Utility and safety of robot-assisted radical cystectomy in older patients with bladder cancer.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in older patients with bladder cancer (BCa).Material and methods: We reviewed the clinical and pathological records of 110 patients with BCa who underwent RARC at Gifu University Hospital between February 2019 and January 2023. Older patients were defined as those with BCa aged ≥ 75 years. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: those aged < 75 years (Group I) and those aged ≥ 75 years (Group II). Oncological outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), were the primary endpoints of the study; the secondary endpoints were the surgical and pathological outcomes.Results: A shorter console time, less blood loss, and reduced time to postoperative fluid and food intake in Group II may be attributed to the fact that more patients opted for ureterocutaneostomy in Group II than in Group I. In all patients, the three-year OS and RFS rates were 84.7% and 88.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences in OS or RFS between the two groups. (p = .403, p = .963, respectively).Conclusions: RARC appears to be a safe and useful treatment option for older patients with BCa.

[A Case of Refractory Lymphatic Leakage after Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy].

A 78-year-old male visited the referring hospital because of asymptomatic gross hematuria. The patient was diagnosed with bladder cancer, clinical stage T3aN2M0, after multiple tumors were found in the bladder by cystoscopy and bilateral obturator lymph node metastases were found by contrast-enhanced thoracoabdominal-pelvic computed tomography. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the patient underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection, followed by bilateral ureterocutaneostomy for urinary diversion. Postoperatively, the drainage volume from the pelvic drain ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 ml/day. We suspected lymphatic leakage based on the results of biochemical tests of the drainage fluid. Lymphangiography was conducted to confirm the diagnosis of lymphatic leakage, and lymphatic embolization was performed simultaneously. The patient underwent lymphangiography four times, but the lymphatic leakage persisted. Surgical treatment was considered, and lymphangioscintigraphy was conducted to search for areas of lymphatic leakage that could not be delineated by lymphangiography. Ascites decreased significantly after lymphangioscintigraphy.

Diabetes Mellitus as a Predictive Factor for Urinary Tract Infection for Patients Treated with Kidney Transplantation.

Background and Objectives: We aimed to investigate the rate of incidence and risk factors of post-transplant urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients receiving kidney transplantation (KT) at our institution. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on patients who underwent KT for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) from January 2008 to December 2021 at Gifu University Hospital. UTI was defined as the existence of bacterial and/or fungal infection in urine with ≥105 colony-forming units/mL, with or without urinary and/or systemic symptoms of UTI. Patients were divided into two groups: those with UTI after KT (UTI group) and those without UTI (non-UTI group). The primary endpoint of this study was the relationship between covariates and UTI after KT. Results: Two hundred and forty patients with ESKD received KT at Gifu University Hospital. Thirty-four participants developed UTI after surgery, and the most common pathogen was Escherichia coli. At the end of the follow-up, graft loss was observed in six patients (2.5%), independent of UTI episodes. In the multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM) was statistically associated with post-transplant UTI in kidney transplant recipients. Conclusions: Preoperative serum glucose control in patients with DM may have a crucial role in preventing UTI and preserving renal function after KT.

The Impact of Postoperative Renal Function Recovery after Laparoscopic and Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between warm ischemic time (WIT) and postoperative renal function using Trifecta achievement in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who underwent robotic (RAPN) or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients with RCC who underwent RAPN (RAPN group) or LPN (LPN group) at three institutions in Japan between March 2012 and October 2021. The primary endpoints were the rate of trifecta achievement in both surgical techniques and the association between WIT and recovery of postoperative renal function surgical outcomes. Results: The rate of trifecta achievement was significantly lower in patients with LPN than in those with RAPN (p < 0.001). WIT ≥ 25 min were 18 patients (18%) in the RAPN group and 89 (52.7%) in the LPN group. The postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was almost the same. However, 13 patients (7.7%) had a decreased in eGFR ≥ 15% at 3 months after LPN compared with the preoperative eGFR. Conclusions: The rate of trifecta achievement in the RAPN group was significantly higher than that in the LPN group. However, eGFR was identified as relatively better preserved after PN in both groups.

Validation of standardized training system for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: comparison of perioperative and surgical outcomes between experienced surgeons and novice surgeons at a low-volume institute in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Although robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has become a standard treatment modality in patients with prostate cancer (PCa), RARP is a complicated and difficult surgical procedure due to the risk of serious surgery-related complications. This study aimed to evaluate the validation of a standardized training system for RARP in patients with PCa at a single institute. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathological records of 155 patients with PCa who underwent RARP at Gifu University between August 2018 and April 2021. We developed an institutional program for new surgeons based on the separation of the RARP procedure into six checkpoints. The primary endpoints were surgical outcomes and perioperative complications among three groups (expert, trainer, and novice surgeon groups). RESULTS: The console time was significantly longer in the novice surgeon group than in the other groups. Regarding bladder neck dissection, ligation of lateral pedicles, and vesicourethral anastomosis, the operative time was significantly shorter in the expert group than in the other groups. Surgery-related complications occurred in 15 patients (9.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Our training system for RARP might help reduce the influence of the learning curve on surgical outcomes and ensure that the surgeries performed at low-volume institutions are safe and effective.

[A Case Report of a Patient with Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma who Received the Combination Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin, and Mitotane Therapy and Achieved Remission].

A 40-year-old Japanese female was referred to our institution with a high serum lactate dehydrogenase level. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large right adrenal tumor, 14 cm in size without distant metastases. The patient was clinically diagnosed with T2N0M0 adrenocortical carcinoma and underwent right adrenalectomy. The pathological diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma with negative surgical margin. The patient was administered mitotane for 2 years as adjuvant therapy. Subsequently, CT revealed asynchronous multiple metastases, including liver, lung, left kidney, and right acetabulum. The patient received 15 courses of EDP (a combination of etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) plus mitotane therapy, and had stable disease without new lesions.

Proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles identified PI3K pathway as a potential therapeutic target for cabazitaxel-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cabazitaxel (CBZ) is now widely used for prostate cancer (PC) patients resistant to docetaxel (DOC), however, most patients eventually acquire resistance. It will, therefore, be of great benefit to discover novel therapeutic target for the resistance. We aimed to identify candidate therapeutic targets for CBZ-resistance by proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from serum of DOC-resistant PC patients who later developed CBZ-resistance as well as those harvested from culture medium of DOC- and CBZ-resistant PC cell lines. METHODS: Using T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing protein 4 (Tim4) conjugated to magnetic beads, EVs were purified from serum of PC patients with DOC-resistance that was collected before and after acquiring CBZ-resistance and conditioned medium of DOC-resistant (22Rv1DR) and CBZ-resistant (22Rv1CR) PC cell lines. Protein analysis of EVs was performed by nanoLC-MS/MS, followed by a comparative analysis of protein expression and network analysis. The cytotoxic effect of a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, ZSTK474, was evaluated by WST-1 assay. The expression and phosphorylation of PI3K and PTEN were examined by western blot analysis. RESULTS: Among differentially regulated proteins, 77 and 61 proteins were significantly increased in EVs from CBZ-resistant PC cell line and patients, respectively. A comparison between the two datasets revealed that six proteins, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, cytosolic nonspecific dipeptidase, CD63, CD151, myosin light chain 9, and peroxiredoxin-6 were elevated in EVs from both cell line and patients. Network analysis of the increased EV proteins identified pathways associated with CBZ-resistance including PI3K signaling pathway. ZSTK474 significantly inhibited growth of 22Rv1CR cells and improved their sensitivity to CBZ. In 22Rv1CR cells, PI3K was activated and PTEN that inhibits PI3K was deactivated. CONCLUSIONS: Proteomic analysis of serum EVs was successfully accomplished by using Tim-4 as a tool to isolate highly purified EVs. Our results suggest that the combination use of CBZ and PI3K inhibitor could be a promising treatment option for CBZ-resistant PC patients.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Prostate: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) usually occur in the pleura and account for two-thirds of all cases; however, SFTs occurring in the prostate are extremely rare. Approximately 25 cases have been reported in the literature to date. This study reports the case of a 43-year-old man referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of a pelvic tumor after careful examination. The tumor marker levels were within normal limits. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor, demonstrating primarily low signal intensity. It showed a capsule-like rim at the left lobe of the prostate, suggesting that the tumor was partially invading the rectal wall. Histopathological examination of needle-core biopsies showed spindle cell neoplasm with small and fusiform cells, strongly expressing signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) with a ramifying vascular network. Therefore, the clinical diagnosis of the patient was SFT of the prostate and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was composed of spindle cells with patternless and staghorn patterns. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a strong expression of STAT6. Furthermore, the tumor was partially positive for CD34. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with SFT of the prostate. Two years after the initial diagnosis, the patient was alive with normal erectile function, continence status, and no evidence of the disease.

Low Body Mass Index as a Predictive Factor for Postoperative Infectious Complications after Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy.

Background and Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate predictive factors of postoperative fever (POF) after ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy (URSL). Materials and Methods: A total of 594 consecutive patients who underwent URSL for urinary stone disease at Gifu Municipal Hospital and Chuno Kosei Hospital between April 2016 and January 2021 were enrolled in this study. In all patients, antibiotics were routinely administered intraoperatively and the next day after surgery. We used rigid and/or flexible ureterorenoscopes depending on the stone location for URSL. Stones were fragmented using a holmium: YAG laser. The fragments of the stone were manually removed as much as possible using a stone basket catheter. A ureteral stent was placed at the end of the surgery in all cases. Results: The median age and body mass index (BMI) in all patients were 62 years and 23.8 kg/m2, respectively. The median operation duration was 52 min. The most common URSL-related complication was POF in 28 (4.7%) patients. In these patients, the rates of antibiotic administration and ureteral stent insertion before surgery were significantly higher than in those without POF. In multivariate analysis, BMI was associated with POF after URSL. There were no significant differences in predicting POF after surgery in patients who had bacteriuria or received antibiotics before surgery. Conclusions: A low BMI was significantly associated with POF after URS or URSL.

[Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Left Pelvic Kidney : A Case Report].

We report the case of a 61-year-old man who was incidentally diagnosed with a left pelvic ectopic kidney with renal tumor. Computed tomography showed a hypervascular tumor at the posterior surface of the ectopic kidney with five arterial and two venous supply vessels. On preoperative examination, this patient had respiratory dysfunction. For these reasons, an open radical nephrectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed a clear cell renal cell carcinoma, pT1aN0M0, G1, and a Fuhrman nuclear grading system grade of G2. No evidence of disease was observed 15 months after surgery.

[Paraurethral Leiomyoma in a Female Patient who Had Clinical Symptoms with Increase of Tumor Volume: A Case Report].

A 34-year-old woman underwent total hysterectomy for management of uterine leiomyoma. At the same time, a paraurethral tumor (2 cm in size) was diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the patient was not treated for the tumor considering its small size. Eight years later, the patient was referred to our institution with a chief complaint of urethral bleeding. Computed tomography revealed a paraurethral mass at the same location, which was 13 cm in size. A percutaneous needle biopsy was performed and the tumor was diagnosed as leiomyoma. Tumor extirpation was performed and immunohistochemical analysis of the specimen demonstrated positive estrogen and progesterone receptors. Recurrence was not observed on MRI taken 6 months after the surgery. Paraurethral leiomyoma is rare, but relatively common in young women.

Predictive factors of rectal hemorrhage in patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the association between clinical covariates or the prescribed radiation dose for the prostate and rectal hemorrhage in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who received iodine-125 low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT group) or the combination of LDR-BT and external beam radiation therapy (CMT group). METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical records of 298 consecutive PCa patients with clinical stage T1c/T2 who underwent LDR-BT between August 2004 and August 2016 at a single institution. The prescribed minimum peripheral doses were 145 Gy for the LDR-BT group and 104 Gy for the CMT group. The dosimetric parameters analyzed were minimal dose received by 90% of the prostate gland, biologically effective dose, and rectal volume receiving 100% (RV100) or 150% of the prescribed dose. The endpoint of this study was the onset of any-grade clinical rectal hemorrhage after treatment. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 6.8 years. The 5-year overall survival rate was found to be 98.3%, and two patients (0.7%) reported biochemical recurrence during follow-up period. A total of 33 patients (11%) experienced rectal hemorrhage. However, ≥ grade 2 rectal hemorrhage occurred in eight patients (2.7%). On multivariate analysis, CMT, RV100 ≥ 0.66 mL, and hemorrhoids before treatment were identified as predictors of rectal hemorrhage after radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Maximal reduction of the rectal dose seems very important to prevent serious rectal hemorrhage. In addition, we should consider the risk of rectal toxicities in patients with abnormalities in the rectal mucosa, especially hemorrhoids.

The Utility and Efficacy of Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy in Patients with Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer at a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the surgical and oncological outcomes and complications of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) to those of open radical cystectomy (ORC) in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). METHODS: Our study focused on patients with histologically confirmed stage T2-T4a urothelial carcinoma of the bladder without distant metastases, who underwent LRC (LRC group) or ORC (ORC group). The primary endpoints in this study were the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates. RESULTS: In this study, 59 patients, 17 underwent LRC and 42 underwent ORC, were enrolled. The 2-year OS rate was 100% in the LRC group and 88.0% in the ORC group (p = 0.85). The 2-year RFS rate was 63.5% in the LRC group and 69.5% in the ORC group (p = 0.321). On multivariate analysis, the histological type, positive lymph node, and positive resection margin were significantly associated with the OS rates. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that LRC may achieve similar oncological outcomes and fewer perioperative complications and less blood loss compared to ORC. Therefore, LRC should be considered as one of the treatment options for patients with MIBC.

Comparison of single- and multiple-dose cefazolin as prophylaxis for transurethral enucleation of prostate: A multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial by the Japanese Research Group for Urinary Tract Infection.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the optimal administration period of antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing transurethral enucleation of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: We carried out a randomized controlled trial to compare the differences in incidence of perioperative genitourinary tract infection between single and multiple (3 days) administrations of cefazolin for transurethral enucleation of the prostate in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients without pyuria or bacteriuria between January 2015 and December 2018. RESULTS: This multicenter randomized controlled trial included 203 patients who underwent a transurethral enucleation of the prostate procedure. All received antimicrobial prophylaxis, and were randomized into those who received single-dose (n = 101) or multiple-dose (n = 102) therapy. The rate of genitourinary tract infection after transurethral enucleation of the prostate for all patients was 1.5%, whereas that in the single-dose group was 1.0% and in the multiple-dose group was 2.0%, which were not significantly different (P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of antimicrobial prophylaxis as a prophylactic antibacterial drug is sufficient for patients undergoing transurethral enucleation of the prostate who do not have presurgical pyuria or bacteriuria.

[The Efficacy of Amrubicin Therapy as a Second Line Treatment in Patients with Small Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate : A Case Report].

A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with prostate cancer (initial serum prostate specific antigen [PSA] 389 ng/ml, stage cT4N1M1c, Gleason score 5+4), and androgen deprivation therapy was initiated. Despite the low serum PSA level, he developed postrenal acute kidney failure 4 years later, with progression of prostate cancer and liver and lung metastases. Serum levels of neuron-specific enolase and pro-gastrinreleasing peptide (tumor markers) were elevated. He underwent re-biopsy of the prostate, and histopathological examination revealed small cell carcinoma. He was initially treated with carboplatin and etoposide therapy. Liver metastases showed partial remission, and serum tumor marker levels were temporarily reduced. However, disease progression was observed after 4 chemotherapy cycles, and he was then treated with an 8-cycle course of amrubicin. Metastases showed shrinkage, and serum tumor marker levels were reduced after 2 chemotherapy cycles. Tumor enlargement recurred after 8 cycles, and the patient is being treated with palliative therapy. Amrubicin therapy may be effective in the treatment of small cell carcinoma of the prostate.

[Metachronous Pubic Bone Metastases from Synchronous Double Cancer with Prostate and Ascending Colon Cancers : A Case Report].

A 70-year-old man visited a private hospital with the chief complaint of right lower limb pain. Fluorodeoxyglucose-emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed abnormal uptake in the pubic bone, right femur, and ascending colon. The patient was referred to our hospital for further evaluation. The following tumor marker levels were found : prostate-specific antigen (PSA) 20.57 ng/ml, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) 108.5 ng/ml, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) 1,002.1 U/ml. An open pubic bone biopsy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was metastatic adenocarcinoma from prostate cancer. Prostate and ascending colon cancers were clinically diagnosed as T2bN0M1b and T2N0M0, respectively. Laparoscopic colectomy was performed. Androgen deprivation therapy started immediately and the serum PSA level was maintained at <0.2 ng/ml during the follow-up period. However, the CEA and CA19-9 were higher than the normal level 2 years after the surgery. In addition, the FDG-PET revealed abnormal uptake in the pubic bone. Thus, a pubic bone biopsy was performed again. The histological diagnosis was metastatic adenocarcinoma from the ascending colon cancer. Although the patient received combination chemotherapy, he died of colon cancer.

[Retroperitoneal Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma which Could Be Diagnosed Using Dual Color in Situ Hybridization : A Case Report].

Ten years ago, a seventy-year-old female underwent extirpation of a left retroperitoneal tumor that was 58×36 mm in size. The pathological diagnosis was malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) at that time. The patients visited our hospital with the chief complaint of back pain at ten years after surgery. Computer tomography (CT) showed recurrent tumors at the pancreas and the left kidney. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed because of the possibility of pancreatic tumor. The pathological diagnosis was the recurrence of MPNST. The patient underwent extirpation of the recurrent tumors along with the pancreatic body and tail, transverse colon, spleen and left kidney. The definitive diagnosis was dedifferentiated liposarcoma with murine double minute 2 (MDM2) gene amplification and positive of p16Ink4 (p16). The previously resected tumor also revealed MDM2 gene amplification and positive of p16. Based on these results, our diagnosis in this case was recurrence of dedifferentiated liposarcoma. At 6 months after surgery, the patient had no local recurrence or distant metastases.

The resonance® metallic ureteral stent in the treatment of malignant ureteral obstruction: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: To study the outcomes and experiences of using metallic stents in treating patients with malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO), we examined the effects of metallic ureteral stenting using the Cook Resonance® stent in the treatment of MUO. METHODS: All patients who had a Resonance metallic stent inserted between April 2015 and March 2018 at one of multiple facilities were prospectively observed with a 1-year follow-up. The primary outcome was the patency rate of the metallic ureteral stent. The secondary outcomes included the complications (e.g., infection and fever). RESULTS: Although stent insertion was attempted in 50 patients, the stent could not be inserted as a ureteral stent in three patients due to severe ureteral stricture, and one ureteral cancer patient was excluded from the analysis. The remaining 46 patients' median age was 67 years (range 28-85 years) (16 males, 30 females). Twenty-four patients died during the study; their median survival time was 226 days. The median follow-up period for the censored patients was 355 days (range 16-372 days), and just seven patients were still alive without Resonance failure > 1 year later. The women's IPSS scores tended to be lower than those of the men. Regarding the OABSS score, although the women's total score tended to be low, the difference between the men's and women's scores was nonsignificant. The bacteria detected from urine culture after stent insertion were more gram-positive than gram-negative. CONCLUSION: Metallic ureteric stenting using the Resonance stent is safe and effective for treating MUO. Subjective symptoms were relatively less in the female patients.

Novel Use of GuideLiner with a Low-Profile Balloon for the Retrieval of Disrupted Balloon Catheter.

We report a case of successful percutaneous retrieval of an unexpectedly disrupted balloon catheter using GuideLiner and a low-profile balloon. The procedure and the mechanism of this novel technique were described in detail with ex-vivo testing. This case demonstrated the utility of the combination of GuideLiner and low-profile balloon as a bail-out for intravascular foreign body.