The landscape of penile cancer research in Germany and Austria: a survey among professors in academic centers holding chair positions and results of a literature search.

BACKGROUND: Research on penile cancer (PeCa) is predominantly conducted in countries with centralized treatment of PeCa-patients. In Germany and Austria (G + A), no state-regulated centralization is established, and no information is available on how PeCa-research is organized. METHODS: Current research competence in PeCa was assessed by a 36-item questionnaire sent to all chairholders of urological academic centers in G + A. Based on PubMed records, all scientific PeCa-articles of 2012-2022 from G + A were identified. Current research trends were assessed by dividing the literature search into two periods (P1: 2012-2017, P2: 2018-2022). A bibliometric analysis was supplemented. RESULTS: Response rate of the questionnaire was 75%, a median of 13 (IQR: 9-26) PeCa-patients/center was observed in 2021. Retrospective case series were conducted by 38.9% of participating clinics, while involvement in randomized-controlled trials was stated in 8.3% and in basic/fundamental research in 19.4%. 77.8% declared an interest in future multicenter projects. 205 PeCa-articles were identified [median impact factor: 2.77 (IQR: 0.90-4.37)]. Compared to P1, P2 showed a significant increase in the median annual publication count (29 (IQR: 13-17) vs. 15 (IQR: 19-29), p < 0.001), in multicenter studies (79.1% vs. 63.6%, p = 0.018), and in multinational studies (53% vs. 28.9%, p < 0.001); the proportion of basic/fundamental research articles significantly declined (16.5% vs. 28.9%, p = 0.041). Four of the top-5 institutions publishing PeCa-articles are academic centers. Bibliometric analyses revealed author networks, primary research areas in PeCa, and dominant journals for publications. CONCLUSIONS: Given the lack of centralization in G + A, this analysis highlights the need for research coordination within multicenter PeCa-projects. The decline in basic/fundamental research should be effectively addressed by the allocation of funded research projects.

Centralizing Penile Cancer Care in Germany and Austria: Just a Dream or a Fast-Approaching Reality? Results of a Survey Study among Urological Department Chairs and Modeling of Real Treatment Numbers of Penile Cancer Patients.

INTRODUCTION: In countries characterized by a centralization of therapy management, patients with penile cancer (PeCa) have shown improvements in guideline adherence and ultimately, improved carcinoma-specific survival. Germany and Austria (G + A) have no state-regulated centralization of PeCa management, and the perspectives of urological university department chairs (UUDCs) in these countries, who act as drivers of professional and political developments, on this topic are currently unknown. METHODS: Surveys containing 36 response options, including specific questions regarding perspectives on PeCa centralization, were sent to the 48 UUDC in G + A in January 2023. In addition to analyzing the responses, closely following the CROSS checklist, a modeling of the real healthcare situation of in-house PeCa patients in G + A was conducted. RESULTS: The response rate was 75% (36/48). 94% and 89% of the UUDCs considered PeCa centralization meaningful and feasible in the medium term, respectively. Among the UUDCs, 72% estimated centralization within university hospitals as appropriate, while 28% favored a geographically oriented approach. Additionally, 97% of the UUDCs emphasized the importance of bridging the gap until implementation of centralization by establishing PeCa second-opinion portals. No country-specific differences were observed. The median number of in-house PeCa cases at the university hospitals in G + A was 13 (interquartile range: 9-26). A significant positive correlation was observed between the annual number of in-house PeCa cases at a given university hospital and the perspective of the UUDCs that centralization as meaningful by its UUDC (0.024). Under assumptions permissible for modeling, the average number of in-house PeCa cases in academic hospitals in G + A was approximately 30 times higher than in nonacademic hospitals. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first data on the perspectives of UUDCs in G + A concerning centralization of PeCa therapy management. Even without state-regulated centralization in G + A, there is currently a clear focusing of PeCa treatments in university hospitals. Further necessary steps toward a structured PeCa centralization are discussed in this manuscript.

Clinical Importance of a Peritoneal Interposition Flap to Prevent Symptomatic Lymphoceles after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) including pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is the current state of the art in surgical therapy of localized prostate cancer with intermediate or high risk. PLND in particular is associated with morbidity inherent to this method; the rate of symptomatic lymphoceles (sLCs), for example, ranges up to 10%. OBJECTIVE: Various intraoperative modifications have been developed with the aim of reducing the sLC rate. Based on current studies, a peritoneal interposition flap (PIF) appears to be one of the most effective methods for this purpose. Under the criteria of a systematic review, 5 retrospective studies have been identified until now, 4 of which showed a positive effect of PIF on the sLC rate. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 1,308 patients were included in the aggregated analysis of these 5 studies. The amount of sLCs was 1.3% (8/604) and 5.7% (40/704) in the PIF and standard groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The resulting odds ratio (OR) was 0.23 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05-0.99), taking in-to account a noteworthy heterogeneity of the 5 studies (Q = 9.47, p = 0.05; I2 = 58%). In addition, a prospective randomized and blinded study (Pianoforte trial) with corresponding sLC rates of 8.3% (9/108) versus 9.7% (12/124) (p = 0.820) exists. In this study, the OR was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.34-2.10, p = 0.722). CONCLUSION: Despite positive results from retrospective studies with indirect evidence, the role of the PIF in the reduction of sLC in RARP could not be conclusively assessed yet. The results of the first prospective randomized study do not show a positive effect of PIF, declaring a research gap for further studies with direct evidence.

Job Satisfaction and Intentions to Leave of Foreign-National Urologists Working at German Hospitals: Results of the Cross-Sectional EUTAKD Study.

BACKGROUND: Studies exist that identify factors associated with higher professional satisfaction among clinicians. However, there are no reliable findings for clinicians with a migration background as to whether there is a correlation between particular dimensions of professional satisfaction and the desire to leave their current specialty or country of employment. For the first time, these data were collected within a questionnaire-based study from urological clinicians with a migration background (UCMBs) working in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A SurveyMonkey® with 101 items relating to characterizing features of the study participants and questions about job satisfaction (n = 39) was opened for UCMBs between August and October 2020. The influence of different dimensions of job satisfaction on the desire to quit the urological specialty/leave Germany was analyzed (group A: neither want to leave urology nor Germany; group B: can at least imagine leaving the urological profession and/or Germany). RESULTS: Eighty-one UCMBs were distributed almost equally in groups A (50.6%) and B (49.4%). Occupational satisfaction was higher in several respects in group A. Three dimensions that differed significantly with regard to occupational satisfaction were used to create an aggregate score ranging from 3 to 15 points as follows: (1) relationship to superiors (p = 0.014), (2) career opportunities in the clinic (p < 0.001), and (3) opportunities for the further development of surgical skills (p = 0.006). For each point value of this aggregate score, the UCMB's desire to quit urology or leave Germany (or at least uncertainty about this question) decreased by a relative value of 34.6% (odds ratio: 0.654, 95% confidence interval: 0.496-0.861, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Various dimensions of job satisfaction have been identified, the improvement of which could contribute to the long-term retention of UCMBs at German urological clinics.

A Stent for Every Stone? Prestenting Habits and Outcomes from a German Multicenter Prospective Study on the Benchmarks of Ureteroroscopic Stone Treatment (BUSTER).

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown that prestenting in ureterorenoscopic stone removal (URS) is carried out more frequently in Germany than in other countries. OBJECTIVE: This investigation evaluated the impact of high prestenting rates on outcomes as well as the influence of stone characteristics and treatment habits on prestenting. METHODS: The dataset from the BUSTER observational study was used. Patient and stone characteristics, as well as treatment outcomes, were analyzed for 307 cases from 14 urological clinics in Germany. RESULTS: The overall prestenting rate was 70.0%. Prestenting rates were significantly higher for renal stones than ureteric stones (84.6 vs. 60.6%, p < 0.0001). Compared to the unstented cases, prestenting for renal stones improved stone-free rates (73.2 vs. 11.1%, p < 0.0001) and increased the rate of completely lesion-free URS (45.4 vs. 16.7%, p = 0.034) while reducing the rate of poststenting (from 100 to 80.8%, p = 0.041). None of these effects could be demonstrated when prestenting for ureteric stones. Prestenting rates were less variable for renal stones (57-100%) than for ureteric stones (0-100%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the benefits of prestenting in URS for renal stones but not for ureteric stones. There were considerable differences in prestenting rates between the participating clinics.

Hospital volume in ureterorenoscopic stone treatment: 99 operations per year could increase the chance of a better outcome-results of the German prospective multicentre BUSTER project.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high utilisation of ureterorenoscopy (URS) in interventional stone treatment, there is little evidence of any link between annual hospital volume and outcome. METHODS: From January to April 2015, data from 307 URS patients were prospectively recorded in the multicentre observational BUSTER-Trial (Benchmarks of ureterorenoscopic stone treatment-results in terms of complications, quality of life, and stone-free rates). The best threshold value for annual hospital volume with an independent effect on the outcome (measured on stone-free and complication rates) of our study group was established with logistic regression. RESULTS: In 38.4% of cases of renal and 61.6% of ureteral stones, median stone size was 6 mm with an interquartile range (IQR) of 4-8 mm. The annual URS rate in the 14 participating hospitals ranged from 77 to 333 (median 144; IQR 109-208). The binary endpoint as a combination of completely stone-free or residual fragments small enough to pass spontaneously and a maximum complication severity of Clavien-Dindo grade 1 was attained in 234/252 (92.9%) cases with a hospital volume of ≥ 99 URS compared with 43/55 (78.2%) in < 99 URS (p = 0.002). Adjusted for patient-, stone- and physician-related factors, an annual hospital URS volume of ≥ 99 increases the chance of an optimum outcome (OR = 3.92; 95% CI 1.46-10.51; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: An independent effect of URS hospital volume on outcome quality in the 14 participating hospitals was demonstrated. Threshold values for annual case numbers should be scientifically established irrespective of the considered procedure.

Risk Factors for Ureteral Damage in Ureteroscopic stone Treatment: Results of the German Prospective Multicentre Benchmarks of Ureterorenoscopic Stone Treatment-Results in Terms of Complications, Quality of Life, and Stone-Free Rates Project.

BACKGROUND: The Post-Ureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS) is a validated, standardised scale that classifies iatrogenic ureteral lesions during ureteroscopy (URS). OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for the various PULS-grades caused by URS. METHOD: We prospectively investigated the independent influence of various risk factors in correlation with PULS-Grade 1+ and 2+ on 307 patients with ureterorenoscopic stone treatment from 14 German urologic departments. RESULTS: The following are the outcomes of the study: 117 (38.4%) and 188 (61.6%) of the calculi (median stone size 6 mm) were found in the kidney or ureter; 70% and 82.4% underwent preoperative or postoperative ureteral stenting; 44.3 and 7.2% received laser or ballistic lithotripsy; 60% of the patients presented with PULS grade 1+ and 8% with PULS grade of 2+. Only intracorporal lithotripsy revealed a significant independent risk factor for PULS grade 1+ or 2+. Both laser and ballistic therapies raised the probability of PULS grade 1+ by the factors 3.6 (p < 0.001) and 3.9 (p = 0.021), respectively. The ORs in conjunction with PULS grade 2+ were 3.1 (p = 0.038) and 5.8 (p = 0.014) respectively. Neither endpoint exhibited a significant difference regarding the lithotripsic procedure (laser vs. ballistic). CONCLUSION: Intracorporal lithotripsy is associated with a significant increase in damage to the ureter; further research is needed to determine its long-term effects.

RANKL/RANK/OPG cytokine receptor system: mRNA expression pattern in BPH, primary and metastatic prostate cancer disease.

BACKGROUND: The cytokine system RANKL (receptor activator of NF-κB ligand), its receptor RANK and the antagonist OPG (osteoprotegerin) play a critical role in bone turnover. Our investigation was conducted to describe the gene expression at primary tumour site in prostate cancer patients and correlate the results with Gleason Score and PSA level. METHODS: Seventy-one samples were obtained from prostate cancer patients at the time of radical prostatectomy and palliative prostate resection (n = 71). Patients with benign prostate hyperplasia served as controls (n = 60). We performed real-time RT-PCR after microdissection of the samples. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of RANK was highest in tumour tissue from patients with bone metastases (p < 0.001) as compared to BPH or locally confined tumours, also shown in clinical subgroups distinguished by Gleason Score (< 7 or ≥ 7, p = 0.028) or PSA level (< 10 or ≥ 10 µg/l, p = 0.004). RANKL and OPG mRNA expression was higher in tumour tissue from patients with metastatic compared to local disease. The RANKL/OPG ratio was low in normal prostate tissue and high tumours with bone metastases (p < 0.05). Expression of all three cytokines was high in BPH tissue but did not exceed as much as in the tumour tissue. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that RANK, RANKL and OPG are directly expressed by prostate cancer cells at the primary tumour site and showed a clear correlation with Gleason Score, serum PSA level and advanced disease. In BPH, mRNA expression is also detectable, but RANK expression does not exceed as much as compared to tumour tissue.

Nephron sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma up to 7 cm in the context of guideline development: a contribution of healthcare research.

INTRODUCTION: If technically feasible, organ-preservation is indicated for T1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC), since partial nephrectomy (PN) is equivalent to radical nephrectomy with regard to tumor-specific survival and probably achieves better overall survival. Treatment results of a training clinic were assessed with regard to guideline adherence and treatment quality. METHODS: Based on 220 open interventions in the time periods 2006-2009 (TP1) and 2010-2013 (TP2), a retrospective single center examination was performed to determine the influence of patient-age, sex, BMI, ASA-score, preoperative eGFR, PADUA-score and surgeon's experience on PN-rate and trifecta-outcome (R0 resection, warm ischemia time ≤25 min, no intraoperative complications and no blood-transfusion and postoperative complications grade ≤1 Clavien and Dindo). RESULTS: PN-rate increased from 36.1 % in TP1 to 72.4 % in TP2. Despite significantly higher PADUA-scores in TP2 than in TP1 (p = 0.0038), the trifecta-rate did not differ significantly (TP1 65.7 %; TP2 70.8 %; p = 0.666). Only the PADUA-score exerted an independent influence on the endpoints "organ-preservation" and "trifecta-outcome". CONCLUSIONS: This study again demonstrated that the PADUA-score is a robust predictor of technical feasibility and treatment outcome for open PN. Consistent implementation of guidelines for nephron sparing surgery in RCC ≤7 cm is possible even in the setting of a training clinic and need not be associated with compromised treatment quality despite the increasing level of difficulty. Depending on the author, there are various definitions of trifecta-outcome. A uniform trifecta-concept would be desirable.

Diagnostic relevance of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the head and neck: An evaluation of 22 cases in 671 patients.

PURPOSE: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant tumor that metastasizes early, and patients often present with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. The aim of our evaluation was to assess the diagnostic and differential diagnostic relevance of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with particular emphasis on head and neck manifestations in a large patient series. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 671 consecutive patients with RCC who were treated in our urology practice between 2000 and 2013. RESULTS: Twenty-four months after diagnosis, 200/671 (30%) of RCC had metastasized. Distant metastases were found in 172 cases, with 22 metastases (3.3%) in the head and neck. Cervical and cranial metastases were located in the lymph nodes (n=13) and in the parotid and the thyroid gland, tongue, the forehead skin, skull, and paranasal sinuses (n=9). All head and neck metastases were treated by surgical excision, with 14 patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy and 9 patients receiving chemotherapy or targeted therapy at some point during the course of the disease. Five patients (23%) survived. The mean time of survival from diagnosis of a head and neck metastasis was 38 months, the shortest period of observation being 12 months and the longest 83 months. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our findings show that while RCC metastases are rarely found in the neck, their proportion among distantly metastasized RCC amounts to 13%. Therefore, the neck should be included in staging investigations for RCC with distant metastases, and surgical management of neck disease considered in case of resectable metastatic disease. Similarly, in patients presenting with a neck mass with no corresponding tumor of the head and neck, a primary tumor below the clavicle should be considered and the appropriate staging investigations initiated.

[Do General Surgeons Feel Adequately Prepared for the Complex Questions Associated with the Handling of Multi-Resistant Pathogens? - Results of the MR2 Survey]. / Fühlen sich Chirurgen gerüstet für die komplexen Fragestellungen im Umgang mit multiresistenten Erregern? ­ Ergebnisse der Fragebogenstudie MR2.

Background At the present time, there is no evidence available as to the knowledge of general surgeons regarding multi-resistant pathogens (MRP) and the rational use of antibiotic medication (antibiotic stewardship/ABS) compared with physicians from other disciplines. Methods As part of the MR2 survey (Multiinstitutional Reconnaissance of practice with MultiResistant bacteria - a survey focussing on German hospitals), a questionnaire comprising 4 + 35 items was distributed to urologists, internists, gynaecologists and general surgeons in 18 hospitals. Multivariate regression models were applied to assess the impact of each discipline affiliation on predefined endpoints. Results 456 evaluable surveys were analysed. The response rate of surgeons (156/330; 47%) and physicians from other disciplines (300/731; 41%) did not differ significantly. Based on their self-assessment, surgeons indicated a significantly lower certainty regarding the correct choice of dose, frequency and duration of antibiotic treatment (p = 0.005), the decision between intravenous or oral application (p = 0.005), as well as the accurate interpretation of microbiological reports (p = 0.023). Both surgeons and doctors from other disciplines rated their knowledge of ABS as limited. An insignificant difference was found between surgeons and non-surgeons regarding the knowledge of E. coli resistance against Ciprofloxacin in their own hospital (27.6 vs. 35.3% estimated the correct category; p = 0.114), with 64% of surgeons underestimating the local resistance rates. Both physician groups assumed that the frequent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is substantially responsible for the increase in MRP. However, in the given case study of a highly symptomatic female patient with uncomplicated urinary tract infection, both physician groups were almost equally likely to propose treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic (34.0 vs. 29.3%; p = 0.331). Based on the results of the multivariate models, there were no significant differences between surgeons and non-surgeons with regard to both the attendance of training courses related to MRP/ABS over the past 12 months and the quality of discharge summaries in their hospitals regarding the correct listing of MRP. Conclusion In due consideration of the results of the MR2 survey, mandatory ABS programs should be implemented in hospitals, including regular training of physicians regardless of their discipline.

Evaluating the use of prostate-specific antigen as an instrument for early detection of prostate cancer beyond urologists: results of a representative cross-sectional questionnaire study of general practitioners and internal specialists.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing as a tool for early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) applied by general practitioners (GPs) and internal specialists (ISs) as well as to assess criteria leading to the application of PSA-based early PCa detection. METHODS: Between May and December 2012, a questionnaire containing 16 items was sent to 600 GPs and ISs in the federal state Brandenburg and in Berlin (Germany). The independent influence of several criteria on the decision of GPs and ISs to apply PSA-based early PCa detection was assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis (MLRA). RESULTS: 392 evaluable questionnaires were collected (return rate 65%). 81% of the physicians declared that they apply PSA testing for early PCa detection; of these, 58 and 15% would screen patients until the age of 80 and 90 years, respectively. In case of a pathological PSA level, 77% would immediately refer the patient to a urologist, while 13% would re-assess elevated PSA levels after 3-12 months. Based on MLRA, the following criteria were independently associated with a positive attitude towards PSA-based early PCa detection: specialisation (application of early detection more frequent for GPs and hospital-based ISs) (OR 3.12; p < 0.001), physicians who use exclusively GP or IS education (OR 3.95; p = 0.002), and physicians who recommend yearly PSA assessment after the age of 50 (OR 6.85; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GPs and ISs frequently apply PSA-based early PCa detection. In doing so, 13% would initiate specific referral to a urologist in case of pathological PSA values too late. Improvement of this situation could possibly result from specific educational activities for non-urological physicians active in fields of urological core capabilities, which should be guided by joint boards of the national associations of urology and general medicine.

Ki-67, mini-chromosome maintenance 2 protein (MCM2) and geminin have no independent prognostic relevance for cancer-specific survival in surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and what does the study add?: Only little and partly contradictory data are currently published about the prognostic role of immunohistochemically detectable proliferation-associated biomarkers in surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP), and no data are available at present about their usefulness for refining the delineation between different Broders' grading categories (e.g. still G2 or just G3 SCCP?). Moreover, the accuracy of various conventional histopathological parameters for predicting cancer-specific survival (CSS) in surgically treated SCCP has not been systematically evaluated yet. Based on the so far largest study cohort encompassing 158 consecutive patients with surgically treated PSCCs characterised by means of a central histopathological review, our data add the following to the currently available literature: (i) Ki-67, mini-chromosome maintenance 2 protein (MCM2), and geminin indicate a more aggressive behaviour in SCPP but do not represent independent prognostic parameters in the multivariable analysis in terms of CSS, (ii) these three biomarkers are not helpful for refining the delineation between different Broders' grading categories at the immunohistochemical level, and (iii) the conventional histopathological parameters staging, grading, nodal involvement, and lymphovascular invasion are independent prognostic parameters that together achieve a predictive accuracy of 82% for CSS. OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of cell proliferation-associated biomarkers to predict cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicentre study enrolling 158 consecutive patients with surgically treated SCCP was performed. After conducting a central histopathological review, the staining profiles of Ki-67, mini-chromosome maintenance 2 protein (MCM2) and geminin were evaluated for their correlation with conventional histopathological criteria and their prognostic relevance for predicting CSS in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model (median [interquartile range] follow-up 33 [6-63] months). RESULTS: Staining evaluation showed high interobserver agreement (92-96%). Ki-67 and MCM2 displayed a significant positive correlation with histological tumour grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and nodal status, whereas geminin expression only correlated with tumour grade. The 5-year CSS for the entire study cohort was 62%. Univariable analysis showed a significant prognostic impact of Ki-67 (P = 0.026), MCM2 (P = 0.007), and geminin (P = 0.036). In multivariable analysis, only pT (hazard ratio [HR] 1.67; P = 0.003) and pN stage (HR 2.62; P = 0.015) as well as tumour grade (HR 1.89; P = 0.036) and LVI (HR 2.66; P = 0.028) were identified as independent prognostic parameters for CSS. The accuracy of the Cox model for CSS prediction was 0.820 (95% confidence interval 0.741-0.898). CONCLUSIONS: At present, conventional histopathological criteria remain the most powerful predictors of CSS in surgically treated SCCP. Due to overlapping staining profiles, Ki-67, MCM2 and geminin, either singly or in various combinations, failed to immunohistochemically refine the boundaries between Broders' grading categories. Ki-67, MCM2 and geminin do not represent independent prognostic parameters but reflect a more aggressive behaviour in surgically treated SCCP. Further studies are needed to clarify the currently contradictory predictive role of proliferation-associated biomarkers in terms of predicting nodal involvement in SCCPs.

[Are there any volume-related effects on treatment options for patients with penile cancer? Results of a survey among university hospitals in Germany and Austria]. / Gibt es fallzahlabhängige Effekte auf Behandlungsangebote für Patienten mit einem Peniskarzinom? Ergebnisse einer Umfrage an Universitätsklinika in Deutschland und Österreich.

BACKGROUND: Currently, 959 men in Germany and 67 in Austria are diagnosed with penile cancer each year, with an increase of approximately 20% in the last decade [RKI 2021, Statcube.at 2023]. Despite the rising incidence, the number of cases per hospital remains low. The median annual number of penile cancer cases at university hospitals in the DACH region was 7 patients (IQR 5-10) in 2017 [E-PROPS group 2021]. The compromised institutional expertise due to low case numbers is compounded with inadequate adherence to penile cancer guidelines, as shown in several studies. The centralization, which is rigorously implemented in countries such as the UK, enabled a significant increase in organ-preserving primary tumor surgery and stage-adapted lymphadenectomies, as well as improved patient survival in cases of penile cancer, resulting in a claim for a similar centralization in Germany and Austria. The aim of this study was to determine the current effects of case volume on penile cancer related treatment options at university hospitals in Germany and Austria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In January 2023, a survey was sent to the heads of 48 urological university hospitals in Germany and Austria, including questions regarding case volume in 2021 (total number of inpatient and penile cancer cases), treatment options for primary tumors and inguinal lymphadenectomy (ILAE), the availability of a designated penile cancer surgeon, and the professional responsibility for systemic therapies in penile cancer. Correlations and differences related to case volume were statistically analyzed without adjustments. RESULTS: The response rate was 75% (n=36/48). In total, 626 penile cancer patients were treated at the 36 responding university hospitals in 2021, representing approximately 60% of the expected incidence in Germany and Austria. The annual median total number of cases was 2807 (IQR 1937-3653), and for penile cancer, it was 13 (IQR 9-26). There was no significant correlation between the total inpatient and penile cancer caseloads (p=0.34). The number of organ-preserving therapy procedures for the primary tumor, the availability of modern ILAE procedures, the presence of a designated penile cancer surgeon, and the responsibility for systemic therapies were not significantly influenced by the total inpatient or penile cancer case volume of the treating hospitals, regardless of whether the case volumes were dichotomized at the median or upper quartile. No significant differences between Germany and Austria were observed. CONCLUSION: Despite a significant increase in the annual number of penile cancer cases at university hospitals in Germany and Austria compared to 2017, we found no case volume-related effects on structural quality with respect to penile cancer therapy. In the light of the proven benefits of centralization, we interpret this result as an argument for the necessity of establishing nationally organized penile cancer centers with even higher case volumes compared to the status quo, in light of the proven benefits of centralization.

[Initial presentation of the Pentafecta score as a quality instrument for outcome evaluation of primary surgical treatment in patients with penile cancer]. / Erstvorstellung des Pentafecta-Scores als Qualitätsinstrument der Outcome-Bewertung einer chirurgischen Primärtherapie an Patienten mit Peniskarzinom.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the Tetrafecta score has been published as the first instrument for assessing the quality of primary surgical treatment for penile cancer (PECa). An external scientific discussion about the defining criteria is still pending and forms the study objective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An international working group consisting of 12 urologists and an oncologist with clinical and academic-scientific expertise in penile cancer was established. In a modified four-stage Delphi process, a total of 13 criteria for PECa patients in clinical AJCC stages 1-4 (T1-3N0-3, but M0) were defined, incorporating the Tetrafecta criteria. Each expert had to select five of these criteria in a secret ballot to generate an individual Pentafecta score. Subsequently, the experts' ratings were aggregated and a final Pentafecta score was formed. RESULTS: None of the original Tetrafecta criteria were included in the final Pentafecta score, which consisted of the following criteria: 1) organ preservation, if possible (≤T2), but always with negative surgical margins, 2) bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) from ≥pT1G2N0, 3) perioperative chemotherapy if indicated by guidelines, 4) ILND, if indicated, within a maximum of three months after primary tumour resection, and 5) the treating clinic should perform at least 15 primary surgical treatments in PECa patients. Only in seven out of the 13 experts (54%), a strong correlation was found between individual Pentafecta scores and the final Pentafecta score (rsp >0.60). CONCLUSION: Based on a moderated voting process among international PECa experts, a Pentafecta score was developed as a quality assurance instrument for primary surgical treatment, which now needs to be validated using patient-relevant and patient-reported endpoints.

The Goal of Achieving High-Quality Surgical First-Line Therapy in Patients with Penile Cancer Is Important; However, Some Collective Efforts Are Still Required in Order to Reach It. Comment on Brassetti et al. Combined Reporting of Surgical Quality and Cancer Control after Surgical Treatment for Penile Tumors with Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection: The Tetrafecta Achievement. Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30, 1882-1892.

We read with great interest the manuscript by Brassetti et al. recently published in your journal and hope it will encourage discussion and debate around the optimization of the surgical management of patients with penile cancer (PECa) [...].