Anterior gland focal cryoablation: proof-of-concept primary prostate cancer treatment in select men with localized anterior cancers detected by multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Due to their location away from the nerve bundles, anterior prostate cancers (APC) represent a rational target for image-guided cryoablation. This report describes the feasibility and short-term outcomes of anterior focal cryosurgery. METHODS: A retrospective review between 2012 and 2016 of patients with clinically localized APC treated with anterior gland cryoablation was performed. Descriptive statistics were used to report: age, PSA, prostate volume, prostate cancer grade group (PGG), median time to follow-up, and changes in functional status measured with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients underwent anterior focal cryoablation with a median follow-up of 15 months. Median age and PSA at diagnosis were 67 years and 8.7 ng/mL. Pre-operative PGG1 was identified in 12 (71%) men and PGG2 in 5 (29%) men. Median (IQR) lesion volume was 2 mL(0.86, 3.1). Preoperative median IIEF-5 and IPSS scores were 19.5 and 5, and decreased to 19 and 4, post-operatively. All patients remained continent with no change in sexual function. All post-procedure targeted biopsies of the treated cancers were negative. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of treating APCs with image-guided targeted focal cryoablation as a good balance between short-term oncologic control and near complete preservation of genitourinary function. Further follow-up is necessary to examine the potential benefits long-term.

Validation of the 2015 prostate cancer grade groups for predicting long-term oncologic outcomes in a shared equal-access health system.

BACKGROUND: A 5-tier prognostic grade group (GG) system was enacted to simplify the risk stratification of patients with prostate cancer in which Gleason scores of ≤6, 3 + 4, 4 + 3, 8, and 9 or 10 are considered GG 1 through 5, respectively. The authors investigated the utility of biopsy GG for predicting long-term oncologic outcomes after radical prostatectomy in an equal-access health system. METHODS: Men who underwent prostatectomy at 1 of 6 Veterans Affairs hospitals in the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital database between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed. The prognostic ability of biopsy GG was examined using Cox models. Interactions between GG and race also were tested. RESULTS: In total, 2509 men were identified who had data available on biopsy Gleason scores, covariates, and follow-up. The cohort included men with GG 1 (909 patients; 36.2%), GG 2 (813 patients; 32.4%), GG 3 (398 patients; 15.9%), GG 4 (279 patients; 11.1%), and GG 5 (110 patients; 4.4%) prostate cancer. The cohort included 1002 African American men (41%). The median follow-up was 60 months (interquartile range, 33-90 months). Higher GG was associated with higher clinical stage, older age, more recent surgery, and surgical center (P < .001) as well as increased biochemical recurrence, secondary therapy, castration-resistant prostate cancer, metastases, and prostate cancer-specific mortality (all P < .001). There were no significant interactions with race in predicting measured outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-tier GG system predicted multiple long-term endpoints after radical prostatectomy in an equal-access health system. The predictive value was consistent across races. Cancer 2017;123:4122-4129. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

High-intensity focused ultrasound for focal therapy: reality or pitfall?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Progress in imaging, fusion software, and ablative modalities has fostered growth of the latest image-guided generation of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for focal treatment of prostate cancer. Although early reports are encouraging, important questions remain regarding candidate selection, treatment, and outcomes. We review contemporary considerations for the use of HIFU for focal treatment of primary and radio-recurrent prostate cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: HIFU has been used to treat prostate cancer for over two decades. More recently, stage migration from screening and improvements in pelvic imaging and fusion technology has resulted in wider clinical application of focal HIFU as a first-line treatment for localized prostate cancer. Advanced imaging has also improved targeting for focal salvage therapy of radio-recurrent disease. Proponents point to the minimally invasive nature, limited morbidity profile, and ability to perform retreatments in the future. Critics emphasize positive post-treatment biopsies, nonuniform treatment protocols, and absence of long-term follow-up. Thus, a review of clinical considerations and recently published data is warranted. SUMMARY: Recent advances have strengthened support for the use of focal HIFU. Although HIFU has great potential, it must be applied judiciously, maintaining appropriate oncologic principles in the setting of standardized trials to determine its true clinical value.

The Contemporary Role of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Growing research supports the use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for the evaluation of localized prostate cancer (PCa). We highlight contemporary evidence supporting its use in active surveillance (AS). RECENT FINDINGS: The emerging approach to localized PCa favors risk-adapted screening, image-guided biopsies, and selective therapeutic interventions. mpMRI is increasingly critical to achieve each of these aims. Early evidence suggests a value of mpMRI before initial biopsy to guide fusion targeting and to rule out non-organ confined disease as well as in the initiation and serial monitoring of men on AS. There remain concerns regarding understaging cancer with mpMRI and the standardization of expertise beyond the most experienced centers. mpMRI is emerging as a critical decision point for staging localized PCa and guiding AS strategies. While there is increasing enthusiasm, the optimal clinical scenario and sequencing remains to be defined.

Renal Thermal Ablation Trends of American Urologists.

Objective: To define current trends in the utilization of renal thermal ablation by urologists in the United States. Material and Methods: A six-month case log data for renal procedures submitted by certifying and recertifying American urologists from 2003 to 2018 were obtained from the American Board of Urology and stratified by current procedural terminology code. The utilization of thermal ablative techniques was examined with respect to overall trends, surgeon, and practice characteristics associated with its use. Results: Six thousand two hundred eleven unique urologists performed 54,075 renal procedures, including 1916 (3.5%) thermal ablations, 630 (1.2%) renal biopsies, 17,361 (32.1%) partial nephrectomies, 20,403 (37.8%) radical nephrectomies, and 7957 (14.7%) nephroureterectomies. Eight hundred twenty-five (13.3%) unique urologists performed renal ablations, including 1344 (70.2%), 418 (21.8%), and 154 (8.0%) laparoscopic, percutaneous, and open ablation procedures, respectively. The annual volume of ablation was highest in 2008, followed by 2010 and 2009. On multivariate modeling of those performing renal interventions, the first decade of practice, self-declared endourologist, urologist who completed an endourology fellowship, urologist who practices in the Mid Atlantic, North Central, South Central, and South Eastern United States (compared with New England) were more likely to perform thermal ablation for renal masses. Urologists who perform renal biopsies and partial nephrectomies are also more likely to perform ablation of renal masses. Conclusions: Thermal ablation accounted for a small percentage of renal interventions performed by urologists in the last 1.5 decades with definable associations to practice characteristics. Renal ablation was most commonly performed laparoscopically, with declining use in recent years.

Rethinking the need for overnight admission after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is the gold standard for the surgical management of localized prostate cancer (PCa). Multi-institutional series have demonstrated complications and readmissions in less than 5% of patients and most are now discharged within 24 h of surgery. Recently, several high-volume surgeons demonstrated the safety of same-day discharge (SDD) after RALP. The main benefits include lower costs and reduced exposure to nosocomial infections and hospital errors. The leading arguments for criticism include potential suboptimal postoperative care and the risk of missing a catastrophic event. In recent years, important advances have further strengthened the argument for SDD including more structured perioperative care, integration of single-port robotic systems, and new challenges presented by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Here, we provide further evidence demonstrating the safety of SDD in a multi-institutional cohort of patients and review the main arguments supporting the expanded use of this approach.

Salvage Radiotherapy for Recurrent Prostate Cancer: Can the Prognostic Grade Group System Inform Treatment Timing?

PURPOSE: In order to better time salvage radiotherapy (SRT) for post-radical prostatectomy biochemical failure, we examined the association between pre-SRT prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA control as a function of the new prognostic grade group (PGG) system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital database, we identified men after radical prostatectomy with PSA > 0.2 ng/mL and without cancer involvement of lymph nodes who underwent SRT alone. SRT failure was defined as post-SRT PSA nadir + 0.2 ng/mL or receipt of post-SRT hormone therapy. Men were stratified by pre-SRT PSA (0.2-0.49, 0.5-0.99, and ≥ 1.0 ng/mL). Multivariable Cox models were used to test the association between pre-SRT PSA and SRT failure, stratified by PGG. RESULTS: A total of 358 men met the inclusion criteria and comprised our study cohort. Median post-SRT follow-up was 78 months. A total of 174 men (49%) had pre-SRT PSA 0.2-0.49 ng/mL, 97 (27%) PSA 0.5-0.99 ng/mL, and 87 (24%) PSA ≥ 1.0 ng/mL. On multivariable analysis among men with PGG 1-2, pre-SRT PSA 0.2-0.49 ng/mL had similar outcomes as PSA 0.5-0.99 ng/mL; those with PSA ≥ 1.0 ng/mL had higher recurrence risks (hazard ratio = 2.78, P < .001). Among PGG 3-5, PSA 0.5-0.99 ng/mL or ≥ 1.0 ng/mL had a higher recurrence risk (hazard ratio = 2.15, P = .021; and hazard ratio = 2.49, P = .010, respectively) versus PSA 0.2-0.49 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: In men with higher-grade prostate cancer (PGG 3-5), SRT should be provided earlier (PSA < 0.5 ng/mL), while among men with lower-grade disease (PGG 1-2), SRT results in equal PSA control up to PSA 1.0 ng/mL.

Multiparametric Prostate MR Imaging: Impact on Clinical Staging and Decision Making.

Meaningful changes to the approach of prostate cancer staging and management have been made over the past decade with increasing demand for high-quality multiparametric MR imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate. This article focuses on the evolving paradigm of prostate cancer staging, with emphasis on the role of mpMRI on staging and its integration into clinical decision making. Current prostate cancer staging systems are defined and mpMRI's role in the detection of non-organ-confined disease and how it has an impact on the selection of appropriate next steps are discussed. Several imaging pitfalls, limitations, and future directions of mpMRI also are discussed.

Multiparametric Prostate MR Imaging: Impact on Clinical Staging and Decision Making.

Meaningful changes to the approach of prostate cancer staging and management have been made over the past decade with increasing demand for high-quality multiparametric MR imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate. This article focuses on the evolving paradigm of prostate cancer staging, with emphasis on the role of mpMRI on staging and its integration into clinical decision making. Current prostate cancer staging systems are defined and mpMRI's role in the detection of non-organ-confined disease and how it has an impact on the selection of appropriate next steps are discussed. Several imaging pitfalls, limitations, and future directions of mpMRI also are discussed.

New advances in focal therapy for early stage prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate focal therapy offers men the opportunity to achieve oncological control while preserving sexual and urinary function. The prerequisites for successful focal therapy are to accurately identify, localize and completely ablate the clinically significant cancer(s) within the prostate. We aim to evaluate the evidence for current and upcoming technologies that could shape the future of prostate cancer focal therapy in the next five years. Areas covered: Current literature on advances in patient selection using imaging, biopsy and biomarkers, ablation techniques and adjuvant treatments for focal therapy are summarized. A literature search of major databases was performed using the search terms 'focal therapy', 'focal ablation', 'partial ablation', 'targeted ablation', 'image guided therapy' and 'prostate cancer'. Expert commentary: Advanced radiological tools such as multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), multiparametric ultrasound (mpUS), prostate-specific-membrane-antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) represent a revolution in the ability to understand cancer function and biology. Advances in ablative technologies now provide a menu of modalities that can be rationalized based on lesion location, size and perhaps in the near future, pre-determined resistance to therapy. However, these need to be carefully studied to establish their safety and efficacy parameters. Adjuvant strategies to enhance focal ablation are under development.

Device-Related Adverse Events During Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Review of the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an established technique for removal of large stones from the upper urinary tract. It is a complex multistep procedure requiring several classes of instruments that are subject to operator misuse and device malfunction. We report device-related adverse events during PCNL from the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database using a recently developed standardized classification system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MAUDE database was queried for "percutaneous nephrolithotomy" from 2006 to 2016. The circumstances and patient complications associated with classes of devices used during PCNL were identified. We then utilized a novel MAUDE classification system to categorize clinical events. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associations between device classes and severe adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 218 device-related events were reported. The most common classes included: lithotripter 53 (24.3%), wires 43 (19.7%), balloon dilators 30 (13.8%), and occlusion balloons 28 (12.8%). Reported patient complications included need for a second procedure 12 (28.6%), bleeding 8 (19.0%), retained fragments 7 (16.7%), prolonged procedure 4 (9.5%), ureteral injury 2 (4.8%), and conversion to an open procedure 3 (7.1%). Using a MAUDE classification system, 176 complications (81%) were Level I (mild/none), 26 (12%) were Level II (moderate), 15 (7%) were Level III (severe), and 1 (0.5%) was Level IV (life threatening). On univariate analysis, balloon dilators had the highest risk of Level II-IV complications compared with the other device classes [odds ratio: 4.33, confidence interval: 1.978, 9.493, p < 0.001]. The device was evaluated by the manufacturer in 93 (42.7%) cases, with 54.8% of reviewed cases listing the source of malfunction as misuse by the operator. CONCLUSIONS: PCNL is subject to a wide range of device-related adverse events. A MAUDE classification system is useful for standardized, clinically-relevant reporting of events. Our findings highlight the importance of proper surgeon training with devices to maximize efficiency and decrease harm.