Gain of Chromosome 5q Predicts a Favorable Prognosis in Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Approximately 65% of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) are diagnosed at a localized stage. We investigated the chromosome 5q gain impact on disease-free survival (DFS) in RCC patients. Overall, 676 patients with stages 1-2 RCC and having cytogenetic analysis were included. Gain of 5q was observed in 108 patients, more frequently in clear cell (ccRCC) than non-clear cell tumors. Gain of 5q is likely an independent prognostic factor since the concerned patients had a decreased recurrence risk in stages 1-2 RCC, confirmed in multivariable analysis. Detecting 5q gain could enhance recurrence risk assessment, allowing tailored post-surgery surveillance, and reducing unnecessary treatments.

Survival outcomes in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer undergoing radical vs. partial cystectomy.

PURPOSE: While radical cystectomy (RC) is the standard of care for muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), partial cystectomy (PC) is an effective alternative in select patients. We sought to examine differences in survival for RC and PC in a hospital-based registry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified patients diagnosed with cT2-4 bladder cancer who underwent RC or PC from 2003 to 2015 in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Using inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) to control for known confounders, we compared the primary outcome of overall survival (OS) in patients who underwent RC vs. PC. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling were used. We performed a secondary survival analysis for a subcohort of patients with cT2, cN0, tumor size ≤5 cm, and no concurrent carcinoma in situ (CIS), who may be optimal candidates for PC. RESULTS: A total of 22,534 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 6.9% (1,457) underwent PC. RC had longer median OS than PC (67.8 vs. 54.1 months) and on Cox regression analysis (HR 0.88, 95% CI, 0.80-0.95, P = 0.002). However, in our subcohort, there was no difference in OS between RC and PC (HR 1.02, 95% CI, 0.9-1.2, P = 0.74). PC was associated with increased time from surgery to any systemic therapy or death in the subcohort. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with clinically organ-confined MIBC, PC appears to afford similar survival outcomes to RC in a large national data set. The safety and tolerability of PC may warrant consideration in highly selected patients.

Overcoming Immune Resistance in Prostate Cancer: Challenges and Advances.

The use of immunotherapy has become a critical treatment modality in many advanced cancers. However, immunotherapy in prostate cancer has not been met with similar success. Multiple interrelated mechanisms, such as low tumor mutational burden, immunosuppressive cells, and impaired cellular immunity, appear to subvert the immune system, creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and leading to lower treatment efficacy in advanced prostate cancer. The lethality of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer is driven by the lack of therapeutic regimens capable of generating durable responses. Multiple strategies are currently being tested to overcome immune resistance including combining various classes of treatment modalities. Several completed and ongoing trials have shown that combining vaccines or checkpoint inhibitors with hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, or chemotherapy may enhance immune responses and induce long-lasting clinical responses without significant toxicity. Here, we review the current state of immunotherapy for prostate cancer, as well as tumor-specific mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance, with a comprehensive look at the current preclinical and clinical immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and impaired cellular immunity that have largely limited the utility of immunotherapy in advanced prostate cancer.

A Phase I, Open-label, Dose-escalation, and Cohort Expansion Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immune Response to Autologous Dendritic Cells Transduced With AdGMCA9 (DC-AdGMCAIX) in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Expression of carbonic-anhydrase IX (CAIX) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) makes it an attractive vaccine target. We developed a fusion-gene construct, granulocyte-macrophage (GM) colony-stimulating factor+CAIX, delivered by an adenoviral vector (Ad) into autologous dendritic cells (DCs) in this phase 1 study. The injected immature DCs were expected to stimulate an antigen-specific immune response against CAIX expressing RCC. Three dose-escalation cohorts (5, 15, and 50×10 cells/administration) were injected intradermally q2wk×3 doses based on a 3+3 design. The primary objective was the safety of the injections. Secondary objectives were immune responses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot, a serum biomarker panel, and clinical response. Fifteen patients with metastatic RCC were enrolled, and 9 patients received all 3 doses. No serious adverse events were seen. There were 3 (33%) patients with grade 1 fatigue, 1 of whom subsequently experienced grade 2 fatigue. One patient (11%) experienced grade 1-2 leukopenia. Only 1 patient (11%) experienced grade 2 flu-like symptoms. Of the 9 patients who received treatment, 1 expired of progressive disease, 2 patients were lost to follow-up and 6 patients are alive. Of the 6 patients, 5 have progressive disease, and 1 has completed treatment with stable disease at 27 months follow-up. Immune response measurements appeared more robust in higher dose cohorts, which appeared to be related to patients with stable disease at 3 months. These early data show that autologous immature DC-AdGMCAIX can be safely given to metastatic RCC patients without any serious adverse events with CAIX-specific immune response elicited by the treatment. These preliminary data support further study of Ad-GMCAIX, particularly with combination therapies that may enhance clinical activity.

The association between N-methylnaltrexone, a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist, and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical cystectomy.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of N-methylnaltrexone, a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist, on the post-operative recovery of patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical cystectomy by a single surgeon (KC) prior to (control group) and after (treatment group) the routine use of N-methylnaltrexone. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were used to quantify time to flatus, bowel movement, and discharge. Daily mean opioid use, daily pain assessment rating, and episodes of severe pain (7-10/10) were compared. Gastrointestinal-related complications, including ileus, emesis, and/or need for post-op nasogastric tube placement, and 30-day readmissions were also compared between groups. Charge capture data were compared between groups to analyze cost impact. RESULTS: 29 patients each in the control and treatment group met inclusion criteria. Patients receiving N-methylnaltrexone had reduced length of stay compared with no N-methylnaltrexone (median 4 vs. 7 days, p < 0.01). Time to flatus and bowel movement, however, were similar. In a multivariable analysis controlling for possible confounders, however, the improvement in length of stay associated with N-methylnaltrexone use did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.11). Episodes of severe pain and composite gastrointestinal-related complications were reduced in the N-methylnaltrexone group (44.8% vs. 10.3%, p < 0.01). The reduction in length of stay was associated with approximately $10,500 in cost savings per patient. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, N-methylnaltrexone was associated with reduced length of stay, fewer episodes of severe pain, and reduced costs. These results provide the impetus for further study.

Positive surgical margins at radical prostatectomy in the United States: Institutional variations and predictive factors.

INTRODUCTION: Positive surgical margins (PSMs) are associated with treatment failure after radical prostatectomy (RP) for patients with prostate cancer (CaP). We investigated institutional variations in PSM after RP, as well as clinical and demographic factors predicting PSM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing RP for clinically localized CaP were identified in the National Cancer Database in 2010 to 2013 and clinicodemographics were recorded. Treating institution was defined as academic (AMC) or nonacademic medical centers (nAMC). The primary outcome was the PSM rate. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity matching with inverse probability treatment weighing were used to both compare outcomes between AMC and nAMC and to identify predictors of PSM following RP. RESULTS: A total of 167,260 patients met our inclusion criteria. PSM rate was significantly lower in patients treated at AMC (13,435, 18.9%) compared with 22,145 (23.0%) in those treated at nAMC (P < 0.01). The difference between PSM rate in AMC and nAMC was more pronounced in lower volume centers while it was not significant in higher volume centers. On multivariable analysis, age, race, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), biopsy Gleason score, comorbidity profile, insurance type, income, and treatment facility were significantly associated with PSM rate. CONCLUSION: PSM rates appear to be lower at AMC and higher volume facilities, which can potentially reflect institutional differences in surgical quality. In addition, we identified several socioeconomic and demographic factors that contribute to the likelihood of PSM following RP for localized CaP, suggesting potential systematic variation in the quality of surgical care. The cause of this variation warrants further investigation and evaluation.

Cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and venous thrombus-Trends and effect on overall survival.

PURPOSE: Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) commonly present with tumor thrombi in the renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC). The benefit of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in this population is unclear and the effect on overall survival (OS) has been incompletely evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2013 for patients diagnosed with mRCC and tumor thrombi, which was defined as renal vein, infradiaphragmatic IVC, or supradiaphragmatic IVC. Descriptive statistics were performed and associations between clinicopathologic variables and utilization of CN were analyzed. Patients were matched on the receipt of CN and Kaplan-Meier analyses and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate survival. RESULTS: In total, 8,629 patients were found to have mRCC during the study period. Approximately 27% (n = 2,376) had tumor thrombus. Tumor thrombus was associated with increased rates of CN utilization, however rates decreased as thrombus level increased. In a matched Kaplan-Meier analysis, CN was associated with improved OS in patients without thrombus, and with renal vein or infradiaphragmatic thrombus (all P < 0.01). Patients with supradiaphragmatic thrombus did not benefit from CN (P = 0.46). This effect was confirmed in a Cox proportional hazards model. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor thrombus is common in patients with mRCC. OS is poor, and patient and tumor specific factors influence the use of CN. Despite discrepancies in utilization, CN is associated with improved OS, although this effect appears to be limited to those with mRCC and tumor thrombus limited to the renal vein and infradiaphragmatic IVC.

Melanoma-associated antigen-A and programmed death-ligand 1 expression are associated with advanced urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma-associated antigen-A (MAGE-A) and programmed-death ligand 1 (PD-L1) are present in urothelial carcinoma (UC). We assessed survival outcomes in patients with MAGE-A and PD-L1 expression. METHODS: MAGE-A and PD-L1 expression on neoplastic cells was analyzed using tissue microarrays from patients with UC. We compared differential expression between disease stage and grade. MAGE-A and PD-L1 co-expression was subcategorized. Fisher's exact test was done for categorical variables followed by univariable and multivariable analysis of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Co-expression of MAGE+/PD-L1+ was higher in advanced disease; however, only MAGE+/PD-L1- was associated with shorter RFS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-2.99; p = .006]. MAGE+/PD-L1+ was associated with the worst PFS (HR 17.1; 95% CI 5.96-49.4; p ≤ .001). MAGE-A expression was more prevalent with high-grade (p = .015), and higher-stage ≥ pT2 (p = .001) disease. The 5-year RFS was 44% for MAGE+ versus 58% for MAGE- patients. On multivariable analysis, MAGE+ was also associated with shorter RFS (HR 1.55; 95% CI 1.05-2.30; p = .03). Similarly, MAGE+ was associated with shorter PFS (HR 3.12; 95% CI 1.12-8.68; p = .03). CONCLUSION: MAGE-A and PD-L1 expression is increased in advanced disease and associated with shorter PFS. Furthermore, MAGE-A expression was significantly associated with higher-grade and -stage disease and associated with shorter RFS and PFS. The worse prognosis associated with MAGE-A+/PD-L1+ provides evidence that a combinatorial treatment strategy co-targeting MAGE/PD-L1 might be feasible. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.

Diagnostic biomarkers in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Successful treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) relies heavily on our ability to accurately detect disease typically in the presence of hematuria as well as to detect the early recurrent tumors in patients with a history of NMIBC. Unfortunately, the current biomarker landscape for NMIBC is a work in progress. Cystoscopy continues to be the gold standard, but can still miss 10% of tumors. Therefore, physicians frequently use additional tools to aid in the diagnosis of bladder cancer, such as urinary cytology. The urinary cytology is a good option for high-grade disease; however, it is limited by low sensitivity in detecting low-grade disease, as well as variable interpretation among cytopathologists. Thus, the limitations of cystoscopy and urinary cytology have brought to light the need for more robust diagnostic assays. In this non-systematic review, we discuss the performance, potential advantages or disadvantages of these tests, and the future direction of biomarkers in NMIBC.

Variation in surgical treatment patterns for patients with prostate cancer in the United States: Do patients in academic hospitals fare better?

INTRODUCTION: With prostate cancer (CaP) screening, overtreatment of low-risk CaP remains a concern. We investigated the patterns of radical prostatectomy (RP) for pathologic insignificant (iCaP) and significant CaP (sCaP) as well as variations between academic and nonacademic hospitals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing RP for clinical T1c CaP were identified in the National Cancer Database between 2006 and 2013. The primary outcome was the trend of RP for insignificant prostate cancer (iCaP) and significant prostate cancer (sCaP) over the study period. The secondary outcome was to compare the RP rate in academic vs. nonacademic institutions. Univariable and multivariable analysis were utilized to evaluate the association between overtreatment and practice type. iCaP was defined as organ confined CaP with Gleason Score ≤6. RESULTS: The total number of RP increased from 17,970 cases in 2006 to 25,324 in 2013. The RP rate decreased for iCaP from 39.9% to 19.8%, while increasing for sCaP from 18% to 27% over the study period. Patients undergoing RP in academic settings were less likely to have iCaP (odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.80-0.97). Caucasian race, private insurance, younger age, and treatment in the Eastern United States were associated with higher rates of iCaP at RP. CONCLUSION: The rate of iCaP has declined over time in the United States for patients undergoing RP. Although RP in nonacademic setting was more likely to have iCaP on surgical pathology, this trend has been downward among practice types. Treatment appropriateness is an underrecognized, undermeasured, but increasingly important component of the high-value care discussion that warrants greater attention.

Detection of Individual Prostate Cancer Foci via Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) undoubtedly affects the diagnosis and treatment of localized prostate cancer (CaP). However, clinicians need a better understanding of its accuracy and limitations in detecting individual CaP foci to optimize management. OBJECTIVE: To determine the per-lesion detection rate for CaP foci by mpMRI and identify predictors of tumor detection. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of a prospectively managed database correlating lesion-specific results from mpMRI co-registered with whole-mount pathology (WMP) prostatectomy specimens from June 2010 to February 2018. Participants include 588 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven CaP undergoing 3-T mpMRI before radical prostatectomy at a single tertiary institution. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We measured mpMRI sensitivity in detecting individual CaP and clinically significant (any Gleason score ≥7) CaP foci and predictors of tumor detection using multivariate analysis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The final analysis included 1213 pathologically confirmed tumor foci in 588 patients with primarily intermediate- (75%) or high-risk (12%) CaP. mpMRI detected 45% of all lesions (95% confidence interval [CI] 42-47%), including 65% of clinically significant lesions (95% CI 61-69%) and nearly 80% of high-grade tumors. Some 74% and 31% of missed solitary and multifocal tumors, respectively, were clinically significant. The majority of missed lesions were small (61.1% ≤1cm); 28.3% were between 1 and 2cm, and 10.4% were >2cm. mpMRI missed at least one clinically significant focus in 34% of patients overall, and in 45% of men with multifocal lesions. On multivariate analysis, smaller, low-grade, multifocal, nonindex tumors with lower prostate-specific antigen density were more likely to be missed. Limitations include selection bias in a prostatectomy cohort, lack of specificity data, an imperfect co-registration process, and uncertain clinical significance for undetected lesions. CONCLUSIONS: mpMRI detects less than half of all and less than two-thirds of clinically significant CaP foci. The moderate per-lesion sensitivity and significant proportion of men with undetected tumor foci demonstrate the current limitations of mpMRI. PATIENT SUMMARY: Magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate before surgical removal for prostate cancer finds less than half of all individual prostate cancer tumors. Large, solitary, aggressive tumors are more likely to be visualized on imaging.

PI-RADS Version 2 Category on 3 Tesla Multiparametric Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts Oncologic Outcomes in Gleason 3 + 4 Prostate Cancer on Biopsy.

PURPOSE: Three Tesla multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with PI-RADS™ (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System) version 2 scoring is a common tool in prostate cancer diagnosis which informs the likelihood of a cancerous lesion. We investigated whether PI-RADS version 2 also predicts adverse pathology features mainly in patients with biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4 disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 326 consecutive men with a preoperative template and/or magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion biopsy Gleason score of 6-7 from a prospectively maintained database of men who underwent robotic radical prostatectomy. The primary analysis was done in patients with biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4 to assess the primary outcome of adverse pathology features on univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The secondary outcome was biochemical recurrence-free survival using the Kaplan-Meier method. Similar analysis was done in patients with a biopsy Gleason score of 6-7. RESULTS: Of men with Gleason score 3 + 4 findings 27%, 15%, 36% and 23% showed a PI-RADS version 2 score of 0-2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. On univariate analysis PI-RADS version 2 category 5 predicted adverse pathology features vs categories 0-2 (OR 10.7, 95% CI 3.7-31, p ≤0.001). On multivariate analysis the PI-RADS version 2 category 5 was associated with adverse pathology when adjusting for preoperative magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsy (OR 11.4, 95% CI 3.7-35, p ≤0.0001). In men with a targeted biopsy Gleason score of 3 + 4 prostate cancer PI-RADS version 2 category 5 was associated with adverse pathology (OR 14.7, 95% CI 1.5-146.9, p = 0.02). Of men with biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4 disease 92% and 58% with a PI-RADS version 2 score of 4 and 5, respectively, had 2-year biochemical recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: A PI-RADS version 2 category 5 lesion in patients with a biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4 lesion predicted adverse pathology features and biochemical recurrence-free survival. These findings suggest that preoperative 3 Tesla multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging may serve as a prognostic marker of treatment outcomes independently of biopsy Gleason score or biopsy type.

Treatment utilization and overall survival in patients receiving radical nephroureterectomy versus endoscopic management for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: evaluation of updated treatment guidelines.

PURPOSE: While radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is the gold standard treatment for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), select patients may benefit from endoscopic treatment (ET). European Association of Urology guidelines recommend ET for patients with low-risk (LR) disease: unifocal, < 2 cm, low-grade lesions without local invasion. To inform the utility of ET, we compare the overall survival (OS) of patients receiving ET and RNU using current and previous guidelines of LR disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with non-metastatic, cT1 or less UTUC diagnosed in 2004-2012 were collected from the National Cancer Database. OS was analyzed with inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox proportional hazard regression. Analyses were conducted for LR disease under updated (size < 2 cm) and previous guidelines (size < 1 cm). RESULTS: Patients who were older, healthier, and treated at an academic facility had higher odds of receiving ET. In 851 identified patients with LR disease, RNU was associated with increased OS compared with ET (p = 0.006); however, there was no difference between ET and RNU (p = 0.79, n = 202) under the previous guidelines (size < 1 cm). In, otherwise, LR patients, the largest tumor size with no difference between ET and RNU was ≤ 1.5 cm (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: RNU is associated with improved survival when compared with ET in the management of LR UTUC using current guidelines with a size threshold of < 2 cm. In appropriately selected LR patients, we find no difference between RNU and ET up to a tumor size of ≤ 1.5 cm. However, in the absence of prospective studies, the usage of ET is best left up to clinician discretion.

PI-RADS Version 2 Category on 3 Tesla Multiparametric Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts Oncologic Outcomes in Gleason 3 + 4 Prostate Cancer on Biopsy.

PURPOSE: Three Tesla multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with PI-RADS™ (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System) version 2 scoring is a common tool in prostate cancer diagnosis which informs the likelihood of a cancerous lesion. We investigated whether PI-RADS version 2 also predicts adverse pathology features mainly in patients with biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4 disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 326 consecutive men with a preoperative template and/or magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion biopsy Gleason score of 6-7 from a prospectively maintained database of men who underwent robotic radical prostatectomy. The primary analysis was done in patients with biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4 to assess the primary outcome of adverse pathology features on univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The secondary outcome was biochemical recurrence-free survival using the Kaplan-Meier method. Similar analysis was done in patients with a biopsy Gleason score of 6-7. RESULTS: Of men with Gleason score 3 + 4 findings 27%, 15%, 36% and 23% showed a PI-RADS version 2 score of 0-2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. On univariate analysis PI-RADS version 2 category 5 predicted adverse pathology features vs categories 0-2 (OR 10.7, 95% CI 3.7-31, p ≤0.001). On multivariate analysis the PI-RADS version 2 category 5 was associated with adverse pathology when adjusting for preoperative magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsy (OR 11.4, 95% CI 3.7-35, p ≤0.0001). In men with a targeted biopsy Gleason score of 3 + 4 prostate cancer PI-RADS version 2 category 5 was associated with adverse pathology (OR 14.7, 95% CI 1.5-146.9, p = 0.02). Of men with biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4 disease 92% and 58% with a PI-RADS version 2 score of 4 and 5, respectively, had 2-year biochemical recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: A PI-RADS version 2 category 5 lesion in patients with a biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4 lesion predicted adverse pathology features and biochemical recurrence-free survival. These findings suggest that preoperative 3 Tesla multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging may serve as a prognostic marker of treatment outcomes independently of biopsy Gleason score or biopsy type.

Intravesical Therapy for Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer-Current and Future Options in the Age of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Shortage.

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a common and burdensome malignancy. A substantial proportion of patients with intermediate- and high-risk disease will progress to invasive bladder cancer and are at a significant risk for metastasis and death. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy for selected cases has been the standard of care for nearly 40 years. Unfortunately, a world-wide shortage has made BCG challenging to obtain. Furthermore, recurrences and progressions do occur. With the US Food and Drug Administration creating a clear path to drug approval for novel treatments, many therapies have been tested, including intravesical cytotoxic chemotherapy, intravesical immunotherapy, systemic immunotherapy, and novel agents, such as gene therapy and targeted therapy. In this review, we highlight ongoing clinical trials.

Comparative effectiveness of radical prostatectomy with adjuvant radiotherapy versus radiotherapy plus androgen deprivation therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Men with locally advanced prostate cancer (LAPCa) or regionally advanced prostate cancer (RAPCa) are at high risk for death from their disease. Clinical guidelines support multimodal approaches, which include radical prostatectomy (RP) followed by radiotherapy (XRT) and XRT plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). However, there are limited data comparing these substantially different treatment approaches. Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data, this study compared survival outcomes and adverse effects associated with RP plus XRT versus XRT plus ADT in these men. METHODS: SEER-Medicare data were queried for men with cT3-T4N0M0 (LAPCa) or cT3-T4N1M0 (RAPCa) prostate cancer. Propensity score methods were used to balance cohort characteristics between the treatment arms. Survival analyses were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: From 1992 to 2009, 13,856 men (≥65 years old) were diagnosed with LAPCa or RAPCa: 6.1% received RP plus XRT, and 23.6% received XRT plus ADT. At a median follow-up of 14.6 years, there were 2189 deaths in the cohort, of which 702 were secondary to prostate cancer. Regardless of the tumor stage or the Gleason score, the adjusted 10-year prostate cancer-specific survival and 10-year overall survival favored men who underwent RP plus XRT over men who underwent XRT plus ADT. However, RP plus XRT versus XRT plus ADT was associated with higher rates of erectile dysfunction (28% vs 20%; P = .0212) and urinary incontinence (49% vs 19%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Men with LAPCa or RAPCa treated initially with RP plus XRT had a lower risk of prostate cancer-specific death and improved overall survival in comparison with those men treated with XRT plus ADT, but they experienced higher rates of erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

Association between renal mass biopsy and upstaging to perinephric fat involvement in a contemporary cohort of patients with clinical T1a renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although tumor tract seeding from renal mass biopsy (RMB) is exceedingly rare, the possibility of tumor capsule violation from RMB leading to perinephric fat invasion has not been quantified. We evaluated the association between RMB and perinephric fat invasion in patients with clinical T1a renal cell carcinoma who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the National Cancer Database from 2010-2013 and identified patients who underwent surgery for clinical T1a tumors. Patients were classified as upstaged only if final pathology demonstrated perinephric invasion only (pT3a). Mixed-effect logistic regression analysis was performed on inverse probability weighted matched groups to identify predictors of perinephric fat invasion. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to evaluate overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 24,548 patients met our inclusion criteria. Pathologic upstaging to pT3a perinephric fat involvement occurred in 1.2% of patients. This rate of upstaging was 1.1% in the no biopsy group compared with 2.1% in patients who underwent RMB (P < 0.01). In multivariable logistic model, RMB was associated with pT3a perinephric fat upstaging (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.17-2.44, P < 0.01). Upstaging to pT3a was also associated with worse OS (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.13-2.60, P = 0.01). Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated similar OS estimates in patients upstaged to pT3a disease, irrespective of undergoing RMB or not (Log-Rank = 0.87). CONCLUSION: RMB was associated with increased rate of upstaging to pT3a perinephric fat involvement in clinical T1a RCC. This effect is small with unclear clinical significance. This is perhaps balanced by the importance of the information acquired from biopsies. Future studies are needed to elucidate clinical significance of this finding.