Laparoendoscopic single site, laparoscopic or open surgery for adrenal tumors: Selecting the optimal approach

Numerous surgical modalities are available to treat adrenal lesions. Minimally-invasive approaches for adrenalectomy are indicated in most circumstances, and new evidence continues to be accumulated. In this context, current indications for open surgical adrenalectomy (OS-A), minimally-invasive adrenalectomy (MI-A), and laparoendoscopic single-site adrenalectomy (LESS-A) remain unclear. A comprehensive English-language literature review was performed using MEDLINE/PubMED to identify articles and guidelines pertinent to the surgical management of adrenal tumors. A comprehensive chart review was performed for three illustrative cases. Clinical recommendations were generated based on relevant literature and the expertise of the investigator group. MI-A offers advantages over OS-A in properly selected patients, who experience fewer complications, lower blood loss, and shorter hospital stays. Robot-assisted laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy may offer advantages over transperitoneal surgery, and LESS-A may be an even less-invasive option that will require further evaluation. MI-A remains the surgical treatment of choice for most adrenal lesions. Tumor size and stage are the primary indications for selecting alternative treatment modalities. OS-A remains the gold standard for large tumors (> 10 cm) and suspected or known advanced stage malignancy. LESS-A appears to be an appropriate initial approach for small tumors (< 4-5 cm), including pheochromocytoma and isolated adrenal metastases.

Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations for primary penal synovial sarcoma with specific MDM2 gene amplification: A case report

BACKGROUND

Primary renal synovial sarcoma (PRSS) is extremely rare in clinical practice, and most cases are associated with SYT-SSX gene fusion. The PRSS with specific MDM2 gene amplification has not been reported so far. Therefore, there is no practical experience regarding the clinical, pathological features and diagnosis and treatment plans for patients of this type. This article reports a case of PRSS with specific MDM2 gene amplification.

CASE SUMMARY

The patient was preoperatively diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the left kidney (with a high probability of clear cell carcinoma). During the operation, a radical left nephrectomy was performed. The postoperative pathological examination report confirmed synovial sarcoma, and the gene test suggested PRSS with specific MDM2 gene amplification. Forty-eight days after the operation, the patient presented with "abdominal distension and diarrhea" and was found to have a huge metastatic tumor in the original left renal area. The patient died clinically 17 hours after admission due to "multiple organ failure".

CONCLUSION

PRSS with MDM2 gene amplification has a poorer prognosis, a higher degree of malignancy, and a faster progression, and clinicians need to be highly vigilant.

Adjuvant radiotherapy for pathologically advanced prostate cancer improves biochemical recurrence free survival compared to salvage radiotherapy

AIM: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients receiving adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy following prostatectomy with adverse pathologic features and an undetectable prostate specific antigen (PSA).

METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients who received post-prostatectomy radiation at Loyola University Medical Center between 1992 and 2013. Adverse pathologic features (Gleason score ≥ 8, seminal vesicle invasion, extracapsular extension, pathologic T4 disease, and/or positive surgical margins) and an undetectable PSA following prostatectomy were required for inclusion. Adjuvant patients received therapy with an undetectable PSA, salvage patients following biochemical recurrence (BCR). Post-radiation BCR, overall survival, bone metastases, and initiation of hormonal therapy were assessed. Kaplan-Meier time-to-event analyses and stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression (HR) were performed.

RESULTS: Post-prostatectomy patients (n = 134) received either adjuvant (n = 47) or salvage (n = 87) radiation. Median age at radiotherapy (RT) was 63 years, and median follow-up was 53 mo. Five-year post-radiation BCR-free survival was 78% for adjuvant vs 50% salvage radiotherapy (SRT) (Logrank P = 0.001). Patients with radiation administered following a detectable PSA had an increased risk of BCR compared to undetectable: PSA > 0.0-0.2: HR = 4.1 (95%CI: 1.5-11.2; P = 0.005); PSA > 0.2-1.0: HR = 4.4 (95%CI: 1.6-11.9; P = 0.003); and PSA > 1.0: HR = 52 (95%CI: 12.9-210; P < 0.001). There was no demonstrable difference in rates of overall survival, bone metastases or utilization of hormonal therapy between adjuvant and SRT patients.

CONCLUSION: Adjuvant RT improves BCR-free survival compared to SRT in patients with adverse pathologic features and an undetectable post-prostatectomy PSA.

Bladder cancer exosomes: Getting the message across

Bladder cancer is the seventh most common cancer in men and the seventeenth most common in women. It is also the most expensive cancer to treat over the lifetime of a patient, partially due to the necessity of frequent cystoscopy to monitor for tumor recurrence. There have also been no new developments for the treatment of bladder cancer in the last several decades. Exosomes are small, secreted, membrane-bound vesicles representative of the donor cell. Increasing understanding of the role of exosomes in cancer biology has inspired interest in their potential use as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, prognostic markers and/or indicator of recurrence of bladder cancer, and even for use in the treatment of bladder cancer. Exosomes can be readily isolated from urine. Several groups have already demonstrated differences in the protein and micro RNA content of exosomes in bladder cancer patients compared to normal healthy volunteers. Furthermore, cancer cell-derived exosomes mediate tumor progression through the delivery of their biologically active content to recipient cells. Exosomes may be useful for the delivery of targeted molecules for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Prostate resection speed: A key factor for training and broad outcomes?

BACKGROUND

Trans-urethral resection of prostate (TURP) is one of the most commonly performed operations in urology to treat bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) in men. TURP surgery is also a key for endo-urological training in the British National Health Service (NHS) for training junior urologists. The working hypothesis is that prostate resection speed (PRS) in the context of bipolar TURP surgery, is not a key factor in major complication rates or broad patient outcomes at 3 mo after surgery, and therefore supervising consultants should not focus primarily on resection speed when teaching TURP.

AIM

To investigate objective differences in consultants vs trainees PRS and whether PRS affected complication rates/outcomes after TURP.

METHODS

Retrospective descriptive study analyzing patient case-notes, operative and electronic records, study undertaken at Burton Queen’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom, a secondary care centre in the public sector of the NHS. Participants included: all Bipolar TURPs undertaken between 13/04/2016 and 27/06/2017. Exclusions: patients undergoing concomitant operations or where intra-operative equipment problems occurred. Resected prostate (g), operative time, post-operative complications and outcomes at 3-mo were obtained from electronic records. Clavien-Dindo Grade II complications or above considered significant. Binary successful yes/no outcome at 3-mo after surgery included both patients who reported moderate to significant symptom improvement, or being catheter-free for those catheterized before TURP.

RESULTS

157 patients were identified. After exclusion a total of 125 patients were included from analysis. The mean PRS for trainees (0.34 g/min) was found to be lower than the mean PRS for consultants (0.41 g/min). The operating urologist’s PRS was not observed to be related to the number of TURPs that they performed during the period of the study. The trainee vs consultant means post-operative success rates (86.5% vs 90.5%) were comparable. The Trainees’ patients did not suffer any significant complications as defined by the study. There was no clear relationship observed between PRS and the rate of significant post-operative complications or patients’ 3-mo binary successful outcome. PRS was noted to increase with increasing intra-operative experience for both Trainees 1 and 2 when comparing the first half of their TURPs to their latter half.

CONCLUSION

Consultants have a higher PRS in comparison to trainees. There is no trend between PRS and significant post-operative complication rates or 3-mo outcomes.

Varicocele and infertility: Role of pressure flow dynamics

Varicocele is prevalent in infertile individuals as well as in normal adolescents and adults. It has an increasing trend with growing age. Infertile individuals with varicocele, develop varying degrees of sperm abnormalities that range from mild to severe semen abnormalities, even azoospermia may develop. The main proposed features of these abnormalities are incompetence of one-way valves of the draining veins of testes, that allow backflow of blood into testes. This backflow produces abnormally high intra-testicular pressure and temperature, that has been confirmed by thermography and pressure estimation in various studies. Microsurgical varicocelectomy may reverse the pathologic effects on spermatogenesis in most patients, which points towards the cause and effect relationship of varicocele with testicular damage. We propose that the prolonged effect of gravity might or may not be the initiating factor for varicocele, as in our experience, around 1/4^th of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism patients who had no varicocele before treatment, developed varicocele within 3 to 6 mo of treatment with gonadotropins. Occasionally varicocele is produced by “Nutcracker phenomenon”, which is compression of left renal vein between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery. The deleterious effects of varicocele may develop slowly, causing delayed secondary infertility or rapidly, leading to azoospermia or individual may be spared of damage due to unknown factors that need further research.

Phallic rubber band application to prevent enuresis unusual cause of urethral stricture in a child: A case report

BACKGROUND

Urethral stricture is the abnormal narrowing of the urethra due to spongiofibrosis. The established aetiological factors for urethral stricture abound in our environment. However, the application of a penile rubber band to prevent enuresis thereby causing this pathology is not a familiar occurrence. Patients with enuresis can suffer psycho-social challenges and trauma, especially for a child due to peer stigmatization. This has a great impact on the child's psyche and may affect even his performance at school. The aim of this paper is to highlight the psychosocial impact and management challenges of a child with enuresis (nocturnal urinary incontinence).

CASE SUMMARY

This is the case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with a history of nocturnal urinary incontinence since birth and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) for 3 years culminating in chronic urinary retention. He maintained a normal urge to micturate and continent of urine during the daytime before the onset of LUTS. He had an antecedent longstanding history of tying a rubber band to the penile shaft mostly before going to the bed at night to prevent enuresis due to his peer stigmatization. He was acutely ill-looking, with distended suprapubic region. The phallus and scrotum were enlarged and oedematous with a circumferential proximal penile shaft scar and ventral penile shaft urethrocutaneous fistula. He was diagnosed to have complete short segment bulbopenile stricture and right ectopic ureter. He subsequent had augmented anastomotic urethroplasty and bilateral non-refluxing ureteroneocystostomy at different sitting.

CONCLUSION

The adherence to surgical principles of urethral stricture and enuresis management where surgically correctable in a child is associated with the resolution of enuresis and social reintegration.

Does the molecular classification of breast cancer point the way for biomarker identification in prostate cancer?

There is significant variation in clinical outcome between patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (CaP). Although useful, statistical nomograms and risk stratification tools alone do not always accurately predict an individual’s need for and response to treatment. The factors that determine this variation are not fully elucidated. In particular, cellular response to androgen ablation and subsequent paracrine/autocrine adaptation is poorly understood and despite best therapies, median survival in castrate resistant patients is only approximately 35 mo. We propose that one way of understanding this is to look for correlates in other comparable malignancies, such as breast cancer, where markers of at least 4 distinct gene clusters coding for 4 different phenotypic subtypes have been identified. These subtypes have been shown to demonstrate prognostic significance and successfully guide appropriate treatment regimens. In this paper we assess and review the evidence demonstrating parallels in the biology and treatment approach between breast and CaP, and consider the feasibility of patients with CaP being stratified into different molecular classes that could be used to complement prostate specific antigen and histological grading for clinical decision making. We show that there are significant correlations between the molecular classification of breast and CaP and explain how techniques used successfully to predict response to treatment in breast cancer can be applied to the prostate. Molecular phenotyping is possible in CaP and identification of distinct subtypes may allow personalised risk stratification way beyond that currently available.

Is verumontanum resection needed in transurethral resection of the prostate?

Transurethral resection of the prostate is the mainstay for treatment of bladder outflow obstruction. It is a procedure that involves various complications and has a high success rate. In view of a recent publication presenting the effect of verumontanum resection on functional outcome and possible complications after TURP, the present manuscript presents the available evidence on the subject as well as the possible criticism about the technique suggested by the authors. The results available do not confirm that by resecting the verumontanum there is a clinically significant improvement in the functional outcome, however confirm that continence is not affected. The criticism probably lies in the fact that resecting such a small amount of tissue like the verumontanum (its size probably remains the same with few changes during lifetime) probably does not affect outcome, yet the resection of hyperplastic apical tissue around it may play a role in functional improvement.

Barbed polyglyconate vs monocryl suture in vesico-urethral anastomosis during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

AIM: To compare outcomes using barbed polyglyconate (V-Loc 180) vs monofilament monocryl suture in forming vesico-urethral anastomosis (VUA) during robot assisted radical prostatectomy.

METHODS: Review of prospectively collected robot assisted radical prostatectomy data between July 2011 and September 2012. VUA technique: VUA was performed using 2 cm × 15 cm 2/0 V-Loc 180 continuous sutures or 3/0 monofilament monocryl sutures. Anastomotic integrity was tested intra-operatively with a water leak test. All patients had a post-operative cystogram at day 7 to 10.

RESULTS: There were 189 patients in the study with 113 in the V-Loc group and 76 in the monocryl group. Demographics were similar for both groups P > 0.05). The median operative time for V-Loc group was 130 min and monocryl group was 145 min, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The median blood loss for both groups was 200 mL with no significant difference (P = 0.260). The pathology results of the 2 groups were similar (P = 0.537). Four patients in the V-Loc group and two patients in the monocryl group had radiological urinary leak. This was not statistically significant (P = 1.00) and all patients improved with conservative management. The continence rates were comparable for both groups.

CONCLUSION: V-Loc suture significantly reduced operative time facilitating ease of VUA formation. Overall functional outcome and urinary morbidity were not significantly different from the monofilament group.

Pre-transplant treatment of large polycystic kidney

AIM: To evaluate the indications, optimal timing and outcomes of native nephrectomy and other techniques in pretransplant treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

METHODS: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Epistemonikos databases. Keywords for pre-transplant surgical management of polycystic kidneys were: Transplant, treatment and PKD. Keywords for pre-treatment embolization of PKD were: Embolization, transplant and polycystic kidney disease. The inclusion criterions were all articles found using this search method. The exclusion criterions were articles found to include bias and not attending pre-transplant treatment options. Fifteen articles were included in our final analysis. Ten articles were found regarding embolization of PKD of which three reviews were selected for final analysis. The reviews were divided into pre transplant and intra transplant treatment for the surgical treatment of PKD. All articles meeting inclusion criteria were thoroughly analyzed by two independent reviewers. A third independent reviewer was consulted if the reviewers did not agree upon the inclusion or exclusion of a specific article. No statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS: Studies vary regarding the technique used (open or laparoscopic), laterality (single or bilateral) and temporality of nephrectomy with respect to renal transplant (pre-transplant or simultaneous to transplant). Several groups argue in favor of simultaneous nephrectomy and kidney transplant since it avoids the deleterious effects of being anefric. Long-term results and patient satisfaction are acceptable. However, it is associated with increased operative time, transfusion rate, morbidity and length of hospital stay. Based on small sample studies, bilateral nephrectomy prior to transplant has been associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Studies on laparoscopic approach report it as a feasible and safe alternative to the open surgery approach, highlighting its lower complication rate, transfusions and shorter hospital stay. Arterial embolization of the kidney appears as an effective and low morbid alternative for the management of large native kidneys. The reduction in renal size allow transplant in a significant number of patients, which makes it an appealing alternative to surgery.

CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence regarding best pretrasnplant treatment of large PKD but to date embolization seems an appealing alternative to augment space for renal graft allocation.

Chlamydial infections in urological disease: A challenging management

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections are the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infections worldwide, causing considerable morbidity and socio-economic problems. Moreover, Ct infections are asymptomatic in approximately 50% of infected men and 70% of infected women, with the risk for reproductive tract sequelae both in women and men. Recent studies have improved the comprehension of this infection and its natural history, also highlighting its role in decreasing male fertility. Severe complications can be avoided only by a proper early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. We reviewed the literature relating to the new findings in the treatment of Ct infection in sexually active young men. Articles from 1960-2012 were identified through a Medline search using the keywords “Chlamydia trachomatis” combined with “urethritis”, “epididymitis”, “prostatitis”, “treatment” or “management”. Currently, several studies have been published about the role of new antibiotic schedules and new associated compounds in order to improve the efficacy in terms of microbiological results and patient quality of life. In particular, several studies stress the fact that Chlamydia is only metabolically active in the host cell and therefore only targeted intracellularly by antibiotics. Even although the standard therapy includes intracellularly-accumulated antibiotics such as tetracyclines or macrolides, recent evidence highlights the role of quinolones. In particular, recent studies highlight the role of prulifloxacin in the treatment of chronic prostatitis for improving the patient’s quality of life and decreasing the IL-8 level. However, future studies should focus on delineating the natural history of recurrent infections, paying particular attention to treatment failures.

Stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an important health problem that has commonly been clinically treated using phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is). However, PDE5Is are less effective when the structure of the cavernous body has been severely injured, and thus regeneration is required. Stem cell therapy has been investigated as a possible means for regenerating the injured cavernous body. Stem cells are classified into embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells (ASCs), and the intracavernous injection of ASCs has been explored as a therapy in animal ED models. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and adipose tissue-derived stem cells are major sources of ASCs used for the treatment of ED, and accumulated evidence now suggests that ASCs are useful in the restoration of erectile function and the regeneration of the cavernous body. However, the mechanisms by which ASCs recover erectile function remain controversial. Some studies indicated that ASCs were differentiated into the vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and nerve cells that originally resided in the cavernous body, whereas other studies have suggested that ASCs improved erectile function via the secretion of anti-apoptotic and/or proangiogenic cytokines rather than differentiation into other cell types. In this paper, we reviewed the characteristics of stem cells used for the treatment of ED, and the possible mechanisms by which these cells exert their effects. We also discussed the problems to be solved before implementation in the clinical setting.

“Targeting” renal cell carcinoma patients with “targeted” agents: Are we there yet?

The rapid approval of several novel agents, targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor or mammalian target of rapamycin pathways (sunitinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, axitinib, bevacizumab, everolimus, temsirolimus) has given to metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients and their treating physicians many new and effective therapeutic options. The treatment paradigm for these patients is rapidly evolving, with future studies needed to define the optimal sequencing of these new agents. Despite progresses, no validated biomarkers able to predict clinical outcome or useful to guide patient selection for treatment are currently available. Recent studies have suggested that some biomarkers, including cytokines, circulating proangiogenic factors, markers of hypoxia or targets of signaling pathways are potentially promising prognostic or predictive factors in mRCC. We present an overview of the most recent developments in identifying biomarkers for targeted therapies in advanced RCC.

Alternative mechanisms for prostate-specific antigen elevation: A prospective analysis of 222 transurethral resections of prostate patients

AIM: To investigate the relationship between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and (1) bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and (2) the severity of prostate inflammation.

METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) were prospectively included. Patients with proven urinary tract infection and/or known prostate cancer were excluded. PSA levels, International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), prostate weight, post residual volume and pressure flow parameters were determined. A histopathological assessment of the presence and severity of inflammation was also performed.

RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 69.1 ± 8.6 years (45-90 years), with mean preoperative PSA levels of 4.7 ± 5.4 ng/mL (0.2-32.5 ng/mL) and IPSS of 15.7 ± 6.9 (0-32). Mean PdetQ_max was 96.3 ± 34.4 cmH₂O (10-220 cmH₂O). The mean resected prostate weight was 39.4 ± 27.3 g (3-189 g). Correlations were observed between PSA (logarithmic) and resected prostate weight (r = 0.54; P < 0.001), PSA (logarithmic) and PdetQ_max (r = 0.17; P = 0.032), and resected prostate weight and PdetQ_max (r = 0.39; P < 0.001). Furthermore, low correlations were observed between PSA (logarithmic) and active (r = 0.21; P < 0.0001) and chronic (r = 0.19; P = 0.005) inflammation.

CONCLUSION: In this study we showed a correlation between BOO (PdetQ_max) and PSA (logarithmic). Furthermore, we demonstrated a weak correlation between PSA (logarithmic) and active as well as chronic prostatic inflammation.

What is the purpose of launching World Journal of Clinical Urology?

The first issue of the World Journal of Clinical Urology (WJCU), whose preparatory work was initiated on December 6, 2010, will be published on December 28, 2011. The WJCU Editorial Board has now been established and consists of 101 distinguished experts from 25 countries. Our purpose in launching the WJCU is to publish peer-reviewed, high-quality articles via an open-access online publishing model, thereby acting as a platform for communication between peers and the wider public, and maximizing the benefits to editorial board members, authors and readers.

Splenunculi mimicking metastases in a patient with locally advanced prostate cancer

A 61-year-old man with locally advanced prostate cancer was found to have multiple solid intra-abdominal solid lesions during staging investigations. While some were in the pelvis, they were not located in the common landing sites for prostate cancer metastases, and his prostate specific antigen was not significantly elevated to suggest a high burden of metastatic disease. He reported a history of a blunt abdominal trauma due to a motor vehicle accident more than forty years ago which had been conservatively managed. His staging imaging revealed a lack of a discrete spleen in his left upper abdomen and this raised the suspicion that these solid lesions may represent ectopic splenic tissue. Imaging with nuclear medicine scintigraphy confirmed the lesions in his upper abdomen and pelvis to be splenunculi. He proceeded with a combination of androgen deprivation therapy and external beam radiotherapy for locally advanced, non-metastatic prostate cancer. Although it has been described in patients with low risk prostate cancer, this is the first case report of splenunculi mimicking metastases in a patient with locally advanced prostate cancer.

Acute management of symptomatic nephrolithiasis

Over half a million patients present to emergency departments and nearly 3 million patients visit healthcare providers annually due to problems associated with urolithiasis. Despite updated guidelines from the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology for the evaluation and management of nephrolithiasis, considerable variability still exists regarding treatment for acute symptomatic upper urinary tract stones. Therefore, this article will review the current evaluation and management of acute symptomatic nephrolithiasis. Initial management includes analgesia and antiemetics. Additionally, a urinalysis and creatinine are required laboratory evaluations. Acute imaging with a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan is the diagnostic imaging modality of choice. However, concerns over radiation exposure have led towards low-dose and even ultra-low-dose protocols for the detection of urinary calculi. Low-dose non-contrast CT scans are now standard of care for the initial diagnosis of renal colic in patients with a body mass index ≤ 30. Medical expulsive therapy is recommended for patients with a ureteral calculus < 10 mm and no signs of infection. Emergency urinary decompression is mandatory for a specific subset of patients, especially those with infection. Although limited data exists, emergency ureteroscopy or even shock wave lithotripsy may also be therapeutic options.

Development of a nomogram for predicting a positive repeat prostate biopsy

AIM: To find risk factors of cancer in patients who had a repeat biopsy and to develop the nomogram using our cohort.

METHODS: Among 3500 patients who had a prostate biopsy over 11 years between 2000 and 2010 at our hospital, we studied a total of 807 repeat biopsy sessions in 459 patients who had at least 1 initial negative biopsy. At each biopsy session, we recorded patient age, number of previous biopsy sessions, number of biopsy cores, number of previously negative biopsy cores, months from the initial biopsy, months from the previous biopsy, serum PSA, PSA slope, digital rectal examination findings, hypoechoic lesions suspicious for a cancer on transrectal ultrasonography, total prostate volume, transitional zone (TZ) volume, PSA density, PSA TZ density and history of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP). Clinical and pathological variables were correlated with the outcome of repeat biopsies. A nomogram was developed based on logistic regression analyses and calibration was performed.

RESULTS: Overall, 17% of repeat biopsies had a cancer. With receiver operating characteristics analyses, the highest area under the curve (AUC) was obtained based on all available 13 variables, which were age, PSA, digital rectal examination, PSA density, prostate volume, TZ volume, PSA TZ density, cumulative number of biopsy cores, HGPIN, ASAP, months from previous negative biopsy, initial negative biopsy and number of biopsy cores. Based on multivariable logistic regression analysis, a nomogram was constructed with an AUC of 0.74, which was greater than that of any single risk factor. The calibration plot seemed to be good.

CONCLUSION: Our nomogram for predicting a positive repeat biopsy can provide probabilities for cancer and may help clinical judgment on whether to do a repeat prostate biopsy.

Best surgical treatment for very large benign prostatic obstruction

AIM: To investigate the best surgical treatment for very large benign prostatic obstruction (BPO).

METHODS: A revision of literature was conducted in PubMed database with 167 search results. Key words for the search were benign prostatic hyperplasia, surgical treatment, large, and volume. Inclusion criteria for this study were surgical treatment of benign prostatic obstruction for prostates equal to or larger than 80 cc. Among article search results, 9 completed inclusion criterion and were revised. Each surgical technique included in those articles was compared to each other. The results were observed, and conclusions derived from this are presented. There is no statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Of the 5 techniques presented in the revised articles [open transvesical enucleation, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), photoselective vaporization of the prostate using potassium titanyl phospate laser, transurethral resection with bipolar energy, and transurethral enucleation with bipolar energy], open transvesical enucleation best permits the resolution of obstructive symptoms. It presents excellent maximum flow rates, high resected tissue volume and maintenance of results over time. These characteristics explain why it has been the gold standard treatment for prostates greater than 80 cc. However, it is at the expense of greater blood loss, urethral catheter and hospital stay times. Since its initial application in 1996, the transurethral enucleation of the prostate by means of a holmium laser has become a procedure that has similar surgical outcomes with fewer complications when compared to open surgery making it an interesting alternative for very large BPO. Nonetheless, no procedure has removed open surgery as the gold standard for very large BPO.

CONCLUSION: Open surgery has proved to be the gold standard for very large BPO. HoLEP appears as a minimally invasive alternative with same benefits but less morbidity.

Perioperative outcomes and survival of radical cystectomy as a function of body mass index

AIM: To evaluate the perioperative and long term outcomes of cystectomy in obese patients.

METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 580 patients for whom radical cystectomy (RC) was performed for primary urothelial bladder cancer between November 1996-April 2013 at a single institution. Body mass index (BMI) was available for 424 patients who were categorized as underweight (< 18.5), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), and obese (≥ 30). Baseline demographics, perioperative outcomes, and survival were assessed. Overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Medians were compared using the Mann-Whitney U Test. Categorical variables were compared using the χ² test. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analyses were performed using the Software Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 20 (International Business Machines SPSS, Chicago, IL, United States).

RESULTS: The median age of all patients was 69 years (inter-quartile range 60-75) and median follow-up was 23.4 mo (8.7-55.1). Patients were characterized as underweight [9, (2.1%)], normal [113, (26.7%)], overweight [160, (37.8%)], or obese [142, (33.5%)]. Estimated blood loss during RC was higher in the obese group (800 mL) as compared to the normal weight group (500 mL). However, need for transfusion (47.7% vs 52.1%), number of lymph nodes resected (32 vs 30), length of stay (9 d vs 8 d), and 30-d readmission (29.7% vs 25.2%) between obese and normal BMI patients were similar. Obese patients underwent ileal neobladder diversion in 42% of cases, compared to 24% of normal BMI patients (0.003). Normal BMI and obese patients had comparable urinary incontinence (21.4% vs 25.6%, P = 0.343), and need for intermittent catheterization (14.3% vs 5.2%, P = 0.685) at 2 years follow-up. Overall survival was better in obese compared to normal BMI patients on univariate analysis, with median survival of 67 mo vs 37 mo, respectively (P = 0.031). Disease specific survival in these populations followed the same Kaplan Meier curve, with the obese group having a significantly improved OS, P = 0.016. Underweight patients had a significantly worse prognosis, with a median overall survival of 19 mo (P = 0.018). Disease specific survival was significantly worse in the underweight group compared to the obese group, P = 0.007. On multivariate analysis underweight patients remained at increased risk for death (HR = 3.1, P = 0.006), as were older patients (HR = 1.6, P = 0.006), those with multiple nodal metastases (HR = 3.7, P = 0.007), and those who had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR = 2.0, P = 0.015).

CONCLUSION: Perioperative outcomes and survival following RC in obese patients is comparable with non-obese patients. Underweight patients have the worst OS and DSS.

Nothing like data showing significant death reduction can better support prostate cancer screening

At 13 years of follow-up, the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer shows a 21% decrease in prostate cancer deaths in the prostate-specific antigen-screened group compared to control. This difference increases to 27% when non compliance is taken into account. The benefits of screening compared to control are higher at 28% (compared to 21%) when duration of follow-up ranges between 8 and 12 years. Such data obtained following an average rate of one screening performed once every 5.7 years in quite impressive and strongly supports the use of screening for a successful fight against a cancer which grows to an advanced and non curable stage without any specific sign or symptom.

Sweet side of bladder cancer

The malignant transformation of cells is often accompanied by deranged expression of the sugar chains, i.e., glycans, attached the cancer cell surfaces or attached to secreted proteins. The aberrant expression of specific glycans in bladder cancer has also been reported by several research groups. Similarly to other cancers, glycans such as the sialyl Tn antigens have been suggested as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of bladder cancer, and associated with disease progression and patient’s response to treatment. At present our understandings about the role of glycans in bladder cancer is still limited, but at the same time it is now assumed that this understanding urges and it will fuel the development of novel strategies of diagnostic and therapy.

Perinephric urinoma, an unusual upper tract presentation of a lower tract injury following retroperitoneoscopy: A case report

BACKGROUND

A 66-year-old lady was referred to urology for a suspected urinoma after retroperioneoscopy done for debridement of a retroperitoneal abscess that developed following a duodenal perforation.

CASE SUMMARY

Serous contents of the drain sent for fluid creatinine were elevated confirming this and computed tomography urography findings suggested an upper tract injury with urinoma around the kidney. However, the antegrade nephrostogram suggested otherwise and on flexible cystoscopy and cystogram, an extraperitoneal bladder perforation was instead identified, with tip of retroperitoneal drain sitting inside the bladder.

CONCLUSION

This case identifies a limitation in the usual diagnostic approach for such injuries and emphasizes the need to exercise caution when managing them especially when they occur after several surgical procedures and in the presence of multiple surgical drains.

Bone markers predict survival in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with docetaxel

AIM: To investigate the relationship between clinicopathological features and bone turnover markers in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients treated with docetaxel.

METHODS: Thirty-three patients were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen generated by metalloproteinases (1CTP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured at the start of docetaxel chemotherapy. We examined the relationship between clinicopathological features and serum levels of 1CTP and ALP levels in CRPC patients treated with docetaxel.

RESULTS: For the total patient group, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) values for docetaxel chemotherapy dose, dose intensity, dosage interval, and number of cycles were 59.3 ± 10.6 mg/m², 13.9 ± 5.2 mg/m² per week, 4.7 ± 1.2 wk, and 11.2 ± 7.4, respectively. Fourteen patients died from prostate cancer. Patients were divided into two groups according to mean + SD of serum 1CTP (8.2 ng/mL) and ALP (538.2 IU/L) levels at the start of docetaxel chemotherapy. Patients with lower levels of serum 1CTP and ALP had significantly better survivals than those with higher serum levels (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Serum levels of 1CTP and ALP are predictors of survival in patients with CRPC who are treated with docetaxel.