Functional outcomes following external beam radiation therapy for patients with prior holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is an increasingly popular size-independent technique of treating male voiding dysfunction due to benign prostatic hypertrophy. Some patients after HoLEP may develop clinically significant prostate cancer and opt for definitive treatment with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Little is known about the safety of EBRT after HoLEP and how it may functionally impact voiding after HoLEP has altered the anatomy of the prostate. Our study aimed to assess patient-reported voiding outcomes following EBRT after HoLEP with a focus on incontinence related patient outcomes. METHODS/MATERIALS: This study was conducted with approval from our hospital's institutional review board. Patients that underwent HoLEP followed by EBRT were identified and data were collected in a retrospective nature from a single surgeon HoLEP cohort over the past 4 years (2019-2023). Patient demographics, disease and radiation therapy characteristics, radiation therapy, and baseline voiding symptoms were recorded. Current functional voiding outcomes were also collected via phone-call or portal communication in a cross-sectional manner with questions pertaining to type of incontinence, IPSS quality of life score, and administration of the Michigan incontinence symptom index (M-ISI). Adverse events encountered during follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: 24 patients were identified who received RT for prostate cancer after HoLEP with an average age of 73.6 (± 5.3). One third of patients reported no incontinence whatsoever after radiation and of those who experienced incontinence, the majority felt that it was not worsened after radiation. Median IPSS QoL score following radiation was 1 (range 0-6), median M-ISI Severity Score was 4 out of a maximum of 32, and median M-ISI bother score was 0 out of a maximum of 8. One patient developed a bladder neck contracture (BNC) approximately 1 year following his radiation therapy (approximately 18 months after HoLEP) causing bothersome incontinence and LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort most patients who received RT after HoLEP reported a high urinary-symptom related quality of life and a low rate of urinary incontinence. One patient who received SBRT suffered a BNC which is a known adverse event with RT but given our small sample size it remains unclear if the risk is higher in patients receiving RT after HoLEP. Larger studies should focus on examining the rate of bladder neck contracture in patients receiving RT after HoLEP, particularly focusing on whether the degree of dose fractionation may impact their development.

Is there a relationship between testosterone and androgen receptor with prostatectomy outcomes?

INTRODUCTION:   Prostate cancer has a variable natural history and, despite the existence of biochemical recurrence (BCR) predictors, they are still limited in predicting outcomes.  The role of testosterone in advanced prostate cancer is well known, however its role in localized prostate cancer is still uncertain.  In the present study, we evaluated the relationship of testosterone levels and androgen receptor (AR) expression with oncological and functional outcomes, in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS:   Through a retrospective study, patients who underwent RRP, who had at least two preoperative total testosterone dosages, were analyzed and compared according to testosterone levels, oncological and functional outcomes.  After analyzing data, tissue samples were selected in a biorepository to carry out the AR and the AR-V7 expression. RESULTS:   After applying exclusion criteria, 212 patients were included in the analysis.  Thirty-two patients (15.1%) had low testosterone levels and, in this group, a lower rates of erectile function recovery were observed at 24 months (53.1% vs. 71.7%; p = 0.037), a higher rate of BCR (21.9% vs. 9.4%; p = 0.041) and higher International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade in biopsy products.  The AR expression was higher in patients with low testosterone, but there was no difference in relapse rates. CONCLUSIONS:   Lower levels of testosterone were related to lower rates of erectile function recovery at the end of 24 months after RRP, in addition to conferring higher rates of BCR and higher ISUP grades in biopsy.  Furthermore, patients with total testosterone < 300 ng/dL had higher expression of AR, but no difference in BCR rates.

Effects on patient activation of eHealth support in addition to standard care in patients after radical prostatectomy: Analysis of secondary outcome from a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is often treated with radical prostatectomy, but surgery can leave patients with side effects. Patients who actively take part in their rehabilitation have been shown to achieve better clinical outcomes. eHealth support has the potential to increase patient activation, but has rarely been evaluated in long-term randomized controlled trials. Therefore, we evaluated the effects on patient activation of eHealth support (electronic Patient Activation in Treatment at Home, ePATH) based on motivational theory. The aim was to investigate the effects of eHealth support on patient activation at 6 and 12 months after radical prostatectomy, compared with standard care alone, and associations with baseline patient activation and depression. METHODS: A multicentre randomized controlled trial with two study arms was conducted. Men planned for radical prostatectomy at three county hospitals in southern Sweden were included and randomized to the intervention or control group. The effects of ePATH on the secondary outcome, patient activation, were evaluated for one year after surgery using the patient activation measure and analysed using a linear mixed model. RESULTS: The study included 170 men during 2018-2019. In the intervention group, 64% (53/83) used ePATH. The linear mixed model showed no significant differences between groups in patient activation [ß -2.32, P .39; CI -7.64-3.00]. Baseline patient activation [ß 0.65, P < .001; CI 0.40-0.91] and depression [ß -0.86, P .03; CI -1.64- -0.07] statistically impacted patient activation scores over one year. CONCLUSIONS: ePATH had no impact on patient activation during long-term prostate cancer rehabilitation. However, patient activation at baseline and depression scores significantly influenced patient activation, underlining the need to assess these aspects in prostate cancer surgery rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN18055968, (07/06/2018); https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18055968; International Registered Report Identifier: RR2-10.2196/11625.

First impressions of Telesurgery robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy using the Edge medical robotic platform.

PURPOSE: We reported, as a referral center in prostate cancer, our perspectives and experience performing Telesurgery using robotic surgery and 5G network. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We described and illustrated the Telesurgery applications and outcomes to treat a patient with prostate cancer located 1300 kilometers away from the surgeon (Beijing-Harbin) in China. We used the Edge Medical Robot (MP1000) in November 2023 in a 71-year-old patient with Gleason 6 (ISUP 1) in 8 cores from 13, PSA of 14 ng/dL, and clinical stage cT2a. MRI described a PIRADS 5 nodule on the left peripheral zone at the base, and 20gr prostate. We described details about the connection between centers, perioperative outcomes, and our perspectives as a referral center in prostate cancer. RESULTS: We had no delays, or problems with network connection between the centers. The procedure was performed in 60 minutes, with no intra- or postoperative complications. Estimated blood loss was 100 mL. The patient was ambulating soon after anesthesia recovery. Final pathology described a Gleason 6 (ISUP 1) involving the left base and left seminal vesicle, negative surgical margins, and no lymph node involvement (pT3bN0). The patient was continent soon after catheter removal (7 days). CONCLUSION: As technological progress introduced novel robotic platforms and high-speed networks, the concept of Telesurgery became a tangible reality while 5G technology solved latency and transmission concerns. However, with these advancements, ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks should underline the importance of transparency and patient safety with responsible innovation in the field.

MRI-based PI-RADS score predicts ISUP upgrading and adverse pathology at radical prostatectomy in men with biopsy ISUP 1 prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Most men diagnosed with very-low and low-risk prostate cancer are candidates for active surveillance; however, there is still a misclassification risk. We examined whether PI-RADS category 4 or 5 combined with ISUP 1 on prostate biopsy predicts upgrading and/or adverse pathology at radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 127 patients had ISUP 1 cancer on biopsy after multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and then underwent radical prostatectomy. We then evaluated them for ISUP upgrading and/or adverse pathology on radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: Eight-nine patients (70%) were diagnosed with PI-RADS 4 or 5 lesions. ISUP upgrading was significantly higher among patients with PI-RADS 4-5 lesions (84%) compared to patients with equivocal or non-suspicious mpMRI findings (26%, p < 0.001). Both PI-RADS 4-5 lesions (OR 24.3, 95% CI 7.3, 80.5, p < 0.001) and stage T2 on DRE (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.2, 29.4, p = 0.03) were independent predictors of upgrading on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Men with PI-RADS 4-5 lesions also had significantly more extra-prostatic extension (51% vs. 3%, p < 0.001) and positive surgical margins (16% vs. 3%. p = 0.03). The only independent predictor of adverse pathology was PI-RADS 4-5 (OR 21.7, 95% CI 4.8, 99, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PI-RADS 4 or 5 lesions on mpMRI were strong independent predictors of upgrading and adverse pathology. Incorporating mpMRI findings when selecting patients for active surveillance must be further evaluated in future studies.

A costing and health-related quality of life study of high intensity focused ultrasound in primary treatment of localized low or intermediate risk prostate cancer in Ontario.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer among Canadian men. High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a novel approach for primary treatment of localized prostate cancer. Little is known, however, about its costs. We aimed to collect the direct costs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data of HIFU in primary treatment of localized low and intermediate risk prostate cancer in Ontario. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected direct costs and HRQoL data of 20 patients with localized low or intermediate risk prostate cancer who received whole-gland HIFU at a privately owned clinic in Ontario. We compared the direct costs of HIFU, open radical prostatectomy (ORP), robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), and external beam radiation therapy (RT) in primary treatment of localized low and intermediate risk prostate cancer. RESULTS: The average direct costs of HIFU, ORP, RARP, and RT per case in 2023 are $14,886.78, $14,192.26, $21,794.55, and $17,377.51, respectively. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of the study participants' age and HRQoL data prior to the HIFU procedure were 64.5 (11.25) years, 94.5 (8.65), 38.5 (4), 6.0 (4.46), and 22.5 (8.32), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our healthcare payer's perspective costing study revealed median direct costs per case of HIFU and favorable HRQoL outcomes compared to other treatment options for primary treatment of localized low and intermediate risk prostate cancer in Ontario. A health economic model is warranted to analyze the cost-effectiveness of HIFU compared to other treatment options in primary treatment of localized low and intermediate risk prostate cancer.

Effect of Preoperative Nursing Visit on Anxiety and Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effect of preoperative nursing visit on anxiety and postoperative complications in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and to provide a better perioperative management plan for patients with prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing surgical treatment. METHODS: The medical records of 199 patients who underwent PCa treatment in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively analysed. The reference group received preoperative routine nursing, whereas the observation group implemented preoperative nursing visit. The stress indexes, quality of life, negative emotion level and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Before management, no significant difference in the levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). After management, the levels of the abovementioned stress indicators in the observation group were lower than those in the reference group (p < 0.001). Before management, no significant difference in Short-Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) scores was observed between the two groups (p > 0.05). After management, the observation group had higher SF-36 score than the reference group (p < 0.001). Before management, no significant difference in Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). After management, the observation group had lower HAMA and HAMD scores than the reference group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, no significant difference in the incidence of complications was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative nursing visit can reduce the anxiety of patients with PCa to a certain extent. This scheme can promote the postoperative recovery of patients, and it has certain clinical application and promoting values.

Impact of Immunohistochemical Biomarkers on Predicting the Risk of Biochemical Recurrence for Patients that Underwent Radical Prostatectomy: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a significant global health issue, exhibiting a spectrum of clinical behaviours from indolent to aggressive. Biomarkers are crucial for risk assessment, treatment selection and prognosis prediction. Despite their importance, accurately evaluating PCa aggressiveness and guiding personalised treatment strategies present challenges. This review aims to evaluate biomarkers for assessing recurrence risk following radical prostatectomy, with a focus on personalised follow-up and timely intervention for high-risk patients. This review assesses the clinical significance of immunohistochemical biomarkers, including LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1), Antigen Kiel 67 (Ki67), PTEN and ERG, in PCa management. A comprehensive literature review examined the correlation between these biomarkers and biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Our search included articles published between 2019 and 2024, yielding 87 articles, with 7 focused on the correlation between LIMK1 and BCR, 46 on Ki67 and 34 on PTEN/ERG biomarkers. After applying the exclusion criteria, 36 articles were included for review. LIMK1, a serine/threonine kinase, is highly expressed in cancers like PCa. It influences cell survival and motility through actin cytoskeleton reorganisation, correlating with poor prognosis, aggressive tumour behaviour and BCR. Similarly, Ki67, a marker of cell proliferation, predicts high-risk PCa and worse prognosis, particularly in castration-resistant cases, although its association with recurrence risk remains debated. PTEN loss and ERG fusion are prevalent genetic alterations in PCa, with PTEN loss linked to poor prognosis and ERG fusion associated with increased disease progression and BCR post-prostatectomy. Integrating these biomarkers into clinical practice can enhance risk stratification and inform personalised treatment strategies for patients with PCa. Despite promising findings, further validation studies and standardisation of detection methods are needed to ensure the clinical utility of these biomarkers. Continued research is essential to validate and optimise the clinical utility of these biomarkers, paving the way for more effective PCa management strategies and improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

From simulation to surgery, advancements and challenges in robotic training for radical prostatectomy: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The landscape of surgical training is undergoing transformative changes, especially in the realm of robot-assisted procedures like radical prostatectomy (RARP). This narrative review explores the evolving methodologies and innovations in RARP training, emphasizing the shift from traditional training approaches, such as the Halsted method, to more scientific methods like proficiency-based progression (PBP). The rationale for the review stems from the increased adoption of robot-assisted surgery and the resulting increase in associated adverse events reported in the United States. The Patient Safety in Robotic Surgery (SAFROS) project initiated by the European Commission of the World Health Organization emphasized the importance of structured training programs for robotic surgeons. However, the review points out the limited availability of standardized curricula for RARP training, leading to non-homogeneous training worldwide. METHODS: PubMed was searched primarily for the following topics: training AND robotic AND prostatectomy; robotic training AND prostatectomy AND learning; simulator AND robotic AND prostatectomy. Literature was selected based on historical significance and landmark studies as well as publications published after 2000. References from select studies were additionally included. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: The advent of robotic surgery, especially in RARP, demands unique skills necessitating specialized training. The review delves into the diverse stages of robotic surgery training, starting with e-learning and progressing through virtual reality simulators, dry and wet laboratories, culminating in modular console training. Each training stage plays a critical role, addressing the challenges posed by new technologies and tools. CONCLUSIONS: The ever-evolving landscape of surgical training underscores the critical need for globally standardized, effective, and accessible programs. PBP emerges as a promising methodology, and technological advancements open new possibilities for telementoring via platforms like 5G. This review emphasizes the imperative to equip surgeons with the requisite skills for intricate procedures like RARP, addressing current challenges while anticipating the future developments in this dynamic field.

3D virtual models and augmented reality for radical prostatectomy: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The increasing popularity of three-dimensional (3D) virtual reconstructions of two-dimensional (2D) imaging in urology has led to significant technological advancements, resulting in the creation of highly accurate 3D virtual models (3DVMs) that faithfully replicate individual anatomical details. This technology enhances surgical reality, providing surgeons with hyper-accurate insights into instantaneous subjective surgical anatomy and improving preoperative surgical planning. In the uro-oncologic field, the utility of 3D virtual reconstruction has been demonstrated in nephron-sparing surgery, impacting surgical strategy and postoperative outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study is to offer a thorough narrative review of the current state and application of 3D reconstructions and augmented reality (AR) in radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: A non-systematic literature review was conducted using Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane Database, and Embase to gather information on clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, review articles, and prospective and retrospective studies related to 3DVMs and AR in RP. The search strategy followed the PICOS (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study design) criteria and was performed in January 2024. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: The adoption of 3D visualization has become widespread, with applications ranging from preoperative planning to intraoperative consultations. The urological community's interest in intraoperative surgical navigation using cognitive, virtual, mixed, and AR during RP is evident in a substantial body of literature, including 16 noteworthy investigations. These studies highlight the varied experiences and benefits of incorporating 3D reconstructions and AR into RP, showcasing improvements in preoperative planning, intraoperative navigation, and real-time decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of 3DVMs and AR technologies in urological oncology, particularly in the context of RP, has shown promising advancements. These technologies provide crucial support in preoperative planning, intraoperative navigation, and real-time decision-making, significantly improving the visualization of complex anatomical structures helping in the nerve sparing (NS) approach modulation and reducing positive surgical margin (PSM) rate. Despite positive outcomes, challenges such as small patient cohorts, lack of standardized methodologies, and concerns about costs and technology adoption persist.

Advancements in artificial intelligence for robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy in men suffering from prostate cancer: results from a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is currently a first-line treatment option for men with localized prostate cancer (PCa), at least 10 years of life expectancy, and candidate for curative treatment. We performed a scoping review to evaluate the role of artificial intelligence (AI) on RARP for PCa. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using EMBASE, PubMed, and Scopus. Only English papers were accepted. The PICOS (Patient Intervention Comparison Outcome Study type) model was used; P: adult men with PCa undergoing RARP; I: use of AI; C: none; O: preoperative planning improvement and postoperative outcomes; S: prospective and retrospective studies. RESULTS: Seventeen papers were included, dealing with prediction of positive surgical margins/extraprostatic extension, biochemical recurrence, patient's outcomes, intraoperative superimposition of magnetic resonance images to identify and locate lesions for nerve-sparing surgery, identification and labeling of surgical steps, and quality of surgery. All studies found improving outcomes in procedures employing AI. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of AI in RARP represents a transformative advancement in surgical practice, augmenting surgical precision, enhancing decision-making processes and facilitating personalized patient care. This holds immense potential to improve surgical outcomes and teaching, and mitigate complications. This should be balanced against the current costs of implementation of robotic platforms with such a technology.

Characteristics of lymphoedema, in particular midline lymphoedema, after treatment for prostate cancer: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer may develop lymphoedema of the midline region. This has a substantial impact on a patient's quality of life and its diagnosis is often delayed or missed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics of patients with leg and midline lymphoedema to patients with only leg lymphoedema. METHODS: We retrospectively collected patient-, cancer-, lymphoedema- and lymphoedema treatment-related data of 109 men with lymphoedema after treatment for prostate cancer. First, 42 characteristics were compared between both groups. Second, factors predicting presence of midline lymphoedema were explored by multivariable analyses. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients with lymphoedema was 68 ( ±7) years and mean BMI is 28 (±4) kg/m2. Median duration of lymphoedema before the first consultation was 27 (9;55) months. Based on univariable analyses, patients with leg and midline lymphoedema had more frequently upper leg lymphoedema (89% (31/35) vs. 69% (51/74), p = 0.026), skin fibrosis (34% (12/35) vs. 16% (12/74), p = 0.034) and lymphatic reconstructive surgery (9% (3/35) vs. 0% (0/71), p = 0.020) than patients with only leg lymphoedema. Additionally, patients with leg and midline lymphoedema reported less frequently lower leg lymphoedema (77% (27/35) vs. 95% (70/74), p = 0.007). Based on the multivariable analysis, not having lower leg lymphoedema, skin fibrosis, performing self-bandaging and self-manual lymphatic drainage appear to be predictors for having midline lymphoedema. CONCLUSIONS: If patients with lymphoedema after prostate cancer do not have lower leg lymphoedema, have skin fibrosis, perform self-bandaging or self-manual lymphatic drainage, they possibly have midline lymphoedema.

Nomogram predicting early urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: One of the most frequent side effects of radical prostatectomy (RP) is urinary incontinence. The primary cause of urine incontinence is usually thought to be impaired urethral sphincter function; nevertheless, the pathophysiology and recovery process of urine incontinence remains unclear. This study aimed to identify potential risk variables, build a risk prediction tool that considers preoperative urodynamic findings, and direct doctors to take necessary action to reduce the likelihood of developing early urinary incontinence. METHODS: We retrospectively screened patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023 at the First People 's Hospital of Nantong, China. According to nomogram results, patients who developed incontinence within three months were classified as having early incontinence. The training group's general characteristics were first screened using univariate logistic analysis, and the LASSO method was applied for the best prediction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine independent risk factors for early postoperative urine incontinence in the training group and to create nomograms that predict the likelihood of developing early urinary incontinence. The model was internally validated by computing the performance of the validation cohort. The nomogram discrimination, correction, and clinical usefulness were assessed using the c-index, receiver operating characteristic curve, correction plot, and clinical decision curve. RESULTS: The study involved 142 patients in all. Multivariate logistic regression analysis following RP found seven independent risk variables for early urinary incontinence. A nomogram was constructed based on these independent risk factors. The training and validation groups' c-indices showed that the model had high accuracy and stability. The calibration curve demonstrates that the corrective effect of the training and verification groups is perfect, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve indicates great identification capacity. Using a nomogram, the clinical net benefit was maximised within a probability threshold of 0.01-1, according to decision curve analysis (DCA). CONCLUSION: The nomogram model created in this study can offer a clear, personalised analysis of the risk of early urine incontinence following RP. It is highly discriminatory and accurate, and it can help create efficient preventative measures and identify high-risk populations.

Active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer with high tumor burden at biopsy: lessons learned from a contemporary radical prostatectomy cohort.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate whether initial tumor burden at biopsy could predict adverse features after radical prostatectomy (RP) in International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) 1 prostate cancer (PCa) patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in six referral centers. The cohort included patients with ISUP 1 PCa at systematic and MRI-targeted biopsy. We defined a high tumor burden at biopsy if ≥ 20% of cores were positive. The endpoint of the study was adverse features at RP, defined as ≥ pT3a stage and/or N1 and/or ISUP ≥ 3. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess associations between different thresholds on biopsy (percentage of positive cores [PPC] ≥ 25%, ≥ 33%, ≥ 50%, bilateral positivity and positive cores > 3) and adverse features. As the number of targeted biopsies sampled may influence the number of positive cores, we used a virtual biopsy model in which all targeted biopsy results were interpreted as a single targeted biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 312 contemporary patients were included. At final pathology, 99 patients (32%) had adverse features. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, there was no statistical association between PPC > 20% and adverse features (OR = 1.22; 95%CI:0.69-2.22, p = 0.5). In sensitivity analysis, tumor burden at biopsy was not associated with the risk of adverse features, regardless of the definition used (all p > 0.05). When we considered a unique virtual targeted biopsy, tumor burden remained not associated with adverse features (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ISUP 1 PCa tumor burden at biopsy did not predict adverse features in this study, suggesting that it should not be used alone as an exclusion criterion when assessing eligibility for active surveillance.

A novel assessment of whole-mount Gleason grading in prostate cancer to identify candidates for radical prostatectomy: a machine learning-based multiomics study.

Purpose: This study aims to assess whole-mount Gleason grading (GG) in prostate cancer (PCa) accurately using a multiomics machine learning (ML) model and to compare its performance with biopsy-proven GG (bxGG) assessment. Materials and Methods: A total of 146 patients with PCa recruited in a pilot study of a prospective clinical trial (NCT02659527) were retrospectively included in the side study, all of whom underwent 68Ga-PSMA-11 integrated positron emission tomography (PET) / magnetic resonance (MR) before radical prostatectomy (RP) between May 2014 and April 2020. To establish a multiomics ML model, we quantified PET radiomics features, pathway-level genomics features from whole exome sequencing, and pathomics features derived from immunohistochemical staining of 11 biomarkers. Based on the multiomics dataset, five ML models were established and validated using 100-fold Monte Carlo cross-validation. Results: Among five ML models, the random forest (RF) model performed best in terms of the area under the curve (AUC). Compared to bxGG assessment alone, the RF model was superior in terms of AUC (0.87 vs 0.75), specificity (0.72 vs 0.61), positive predictive value (0.79 vs 0.75), and accuracy (0.78 vs 0.77) and showed slightly decreased sensitivity (0.83 vs 0.89) and negative predictive value (0.80 vs 0.81). Among the feature categories, bxGG was identified as the most important feature, followed by pathomics, clinical, radiomics and genomics features. The three important individual features were bxGG, PSA staining and one intensity-related radiomics feature. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a superior assessment of the developed multiomics-based ML model in whole-mount GG compared to the current clinical baseline of bxGG. This enables personalized patient management by identifying high-risk PCa patients for RP.

Efficiency of HoLEP in patients with detrusor underactivity and renal dysfunction secondary to BPO.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the bladder and renal functional outcomes of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients with benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) complicated by detrusor underactivity (DU) and secondary renal dysfunction. METHODS: Thirty-one patients were included in this prospective study. Eligible patients had urinary retention, a bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) greater than 40, a bladder contractility index (BCI) less than 100, abnormal renal function at the initial diagnosis (serum creatinine > 132 µmol/L) and a renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter (PRAPD) > 1.5 cm bilaterally. All patients underwent HoLEP in a routine manner and were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. The baseline characteristics of the patients, perioperative data, postoperative outcomes and complications were assessed. RESULTS: Significant improvement was observed in the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) score, maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual volume (PVR), Scr and RPAPD at the 6-month follow-up. Bladder wall thickness (BWT) exhibited a decreasing trend but did not significantly differ from the preoperative values. No grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred, and grade 3 and lower complications were treated conservatively. Three patients required reinsertion of indwelling catheters, and they were able to void spontaneously after two weeks of catheterisation training and medication treatment. CONCLUSION: HoLEP is an effective treatment for men with BPO accompanied by DU and consequent renal function impairment. Patients are able to regain spontaneous voiding. Both bladder and renal functions were preserved and improved.

Surgical Ablative Therapies in Patients With Radiorecurrent Prostate Cancer.

Management of recurrent prostate cancer following radiotherapy and subsequent radical prostatectomy poses considerable challenges due to potential complications for patients. Focal therapies have emerged as a burgeoning approach in prostate cancer treatment. Research indicates that ablative therapies exhibit encouraging oncological efficacy while maintaining acceptable functional outcomes in salvage interventions. Here, we present a contemporary review of focal therapy treatment modalities as well as oncologic and functional outcomes.