Factors Deciding Conservative or Intervention Treatment for Prostate Abscess: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

Prostate abscess (PA) can lead to severe urosepsis and septic shock if not treated promptly. However, early diagnosis can be hindered by the declining incidence of PA, especially in developing countries and high-risk patients. Despite the prevalence of PA, there is currently a lack of well-established contemporary guidelines or treatment algorithms. This study aimed to review the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for PA, as well as analyze the characteristics, background profiles of patients, and clinical course. Ultimately, the goal was to develop a personalized treatment strategy for patients with PA. This retrospective study examined 44 patients diagnosed with PA at a tertiary medical center between 2010 and 2020. The patients were divided into two groups based on their treatment: conservative treatment or intervention (transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP] or transurethral prostate drainage [TPD]). The study evaluated various factors, including patients' background profiles, comorbidities, laboratory data, and PA size and volume. Complications of the interventions were also analyzed. No significant differences were found in basic data between the conservative treatment group (19 patients) and intervention group (25 patients; 20 for TURP, 5 for TPD). However, it was observed that single abscesses, size <2.2 cm, and prostate volume <48 cm3, may be suitable for conservative treatment. Patients with diabetes mellitus and human immunodeficiency virus should be monitored for thrombotic events. In addition, there was a significant difference in white blood count between the two groups (12.1 ± 7.0 vs. 17.6 ± 9.7 × 109/L, p < 0.05). A subgroup analysis of the intervention group showed no significant difference in the risk of complications between TPD and TURP. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and immunodeficiency are at a high risk of PA but are not indicated for surgical treatment. The PA profile, including number, size, volume, and percentage to prostate volume, should be considered when deciding on surgical intervention for patients with PA. Patients with higher leukocytosis may require surgical treatment. Overall, these findings can help guide the development of a personalized treatment strategy for patients with PA.

Chondrosarcoma of Ureter in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report.

Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that can affect the upper urinary tract. Because of its rarity, the clinical presentation of chondrosarcoma can be similar to other urinary tract conditions, such as renal colic, hematuria, and urothelial carcinoma. The primary treatment for chondrosarcoma is the surgical removal of the tumor, and radiation or chemotherapy may be used for advanced cases. However, because of the limited number of patients with this condition, there are no established guidelines for chemotherapy, and the outcomes are unclear. In this case, we present a 71-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with ureteral chondrosarcoma. She presented with abdominal pain and hydronephrosis, and a tumor was found beneath a small stone. The patient underwent nephroureterectomy and received oral fluorouracil chemotherapy due to the advanced stage of the disease. Fortunately, the patient survived, and at the 7 months post-operative follow-up there was no evidence of recurrence. In conclusion, the chondrosarcoma of the upper urinary tract is a rare condition that can be difficult to diagnose due to its similarity to other urinary tract conditions. Treatment typically involves the surgical removal of the tumor, with radiation or chemotherapy reserved for advanced cases. However, because of the limited number of patients, there are no established guidelines for chemotherapy, and the outcomes of treatment are unclear.

The Association of Prostate Cancer and Urinary Tract Infections: A New Perspective of Prostate Cancer Pathogenesis.

Background and objectives: Microbiota of the urinary tract may be associated with urinary tract malignancy, including prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and subjects without prostate cancer from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2016. A total of 5510 subjects were recruited and followed until the diagnosis of a primary outcome (urinary tract infection, pyelonephritis, cystitis, and prostatitis). Results: We found that the patients with prostate cancer had a significantly higher risk of urinary tract infections than those without prostate cancer. The adjusted hazard ratios for pyelonephritis, prostatitis, and cystitis were 2.30 (95% CI = 1.36-3.88), 2.04 (95% CI = 1.03-4.05), and 4.02 (95 % CI = 2.11-7.66), respectively. We clearly identified the sites of infection and associated comorbidities in the prostate cancer patients with urinary tract infections. In addition, we found that the patients receiving radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy had a lower risk of urinary tract infections than the patients in corresponding control groups. Conclusions: Our study suggests that an abnormal urine microbiome could potentially contribute to the development of prostate cancer through inflammation and immune dysregulation. Furthermore, an imbalanced microbiome may facilitate bacterial overgrowth in urine, leading to urinary tract infections. These findings have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Further research is needed to better understand the role of the urine microbiome in prostate cancer pathogenesis and to identify potential microbiome-targeted therapies for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Synchronous/Metachronous Multiple Primary Malignancies: Review of Associated Risk Factors.

The incidence of secondary primary malignancy (SPM) has been reported to range from 1.33% to 5.8%, according to the location of the primary cancer and the follow-up duration. The highest occurrence rate of SPM, of 36.6% within 6 months, has been reported in lung cancer. Genitourinary malignancies were reported to be the third-most-common SPM in several reports. However, the incidence of genitourinary malignancy as the first primary cancer associated with SPM has not been reported. Several risk factors are related to the occurrence of SPM, including viral infection chemotherapy, radiation, genetics, smoking, betel quid chewing, and environmental factors. An early survey for SPM is indicated in first primary malignancy patients with these associated factors. In this study, we summarize several risk factors related to the occurrence of SPMs and preventive tests, which may help in their early detection and, consequently, better survival.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Combined Antegrade Flexible Ureteroscope for Complete Staghorn Stones: A Case Report of a New Concept of Stone Surgery.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the treatment of choice for staghorn stones. However, residual stones in calyces remain a challenge due to the limited angle which makes the approach difficult. The new operative technique of endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS), which integrates the advantages of PCNL and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), was developed to overcome this difficulty. However, two experienced urologists are required to perform ECIRS, and the patient has to be placed in the Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position or modified prone split-leg position which cannot be achieved in the elderly or patients with ankylosing arthritis, as it may cause harm due to abnormal traction of the joints. In addition, it is difficult for surgeons to create an ideal access tract to perform PCNL in this position. We report the case of a 72-year-old female patient with left staghorn stone. We performed RIRS first and then placed the patient in the decubitus position for PCNL with antegrade flexible ureteroscopy. This method allows patients to be placed in an easier position, with the use of flexible ureteroscopy through a nephroscope to find previously unreachable stones. Moreover, in addition to the more comfortable position both for surgeons and patients, this procedure can also deal with large complex renal stones as with ECIRS. We also created a brand-new definition for stone clearance rate, namely, stone reduction efficiency (SRE). There was a high stone reduction efficiency of 12.64 (mm2/min) in our patient, and no complications occurred. We suggest that this procedure is an ideal alternative treatment for a huge staghorn stone instead of PCNL or ECIRS.