Racial and ethnic disparities in prostate cancer screening following the 2018 US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.

OBJECTIVE: In 2018, the United States Preventive Services Task Force promoted shared decision making between healthcare provider and patient for men aged 55 to 69. This study aimed to analyze rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing across racial and ethnic groups following this new recommendation. METHODS: A secondary analysis was conducted of the 2020-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System database to assess men aged 55 or older without a history of prostate cancer. We defined four race-ethnicity groups: non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs), Hispanics, and Other. The primary outcome was the most recent PSA test (MRT), defined as the respondent's most recent PSA test occurring pre-2018 or post-2018 guidelines. Logistic regression adjusted for covariates including age, socioeconomic status factors, marital status, smoking history, and healthcare access factors. RESULTS: In the age 55 to 69 study sample, NHW men had the greatest proportion of MRT post-2018 guidelines (n = 15,864, 72.5%). NHB men had the lowest percentage of MRT post-2018 guidelines (n = 965, 66.6%). With NHW as referent, the crude odds of the MRT post-2018 guidelines was 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.53-0.90) for NHB. The maximally adjusted odds ratio was 0.78 (0.59-1.02). CONCLUSIONS: We found that NHB aged 55 to 69 reported decreased rates of PSA testing after 2018 when compared to NHW. This was demonstrated on crude analysis but not after adjustment. Such findings suggest the influence of social determinants of health on preventative screening for at-risk populations.

The Hemodynamic Effects of Intracavernosal Phenylephrine for the Treatment of Ischemic Priapism.

AIM: We sought to evaluate whether the administration of phenylephrine (PE) at concentrations higher than those described in guidelines resulted in any significant changes in vital signs or impacted outcomes. METHODS: After receiving institutional review board approval, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients presenting to our emergency department between May 1, 2014, and August 15, 2016, using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition and Internation Classification of Disease, Tenth Edition diagnosis codes for priapism. Treatment was reviewed, including corporal aspiration/irrigation, injection of PE, and shunt procedures. Vital signs were compared before and after treatment with PE. Baseline variables were explored with categorical data analysis (chi-squared tests, t-tests, and Mann-Whitney nonparametric tests). Where feasible, linear regression was used to evaluate outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Detumescence and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. RESULTS: We identified 74 different patient encounters of acute priapism. The median age was 36.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 27-47), and the median time to presentation was 5.4 hours (IQR = 4.0-9.6). 62 percent of cases were due to drug-induced priapism. In 58 (74%) encounters, patients received PE. The median dose of PE given was 1000 µg (IQR 500-2,000). Univariate regression found no association between PE dose and change in patient heart rate or blood pressure. A statistically significant decrease in heart rate (HR) (-4.2 BPM), systolic blood pressure (BP) (-1.8 mm Hg), and diastolic BP (-5.4 mm Hg) was noted. Fifty-three of 58 (91%) patients receiving PE experienced detumescence at the bedside, 2 required shunting in operating room, and 3 refused treatment and left against medical advice. No adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: We frequently treat patients with high doses of PE and seldom notice adverse effects, typically resulting in resolution of priapism without any additional procedures. Careful administration of high doses of intracavernosal PE in patients presenting with priapism does not appear to significantly affect heart rate or blood pressure and may help prevent further ischemic damage and achieve detumescence effectively and efficiently. Sidhu AS, Wayne GF, Kim BJ, et al. The hemodynamic effects of intracavernosal phenylephrine for the treatment of ischemic priapism. J Sex Med 2018;15:990-996.

The Correlation of Media Ranking's "Best" Hospitals and Surgical Outcomes Following Radical Cystectomy for Urothelial Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether there is a correlation between publicized health ranking systems and surgical outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC) in New York State (NYS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System, data were collected in an aggregated fashion per hospital for the 20 hospitals with the highest RC volume in NYS from 2009 to 2012. Hospital characteristics were obtained from the publicly available sources such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Publicized ranking systems evaluated included the US News & World Health Report for Urology ranking (USHR), Healthgrades (HG) score, and Consumer Reports (CR) safety ranking. Outcomes measured included mortality, readmissions, and causes of readmissions. RESULTS: CR safety scores were inversely associated with overall death at 90 days after surgery (R = -0.527, P = .030), number of readmissions (R = -0.608, P = .030), and readmissions because of surgical complications (R = -0.523, P = .031) on a Pearson correlation test. On Kendall rank tau test, USHR and HG were not associated with any outcome of interest, although the scores correlated with increasing RC volume. CONCLUSION: In our analysis of 20 hospitals with the highest RC volume in NYS, USHR and HG scores were not strongly associated with any clinical outcome after RC. CR performed well in comparison with USHR and HG. Nevertheless, better metrics are needed to compare hospitals and to incorporate curative rates for morbid surgeries.

Minimally invasive donor nephrectomy: innovations.

From open surgery to laparoscopic surgery, there has been an evolution in the surgical technique for live donor nephrectomy which goes beyond patient comfort. As a unique operation where the margin for error is nearly nil, and where the patient is essentially harmed for an altruistic goal, ensuring the best possible result is vital. Additionally, as the morbidity of the operation decreases, there is a theoretical increase in the donor pool. In this review, the latest techniques for minimally invasive live donor nephrectomy are covered, including new approaches such as laparoendoscopic single-site surgery, natural orifice surgery, and new tools such as robotics.

Renal tumors in solid organ recipients: clinical and pathologic features.

OBJECTIVES: Solid organ recipients are several times more likely to develop renal cell carcinoma (RCC) compared with the general population, but little is known about the features of these tumors. The aim of this study is to report on the characteristics of renal tumors in solid organ recipients compared with the general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery for a localized renal mass between 2000 and 2008 were studied. Demographic, clinical, radiographic, and pathologic characteristics were compared between patients with and without a history of organ transplant. A subanalysis focused on the features of a kidney compared with another non-renal organ transplant. RESULTS: Of 950 patients identified, 19 were organ recipients. Transplant recipients were younger and had lower body mass indices. Most organ recipients (94.7%) were asymptomatic at presentation. Transplant recipients had higher incidence of malignant pathology (88.2% vs. 78.7%), but had smaller masses, of lower stage and grade, and a higher proportion of papillary histology (35.3% vs. 19.8%). Papillary subtype accounted for almost one-half of the RCCs in kidney recipients compared with 20% in other organ recipients. Over a median follow-up of 4 years, 1 (5.9%) local recurrence, no metastatic progressions, and no RCC-related deaths occurred in the transplant cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Organ recipients typically present with incidental renal masses of smaller size. However, these are twice more likely to be malignant compared with the general population. RCC arising in transplant recipients tend to be of lower stage and grade, contributing to the apparently excellent oncologic outcomes of surgical treatment.

Predicting participation in and successful outcome of a penile rehabilitation programme using a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor with a vacuum erection device after radical prostatectomy.

UNLABELLED: Study Type--Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The role of the vacuum erection device (VED) has increased with its use in combined therapy with a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) for penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy (RP) and radiotherapy. The advantages of the VED are non-invasive, cost-effective, and a possibility of preventing shrinkage of penis length. Albeit current widespread use of penile rehabilitation programmes for post-RP erectile dysfunction, independent predictors for the rehabilitation participants, as well as for its treatment success have not been fully investigated. In the present study, we have added several new predictors for rehabilitation participation, e.g. African-Americans and higher preoperative sexual function. Conversely, higher preoperative PSA concentrations and the presence of positive surgical margins were predictors for avoidance of rehabilitation. Notably, there was a primary surgeon difference, which had a trend for predicting outcome of the rehabilitation among the participants, implying their surgical technique and follow-up might influence success of the rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: • To investigate baseline demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of men who participate in our penile rehabilitation programme after radical prostatectomy (RP). • To determine predictors for participation in rehabilitation, as well as successful rehabilitation outcome using multivariable logistic regression analyses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • We analysed data on 2345 consecutive patients who underwent RP between 2001 and 2009 in our institution. • The decision to participate in penile rehabilitation using phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) with a vacuum erection device (VED) was based on the patient's choice after post-RP discussions. • Rehabilitation success was defined using the following criteria: (i) patients who continued the penile rehabilitation programme and did not switch treatment from PDE5i to other erectile aids, (ii) success was noted in men who had an Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) sexual function (SF) score of >75% of the patient's baseline EPIC score, and (iii) patients who answered that they achieved adequate erections with a PDE5i. • Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with treatment participation and its success. RESULTS: • Of 676 patients, 354 (53.2%) men participated in a penile rehabilitation programme. Among 329 rehabilitation participants with available data, 96 (29.2%) had treatment success. • In multivariable regression analysis, African-Americans (odds ratio [OR] 3.47, P < 0.001), and higher preoperative SF (OR 1.02, P < 0.001) were associated with participation in rehabilitation. • Higher preoperative PSA concentration (OR 0.50, P = 0.004) and presence of positive surgical margins (OR 0.68, P = 0.042) were found to be independent predictors for non-participation in the rehabilitation. • For rehabilitation outcomes, being older at surgery (OR 0.93, P = 0.001) and adjuvant therapy (OR 0.34, P = 0.047) had a negative association with successful outcome. • There was a trend in the relationship between primary surgeon and rehabilitation success (OR 1.05, P = 0.053) CONCLUSIONS: • Those patients who have risk factors, e.g. adverse prostate cancer features, need to be carefully counselled and encouraged to participate in the penile rehabilitation programme. • Clinicians could lead patients toward successful outcomes if appropriate surgical techniques and rehabilitation are provided.

Complications and postoperative events after cryosurgery for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: There has been a call in the urological literature for standardized reporting of complications. To use strict criteria aiming to report our complications and other postoperative events in a cohort of men undergoing third-generation prostate cryosurgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Demographic, clinical and pathological data were collected on men undergoing primary cryosurgery from 2002-2010, excluding those who had received neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy. Complications and events were broadly defined as any deviation from the expected postoperative course and any subjective complaint expressed during a follow-up visit. Descriptive statistics were generated and compared between groups using chi-squared and rank sum tests as appropriate. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the potential predictors of any complication or event. RESULTS: In total, 106 consecutive patients were identified. There were no intra-operative complications or instances of equipment failure. We observed 42 early complications, with 48 delayed and 10 late postoperative events. A total of five (4.7%) patients had persistent urge and/or stress incontinence. Thirty-one patients had International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and bother index scores available before and after surgery; median scores decreased from 7 and 2 to 6 and 1, for IPSS and bother index, respectively. Twenty-four patients had Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores available before surgery and at 2-year follow-up; median scores decreased from 11 to 2. On multivariate analysis, there were no significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Modern cryosurgery is safe, and most of the complications and postoperative events are transient. Erectile function, however, has marked deterioration. We were unable to identify significant risk factors for complications or postoperative events.

Contrast enhancement on computed tomography after renal cryoablation: an evidence of treatment failure?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Renal cryoablation has gained popularity as a treatment option for localized renal masses. Treatment success is typically defined by the absence of contrast enhancement on follow-up imaging. We investigate the evolution of lesions that demonstrate contrast enhancement on CT after renal cryoablation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of records of laparoscopic and percutaneous cryoablation (LCA and PCA) was performed, identifying records with postoperative radiographic enhancement. Imaging studies were reviewed and radiographic (pre- and post-contrast Hounsfield units, pattern and location of enhancement) and clinical data including follow up were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-two cryoablation procedures were analyzed. Of these, 30 (17.4%) showed enhancement on follow-up CT. In 28 cases, contrast enhancement was demonstrated on the first postoperative study. Seven patients underwent salvage treatments. Spontaneous resolution of enhancement was noted in 17 (56.7%) cases. No association was found between enhancement pattern (diffuse/nodular/rim) and resolution. Of lesions enhancing >35 HU, only 14.3% resolved spontaneously. Delayed enhancement (after negative imaging studies) occurred in two patients; both underwent salvage treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the time, contrast-enhancements after cryoablation are evident on the first follow-up imaging study. More than 50% of these resolve spontaneously, and only one of four patients need salvage treatment. Delayed appearance of enhancement after previously negative imaging and highly enhancing lesions (>35 HU) are unlikely to resolve and should be considered suspicious for local recurrence or incomplete ablation. Further investigation is warranted to reach a consensus on a radiographic definition of local recurrence after renal cryoablation.

Predicting biopsy-proven prostate cancer recurrence following cryosurgery.

OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer (CaP) cryosurgery utilizes PSA nadir level and radiotherapy criteria as surrogates for success. We attempted to correlate PSA doubling time (PSAdt) and time of undetectable PSA (TUPSA) with biopsy-proven cancer recurrence (BPR) in men treated with primary third-generation cryotherapy for clinically localized CaP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic, clinical, and pathologic data was retrieved including age, race, use of preoperative hormones or 5-α reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), initial biopsy PSA, biopsy Gleason score, cT stage, prostate volume, presence/absence median lobe, and follow-up. Post-cryotherapy biopsy was considered for PSA levels ≥ 0.5 ng/ml. PSAdt was determined by the log-slope method. TUPSA was defined as time from surgery to a PSA value ≥ 0.2 ng/ml or most recent follow-up if undetectable. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were identified. Preoperative hormonal manipulation was used in 25 (26%); 5 (5%) were using a 5-ARI. Twenty-seven (29%) underwent post-cryotherapy biopsy, 12 (12%) had a BPR. In 41 (42%), PSAdt was calculated (median 11.9 months, IQR 6.6-34.8); no significant difference between patients with BPR and without CaP was found (P = 0.46). TUPSA was a median of 4.9 months (IQR 3.2-9.9) vs. 15.6 months (IQR 6.1-30.3) for BPR or no CaP, respectively (P = 0.005). On proportional hazards regression, TUPSA was the only independent predictor of BPR (P = 0.03, OR 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Post-cryosurgery PSAdt does not appear to be associated with BPR risk, whereas TUPSA reduces the risk of BPR by 9% per month. This may help guide management if local failure is suspected.

Cigarette smoking is associated with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Cigarette smoking is a recognized risk factor for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but little data are available on the association between smoking and RCC biology. We investigated the association between cigarette smoking and RCC stage in a large contemporary multiethnic surgical cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the demographic, clinical, and pathologic data of patients undergoing surgery for RCC between 2000 and 2009. Advanced RCC was defined as metastatic disease, pathologic stage ≥ T3, and/or lymph node involvement. Self-reported smoking history included smoking status, duration, intensity, cumulative exposure, and cessation. Patient and tumor characteristics were compared between the groups in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 845 eligible patients, 19.4% and 29.1% were current and former smokers, respectively, and 207 patients (24.5%) had advanced disease. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, smoking was consistently associated with advanced RCC, and cessation reversed the risk. Current and former smokers had 1.5- and 1.6-fold increased odds of advanced disease, respectively. Heavier smoking (longer duration and exposure) was associated with increased risk of advanced RCC, whereas durable cessation reduced the odds of advanced disease. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for advanced RCC. Heavier smoking increases the likelihood of advanced disease. Durable smoking cessation attenuated the risk of advanced disease. Given that cigarette smoking is among the few modifiable risk factors for RCC, our results reinforce the importance of smoking cessation and encourage further investigation of the association between smoking and RCC biology.

Clinical predictors of renal mass pathological features.

OBJECTIVE: • To evaluate the influence of radiographic tumour size and other preoperative variables on the pathological characteristics of the lesion to determine the distribution of pathological features and assess preoperative risk factors for potentially aggressive versus probably indolent renal lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • Retrospective review of records for 768 patients who underwent surgery for single, sporadic renal mass between 2000 and 2008 in a tertiary academic institution. • Demographic, radiographic and pathological variables were recorded and analysed with regression analyses for risk factors for potentially aggressive pathological features (malignant pathology, high Fuhrman grade, lymphovascular invasion and extracapsular extension). RESULTS: • Malignancy was pathologically confirmed in 628 (81.8%) specimens. • Radiographic size was significantly associated with malignancy (versus benign pathology; OR = 1.13, P= 0.001), high Fuhrman grade (OR = 1.21, P < 0.0001), vascular invasion (OR = 1.19, P < 0.0001) and extracapsular extension (OR = 1.23, P < 0.0001). • Age, symptomatic presentation, solid appearance and radiographic size were independent predictors of potentially aggressive disease, whereas for male gender (OR = 1.43, P= 0.062) a trend toward statistical significance was noted. CONCLUSIONS: • Age, male gender, radiographic size and appearance, as well as symptomatic presentation, are associated with an increased risk of malignant, potentially aggressive disease. • These factors should be considered when evaluating management options for a solitary enhancing renal mass.

Pathological T2 sub-divisions as a prognostic factor in the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the adequacy of T2 prostate cancer (PCa) sub-staging as an independent Predictor of biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) after radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Duke Prostate Center database was queried for patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1988 and 2007 and had pT2 PCa, identifying 1990 cases. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence was defined as a single value ≥0.2 ng/mL. Kaplan-Meier curves compared differences in bDFS between T2 sub-divisions. Multivariate analysis was performed, adjusting for age, pathological Gleason sum, surgical margin status, preoperative PSA, race, total tumour percentage and prostate weight on biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 62 years, and 16% of patients were African-American. Median prostate weight was 40 g [interquartile range (IQR) 31-52] and median preoperative PSA was 5.6 (IQR 4.2-7.8). Pathological Gleason score was ≤6 in 57%, 7 in 38%, and ≥8 in 5%; pathological T stage distribution was 18% T2a, 6% T2b, and 76% T2c; and percentage tumour involvement was ≤5% in 43%, between 5.1 and 10% in 24%, between 10.1 and 15% in 10%, and >15% in 19%. 366 (18.4%) patients had a biochemical recurrence after a median of 4.6 years (IQR 2.1-8.2) follow-up. bDFS was significantly (P= 0.006) higher for pT2a disease than for pT2b and pT2c, which were comparable. Adjusting for demographic and other pathological variables, T2 sub-divisions lost statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological T2a prostate cancer has significantly higher bDFS than the pT2b or pT2c sub-groups in univariate but not multivariate analyses. Different pathological features should be explored to create more meaningfully predictive pathological T2 sub-divisions.

Prostate cancer: an evolving paradigm.

Since at least the early 1990s, stage and risk migration have been seen in patients with prostate cancer, likely corresponding to the institution of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening in health systems. Preoperative risk factors, including PSA level and clinical stage, have decreased significantly. These improved prognostic variables have led to a larger portion of men being stratified with low-risk disease, as per the classification of D'Amico and associates. This, in turn, has corresponded with more favorable postoperative variables, including decreased extraprostatic tumor extension and prolonged biochemical-free recurrence rates. The advent of focal therapy is bolstered by findings of increased unilateral disease with decreased tumor volume. Increasingly, targeted or delayed therapies may be possible within the current era of lower risk disease.

Predicting occult multifocality of renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Multifocal renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been reported in up to 25% of all radical nephrectomy specimens. Modern imaging tends to underestimate the rate of multifocality. Recognition of multifocality before treatment may guide physicians and patients to the type of intervention and tailor long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to develop and assess preoperative nomograms to predict occult multifocal RCC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We evaluated 560 consecutive patients undergoing radical nephrectomy for clinically localized suspected sporadic RCC between 2000 and 2008 in a tertiary center. Clinically manifest multifocal lesions were excluded. Logistic regression models were used to assess the potential risk factors of occult multifocality with and without pathologic variables that may be available with preoperative biopsy. Nomograms were developed and assessed for diagnostic properties. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent radical nephrectomy. MEASUREMENTS: Assessments of risk factors for occult multifocal RCC were obtained using regression models and nomograms. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The incidence of occult multifocality was 7.9%. Significantly associated predictors of multifocality were male gender, family history of malignancy other than RCC, radiographic size of the lesion, histologic subtype other than clear cell, and Fuhrman grade IV. The two designed nomograms had 0.75 and 0.82 concordance indices, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that occult multifocal RCC is more frequently associated with small (2-4 cm) renal lesions. Male gender, family history of kidney cancer, histologic subtype, and grade are strongly associated with an increased risk of occult multifocal RCC. The developed nomograms had good predictive accuracy that was enhanced when combined with pathologic variables.

Phalloplasty and penile implant surgery.

Impotence is often accompanied by loss of phallic length. To enhance penile prosthesis surgery, it is possible to perform simple adjuvant procedures that will increase perceived or true length. This article presents an overview of these techniques, which may be categorized as involving removal or fixation of tissue above or below the shaft of the penis; division of the suspensory ligament; and augmentation of the corpora cavernosa through stretch or grafting. We believe that the use of these techniques will become increasingly commonplace as patient satisfaction is reported.

Update in the management of penile cancer.

PURPOSE: The management of penile cancer has evolved as less invasive techniques are applied in the treatment of the primary tumor and inguinal lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Herein we review the literature focusing on advances in the preservation of the phallus as well as less morbid procedures to evaluate and treat the groins. RESULTS: Promising imaging modalities for staging are discussed. New techniques are described and tables provided for penile preservation. We also review the contemporary morbidity of modified surgical forms for evaluation of the inguinal nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in surgical technique have made phallic preservation possible in a greater number of primary penile cancers. The groins can be evaluated for metastasis with greater accuracy through new radiologic means as well as with less morbid modified surgical techniques.

Update in the management of penile cancer: [review]

Purpose: The management of penile cancer has evolved as less invasive techniques are applied in the treatment of the primary tumor and inguinal lymph nodes. Materials and Methods: Herein we review the literature focusing on advances in the preservation of the phallus as well as less morbid procedures to evaluate and treat the groins. Results: Promising imaging modalities for staging are discussed. New techniques are described and tables provided for penile preservation. We also review the contemporary morbidity of modified surgical forms for evaluation of the inguinal nodes. Conclusions: Advances in surgical technique have made phallic preservation possible in a greater number of primary penile cancers. The groins can be evaluated for metastasis with greater accuracy through new radiologic means as well as with less morbid modified surgical techniques.