[Neuroendocrine prostate cancer]. / Neuroendokrines Prostatakarzinom.

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) mostly occurs as a treatment-emergent adaptive response under the pressure of intensive androgen deprivation treatment (t-NEPC). Approximately 30-40% of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) also have neuroendocrine involvement. In contrast primary small cell prostate cancer is very rare (<1%). A t­NEPC should be clinically suspected in patients who have particularly aggressive mCRPC but a disproportionately low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and elevated neuroendocrine tumor markers, such as chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase. The initial Gleason score was shown to be an independent factor correlated to the risk of development of t­NEPC. Treatment is oriented to that of small cell lung cancer. In patients with negative PSA levels, chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide is the first line treatment, for which response rates in the range of 30-60% with a median survival time of usually less than 1 year can be achieved. In patients with much higher serum PSA levels, chemotherapy with carboplatin plus docetaxel should be considered.

Malnutrition and clinical outcome in urological patients.

INTRODUCTION: In a previous study we evaluated the risk for malnutrition among urological patients in a German university hospital. There are published different studies in other surgical fields that could show a correlation between malnutrition and clinical outcome. As data on this issue is still rare in the urological field we aimed to correlate the risk of malnutrition with different parameters regarding clinical outcome. METHODS: In the time from 2007 to 2009 a total of 320 patients were evaluated regarding the risk of malnutrition and occurrence of complications during the time of hospitalization at our Urological department. The Nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS) by Kondrup et al. was used for the estimation of the risk level for malnutrition. Patients of a German university hospital were included independently of intervention, age or gender. Parameters for clinical outcome were: pulmonary complications (infectious/noninfectious), cardiovascular complications (infectious/noninfectious), other infections (urinary tract infection etc.), wound healing disorders and time of hospitalization. RESULTS: In this evaluation 320 patients were included for analysis. Forty patients (13%) presented with a normal nutritional status (NRS score 0) at the time of admission to the hospital and 212 patients (66%) were at risk for forming malnutrition problems (NRS score 1-2). Sixty eight patients (21%) of this urological cohort were detected with a malnutrition according to the applied NRS Score (≥3). Regarding the occurrence of overall complications in this cohort the rate was rather low compared to other surgical fields. Of 320 patients only 22 patients (7%) presented with relevant complications during their hospitalization. However if data were stratified for peri- and postoperative complications in correlation to nutritional status of patients, an evident trend to a higher complication rate of 9% was obvious. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of exclusively urological patients, the risk for post-surgical complications was higher in patients who were malnourished as defined using the Nutritional Risc Screening System (NRS) by Kondrup et al. Further studies need to show whether an adequate nutritional supportive therapy could help to optimize the clinical outcome of malnourished urological patients.

Postoperative change in Gleason score of prostate cancer in fusion targeted biopsy: a matched pair analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if MRI/ultrasound fusion based targeted biopsy (FBx) leads to a reduced rate of change in Gleason score (GS) compared to prostatectomy specimen. METHODS: The histopathological findings of the biopsy of the prostate and the radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen of 210 patients who were referred to our hospital between 2012 and 2017 were compared retrospectively in this study. One hundred and five patients who underwent FBx combined with ultrasound-guided 12-core biopsy of the prostate (SBx) were matched with 105 patients who underwent SBx only. This study evaluated the rate of up- or downgrading in the RP specimen in both groups and compared the results via matched pair analysis. RESULTS: Concordance in Gleason grade group (GGG) was found in 52/105 patients (49.5%) in SBx and in 49/105 patients (46.7%) with FBx (p = 0.679). The rate of downgrading was statistically significant (p = 0.014) and was higher in the FBx group (14/105 patients, 13.3%) than in the SBx group (4/105 patients, 3.8%). A higher rate of upgrading was seen in SBx (49/105 patients; 46.7%) compared to FBx (42/105 patients; 40%), with no statistical significance (p = 0.331). The change in GGG from biopsy to final pathology in patients with GGG 1 and 2 at biopsy level was not statistically significant (p = 0.168). CONCLUSION: FBx does not decrease the rate of upgrading between biopsy and final pathology in RP specimens. Our results indicate that FBx tends to overestimate the final GGG compared to SBx.

Optical coherence tomography for bladder cancer -- ready as a surrogate for optical biopsy? Results of a prospective mono-centre study.

INTRODUCTION: New modalities like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) allow non-invasive examination of the internal structure of biological tissue in vivo. The potential benefits and limitations of this new technology for the detection and evaluation of bladder cancer were examined in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2007 and January 2008, 52 patients who underwent transurethral bladder biopsy or TUR-BT for surveillance or due to initial suspicion of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were enrolled in this study. In total, 166 lesions were suspicious for malignancy according to standard white light cystoscopy. All suspicious lesions were scanned and interpreted during perioperative cystoscopy using OCT. Cold cup biopsies and/or TUR-B was performed for all these lesions. For this study we used an OCT-device (Niris, Imalux, Cleveland, US), that utilizes near-infrared light guided through a flexible fibre-based applicator, which is placed into the bladder via the working channel of the cystoscope. The technology provides high spatial resolution on the order of about 10-20 microm, and a visualization of tissue to a depth of about 2 mm across a lateral span of about 2 mm in width. The device used received market clearance from the FDA and CE approval in Germany. The diagnostic and surgical procedure was videotaped and analyzed afterwards for definitive matching of scanned and biopsied lesion. The primary aim of this study was to determine the level of correlation between OCT interpretation and final histological result. RESULTS: Of 166 scanned OCT images, 102 lesions (61.4%) matched to the same site where the biopsy/TUR-BT was taken according to videoanalysis. Only these video-verified lesions were used for further analysis. Of all analyzed lesions 88 were benign (inflammation, edema, hyperplasia etc.) and 14 were malignant (CIS, Ta, T1, T2) as shown by final histo?pathology. - All 14 malignant lesions were detected correctly by OCT. Furthermore all invasive tumors were staged correctly by OCT regarding tumor growth beyond the lamina propria. There were no false negative lesions detected by OCT. Sensitivity of OCT for detecting the presence of a malignant lesion was 100% and sensitivity for detection of tumor growth beyond the lamina propria was 100% as well. Specificity of OCT for presence of malignancy was 65%, due to the fact that a number of lesions were interpreted as false positive by OCT. CONCLUSION: As a minimally invasive technique, OCT proved to have extremely high sensitivity for detection of malignant lesions as well as estimation of whether a tumor has invaded beyond the lamina propria. However, specificity of OCT within the bladder was impaired (65%), possibly due to a learning curve and/or the relatively low spatial resolution and visualization depth of the OCT technology. Further studies and technical development are needed to establish an adequate surrogate for optical biopsy.

Perioperative search for circulating tumor cells in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Despite having an organ confined tumor stage at the time of radical cystectomy, a certain number of bladder cancer patients will develop local or distant metastases over time. Currently there are no reliable serum markers for monitoring and evaluating risk profiles of urothelial cancers. Several studies suggest that detection of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) may correlate with disease status and prognosis at baseline and early in the treatment of cancers. The presence of CTCs in whole blood before and during radical cystectomy could provide further information on disease status, and could be used as an indicator to determine the need for adjuvant or even perioperative chemotherapy. METHODS: From 03/2009 to 05/2009, five patients with histologically proven transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder participated in this study. All patients were admitted to the hospital for radical cystectomy (rCx). A standard or extended lymph node dissection was performed in all cases. Preoperative CT or MRI scans revealed no distant or local metastases. Median age was 66.8 years (55-81 yrs). After obtaining informed consent from each patient, approximately 30 mL of peripheral blood was taken immediately before rCx and again during surgical removal of the urinary bladder from the patients ' body. As additional parameters, operation time (OR) for surgical removal of the bladder and the amount of blood volume that was used for the detection of CTCs were recorded. Obtained blood samples were processed using the Cell-Search System (Veridex) within 48 hours of collection. CTCs were identified and quantitated using the Cell-Search System, followed by re-evaluation of the provided results by specially trained and experienced personal (CS, SH). RESULTS: CTCs were detected before and during surgical removal of the urinary bladder in one of five patients (20%). In the one patient positive for CTC, two CTCs were detected in the blood sample that was obtained before surgery (analyzed blood volume was 25 mL). There was one CTC detected in the blood sample that was obtained during surgical removal of the urinary bladder (analyzed blood volume was 27 mL).There was no rise in the amount of CTCs during surgical procedure. The final pathological report of this patient showed an advanced tumor stage (T3b, N0, R1). In the other patients, no CTCs were detected at all, neither before rCX nor right after surgical removal of the bladder. Pathological stage for these patients ranged from pT1m G3 - pT2b G3. None of these patients showed lymph node involvement. An average of 14.6 lymph nodes (5-40 LNs) were obtained. OR time to surgical removal of the urinary bladder ranged from 60 minutes to 150 minutes (mean 82 min.). CONCLUSIONS: Although only a very small group of patients was analyzed in this study, the presence of CTCs seems to be correlated with an advanced tumor stage. Therefore the detection of CTCs could be used for an optimized assessment of a patient's disease status in urothelial cancer. A further aim of this study was to assess whether surgical manipulation during radical cystectomy is associated with a release of CTCs into the vascular system. None of the patients who were negative for CTCs before surgery showed CTCs during surgical removal of the bladder, suggesting that there was no release of CTCs during surgery. However, further study is needed to prove these findings and evaluate the significance of CTCs as an indicator for therapeutic decisions.

Conservative management of rectal perforation after nerve sparing endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (nsEERPE) in a patient with a past history of polypectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal polypectomy causes thinning (or even perforation) of the rectal wall in addition to thermic injury at the polypectomy site. CASE REPORT: We present a rare case of spontaneous rectal perforation after uncomplicated nerve sparing endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy in a patient with a previous history of rectal polypectomy at the perforation site. The patient could be treated conservatively. There was complete healing of the fistula without any effect on functional results. This Conservative therapy for such rectal perforations is indicated if the patient's general condition remains stable without any signs of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Polypectomy is an important risk factor for rectal perforation during nsEERPE. Adequate time interval should be given to allow healing and avoid adding further thermal wall damage which may obscure healing leading to complications like fistula. Conservative therapy for small missed rectal perforations constitutes an attractive, feasible and non invasive treatment entity. Following this principle we have not faced this complication in following similar cases.

[Management of ureteral injuries]. / Management von Harnleiterverletzungen.

Ureteral injuries account for less than 3% of genitourinary injuries. Most of them are caused iatrogenically during abdominal surgery. The symptoms are often non-specific and do not aid in diagnosis. The later the injury is detected, the more often complications occur. Therefore, in such situations it is important to consider the possibility of ureteral injury and initiate further diagnostic steps as soon as possible. A variety of diagnostic tests are available. In addition to the direct inspection of the ureters and retrograde ureteropyelography, computed tomography (CT) urography is routinely used. Based on the time of diagnosis as well as the extent and the localization of the injury, the further procedure can be determined. For minor injuries, the insertion of a ureteral splint is usually the treatment of choice. In the case of higher grade damage, operative reconstruction by one of several possible surgical procedures is indicated.

[Value of imaging in upper urinary tract tumors]. / Wertigkeit der Bildgebung bei Tumoren des oberen Harntraktes.

BACKGROUND: Staging of bladder cancer, hematuria as well as the evaluation of unclear findings of the kidneys and ureters are the most frequent indications for imaging of the upper urinary tract (UUT). Endourological assessment of the UUT is much more invasive compared to imaging of the bladder, raising the question of the optimal imaging technique. Several technical improvements regarding computed tomography (CT) as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were implemented in recent years. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and limitations of the most important imaging techniques regarding the UUT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic review of the literature and current German, European, and American guidelines regarding bladder cancer, urothelial carcinoma of the UUT and hematuria. RESULTS: The CT-based urography has superseded excretory urography and is the first choice for imaging of the UUT. In case of contraindications, MRI is a feasible alternative. In all cases, a urography phase is indispensable. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging of the UUT has to be used in a reasonable combination together with endourological methods and cytology. Optical coherence tomography, confocal laser endomicroscopy and scientific innovations such as radiomics might improve UUT imaging and differential diagnosis of UUT lesions in the future.

[Management of urethral strictures]. / Management von Harnröhrenstrikturen.

Urethral strictures represent a relevant problem, particularly among urological patients, since they can also develop in conjunction with endourological instrumentation. After functional and radiological diagnostics, the choice of an individualized treatment concept is foremost while taking into consideration minimally invasive endourological procedures and techniques of surgical reconstruction. The best long-term results for this disorder, which has a considerable tendency to recur, are achieved with open reconstructive methods whereas urethrotomy pursues a curative approach only in cases of short-segment bulbar urethral strictures without spongiofibrosis.

[Diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma]. / Diagnostik des Harnblasenkarzinoms.

Bladder cancer represents the fifth most common malignancy in the US. In Germany we face 25,000 new incidences of urothelial cancers every year. At present a variety of different techniques is available for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. On the one hand techniques are needed that show the possible presence of a tumour and on the other hand procedures that can confirm a lesion to be a tumour, like in most cases histology does. The following article gives an overview of the currently used standards in the diagnosis of urothelial cancer. Also new techniques for diagnosis and surveillance of urothelial cancer are discussed. The combination of white light endoscopy and urine cytology is currently considered the gold standard for diagnosis. Transurethral biopsies or TUR-BT subsequently follow in the case of positive findings. To optimize the sensitivity and lower the recurrence rate as well as the residual tumour rate, fluorescence endoscopy can be used as an additional approach. Also urine-based markers play an important role in the diagnosis and surveillance of urothelial carcinomas, but cannot yet be recommended as a single procedure in the routine diagnosis of bladder tumour.

[Bulbar urethral strictures : A trivial urological disease or a surgical challenge?] / Die bulbäre Harnröhrenstriktur : Banale urologische Erkrankung oder chirurgische Herausforderung?

Urethral strictures are often located in the bulbar urethra, and bulbar strictures are commonly due to urethral trauma. Diagnosis is confirmed by radiographic imaging of the urethra. In cases of short primary bulbar strictures, a simple internal urethrotomy may be curative. In contrast, open surgery should be performed in long segment or recurrent strictures because recurrence rates are near 100% in these cases. Depending of the actual findings and comorbidities, end-to-end anastomosis, graft urethroplasty, flap urethroplasty, or perineal urethrostomy may be used. If definitive treatment using open surgery is delayed and multiple endoscopic treatments are tried, urethroplasty becomes more complex and success rates of definitive treatment decline.

[Diagnostic workup of urethral strictures]. / Diagnostischer Workup bei der Harnröhrenstriktur.

Urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra due to scar tissue. It causes obstructive voiding dysfunction and can lead to long-term damage of the entire urinary tract. The probability of therapeutic success is dampened by a high rate of recurrence. Therefore, a careful taking of the patient's history and further diagnostics are crucial for finding the appropriate form of therapy. This review highlights the clinical presentation and diagnostic workup of urethral strictures.

[Stricture of the vesicourethral anastomosis after radical prostatectomy]. / Die Striktur der vesikourethralen Anastomose nach radikaler Prostatektomie.

BACKGROUND: The development of a stricture of the vesicourethral anastomosis is a serious complication after radical prostatectomy. Strictures occur in 5-8% of patients after radical prostatectomy. SYMPTOMS: Usually the clinical symptoms include an irritative and obstructive component similar to benign prostatic hyperplasia. In rare cases, patients suffer from partial or complete stress incontinence as a result of the anastomotic stricture. DIAGNOSTICS: The diagnostic workup is similar to the procedure for urethral strictures. In addition to uroflowmetry, a cystourethrogram (CUG) or, if necessary, a micturating cystourethrogram (MCU) can be performed. A urethrocystoscopy can be performed to ensure the diagnosis. THERAPY: In most cases, endoscopic procedures were performed for treatment. Beside a transurethral dilation of the stricture or the Sachse urethrotomy, the most common procedure is transurethral resection to treat the stricture. However, all procedures are associated with a high recurrence rate. In recurrent strictures, open surgical procedures, usually a perineal reanastomosis, should performed early. CONCLUSION: Endourological procedures like transurethral resection are a good treatment option, but due to the high recurrence rates, open surgical procedures should be discussed and if necessary should be performed early.

[Injuries of the renal pelvis and ureter. Diagnosis and management]. / Verletzungen des Nierenbeckens und des Ureters. Diagnostik und Management.

About 5% of injuries of the urinary tract affect the renal pelvis and ureter and constitute a severe complication. Around 75% of these injuries are iatrogenic and only about 25% are caused by blunt abdominal trauma or perforation. To avoid complications and improve prognosis, immediate diagnosis and therapy are essential. The diagnostic accuracy of preoperative studies is low, therefore frequently injuries are detected during explorative laparotomy. The management of upper urinary tract lesions depends on severity and localization, whereas the ultimate ambition should always be the preservation of the kidney. As a basic rule, ureteral stenting is mostly sufficient for small lesions, and only larger injuries require open reconstructive techniques. Longitudinal studies document a high degree of functional reconstitution if adequate and immediate treatment is carried out.

[Fluorescence cytology. Improvement of urinary cytology]. / Die Fluoreszenzzytologie. Eine Weiterentwicklung der Urinzytologie.

Urothelial cancer of the bladder is a frequent disease, and urinary cytology often is used as a routine diagnostic tool. But this technique has an impaired sensitivity in low-grade tumours, and as a subjective method it is highly dependent on the experience of the cytologist. Here we present the technique of fluorescence cytology as an improvement of conventional cytology. This method is potentially able to compensate for the disadvantages of urinary cytology as it is an automated process that uses the principles of 5-Ala-induced photodynamic diagnosis (PDD).

[Fluorescence cystoscopy at bladder cancer: present trials]. / Die Fluoreszenzzystoskopie beim Harnblasenkarzinom : Aktueller Stellenwert.

Bladder cancer is a frequent disease and represents the second most common genitourinary neoplasm. Although many aspects of the management of not-muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer are now well established, significant challenges remain, which influence patient outcome. Early detection and treatment of recurrent disease is required to optimize bladder preservation, reduce patient morbidity and increase quality of life and survival. Fluorescence cystoscopy, often referred to as "photodynamic diagnosis" (PDD) with intravesical application of photosensitizing agents has been developed in order to enhance the early detection of bladder cancer. Since March 2005 the hexyl-ALA ester (Hexvix) has been approved for the diagnosis of bladder cancer in 27 EU/EEA countries through the European Mutual Recognition Procedure. There is growing evidence that PDD enhances the detection of bladder cancer, particularly of high-grade flat lesions. Furthermore, transurethral resection of bladder tumor under fluorescence guidance has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent tumors. Nevertheless, a resulting relatively decreased number of recurrences have still to be verified in prospective randomized trials.

[Scrotal masses]. / Raumforderungen im Skrotum. Von der Hydrozele bis zum Malignom.

Any intrascrotal space-consuming process needs to be investigated without delay. The risk of the lesion being a malignant tumor can be assessed on the basis of the differential diagnoses and investigative procedures described herein. If there is the slightest suspicion that the patient has a testicular malignancy he must be immediately referred to a specialist who will investigate any unclear space-consuming lesion by exposing the testis via an inguinal incision. Immediate treatment of a testicular tumor is of decisive importance for the patient's prognosis.

[Neuroendocrine prostate cancer]. / Neuroendokrines Prostatakarzinom.

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) mostly occurs as a treatment-emergent adaptive response under the pressure of intensive androgen deprivation treatment (t-NEPC). Approximately 30-40% of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) also have neuroendocrine involvement. In contrast primary small cell prostate cancer is very rare (<1%). A t­NEPC should be clinically suspected in patients who have particularly aggressive mCRPC but a disproportionately low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and elevated neuroendocrine tumor markers, such as chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase. The initial Gleason score was shown to be an independent factor correlated to the risk of development of t­NEPC. Treatment is oriented to that of small cell lung cancer. In patients with negative PSA levels, chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide is the first line treatment, for which response rates in the range of 30-60% with a median survival time of usually less than 1 year can be achieved. In patients with much higher serum PSA levels, chemotherapy with carboplatin plus docetaxel should be considered.

[Urethral stricture : From diagnostics to appropriate treatment]. / Urethrastriktur : Von der Diagnostik bis zur sinnvollen Therapie.

Before making a treatment decision for patients presenting with a urethral stricture, following anamnesis and general examinations, appropriate diagnostics are necessary. This includes at least uroflowmetry and cystourethrography and the use of ultrasound and cystoscopy may be of additional help. The curative treatment of a urethral stricture is always an operation. Besides endourological procedures, open surgery for urethral reconstruction is also performed. This article aims to give an overview about the necessary diagnostic measures and the pros and cons of the different operative therapies.

[Urinary tract infections in children]. / Harnwegsinfekte bei Kindern.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infections in children. The symptoms are not very specific and range from abdominal pain, poor feeding to nocturnal urinary incontinence. The technique of collecting urine plays an important role for securing the diagnosis. The best way to obtain urine in non-toilet-trained children is catheterization or suprapubic bladder aspiration. In toilet-trained children midstream urine is an acceptable alternative after cleaning the foreskin or labia. In the case of an infection a prompt empirical antibiotic therapy is necessary to reduce the risk of parenchymal scarring of the kidneys. There are different approaches to diagnose vesicoureteral reflux in different countries. The commonly used standard approach in Germany is voiding cystourethrography. In the case of reflux dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy should be performed additionally to exclude renal scarring (bottom-up approach).