TNM-Based Head-to-Head Comparison of Urachal Carcinoma and Urothelial Bladder Cancer: Stage-Matched Analysis of a Large Multicenter National Cohort / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

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.

Prediction of Stent Failure for Malignant Ureteral Obstruction in Non-Urological Cancer

Purpose@#To analyze prognostic factors associated with ureteral stent failure and to develop a prediction model for malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO) in patients with non-urological cancers. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed patients with non-urological cancers who underwent ureteral stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) for MUO between 2006 and 2014. Variables predicting stent failure were identified using Cox regression analysis. @*Results@#Of the 743 patients, 468 (63.0%) underwent ureteral stenting only, and 275 (37.0%) underwent PCN owing to technical (n=215) or functional (n=60) stent failure. The median overall survival was 4 [interquartile range (IQR) 1–11] months, and the median interval duration to stent failure was 2 (IQR 0–7) months. In univariate analysis, lower gastrointestinal cancer, previous radiotherapy to the pelvis, bladder invasion, lower ureteral obstruction, and low previous estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (<30 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) were significantly associated with a decreased survival rate. In multivariate analysis, bladder invasion and previous eGFR were significant predictors. With these two predictors, we divided patients into three groups based on their presence: low-risk (neither factor; n=516), intermediate-risk (one factor; n=206), and high-risk (both factors; n=21). The median stent failure-free survival rates of patients in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 26 (8-unreached), 1 (0–18), and 0 (0–0) months, respectively (p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#In cases of ureteral obstruction caused by non-urological cancers, patients with bladder invasion and a low eGFR showed poor stent failure-free survival. Therefore, PCN should be considered the primary procedure for these patients.

Evaluation of the Surgical Margin Threshold for Avoiding Recurrence after Partial Nephrectomy in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose@#An adequate minimal surgical margin for partial nephrectomy (PN) has not yet been conclusively established. Therefore, we aimed to compare PN recurrence rates according to surgical margin status and to establish an adequate minimal surgical margin. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively studied patients with clinically localized renal cell carcinoma who underwent PN between 2005 and 2014. Surgical margin width (SMW) was assessed for all surgical tissues and divided into three groups: SMW <1 mm, SMW ≥1 mm, and positive surgical margin (PSM). The data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests and multivariate Cox regression models. @*Results@#Of 748 patients (median age, 55 years; interquartile range, 46–64 years; 220 female), 704 (94.2%) and 44 (5.8%) patients had negative and PSMs, respectively. Recurrence-free survival was significantly lower in patients with PSMs (p<0.001) and was not significantly different between SMW ≥1 mm and <1 mm groups (p=0.604). PSM was a significant predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio: 8.03, 95% confidence interval: 2.74–23.56, p<0.001), in contrast to SMW <1 mm (p=0.680). @*Conclusion@#A PSM after PN significantly increases the risk of recurrence. We discovered that even a submillimeter safety surgical margin may be enough to prevent recurrence. To maximize normal renal parenchyma preservation and to avoid cancer recurrence in renal parenchymal tumor patients, PN may be a safe treatment, except for those with a PSM in the final pathology.

Association Between Prostate Cancer and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D2 Levels: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007−2008 Results

Purpose@#To report an association between prostate cancer and vitamin D levels among different races in a single population in the United States. @*Materials and Methods@#We investigated whether there was an association between vitamin D level and prostate cancer in different races in the United States. We used data collected from 1,363 men during the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2008. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent associations between vitamin D levels (not only 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], but also 25(OH)D2 and D3) and prostate cancer. Association between vitamin D levels and prostate specific antigen level was also analyzed in non-Hispanic white males without prostate cancer. @*Results@#Older age was significantly associated with prostate cancer in all races (p＜0.05), whereas vitamin D (p=0.024), especially 25(OH)D2 (p=0.027) was significantly higher only in non-Hispanic white males. There was no difference in vitamin D levels between non-Hispanic white males with a prostate specific antigen concentration ＞3 ng/mL and ≤3 ng/mL. @*Conclusions@#This study revealed a positive association between vitamin D, especially 25(OH)D2, and prostate cancer only in non-Hispanic white males. And vitamin D was not associated with prostate specific antigen level causing detection bias. (Korean J Urol Oncol 2020;18:32-39)

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Pathological Renal Sinus Fat Invasion in Renal Cell Carcinomas of ≤7 cm with Presumed Renal Sinus Fat Invasion

PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) is the most useful diagnostic modality for staging renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, CT is limited in its ability to predict renal sinus fat invasion (SFI). Here, we aimed to evaluate whether preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could predict pathological SFI in patients with RCC of ≤7 cm for whom preoperative imaging reveals potential renal SFI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 1311 patients who underwent extirpative renal surgery for non-metastatic RCC of ≤7 cm between November 2005 and December 2014. After excluding patients with no SFI in preoperative imaging, unavailable preoperative data, and morbidity affecting inflammatory markers, a total of 476 patients were included in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of pathological SFI. RESULTS: We implemented a cut-off value of 1.98, which was calculated by ROC analysis to obtain high (≥1.98) and low (<1.98) NLR groups. A total of 93 patients with pathological SFI had larger clinical tumor size, higher preoperative NLR, larger pathological tumor size, more frequent renal vein involvement, and higher Fuhrman nuclear grade. Multivariate analysis indicated that high NLR [odds ratio (OR) 2.032, p=0.004], clinical tumor size (OR 1.586, p<0.001), and collecting system involvement on preoperative imaging (OR 3.957, p=0.011) were significantly associated with pathological SFI in these tumors. CONCLUSION: Preoperative high NLR was associated with pathological SFI in patients with RCC of ≤7 cm and presumed SFI on preoperative imaging. Greater surgical attention is needed to obtain negative margins during partial nephrectomy in these patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Robotic Procedures Performed Using the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System at a Single Institute in Korea: Experience with 10000 Cases

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of robotic procedures performed using the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System at a single institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed all robotic procedures performed at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System (Seoul, Korea). Reliability and mortality rates of the robotic surgeries were also investigated. RESULTS: From July 2005 to December 2013, 10267 da Vinci robotic procedures were performed in seven different departments by 47 surgeons at our institute. There were 5641 cases (54.9%) of general surgery, including endocrine (38.0%), upper (7.7%) and lower gastrointestinal tract (7.5%), hepato-biliary and pancreatic (1.2%), and pediatric (0.6%) surgeries. Urologic surgery (33.0%) was the second most common, followed by otorhinolaryngologic (7.0%), obstetric and gynecologic (3.2%), thoracic (1.5%), cardiac (0.3%), and neurosurgery (0.1%). Thyroid (40.8%) and prostate (27.4%) procedures accounted for more than half of all surgeries, followed by stomach (7.6%), colorectal (7.5%), kidney and ureter (5.1%), head and neck (4.0%), uterus (3.2%), thoracic (1.5%), and other (2.9%) surgeries. Most surgeries (94.5%) were performed for malignancies. General and urologic surgeries rapidly increased after 2005, whereas others increased slowly. Thyroid and prostate surgeries increased rapidly after 2007. Surgeries for benign conditions accounted for a small portion of all procedures, although the numbers thereof have been steadily increasing. System malfunctions and failures were reported in 185 (1.8%) cases. Mortality related to robotic surgery was observed for 12 (0.12%) cases. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgeries have increased steadily at our institution. The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is effective and safe for use during surgery.

Impact of Early Salvage Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Localized Prostate Cancer after Radical Prostatectomy: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

PURPOSE: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is used as a salvage treatment for men with biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) following initial radical prostatectomy (RP). The optimal time at which to begin salvage ADT (sADT) remains controversial. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the efficacy of initiating sADT in patients before prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values met the clinical definition of BCR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 484 PCa patients who received sADT for BCR after RP. Median follow-up was 82 months. Propensity score matching was performed based on preoperative PSA level, pathologic T stage, and Gleason score. Patients were assigned to two groups of 169 patients each, based on PSA levels at the time of sADT: Group A (without meeting of the definition of BCR) and Group B (after BCR). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The median PSA level at sADT initiation was 0.12 ng/mL in group A and 0.42 ng/mL in group B. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that group A had favorable disease progression-free survival (DPFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), but did not have better cancer-specific survival (CSS) than group B. In subgroup analyses, group A showed better CSS rates in the non-organ confined PCa group. In Cox regression analyses, early sADT was associated significantly with DPFS and DMFS rates, however, did not correlate with CSS (p=0.107). CONCLUSION: Early sADT after RP improved DPFS and DMFS. Furthermore, early sADT patients demonstrated better CSS in non-organ confined PCa.

Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery (LESS) for Excision of a Seminal Vesicle Cyst Associated with Ipsilateral Renal Agenesis

We report a case of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) for a symptomatic left seminal vesicular cyst and ipsilateral renal agenesis. A 49-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of severe irritation upon voiding and intractable, recurrent hematospermia. A computed tomography scan showed a 68x41x38 mm sized left seminal vesicular cyst with ipsilateral renal agenesis. LESS was performed successfully to treat the seminal vesicle cyst. The total operative time was 125 minutes, and blood loss was minimal. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the second postoperative day.

The Learning Curve for Flank Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Kidney Calculi: A Single Surgeon's Experience

PURPOSE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is conventionally conducted in the prone position. However, the prone position increases anesthesia-related morbidity and position changes lengthen the operation time. We report perioperative outcomes and the learning curve for flank PCNL on the basis of a single surgeon's experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study investigated 53 cases of flank PCNL performed for renal stones at our institution from April 2008 to September 2010. We compared mean operative time, stone-free rate, drop in hemoglobin level, length of hospital stay, complications, and need for additional procedures after the surgery. The 53 cases were divided into three groups by case number to compare therapeutic effect, stability, and the learning curve for flank position PCNL. RESULTS: The mean operation time for the 53 patients was 97.3+/-43.1 minutes. The mean operation time gradually decreased as the surgeon accumulated experience. From the 36th case, the mean operation time showed a statistically significant decrease to 72.2+/-24.1 minutes (p=0.003). The overall stone-free rate was 64.2% for all procedures (range, 61.1-76.5%). There were no significant differences in the drop in hemoglobin level, stone-free rate, re-treatment, hospital stay, or complication rate. There was no injury to the bowel or renal vessels, and no other major complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Flank PCNL can be used to remove renal stones effectively while overcoming the disadvantages of the existing prone position PCNL. After 36 cases, the learning curve showed acquisition of surgical competence. The clinical experience reported here suggests that flank PCNL is a safe and feasible technique.

A Case of Plummer - Vinson Syndrome Treated with Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Plummer-Vinson syndrome is characterized by dysphagia associated with anemia, glossitis and esophageal web. The cause of this syndrome is still not clear, but the most important one is thought to be the iron deficiency. The patient with small sized ageal web is treated by administration of iron but large sized web with dyspha gia requires breakage of web. In the following case report, we describe a patient with Plummer-Vinson syndrome who showed clinical improvement after treatmeat with endoscopic balloon dilatation of upper esophageal web with a review of literatures.