Lower bleeding volume contributes to decreasing surgical site infection in radical cystectomy: A propensity score-matched comparison of open versus robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) between robot-assisted and open radical cystectomies and investigate the risk factors for SSI after radical cystectomies. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy between July 2008 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence and characteristics of SSI after open and robot-assisted radical cystectomies were compared, and the risk factors for SSI were investigated using propensity score matching. RESULTS: This study enrolled 231 patients (open: 145, robot-assisted: 86). In the robot-assisted group, urinary diversion was performed using an intracorporeal approach. SSI occurred in 34 (open: 28, robot-assisted: 6) patients, and the incidence was significantly lower in the robot-assisted group (19.3% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.007). After propensity score matching cohort (open: 34, robot-assisted: 34), increased bleeding volume, blood transfusion, and delayed postoperative oral feeding were significantly associated with SSI. Only increased bleeding volume remained a significant risk factor in the multivariate regression analysis (odds ratio, 1.13 [per 100 mL increase]; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.25; p = 0.001). The cutoff bleeding volume for predicting SSI was 1630 mL with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.773, 0.73, and 0.75, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of SSI after robot-assisted radical cystectomy was significantly lower than that after the open procedure. However, decreased bleeding volume, which was significantly associated with robot-assisted procedures, was an independent and more significant factor for reducing SSI after radical cystectomy than the differences of the surgical procedure even after propensity score matching.

Early recovery of urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is associated with membranous urethra and neurovascular bundle preservation.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the correlation between surgical outcomes and postoperative urinary continence recovery in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). METHODS: Patients who underwent RARP in our institution (n = 195) were included in this study. Preserved urethral length (PUL) was assessed during the procedure. Other outcomes of the surgical procedure were collected from operative records. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test was used to compare urinary continence recovery rate with the PUL, sparing of the neurovascular bundle (NVB), and other surgical procedures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards model, and p-values of <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Patients with a PUL ≥26 mm had 10.0%, 24.7%, 36.6%, and 89.0% continence recovery rates at 30, 60, 90, and 365 days after surgery, respectively, while patients with a PUL <26 mm had 0%, 17.8%, 26.1%, and 80.9% recovery rates, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly better postoperative urinary continence recovery at 30 days after RARP in patients with a PUL ≥26 mm than those with a PUL <26 mm (p = 0.0028) and in patients with NVB preservation than those with no NVB preservation (p = 0.014). Urinary continence recovery within 30, 60, and 90 days after surgery was 90.6% for patients with a PUL of ≥26 mm and NVB preservation, while only 82.3% for patients with a PUL of <26 mm or no NVB preservation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a PUL ≥26 mm and NVB preservation after RARP correlate with a significantly higher postoperative rate of recovery of urinary continence.

The Japanese Urological Association's clinical practice guidelines for urotrauma 2023.

The Japanese Urological Association's guidelines for the treatment of renal trauma were published in 2016. In conjunction with its revision, herein, we present the new guidelines for overall urotrauma. Its purpose is to provide standard diagnostic and treatment recommendations for urotrauma, including iatrogenic trauma, to preserve organ function and minimize complications and fatality. The guidelines committee comprised urologists with experience in urotrauma care, selected by the Trauma and Emergency Medicine Subcommittee of the Specialty Area Committee of the Japanese Urological Association, and specialists recommended by the Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma and the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology. The guidelines committee established the domains of renal and ureteral, bladder, urethral, and genital trauma, and determined the lead person for each domain. A total of 30 clinical questions (CQs) were established for all domains; 15 for renal and ureteral trauma and five each for the other domains. An extensive literature search was conducted for studies published between January 1, 1983 and July 16, 2020, based on the preset keywords for each CQ. Since only few randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses were found on urotrauma clinical practice, conducting a systematic review and summarizing the evidence proved challenging; hence, the grade of recommendation was determined according to the 2007 "Minds Handbook for Clinical Practice Guidelines" based on a consensus reached by the guidelines committee. We hope that these guidelines will be useful for clinicians in their daily practice, especially those involved in urotrauma care.

Impact of early ureteral drainage on mortality in obstructive pyelonephritis with urolithiasis: an analysis of the Japanese National Database.

BACKGROUND: The impact of early drainage on mortality in patients with obstructive pyelonephritis with urolithiasis was evaluated. METHODS: We identified 34,924 patients in the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database with obstructive pyelonephritis with urolithiasis receiving ureteral drainage. The effects of early drainage (1-2 days) compared to those of delayed drainage (on 3-4 and ≥ 5 hospital days) on mortality were evaluated among 31,696 patients hospitalized for ≥ 5 days. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent factors for mortality. RESULTS: The mortality rates for overall cases and those hospitalized for ≥ 5 days were 2.0% and 1.6%, respectively. Those receiving drainage on 1-2, 3-4, and ≥ 5 days had mortality rates of 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that delayed drainage was an independent factor for higher mortality (odds ratio [OR] on days 3-4 and ≥ 5; 1.44, p = 0.018; and 1.69, p < 0.001). Increasing age (OR for 60 s, 70 s, and ≥ 80 years; 2.02, 3.85, and 7.77), Charlson comorbidity index score (OR, 1.41 by 1-point increase), disseminated intravascular coagulation (OR, 2.40), ambulance use (OR, 1.22), impaired consciousness at admission (disoriented, arousable with stimulation, and unarousable; OR 1.58, 2.84, and 5.50), and nephrostomy (OR, 1.65) were associated with higher mortality. In contrast, female sex (OR, 0.76) and high hospital volume (OR on 9-16, and ≥ 17 cases/year; 0.80, and 0.75) were associated with lower mortality. CONCLUSION: Ureteral drainage within 2 hospital days was an independent factor for low mortality in obstructive pyelonephritis with urolithiasis. Delayed drainage could increase mortality in a time-dependent manner.

Predictive factors and management of urinary tract infections after kidney transplantation: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infectious complications in kidney transplant recipients. The aims of our study were to identify possible predictive factors for UTI and advocate for the management of UTI after kidney transplantation (KT). METHODS: Between January 2013 and December 2018, 182 adult patients with end-stage kidney disease who underwent KT were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who had urinary symptoms and positive urine culture were diagnosed with UTI. The types of urinary bacteria causing UTIs were also examined. RESULTS: UTIs occurred in forty-one patients (25.1%), and the median time to UTI onset (UTI-free survival) after KT was 189 days. The Cox hazard regression analysis showed that the predictive factors for UTI onset were as follows: posttransplant urinary catheterization, including indwelling urinary catheterization and clean intermittent catheterization; a maximum bladder capacity before KT of less than 150 ml; and a low serum albumin level at 1 month after KT. The most common causative agent was Escherichia coli (56.6%), followed by Enterococcus spp. (15.6%) and Klebsiella spp. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney transplant recipients with prolonged postoperative malnutrition, posttransplant voiding dysfunction and/or urinary storage disorder had an increased risk of UTI. Bladder function tests, such as uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine tests, and urodynamic tests, were needed to predict UTI. For patients with malnutrition, care should be taken to ensure sufficient calorie intake. Kidney transplant recipients who develop UTI should be treated as complicated UTI patients.

Histological and radiological evaluation of thermal denaturation depth using soft coagulation during partial nephrectomy in living pigs.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate thermal denaturation depth using soft coagulation in kidneys in vivo. METHODS: In experiment 1, nine kidneys from five pigs were cauterized using five soft-coagulation settings at 80 W with effect 7 by VIO300D and one monopolar-coagulation setting. The surface of the kidney was cauterized over a period of 2, 5 and 10 s. The temperature change was measured at depths of 5 and 10 mm. In experiment 2, three kidneys from two pigs were excised in a semicircular shape with a diameter of 5, 10 and 20 mm without clamping the renal artery. Cauterization was carried out until hemostasis was confirmed by soft coagulation at 80 W with effect 7. After completion of the experiments, pathology examinations of the kidneys were carried out. RESULTS: Experiment 1 showed that with proper saline dripping, denaturation spread with increased cauterization time, reaching a depth of 4 mm at 10 s with or without clamps. The depth remained at 2-3 mm at 10 s in the absence or excess of saline. The temperature increased by 15.6°C at a depth of 5 mm and 8.8°C at 10 mm. In experiment 2, the depth was 4.6 mm from the incision surface regardless of the cauterization time or excision size. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that soft coagulation can be useful for preserving renal function and reducing complications in partial nephrectomy.

Clinical outcomes in donors and recipients of kidney transplantations involving medically complex living donors - a retrospective study.

We retrospectively compared the post-transplantation graft survival and the donor's estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) following living donor kidney transplantations (LDKTs) involving medically complex living donors (MCLDs) (the elderly and patients with obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or reduced renal function) and standard living donors (SLDs). The clinical data on patients who underwent LDKTs at our institution from 2006-2019, including 192 SLDs and 99 MCLDs, were evaluated. Regarding recipients, the log-rank test and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses showed a higher incidence of overall and death-censored graft loss in the recipients who received kidneys from MCLDs (Hazard ratio = 2.16 and 3.25, P = 0.015 and 0.004, respectively), after adjusting for recipient-related variables including age, sex, duration of dialysis, ABO compatibility, and donor-specific antibody positivity. Regarding donors, a linear mixed model showed significantly lower postdonation eGFRs (-2.25 ml/min/1.73 m2 , P = 0.048) at baseline in MCLDs than SLDs, but comparable change (difference = 0.01 ml/min/1.73 m2 /year, P = 0.97). In conclusion, although kidneys from MCLDs are associated with impaired graft survival, the donation did not adversely affect the MCLDs' renal health in at least the short-term. LDKTs involving carefully selected MCLDs would be an acceptable alternative for recipients with no SLDs.

Longitudinal change of comprehensive lower urinary tract symptoms and various types of urinary incontinence during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

AIMS: To clarify longitudinal change of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and various types of urinary incontinence following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using validated questionnaires. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The core lower urinary tract symptom score (CLSS) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ)-Short Form (SF) questionnaires were administered to 607 consecutive, treatment-naïve men receiving RARP before and after surgery. The time course of comprehensive LUTS and various types of urinary incontinence, including stress-, urgency-, and urinary incontinence with no obvious reason, were evaluated. Continence recovery rates were compared for the different types of incontinence using Cox hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: After surgery, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was reported most frequently (32% of cases) as the chief complaint with the most impact on daily life, as assessed by the CLSS questionnaire, followed by urgency urinary incontinence (UUI; 27% of cases). The rates of continence recovery differed among the different types of urinary incontinence, such as after urinating, when dressed, when asleep, when physically active or exercising, when coughing or sneezing, before reaching the toilet, and for no obvious reason. Incontinence for no obvious reason at 1 month after RARP was a strongest prognostic factor of delayed continence recovery (hazard ratio, 0.61; P < 0.0001), whereas patients reporting SUI and UUI gradually regained continence. CONCLUSIONS: Further time course on continent recovery after RARP would be more precisely predictable based on the incontinence status at one month postoperatively. Especially, incontinence with no obvious reason would be a significant factor for delayed recovery.

Sunitinib versus sorafenib for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma with renal impairment before the immune-oncology therapy era.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy and safety of sunitinib versus sorafenib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma with renal impairment remains poorly documented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed the efficacy and safety of sunitinib and sorafenib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 by reviewing the medical records of patients treated at Jichi Medical University Hospital, Japan, between May 2008 and August 2016. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were treated with sunitinib and 14 with sorafenib. Median progression-free survival in sunitinib- and sorafenib-treated patients was comparable, at 6.6 vs 5.8 months, respectively (HR, 1.618; 95% CI, 0.689-3.798; P = 0.2691). Median overall survival was also comparable, at 65.9 vs 58.0 months (HR, 0.985; 95% CI, 0.389-2.479; P = 0.9748). Grade 3 or higher adverse events were significantly more frequent in the sunitinib-treated than sorafenib-treated patients (P = 0.0357). Compared to pre-treatment values, estimated glomerular filtration rate at the discontinuation of treatment was not decreased in either group. In contrast, estimated glomerular filtration rate was decreased on long-term treatment, particularly in previously nephrectomized patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sunitinib and sorafenib had similar efficacy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and severe renal impairment. Although renal function was not markedly impaired in either group, close attention to decreased renal function may be necessary in previously nephrectomized patients on long-term treatment.

Tension-free vaginal mesh surgery versus laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse: Analysis of perioperative outcomes using a Japanese national inpatient database.

OBJECTIVE: To compare nationwide outcomes of tension-free vaginal mesh surgery and laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse in Japan. METHODS: Using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we collected data on female patients who underwent tension-free vaginal mesh surgery or laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse from April 2014 to March 2015. We compared the proportion of perioperative adverse events, duration of anesthesia, total costs and postoperative length of stay between the groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out for age, comorbidity, mesh volume, additional concomitant surgery and hospital volume. RESULTS: We identified 3023 patients, including 2388 who underwent tension-free vaginal mesh surgery, and 635 who underwent laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. The median age at the time of surgery was significantly higher in the tension-free vaginal mesh group (71 vs 66 years; P < 0.001). The tension-free vaginal mesh group had a higher proportion of all adverse events (7.1% vs 1.8%; P < 0.001) and a higher proportion of genitourinary complications (5.7% vs 1.1%; P < 0.001). The median duration of anesthesia was shorter in the tension-free vaginal mesh group (150 vs 286 min; P < 0.001). The total cost was significantly lower in the tension-free vaginal mesh group. CONCLUSIONS: Both procedures offer favorable results for surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. Overall, the tension-free vaginal mesh procedure seems to represent a good option for high-risk women, such as elderly patients, whereas laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is useful for younger patients with a higher level of sexual activity.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy significantly reduced biochemical recurrence compared to retro pubic radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The pathological and oncological outcomes of retro-pubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) have not been sufficiently investigated. METHODS: Treatment-naïve patients with localized prostate cancer (PC) (n = 908; RRP, n = 490; and RARP, n = 418) were enrolled in the study. The clinicopathological outcomes, rate and localization of the positive surgical margin (PSM), localization of PSM, and biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival groups were compared between RRP and RARP. RESULTS: The median patient age and serum PSA level (ng/mL) at diagnosis were 67 years and 7.9 ng/ml, respectively, for RRP, and 67 years and 7.6 ng/ml, respectively, for RARP. The overall PSM rate with RARP was 21%, which was 11% for pT2a, 12% for pT2b, 9.8% for pT2c, 43% for pT3a, 55% for pT3b, and 0% for pT4. The overall PSM rate with RRP was 44%, which was 12% for pT2a, 18% for pT2b, 43% for pT2c, 78% for pT3a, 50% for pT3b, and 40% for pT4. The PSM rate was significantly lower for RARP in men with pT2c and pT3a (p < 0.0001 for both). Multivariate analysis showed that RARP reduced the risk of BCR (hazard ratio; 0.6, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: RARP versus RRP is associated with an improved PSM rate and BCR. To examine the cancer-specific survival, further investigations are needed.

No clinical significance of the time interval between biopsy and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer on biochemical recurrence: a propensity score matching analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of the time interval (TI) between prostate biopsy and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) on the risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 793 consecutive patients who were treated with RARP at our institution. Patients were divided into three groups, according to TI, to compare BCR-free survival (BCRFS) rates: Group 1 (n = 196), TI < 3 months; Group 2 (n = 513), 3 ≤ TI < 6 months; Group 3 (n = 84), TI ≥ 6 months. Eighty-three patients with TI ≥ 6 months were matched with an equal number of patients with TI < 6 months based on propensity scores by using four preoperative factors: prostate-specific antigen (PSA), primary (pGS) and secondary (sGS) Gleason score and positive prostate biopsy. RESULTS: The 5-year BCRFS rates for TI Groups 1, 2, and 3 were 76%, 80.7% and 82.6% (P = 0.99), respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that PSA, pGS, sGS and a positive prostate biopsy were independent preoperative risk factors for BCR. The propensity adjusted 5-year BCRFS for patients with TI ≥ 6 months was 84.0%. This was not worse than that of patients with TI < 6 months (71.0%, P = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohorts, a delay in the time from biopsy to RARP did not significantly affect recurrence. Therefore, hasty treatment decisions are unnecessary for at least 6 months after diagnosis of early prostate cancer.

Accessibility to surgical robot technology and prostate-cancer patient behavior for prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: To examine how surgical robot emergence affects prostate-cancer patient behavior in seeking radical prostatectomy focusing on geographical accessibility. METHODS: In Japan, robotic surgery was approved in April 2012. Based on data in the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database between April 2012 and March 2014, distance to nearest surgical robot and interval days to radical prostatectomy (divided by mean interval in 2011: % interval days to radical prostatectomy) were calculated for individual radical prostatectomy cases at non-robotic hospitals. Caseload changes regarding distance to nearest surgical robot and robot introduction were investigated. Change in % interval days to radical prostatectomy was evaluated by multivariate analysis including distance to nearest surgical robot, age, comorbidity, hospital volume, operation type, hospital academic status, bed volume and temporal progress. RESULTS: % Interval days to radical prostatectomy became wider for distance to nearest surgical robot <30 km. When a surgical robot emerged within 30 and 10 km, the prostatectomy caseload in non-robot hospitals reduced by 13 and 18% within 6 months, respectively, while the robot hospitals gained +101% caseload (P < 0.01 for all) Multivariate analyses including 9759 open and 5052 non-robotic minimally invasive radical prostatectomies in 483 non-robot hospitals revealed a significant inverse association between distance to nearest surgical robot and % interval days to radical prostatectomy (B = -17.3% for distance to nearest surgical robot ≥30 km and -11.7% for 10-30 km versus distance to nearest surgical robot <10 km), while younger age, high-volume hospital, open-prostatectomy provider and temporal progress were other significant factors related to % interval days to radical prostatectomy widening (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Robotic surgery accessibility within 30 km would make patients less likely select conventional surgery. The nearer a robot was, the faster the caseload reduction was.

Incidence and risk factors of inguinal hernia after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has now become a gold standard approach in radical prostatectomy. The aim of this study was to investigate incidence and risk factors of inguinal hernia (IH) after RARP. METHODS: This study included 307 consecutive men who underwent RARP for the treatment of prostate cancer from January 2011 to August 2015. The incidence of IH after RARP was investigated. Clinical and pathological factors were also investigated to assess relationship with development of postoperative IH. RESULTS: Median follow-ups were 380 days, and median age of patients was 67 years. Incidence of IH was 11.3, 14.0, and 15.4% at 1, 2, and 3 years after RARP, respectively. Postoperative IH occurrence was significantly associated with low surgeon experience and postoperative incontinence at 3 or 6 months after surgery (P = 0.019, P = 0.002, and P = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the IH occurred within the first 2 years with a rate of 14%. Incidence of IH after RARP was significantly associated with surgical experience and incontinence outcomes.

Overactive bladder is a negative predictor of achieving continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate predictors of continence outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Clinical records of 272 patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy were investigated. Preoperative Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, International Prostate Symptom Score and clinicopathological factors were investigated, and relationships between factors and recovery of continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy were assessed. The presence of overactive bladder was defined as having urgency for more than once a week and having ≥3 points according to the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score. RESULTS: Age (≤66 years) was significantly associated with continence within 6 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (P = 0.033). The absence of overactive bladder and lower Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (<3) were significantly associated with recovery of continence within 12 months after surgery (both variables P = 0.009). In terms of achieving recovery of continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, Kaplan-Meier curves showed earlier recovery in "age ≤66 years," "prostate weight ≤40 g" and "overactive bladder symptom score <3" (P = 0.0072, 0.0172 and 0.0140, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of overactive bladder was an independent negative predictor for recovery of continence within 12 months after surgery (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of baseline overactive bladder seems to represent an independent negative predictor for recovery of continence at 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Sarcopenia as a Novel Preoperative Prognostic Predictor for Survival in Patients with Bladder Cancer Undergoing Radical Cystectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic significance of sarcopenia on long-term outcomes in patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy (RC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 136 patients undergoing RC for urothelial carcinoma at our institution. Prognostic impact of the preoperative clinical, laboratory, and radiologic parameters were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard model analyses, and a nomogram was developed to predict cancer-specific survival (CSS) after RC. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 46.7 months. Patients with sarcopenia had a significantly shorter CSS than those without sarcopenia. On univariate Cox analysis, clinical T stage, histology of transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) specimen, pretreatment hemoglobin, pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), pretreatment serum C-reactive protein level, pretreatment serum albumin level, presence of hydronephrosis, and presence of sarcopenia were associated with significantly worse CSS. On multivariate Cox stepwise analysis, sarcopenia (hazard rate [HR] = 2.3, p = 0.015), clinical T stage (cT4: HR = 5.3; p = 0.0096), presence of hydronephrosis (HR = 2.0; p = 0.033), histology of TURBT specimen (HR = 2.2, p = 0.044), and NLR (HR = 1.3; p = 0.0048) were significant independent predictors of an unfavorable prognosis Based on the results of the multivariate analysis, we developed a nomogram to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year CSS after RC. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia, clinical T stage, presence of hydronephrosis, histology of TURBT specimen, and NLR are novel preoperative prognostic factors even after adjustment for other known preoperative predictors in patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer.

Prognostic value of CD66b positive tumor-infiltrating neutrophils in testicular germ cell tumor.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic value of immune cells is not clear in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating neutrophils in TGCTs. METHODS: A total of 102 patients who underwent orchiectomy for TGCT were investigated for CD66b positive tumor-infiltrating neutrophils (CD66b + TINs). Immmunostaining for CD66b was performed in 102 sections as described. Clinicopathological parameters as well as cancer specific survival and overall survival were assessed for correlation with CD66b + TIN density. RESULTS: High density group was significantly correlated with tumor diameter ≥ 10 cm, presence of nodal/distant metastasis, S stage, diagnosis of nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NGCT), and presence of venous invasion (p = 0.0198, p < 0.0001, p = 0.0275, p = 0.0004, and p = 0.0287, respectively). It was also significantly associated with cancer-specific and overall survival (logrank p = 0.0036, and p = 0.0002, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that increased CD66b + TIN was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (p = 0.0095). CONCLUSIONS: Increased CD66b + TIN was significantly associated with presence of metastasis, S stage, and nonseminomatous germ cell tumor diagnosis. It was also an independent prognostic factor of overall survival in patients with TGCT.

Nocturia in men is a chaotic condition dominated by nocturnal polyuria.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize nocturia in men based on frequency volume chart data and symptom profiles assessed using the Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score and Athens Insomnia Scale questionnaires. METHODS: The Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score and Athens Insomnia Scale questionnaires were administered to 299 consecutive treatment naïve men with nocturia (≥one time per night). Frequency volume chart data were recorded for 2 days. Correlations between nocturia and clinical characteristics including symptom scores, clinical diagnosis, Charlson Comorbidity Index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, uroflowmetry and prostate volume were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients were divided into five groups: one time (n = 36), two times (n = 65), three times (n = 85), four times (n = 78) and five times (n = 34) of nocturia. Age, prevalence or severity of chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, low bladder capacity, nocturnal polyuria, urgency, bladder pain and sleep disorders were significantly correlated with the severity of nocturia. The Spearman correlation analysis identified eight possible independent factors for nocturia: age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, urgency, bladder pain, sleep quality, sleepiness during the day, average voided volume and nocturnal volume divided by body weight. Logistic regression analysis showed that nocturnal volume divided by body weight was the strongest factor of nocturia, and ≥7, 9 and 9.7 mL/kg were practical cut-off values of three, four and five times per night of nocturia, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nocturia in men is a chaotic condition dominated by nocturnal polyuria, and related to multiple factors including age, renal function, urgency, bladder pain, insomnia and bladder volume.

Management of prostate cancer in older patients: updated recommendations of a working group of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology.

In 2010, the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) developed treatment guidelines for men with prostate cancer who are older than 70 years old. In 2013, a new multidisciplinary SIOG working group was formed to update these recommendations. The consensus of the task force is that older men with prostate cancer should be managed according to their individual health status, not according to age. On the basis of a validated rapid health status screening instrument and simple assessment, the task force recommends that patients are classed into three groups for treatment: healthy or fit patients who should have the same treatment options as younger patients; vulnerable patients with reversible impairment who should receive standard treatment after medical intervention; and frail patients with non-reversible impairment who should receive adapted treatment.