Primary tumour PSMA intensity is an independent prognostic biomarker for biochemical recurrence-free survival following radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: The prognostic value of PSMA intensity on PSMA PET/CT due to underlying biology and subsequent clinical implications is an emerging topic of interest. We sought to investigate whether primary tumour PSMA PET intensity contributes to pre- and post-operative prediction of oncological outcomes following radical prostatectomy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 848 men who underwent all of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), transperineal prostate biopsy, and 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT prior to radical prostatectomy. PSMA intensity, quantified as maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), and other clinical variables were considered relative to post-operative biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 41 months, 219 events occurred; the estimated 3-year BRFS was 79% and the 5-year BRFS was 70%. Increasing PSMA intensity was associated with less favourable BRFS overall (Log rank p < 0.001), and within subgroups of Gleason score category (Log rank p < 0.03). PSMA intensity was significantly associated with shorter time to biochemical recurrence, after adjusting for pre-operative (HR per 5-unit SUVmax increase = 1.15) and post-operative (HR per 5-unit SUVmax increase = 1.10) parameters. CONCLUSION: These results in a large series of patients confirm PSMA intensity to be a novel, independent prognostic factor for BRFS.

Histological comparison between predictive value of preoperative 3-T multiparametric MRI and 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT scan for pathological outcomes at radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and a gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT) scan to predict pathological outcomes and also identify a group of men with a <5% risk of histological pelvic lymph node metastasis (LNM) at pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) performed during a robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) for prostate cancer. We then aimed to compare these results to known risk calculators for LNM, including the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) score, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) and Briganti nomograms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 2014 and September 2019 only men who had both a preoperative mpMRI and staging 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT at our institution followed by a RALP with PLND referred to a single specialist uropathology laboratory were considered for inclusion. The data were collected retrospectively prior to February 2019 and in a prospective manner thereafter. A model was built to allocate probabilities of the men with a negative 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT scan having a <5% risk of histologically LNM at RALP based on the preoperative radiological staging. RESULTS: A total of 233 consecutive men met the inclusion criteria of which 58 men (24.9%) had a LNM identified on PLND histology. The median (range) International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Grade was 5 (1-5) and the median (range) prostate-specific antigen level was 7.4 (1.5-72) ng/mL. The median (range) number of resected lymph nodes was 16 (1-53) and the median (range) number of positive nodes identified on histology was 2 (1-22). Seminal vesicle invasion on mpMRI was more common in node-positive men than in the absence of LNM (31% vs 12%). The maximum standardised uptake value of the primary tumour on 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT was higher in men with LNM (median 9.2 vs 7.2, P = 0.02). Suspected LNM were identified in 42/233 (18.0%) men with 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT compared with 22/233 (9.4%) men with mpMRI (P = 0.023). The positive and negative predictive value for 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT was 66.7% and 84.3% respectively, compared to 59.1% and 78.7% for mpMRI. A predictive model showed only two men (4.2%) with a negative preoperative 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT would be positive for a histological LNM if they are ISUP Grade < 5 and Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) <5; or ISUP Grade 5 with PI-RADS < 4. An inspection of three additional variables: CAPRA score, MSKCC and Briganti nomograms did not improve the predictive probability for this group. However, of the 61 men with ISUP Grade 4-5 malignancy and also a PI-RADS 5 mpMRI, 20 (32.8%) men had a microscopic LNM despite a negative preoperative 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT. CONCLUSION: Preoperative 68 Ga-PSMA/PET CT was more sensitive in identifying histological pelvic LNM than 3-T mpMRI. Men with a negative 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT have a lower risk of LNM than predicted with CAPRA scores or MSKCC and Briganti nomograms. We identified that the combination of a negative preoperative 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT, ISUP biopsy Grade <5 and PI-RADS <5 prostate mpMRI, or an ISUP Grade 5 with PI-RADS <4 on mpMRI was associated with a <5% risk of a LNM. The addition of CAPRA scores, MSKCC and Briganti nomograms did not improve the predictive probability within this model. Conversely, men with ISUP Grade 4-5 malignancy associated with a PI-RADS 5 prostate mpMRI had a >30% risk of microscopic LNM despite a negative preoperative 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT and this high-risk group would appear suitable for an extended PLND at the time of a radical prostatectomy.

Use of a trizonal schema to assess targeting accuracy in prostatic fusion biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of a novel 'trizonal' biopsy schema in which 'near-target' biopsies are taken adjacent to the MRI lesion, in addition to target and systematic biopsies, to determine the accuracy of prostate MRI fusion systems. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A trizonal biopsy technique was used to evaluate 75 men with small Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 3-5 MRI lesions (<15 mm) identified from a prospective cohort of 290 men undergoing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for suspected prostate cancer at a single high-volume institution between September 2017 and May 2019. In addition to target and systematic biopsies, near-target biopsies were taken 4 mm from the apparent border of the MRI lesion. Comparisons were made between highest International Society of Urological Pathology grade and longest tumour length. RESULTS: Fifty-three men with significant prostate cancer in the same quadrant as the target were included in the final analysis. The percentages of positive cores from target, near-target and MRI-negative zones were 66%, 39% and 17%, respectively. Significant cancer was detected in the near-target zone in 77% of cases when the target zone was positive. A total of 17% of participants were upgraded by a median (range) of 1 (1-3) grades through the addition of near-target cores. Notably, 9% of men were diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer solely via the near-target biopsy cores when the target cores were negative. CONCLUSION: The use of near-target biopsies as part of a trizonal biopsy schema provides a novel methodology to optimize clinically significant prostate cancer detection.

Solitary rib lesions showing prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) uptake in pre-treatment staging 68 Ga-PSMA-11 positron emission tomography scans for men with prostate cancer: benign or malignant?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of solitary rib lesions on pre-treatment 68 Gallium-labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)/computed tomography (CT) scans in men with prostate cancer that are malignant and examine any predictive factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective single tertiary referral institution cohort study of men reviewed the results of 68 Ga-PSMA-11 positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scans performed for primary staging prior to treatment of prostate cancer from July 2014 to September 2019. Men with PSMA uptake outside the prostate in only the rib lesion were included. A solitary rib lesion was considered to be malignant if it increased in size on follow-up imaging. A lesion was considered benign if the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level remained <0.1 µg/L following a radical prostatectomy (RP), <2 µg/L above nadir following radiotherapy (RT) as per the Phoenix criteria, histology was benign on rib biopsy, or follow-up imaging showed no growth of the rib lesion. If a lesion did not meet these criteria it was considered indeterminate. RESULTS: A total of 62 men had PSMA uptake in a solitary rib lesion; 54 went on to have RPs and eight underwent RT. In all, 61 of the men (98.4%) met the criteria for a benign rib lesion. Only one man had a false-negative malignant lesion. This man had a rib lesion with a low maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax ) of 2.21 reported as benign, but the postoperative PSA level was 0.67 µg/L and the rib lesion progressed on follow-up imaging, with development of widespread metastases. Of the benign rib lesions, there were four false positives reported as possible metastases. Three had percutaneous rib biopsies, two of which came back with benign histology and one was indeterminate. The indeterminate biopsy patient had a RP and his postoperative PSA level was <0.1 µg/L. A total of 43 (69.4%) men with benign rib lesions had a SUVmax greater than the SUVmax of the malignant lesion. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first cohort study of men with PSMA-avid solitary rib lesions on pre-treatment 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT staging scans for prostate cancer. Our results indicate that the vast majority of these lesions have low-intensity uptake and are benign. Intervention to confirm this is not usually required.

Assessment of tumour-associated necrosis provides prognostic information additional to World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology grading for clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of tumour-associated necrosis (TAN) on metastasis-free survival for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and to determine whether TAN provides survival information additional to World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study consisted of 376 cases of clear cell RCC treated by nephrectomy, for which follow-up was available. WHO/ISUP grade was assigned, and sections were assessed for the presence of TAN. American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) pT staging category and tumour size were also recorded. The development of metastatic disease was taken as the clinical endpoint, and survival analyses, utilising univariate and multivariate models, were performed. WHO/ISUP grades were: grade 1, 35 cases (9.3%); grade 2, 188 cases (50.0%); grade 3, 91 cases (24.2%); and grade 4, 62 cases (16.5%). Staging categories were pT1-pT2 [234 tumours (62.2%)] and pT3-pT4 [139 tumours (37.0%)]. TAN was seen in 128 cases (34.0%). Neither TAN nor metastases were seen in grade 1 tumours. Among grade 2-4 tumours, those with TAN had a significantly worse prognosis than those without TAN (P = 0.017, P = 0.04, and P = 0.006, respectively). Multivariate analysis (WHO/ISUP grade, pT staging category, and TAN) showed all three variables to be independently associated with outcome (P = 0.009, P = 0.005, and P = 0.001, respectively). For all tumour grades and pT staging categories, it was found that the presence of TAN was associated with a 2.91-fold greater risk of metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: Tumour-associated necrosis is an important prognostic factor for clear cell RCC, independently of WHO/ISUP grade. This supports the suggestion that TAN could be incorporated into tumour grading criteria.

Risk of metastatic disease on 68 gallium-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan for primary staging of 1253 men at the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of men with 68 gallium-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT) avid metastasis at diagnosis, as most data on 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT are for the evaluation of recurrent disease after primary treatment and to our knowledge this study is the largest series of primary prostate cancer staging with 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review conducted on 1253 consecutive men referred by urologists or radiation oncologists to our tertiary referral centre for 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT scan for staging at the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer between July 2014 and June 2018. The primary outcome measure was to determine the risk of metastasis based on 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT. Patients were risk stratified based on histological biopsy International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and staging with pre-biopsy multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyse results. RESULTS: The median PSA level was 6.5 ng/mL and median ISUP grade was 3, with high-risk disease in 49.7%. The prostate primary was PSMA avid in 91.7% of men. Metastatic disease was identified in 12.1% of men, including 8.2% with a PSA level of <10 ng/mL and 43% with a PSA level of >20 ng/mL. Metastases were identified in 6.4% with ISUP grade 2-3 and 21% with ISUP grade 4-5. Pre-biopsy mpMRI identified metastasis in 8.1% of T2 disease, increasing to 42.4% of T3b. Lymph node metastases were suspected in 107 men, with 47.7% outside the boundaries of an extended pelvic lymph node dissection. Skeletal metastases were identified in 4.7%. In men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, metastases were identified in 5.2%, compared to 19.9% with high-risk disease. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT for primary staging of prostate cancer. Increasing PSA level, ISUP grade and radiological staging with mpMRI were all statistically significant prognostic factors for metastasis on both univariate and multivariate analysis.

MRI-guided in-bore biopsy for prostate cancer: what does the evidence say? A case series of 554 patients and a review of the current literature.

PURPOSE: To review our experience with MRI-guided in-bore prostate biopsy (MRGB) and present a review of the literature on MRGB. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients presenting for MRGB between 2013 and 2018. Diagnostic and biopsy MRI scans were reviewed to collect data on scan dates, procedure times, characteristics of MRI targets (PI-RADS™ score, target size, ADC value and location). A review of the literature on MRGB for the period 2013-2018 was performed. RESULTS: 607 targets in 554 men were biopsied. Overall and significant cancer detection rate were 80% and 55% at a patient level, and 76 and 59% at the target level, respectively. Prostate cancer (CaP) detection in men with prior negative biopsy was 60% while 50% of men on active surveillance were upgraded to clinically significant disease (CSD). Lesion location did not predict for presence of CaP or CSD. PI-RADS™ score, age and PSAD were predictors of CSD at biopsy on multivariate analysis. Literature review identified 23 reports reporting on MRGB cohorts (~ 4000 patients). Overall cancer detection ranged from 23 to 74% and CSD in 63% overall. CaP detection in PI-RADS™ 3 targets was substantially lower in our series and the literature than for PI-RADS™ 4-5 targets. CONCLUSIONS: MRGB in PI-RADS™ 3-5 targets yields high rates of cancer diagnosis. High detection rates are also seen in men with prior negative biopsy and AS cohorts. PI-RADS™ score, age and PSAD can reliably predict CSD detection. The number of published series is small and the role of MRGB in PI-RADS™ 3 targets needs further study.

Prostate artery Embolisation Assessment of Safety and feasibilitY (P-EASY): a potential alternative to long-term medical therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety, short-term efficacy and early functional results of prostate artery embolisation (PAE), an emerging minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 51 men with BPH (prostate size >40 mL) causing moderate-severe lower urinary tract symptoms, who had either failed or ceased medical therapy and had declined or were considered unsuitable for surgical intervention, were recruited to this study. All men underwent baseline clinical assessment, PAE, and 3-month follow-up. The primary endpoints of this study were safety and feasibility. Safety was measured by the incidence of post-PAE adverse events and feasibility was defined by technical success. Secondary endpoints were changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) score at 3 months after PAE. RESULTS: There were no serious adverse events and all procedures were technically successful. For non-catheterised patients, improvement in IPSS and QoL was reported in 95.1% of cases (P < 0.001). The mean reductions in IPSS and QoL were 18.8 points (80.7%) (P < 0.001) and 3.8 points (80.6%) (P < 0.001), respectively. Of the 30 non-indwelling-catheter-dependent men on medical therapy, 23 men were able to completely cease all medications, with all but one of the remaining men reporting significant improvements in IPSS and QoL score. CONCLUSION: PAE is a technically feasible and safe procedure, with excellent short-term efficacy. High rates of patient satisfaction were achieved in this study, along with significant reductions in prostate symptoms and improvements in QoL. PAE may be an alternative to long-term use of medical therapy for symptoms due to BPH.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of prostate and prostatic adenocarcinoma with mucinous components: a clinicopathological analysis of 143 cases.

AIM: The clinical significance of mucinous prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa) remains uncertain. METHODS: From 6440 cases of PCa treated by radical prostatectomy from 2009 to 2014, mucinous components of 5-100% were found in 143 (2.2%) cases. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.4 years, mean pre-operative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 7.8 ng/ml and clinical stage category was cT1 in 81% and cT2 in 19% of cases. Cases were graded using the 2014 International Society of Urological Pathology recommendation of grading underlying architecture, and Gleason scores (GS) were 3 + 4 in 13.3%, 4 + 3 in 54.5%, 4 + 4 in 2.1%, 3 + 4 or 4 + 3 with tertiary 5 in 11.9% and 9-10 in 18.2%. The mucinous component invariably had a high-grade component. Extraprostatic extension was found in 46.8% of cases. In 21.6%, tumour volume was ≥3 cm³ and 9.7% had surgical margin positivity. Seminal vesicle involvement was found in 6.9%. In 73 cases the mucinous component was >25%, and when cases were divided on the basis of the area of mucin present (≤25 versus >25%) there was no significant difference between clinical or pathological features. Similar findings were achieved when cases were compared with grade-matched non-mucinous carcinoma controls. The 5-year biochemical recurrence rates for mucinous versus non-mucinous cancer were 12.5 versus 17% (P = 0.15). CONCLUSION: PCa with mucinous components is often high grade; however, the prognosis appears to be similar to non-mucinous cancers of similar GS.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma: validation of World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology grading.

AIMS: In 2012, the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) introduced a novel grading system for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and papillary renal cell carcinoma. This system is incorporated into the latest World Health Organization renal tumour classification, being designated WHO/ISUP grading. This study was undertaken to compare WHO/ISUP and Fuhrman grading and to validate WHO/ISUP grading as a prognostic parameter in a series of clear cell RCC. METHODS AND RESULTS: Analysis of 681 cases of ccRCC showed that 144 tumours could not be assigned a Fuhrman grade on the basis of ambiguous grading features. The application of WHO/ISUP grading resulted in a general down-grading of cases when compared with Fuhrman grading. In a sub-group of 374 cases, for which outcome data were available, 9.3% were WHO/ISUP grade 1, 50.3% were grade 2, 24.1% grade 3 and 16.3% grade 4, while the distribution of Fuhrman grades was 0.4% grade 1, 48.7% grade 2, 29.4% grade 3 and 21.5% grade 4. There were no recurrence/metastases amongst patients with WHO/ISUP grade 1 tumours and there was a significant difference in outcome for WHO/ISUP grades 2, 3 and 4. For Fuhrman grading the cancer-free survival was not significantly different for grade 2 and grade 3 tumours. On multivariate analysis WHO/ISUP grade and pT staging category were found to retain prognostic significance. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that FG cannot be applied in >20% of cases of ccRCC and the WHO/ISUP provides superior prognostic information.

Urology technical and non-technical skills development: the emerging role of simulation.

OBJECTIVE: To review the emerging role of technical and non-technical simulation in urological education and training. METHOD: A review was conducted to examine the current role of simulation in urology training. A PUBMED search of the terms 'urology training', 'urology simulation' and 'urology education' revealed 11,504 titles. Three hundred and fifty-seven abstracts were identified as English language, peer reviewed papers pertaining to the role of simulation in urology and related topics. Key papers were used to explore themes. Some cross-referenced papers were also included. RESULTS: There is an ongoing need to ensure that training time is efficiently utilised while ensuring that optimal technical and non-technical skills are achieved. Changing working conditions and the need to minimise patient harm by inadvertent errors must be taken into account. Simulation models for specific technical aspects have been the mainstay of graduated step-wise low and high fidelity training. Whole scenario environments as well as non-technical aspects can be slowly incorporated into the curriculum. Doing so should also help define what have been challenging competencies to teach and evaluate. Dedicated time, resources and trainer up-skilling are important. Concurrent studies are needed to help evaluate the effectiveness of introducing step-wise simulation for technical and non-technical competencies. CONCLUSION: Simulation based learning remains the best avenue of progressing surgical education. Technical and non-technical simulation could be used in the selection process. There are good economic, logistic and safety reasons to pursue the process of ongoing development of simulation co-curricula. While the role of simulation is assured, its progress will depend on a structured program that takes advantage of what can be delivered via this medium. Overall, simulation can be developed further for urological training programs to encompass technical and non-technical skill development at all stages, including recertification.

The use of 68 Ga-PSMA PET CT in men with biochemical recurrence after definitive treatment of acinar prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Early localisation of disease recurrence after definitive treatment of prostate cancer is vital to determine suitability for salvage treatment. Our aim was to further investigate the relationship between prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and detection of suspected cancer recurrence using 68  Ga-PSMA PET/CT in patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiotherapy, particularly at low PSA levels. METHODS: This retrospective single tertiary referral institution cohort study of men reviewed the results of 68  Ga-PSMA PET/CT scans for investigation of post RP and post radiotherapy PSA recurrence following primary treatment of prostate cancer. We included men with suspected recurrent prostate cancer based on an elevated post treatment PSA level. The data collected analyzed the relationship of the pre-scan PSA level to the probability of a positive scan finding for recurrent prostate cancer. RESULTS: Of the cohort of 532 men, 425 had a previous RP and 107 had prior radiotherapy. The median PSA of the RP group was 0.59 ng/mL and 5.8 ng/mL in the radiotherapy group. In the post RP cohort, the detection rate of 68  Ga-PSMA PET/CT was 11.3% for PSA 0.01 to <0.2 ng/mL, 26.6% for PSA 0.2 to <0.5 ng/mL, 53.3% for PSA 0.5 to <1 ng/mL, 79.1% for PSA 1 to <2 ng/mL and 95.5% for PSA ≥2. Lymph node metastasis post RP was identified in 68% of men with suspected disease recurrence. In the post radiotherapy cohort the detection rate was 33.3% for PSA 0.01 to <0.5 ng/mL, 71.4% for PSA 0.5 to <1 ng/mL, 93.3% for PSA 1 to <2 ng/mL and 100% for PSA ≥2. Local recurrence after radiotherapy was suspected in 71% of the cohort and 40% had suspected lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is largest cohort study of detection rates of 68  Ga-PSMA PET/CT in patients with biochemical recurrence after definitive treatment of prostate cancer, including patients with PSA <0.5 and in a post radiotherapy cohort. Detection of suspected recurrent disease outside the pelvis at low PSA levels will influence the decision for salvage treatment options.

Impact of branding on public awareness of healthcare-related governing bodies: a pilot study of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand brand.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the general public's understanding of urologists and of the Urological Society of Australian and New Zealand (USANZ) and gauge the effectiveness with which the USANZ disseminates health information about urological conditions to health consumers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using prostate cancer as an example, a Qualtrics online market survey of Australian healthcare consumers recruited from an online pool was conducted. The number of districts sampled within each state or territory was proportional to the size of the target population within each region and were proportionately distributed across metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Demographic characteristics were comparable with the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census figures corresponding to the target age group. The survey assessed knowledge of the roles of medical specialties through open-ended responses to qualitative items, association tasks, and recall/recognition questions. Subjects were asked to rate their familiarity of medical specialists and of six medical specialty logos. RESULTS: There were 302 respondents. Subjects indicated less awareness of urology vs other medical specialties, were relatively unaware that urologists were concerned with the prostate, and the USANZ branding was among the least familiar (P < 0.001, Friedman test). When asked the first medical specialist that came to mind when told of prostate cancer, only 22% wrote urologist. CONCLUSION: The general public has a limited understanding of urologists and of the USANZ. Sub-brand names that explicitly link urologists to urological conditions, has been suggested as a means to increase the public's understanding of urologists and of the USANZ, and improve the USANZ's ability to promulgate urological health information.

The Australian laparoscopic non robotic radical prostatectomy experience - analysis of 2943 cases (USANZ supplement).

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the Australian experience of high-volume Fellowship-trained Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP) surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2943 LRP cases were performed by nine Australian surgeons. The inclusion criteria were a prospectively collected database with a minimum of 100 consecutive LRP cases. The surgeons' LRP experience commenced at various times from July 2003 to September 2009. Data were analysed for demographic, peri-operative, oncological and functional outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age of patients were 61.5 years and mean preoperative PSA 7.4 ng/ml. Mean operating time was 168 minutes with conversion to open surgery in 0.5% and a blood transfusion rate of 1.1%. Overall mean length of stay was 2.5 days. 73.6% of pathological specimens were pT2 and 86.3% had Gleason Score >7. Overall positive surgical margins (PSM) occurred in 15.9% with pT2 PSM 9.8%, pT3a PSM 30.8% and pT3b PSM 39.2%. Mean urinary continence at 12 months was 91.4% (data available from five surgeons). Mean 12 months potency after bilateral nerve spare was 47.2% (data available from four surgeons). Biochemical recurrence occurred in 10.6% (mean follow up 17 months). CONCLUSION: The Australian experience of Fellowship trained surgeons performing LRP demonstrates favourable peri-operative, oncological and functional outcomes in comparison to published data for open, laparoscopic and robotic assisted radical prostatectomy. In our Australian centres, LRP remains an acceptable minimally invasive surgical treatment for prostate cancer despite the increasing use of robotic assisted surgery.

Is transperineal prostate biopsy more accurate than transrectal biopsy in determining final Gleason score and clinical risk category? A comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the degree of upgrading and increase in clinical risk category of transperineal template biopsy (TTB) compared with transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB). Upgrading of TRUSB Gleason grade and sum after radical prostatectomy (RP) is well recognised. TTB may offer a more thorough mapping of the prostate than TRUSB, as well as a more accurate assessment of the tumour. In this retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data, we compare the initial TRUSB and TTB Gleason grade and sum with the final assessment at RP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following Ethics Committee approval, 431 laparoscopic and robotic RP specimens of two urologists, fellowship-trained in minimally invasive RP, were examined in the private sector between April 2009 and October 2013. Final RP Gleason grade and sum were compared with the initial prostate biopsy. All pathological assessments were performed by a dedicated uropathology unit, experienced in prostate pathology. Upgrading was defined either as an increase in the primary Gleason grade, or as identification of a higher grade tertiary pattern at final RP analysis. Increase in clinical risk category was defined as an increase from low- (Gleason ≤6), to either intermediate- (Gleason 7) or high-risk disease (Gleason 8-10); or as an increase from intermediate- to high-risk disease. The chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables, while the Wilcoxon rank sum was used for continuous quantitative variables. RESULTS: The 431 RP specimens comprised 283 in which the prostate cancer was diagnosed at TRUSB and 148 diagnosed at TTB. There was no difference between TRUSB and TTB in mean prostate weight (46.4 vs 44.2 g), final RP pathological stage (pT2: 187 vs 102; pT3 97 vs 48; P = 0.65) or mean tumour volume (2.15 vs 2.14 mL). Overall, 33.22% of TRUSB and 30.41% of TTB were upgraded, which was not significantly different (P = 0.55). Similarly there was no difference in whether there was an increase to a higher Gleason sum (TRUSB 23.3% vs TTB 20.9%; P = 0.57). TTB was more reflective of the actual clinical risk category, with TRUSB more likely to show an increase in clinical risk (TRUSB 22.3% vs TTB 14.2%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, TTB more accurately predicted clinical risk category than TRUSB. TTB should be considered before active surveillance, to ensure that occult higher risk disease has not been under diagnosed. Upgrading and increase in clinical risk category was relatively common in each group highlighting the need for improved pretreatment staging accuracy.

The risk of prostate cancer on incidental finding of an avid prostate uptake on 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for non-prostate cancer-related pathology: A single centre retrospective study.

Objective: To review the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in men with incidentally reported increased intraprostatic uptake at 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) ordered at Department of Urology, The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia for non-PCa related pathology. Methods: Retrospective analysis of consecutive men between August 2014 and August 2019 presenting to a single institution for 18F-FDG PET/CT for non-prostate related conditions was conducted. Men were classified as benign, indeterminate, or malignant depending of the results of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA velocity, biopsy histopathology, and three-Tesla (3 T) multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score, or gallium-68-prostate-specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) PET/CT results. Results: Three percent (273/9122) of men demonstrated 18F-FDG avidity within the prostate. Eighty-five percent (231/273) were further investigated, including with PSA tests (227/231, 98.3%), 3 T mpMRI (68/231, 29.4%), 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT (33/231, 14.3%), and prostate biopsy (57/231, 24.7%). Results were considered benign in 130/231 (56.3%), indeterminate in 31/231 (13.4%), and malignant in 70/231 (30.3%). PCa was identified in 51/57 (89.5%) of the men who proceeded to biopsy, including 26/27 (96.3%) men with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System scores 4-5 mpMRI and six men with a positive 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT. The most common Gleason score on biopsy was greater than or equal to 4+5 (14/51, 27.5%). 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT was concordant with the 18F-FDG findings in 26/33 (78.8%). All 13 men with a positive concordant 18F-FDG, 3 T mpMRI, and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT had PCa on biopsy. There was no statistically significant difference in the 18F-FDG maximum standardized uptake value between the benign or malignant groups (5.7 vs. 6.1; p=0.580). Conclusion: In this study, after an incidental finding of an avid intraprostatic lesion on 18F-FDG PET/CT, 70 of the 231 cases (30.3%; 0.8% of the entire cohort) had results consistent with PCa, most commonly as Gleason score greater than or equal to 4+5 disease. Unless there is limited life expectancy due to competing medical co-morbidity, men with an incidental finding of intraprostatic uptake on 18F-FDG should be further investigated using principles of PCa detection.

Reproducibility and Accuracy of the PRIMARY Score on PSMA PET and of PI-RADS on Multiparametric MRI for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Within a Real-World Database.

The PRIMARY score is a 5-category scale developed to identify clinically significant intraprostate malignancy (csPCa) on 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-11 PET/CT (68Ga-PSMA PET) using a combination of anatomic site, pattern, and intensity. Developed within the PRIMARY trial, the score requires evaluation in external datasets. This study aimed to assess the reproducibility and diagnostic accuracy of the PRIMARY score in a cohort of patients who underwent multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and 68Ga-PSMA PET before prostate biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Methods: In total, data from 242 men who had undergone 68Ga-PSMA PET and mpMRI before transperineal prostate biopsy were available for this ethics-approved retrospective study. 68Ga-PSMA PET and mpMRI data were centrally collated in a cloud-based deidentified image database. Six experienced prostate-focused nuclear medicine specialists were trained (1 h) in applying the PRIMARY score with 30 sample images. Six radiologists experienced in prostate mpMRI read images as per the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS), version 2.1. All images were read (with masking of clinical information) at least twice, with discordant findings sent to a masked third (or fourth) reader as necessary. Cohen κ was determined for both imaging scales as 5 categories and then collapsed to binary (negative and positive) categories (score 1 or 2 vs. 3, 4, or 5). Diagnostic performance parameters were calculated, with an International Society of Urological Pathology grade group of at least 2 (csPCa) on biopsy defined as the gold standard. Combined-imaging-positive results were defined as any PI-RADS score of 4 or 5 or as a PI-RADS score of 1-3 with a PRIMARY score of 3-5. Results: In total, 227 patients with histopathology, 68Ga-PSMA PET, and mpMRI imaging before prostate biopsy were included; 33% had no csPCa, and 67% had csPCa. Overall interrater reliability was higher for the PRIMARY scale (κ = 0.70) than for PI-RADS (κ = 0.58) when assessed as a binary category (benign vs. malignant). This was similar for all 5 categories (κ = 0.65 vs. 0.48). Diagnostic performance to detect csPCa was comparable between PSMA PET and mpMRI (sensitivity, 86% vs. 89%; specificity, 76% vs. 74%; positive predictive value, 88% vs. 88%; negative predictive value, 72% vs. 76%). Using combined imaging, sensitivity was 94%, specificity was 68%, positive predictive value was 86%, and negative predictive value was 85%. Conclusion: The PRIMARY score applied by first-user nuclear medicine specialists showed substantial interrater reproducibility, exceeding that of PI-RADS applied by mpMRI-experienced radiologists. Diagnostic performance was similar between the 2 modalities. The PRIMARY score should be considered when interpreting intraprostatic PSMA PET images.

Clinicopathologic Significance of Anterior Prostate Cancer: Comparison With Posterior Prostate Cancer in the Era of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Anterior prostate cancer (APC) has been considered an indolent tumor, most commonly arising in the transition zone (TZ). More recently, detection of APC has been facilitated through multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and improved biopsy techniques, enabling earlier detection. The pathologic features and clinical significance of pure APC in a large contemporary series of well-characterized tumors have, to date, not been elucidated. Cases with APC defined as cancer present anterior to the urethra only were identified from 1761 consecutive radical prostatectomy specimens accessioned between January 2015 and August 2016. The clinicopathologic features of these cases were compared with those of pure posterior prostate cancer (PPC) and the features of anterior peripheral zone (APZ) cancers were compared with those of TZ cancers. In addition, the tumor series from 2015 to 2016 was compared with a cohort of 1054 patients accessioned before the utilization of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in the routine workup of patients with prostate cancer. In the 2015-2016 series, there were 188 (10.7%) patients with APC compared with 5.4% in the series from the pre-multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging era. No difference was observed between APC and PPC with regards to patient age or mean serum prostate-specific antigen at presentation. Mean tumor volume and positive surgical margin (PSM) rates were significantly higher in APC. In contrast, PPC was more commonly high grade with more frequent extraprostatic extension (EPE). None of the cases of APC had infiltration of the seminal vesicle or lymph node involvement, in contrast to PPC, with almost 14% of cases in each category. The 3- and 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival was significantly higher in APC when compared with PPC, although this was not retained on multivariable analysis which included tumor location. On division of APCs according to anatomic zone of origin, 45% were APZ cancer and 37% TZ cancer. On comparison of APZ and TZ cancers, there were no significant differences in mean age and serum prostate-specific antigen at presentation as well as tumor volume, Gleason score, and PSM rate. High-grade malignancy (Gleason score >3 + 4=7) was seen in 26% of TZ cancers which compared with 44% of APZ cancers and 56% of PPC cancers. The rate of EPE was significantly higher in APZ when compared with TZ cancer ( P< 0.0005); however, the biochemical recurrence rate was not significantly different between the groups. The prevalence of APC in radical prostatectomy specimens has increased in recent times, in association with earlier detection at a stage amenable to curative surgical treatment. APC, when compared with PPC, is less commonly high grade with less frequent EPE, despite the APC group having larger tumors and a higher PSM rate at presentation. However, not all anterior cancers are indolent. Anterior cancers are more commonly seen in the APZ than the TZ and APZ cancers appear more locally aggressive than TZ cancers.

Preliminary results of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) after fellowship training and experience in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).

OBJECTIVE: • To ascertain whether prior experience in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) shortens the 'learning curve' and therefore improves early patient outcomes when transitioning to robot-assisted laparoscopic RP (RALP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: • Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of the most recent 87 cases of LRP compared with the initial 73 cases of RALP. • LRP was performed via a five-port extraperitoneal approach, while transperitoneal RALP was performed using a four-arm da Vinci S unit. RESULTS: • The median operative duration for RALP (skin-to-skin, including docking time) rapidly reduced, although never exceeded 3.5 h, for each consecutive set of 10 cases. • Oncological outcomes were preserved with no cases of pT2 positive surgical margins (PSMs) in any group. pT3 PSM rates were not significantly different at 50% and 38% for LRP and RALP, respectively. • Penetrative intercourse rates at 3 months for bilateral nerve-sparing procedures in preoperatively potent patients were similar, at 50% for LRP (median Sexual Health Inventory for Men [SHIM] 17) and 48.1% for RALP (median SHIM 18). The pad-free rate at 3 months was significantly better for RALP at 59.7%, compared with 39.8% for LRP (P= 0.043). • Complications were minimal and comparable for the two groups except for a higher LRP radiological anastomotic leak rate of 16 vs 1% (P= 0.004). CONCLUSION: • In this comparative series fellowship training and prior experience in LRP resulted in no significant RALP learning curve with regards to oncological and functional outcomes, while maintaining a low complication rate. • A short learning curve existed for operative duration but this improved rapidly and there were no prolonged cases. • Differences in early continence and radiological leaks may reflect changing from an interrupted anastomosis (LRP) to a continuous anastomosis with posterior rhabdosphincter reconstruction (RALP).