3D-Image guided robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy: a multi-institutional propensity score-matched analysis (UroCCR study 51).

PURPOSE: Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is a difficult procedure with risk of significant perioperative complications. The objective was to evaluate the impact of preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance with 3D model reconstructions on perioperative outcomes of RAPN. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent RAPN for kidney tumor by three high-volume expert surgeons from academic centers. Clinical data were collected prospectively after written consent into the French kidney cancer network database UroCCR (CNIL-DR 2013-206; NCT03293563). Our cohort was divided into two groups: 3D-Image guided RAPN group (3D-IGRAPN) and control group. A propensity score according to age, pre-operative renal function and RENAL tumor complexity score was used. Both surgical techniques were compared in terms of perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: The initial study cohort included 230 3D-IGRAPN and 415 control RAPN. Before propensity-score matching, patients in the 3D-IGRAPN group had a larger tumor (4.3 cm vs. 3.5 cm, P < 0.001) and higher RENAL complexity score (9 vs. 8, P < 0.001). Following propensity-score matching, there were 157 patients in both groups. The rate of major complications was lower for patients in the 3D-IGRAPN group (3.8% vs. 9.5%, P = 0.04). The median percentage of eGFR variation recorded at first follow-up was lower in the 3D-IGRAPN group (- 5.6% vs. - 10.5%, P = 0.002). The trifecta achievement rate was higher in the 3D-IGRAPN group (55.7% vs. 45.1%; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional kidney reconstructions use for pre-operative planning and intraoperative surgical guidance lowers the risk of complications and improve perioperative clinical outcomes of RAPN.

Consequences of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on urological surgery in France: a nationwide analysis of the healthcare system database.

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak overwhelmed the healthcare systems worldwide. Saturation of hospitals and the risk of contagion led to a reduction in the care of other diseases. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on urological surgery in France during the year 2020. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: An observational descriptive study was conducted on anonymised data collected from the national healthcare database established each year as part of the Program for the Medicalization of Information Systems in Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Odontology. INTERVENTION: None. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We gathered the number of urology surgical procedures carried out between 2010 and 2019, and we observed the difference between the forecast and actual number of urological surgeries performed in 2020. RESULTS: Urological surgeries decreased by 11.4%, non-oncological surgeries being more affected (-13.1%) than oncological ones (-4.1%). Among the most relevant surgeries, female urinary incontinence (-44.7%) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (-20.8%) were the most impacted ones, followed by kidney cancer (-9%), urolithiasis (-8.7%), radical cystectomy for bladder cancer (-6.1%), prostate cancer (-3.6%) and transurethral resection of bladder tumour (-2%). Public hospitals had a more reduced activity (-17.7%) than private ones (-9.1%). Finally, the distribution of the reduction in urological activities by region did not correspond to the regional burden of SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: Urological care was severely affected during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Even if oncological surgeries were prioritised, the longer it takes to receive appropriate care, the greater the risk on survival impact. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The data collection and analysis was authorised by the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL) under the number1 861 282v2.

Incidence of bladder cancer in neuro-urological patients in France: a nationwide study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of bladder cancer (BCa) in patients with the main neurological diseases that induce neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, namely, multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI) and spina bifida (SB). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of nationwide data from the French Hospital Discharge Database (PMSI) from January 2010 to December 2018. The incidence of BCa was calculated in patients with MS, SCI and SB. Incidence, sex, age, radical cystectomy after BCa diagnosis and in-hospital deaths were compared between the three groups. The Chi2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for qualitative and quantitative data comparisons, respectively. RESULTS: Overall, 2015 neuro-urological patients (mean (± SD) age: 65.4 ± 12.3 years) were hospitalized in France between 2010 and 2018 with a new diagnosis of BCa. In neuro-urological patients, BCa was more frequent in men than in women (sex ratio: 3.08). The incidence of BCa in neuro-urological patients was 174.9/100,000 persons/year. The incidence of BCa was 791.1/100,000 persons/year in SCI compared to 56.6 in MS and 113.8 in SB (p < 0.0001). After the initial diagnosis of BCa, 551 (27.3%) patients underwent a radical cystectomy and 613 (30.4%) died in hospital after BCa diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of BCa in France between 2010 and 2018 was 174.9/100 000 persons/year, and was particularly high in patients with SCI.

Epidemiology and care pathway of vesicovaginal fistulas managed in France between 2010 and 2018.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) in France. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively and systematically collected data from January 2010 to December 2018 in the French Hospital Discharge Database. We used ICD-10 code "N820" to identify new VVF diagnoses. VVF incidence was calculated using estimations of the French population. We compared age on diagnosis, medical history of pelvic tumoral disease, radiotherapy, hysterectomy and childbirth, according to three subgroups: surgical repair attempt (SRA), long-term catheter and/or nephrostomies (LTC) or immediate surgical urinary diversion (ISUD). We focused on the patients diagnosed in 2017 to better analyse VVF aetiologies and outcomes (7-year hindsight and 1 year of follow-up). Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests were, respectively, used for qualitative and quantitative data comparisons. RESULTS: Of the 196 million hospital stays out of 50 million French citizens hospitalised from 2010 to 2018, 5499 women were hospitalised for VVF. The estimated incidence of VVF was 2.3/100,000 women-year. Approximately half of the patients underwent SRA (48.4%); 39.8% had LTC and 11.9% had ISUD. Patients were younger in the SRA subgroup (53.4 ± 14.7 years p < 0.001) with a lower rate of pelvic cancer (p < 0.001) or radiotherapy (p < 0.001) and a higher rate of hysterectomies (p > 0.001). In 2017, two-thirds of the VVF diagnosed were secondary to pelvic surgery. Mean management time was 9.2 ± 10.6 months. After SRA, 5.4% underwent incontinence surgery and 5.0% underwent secondary surgical urinary diversion. CONCLUSIONS: VVF is not a rare pathology in France, mainly due to pelvic surgery. Its management is complex and not well defined.

Day-case robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy: feasibility and preliminary results of a prospective evaluation (UroCCR-25 AMBU-REIN study).

PURPOSE: Robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) is a minimally-invasive technique used to treat renal tumors. A clinical pathway and prospective research protocol (AMBU-REIN) were specifically set up to establish and assess the routine use of day-case RPN. METHODS: The AMBU-REIN study was conducted in the framework of the French research network on kidney cancer UroCCR (NCT03293563). We present our initial experience of patients treated using day-case RPN and released from our hospital on the same day, focusing on patient selection, safety and patient satisfaction using the EVAN-G validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Between September 2016 and September 2019, 429 RPN were performed and 82 patients were consecutively selected for day-case RPN. Patients were managed using transperitoneal RPN with off-clamp tumorectomy for 66/82 cases. Mean tumor size was 2.7 ± 1.2 cm. There were no immediate severe postoperative complications; 7/82 patients were kept under observation overnight and discharged the following day. The follow-up at day 30 indicated postoperative complications, readmissions, and mortality rates of 1.2, 1.2, and 0%, respectively. Next-day patient satisfaction questionnaires indicated that patients were generally highly satisfied, with a mean ± standard deviation global score of 83.6 ± 10.3%. "Attention" was rated the highest overall (mean 94.8 ± 10.5%), while "pain management" scored the lowest (61.2 ± 20.5%). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective case series is the first to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of day-case RPN. For selected patients and through a dedicated, nurse-led clinical pathway, it provided a high level of patient satisfaction. Expected benefits on healthcare cost savings warrant further investigation.

Robot-assisted versus open surgery for radical nephrectomy with level 1-2 vena cava tumor thrombectomy: a French monocenter experience (UroCCR study #73).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to assess the feasibility of robot-assisted radical nephrectomy (RN) with inferior vena cava thrombectomy (RRVCT) and compare perioperative and oncological outcomes of this approach to open surgery for renal tumors with level 1-2 inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients surgically treated for renal cancer with IVC level 1-2 thrombus in the Urology department of Bordeaux University Hospital between December 2015 and December 2019. Patients were stratified by surgical approach in two groups: open vs. robotic procedures. Pre-, per- and postoperative data were collected within the framework of the UroCCR project (NCT03293563). Univariate and multivariate analysis using regression models were performed. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients underwent RN with IVC tumor thrombus. Open and robotic surgery represented respectively 30 and 10 cases. The two groups were comparable regarding pre-operative tumor and patient characteristics. Robotic procedures were associated with lower estimated blood loss (EBL) (500 vs. 1250 mL, P=0.02), shorter Intensive Care Unit stay (2 vs. 4 days, P=0.03) and decrease of global length of stay (LOS) (7 vs. 10 days, P<0.01). Operative Time (OT) was significantly longer in the robotic group (350.5 vs. 208 min, P<0.01). No difference were observed between the two approaches regarding complications and oncological outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic approach induced lower bleeding and shorter LOS but required longer OT. This technique is feasible and safe for selected cases and experimented surgical teams. Complications rate and oncological outcomes are not different compared to standard open procedures.

Evolution of Day-Case Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate Success Rate Over Time.

Objectives: To describe the evolution of day-case success rate over the years and to identify predictive factors for prolonged hospitalization or readmissions. Methods: Retrospective review of all consecutive day-case holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) performed by a single surgeon between January 2013 and February 2019 using a prospective database. Day-case success was defined as discharge within less than 12 hours from admission without any readmission within 48 hours after discharge. Protocol for day-case treatment included systematic bladder catheter insertion with continuous irrigation for ∼2 hours and catheter removal on postoperative day 1. Patients were reached by phone on postoperative day 1 to ensure voiding. For the descriptive statistics, an analysis of variance was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors. Results: A total of 266 patients were retrieved and dispatched as follows: group 1 (n = 88) from January 2013 to July 2015, group 2 (n = 89) from August 2015 to June 2017, and group 3 (n = 89) from July 2017 to February 2019. The overall success rate was 80.5% (214/266) over the study period. It significantly improved over time from 70% in group 1 to 84% in group 2 and 87% in group 3 (p = 0.014). In the meantime, the operating time and the total energy delivered to the tissue decreased from 77 minutes in the first group to 60.4 minutes in the second group and 55.4 minutes in the third group (p < 0.001), and from 95.2 kJ in the first group to 84 kJ in the second group and 77.9 kJ in the third group (p = 0.041). On multivariate analysis, the only risk factor significantly associated with day-case failure was prostate volume greater than 90 cc (odds ratio = 2.041, p = 0.047). Conclusion: Day-case HoLEP is a reliable and safe procedure with a high success rate. The surgeon's experience seems to be crucial to improve perioperative outcomes, but prostate volume greater than 90 cc remains associated with higher failure rates.

Risk Factors of Early Kidney Graft Transplantectomy.

BACKGROUND: Kidney allograft explant in the first month after transplant is a major concern for medicosurgical teams specialized in kidney transplantation and unacceptable graft loss in the current shortage. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk factors of early kidney graft explant. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all adult kidney transplantations performed at our center from January 2006 to December 2011. Recipient, donor, and transplant characteristics were collected, as well as operating data and early postoperative complications. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine risk factors of early renal allograft explant. RESULTS: From a total of 707 kidney transplantations, 28 transplantectomies were performed in the first month following transplantation (3.96%). The average delay in days ± SD was 7.6 ± 10. Eighty-six percent of transplantectomies were due to vascular complications. In multivariate analysis, obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 9.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63-56.5; P = .0007), range of transplantation (OR = 36.89; 95%CI, 5.5-245; P = .0006), intraoperative complications (OR = 3.99; 95%CI, 1.22-13; P = .026), and early postoperative vascular complications (OR = 85.15; 95%CI, 23.6-306; P < .0001) were independent risk factors. Neither donors nor graft characteristics were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Early renal graft transplantectomies are rare but account for 50% of renal graft loss in the first year. Because obesity, perioperative complications, and early vascular complications are independent factors associated with early transplantectomies, their prevention should be based on meticulous surgery during organ procurement, implantation of the kidney, and on the rehabilitation of future recipients.

Total Preperitoneal Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation.

To date, kidney transplant recipients have always undergone open surgery. The type and length of the wound vary, but most commonly, a modified Gibson's incision is made in the lower abdomen for the transplantation. Risk factors for wound complications are well defined in general surgery literature. The laparoscopic kidney transplantation (LKT) technique has been developed recently, and several teams have published studies on the intraperitoneal technique. In this case report, we present our technique of total preperitoneal LKT using the Da Vinci robotic surgical system.

Day-Case Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: Prospective Evaluation of 90 Consecutive Cases.

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the feasibility and safety of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) as day-case surgery for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted by a single surgeon between June 2012 and October 2015. Except for patients ineligible for day-case surgery due to unstable cardiovascular disease, all patients with lower urinary tract symptoms presumably due to benign prostatic hyperplasia were consecutively included. HoLEP procedures were performed at 8AM, and patients were discharged before 8PM. The urinary catheter was removed at home the following morning. The monitoring of complications related with surgery included systematic assessment of perioperative complications, phone call within 48 hours after surgery, and follow-up visits after 1 and 3 months. Intent-to-treat univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for day-case surgery failure. RESULTS: Ninety among 211 HoLEP performed by the surgeon were selected for day-case surgery (43%). Hospital stay was <12 hours in 83.4% of them. Prolonged hospitalization was necessary in 15 patients mainly due to gross hematuria requiring continuous bladder irrigation (n = 13). Day-case surgery failure rate (including prolonged hospitalization and readmissions within 48 hours) was 20.0% (18/90). The overall complication rate was 36.7%, with a Clavien III complication rate of only 3.3%. Monocentric design and limited number of patients are the main limitations of this work. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective evaluation shows that day-case HoLEP may be performed by a trained surgeon with an appropriate patient selection.

Are we ready for day-case partial nephrectomy?

Fast-track and day-case surgeries are gaining more and more importance. Their development was eased by the diffusion of minimal invasive surgical strategies and the consequential morbidity reduction. In the field of kidney cancer, seven cases of ambulatory radical nephrectomy were previously reported in the international literature. Regarding robotic partial nephrectomy (PN), short postoperative pathways resulting in patients' discharge on postoperative day 1 were shown to be safe and feasible. We report our initial experience of robot-assisted PN discharged on postoperative day zero and discuss the criteria for adequate patient selection. Indeed, outpatient PN will obviously not be suitable for all patients, and careful selection will be mandatory. Both specific baseline patient's factors and postoperative events will have to be recognized for the first ones and prevented for the second ones. Safety, patient satisfaction, cost efficiency, and reproducibility will be the key factors to assess and promote day-case PN.

Intermittent Versus Continuous Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Patients with Relapsing or Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Phase 3b Randomised Study (ICELAND).

BACKGROUND: Intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) has received increasing attention; however, the current literature is still limited, especially in nonmetastatic prostate cancer (PCa), and the relative efficacy and safety benefits of IAD versus continuous androgen deprivation (CAD) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To add to the knowledge base regarding efficacy and potential benefits, including reduced side effects and improved quality of life (QoL), of IAD versus CAD in patients with nonmetastatic relapsing or locally advanced PCa. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A 42-mo phase 3b open-label randomised study in 933 patients from 20 European countries. INTERVENTION: Following a 6-mo induction with leuprorelin acetate (Eligard) 22.5mg 3-mo depot, patients were randomised to CAD or IAD with leuprorelin for 36 mo. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary end point was time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression while receiving luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist, defined as three consecutive increasing PSA values ≥ 4 ng/ml ≥ 2 wk apart. Secondary end points included PSA progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), testosterone levels, performance status, and QoL. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 933 patients entered the induction phase; 701 were randomised. The median number of injections administered after randomisation was 12 (range: 1-12) for the CAD group and 3 (range: 1-10) for the IAD group. There were no statistically significant or clinically relevant differences between the groups for time to PSA progression, PSA PFS, OS, mean PSA levels over time, or QoL. A similar number of adverse events was observed in each group; the most common were hot flushes and hypertension. Study limitations include the open-label design and absence of formal testosterone recovery assessment. CONCLUSIONS: IAD and CAD demonstrated similar efficacy, tolerability, and QoL in men with nonmetastatic PCa. The principal benefit of IAD compared with CAD is a potential cost reduction with comparable OS rates. There are no apparent QoL benefits. PATIENT SUMMARY: This randomised trial showed that both intermittent and continuous hormone therapy had similar efficacy, tolerability, and quality-of-life profiles in patients with relapsing M0 or locally advanced prostate cancer. Intermittent therapy may be a valid option for selected patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00378690.

Prostate carcinoma in liver transplant recipients: Think about it!

OBJECTIVES: To analyze retrospectively our series of prostate cancer (PC) in liver transplant recipients (LTRs) given an increase in frequency in an aging recipient population when no studies were reported in literature. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of LTRs in a single institution. After liver transplantation, all patients were followed up in our institution with an annual digital rectal examination by a urologist and prostate-specific antigen measurement after the age of 50 years. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2013, among 361 male LTRs, 12 (3.3%) had PC. The mean age at diagnosis was 62.8 years, and the time lapse between liver transplantation and diagnosis was 55.7 months. The median initial prostate-specific antigen level was 7.4ng/ml. In total, 9 patients underwent radical prostatectomy. Histological findings showed 5 pT2 and 4 pT3 cancers. A patient showed invasion in the lymph nodes and was treated with hormonotherapy. Another patient had a biochemical recurrence at 10 months and underwent salvage radiotherapy. After 32.9 months of follow-up, no other patients showed any recurrence. Moreover, 1 patient was treated by radiohormonotherapy for high-risk PC with no recurrence at 65 months, and 1 patient was treated with high-intensity focal ultrasound. There was 1 patient with metastatic disease who received hormonotherapy and died 5 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our incidence of intermediate- and high-risk PCs in LTRs was slightly higher than in the general population. In the absence of any recommendations, individual screening should be proposed to LTRs. The treatment of choice remains surgery or radiotherapy to ensure a good carcinologic control.

Prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer to prepare for renal transplantation in end-stage renal disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Surgical difficulties of renal transplantation related to prostate cancer (PC) treatment and the results of renal transplantation after radical prostatectomy are currently poorly known, as well as oncological follow-up before and after renal transplantation. MATERIAL/METHODS: We performed a retrospective study including all patients diagnosed with PC before renal transplantation in our department. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included between August 2003 and December 2013. The mean age at diagnosis of PC was 61.7 years (range 51.4-71.1). PSA mean level at diagnosis was 8.5 ng/ml (range 4.8-20). Fourteen had a retro-pubic and 5 a laparoscopic prostatectomy. Three patients underwent radiotherapy for positive surgical margins or extra-capsular extension. Fourteen patients were transplanted. The mean time lapse between prostatectomy and kidney transplantation was 32.8 months (range 14-71). Seven recipients (50%) were transplanted less than 24 months after prostatectomy. Post-transplantation surgical complications were not significantly related to dissection difficulties (p=0.2). No recurrence of PC was observed after renal transplantation, with a mean follow-up of 38 months (range 6-77.9). CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer discovered before renal transplantation should be treated by radical prostatectomy to assess recurrence risk. If the PC is at low risk of recurrence, it seems possible to shorten the 2-year period of oncologic follow-up before transplantation called for in current recommendations.

Prostate cancer in deceased organ donors: a review.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the risk of prostate cancer transmission in relation with organ procurement. METHODS: A literature search from the Medline database using the following keywords-transplantation, prostate cancer, organ procurement, donor transmitted malignancies, disease transmission, staging, evaluation, and PSA-was conducted to select 16 articles written in English and French over the last 15 years. RESULTS: The incidence of prostate cancer in deceased organ donors (DOD) has been estimated to be between 3% and 18.5%. There were more than 120 solid-organ transplantations performed with organs coming from DOD with a proven prostate cancer without any case of cancer transmission or death related to malignancy and only 1 case of transmission by the donor after a heart transplant has been described. CONCLUSION: Transmission of prostate cancer by a transplanted organ seems incidental. When PSA is measured, it should be suspected only if the value is beyond 20 ng/ml and in all cases, should be interpreted taking digital rectal examination (DRE) into account. Organs from a DOD with a DRE proving a T3-T4 prostate cancer should not be procured. Suspect iliac lymph nodes during the preparation of the vessels for cannulation must lead to the discontinuation of the procurement or a histological analysis.

Does daily urine output really matter in renal transplantation?

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to clarify the clinical outcome of renal transplantation based on residual daily urine output (RDUO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a prospective database of 276 patients who underwent renal transplantation (Tx) between January 2008 and December 2012. Patients had pre-transplantation daily urine output measurement of 24-h proteinuria and were clinically re-evaluated the day before transplantation. We included patients with no daily urine output and those with residual daily urine output. Real bladder capacity was not measured. We excluded patients with a history of lower urinary tract malformation, those treated by trans-ileal conduit or enterocystoplasty, and those with early graft thrombosis or graft primary non-function. RESULTS: Sex ratio, age at Tx, pre-Tx MHC antibodies levels, donor age, and cold ischemia duration were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Dialysis duration was longer in group I (p<0.001). The dialysis duration was correlated with the volume of residual urine output (r=0.12, p<0.0001). We found 14 (19.4%) urological complications in Group I (11 urinary leaks and 3 urethral stenosis) and 13 (6.4%) in Group II (5 urinary leaks and 8 stenosis). This difference was significant (p=0.0013 and relative risk [RR]=2.2). Absence of residual daily urine output was a risk factor of post-transplantation urinary leak (p<0.0001: RR=2.95). At 3 years, graft survival was 74.7% and 94.6%, respectively, in Group I and II (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of residual daily urine output seems to be a major risk factor for urological complications. Taking into account recipient residual daily urine output should modify surgical strategy during renal transplantation.

Impact of lymphovascular invasion on oncological outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma after radical nephroureterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) on upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) in a multicentre study on cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival and metastasis-free survival (MFS). To show the negative impact of LVI for patients with pN0/x disease and to stratify these patients into risk groups for metastatic relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicentre retrospective study was performed on patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy between 1995 and 2010. LVI status was evaluated as a prognostic factor for survival using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 551 patients were included and were divided into two groups: those without LVI (LVI-), n = 388 and those with LVI (LVI+), n = 163. LVI+ status was associated with high stage and grade UTUC and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). The 5-year CSS and MFS rates were significantly worse in the LVI+ group than in LVI- group (52.2 vs 84.5%, P < 0.001 and 43.8 vs 82.7%, P < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, LVI+ status was an independent prognostic factor for CSS and MFS (P = 0.04 and P < 0.001). These findings were confirmed for the pN0/x patient subgroup (n = 504, P < 0.001). In the pN0/x patient subgroup, we described a prognostic tool for MFS based on independent factors that permitted us to stratify patients into groups of high, intermediate or low risk of metastasis relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of LVI was a strong predictor of a poor outcome for UTUC. When a lymphadenectomy has not been achieved, the report of LVI status is crucial to identfiy those patients at higher risk for metastatic relapse.

The impact of lymph node status and features on oncological outcomes in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC) treated by nephroureterectomy.

PURPOSE: Prognostic impact of lymphadenectomy during radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC) is controversial. Our aim was to assess the impact of lymph node status (LNS) on survival in patients treated by RNU. METHODS: In our multi-institutional, retrospective database, 714 patients with non-metastatic UTUC had undergone RNU between 1995 and 2010. LNS was tested as prognostic factor for survivals through univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Median age was 70 years [interquartile range (IQR), 60-75] with median follow-up of 27 months (IQR, 10-50). Overall, lymphadenectomy was performed in 254 patients (35.5 %). Among these patients, 204 (80 %) had negative lymph nodes (pN0) and 50 (20 %) had positive lymph nodes (pN1/2). The 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) was 81 % [95 % confidence interval (CI), 73-88 %] for pN0 patients, 85 % (95 % CI, 80-90 %) for pNx patients and 47 % (95 % CI, 24-69 %) for pN1/2 patients (p < 0.001). Metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were significantly lower in pN1/2 patients than in pN0 and pNx patients (p < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, LNS did not appear as an independent prognostic factor for CSS, OS or MFS (p > 0.05). In case of lymph node involvement, extra-nodal extension was marginally associated with worse CSS (log rank p = 0.07). The retrospective design was the main limitation. CONCLUSION: LNS is helpful for survival stratification in patients treated with RNU for UTUC. However, LNS did not appear as an independent predictor of survival in this retrospective series and needs to be investigated in a large multicentre, prospective evaluation.

A proportion of hereditary upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas are misclassified as sporadic according to a multi-institutional database analysis: proposal of patient-specific risk identification tool.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch syndrome, is an autosomal dominant multi-organ cancer syndrome. Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas belong to HNPCC-related tumours and rank third within this group after colorectal and endometrial cancer. However, many urologists are not aware of this association and it is presumed that some hereditary cancers are misclassified as sporadic and that their incidence is underestimated. Consequently, family members of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas secondary to HNPCC may be denied appropriate surveillance and early detection. A significant proportion of patients (21.3%) with newly diagnosed upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas may have underlying HNPCC. Demographic and epidemiological characteristics suggest different mechanisms of carcinogenesis among this population. Recognition of such potential is essential for appropriate clinical and genetic management of patients and family. In order to help to identify these patients, we propose a patient-specific checklist. OBJECTIVE: • To identify, based on previously described clinical criteria, hereditary upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UUT-UCs) that are likely to be misclassified as sporadic although they may belong to the spectrum of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) associated cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • We identified, using established clinical criteria, suspected hereditary UUT-UC among 1122 patients included in the French national database for UUT-UC. • Patients were considered at risk for hereditary status in the following situations: age at diagnosis <60 years with no previous history of bladder cancer; previous history of HNPCC-related cancer regardless of age; one first-degree relative with HNPCC-related cancer diagnosed before 50 years of age or two first-degree relatives diagnosed regardless of age. RESULTS: • Overall, 239 patients (21.3%) were considered to be at risk of hereditary UUT-UC. • Compared with sporadic cases, hereditary cases are more likely to be female (P= 0.047) with less exposure to tobacco (P= 0.012) and occupational carcinogens (P= 0.037). A greater proportion of tumours were located in the renal pelvis (54.5% vs 48.4%; P= 0.026) and were lower grade (40% vs 30.1%; P= 0.015) in the hereditary cohort. • The overall, cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival rates were similar in both cohorts. • We propose a patient-specific risk identification tool. CONCLUSIONS: • A significant proportion (21.3%) of patients with newly diagnosed UUT-UC may have underlying HNPCC as a cause. • Recognition of such potential and application of a patient-specific checklist upon diagnosis will allow identification and appropriate clinical and genetic management for patient and family.