Phallus Preservation for Locally Advanced Proximal Primary Urethral Carcinoma: Technique and Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: To describe a novel method of penile sparing perineal urethrectomy for locally advanced proximal primary urethral cancers (PUC). TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: In mid-2021, 2 cases underwent pelvic exenterative surgery for pT3 and pT4 PUC. The procedure comprised of a complete urethrectomy, proximal penectomy, en bloc pubectomy and excision of pelvic diaphragm in both cases. One case included a wide excision of scrotum, whilst the other required a prostatectomy and abdominoperineal resection of the rectum to achieve complete tumor resection. A complete R0 resection was achieved in both cases. At 6 months follow up, there is no evidence of ischemic necrosis of the penis and cosmesis is satisfactory to both patients. We provide a comprehensive operative description of both cases, together with illustrations, and discuss the underlying principles of penile preservation in the surgical treatment of locally advanced proximal PUC. CONCLUSION: Complete perineal urethrectomy with phallic preservation is feasible in men with locally advanced proximal bulbar urethral cancer in the absence of tumor invasion of the penile shaft. The remnant penis survives off arterial supply from the superficial penile arteries arising from the external pudendal arteries. Phallic preservation may benefit patient's psychological quality of life post-procedure.

An approach to evaluating scrotal skin-based lesions: A case report of Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Scrotum in patient with multiple risk factors.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is rare on non-sun exposed skin such as the scrotum and thus diagnosis is often delayed. This case highlights an approach to scrotal skin lesions, risk factors and diagnostic features of BCC. Importantly, scrotal BCCs are more likely to metastasise than non-scrotal BCCs. Management should consist of wide local excision and recommended follow up with thorough clinical history, skin examination and imaging in high-risk patients.

ELISA-based quantification of neurotrophic growth factors in urine from prostate cancer patients.

Non-invasive procedures are needed for prostate cancer management, and urine represents a potential source of new biomarkers with translational value. Recent evidence has shown that the growth of new nerves in the tumor microenvironment is essential to prostate cancer progression. Neurotrophic growth factors are expressed by prostate cancer cells and contribute to prostate tumor innervation, but their presence in urine is unclear. In the present study, we have assayed the concentration of neurotrophic factors in the urine of prostate cancer patients. Urine was collected from a prospective cohort of 45 men with prostate cancer versus 30 men without cancer and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify nerve growth factor (NGF) and its precursor proNGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and proBDNF, neurotrophin-3, neurotrophin-4/5, and glia-derived neurotrophic growth factor. The results show that neurotrophic factors are detectable in various concentrations in both cancer and healthy urine, but no significant difference was found. Also, no association was observed between neurotrophic factor concentrations and prostate cancer grade. This study is the first quantification of neurotrophins in urine, and although no significant differences were observed between prostate cancer patients versus those without prostate cancer, or between prostate cancers of various grades, the potential value of neurotrophins for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis warrants further investigations in larger patient cohorts.

Epithelioid sarcoma of the penis: A penile sparing approach, and long-term implications.

A 33-year-old male presented with a one-centimetre lesion at the penoscrotal junction which was excised and revealed to be an epithelioid sarcoma (ES). A wide local excision of the lesion and subsequent neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed, with transposition of the patient's testicles laterally to protect fertility. At 3-year follow-up, the patient has no local or distant recurrence but does have a low sperm count. The patient has also had intermittent haematospermia since his treatment for which a cause has yet to be identified. This case highlights that ES of the penis can be managed successfully with surgical excision and local radiotherapy.

Don't be fooled by the fat: A rare case of renal cell carcinoma with intratumoural fat.

Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a benign renal tumour composed of fat, smooth muscle and blood vessels. Radiologic evidence of macroscopic fat within a solid renal lesion on computed tomography was historically thought to be pathognomonic for this condition. Herein, we report a case of an incidental solid renal cell mass with multiple foci of intra-tumoral fat, which was shown to be a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at nephrectomy. Macroscopic fat within solid renal lesions does not exclude malignancy, evaluation of other radiologic features is necessary when RCC is suspected.

Tumour innervation and neurosignalling in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer progression has been shown to be dependent on the development of autonomic nerves into the tumour microenvironment. Sympathetic nerves activate adrenergic neurosignalling that is necessary in early stages of tumour progression and for initiating an angiogenic switch, whereas parasympathetic nerves activate cholinergic neurosignalling resulting in tumour dissemination and metastasis. The innervation of prostate cancer seems to be initiated by neurotrophic growth factors, such as the precursor to nerve growth factor secreted by tumour cells, and the contribution of brain-derived neural progenitor cells has also been reported. Current experimental, epidemiological and clinical evidence shows the stimulatory effect of tumour innervation and neurosignalling in prostate cancer. Using nerves and neurosignalling could have value in the management of prostate cancer by predicting aggressive disease, treating localized disease through denervation and relieving cancer-associated pain in bone metastases.

Don't be fooled by the fat: A rare case of renal cell carcinoma with intratumoural fat.

Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a benign renal tumour composed of fat, smooth muscle and blood vessels. Radiologic evidence of macroscopic fat within a solid renal lesion on computed tomography was historically thought to be pathognomonic for this condition. Herein, we report a case of an incidental solid renal cell mass with multiple foci of intra-tumoral fat, which was shown to be a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at nephrectomy. Macroscopic fat within solid renal lesions does not exclude malignancy, evaluation of other radiologic features is necessary when RCC is suspected.

Tumor Neurobiology and the War of Nerves in Cancer.

Nerves are emerging regulators of cancer progression. Cancer cells induce the outgrowth of nerves in the tumor microenvironment through the release of neurotrophic factors, and in return nerves liberate neurotransmitters that activate cancer growth and dissemination. Although sympathetic nerves drive tumor angiogenesis via the liberation of noradrenaline, sensory and parasympathetic nerves stimulate cancer stem cells. Interestingly, recent evidence indicates that parasympathetic nerves can eventually inhibit tumor progression, suggesting a yin-yang type of regulation of cancer by nerves. From a broader perspective, the question of a higher level of control of cancer development by the central nervous system should be raised. SIGNIFICANCE: Nerves are emerging regulators of cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. Here, we review the evidence to date and explore the basic and clinical ramifications of these findings.

Can CRP velocity in right iliac fossa pain identify patients for intervention? A prospective observational cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown single CRP measurements at time of presentation to have limited predictive benefit for appendicitis. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic utility of serial CRP measurements (to determine CRP velocity [CRPv]) in patients with right iliac fossa (RIF) pain. METHODS: A single-centre prospective observational study was conducted on adult patients admitted with RIF pain. CRP was measured on admission, at midnight, and the following morning. Appendicitis was diagnosed on histopathology, or diagnostic imaging in non-operatively managed patients. Therapeutic interventions included all appropriate operative procedures and effective non-operative treatment with antibiotics. Logistic regression was used to generate predictors of therapeutic intervention, and then used to create a new risk score incorporating CRPv. RESULTS: 98 of 112 (87.5%) participants had complete CRP data. 58 patients met the criteria for appendicitis (59.2%). Most patients presented with intermediate Modified Alvarado Scores (MAS) 5-6 (40.8%) or Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Scores (AIRS) 5-8 (49%). Our risk score had an AUROC of 0.88 (95% CI 0.81-0.96) in predicting therapeutic intervention. This score was superior to MAS, AIRS, and single admission biomarker measurements. Patients with an increasing CRPv had 14 times the odds (OR 14.07, 95% CI 0.63-315.2) of complicated appendicitis, and no cases of complicated appendicitis were observed in patients with a flat CRPv. CONCLUSIONS: CRP velocity is superior to single CRP at predicting intervention. Our v-Score shows promise as a decision making-aide by predicting the need for surgical intervention in RIF pain. A flat CRPv identifies a group of patients with a very low risk of complicated appendicitis.

Management and outcomes of Gleason six prostate cancer detected on needle biopsy: A single-surgeon experience over 6 years.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the management and oncological outcomes in men diagnosed with Gleason score (GS) 6 prostate cancer on needle biopsy in a regional centre, as compared with published international data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients who were diagnosed with GS 6 prostate cancer via transrectal ultrasound-guided or transperineal biopsy between June 2009 and September 2015 under the care of a single surgeon. Data were obtained from a prospectively collected database. RESULTS: A total of 166 patients were diagnosed with GS 6 prostate cancer. The mean age was 61 (range 46-79) years, with mean prostate-specific antigen of 6.7 (0.91-26.8) ng/mL at diagnosis. Of 166 patients, 117 (70.5%) patients were enrolled into the active surveillance program with 82 (70%) meeting Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance (PRIAS) criteria, 44 patients underwent immediate definitive treatment (88.6% radical prostatectomy and 9.1% radiotherapy) and five watchful waiting. With a median follow-up of 1.8 years, 37 (31.6%) patients on AS had definitive treatment [30 cases (81%) were attributable to disease progression, 4 cases (10.8%) to an abnormal magnetic resonance imaging result and 3 cases (8.1%) for patient preference]. In the 35 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy immediately after diagnosis, the GS was ≥7 in 29 cases (82.9%), and the final pathology was pT3a in 16 (51.6%) and pT3b in one (2.9%). In patients who underwent radical prostatectomy after being on AS, the proportion of GS ≥7 prostate cancer was 29/32 (90.6%), with pT3a in six (18.8%) and pT3b in three (9.4%) cases. Overall, 23.5% of patients had a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging scan. CONCLUSION: This single-surgeon cohort of GS 6 prostate cancer patients demonstrates a high proportion of cases managed with active surveillance, with comparable rates to international literature. The majority of cases who underwent immediate definitive treatment had significant disease, indicating that patients are being appropriately selected for active surveillance.

Ureteric Obstruction From Malignant Melanoma in Both Right Double Moiety and Left Single Moiety Ureters.

We report the first documented case of malignant melanoma obstructing ureters of both moieties of a duplex kidney and contralateral single moiety ureter in a 51-year-old male. The patient presented with fever, coryzal symptoms, and liver function test derangement several years after 2 superficial spreading melanomas were excised with clear margins. Ultrasonography demonstrated hydronephroureter in both moieties of a complete right-sided duplex kidney. Retrograde pyelograms showed bilateral hydronephroureter and filling defects in all 3 ureters. Biopsied tumor cells were positive for S100, Melan A, and HMB45. Cutaneous melanoma metastasizing to ureters is a rare phenomenon and can present a diagnostic challenge to clinicians if clinically silent.

Single-stage laparoscopic cholecystectomy and intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: is this strategy feasible in Australia?

Currently in Australasia, concomitant cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis are usually managed with two procedures: laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and pre or postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This approach exposes the patient to the risk of complications from the common bile duct stone(s) while awaiting ERCP, the risks of the ERCP itself (particularly pancreatitis) and the need for a second anaesthetic. This article explores the evidence for a newer hybrid approach, single stage LC and intraoperative ERCP (SSLCE) and compares this approach with the commonly used alternatives. SSLCE offers reduced rates of pancreatitis, reduced length of hospital stay and reduced cost compared with the two-stage approach and requires only one anaesthetic. There is a reduced risk of bile leak compared with procedures that involve a choledochotomy, and ductal clearance rates are superior to trans-cystic exploration and equivalent to the standard two-stage approach. Barriers to widespread implementation relate largely to operating theatre logistics and availability of appropriate endoscopic expertise, although when bile duct stones are anticipated these issues are manageable. There is compelling justification in the literature to gather prospective evidence surrounding SSLCE in the Australian Healthcare system.

Epidemiology of enteroviral meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants.

AIM: To describe the epidemiology of enteroviral meningoencephalitis in northern New South Wales, Australia, with a specific focus on neonatal and young infant cases. METHODS: A retrospective review of PCR-confirmed enteroviral meningoencephalitis cases in the Hunter New England Local Health District of northern NSW was conducted for the period 2008-2012. RESULTS: One hundred nine patients met the case definition. There was summer seasonality, with 50% (55/109) of cases occurring between December and February. Neonates and young infants (<3 months of age) accounted for 42% (46/109) of cases, with 20% (9/46) being premature births. Fever (83%) was the most common presentation in this age group, followed by irritability (40%), feeding difficulties (40%) and rash (17%). All received at least one antibiotic during their admission, with 26% (12/46) also treated empirically with acyclovir. There was one death. Where testing was undertaken, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein levels were high in 90% (28/31) of neonates and young infants, but the CSF white cell count was variable, with 57% <10/mm(3) and 21% >100/mm(3) . CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of enteroviral meningoencephalitis could alter management, potentially reducing the period of treatment with empirical antimicrobials and permitting earlier discharge.