A decade in focus: mixed germ cell tumors with choriocarcinoma components.

Introduction: This 10-year registry review aimed to investigate the clinical behaviour and outcomes of mixed germ cell tumours with choriocarcinoma components, a rare and aggressive subtype of testicular cancer, in Saudi Arabia. The study explores the demographic characteristics of affected patients, tumour profiles, and the mortality rate associated with this malignancy. Methods: Utilizing data from the Saudi Cancer Registry, the authors identified 33 cases of mixed germ cell tumours with choriocarcinoma components among 1001 testicular cancer cases recorded between 2008 and 2017. Demographic information, including age, marital status, region of residency, year of diagnosis, and 10-year survival status, were collected. Tumour factors, such as the basis of diagnosis, origin site, behaviour, grade, extension, and laterality, were also analyzed. Results: The majority of cases (78.8%) occurred in the young age group (18-45 years), and most tumours (97%) originated in normally descended testes. Grade IV (undifferentiated anaplastic) tumours and distant metastasis were present in 45.5% of patients. All cases exhibited malignant tumour behaviour. The overall mortality rate was 15%, with a mean time from diagnosis to death of 7.72 months (range: 0.5-21.5 months). Conclusion: Mixed germ cell tumours with choriocarcinoma components are rare and tend to affect younger populations. These tumours demonstrate aggressive clinical behaviour, with a significant proportion presenting with high-grade lesions and metastasis at diagnosis. The observed mortality rate underscores the poor prognosis associated with this malignancy. Our study provides essential insights into the clinical characteristics of this rare tumour subtype in the Saudi Arabian population, emphasizing the need for further research to identify prognostic factors and optimize management strategies for affected patients.

Preserving Renal Function without Compromising Oncological Outcomes: A Comparative Study of Partial and Total Nephrectomies in T3 Stage Renal Cell Carcinoma.

The utility of partial nephrectomy (PN) in locally advanced, stage T3 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is controversial. This retrospective study aimed to review the oncological and functional outcomes of patients with T3a RCC who underwent PN. We included all patients with pT3a stage RCC undergoing either open, laparoscopic, or robotic PN at our center between January 2015 and 2023. A Wilcoxon rank sum test was utilized to compare nephrectomy types (radical nephrectomy [RN] vs PN). Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier plots and a log-rank test. P-value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between the RN and PN groups, except age (53.0 vs 6.5, respectively; P = 0.012) and body mass index (28.7 vs 34.3, respectively; P = 0.020). Furthermore, there were also no significant differences in the rates of local recurrence (P = 0.597), metastatic progression (P = 0.129), and chemotherapy use (P = 0.367) between nephrectomy types. Patient survival did not differ significantly based on the type of nephrectomy (log-rank P-value = 0.852). Together, our findings indicated that PN and RN yield near-equivalent oncological outcomes in terms of local recurrence, metastasis, and overall survival rates among pT3a RCC patients during a nearly 3-year follow-up period.

Characteristics of renal cell carcinoma in Saudi patients below the age of 50 years.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in young adults has started to increase in recent years. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to describe and compare the mode of presentation, incidence, risk factors, histopathological features, nephrectomy modalities used, and outcome in patients diagnosed with RCC below the age of 50. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 139 confirmed RCC patients diagnosed below the age of 50 years who underwent nephrectomy from January 1990 to April 2019 were included in this retrospective review. We compared the characteristics of two age groups (≤40 years and 41-50 years) and evaluated incidentally discovered versus symptomatic tumors in patients below 50 years. RESULTS: Loin pain contributed to most symptomatic presentations in the older group (55%) (P = 0.014). Hypertension and diabetes were present in 24% of patients from 41 to 50 years of age versus 3.8% for hypertension and 5.7% for diabetes in the young group. (P = 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Chromophobe was the second most common pathology (26.5%). Tumor size tended to be larger in the older group (P = 0.006). Fuhrman's grade was significantly lower in incidentally diagnosed patients (88.2%) (P = 0.006). The T stage was significantly lower in the incidental group (P = 0.005), but the mortality rate was higher in symptomatic patients (9.6%) (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: RCC increases after the age of 40-50 years in the presence of other risk factors. Chromophobe represented almost a quarter percentage of the pathology, while partial nephrectomy yielded a better outcome.

Bilateral same session renal stone surgery tolerance and complications.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence rate of upper urinary tract calculi in Saudi Arabia is one of the highest globally. Bilateral renal stone management is an option but is still controversial. METHODOLOGY: The study was a retrospective study, including 31 patients with bilateral renal or ureteric stones who underwent bilateral same-session ureterorenoscopy (BSS-URS). The data collected included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), stone burden bilaterally, operative time bilaterally, hospital stay, stone location, type of anesthesia, stone history, renal anomaly as well as pre- and postoperative JJ stenting. In addition, data related to complications (ureteric injury, renal failure, urinary tract infection, pain requiring an emergency department visit within 1 week of the procedure), the stone-free rate (defined as £ 3 mm asymptomatic stone fragment identified with computed tomography Kidney, Ureter and Bladder 3 months after surgery was also collected. The data were collected from the electronic patient record system, entered in an Excel spreadsheet, and descriptive analysis was done. RESULTS: In total, 31 patients were included, with the majority (80.6%, n = 25) male. The mean age was 41.6 years, the mean BMI 28.7 ± 5.59, the mean operative time for each renal unit 46.53 ± 25.69 min, and the mean hospital stay 17.87 ± 8.43 h. The majority (96.7%, n = 30) received general anesthesia. Less than half (40.3%, n = 25) of the renal units had stones in multiple calyces and the majority (90.3%, n = 56) of the renal units were stone free at the 3-month follow-up. A small proportion (3.2%, n = 2) of the renal units were polycystic. Prestenting was documented in 40.3% (n = 25) of the renal units and the majority (95.2%, n = 59) were stented postoperatively. CONCLUSION: BSS-URS is a safe and a highly effective management option for bilateral renal stones.

Empirical therapy for male factor infertility: Survey of the current practice.

BACKGROUND: Empirical therapy is sometimes used by urologists who desire to improve the outcomes for infertility patients. However, the literature on empirical therapies is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to assess the clinical practice of urologists regarding the use of empirical therapy in the treatment of infertility patients. METHODOLOGY: An online survey using Google Forms was used to collect data during the Saudi Urological Association Annual Meeting, February 2019. Additional data were gathered electronically in March and April 2019 and sent to respondents. The study was closed in May 2019. No incentives were provided to the respondents. RESULTS: A total of 96 (80%) urologists participated in the survey, of whom 69.8% were consultants, and 20.8% were andrology-trained urologists. Empirical therapy was used by 86.5% of urologists for patients with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. The most commonly used empirical therapies were zinc, L-canitine, clomiphene citrate, and L-arginine. The main factors that influenced the selection of empirical therapy were follicle-stimulating hormone, total testosterone, and luteinizing hormone levels. CONCLUSION: Empirical therapy was used by more than three-quarters of the participants for idiopathic male infertility. There were no clear guidelines for the ideal therapy to be considered for individual patients while treating empirically. Our concern is that urologists use a wide variety of medications without significant data to support these medications.

Current surgical procedures for benign prostatic hyperplasia and impression of new surgical modalities.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is considered the most effective treatment for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and Transurethral resection of prostat (TURP) is considered the gold standard. The goal of this study is to assess the surgical interventions used in Saudi Arabia, the difference in surgical procedures done depending on age and years of experience and the participant's impression on the new modalities in the management of BPH. METHODOLOGY: An online survey using Google Forms was sent to the participants. The data were collected during Saudi Urological Association Annual Meeting February 2019. Additional data were gathered 2 months later. The study was closed in May 2019. No incentives were provided to participants. RESULTS: A total of 65 (54.1% response rate) urologist participated in the survey, of whom 41.5% of respondents were aged <40 years, while 40% of them aged between 40 and 60 years. Forty-seven (72.3%) out of 65 were consultants. The essential investigations used by most participants prior to surgical interventions are prostate specific antigen, urine culture, urinalysis, and abdominal ultrasound. The most used surgical interventions are unipolar transurethral resection (TURP), Bipolar TURP, and open prostatectomy. About 50% of respondents preferred open prostatectomy for prostate size above 100 g. In general, 40%-50% of participants believe that urethral lift, Rezum, Aquablation, prostate artery embolization, and robotic simple prostatectomy are useful options. CONCLUSION: TURP continues to be the main intervention for prostate sizes <100 g. Open prostatectomy is widely used intervention for prostate sizes more than 100 g. New modalities gained little acceptance among urologist practicing in Saudi Arabia. Hands on workshops may help in educating urologists and introduce these new modalities for the future use.

Testicular chondrosarcoma.

Only 5% of all urological tumors are accounted as Testicular tumors. Furthermore, a well differentiated chondrosarcoma of the testis is extremely rare. Thus, we are representing a rare case of testicular chondrosarcoma. A 43-year-old male with right scrotal swelling did Doppler Ultrasonography demonstrating a large heterogenous hypervascular mass. Patient has had uneventful radical inguinal orchiectomy. The histopathology of the resected tumor reveled 50% seminoma - 50% teratoma with somatic type malignancy (well differentiated chondrosarcoma). Only few cases were reported in the medical literature for testicular chondrosarcoma. Thus, reporting such cases will add to the literature and shall help in establishing a management strategy.

Remnant mullerian structure with transverse testicular ectopia.

29-year-old male patient with infertility, presented to emergency room with recurrent testicular pain. Patient had MRI done with suspicion of TTE. Laparoscopic exploration showed right spermatic vessels crossing the midline toward the left side with normal course of left vas. Inguinal exploration was carried out and showed common cord. Biopsy was sent and identified the presence of sperm in left testis only.

Adult urethral stricture: Practice and expertise of urologists in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the methods used to evaluate and manage urethral strictures by urologists practicing in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study based on a validated questionnaire directed to all urologists and senior residents practicing in Saudi Arabia. Categorical data reported as frequencies and percentages. A Chi-square test was used for inferential analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We received 112 responses, of which 78% were from board-certified urologists. The majority were working in government hospitals. The rate of endoscopic procedures performed exceeded open urethroplasty. Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy was the most common procedure performed as stated by 85% of the responses. Uroflowmetry with postvoid residual was the most common investigation requested to assess strictures before and after the operation usually in adjunction with retrograde urethrogram and or cystoscopy. Most of the urologists believed in a step-wise approach in the management of strictures and that urethroplasty is indicated only after repeated trials of endoscopic management. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed a preference, and perhaps misuse, of endoscopy which might raise a concern regarding patients' prognosis with repeated endoscopic management. Most of the urologists seem to be reluctant to proceed to a definitive treatment on the time of diagnosis either due to a lack of experience or knowledge. The results showed no difference between practice in government and private hospitals.

Constructing a question bank based on script concordance approach as a novel assessment methodology in surgical education.

BACKGROUND: Script Concordance Test (SCT) is a new assessment tool that reliably assesses clinical reasoning skills. Previous descriptions of developing SCT-question banks were merely subjective. This study addresses two gaps in the literature: 1) conducting the first phase of a multistep validation process of SCT in Plastic Surgery, and 2) providing an objective methodology to construct a question bank based on SCT. METHODS: After developing a test blueprint, 52 test items were written. Five validation questions were developed and a validation survey was established online. Seven reviewers were asked to answer this survey. They were recruited from two countries, Saudi Arabia and Canada, to improve the test's external validity. Their ratings were transformed into percentages. Analysis was performed to compare reviewers' ratings by looking at correlations, ranges, means, medians, and overall scores. RESULTS: Scores of reviewers' ratings were between 76% and 95% (mean 86% ± 5). We found poor correlations between reviewers (Pearson's: +0.38 to -0.22). Ratings of individual validation questions ranged between 0 and 4 (on a scale 1-5). Means and medians of these ranges were computed for each test item (mean: 0.8 to 2.4; median: 1 to 3). A subset of test items comprising 27 items was generated based on a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: This study proposes an objective methodology for validation of SCT-question bank. Analysis of validation survey is done from all angles, i.e., reviewers, validation questions, and test items. Finally, a subset of test items is generated based on a set of criteria.