Prostate cancer adverse pathology reclassification in patients undergoing active surveillance in a long-term follow-up series.

BACKGROUND: Active surveillance (AS) has become a valid option for patients with a very low risk of prostate cancer (PC) with a widespread application. There are still a few series, with a medium follow-up longer than 5 years, reporting data on pathological upgrading. The objective is to evaluate the changes in surveillance biopsies of patients with low-risk PC in a long-term follow-up and determine if a longer stay in AS could involve worse pathological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of our institutional database of patients with PC undergoing AS during 2004 to 2018 was performed. The inclusion criteria were prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≤ 10 ng/mL, Gleason grade 1 and T1c/T2a. Patients were assessed by serum PSA level and digital rectal examination at 6-month intervals. Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies were performed during the first year of follow-up, and every 2 or 3 years thereafter. The pathology details of biopsies were analyzed and compared with the current series on AS. RESULTS: Three-hundred nineteen patients undergoing AS were evaluated with a median follow-up of 5.3 years and a mean age of 67.4 years. Sixty-three patients did not meet all the criteria to be considered low-risk PC but were included in the analysis. Overall, 128 patients (40.1%) underwent active treatment (84.7% of them due to pathological progression in surveillance biopsies). The proportion of patients with a reported upgrading ranged between 19.4% and 35.3%, although only the fourth biopsy showed an upgrading proportion of over 30%. Limitations include the retrospective design of the study and the existence of different protocols between other cohorts that make it difficult to compare their results. CONCLUSIONS: For patients who remained in surveillance the percentage of upgrading increased slightly with the time, being more frequent after the third-surveillance biopsy. These findings support the importance of extending surveillance biopsies for patients who remain candidates for curative treatment.

Effect of hospital volume on 90-day mortality after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate 90-day mortality rate of RC for bladder cancer in a nationwide population-based study. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We used mandatory hospital discharge forms of all patients submitted to RC due to bladder cancer in Spain during 2011-2015 (n = 12,154 in 196 hospitals). At present, a centralization policy for RC has not been issued by the health authorities. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We calculated in-hospital, 30-, 60- and 90-day mortality. Average annual RC volume was used as a continuous variable (log-transformed) and also grouped into deciles to identify any potential non-linear relationships. Logistic regression model with mixed effect was performed adjusting for year of surgery, comorbidity, surgical approach, type of admission, age, sex, and hospital size. RESULTS AND LIMITATION: Overall 90-day mortality rate was 6.5%. Lowest mortality rates (3.3% at 90 days) are achieved in hospitals doing more than 38 cases per year. The 90-day adjusted mortality rate is associated with annual average RC volume with a 20.6% decrease per 10 extra RCs/year (95% CI 12.3-28.1% p < 0.001). High Charlson comorbidity index, advanced age, and open surgical approach were the clinical variables associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies an inverse association between 90-day mortality and hospital volume. High-volume hospitals achieve lower mortality rate within 90 days.

A comprehensive analysis of cost of an active surveillance cohort compared to radical prostatectomy as primary treatment for prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Active surveillance (AS) seems to be a cost-effective strategy. However, most publications are based on simulation models of theoretical cohorts, and long-term implications are not usually considered. OBJECTIVE: To assess the real cost differences of two cohorts of men with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) treated with AS or laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in a public health system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed from 2005 to 2009 were included in an AS program (Group 1) or treated with LRP at diagnosis (Group 2), with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Actual costs for each patient were calculated on an individual basis: Group 1: semiannual PSA measurements and repeat biopsies are scheduled every 1-3 years. Costs of outpatient clinic visits were calculated, as well as all tests required for monitoring or active treatment. Group 2: costs of the procedure, emergency visits, re-admissions and outpatient clinic visits were calculated, as well as costs of oncological salvage therapies or functional surgical procedures. RESULTS: Out of 151 men diagnosed with low-risk PC, 54 (35.8%) were included in an AS (Group 1) and 97 (64.2%) were submitted to LRP (Group 2). Mean follow-up for both groups was 6.5 years (SD 1.8) and 6.7 years (SD 1.4), respectively, p = 0.49. Group 1 had a total cost per patient of 2970.47€. Group 2 had a total cost per patient of 5694.06€. CONCLUSIONS: AS was associated with cost-saving over LRP. This cost reduction of AS in the management of low-risk PCa is based on the accounting of real costs of individual patients and confirms previously published estimation-based reports.

Does aetiology of urethral stricture influence the survival of the buccal mucosa graft?-comparative study in patients with penile urethral stricture due to lichen sclerosus vs. idiopathic group.

Background: Lichen sclerosus (LS) is one of causes of male urethral stricture, mainly penile or anterior urethra, and frequently associated with phimosis. This disease involves penile skin and surrounding tissues, which might affect long-term graft survival after a substitution urethroplasty. The aim of this study is to assess LS impact on urethral grafts, comparing outcomes in the LS group versus idiopathic urethral stricture. Methods: Retrospective descriptive analysis of male patients who underwent urethroplasty with buccal mucosa graft (BMG) at our academic institution during the last decade [2008-2021]. Patients were allocated to LS group or idiopathic group depending on the aetiology of urethral stricture. The LS was confirmed by histology. Data collected included patient baseline characteristics, stricture description, perioperative parameters, surgical technique and outcomes. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to assess graft survival in both groups, as univariate and multivariate analysis were performed trying to identify independent risk factors for graft survival. Primary outcome was treatment success, defined as the no need for further treatments. Results: Forty-eight male patients underwent substitution urethroplasty, 11 in LS group and 37 in idiopathic group. Baseline characteristics between both groups were different mainly in terms of age and stricture features (length), with larger strictures in LS group (6.8 vs. 3.5 cm). All grafts were procured from buccal mucosa, while no differences in grafts survival were observed between both groups (40.3 vs. 38.4 months). Mean of patient global impression of improvement (PGI-I) score was 2.1 in LS group vs. 2.4 in idiopathic group. Age, aetiology and smoking habit seems to be independent risk factors for graft survival, but not in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Patients with LS have longer strictures than idiopathic group. No differences were found in graft survival between both groups and independent risk factor for graft survival were not identified.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced prostate cancer?-a tertiary single-centre analysis of oncological results, diagnosis and treatment times.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected care for diseases like cancer. The aim was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on waiting times for diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (PC), as well as the possible effect on the treatment results in PC patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Methods: We compared the results of 497 patients who underwent biopsy prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (1 January-31 December 2019) with those of 290 patients biopsied during the COVID-19 pandemic (1 January-31 December 2020). Demographic data, tumour characteristics, type of treatment and diagnosis times were comparable. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were recorded at consultation prior to biopsy and after treatment. Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests were used to compare continuous variables and percentages, respectively. Results: In 2020, there were fewer urology consultations (35,160 vs. 40,225 in 2019). The median PSA in 2020 was significantly higher (14.3 vs. 9.9 ng/dL in 2019). In 2019, 53.1% (N=264) of the biopsies were positive for cancer vs. 47.2% (N=137) in 2020 (P=0.104). In 2020, more patients presented with metastatic disease (7.3% vs. 1.9%, P=0.009). Also, in 2020 there was a longer waiting time for prostate biopsy (42.1 vs. 35.3 days in 2019, P=0.019). A total of 132 patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LARP). The median time until surgery was similar in both years (71.9 vs. 58.29 days). During 2020, a higher percentage of patients had ISUP grade 4 in the surgical specimen (34.3% vs. 17.5%, P=0.07). Furthermore, a higher percentage of aggressive (pT3) tumours were diagnosed (37.2% vs. 27.2%, P=0.08), and the percentage of patients with involvement of surgical margins was also higher (48.6% vs. 29.3%, P=0.027). There were no differences between the groups in terms of biochemical recurrence or persistent PSA at one year (P=0.711). Conclusions: Delayed biopsy during the COVID-19 period did not appear to adversely impact biopsy results. Patients biopsied in 2020 had higher PSA, possibly due to proper triaging. A higher rate of adverse pathology outcomes was observed in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy during the pandemic, probably due to understaging of the biopsy. This study serves to raise awareness of the risk of deterioration of care of PC patients due to possible underdiagnosis.

Identifying Risk Factors for MRI-Invisible Prostate Cancer in Patients Undergoing Transperineal Saturation Biopsy.

PURPOSE: Prostatic multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has markedly improved the assessment of men with suspected prostate cancer (PCa). Nevertheless, as mpMRI exhibits a high negative predictive value, a negative MRI may represent a diagnostic dilemma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of positive transperineal saturation biopsy in men who have negative mpMRI and to analyse the factors associated with positive biopsy in this scenario. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of men with normal mpMRI and suspicion of PCa who underwent saturation biopsy (≥20 cores) was carried out. A total of 580 patients underwent transperineal MRI/transrectal ultrasound fusion targeted biopsies or saturation prostate biopsies from January 2017 to September 2020. Of them, 73 had a pre-biopsy negative mpMRI (with Prostate Imaging - Reporting and Data System, PI-RADS, ≤2) and were included in this study. Demographics, clinical characteristics, data regarding biopsy results and potential predictive factors of positive saturation biopsy were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for MRI-invisible PCa. RESULTS: The detection rate of PCa with saturation biopsy in patients with negative MRI was 34/73 (46.58%). Out of 34 MRI-invisible prostate cancers detected, 12 (35.29%) were clinically significant PCa (csPCa) forms. Regarding factors of positive biopsy, in univariate analysis, the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and free:total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio were associated with the result of the saturation biopsy. In multivariate analysis, only an unfavourable free:total PSA ratio remained a risk factor (OR 11.03, CI95% 1.93-63.15, p=0.01). Furthermore, multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that prostate volume >50mL significantly predicts the absence of csPCa on saturation biopsy (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01-0.94, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: A free:total PSA ratio <20% is a risk factor for MRI-invisible PCa. Saturation biopsy could be considered in patients with suspected PCa, despite having a negative MRI.

The value of tumour weight as a predictive factor for recurrence and progression in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Objective: To further assess the influence of the weight after TURBT as a predictive factor for recurrence and progression in NMIBC.Materials and methods: A cohort of patients with a first episode of NMIBC between 1999 and 2016 was analysed retrospectively. We studied the correlation between the tumour's size and weight, the time-dependent ROC curves for the optimal weight value for the prediction of recurrence and progression and their association with the risk of recurrence and progression at one and five years.Results: We analysed 470 patients who met inclusion criteria. Median (IQR) follow-up time was four years (2.2-6.7), 227 (48.3%) patients had a recurrence and 46 (9.8%) progressed. Median (IQR) weight after resection was 2 g (0.8-6) and its correlation with size was 0.56. The optimal value for the prediction of recurrence was 4 g. The RFS at one and five years with a weight <4 g was 77.7% and 53.5%, respectively, compared to 57.8% and 34.7% with higher weight (p < .001). PFS at one and five years was 98% and 92.7% for a weight <4 g compared to 91.4% and 83.1% for tumours >4 g, respectively (p = .02). On multivariate analysis, a higher weight was associated with an increased risk of recurrence: HR [95%:CI] = 1.52[1.05-1.86], and progression: HR[95%:CI] = 1.87[1.01-3.47] (p < .05).Conclusion: The weight of the specimen obtained after TURBT is a predictive factor of both recurrence and progression in NMIBC that may be more accurate than tumour size and easily and objectively measured. An increase of 52% and 87% in the risk of recurrence and progression, respectively, was found in tumours weighing more than 4 g.

Incidence and prognosis of clinically significant incidental prostate cancer after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. / Incidencia y pronóstico del cáncer de próstata incidental en pacientes tras cistectomía radical por cáncer vesical.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and significance of incidental prostate cancer in patients after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer, as well as its impact in terms of overall survival and biochemical recurrence. METHODS: Patients with bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy in our hospital between 1998 and 2014 were included in the study. None of the patients had previous history of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Complete embedding of the prostate gland as whole mount serial section of the radical cystectomy specimens was done. RESULTS: 180 patients were included. The mean age was 69.71 years with a median follow-up of 34.2 months. Three groups were analyzed: non-incidental prostate cancer (n=136), non-significant incidental prostate cancer (n=28) and significant incidental prostate cancer (n=16). During follow-up, 50 patients (27.78%) died from bladder cancer. There were no differences in overall survival between patients with or without prostate cancer, neither between patients with significant nor insignificant prostate cancer in the radical cystectomy specimens. Biochemical recurrence was not observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Incidental prostate cancer had a higher prevalence than previously expected in our cohort (24.4%), but it had no impact in overall survival of patients not even in those with a significant prostate cancer. No biochemical recurrence was reported during the study.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la prevalencia y el pronóstico del cáncer de próstata incidental en pacientes tras cistectomía radical con cáncer vesical, así como su impacto en la supervivencia global y la recidiva bioquímica en su seguimiento. METODO: Se analizan pacientes con cáncer vesical tratados con cistectomía radical en nuestro hospital entre los años 1998 y 2014, sin presentar ninguno de ellos antecedentes de cáncer de próstata. Se dividen los pacientes según no presenten cáncer de próstata, éste sea no significativo clínicamente o significativo clínicamente y se compara su pronóstico entre ellos. RESULTADOS: Se incluyen 180 pacientes en el análisis con una edad media de 69,7 años y una mediana de seguimiento de 34,2 meses. Entre los grupos: 136 no presentaban cáncer de próstata, 28 lo presentaban no significativo y 16 clínicamente significativo. Durante el seguimiento, 50 (27,8%) fallecieron por su cáncer vesical. No se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos en términos de supervivencia global, además no se objetivó ningún caso de recidiva bioquímica entre los pacientes con cáncer de próstata. CONCLUSION: El cáncer de próstata incidental tiene una prevalencia más alta de lo esperado en nuestra serie (24,4%), aunque su presencia no impacta en la supervivencia global de los pacientes, incluso aunque sea clínicamente significativo. No hubo ningún caso de recidiva bioquímica durante el seguimiento.

[Complicated renal cyst by fistula from acute appendicitis on an appendicular mucocele. First literature report.] / Quiste renal complicado por fistulización de apendicitis aguda sobre un mucocele apendicular. Primera descripción en la literatura.

We describe the first clinical case in the reviewed literature of a patient with a complicated renal cyst by fistula of an appendicular neoplasm with acute appendicitis, as well as the management performed and the therapeutic options in similar cases.

Se describe el primer caso clínico en la literatura revisada de un paciente con un quiste renal complicado por sobreinfección tras fistulización de una neoplasia apendicular con apendicitis aguda, así como el manejo realizado y las opciones terapéuticas en un caso similar.

Incidencia y pronóstico del cáncer de próstata incidental en pacientes tras cistectomía radical por cáncer vesical / Incidence and prognosis of clinically significant incidental prostate cancer after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia y el pronóstico del cáncer de próstata incidental en pacientes tras cistectomía radical con cáncer vesical, así como su impacto en la supervivencia global y la recidiva bioquímica en su seguimiento. Método: Se analizan pacientes con cáncer vesical tratados con cistectomía radical en nuestro hospital entre los años 1998 y 2014, sin presentar ninguno de ellos antecedentes de cáncer de próstata. Se dividen los pacientes según no presenten cáncer de próstata, éste sea no significativo clínicamente o significativo clínicamente y se compara su pronóstico entre ellos. Resultados: Se incluyen 180 pacientes en el análisis con una edad media de 69,7 años y una mediana de seguimiento de 34,2 meses. Entre los grupos: 136 no presentaban cáncer de próstata, 28 lo presentaban no significativo y 16 clínicamente significativo. Durante el seguimiento, 50 (27,8%) fallecieron por su cáncer vesical. No se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos en términos de supervivencia global, además no se objetivó ningún caso de recidiva bioquímica entre los pacientes con cáncer de próstata. Conclusión: El cáncer de próstata incidental tiene una prevalencia más alta de lo esperado en nuestra serie (24,4%), aunque su presencia no impacta en la supervivencia global de los pacientes, incluso aunque sea clínicamente significativo. No hubo ningún caso de recidiva bioquímica durante el seguimiento

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and significance of incidental prostate cancer in patients after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer, as well as its impact in terms of overall survival and biochemical recurrence. Methods: Patients with bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy in our hospital between 1998 and 2014 were included in the study. None of the patients had previous history of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Complete embedding of the prostate gland as whole mount serial section of the radical cystectomy specimens was done. Results: 180 patients were included. The mean age was 69.71 years with a median follow-up of 34.2 months. Three groups were analyzed: non-incidental prostate cancer (n = 136), non-significant incidental pros-tate cancer (n = 28) and significant incidental prostate cancer (n = 16). During follow-up, 50 patients (27.78%) died from bladder cancer. There were no differences in overall survival between patients with or without prostate cancer, neither between patients with significant nor insignificant prostate cancer in the radical cystectomy specimens. Biochemical recurrence was not observed in any patient. Conclusions: Incidental prostate cancer had a higher prevalence than previously expected in our cohort (24.4%), but it had no impact in overall survival of patients not even in those with a significant prostate cancer. No biochemical recurrence was reported during the study

Quiste renal complicado por fistulización de apendicitis aguda sobre un mucocele apendicular. Primera descripción en la literatura / Complicated renal cyst by fistula from acute appendicitis on an appendicular mucocele. First literature report

Se describe el primer caso clínico en la literatura revisada de un paciente con un quiste renal complicado por sobreinfección tras fistulización de una neoplasia apendicular con apendicitis aguda, así como el manejo realizado y las opciones terapéuticas en un caso similar

We describe the first clinical case in the reviewed literature of a patient with a complicated renal cyst by fistula of an appendicular neoplasm with acute appendicitis, as well as the management performed and the therapeutic options in similar cases

Reto diagnóstico de neoplasia de células fusiformes atípicas del cordón espermático / Diagnosis challenge of atypical spindle cells neoplasm of the spermatic cord

OBJETIVO: Describir un caso infrecuente de patología genital y revisar la literatura existente. MÉTODOS: Nuestro caso trata de un paciente de 70 años que al ser intervenido de una hernia inguinal se descubre de forma accidental una tumoración en íntima relación con el cordón espermático. RESULTADOS: Tras el análisis exhaustivo de patólogos expertos no se pudo llegar a especificar la naturaleza exacta de la tumoración extirpada en la cirugía. CONCLUSIONES: Los tumores de partes blandas del cordón espermático pueden presentarse de forma inusual y llegar a plantear un verdadero reto diagnóstico

OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual case of softtissue neoplasm and to review the literature on this type of tumour. METHODS: We report an accidentally found tumour closely related to the spermatic cord that was diagnosed in a 70 year-old man when he was being operated on for an inguinal hernia repair. RESULTS: After thorough analysis by experienced pathologists it was not possible to determine the nature of the tumour that was removed at surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Soft tissues neoplasms of the spermatic cord may occur in an unusual way and they may be a real challenge to diagnose