Robotic assisted laparoscopic excision of a pelvic angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumor.

Angiomyofibroblastoma (AMF) is a rare benign tumor of the female genital tract. Three cases of AMF-like tumors of the male genital tract have been reported in the literature. We present the first documented case of an AMF-like soft tissue tumor of the male pelvis excised with robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery.

Associations between comorbidity, and overall survival and bladder cancer specific survival after radical cystectomy: results from the Alberta Urology Institute Radical Cystectomy database.

PURPOSE: We determined the associations between comorbidity, and overall survival and bladder cancer specific survival after radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Alberta Urology Institute Radical Cystectomy database is an ongoing multi-institutional computerized database containing data on all adult patients with a diagnosis of primary bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy in Edmonton, Canada from April 1994 forward. The current study is an analysis of consecutive database patients treated between April 1994 and September 2007. Comorbidity information was obtained through a medical record review using the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 instrument. The outcome measures were overall survival and bladder cancer specific survival. Cox proportional regression analysis was used to determine the associations between comorbidity, and overall survival and bladder cancer specific survival. RESULTS: Of the database patients 160 (34%), 225 (48%) and 83 (18%) had no/mild comorbidity, moderate comorbidity and severe comorbidity, respectively. Compared to patients with no or mild comorbidity, multivariate Cox proportional regression analyses that included age, adjuvant chemotherapy, surgeon procedure volume, pathological T stage, pathological lymph node status, total number of lymph nodes removed, surgical margin status and lymphovascular invasion showed that increased comorbidity was independently associated with overall survival (moderate HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.16-2.18, p = 0.004; severe HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.22-2.72, p = 0.003) and bladder cancer specific survival (moderate HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.04-2.15, p = 0.028; severe HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.04-2.62, p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Increased comorbidity was independently associated with an increased risk of overall mortality and bladder cancer specific mortality after radical cystectomy.

Best practices for the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infection in the spinal cord injured population: The Alberta context.

The purpose of this review of clinical guidelines and best practices literature is to suggest prevention options and a treatment approach for intermittent catheter users that will minimize urinary tract infections (UTI). Recommendations are based both on evidence in the literature and an understanding of what is currently attainable within the Alberta context. This is done through collaboration between both major tertiary care centres (Edmonton and Calgary) and between various professionals who regularly encounter these patients, including nurses, physiatrists and urologists.

Age ≥ 80 years is independently associated with survival outcomes after radical cystectomy: results from the Canadian Bladder Cancer Network Database.

OBJECTIVES: The role of advanced age as an independent prognostic factor for clinical outcomes after radical cystectomy is controversial. The objective of the current study was to assess the associations between age and clinical outcomes in a large, multi-institutional series of patients treated with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional radical cystectomy databases containing detailed information on bladder cancer patients treated between 1993 and 2008 were obtained from 8 academic centers in Canada. Data were collected on 2,287 patients and combined into a relational database formatted with patient characteristics, pathologic characteristics, recurrence status, and survival status. Patient age was coded as <60 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, or ≥ 80 years. Clinical outcomes were 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used to analyze survival data. RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-seven (24.6%), 679 (30.0%), 846 (37.4%), and 181 (8.0%) patients were <60 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and ≥ 80 years, respectively. Increased age was associated with decreased utilization rates of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.0143), adjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.0001), and continent urinary diversion (P < 0.0001) as well as advanced pathologic tumor stage (P = 0.0003), increased positive surgical margins (P < 0.0001), and lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.0335). Compared with patients < 60 years, multivariate regression analysis showed that age ≥ 80 years was independently associated with 90-day mortality (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.22-7.30), OS (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.51-2.75), DSS (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.09-2.24), and RFS (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.57-2.70). CONCLUSIONS: Age ≥ 80 years at the time of radical cystectomy was independently associated with adverse survival outcomes. These data suggest that increased chronologic age should be considered in clinical trial design and in nomograms predicting survival.

Referral and treatment rates of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer before and after publication of a clinical practice guideline.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to compare referral and treatment rates of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer before and after publication of a clinical practice guideline. METHODS: This was a retrospective comparative cohort study of 236 patients diagnosed with clinical stage >/= T2 bladder cancer in Alberta, Canada. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the time of diagnosis relative to the publication of the Alberta Genitourinary Oncology Group Clinical Practice Guideline on Bladder Cancer (CPG), which recommends cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy for muscle-invasive disease. The pre-CPG group included patients (n = 129) diagnosed prior to publication of the CPG (November 1, 2002 to October 31, 2004, inclusively). The post-CPG group included patients (n = 107) diagnosed after publication of the CPG (November 1, 2005 to October 31, 2007). There was an accrual blackout period of 6 months before and after the CPG release date. The primary analysis compared the two groups with respect to neoadjuvant chemotherapy referral rates, treatment-offered rates and treatment-administered rates. RESULTS: Referral to medical oncology regarding neoadjuvant chemotherapy occurred in 2.3% and 23.4% of patients in the pre- and post-CPG groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was offered to 0.8% and 18.7% of patients in the pre- and post-CPG groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 0.8% and 14.0% of patients in the pre- and post-CPG groups, respectively (p < 0.01). INTERPRETATION: Neoadjuvant referral and treatment rates increased after publication of the CPG. However, overall referral and treatment rates remained low, which warrants additional exploration.

Laparoscopic removal of a pelvic cyst associated with obstructed megaureter and dysplastic renal remnant.

We report a case of a 41-year-old man with a solitary functioning left kidney and history of chronic pelvic discomfort associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Imaging revealed a large cystic structure in the pelvis attached to a dilated tortuous ureter on the right with congenital absence of the right kidney. The patient underwent laparoscopic removal of the pelvic cyst and dilated right ureter. Pathological assessment revealed mesonephric remnants representing dysplastic renal tissue attached to a dilated and obstructed megaureter, extending into the bladder wall and forming a large pelvic cyst. The patient's symptoms resolved. A laparoscopic approach represents an excellent surgical option for pelvic pathology.