Comparative analysis of recurrence rates between intravesical gemcitabine and bacillus Calmette-Guérin induction therapy following transurethral resection of bladder tumors in patients with intermediate- and high-risk bladder cancer: A retrospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the efficacy of intravesical gemcitabine as an alternative to bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected across seven institutions from February 1999 to May 2023. Inclusion criteria included patients with intermediate- or high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) and received at least four sessions of intravesical gemcitabine or BCG induction therapy. Patient characteristics, complete remission (CR), occurrence, and progression rates were compared. RESULTS: In total, 149 patients were included in this study (gemcitabine, 63; BCG, 86). No differences were apparent between the two groups in baseline characteristics, except for the follow-up period (gemcitabine, 9.2±5.9 months vs. BCG, 43.9±41.4 months, p<0.001). There were no consistent significant differences observed between the two groups in the 3-month (gemcitabine, 98.4% vs. BCG, 95.3%; p=0.848), 6-month (94.9% vs. 90.0%, respectively; p=0.793) and 1-year CR rates (84.2% vs. 83.3%, respectively; p=0.950). Also, there was no significant statistical difference in progression-free survival between the two groups (p=0.953). The occurrence rates of adverse events were similar between the groups (22.2% vs. 22.1%; p=0.989); however, the rate of Clavien-Dindo grade 2 or higher was significantly higher in the BCG group (1.6% vs. 16.3%, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical gemcitabine demonstrated efficacy comparable to BCG therapy for the first year in patients with intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC. However, long-term follow-up studies are warranted.

Faster both in operative time and functional recovery by the extraperitoneal daVinci SP-based robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a propensity score matching analysis compared to transperitoneal multiport counterpart.

We aim to investigate the peri-operative outcomes after extraperitoneal single-port based robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (eSP-RARP) utilizing the da Vinci SP system compared to conventional transperitoneal multi-port counterparts (tMP-RARP), in an era when pelvic lymph node dissection (PNLD) was omitted for the node-negative case. With exclusion criteria of volume + 50 g, suspicious rectal invasion, and node-positive disease given relatively weak grasping power and limited range of motion from the current SP system, 50 consecutive patients (Since December 2021) with localized prostate cancer underwent eSP-RARP by a single urologist maintaining identical surgical technique for 100 consecutive tMP-RARP cases (Since December 2020). Given initial selection criteria, each group was matched to a 1:1 ratio based on the risk-stratification parameters and the prostate volume. The operative time, which was maintained in each group during the study period, was significantly faster in eSP-RARP groups than in tMP-RARP (149.2 vs. 163.2 min, p = 0.025), while the weight of the removed specimen (27.1 vs. 29.0 g, p = 0.420) and margin positivity (14.7% vs. 11.7% in pT2, p = 0.812) were similar. The gas-out (1.5 vs. 1.88 days, p = 0.003) and solid diet dates (2.26 vs. 3.22 days, p < 0.001) were faster in the eSP-RARP group. The single-pad continence dates (30.5 vs. 51.9 days, p = 0.145) and zero-pad continence dates (105.5 vs. 146.2 days, p = 0.210) were identical. 90-day single-pad continence rate was 92% vs. 82% (p = 0.142, 52% vs. 56% in zero-pad continence). Based on these, daVinci SP-based RARP restored bowel function faster with shorter operative time through an extraperitoneal approach than the conventional transperitoneal multi-port counterpart while maintaining similar incontinence outcomes in cases without a routine PNLD.

Survival pattern of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients according to WHO/ISUP grade: a long-term multi-institutional study.

The World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology (WHO/ISUP) grading of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is classified from grade 1-4, regardless of subtype. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines (2022) state that if there is an adverse pathological feature, such as grade 3 or higher RCC in stage 1 patients, more rigorous follow-up imaging is recommended. However, the RCC guidelines do not provide specific treatment or follow-up policies by tumor grade. Therefore, this study attempted to find out whether tumor grade affects survival rates in patients with metastatic RCC. The Korean Renal Cancer Study Group (KRoCS) database includes 3108 patients diagnosed with metastatic RCC between September 1992 and February 2017, with treatment methods, progression, and survival data collected from 11 tertiary hospitals. To obtain information on survival rates or causes of death, we utilized the Korea National Statistical Office database and institutional medical records. Data were accessed for research purpose on June, 2023. We then reviewed these sources to gather comprehensive and reliable data on the outcomes of our study cohort. This database was retrospectively analyzed, and out of 3108 metastatic RCC patients, 911 had been identified as WHO/ISUP grade. Grades were classified into either a low-grade (WHO/ISUP grade 1-2) or a high-grade group (WHO/ISUP grade 3-4). The patients were then analyzed related to progression and overall survival (OS). In metastatic clear cell RCC patients, the 1-year OS rate was 69.4% and the median OS was 17.0 months (15.5-18.5) followed up to 203.6 months. When comparing the patient groups, 119 low-grade and 873 high-grade cases were identified. No baseline difference was observed between the two groups, except that the high-grade group had a higher ECOG 1 ratio of 50.4% compared with 34.5% for the low-grade group (p = 0.009). There was a significant difference in OS between high-grade and low-grade groups. OS was 16.0 months (14.6-17.4) in the high-grade group and 28.0 months (21.1-34.9) in the low-grade group (p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) rates with 9.0 months (8.0-10.0) for the high-grade group and 10.0 months (6.8-13.2) for the low-grade group (p = 0.377) in first-line treatment. In multivariable analysis, WHO/ISUP grade was a risk factor (HR = 1.511[1.135-2.013], p = 0.005) that influenced the OS. In conclusion, WHO/ISUP grade is a major data source that can be used as a ubiquitous marker of metastatic RCC in pre-IO era. Depending on whether the RCC is high or low grade, the follow-up schedule will need to be tailored according to grade, with higher-grade patients needing more active treatment as it can not only affect the OS in the previously known localized/locoregional recurrence but also the metastatic RCC patient.

The Short- and Long-Term Anticipation of Prostate Cancer Incidence in Korea: Based on Social Aging Trends and Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing Rate during the Last Decade.

The current incidence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, which plays a crucial role in detecting prostate cancer (PCa) in an aged population, is low in Korea. Reflecting these epidemiologic characteristics, we estimated the short- and long-term incidences of PCa. A regression equation model was extracted based on two critical pieces of information: (1) the distribution of newly detected PCa cases in each age group of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and over 80s from a recent period (2006-2020), and (2) the PSA testing rate (PSAr) from the previous decade (2006-2016) for each age subgroup. The incidence increased fourfold (4533 in 2006 to 16,815 in 2020), with each age subgroup accounting for 7.9% (50s), 31.4% (60s), 43.0% (70s), and 17.1% (over 80s) of cases in 2020. PSAr increased by an average of 1.08% annually. If these trends are maintained, 28,822 new cases will be diagnosed in 2030 (expected PSAr: 14.4%) and 40,478 cases in 2040 (expected PSAr: 26.4%). If a public PSA screening were implemented for men only in their 60s (assuming a PSAr of 60% in the 60s) and 70s (assuming a PSAr of 80% in the 70s) in 2030, 37,503 cases in 2030 (expected PSAr: 23.1%) and 43,719 cases in 2040 (expected PSAr: 29.9%) would be estimated. According to the projection, the incidence of PCa will increase twofold by 2034 compared to 2020. If national screening were only conducted in the 60s and 70s, a higher detection of almost threefold would be expected by 2040.

The Long-Term Impact of 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors on the Development of Bladder Cancer and the Need for Radical Cystectomy: A Nationwide Observational Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term effects of taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) on the development of bladder cancer (BC) and the implementation of radical cystectomy (RC), a standard procedure for advanced BC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the National Health Insurance Sharing Service database, males aged over 40 years who underwent serum prostate-specific antigen testing from 2006 through 2017 were identified, which is required for the prescription of 5ARIs. The association between the administration duration of 5ARIs and the practice for BC was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 3,843,968 subjects, 1,514,713 (39.4%) took 5ARIs for an average of 1.53 years, remaining 2,329,255 (60.6%) as non-5ARI counterparts. The incidence of BC was higher in the non-5ARI than in the 5ARI group (1.25% vs. 0.87%, p<0.001), as was the implementation rate of RC (11.1% vs. 10.4%, p=0.037). In a multivariate analysis, the non-5ARI group had a significant risk of BC (hazard ratio [HR]=2.289, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.241-2.338) and RC (HR=2.199, 95% CI=2.061-2.348) than the 5ARI group. Among the 5ARIs group, though the incidence of BC was maintained (slope=-0.002 per year, p=0.79) after an initial increase for two years, the rate of RC decreased (slope=-1.1, p<0.001) consistently for ten years during the administration. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the untreated group, 5ARIs use was associated with lower rates of BC and RC. In contrast to the increase in BC seen with short-term use of less than two years, long-term use of 5ARIs decreased the rate of RC in a duration-dependent manner for ten years, suggesting a strategy to prevent disease progression.

DaVinci SP-based simultaneous bilateral partial nephrectomy from the midline transperitoneal approach: a case report.

While simultaneous bilateral partial nephrectomy with a conventional multiport robot has been consistently reported since the 2010s, the introduction of the DaVinci SP system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) could provide a novel way to perform surgery on bilateral kidneys while innovatively reducing the number of incisions. In our first report worldwide, the patient with bilateral small renal mass (2.0 cm for the left and 1.5 cm for the right side) and preoperative normal renal function was placed in the lateral decubitus position on an inverted bed. After tilting the bed to be as horizontal as possible, a 4-cm incision was made in the lower part of the umbilicus for the floating trocar technique. The partial nephrectomy was performed reliably as with the conventional transperitoneal approach, and then the patient could be repositioned to the contralateral side for the same procedure, maintaining all trocars. Total operation time (skin to skin), total console time, and the left- and right-side warm ischemic times were 260, 164, 27, and 23 minutes, respectively, without applying the early declamping technique. The estimated blood loss was 200 mL. The serum creatinine right after the operation, on the first day, 3 days, and 90 days after surgery were 0.92, 0.77, 0.79, and 0.81 mg/dL, respectively. For 90 days after the procedure, no complications or radiologic recurrence were observed. Further clinical studies will reveal the advantages of using the DaVinci SP device for this procedure over traditional multiport surgery, maximizing the benefit of a single port-based approach.

Corrigendum: Correction of the Figure. Trends of stratified prostate cancer risk in a single Korean province from 2003 to 2021: A multicenter study conducted using regional training hospital data.

This corrects the article on p. 140 in vol. 64, PMID: 36882172.

TNM-Based Head-to-Head Comparison of Urachal Carcinoma and Urothelial Bladder Cancer: Stage-Matched Analysis of a Large Multicenter National Cohort.

PURPOSE: Outcome analysis of urachal cancer (UraC) is limited due to the scarcity of cases and different staging methods compared to urothelial bladder cancer (UroBC). We attempted to assess survival outcomes of UraC and compare to UroBC after stage-matched analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 203 UraC patients from a multicenter database and 373 UroBC patients in single institution from 2000 to 2018 were enrolled (median follow-up, 32 months). Sheldon stage conversion to corresponding TNM staging for UraC was conducted for head-to-head comparison to UroBC. Perioperative clinical variables and pathological results were recorded. Stage-matched analyses for survival by stage were conducted. RESULTS: UraC patients were younger (mean age, 54 vs. 67 years; p < 0.001), with 163 patients (80.3%) receiving partial cystectomy and 23 patients (11.3%) radical cystectomy. UraC was more likely to harbor ≥ pT3a tumors (78.8% vs. 41.8%). While 5-year recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival were comparable between two groups (63.4%, 67%, and 62.1% in UraC and 61.5%, 75.9%, and 67.8% in UroBC, respectively), generally favorable prognosis for UraC in lower stages (pT1-2) but unfavorable outcomes in higher stages (pT4) compared to UroBC was observed, although only 5-year CSS in ≥ pT4 showed statistical significance (p=0.028). Body mass index (hazard ratio [HR], 0.929), diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.921), pathologic T category (HR, 3.846), and lymphovascular invasion (HR, 1.993) were predictors of CSS for all patients. CONCLUSION: Despite differing histology, UraC has comparable prognosis to UroBC with relatively favorable outcome in low stages but worse prognosis in higher stages. The presented system may be useful for future grading and risk stratification of UraC.

Trends of stratified prostate cancer risk in a single Korean province from 2003 to 2021: A multicenter study conducted using regional training hospital data.

PURPOSE: To identify changes in prostate cancer (PCa) risk-stratification during the last two decades in Korea, where the social perception of PCa was limited due to a relatively low incidence but has recently been triggered by the rapidly increasing incidence of benign prostate hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data of patients who had received a diagnosis of PCa in a single Korean province (Daegu-Gyeongsangbuk) at all seven training hospitals in the years 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021 were subjected to analysis. Changes in PCa risk-stratification were investigated with respect to serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score (GS), and clinical stage. RESULTS: Of the 3,393 study subjects that received a diagnosis of PCa, 64.1% had high-risk disease, 23.0% intermediate, and 12.9% low-risk disease. The proportion diagnosed with high-risk disease was 54.8% in 2003, 30.6% in 2019, but then increased to 35.1% in 2021. The proportion of patients with high PSA (>20 ng/mL) steadily decreased from 59.4% in 2003 to 29.6% in 2021, whereas the proportion with a high GS (>8) increased from 32.8% in 2011 to 34.0% in 2021, and the proportion with advanced stage disease (over cT2c) increased from 26.5% in 2011 to 37.1% in 2021. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study, conducted in a single Korean province, high-risk PCa accounted for the largest proportion of newly registered Korean PCa patients during the last two decades and increased in the early 2020s. This outcome supports the adoption of nationwide PSA screening, regardless of current Western guidelines.

Should Contemporary Western Guidelines Based on Studies Conducted in the 2000s Be Adopted for the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening Policy for Asian Men in the 2020s?

Though prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer world widely, there exist substantial differences exist between Asia and the west. Genetic susceptibility and lifestyle may contribute to disproportionately lower incidences and mortalities of PCa in Asian countries, but the differences in diagnostic practices are also likely to contribute, and a large part of them may be explained by the lesser chance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. In the US, about half of men aged over 50 years had been exposed to the screening test in the early 2000s. The shifts in the risk stratification from the high-risk dominant disease in the late 1980s to the low-risk dominant disease in the early 2000s led to criticism regarding the unconditional nature of PSA-based screening. Based on the conflicting outcomes from the randomized clinical trials which investigated the benefit of PSA testing, US Preventive Study Task Force recommended ceasing mass screening in 2012. Accordingly, guidelines begin to emphasize shared decision-making on the PSA testing narrowing their scopes to men aged 55 to 69 years since 2013. Though most Asian countries have not begun to recognize PCa as a major agenda item until the 2010s, a clear trend of expanding incidence of it implies that the time to come to reconsider PSA testing as a higher priority in the public health sphere in the 2020s. Concerns regarding over-diagnosis and over-treatment of insignificant diseases are imperative. However, the distinctive epidemiologic characteristics of PCa in Asia areas, such as low exposure to the repetitive PSA testing, the recent increase in its incidence driven by the elderly and super-elderly, and racial differences should be considered when it comes to the establishment of screening policy utilizing PSA test.

Incidence and mortality projections for major cancers among Korean men until 2034, with a focus on prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: The Korean population is rapidly aging, and the cancer burden is expected to change significantly. This study aimed to generate projections of incidence and mortality of major cancers among men in Korea until 2034, with a special focus on prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2016 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database. Mortality data were obtained from Statistics Korea. The most common cancers among Korean men (stomach, colorectum, liver, lung and prostate) were analyzed. To predict the future trends of these cancers, the age-period-cohort method was conducted and extrapolated up to 2034. RESULTS: In Korean men, prostate cancer was the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2016. Based on newly diagnosed cases, the leading cancer site in the year 2034 is expected to be the lung, and the prostate is expected to be the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among Korean men. Age-standardized incidence rates of the most common cancers in men, except prostate cancer, are expected to decrease until 2034. Lung cancer is projected to remain the most common cause of cancer-related mortality until 2034, and the highest estimated change in cancer deaths is expected to be for prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer is expected to increase markedly in the period up to 2034, particularly in older men. Concerted efforts in screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies should be considered by healthcare planners and providers.

The national-wide incidence of prostate-specific antigen testing trend for a decade in Korea by age group.

PURPOSE: To document nationwide serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing trends over the past decade and to investigate the impact of testing on prostate cancer (PCa) detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using annual National Health Insurance Service of Korea data for the period 2006 to 2016, PSA testing rates were investigated for men aged ≥40 years by decade, and associations between test rates and registered PCa cases were analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, the incidence of PCa increased about threefold (4,415 in 2006 to 15,046 in 2016). PCa incidences increased with age (p<0.001) and about 60% of cases were over 70 years old. Despite a fourfold increase in PSA testing (246,911 in 2006 to 937,548 in 2016), the average exposure rate among all men was only 7.27% in 2016, and the mean number of repeat tests for those that did not develop PCa during the study period was 2.9. PSA test rates increased with age and in 2016 were 1.65% for those in their 40s, 4.90% for those in their 50s, 12.0% for those in their 60s, 19.2% for those in their 70s, and 21.6% for those aged ≥80. Regardless of the age groups, a significant association was found between PSA test numbers and the detection of PCas. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the soaring incidence of PCa especially in those aged over 70 years who have a more frequent chance for PSA testing triggered by concomitant voiding symptoms, low exposure in general and among relatively younger men favors a countrywide screening policy.

Stratification of Potency Outcomes Following Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy Based on Age, Preoperative Potency, and Nerve Sparing.

Introduction: To identify factors affecting potency and to predict ideal patient subgroups who will have the highest chance of being potent after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) based on nerve sparing (NS). Materials and Methods: Analysis of 7268 patients who underwent RALP between 2008 and 2018 with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up was performed. The patients were then categorized into four separate neurovascular bundle-sparing groups (NVB 1-4). A Cox regression analysis was used to determine the independent factors predicting potency outcomes. Cumulative incidence functions were used to depict the probability and time to potency between the NS groups stratified by age and preoperative sexual health inventory in men (SHIM). Results: Cox regression analysis of age, preoperative SHIM score, and grades of NS significantly predicted potency outcomes post-RALP. Patients with SHIM score ≥22 had a better chance of potency vs patients with SHIM <17 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.69, confidence interval [CI]: 1.47-1.79). NVB1 had better potency vs NVB4 (OR: 3.1, CI: 2.51-3.83). Patients <55 years with NVB1 and no preoperative erectile dysfunction had the best potency rates of 92.5%. However, we did not see any statistical difference between NVB2 and NVB3 in this group, implying that in patient groups with SHIM ≥22 and age <55, NVB1 provided the best chance of potency recovery. As age increased and preoperative SHIM worsened, the curves corresponding to NVB 2 and 3 showed significant differences, suggesting that NVB 2 and 3 may be predictive in unfavorable age and preoperative SHIM groups, especially NVB 2 > NVB 3. Conclusions: Preoperative SHIM, age, and NS are the most influential factors for potency recovery following RALP. Patients with good baseline sexual function had similar postoperative potency, irrespective of their grades of partial NS. In patients with decreased baseline SHIM and older age, a higher grade of partial NS resulted in a significantly better potency compared with a lower grade of partial nerve spare.

A comparison of the survival outcomes of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy in patients over 75 years old with non-metastatic prostate cancer: A Korean multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To compare overall survivals (OSs) and cancer-specific survivals (CSSs) after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and radiation therapy (RT), the latter of which has long been recommended primarily for elderly patients (≥75 years) with non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), given the Korean male life span of 79.7 years (2018). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data for aged ≥75 years who underwent RARP or RT at seven tertiary hospitals were analyzed. To account for indication-related bias, inverse probability of treatment-weighting (IPTW) was applied before and after Cox regression. RESULTS: Of the 1,110 study subjects, 883 underwent RARP and 227 RT from 2007 to 2016. The differences between groups including the age (≥80 y; 25.4% vs. 32.8%; p=0.034), concomitant diabetes (14.9% vs. 22.9%; p=0.007), coronary heart disease (3.5% vs. 7.5%; p=0.015), and PCa risk stratification (high-risk; 18.2% vs. 59.7%; p<0.001) were balanced after IPTW. During a mean follow-up of 74.5 months, OSs (91.9% vs. 91.0%) and CSSs (97.8% vs. 98.0%) were similar. After IPTW, overall mortality was associated with diabetes (hazard ratio [HR], 2.273; p<0.0001) and inversely with low-risk PCa (HR, 0.314; p<0.0001), the last of which was solely associated with cancer-specific mortality (HR, 0.245; p=0.0005). The implementation of local treatment between RARP and RT demonstrated no impact on survival, for whole and high-risk populations. CONCLUSIONS: Even aged over 75 years, patients who underwent RARP for non-metastatic PCa had similar survival with RT regardless of risk stratification. However, the survival needs to be weighed with the morbidity of local treatment in a future study.

Analysis of Characteristics and Mortality in Cardiac Arrest Patients by Hospital Level: a Nationwide Population-based Study.

BACKGROUND: Survival and post-cardiac arrest care vary considerably by hospital, region, and country. In the current study, we aimed to analyze mortality in patients who underwent cardiac arrest by hospital level, and to reveal differences in patient characteristics and hospital factors, including post-cardiac arrest care, hospital costs, and adherence to changes in resuscitation guidelines. METHODS: We enrolled adult patients (≥ 20 years) who suffered non-traumatic cardiac arrest from 2006 to 2015. Patient demographics, insurance type, admission route, comorbidities, treatments, and hospital costs were extracted from the National Health Insurance Service database. We categorized patients into tertiary hospital, general hospital, and hospital groups according to the level of the hospital where they were treated. We analyzed the patients' characteristics, hospital factors, and mortalities among the three groups. We also analyzed post-cardiac arrest care before and after the 2010 guideline changes. The primary end-point was 30 days and 1 year mortality rates. RESULTS: The tertiary hospital, general hospital, and hospital groups represented 32.6%, 49.6%, and 17.8% of 337,042 patients, respectively. The tertiary and general hospital groups were younger, had a lower proportion of medical aid coverage, and fewer comorbidities, compared to the hospital group. Post-cardiac arrest care, such as percutaneous coronary intervention, targeted temperature management, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, were provided more frequently in the tertiary and general hospital groups. After adjusting for age, sex, insurance type, urbanization level, admission route, comorbidities, defibrillation, resuscitation medications, angiography, and guideline changes, the tertiary and general hospital groups showed lower 1-year mortality (tertiary hospital vs. general hospital vs. hospital, adjusted odds ratios, 0.538 vs. 0.604 vs. 1; P < 0.001). After 2010 guideline changes, a marked decline in atropine use and an increase in post-cardiac arrest care were observed in the tertiary and general hospital groups. CONCLUSION: The tertiary and general hospital groups showed lower 30 days and 1 year mortality rates than the hospital group, after adjusting for patient characteristics and hospital factors. Higher-level hospitals provided more post-cardiac arrest care, which led to high hospital costs, and showed good adherence to the guideline change after 2010.

The Prognosis and Oncological Predictor of Urachal Carcinoma of the Bladder: A Large Scale Multicenter Cohort Study Analyzed 203 Patients With Long Term Follow-Up.

AIM: This study evaluated the prognosis and survival predictors for bladder urachal carcinoma (UC), based on large scale multicenter cohort with long term follow-up database. METHODS: A total 203 patients with bladder UC treated at 19 hospitals were enrolled. Clinical parameters on carcinoma presentation, diagnosis, and therapeutic methods were reviewed for the primary cancer and for all subsequent recurrences. The stage of UC was stratified by Mayo and Sheldon pathological staging system. Oncological outcomes and the possible clinicopathological parameters associated with survival outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 54.2 years. Among the total of 203 patients, stages I, II, III, and IV (Mayo stage) were 48 (23.8%), 108 (53.5%), 23 (11.4%), and 23 (11.4%), respectively. Gross hematuria and bladder irritation symptoms were the two most common initial symptoms. The mean follow-up period was 65 months, and 5-year overall survival rates (OS), cancer-specific survival rates (CSS), and recurrence-free survival rates (RFS) were 88.3, 83.1, and 63.9%, respectively. For the patients with Mayo stage ≥III, OS, CSS, and RFS were significantly decreased to 38.0, 35.2, and 28.4%, respectively. The higher pathological stage (Mayo stage ≥III, Sheldon stage ≥IIIc), positive surgical margin (PSM), and positive lymphovascular invasion (PLM) were independent predictors of shorter OS, CSS, and RFS. CONCLUSION: The pathological stage, PSM, and PLM were significantly associated with the survival of UC patients, emphasizing an importance of the complete surgical resection of tumor lesion.

Stratification of Potency Outcomes Following Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy Based on Age, Preoperative Potency, and Nerve Sparing.

Introduction: To identify factors affecting potency and to predict ideal patient subgroups who will have the highest chance of being potent after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) based on nerve sparing (NS). Materials and Methods: Analysis of 7268 patients who underwent RALP between 2008 and 2018 with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up was performed. The patients were then categorized into four separate neurovascular bundle-sparing groups (NVB 1-4). A Cox regression analysis was used to determine the independent factors predicting potency outcomes. Cumulative incidence functions were used to depict the probability and time to potency between the NS groups stratified by age and preoperative sexual health inventory in men (SHIM). Results: Cox regression analysis of age, preoperative SHIM score, and grades of NS significantly predicted potency outcomes post-RALP. Patients with SHIM score ≥22 had a better chance of potency vs patients with SHIM <17 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.69, confidence interval [CI]: 1.47-1.79). NVB1 had better potency vs NVB4 (OR: 3.1, CI: 2.51-3.83). Patients <55 years with NVB1 and no preoperative erectile dysfunction had the best potency rates of 92.5%. However, we did not see any statistical difference between NVB2 and NVB3 in this group, implying that in patient groups with SHIM ≥22 and age <55, NVB1 provided the best chance of potency recovery. As age increased and preoperative SHIM worsened, the curves corresponding to NVB 2 and 3 showed significant differences, suggesting that NVB 2 and 3 may be predictive in unfavorable age and preoperative SHIM groups, especially NVB 2 > NVB 3. Conclusions: Preoperative SHIM, age, and NS are the most influential factors for potency recovery following RALP. Patients with good baseline sexual function had similar postoperative potency, irrespective of their grades of partial NS. In patients with decreased baseline SHIM and older age, a higher grade of partial NS resulted in a significantly better potency compared with a lower grade of partial nerve spare.

Influence of repeated prostate-specific antigen screening on treatment pattern in a country with a limited social perception of prostate cancer: Korean national wide observational study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the real-world prevalence of repeated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in Korea and its influence on the treatment pattern of the prostate cancer (PCa) over the last decade, during which PCa has become the 3rd most popular male cancer and PSA test has gained minimal social interest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Korean National Health Insurance Service data, men with newly diagnosed PCa from 2008 through 2016 were identified, then the treatment modalities between the repeated PSA screening (defined as at least three PSA tests during minimal 2 years before registration) and non-screening groups (when the first PSA test was performed within 3 months before registration) were compared. RESULTS: Among 73,280 men with PCa, only 27.7% met the criteria for screening. In contrast with the continuous increase in the screening population from 334 men in 2008 to 5,049 men in 2016, the non-screening population remained low at 1,543 men in 2008 and 1,819 men in 2016 (p<0.001). During these periods, more patients underwent local therapy (prostatectomy or radiation) in the screening population compared to their non-screened counterparts (59.8% vs. 46.7%, p<0.001), and fewer patients underwent systemic therapy (chemotherapy or hormone) (40.2% vs. 53.3%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusting other variables demonstrated 2-fold higher mortality in the non-screening population (hazard ratio=2.050, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients newly diagnosed with PCa, only about a quarter received repeated PSA screening. However, these patients showed a higher probability of local treatment than the systemic one in comparison with non-screened counterparts.

The robot-assisted ureteral reconstruction in adult: A narrative review on the surgical techniques and contemporary outcomes.

Despite the rapid increase in the use of robotic surgery in urology, the majority of ureteric reconstruction procedures are still performed using laparoscopic or open approaches. This is primarily due to uncertainty regarding the advantages of robotic approaches over conventional ones, and the unique difficulty in identifying the specific area of interest due to the lack of tactile feedback from the current robotic systems. However, with the potential benefits of minimal invasiveness, several pioneering reports have been published on robotic surgery in urology. By reviewing the literature on this topic, we aimed to summarize the techniques, considerations, and consistent findings regarding robotic ureteral reconstruction in adults. Robotic applications for ureteral surgery have been primarily reported for pediatric urology, especially in the context of relieving a congenital obstruction in the ureteral pelvic junction. However, contemporary studies have also consistently demonstrated that robotic surgery could be a reliable option for malignant, iatrogenic, and traumatic conditions, which generally occur in adult patients. Nevertheless, the lack of comparative studies on heterogeneous hosts and disease conditions make it difficult to determine the benefit of the robotic approach over the conventional approach in the general population; thus, qualified prospective trials are needed for wider acceptance. However, contemporary reports have demonstrated that the robotic approach could be an alternative option for ureteral construction, even in the absence of haptic feedback, which can be compensated by various surgical techniques and enhanced three-dimensional visualization.