First-line Management of Metastatic Urothelial Cancer: Current and Future Perspectives After the EV-302 and CheckMate-901 Studies.

The standard of care for the first-line management of metastatic urothelial carcinoma has been recently challenged, with the combination of pembrolizumab and enfortumab vedotin (P-EV) strongly arising as a practice-changing option from classical platinum-based chemotherapies. With this paradigm shift on the horizon new questions, including the most suitable second line of treatment for these patients, and the role that the molecular characterization of these tumours will have when selecting these therapies will inevitably arise. Furthermore, after the negative results of the Keynote 361 and IMvigor 130 trials, the combination of nivolumab with platinum-based chemotherapy followed by nivolumab maintenance (Nivo GC-Nivo) has also shown positive results when compared with chemotherapy alone. Translational studies at a molecular, cellular, and functional level will be key to better explain these discordant results. In this Current Perspective, we discuss the potential impact of these results in clinical practice and propose specific guidance for prospective translational research.

Long-term Recurrence and Progression Patterns in a Contemporary Series of Patients with Carcinoma In Situ of the Bladder With or Without Associated Ta/T1 Disease Treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin: Implications for Risk-adapted Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder managed according to current clinical practice guidelines. OBJECTIVE: To assess the patterns of recurrence, progression to muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), and upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in patients with CIS, and to compare the effectiveness of adequate versus inadequate bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective analysis of 386 patients with CIS of the bladder with or without associated pTa/pT1 disease treated with BCG between 2008 and 2015. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Kaplan-Meier estimations and an inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)-Cox regression were performed to compare recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and UTUC incidence over time for patients who received adequate versus inadequate BCG treatment. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The median follow-up was 70.5 mo. At 5 and 10 yr, RFS was 82% and 52%, PFS was 93.6% and 75.8%, and UTUC incidence was 1.7% and 2.9%, respectively. Most recurrence (73.6%) and progression (69.1%) events occurred in the first 3 yr of follow-up, while 38.7% of UTUC incident events were recorded after 5 yr of follow-up. IPTW-Cox regression revealed that patients who received BCG treatment had a lower risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13-0.34), progression (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25-0.87), and UTUC incidence (HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.64). Limitations include the retrospective design and potential selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CIS of the bladder show a high risk of recurrence, progression, and UTUC incidence. Most of these outcomes occur during the first 3 yr of follow-up, but a significant proportion of the events occur at long-term follow-up. Although receipt of adequate BCG treatment improves outcomes, intensive and long-term surveillance may be warranted. PATIENT SUMMARY: We investigated the long-term cancer control outcomes for patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS; cancerous cells that have not spread from where they first formed) of the bladder. Patients with CIS have a high risk of cancer recurrence and progression. Treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) improves outcomes.

Metastatic testicular cancer presenting with hematuria and flank pain.

Testicular cancer (TC) represents 1% of male neoplasms and 5% of urological tumors. Most of seminoma patients and about 55% of patients with nonseminoma TC have stage I disease at diagnosis. TC usually presents with a palpable testicular mass incidentally found by the patient himself or its partner by palpation. It shows excellent cure rates based on their chemosensitivity, especially to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, but careful staging at diagnosis, adequate early treatment based on a multidisciplinary approach and strict follow-up are necessary. We present a case of a 25-year-old male patient who was diagnosed of metastatic TC with an atypical presentation: hematuria, hydronephrosis, and direct infiltration of the ureter by the retroperitoneal mass, mimicking a renal colic. After orchiectomy and placement of a double-J stent, the evolution was favorable, with a good response after the first cycle of chemotherapy with quick resolution of hematuria. After the treatment, a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed. The patient remains disease-free after 3 years of follow-up.

Mitomycin C allergy after passive and device-assisted hyperthermia for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treatment: A retrospective cohort from a high-volume center.

INTRODUCTION: Mitomycin C (MMC) is one of the most frequently utilized intravesical chemotherapy drugs for the management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Allergic reactions (Type 4 delayed hypersensitivity) are seldomly reported in the literature but not so infrequent in daily practice, its incidence has been increasing with the use of device-assisted hyperthermia. This study aims to identify the incidence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of patients with allergic reactions to MMC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-center retrospective cohort from June 2014 to August 2018. Patients with intermediate or high-risk NMIBC were included. Patients received passive MMC (4 weekly and eleven monthly instillations of 40mg of MMC) or Chemohyperthermia (CHT) with MMC (6 weekly and 6-monthly instillations, heated at 43°C [+/- 0.5°C] using Combat BRS). RESULTS: We included 258 patients (MMC = 157, CHT = 101) and found 7 (4.4%) suspected and 4 confirmed (2.4%) allergies in the passive MMC group and 11 suspected (10.9%) and 7 confirmed (6.9%) in the CHT group. The mean number of instillations received before developing the allergy was 6 in the passive MMC and 5 in the CHT group. Seven out of 18 suspected allergy cases were pseudo-allergic reactions with negative allergy tests. Early postoperative MMC instillation was associated with an increased risk of allergy (OR 2.47 [CI 1.39-4.36], P = 0.001), while neither history of atopy nor history of other medications allergy was found to increase the risk. CONCLUSION: MMC allergy risk is increased with the use of device-assisted hyperthermia with an incidence of 2.4% for passive MMC and 6.9% for CHT. History of prior allergies does not seem to increase the risk of developing MMC allergy. In this series 38% of suspected cases were found to be pseudo-allergic reactions, highlighting the need to confirm the diagnosis before definitively stopping the treatment.

Impact of COVID-19 in spanish urology residents: Recommendations and perspective. / El impacto del COVID-19 en la residencia en urología en España: perspectivas y recomendaciones.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously disrupted the day-to-day running of hospitals, affecting the activity of all medical and surgical departments. It has also affected urology residents, depriving them of training at their usual workplaces and forcing them to support COVID units. This has implied not only the loss of daily activities, but also the uncertainty of job opportunities for the final year residents. In addition, the cancellation of numerous events such as congresses, exams,or courses has affected the annual planning of the specialty. A review of the current literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the de-escalation process, on resident training has been carried out using web search and PubMed. The situation of the residents has been analyzed, both through the information generated by recent literature and by the personal experience of the authors, from different areas: evaluation systems, educational and surgical aspects, as well as healthcare work. As a result of this review, the negative impact of the crisison urology resident training can be observed, especially in the surgical field, but new learning opportunities or new forms of communication with the patient can also be observed. These educational and healthcare resources invite the urology resident in particular, and the medical society in general, to reinvent themselves. The aim of this article is to analyse the training of the urology resident in the de-escalation phase. Similarly, the emerging educational resources during the pandemic are synthesized, inviting the reader, and especially the urology resident, to continue their training and learningin these times of uncertainty.

La pandemia por COVID-19 ha irrumpido gravemente en el día a día de los hospitales, afectando a la actividad de todos los servicios médicos y quirúrgicos. Del mismo modo ha afectado a los residentes de urología, privándoles a los mismos de seguir la formación en sus puestos de trabajo habituales y viéndose obligados a dar apoyo a las unidades COVID. Esto ha implicado, no solamente la pérdida de las actividades diarias, si no también la incertidumbre en oportunidades laborales de los residentes de último año. Además, la cancelación de numerosos eventos como congresos, exámenes o cursos, ha afectado a la planificación anual de la especialidad. Se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura actual sobre el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19, así como el proceso de desescalada, en la formación de los residentes mediante búsqueda web y en PubMed. Se ha analizado la situación de los residentes, tanto através de la información generada por la reciente literatura, como por la experiencia personal de los autores, desde distintos ámbitos: sistemas de evaluación, aspectos docentes y quirúrgicos, así como labor asistencial. Como resultado de esta revisión, se observa el impacto negativo de la crisis en la formación del residente en urología, especialmente, en el ámbito quirúrgico, pero también se observan nuevas oportunidades de aprendizaje o formas de comunicación con el paciente. Estos recursos educativos y asistenciales invitan al residente de urología en concreto, y a la sociedad médica en general, a reinventarse. El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar la formación del residente en urología en la fase de desescalada. Del mismo modo, se sintetizan los recursos educativos emergentes durante la pandemia, invitando al lector y, de manera especial al residente de urología, a continuar su formación y aprendizaje ante estos tiempos de incertidumbre.

El impacto del COVID-19 en la residencia en urología en España: perspectivas y recomendaciones / No disponible

La pandemia por COVID-19 ha irrumpido gravemente en el día a día de los hospitales, afectando a la actividad de todos los servicios médicos y quirúrgicos. Del mismo modo ha afectado a los residentes de urología, privándoles a los mismos de seguir la formación en sus puestos de trabajo habituales y viéndose obligados a dar apoyo a las unidades COVID. Esto ha implicado, no solamente la pérdida de las actividades diarias, si no también la incertidumbre en oportunidades laborales de los residentes de último año. Además, la cancelación de numerosos eventos como congresos, exámenes o cursos, ha afectado a la planificación anual de la especialidad. Se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura actual sobre el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19, así como el proceso de desescalada, en la formación de los residentes mediante búsqueda web y en PubMed. Se ha analizado la situación de los residentes, tanto a través de la información generada por la reciente literatura, como por la experiencia personal de los autores, desde distintos ámbitos: sistemas de evaluación, aspectos docentes y quirúrgicos, así como labor asistencial. Como resultado de esta revisión, se observa el impacto negativo de la crisis en la formación del residente en urología, especialmente, en el ámbito quirúrgico, pero también se observan nuevas oportunidades de aprendizaje o formas de comunicación con el paciente. Estos recursos educativos y asistenciales invitan al residente de urología en concreto, y a la sociedad médica en general, a reinventarse. El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar la formación del residente en urología en la fase de desescalada. Del mismo modo, se sintetizan los recursos educativos emergentes durante la pandemia, invitando al lector y, de manera especial al residente de urología, a continuar su formación y aprendizaje ante estos tiempos de incertidumbre

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously disrupted the day-to-day running of hospitals, affecting the activity of all medical and surgical departments. It has also affected urology residents, depriving them of training at their usual workplaces and forcing them to support COVID units. This has implied not only the loss of daily activities, but also the uncertainty of job opportunities for the final year residents. In addition, the cancellation of numerous events such as congresses, exams, or courses has affected the annual planning of the specialty. A review of the current literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the de-escalation process, on resident training has been carried out using web search and PubMed. The situation of the residents has been analyzed, both through the information generated by recent literature and by the personal experience of the authors, from different areas: evaluation systems, educational and surgical aspects, as well as healthcare work. As a result of this review, the negative impact of the crisis on urology resident training can be observed, especially in the surgical field, but new learning opportunities or new forms of communication with the patient can also be observed. These educational and healthcare resources invite the urology resident in particular, and the medical society in general, to reinvent themselves. The aim of this article is to analyse the training of the urology resident in the de-escalation phase. Similarly, the emerging educational resources during the pandemic are synthesized, inviting the reader, and especially the urology resident, to continue their training and learning in these times of uncertainty

The challenge of pseudomonas aeruginosa related infections in a Urology Ward: Epidemiology, risk factors and patterns of antibiotic resistance. / El reto de las infecciones por pseudomonas aeruginosa en un Servicio de Urología: epidemiología, factores de riesgo y patrones de resistencia a antibióticos.

OBJECTIVES: Urological patients usually come up with risk factors for developing infections. Some of these are caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, whose notable resistance rates to antibiotics and aggressiveness make its treatment a challenge in clinical practice. Our objective was to analyze Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections incidence, risk factors and features in patients admitted to a Urology Ward in a tertiary care university hospital in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective observational study from 2012 to 2017, to review all infections in our Ward with a special focus on those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, performing a descriptive analysis and a comparison with other causative agents. RESULTS: 78 Infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation were registered during this period. Having a catheter of the upper urinary tract (CUUT) or comorbidities and undergoing surgery, were frequently observed among these patients although the results did not reach statistically significant differences for more frequent isolation compared to other pathogens. Antibiotic resistance rates were high for cephalosporins (33.3%) and quinolones (50%), while carbapenems (24.4%), aztreonam (10.3%) and amikacin (23.1%) exhibited the best activity. No deaths related to the infection were registered. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly isolated in patients carrying a CUUT. An early suspicion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and knowledge of local antibiotic resistance pattern are of paramount importance for improving the outcomes and handling this worldwide problem.

OBJETIVOS: Los pacientes urológicos se acompañan habitualmente de factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de infecciones. Algunas de éstas son causadas por microorganismos multi-resistentes como Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cuyas notables tasas de resistencia a los antibióticos y agresividad hacen de su tratamiento un reto para la práctica clínica. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la incidencia de infecciones por Pseudomonas aeruginosa, factores de riesgo y características en pacientes ingresados en el Servicio de Urología de un hospital universitario de tercer nivel en España.MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Llevamos a cabo un estudio observacional prospectivo desde 2012 hasta 2017, para revisar todas las infecciones en nuestro Servicio, con especial atención en aquellas causadas por Pseudomonas aeruginosa, haciendo un análisis descriptivo y una comparación con otros agentes causales. RESULTADOS: Durante este periodo se registraron 78 infecciones por Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Frecuentemente estos pacientes portaban un catéter del tracto urinario superior, tenían comorbilidades o se habían sometido a una intervención quirúrgica, aunque ningún factor alcanzó la significación estadística para mayor frecuencia de aislamiento de Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Las tasas de resistencia antibiótica fueron altas para cefalosporinas (33,3%) y quinolonas (50%), mientras que los carbapenémicos (24,4%), aztreonam (10,3%) y amikacina (23,1%) mostraron la mejor actividad. No se registraron éxitus relacionados con estas infecciones. CONCLUSIONES: El aislamiento de Pseudomonas aeruginosa es frecuente en portadores de catéteres del tracto urinario superior. La sospecha precoz de estas infecciones y el conocimiento de los patrones locales de resistencia a antibióticos son de vital importancia para mejorar los resultados de este problema a nivel global.

Plication techniques in Peyronie's disease: new developments.

To date, surgical correction remains the gold standard for patients with stable Peyronie's disease (PD) due to its high efficacy and low morbidity. Among the surgical procedures, penile plication (PP) can be offered to men who have adequate erectile function and penile length (>13 cm), with a curvature <60° and a predicted shortening of maximum 20% of the penis. The aim of this paper is to review the new developments that have emerged in the last years about the use of PP in patients with PD. A nonsystematic review of the literature was carried out searching in the PubMed and EMBASE databases from January 01, 2009 to April 01, 2019 including the words 'Peyronie', 'penile curvature', 'penile induration', 'plication', and 'plicature'. New developments in PP in the last 10 years include avoiding degloving by using a penoscrotal incision, a new mathematical model to predict loss of length after PP, a wider range of indications including patients with severe (≥60°) or complex curvatures, burying knots to avoid later discomfort, and thinning or incising the plaque to prevent excessive shortening. PP is a well-founded procedure with great results in appropriately selected patients. Given the lack of any prospective randomized trial, no clear recommendation can be made of one technique over another.

Prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in a surgical urology ward: observational study-analysis of the problem and strategies for implementation.

PURPOSE: Our purpose is to present the results of our working group, with a view to reduce the incidence and improve the management of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in a urology ward. METHODS: The study consists on an observational database designed with the view to analyse the incidence and characteristics of HAIs in Urology. Based on the results obtained, a critical evaluation was carried out and specific measures put in place to reduce HAIs. Finally, the impact and results of the implemented measures were periodically evaluated. RESULTS: The incidence of HAIs in urology decreased from 6.6 to 7.3% in 2012-2014 to 5.4-5.8% in 2016-2018. In patients with immunosuppression the incidence of HAIs decreased from 12.8 to 18% in 2012-2013 to 8.1-10.2% in 2017-2018, in those with a previous urinary infection fell from 13.6 to 4.8%, in those with a urinary catheter prior to admission from 12.6 to 10.8%, and in patients with a nephrostomy tube from 16 to 10.9%. The effect of the protocol also demonstrated a reduction in the percentage of patients with suspicion of HAIs for whom no culture was taken, from 6% in 2012 to zero in 2017 and 2018. Moreover, the implementation of protocols for empirical treatment has reduced the incidence of patients experiencing inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy from 20 to 8.1%. CONCLUSION: It is essential to monitor the incidence of HAIs, and preventive measures play a useful role in reducing the rate of infection and in optimising their management.

Factors Influencing Intraoperative Blood Loss in Patients Undergoing Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Large Multicenter Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess blood loss during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and investigate the factors influencing it. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysis of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treated with HoLEP at 3 centers. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were measured before surgery and hospital discharge. All blood transfusions performed during and after HoLEP were recorded. Blood loss outcomes were analyzed regarding antithrombotic (antiplatelet/anticoagulant) therapies and drug treatments for BPH and other conditions. RESULTS: The analysis included 963 patients with a mean age of 72 years. Mean (range) prostate size was 102 (40-316) g; 28% of patients were receiving antiplatelets and 11% anticoagulants. Mean (range) prostate-specific antigen was 6.0 (0.3-43.5) ng/dL. Mean (range) operation time was 77 (28-178) minutes. Bladder calculi were found in 54 (5.6%) patients; all of them were successfully treated with cystolitholapaxy. Forty-eight (5%) patients required blood transfusion during or immediately after the HoLEP procedure. Overall, mean (SD) hemoglobin decreased from 14.6 (1.5) g/dL to 12.3 (2.1) g/dL (P <.001), and mean (SD) hematocrit decreased from 44.3% (4.7) to 37.7% (6.5) (P <.001). Neither hemoglobin nor hematocrit decreases were significantly different between patients receiving and not receiving antithrombotic therapy or BPH therapy. CONCLUSION: HoLEP is safe and has no remarkable impact on blood loss. Patients at high risk, such as those receiving antithrombotic therapy, had the same outcome than the rest regarding blood loss, although showed a higher transfusion rate. Operating time may influence hemoglobin decrease; therefore, it should be considered in patients with higher risk of bleeding.

Prospective study analyzing risk factors and characteristics of healthcare-associated infections in a Urology ward.

PURPOSE: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in urological patients have special features due to specific risk factors. Our objective was to evaluate the characteristics and risk factors for HAIs in patients hospitalized in a Urology ward. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated prospectively, from 2012 to 2015, the incidence, types and risk factor for HAIs, microbiological and resistance patterns. RESULTS: The incidence of HAIs was 6.3%. The most common types were urinary infections (70.5%) and surgical site infections (22.1%). Univariate analysis showed an increased risk of HAIs among patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system III-IV (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; p<0.001), immunosuppression (OR, 1.80; p=0.013), previous urinary infection (OR, 4.46; p<0,001), and urinary catheter before admission (OR, 1.74; p<0.001). The surgical procedures with the highest incidence of HAIs were radical cystectomy (54.2%) and renal surgery (8.7%). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Escherichia coli (25.1%), Enterococcus spp. (17.5%), Klebsiella spp. (13.5%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.3%). Enterococcus sp was the most common microorganism after radical cystectomy and in surgical site infections, E. coli showed resistance rates of 53.5% for fluoroquinolones, 9.3% for amikacin. The percentage of extended-spectrum betalactamase producing E. coli was 24.7%. Klebsiella spp. showed resistance rates of 47.8% for fluoroquinolones, 7.1% for amikacin and 4.3% for carbapenems. Enterococcus spp showed resistance rates of 1.7% for vancomycin and; P. aeruginosa of 33.3% for carbapenems and 26.2% for amikacin. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities, previous urinary infections, and urinary catheter are risk factors for HAIs. The microorganisms most commonly isolated were E. coli, Enterococcus and P. aeruginosa. Prospective monitoring may decrease the incidence of infections.