Oncological and Functional Outcomes of Penile Shaft Sparing Surgery for Localised Penile Cancer: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Penile shaft sparing (PSS) surgery for localised penile cancer (PeCa) aims to balance oncological and functional outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To summarise the published evidence on different PSS approaches. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a systematic review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. The systematic search was performed on PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases up to February 14, 2023. The inclusion criteria encompassed retrospective or prospective studies including patients ≥18 yr of age with localised PeCa treated with different PSS approaches, classified as laser ablation, circumcision, wide local excision, glansectomy with or without split skin graft, glans resurfacing, and mixed technique excision. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A quantitative synthesis was not performed due to anticipated data heterogeneity and a lack of comparative studies. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Out of 4343 articles identified, 47 met our inclusion criteria, including 10 847 patients. The year of publication ranged between 1983 and 2021. Nine studies were prospective case series, while the remaining studies were retrospective. No comparative studies were identified. Most of the cases included in these studies were Ta and T1. The oncological outcomes were good for all the approaches, with cancer-specific mortality ranging between 0% and 18%. Sexual and cosmetic outcomes, despite being under-reported, were good for all the approaches, with almost all patients being satisfied with their quality of life after surgery. The Newcastle and Ottawa scale revealed a high or severely high risk of bias in all the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: PSS approaches were safe and had good functional outcomes, considering however the overall low quality of the studies on this issue. PATIENT SUMMARY: The perioperative, function, and oncological outcomes of penile shaft sparing approaches are good. However, high-quality studies are needed to determine whether these approaches benefit patients with localised penile cancer.

The Current Role and Implications of Stem Cell Therapy in Erectile Dysfunction: A Transformation from Caterpillar to Butterfly Is Required.

Current noninvasive treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) include oral medications, intracavernosal injections, and vacuum-assisted devices. Although these therapies work well for many, some patients experience side effects or are unsatisfied with these therapeutic modalities. Restorative therapies are the newest frontier for ED treatments and are focused on regenerating injured tissue and delivering a possible "cure". Stem cell therapy is a regenerative treatment aimed at restoring normal erectile physiology and curing ED. It is promising in cell-based and animal studies and has now been studied in humans. Although the clinical results are not robust, future research may shed more light on the efficacy of this treatment for ED. PATIENT SUMMARY: Stem cell therapy is a promising regenerative treatment for erectile dysfunction, but the clinical results are not robust. It is currently considered an experimental treatment and should not be used outside a clinical trial setting.

Detection rates of urogenital cancers and benign pathology in men presenting with hematospermia.

Background: Hematospermia, although often found to be a benign condition, can be an alarming sign. Consequently, patients can undergo multiple investigations with no current standardized pathway based on data from large series. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of an underlying pathology and the value of diagnostic investigations performed in patients presenting with hematospermia. Materials and methods: A retrospective review of 393 consecutive men who underwent investigations for hematospermia was performed in a single tertiary center. Patient demographics, radiological and microbiological results were recorded together with symptoms of concomitant hematuria and clinical outcomes. Results: In this cohort, the overall prostate cancer detection rate was 5.3% and 7.2% in the ≥40 years group. One patient was diagnosed with testicular seminoma detected on scrotal ultrasound scan and one with G1pTa urothelial carcinoma of the bladder detected on flexible cystoscopy. In addition, 5.6% of patients were found to have a significant benign pathology for which intervention was proposed. A total of 288 patients underwent a transrectal ultrasound scan and 58.7% (n = 169) of these patients were found to have a positive finding. One hundred ten patients underwent a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and 73.6% (n = 81) had a positive finding. Conclusions: Apart from transrectal ultrasound and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, the remaining investigations have a low diagnostic yield. Prostate cancer detection was 5.3%; 7.2% in the ≥40 years group, and two further patients were diagnosed with testicular and bladder malignancy. Based on our results, we propose an algorithm for the management of hematospermia to limit unnecessary investigations with the majority requiring reassurance.

A Rare Cause of Autoinflation after Penile Prosthesis Insertion: Case Series and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, we reported the first case of high flow priapism and arteriocavernosal fistula caused by penile prosthesis insertion that mimicked device autoinflation. AIM: To raise awareness amongst implanters, we describe further cases from our institution and perform a systematic review of the literature to understand the rarity of this phenomenon. METHODS: Patient demographics, management and outcomes were extracted retrospectively. A systematic search of the EMBASE, PubMed and PubMed Central libraries for studies reporting arteriocavernosal fistula mimicking autoinflation since 1946 was performed. OUTCOMES: To identify and report all known cases of high flow priapism and arteriocavernosal fistula presenting as autoinflation of an inflatable penile prosthesis. RESULTS: Four patients in total (median age 56, range 46-60 years) were identified. Catastrophic bleeding (1.8L) occurred during revision surgery for presumed autoinflation in Patient 1 and subsequent ultrasound (US) confirmed a fistula which was embolized. Patient 2 redeveloped autoinflation following revision surgery. Ultrasound confirmed high flow priapism from an arteriocavernosal fistula. Patient 3 underwent penile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate autoinflation and residual penile curvature. MRI showed a tumescent penis despite a deflated device and the fistula was embolized successfully. Patient 4 with sleep-related painful erections did not improve following insertion of penile prosthesis. Doppler US identified 2 fistulae that was embolized but with no resolution of symptoms. Subsequent embolization of both common penile arteries were done to control his symptoms. No other publications apart from the published abstract from 2016 reporting patient 1 was found. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: If considered prior to revision surgery, the fistula can be managed safely by minimally invasive percutaneous angioembolisation avoiding surgery which can potentially be associated with significant complications. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The rarity of this phenomenon was supported by a systematic review. Our study however does present the findings from a small number of patients. CONCLUSION: Damage to the cavernosal artery during inflatable penile prosthesis insertion can create an arteriocavernosal fistula that mimics autoinflation, leading to catastrophic intra-operative bleeding or unnecessary surgery. Lee WG, Satchi M, Skrodzka M, et al. A Rare Cause of Autoinflation after Penile Prosthesis Insertion: Case Series and Systematic Review. J Sex Med 2022;19:879-886.

Mistaken administration of a repeat loading dose of Degarelix leading to acute psychosis.

Advanced and metastatic prostate cancer is often managed with hormonal blockage. Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone antagonists achieve rapid testosterone suppression and are used for the treatment of advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. Degarelix is a luteinising hormone-releasing hormone antagonist and is given as a loading dose, followed by a monthly maintenance dose. We report a case where a patient was inadvertently given a second loading dose of Degarelix that resulted in acute psychosis in the form of panic attacks, delusions, suicidal thoughts, insomnia and some visual hallucinations, which are not reported as side-effects of Degarelix.