Personalized Treatment Strategy in "Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance Candidates" Using Irreversible Electroporation: Prospective Evaluation of Feasibility, Morbidity, Functional and Oncological Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the morbidity, functional and oncological outcome of irreversible electroporation (IRE) as a focal therapy for prostate cancer (PCa) when used in "active surveillance (AS)" candidates refusing standard treatment options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IRE was performed under general anaesthesia, and the transurethral catheter was removed one day after intervention in all patients. Pre- and post-interventional voiding parameters (measured by International Prostate Symptom Score Questionnaire [IPSS], uroflowmetry and post-void residue) were compared. Follow-up (FU) was observed over a minimum of six months, including oncological outcome (controlled by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, rebiopsy, prostate-specific antigen dynamic as well as the need and type of secondary treatment) and general functional outcome (International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire, satisfaction of the procedure). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients refusing AS or standard treatment with a median FU of 18.7 months were included. IPSS showed nine patients with mild, 12 with moderate and two with severe obstructive voiding symptoms pre-intervention (focal IRE). Median IPSS pre-IRE was 9 points, 8.5 (p=0.341) at six months and 10 (p=0.392) after 12 months, respectively. Pre-IRE maximum urinary flow (Qmax) (median: 16.1±8.0 mL/sec) and Qmax after catheter removal (16.2±7.6 mL/sec) did not differ significantly (p=0.904). Thirteen PCa recurrences occurred (54.2%). Out-of-lesion-PCa was found in 12/13 patients (92.3%), while 4/13 patients showed in-lesion-PCa recurrence simultaneously (30.8%). In one patient, there was an in-lesion-PCa recurrence only (7.7%). Six out of 24 patients (25.0%) received a secondary treatment. All patients were satisfied with the IRE procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Focal IRE underperforms regarding the overall oncological outcome and should not be offered as an equivalent therapy to established curative treatment strategies. Nevertheless, under a strict FU regimen, its lack of significant additional morbidity compared to an active surveillance strategy makes IRE a feasible alternative for low-risk PCa in highly selected patients as a personalised approach.

Impact of mpMRI targeted biopsy on intraoperative nerve-sparing (NeuroSAFE) during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of prostate biopsy technique (transrectal ultrasound (US)-prostate biopsy (PBx) versus multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) targeted prostate biopsy (MRI-PBx) on intraoperative nerve-sparing and the rate of secondary neurovascular-bundle resection (SNR) in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP). A real-time investigation with a frozen-section examination (NeuroSAFE) microscopically excluded or confirmed prostate cancer invasion of the nerve structures resulting in preservation of the neurovascular bundle or SNR. Additionally, we analyzed risk factors related to SNR, such as longer operation time and postoperative complications. METHODS: The total study cohort was stratified according to non-nerve-sparing versus nerve-sparing RARP. Patients with nerve-sparing approach were then stratified according to biopsy technique (PBx vs. MRI-PBx). Further, we compared PBx versus MRI-PBx according to SNR rate. RESULTS: We included a total of 470 consecutive patients, who underwent RARP for PCa at our institution between January 2016 and December 2019. Patients with a preoperative MRI-PBx had a 2.12-fold higher chance of successful nerve-sparing (without SNR) compared to patients with PBx (p < 0.01). Patients with preoperative MRI-PBx required 73% less intraoperative SNR compared to patients with PBx (p < 0.0001). Prior MRI-PBx is thus a predictor for successful nerve-sparing RARP approach. CONCLUSION: Preoperative MRI-PBx led to better oncological outcomes and less SNR. Young patients with good erectile function could benefit from a preoperative MRI-PBx before nerve-sparing RARP.

Cognitive Ability as a Non-modifiable Risk Factor for Post-prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence: A Double-Blinded, Prospective, Single-Center Trial.

Introduction: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a wide-spread and feared side-effect of conventional or even robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) due to its high impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). Non-modifiable risk factors for UI have already been identified - on surgical and patient side. Yet, to our knowledge, focus thus far has not been placed on functional aspects regarding general cognitive ability. Materials and Methods: This is an observational single-center, prospective, double-blinded evaluation of 109 RALPs performed between 07/2020 and 03/2021. All patients underwent a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) prior to surgery to evaluate their cognitive ability. Early post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) was evaluated using a standardized 1 h pad test performed 24 h after removal of the urinary catheter. The association between MMSE results and PPI were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified MMSE results and nerve sparing (NS) as independent predictors for PPI in patients with an intermediate MMSE result (25-27 points) having a 3.17 times higher risk of PPI when compared to patients with a good MMSE result (≥28) (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.22-9.06, p = 0.023), while patients without NS had a 3.53 times higher risk of PPI when compared to patients with NS (95% CI: 1.54-11.09, p = 0.006). Conclusion: A lower cognitive ability should be treated as a non-modifiable risk-factor for early PPI. In the future it could find its place as a clinical screening tool to identify patients who require more attention especially in the pre-, but also in the postoperative phase.

TOP: Prospective Evaluation of a Volume Based, Computer Assisted Method for Transperineal Optimized Prostate Biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: This study is a prospective evaluation of a volume-based, computer-assisted method for transperineal optimized prostate (TOP) biopsy. The TOP algorithm automates core planning for systematic prostate biopsies using the 3-dimensional organ contour and an alterable volume for tumors to be excluded. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: MRI-transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy with MRI-targeted biopsies (TBs) and systematic-TOP biopsies were performed on 172 men between October 2013 and March 2014. Systematic biopsies were placed according to TOP for detection of tumor volumes >0.5 mL with a minimum of 80% organ coverage in prostates up to 50 mL (70% in larger organs). RESULTS: Median 24 TOP cores and 3 MRI-TBs have been placed. Prostate cancer (PCa) was detected in 112 of 172 (65%) of men; TOP detected 109 (97%) and TB 62 (55%). Significant cancer (Gleason score ≥7) was detected in 75 (44%) of men and of these TOP detected 73 of 75 (97%) and TB 51 of 75 (68%). Overall, systematic-TOP sampling significantly outperformed TB for the detection of both, all PCa as well as significant PCa (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: The TOP method is innovative by integrating the individual prostate volume and PCa volume detection thresholds. In the present cohort, it diagnosed more significant tumors than TB alone. However, at the same time, more low-risk tumors are detected.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Transperineal MRI Fusion Biopsy in Comparison to Transrectal Biopsy with Regard to Incidental Histopathological Findings in Transurethral Resection of the Prostate.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of transperineal MRI/transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion prostate biopsy vs. transrectal prostate biopsy in transurethral resection (TUR) specimen of men undergoing TUR of the prostate (TURP) for symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a database of 3,509 men receiving prostate biopsy, all those undergoing TURP and negative prostate biopsy (n = 95; 45 transrectal, 50 transperineal fusion) were analysed. TURP specimens were compared with regard to incidental prostate cancer. RESULTS: Pre- and peri-interventional parameters in transrectal vs. fusion biopsy groups for age (65.2 ± 7.8 vs. 65.5 ± 7.3 years; p = 0.84), prostate specific antigen (10.7 ± 8.5 vs. 10.9 ± 8.7 ng/mL; p = 0.93), preoperative prostate volume (72.5 ± 26.1 vs. 71.8 ± 28.1 mL; p = 0.91) and resected weight (43.7 ± 21.9 vs. 41.4 ± 20.7 g; p = 0.61) showed no significant differences. Analysing the TURP specimen, 5 incidental T1a prostate cancers were found (3 Gleason 3 + 3 = 6; 2 Gleason 3 + 4 = 7, all in the transrectal biopsy group). Although, more biopsy cores were obtained in the MRI/TRUS fusion biopsy group (26 cores [interquartile range, IQR 24-28] vs. 14 cores [IQR 12-24], p < 0.01), there was no statistical impact of the obtained number of cores (p = 0.9) on diagnostic accuracy. Statistical analyses revealed significantly better diagnostic accuracy favoring image-guided fusion biopsy (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that a combination of MRI-targeted and systematic transperineal prostate biopsy improves patient safety. This is associated with a combination of transperineal biopsy technique and pre-interventional MRI.

Risk factors for long-term outcome in photoselective vaporization of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate long-term risk factors for reintervention after photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 566 consecutive patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) underwent PVP between February 2005 and April 2011. Mean follow-up was 36.42 ± 21.4 months. Perioperative parameters were evaluated, including surgery time, delivered energy, catheterization and duration of hospitalization, intraoperative and postoperative complications, as well as reintervention rates in manifest reobstruction. Follow-up comprised the International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life questionnaire (IPPS-QoL), maximal flow rate (Qmax) and postvoiding residual volume (PVR). RESULTS: Mean operation time was 69.8 ± 29.3 min. Mean catheterization and hospitalization times were 1.49 ± 1.19 days and 2.67 ± 2.19 days, respectively. There was ongoing oral anticoagulation for 20.1% of the patients (n = 114). The overall retreatment rate was 17.6% (101 out of 566 patients) after a mean time of 9.21 months (range 0-64 months). Of these, 88 patients (15.55%) had a reobstruction and 13 (2.3%) had urethral strictures. In multivariate analysis, age, prostate volume, total applied energy, specific laser energy usage, preoperative symptomatic (IPSS/QoL) and functional obstruction grade (Qmax/PVR) were not identified as risk factors for reintervention. A poor postoperative Qmax (< 15 ml/s) measured immediately after removal of the transurethral catheter was identified as a risk factor for undergoing a reintervention (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: PVP is an effective method for BPH treatment, allowing for sustained long-term improvement of the voiding function. Poor immediate postoperative urinary flow after removal of the transurethral catheter (Qmax < 15 ml/s) is a significant risk factor for reintervention.