidence in dealing with antibiotics and in the self-rated knowledge. METHODS: In 2015 the multi-institutional reconnaissance of practice with multiresistant bacteria (MR2) questionnaire containing items on antibiotic prescription and multiresistant pathogens was sent out to 1061 physicians working in departments for internal medicine, general surgery, gynecology and obstetrics and urology. In 2017 a similar MR2 survey was sent to 1268 specialist and assistant physicians in anesthesiology in Germany. Besides demographic data 4 items on self-confidence in the use of antibiotic treatment and 11 items concerning self-rated knowledge about rational antibiotic therapy and multiresistant pathogens were included in the present analysis. Logistic regression analysis, the χ2-test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis of the influence of the discipline on these items. RESULTS: The response rates were 43% (456 out of 1061) from the non-anesthetists and 56% (705 out of 1268) from the anesthetists. Of the non-anesthetists 44% and 57% of the anesthetists had had no advanced training on antibiotic stewardship during the year before the study. In the overall analysis anesthetists (mean±SD: 2.53±0.54) were significantly less self-confident about antibiotics than colleagues from other departments (internal medicine: 3.10±0.50, general surgery: 2.97±0.44, gynecology and obstetrics: 3.12±0.42 and urology: 3.15±0.44) in the unadjusted (all p<0.001) and adjusted comparison. The analysis of self-rated knowledge about rational antibiotic prescription showed similar results. Senior consultant status and advanced training in infectiology were significantly associated with self-confidence and self-rated knowledge about antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Anesthetists showed significantly less self-confidence in dealing with antibiotics than colleagues from other disciplines. Advanced training on a rational prescription of antibiotics was associated with a greater self-confidence, so that the implementation of compulsory courses on rational antibiotic stewardship in the respective residency curriculum needs to be considered.

Adherence to the EAU guideline recommendations for systemic chemotherapy in penile cancer: results of the E-PROPS study group survey.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the adherence of urologists to chemotherapy recommendations given in the EAU guidelines on PeCa. The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on penile cancer (PeCa) are predominantly based on retrospective studies with low level of evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 14-item-survey addressing general issues of PeCa treatment was developed and sent to 45 European hospitals. 557 urologists participated in the survey of which 43.5%, 19.3%, and 37.2% were in-training, certified, and in leading positions, respectively. Median response rate among participating departments was 85.7% (IQR 75-94%). Three of 14 questions addressed clinical decisions on neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and palliative chemotherapy. Survey results were analyzed by bootstrap-adjusted multivariate logistic-regression-analysis to identify predictors for chemotherapy recommendations consistent with the guidelines. RESULTS: Neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and palliative chemotherapy was recommended according to EAU guidelines in 21%, 26%, and 48%, respectively. For neoadjuvant chemotherapy, urologists holding leading positions or performing chemotherapy were more likely to recommend guideline-consistent treatment (OR 1.85 and 1.92 with p(bootstrap) = 0.007 and 0.003, respectively). Supporting resources (i.e., guidelines, textbooks) were used by 23% of survey participants and significantly improved consistency between treatment recommendations and Guideline recommendations in all chemotherapy settings (p(bootstrap) = 0.010-0.001). Department size and university center status were no significant predictors for all three endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found a very low rate of adherence to the EAU guidelines on systemic treatment for PeCa. Further investigations are needed to clarify whether this missing adherence is a consequence of limited individual knowledge level or of the low grade of guideline recommendations.

Impact of surgeon's experience on outcome parameters following ureterorenoscopic stone removal.

Within the BUSTER trial, we analyzed the surgeon's amount of experience and other parameters associated with URS procedures regarding the stone-free rate, complication rate, and operative time. Patient characteristics and surgical details on 307 URS procedures were prospectively documented according to a standardized study protocol at 14 German centers 01-04/2015. Surgeon's experience was correlated to clinical characteristics, and its impact on the stone-free rate, complication rate, and operative time subjected to multivariate analysis. 76 (25%), 66 (21%) and 165 (54%) of 307 URS procedures were carried out by residents, young specialists, and experienced specialists (> 5 years after board certification), respectively. Median stone size was 6 mm, median operative time 35 min. A ureteral stent was placed at the end of 82% of procedures. Stone-free rate and stone-free rate including minimal residual stone fragments (adequate for spontaneous clearance) following URS were 69 and 91%, respectively. No complications were documented during the hospital stays of 89% of patients (Clavien-Dindo grade 0). According to multivariate analysis, experienced specialists achieved a 2.2-fold higher stone-free rate compared to residents (p = 0.038), but used post-URS stenting 2.6-fold more frequently (p = 0.023). Surgeon's experience had no significant impact on the complication rate. We observed no differences in this study's main endpoints, namely the stone-free and complication rates, between residents and young specialists, but experienced specialists' stone-free rate was significantly higher. During this cross-sectional study, 75% of URS procedures were performed by specialists. The experienced specialists' more than two-fold higher stone-free rate compared to residents' justifies ongoing efforts to establish structured URS training programs.

[Interrater reliability and clinical impact of the Post-Ureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS) grading system for ureteral lesions after ureteroscopy : Results of the German prospective multicenter BUSTER project]. / Interrater-Übereinstimmung und klinischer Nutzen der "Post-Ureteroscopic Lesion Scale" (PULS) zur Graduierung von intraoperativen Harnleiterverletzungen einer Ureterorenoskopie : Ergebnisse der deutschen prospektiv-multizentrischen BUSTER-Studie.

BACKGROUND: The Post-ureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS) was designed as a standardized classification system for ureteral lesions after uretero(reno)scopy (URS). This study evaluates its routine use and a possible clinical impact based on a representative patient cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 307 patients in 14 German centers within the BUSTER project were used to test 3 hypotheses (H): PULS score shows a high interrater reliability (IRR) after independent assessment by urologic surgeon and assistance personnel (H1); PULS score is correlated with the frequency of postoperative complications during hospital stay (H2); post-URS stenting of the ureter is associated with higher PULS scores (H3). RESULTS: Median age of patients was 54.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 44.4-65.8; 65.5% male). Median diameter of index stones was 6 mm (IQR 4-8) with 117 (38.4%) pyelo-caliceal and 188 (61.6%) ureteral stones. Overall, 70 and 82.4% of patients had pre-stenting and post-URS stenting, respectively. Stone-free status was achieved in 68.7% after one URS procedure with a complication rate of 10.8% (mostly grade 1-2 according to Clavien-Dindo). PULS scores 0, 1, 2 and 3 were assessed in 40%, 52.1%, 6.9% and 1% of patients, respectively, when estimated by urologic surgeons. PULS score showed a high IRR between the urologic surgeon and assistance personnel (κ = 0.883, p < 0.001), but was not significantly correlated with complications (ρ = 0.09, p = 0.881). In contrast, a significant positive correlation was found between PULS score and post-URS stenting (ρ = 0.287, p < 0.001). A PULS score of 1 multiplied the likelihood of post-URS stenting by 3.24 (95% confidence interval 1.43-7.34; p = 0.005) as opposed to PULS score 0. CONCLUSIONS: Removal of upper urinary tract stones using URS is safe and efficacious. Real-world data provided by this study confirm a high IRR of the PULS score and its clinical impact on the indication for post-URS stenting. A future prospective randomized trial should evaluate a possible standardization of post-URS stenting based on PULS score assessment.

[Management of penile cancer patients: new aspects of a rare tumour entity]. / Das Management von Patienten mit Peniskarzinom ­ Neue Aspekte in der Therapie einer seltenen Tumorentität.

Over the past few decades, some principles in the treatment of penile cancer have changed fundamentally. While 15 years ago a negative surgical margin of at least 2 cm was considered mandatory, organ-sparing surgery permitting minimal negative surgical margins has a high priority nowadays. The current treatment principle requires as much organ preservation as possible and as much radicality as necessary. The implementation of organ-sparing and reconstructive surgical techniques has improved the quality of life of surviving patients. However, oncological and functional outcomes are still unsatisfactory. Alongside with adequate local treatment of the primary tumour, a consistent management of inguinal lymph nodes is of fundamental prognostic significance. In particular, clinically inconspicuous inguinal lymph nodes staged T1b and upwards need a surgical approach. Sentinel node biopsy, minimally-invasive surgical techniques and modified inguinal lymphadenectomy have reduced morbidity compared to conventional inguinal lymph node dissection. Multimodal treatment with surgery and chemotherapy is required in all patients with lymph node-positive disease; neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been established for patients with locally advanced lymph node disease, and adjuvant treatment after radical inguinal lymphadenectomy for lymph node-positive disease. An increasing understanding of the underlying tumour biology, in particular the role of the human papilloma virus (HPV) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status, has led to a new pathological classification and may further enhance treatment options. This review summarises current aspects in the therapeutic management of penile cancer.

[What is the perception of the 10-point plan of the German Federal Ministry of Health against multidrug-resistant pathogens and measures of antibiotic stewardship? : An interdisciplinary analysis among German clinicians and development of a decision tool for urologists]. / Wie werden der 10-Punkte-Plan des Deutschen Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit zur Bekämpfung resistenter Erreger und Maßnahmen des Antibiotic Stewardship wahrgenommen? : Eine fachübergreifende Analyse der Kenntnis deutscher Klinikärzte und Entwicklung einer urologischen Handlungsanweisung.

BACKGROUND: Due to increasing antibiotic resistances, relevant treatment problems are currently emerging in clinical practice. In March 2015, the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) published a 10-point plan designed to combat this development. Furthermore, the first German guideline on antibiotic stewardship (ABS) was implemented in 2013 and instructs physicians of different specialties about several treatment considerations. Evidence is scarce on how such concepts (10-point plan/BMG, ABS) are perceived among clinicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within the MR2 study (Multiinstitutional Reconnaissance of practice with MultiResistant bacteria - a survey focusing on German hospitals), a questionnaire including 4 + 35 items was sent to 18 German hospitals between August and October 2015, surveying internists, gynecologists, general surgeons, and urologists. Using multivariate logistic regression models (MLRM), the impact of medical specialty and further criteria on the endpoints (1) awareness of the 10-point plan/BMG and (2) knowledge of ABS measures were assessed. Fulfillment of endpoints was predefined when average or full knowledge was reported (reference: poor to no knowledge). RESULTS: Overall response rate was 43% (456/1061) for fully evaluable questionnaires. Only 63.0 and 53.6% of urologists and nonurologists (internists, gynecologists, and general surgeons), respectively, attended training courses regarding multidrug-resistance or antibiotic prescribing in the 12 months prior to the study (P = 0.045). The endpoints average and full knowledge regarding 10-point plan/BMG and ABS measures were fulfilled in only 31.4 and 32.8%, respectively. In MLRM, clinicians with at least one previous training course (reference: no training course) were 2.5- and 3.8-fold more likely to meet respective endpoint criteria (all P < 0.001). Medical specialty (urologists vs. nonurologists) did not significantly impact the endpoints in both MLRM. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-point plan/BMG and ABS programs should be implemented into clinical practice, but awareness and knowledge of both is insufficient. Thus, it stands to reason that the actual realization of such measures is inadequate and continuous training towards rational prescription of antibiotics is necessary, regardless of medical specialty.

[Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Information transfer from the clinic to the doctor's office : Results of a questionnaire study and presentation of a software solution]. / Nicht muskelinvasives Harnblasenkarzinom: Risikostratifizierung und Befundweitergabe : Ergebnisse einer Fragebogenstudie und Vorstellung einer Softwarelösung.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The adjuvant treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is based on the individual risk profile (RP) and its sufficient transfer from the clinic to the doctor's office. The objectives of our study were to verify the importance and degree of transfer of RP and recommendation for risk-adapted adjuvant treatment (RAAT) in patients with NMIBC as well as to develop appropriate tools for this purpose, if necessary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An email-based survey distributed to urologists in Brandenburg, Berlin, Bavaria and Lower Saxony explored the questions mentioned above. In addition, a tool for risk stratification and information transfer for patients with NMIBC was developed and validated. RESULTS: From a total of 134 questionnaires analyzed, 55 were from clinic urologists (CUs) and 79 were from ambulant urologists (AUs). Although 9 out of 10 urologists considered the RP of importance, only 29 % of CUs and 24 % of AUs (p = 0.553) confirmed that the RP was always mentioned in medical reports. The recommendation for RAAT was confirmed from 62 % of CUs and 20 % of AUs (p < 0.001). A recommendation for RAAT in the medical report was requested by 86 % of AUs. The risk calculator presented here - to our knowledge the first with integration of the 2004 WHO grading - is delivered in all mathematically possible constellations a RP, according to guideline recommendations. CONCLUSION: Urologists in the clinic and doctor's office both attach considerable importance to the determination and transfer of RP and the recommendation for RAAT. There was evidence to suggest an overestimation of the quality of medical reports by the CU. The risk calculator provides an easy and cost-neutral option to improve risk stratification and information transfer from the clinic to the doctor's office.

[What do prostate cancer patients know about smoking? : Results of a bicentric questionnaire study (KRAUT study)]. / Was wissen Patienten mit einem Prostatakarzinom über das Rauchen? : Ergebnisse einer bizentrischen Fragebogenstudie (KRAUT-Studie).

BACKGROUND: According to the results of a recent meta-analysis, cancer-specific mortality of prostate cancer (PCA) patients is enhanced by 24 % in case of a positive smoking history with a dose-dependent impact of smoking. Until now it is unknown whether this information actually reaches the patients and how extensively an informational discussion about this topic is pursued by physicians. OBJECTIVE: Three study hypotheses were defined: (1) the knowledge of PCA patients about the potential relationship between tumor progression and cigarette consumption is low, (2) only in rare cases has a clear statement been provided by treating physicians including the explicit advice to stop smoking, and (3) there was a direct association between tumor stage and the extent of cigarette consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire comprising 23 items was developed and validated with 25 uro-oncological patients prior to study start. Between September 2013 and December 2014 a total of 124 PCA patients (median age 65 years) from two urology departments were included in this questionnaire-based survey. RESULTS: The study population comprised 43 % (n = 54), 39 % (n = 48), and 18 % (n = 22) nonsmokers, former smokers and active smokers, respectively. Active and former smokers differed insignificantly in the number of pack-years only (24.8 vs. 23.7 years, p = 0.995). Of the patients, 56 % regarded an influence of cigarette consumption on the PCA-specific prognosis as possible. However, because a significant (p < 0.001) number of patients wrongly suspected smoking to be causative for PCA development, their knowledge about PCA prognosis is supposedly not based on adequate knowledge. Two of 22 active smokers (9.1 %), 5 of 48 former smokers (10.4 %), and 2 of 54 nonsmokers (3.7 %) had an informational discussion with their urologist about the association of cigarette consumption and PCA-related prognosis (a further 9.1, 4.2 and 3.7 %, respectively, received this information solely from other medical specialties). Only 1 of 22 active smokers (4.5 %) was offered medical aids for smoking cessation by the general practitioner; none of the patients received such support by an urologist. There was no association between a positive smoking history or number of pack-years and PCA tumor stage. CONCLUSIONS: Education of PCA patients about the relationship between cigarette consumption and cancer-related prognosis is currently inadequate. Following the latest findings on this topic, urologists should pursue informational discussions with their patients, thereby strengthening their position as the primary contact person for decision making in PCA management.

[Results of a Questionnaire-Based Study on Guideline Adherence Regarding Adjuvant Treatment Recommendations for Patients with Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Just a Disturbing Sidelight?]. / Ergebnisse einer Fragebogenstudie zur Leitlinienadhärenz der adjuvanten Therapieempfehlungen für Patienten mit nicht-muskelinvasivem Harnblasenkarzinom - nur ein beunruhigendes Streiflicht?

BACKGROUND: The EAU guidelines on non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) provide for risk stratification in low, intermediate and high risk based on infiltration depth, grading, concomitant carcinoma in situ, recurrence status, focality and tumour size. The aim of this study was to evaluate guideline adherence regarding risk stratification and risk-adapted treatment recommendations in NMIBC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An email-based survey distributed over the urological professional associations of Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western-Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein assessed field of activity (doctor's office vs. clinic) and the presence of the additional qualification "Medical Tumour Therapy" (aqMtt). Also it inquired about the tools used for risk stratification in NMIBC. Finally, 3 scenarios were given, 2 of them corresponding to high-risk NMIBC and one corresponding to intermediate-risk NMIBC. Respondents were asked to provide a treatment recommendation. The results were presented comparatively for field of activity (doctor's office vs. clinic) and presence of aqMtt. RESULTS: 74 responses were received (response rate of 12.3%). 57 (77.0%) of respondents had aqMtt. 52 (70.3%) worked in doctor's offices or medical care centres, 12 (16.2%) in a urology clinic, and for 10 (13.5%) respondents this information was lacking. The most frequently used tool for risk stratification was the EAU guideline. Accordingly, treatment recommendations for the three scenarios were considered to be correct if according to EAU guideline. In high-risk NMIBC, an average 29.3% (19.3-37.5%) of adequate treatment recommendations were made depending on the comparison group. An average of 69.8% (62.5-77.2%) and 0.9% (0.0-3.9%) treatment recommendations would lead to under- or overtreatment, respectively. The corresponding values for intermediate-risk NMIBC were 56.8% (52.6-62.5%) for adequate treatment, 43.2% (37.5-47.4%) for undertreatment and 0.0% for overtreatment. Field of activity and the presence of aqMtt had no significant impact on the accuracy of treatment recommendations. CONCLUSION: The results of our survey provide strong evidence of poor guideline adherence with a consecutive risk for undertreatment of patients with NMIBC. This requires joint efforts of all those involved in the treatment of NMIBC to improve quality of care.

[Extranodal Metastases of Renal Cell Carcinoma to the Head and Neck: A Diagnostic Challenge]. / Extranodale Metastasen von Nierenzellkarzinomen in der Kopf-Hals-Region.

BACKGROUND: Single case reports about extranodal renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastasis to the head and neck (HN) often implicating unusual clinical follow-ups are well known. Subject of our investigation is to ascertain the true meaning of RCC for differential diagnostic of the head and neck surgion. METHODS: We retrospectively review the reports of 612 patients with RCC treated in a 13-years period in the department of urology. RESULTS: Of the 612 RCC 191 (31%) were metastatic, 3 female and 4 male (mean 66.8a, 56a-78a) presented with extranodal metastases within the HN. Extranodal locations were parotid and thyroid glands (2 ×), tongue, forehead scin, bone and paranasal sinus. Occurrence of metastases were observed in mean 40.8 months (5-87) after the primary. In one patient metastasis to the parotid gland was the only manifestation of RCC 78 month treated before, the others presented with further metastases to infraclavicular organs. DISCUSSION: According to our results extranodal metastases of RCC to the HN are uncommon (1.1%). Therefore and because of the unusual location extranodal metastases of RCC remain a diagnostic challenge for the ENT specialist and the pathologist with peculiar knowledge of the oncological history of the patient remaining an essential condition. We found exclusive metastasis to the HN in only one of 7 cases. Nevertheless surgical treatment has to be considered in curative and symptomatic treatment strategies.

[Influence of body mass index on histopathological and intraoperative criteria in a consecutive series of patients after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy]. / Einfluss des Body-Mass-Index auf histopathologische und intraoperative Kriterien in einer konsekutiven Serie von Patienten mit roboterassistierter radikaler Prostatektomie.

BACKGROUND: In various studies it has been shown that obesity enhances the risk for a unfavorable pathological tumour stages, higher Gleason scores (GS), positive surgical margins (PSM), and certain perioperative parameters (higher blood loss, higher length of surgery, higher complication rates) after radical prostatectomy. However, for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) there are only a few studies addressing this topic with partially conflicting results. Furthermore, none of these studies actually represents the clinical practice pattern as performed in a European centre. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Beside further clinical and histopathological parameters, also body mass index (BMI) of patients undergoing RARP was recorded. The following categories were registered: BMI of < 25 kg/m², ≥ 25-29.9 kg/m², and ≥ 30 kg/m² defined as normal weight, overweight, and obesity, respectively. The potential correlation between BMI on the one hand and various criteria of aggressive tumour biology and specific perioperative parameters on the other hand has been examined on univariate and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: 22.8% (n=79), 59% (n=204), and 18.2% (n=63) of patients of the study group presented with normal weight, overweight, and obesity, respectively. Based on the results of various multivariable regression models there was no significant influence of obesity on pathological tumour stage, pN category, undifferentiated tumour growth (≥ GS7b), upgrading, or PSM rates. Furthermore, obese patients showed a significantly higher intraoperative blood loss and a higher length of surgery, which, however, did not result in a higher rate of grade 3a/b complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification after 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: In the present series of consecutive patients undergoing RARP there was no evidence for a more aggressive tumour biology or a higher complication rate in obese patients.

[Rates of prostate-specific antigen testing for early detection of prostate cancer: a first comparison of German results with current international data]. / PSA-basierte Früherkennung des Prostatakarzinoms durch den Hausarzt: Erste deutsche Ergebnisse im internationalen Vergleich.

OBJECTIVE: Measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is not only used as a screening instrument by urologists, but also by general practitioners and internal specialists (GP-IS). Until now, there are neither data on the approach of German GP-IS in practicing this nor have data been classified in the context of available international literature on this topic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May and December 2012, a questionnaire containing 16 items was sent to 600 GP-IS in Brandenburg and Berlin. The response rate was 65% (392/600). Six indicator questions (IQ1-6) were selected and results were set in the context of available international data. The quality of present studies was evaluated by the Harden criteria. RESULTS: Of the 392 responding physicians, 317 (81%) declared that they would use PSA testing for early detection of PCA (IQ1) and, thus, formed the study group. Of these GP-IS, 38% consider an age between 41 and 50 years as suitable for testing begin (IQ2), while 53% and 14% of the GP-IS perform early detection until the age of 80 and 90 years, respectively (IQ3). A rigid PSA cut-off of 4 ng/ml is considered to be reasonable by 47% of the involved GP-IS, whereas 16% prefer an age-adjusted PSA cut-off (IQ4). Patients with pathological PSA levels were immediately referred to a board-certified urologist by 69% of the GP-IS. On the other hand, 10% first would independently control elevated PSA levels themselves after 3-12 months (IQ5). Furthermore, 14% of the interviewed physicians consider a decrease of PCA-specific mortality by PSA screening as being proven (IQ6). Knowledge regarding PCA diagnostics is mainly based on continuous medical education for GP-IS (33%), personal contact with urologists (6%), and guideline studies (4%). While 53% indicated more than one education source, 4% did not obtain any PCA-specific training. The results provided by this questionnaire evaluating response of German GP-IS to six selected indicator questions fit well into the international context; however, further studies with sufficient methodical quality are required. CONCLUSIONS: Despite current findings and controversial recommendations of the two large PCA screening studies on this issue, German GP-IS still frequently use PCA screening by PSA measurement. Primary strategies of early detection as well as follow-up after assessment of pathologically elevated PSA levels poorly follow international recommendations. Thus, an intensification of specific education is justified.

[Postoperative prognosis of chromophobic renal cell carcinoma: comparative analysis of the multinational CORONA database]. / Die postoperative Prognose des chromophoben Nierenzellkarzinoms : Eine vergleichende Analyse anhand der multinationalen CORONA-Datenbank.

BACKGROUND: The chromophobe subtype represents the third most common histological subtype of renal cell carcinoma (chRCC). Due to the rarity of this subtype only one publication regarding the specific analysis of clinical and histopathological criteria as well as survival analysis of more than 200 patients with chRCC is known to date. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 6,234 RCC patients from 11 centres who were treated by (partial) nephrectomy are contained in the database of this multinational study. Of the patients 259 were diagnosed with chRCC (4.2 %) and thus formed the study group for this retrospective investigation. These subjects were compared to 4,994 patients with a clear cell subtype (80.1 %) with respect to clinical and histopathological criteria. The independent influence of the chromophobe subtype regarding tumor-specific survival and overall survival was determined using analysis by Cox proportional hazards regression models. The median follow-up was 59 months (interquartile range 29-106 months). RESULTS: The chRCC patients were significantly younger (60 vs. 63.2 years, p < 0.001), more often female (50 vs. 41 %, p = 0.005) and showed simultaneous distant metastases to a lesser extent (3.5 vs. 7.1 %, p = 0.023) compared to patients with a clear cell subtype. Despite a comparable median tumor size a ≥ pT3 tumor stage was diagnosed in only 24.7 % of the patients compared to of 30.5 % in patients with a clear cell subtype (p = 0.047). In addition to the clinical criteria of age, sex and distant metastases, the histological variables pTN stage, grade and tumor size showed a significant influence on tumor-specific and overall survival. However, in the multivariable Cox regression analysis no independent effect on tumor-specific mortality (HR 0.88, p = 0.515) and overall mortality (HR 1.00, p = 0.998) due to the histological subtype was found (c-index 0.86 and 0.77, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chRCC and clear cell RCC differ significantly concerning the distribution of clinical and histopathological criteria. Patients with chRCC present with less advanced tumors which leads to better tumor-specific survival rates in general; however, this advantage could not be verified after adjustment for the established risk factors.

[Concordance of the Gleason score in prostate multibiopsy and definitive histology]. / Die Ubereinstimmung des Gleason-Scores in Prostatabiopsie und definitiver Histologie.

BACKGROUND: Due to an insufficient mean agreement between the Gleason score (GS) revealed from multibiopsy and definitive histology after radical prostatectomy (RP) of merely about 45 %, a modification of the GS including an elimination of GS 2-4 was -accomplished in 2005. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concordance of GS and WHO grading in biopsy and definitive histology and to -determine parameters influencing the diagnostic accuracy of the biopsy and the prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within a 10-year-period before modification of the GS, radical prostatectomy was performed in 856 patients (study group, SG; mean age 64.2 years). The grade of agreement between GS and WHO grading in biopsy and definitive histology was calculated by kappa statistics (kappa) (for the complete and single time -periods). Furthermore, we assessed the univariable and multivariable influence of different preoperatively available parameters on disease-free survival (DFS). The mean follow-up period was 39 months (range: 10-139 months). RESULTS: Undergrading of GS and WHO grading decreased continuously within the three time -periods in favour of a higher agreement regarding the histological results revealed from biopsy and definitive histology. However, we found only a poor to moderate agreement in the complete time period (kappa values of 0.354 for GS and 0.404 for WHO grading) that - with regard to both parameters - was improved by an increased number of biopsy cores taken. PSA value, clinical -tumour stage, number of positive cores (dichotomised at 34 %), annual RP case load (dichotomised at 75), and GS revealed an independent significant influence on DFS. Patients with GS 2-4 in the biopsy exhibited an upgrade to GS > or = 7 in only 5.7 %, and -showed, -independent of the definitive histology, a significantly better prognosis in comparison with patients presenting with a higher GS. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study again suggest the independent prognostic impact of the GS revealed from biopsy. However, the concordance with the GS in the definitive histology remains deficient and is improvable by taking a higher number of biopsy cores. Although the elimination of GS 2-4 might be comprehensible for the pathologist's purpose, it results in a considerable loss of pretherapeutic prognostic information.

[Urolithiasis in children--rational diagnosis, therapy, and metaphylaxis]. / Urolithiasis bei Kindern--rationelle Diagnostik, Therapie und Metaphylaxe.

With a proportion of 1-5%, children constitute only a small number of all patients with urolithiasis. Nevertheless, pediatric stone disease is an important health care problem because of the high recurrence rate and the threat of progredient renal function impairment with consecutive loss of quality of life. Modern therapies, especially extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy (URS), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), have caused a revolution in the operative treatment spectrum. Open surgery is required for stone removal only rarely, such as for the simultaneous repair of urinary tract anomalies. The minimally invasive modalities of modern stone therapy - mainly ESWL as the treatment of first choice - have led to widespread disregard of stone metaphylaxis. The important principle that says an urinary stone is just a symptom and not the cause of the disease is often forgotten. So it must be noted that despite the high standard of care in Germany, not all problems regarding urinary stone disease are being resolved, particularly in childhood. This article presents the current knowledge of the most important aspects of stone therapy and the methods of treatment in children.