Hematuria macroscópica como signo inicial del cáncer primario de uretra. Reporte de caso / Macroscopic hematuria as an initial sign of primary urethral cancer. Case report

Fundamento: El cáncer primario de uretra se define como el tumor cuya primera lesión se localiza en la uretra; es infrecuente, el mismo representa menos del 1 % de los tumores malignos y el 5 % de los tumores malignos del sistema urinario. La extensión de este proceso a la glándula prostática genera sintomatología urinaria obstructiva e irritativa y cuadros agudos como la hematuria macroscópica. Objetivo: Presentar el caso de un paciente con cáncer primario de uretra en su variedad urotelial con hematuria macroscópica como forma clínica de presentación. Presentación del caso: Caso clínico de un paciente masculino de 75 años de edad, con hematuria macroscópica como forma clínica de presentación de cáncer primario de uretra en su variedad urotelial, el cual se diagnosticó anatomopatológicamente durante el estudio de la hematuria. Conclusiones: El caso que se presenta permite alertar a la comunidad científica que en pacientes que presentan hematuria macroscópica, sin manifestaciones urológicas obstructivas ni irritativas, también debe tenerse en cuenta el diagnóstico de cáncer uretral primario, aunque sea un signo infrecuente como forma clínica de presentación de esa enfermedad.

Background: Primary urethral cancer is defined as a tumor whose first lesion is located in the urethra; is very uncommon, represents less than 1% of malignant tumors and 5% of malignant tumors of the urinary system. The extension of this process to the prostate gland creates obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms and acute conditions such as macroscopic hematuria. Objective: To present the case of a patient with primary urethral carcinoma in its urothelial variety with macroscopic hematuria as clinical presentation. Case presentation: Clinical case of a 75-year-old male patient, with macroscopic hematuria as a clinical presentation of primary cancer of the urethra in its urothelial variety, diagnosed anatomopathologically during the hematuria study. Conclusions: The case presented alerts the scientific community that the diagnosis of primary urethral cancer should be considered in patients with macroscopic hematuria in the absence of obstructive or irritative urologic manifestations, although it is a rare sign as clinical presentation of this disease.

Current treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease patients at the risk of developing cancer: a comprehensive review

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that affects the digestive tract and can lead to inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. IBD patients with cancer encounter difficulties since cancer treatment weakens their immune systems. A multidisciplinary strategy that strikes a balance between the requirement to manage IBD symptoms and the potential effects of treatment on cancer is necessary for effective care of IBD in cancer patients. To reduce inflammation and avoid problems, IBD in cancer patients is often managed by closely monitoring IBD symptoms in conjunction with the necessary medication and surgical intervention. Anti-inflammatory medications, immunomodulators, and biologic therapies may be used for medical care, and surgical options may include resection of the diseased intestine or removal of the entire colon. The current study provides a paradigm for shared decision-making involving the patient, gastroenterologist, and oncologist while considering recent findings on the safety of IBD medicines, cancer, and recurrent cancer risk in individuals with IBD. We hope to summarize the pertinent research in this review and offer useful advice. (AU)

Application and evaluation of artificial intelligence TPS-assisted cytologic screening system in urine exfoliative cytology / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To explore the application of manual screening collaborated with the Artificial Intelligence TPS-Assisted Cytologic Screening System in urinary exfoliative cytology and its clinical values. Methods: A total of 3 033 urine exfoliated cytology samples were collected at the Henan People's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Liquid-based thin-layer cytology was prepared. The slides were manually read under the microscope and digitally presented using a scanner. The intelligent identification and analysis were carried out using an artificial intelligence TPS assisted screening system. The Paris Report Classification System of Urinary Exfoliated Cytology 2022 was used as the evaluation standard. Atypical urothelial cells and even higher grade lesions were considered as positive when evaluating the recognition sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence-assisted screening systems and human-machine collaborative cytologic screening methods in urine exfoliative cytology. Among the collected cases, there were also 1 100 pathological tissue controls. Results: The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the AI-assisted cytologic screening system were 77.18%, 90.79% and 69.49%; those of human-machine coordination method were 92.89%, 99.63% and 89.09%, respectively. Compared with the histopathological results, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of manual reading were 79.82%, 74.20% and 95.80%, respectively, while those of AI-assisted cytologic screening system were 93.45%, 93.73% and 92.66%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of human-machine coordination method were 95.36%, 95.21% and 95.80%, respectively. Both cytological and histological controls showed that human-machine coordination review method had higher diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity, and lower false negative rates. Conclusions: The artificial intelligence TPS assisted cytologic screening system has achieved acceptable accuracy in urine exfoliation cytologic screening. The combination of manual screening and artificial intelligence TPS assisted screening system can effectively improve the sensitivity and accuracy of cytologic screening and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis.

Urological Cancer Treatment by a Multidisciplinary Teamthroughout the Covid-19 Pandemic: What Have We Learned? / Tratamiento del cáncer urológico por un equipo multidisciplinario durante la pandemia de Covid-19: ¿Qué hemos aprendido?

Introduction It is known that cancer care is best approached by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). This became specifically true in the Covid-19 pandemic in which choices for urological cancer treatment are influenced by many factors. In some cases, delayed treatment may have consequences regarding the patient's oncological outcomes. The aim of the present article is to report our experience throughout the Covid-19 pandemic treating patients with urological neoplasms at a high-volume center. Methods We used a convenience sampling method. Cases were evaluated and discussed on an individual basis at the MDT meetings, and, after a consensus regarding delaying or scheduling treatment, patients were scheduled according to the risk of postponing the procedures. The Medically Necessary, Time-Sensitive (MeNTS) scoring system was measured in each patient; all patients answered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Covid-19 self-screening questionnaire prior to surgery. The Covid-19-free survival rate was estimated. Results A total of 194 patients were assessed by themultidisciplinary team and finally treated, with median follow-up of 4 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.75 to 6) months. Only two patients had Covid-19 confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In total, 54 patients underwent oncological surgery, 129 were treated with radiotherapy, and 11 were treated with intravenous chemotherapy. Themedian age was 66 years (IQR: 59 to 94 years), and the median MeNTS score in the surgically-treated cohort was 35 points (IQR: 31 to 47 points). Conclusions The evaluation and treatment of urological cancer should be conducted by an MDT; this is of utmost importance, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The data collected in our institution showed that most patients could be safely treated by taking all necessary precautions and discussing each case individually in the MDT meetings and performing a close follow-up.

Introduccion La atención del cáncer se aborda mejor con un equipo multidisciplinario (EMD), aspecto que se tornó más importante en la pandemia por Covid-19, en que las opciones para tratar el cáncer urológico están influenciadas por muchos factores. En algunos casos, el tratamiento retrasado puede tener consecuencias en los resultados oncológicos del paciente. El objetivo de este estudio es describir nuestra experiencia en un centro de referencia y de alto volumen para el tratamiento de neoplasias urológicas durante la pandemia por Covid-19. Métodos Realizamos un muestreo por conveniencia. Posteriormente, los casos fueron evaluados y discutidos de forma individual en las reuniones del EMD. Posterior a la obtención de un consenso sobre el tratamiento del paciente, los pacientes fueron programados según el riesgo individual de posponer el manejo. Se midió la puntuación de cada paciente en el sistema Medically Necessary Time-Sensitive (MeNTS, "Médicamente necesario, sensibles al tiempo"). Todos los pacientes respondieron el cuestionario de autoevaluación del Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 antes de la cirugía. Se estimó la tasa de supervivencia libre de Covid-19. Resultados Un total de 194 pacientes fueron evaluados por el EMD y finalmente tratados, con una mediana de seguimiento de 4 (rango intercuartil [RIC]: 2,75 a 6) meses. Solo dos tenían Covid-19 confirmado por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real (RCP-TR). Un total de 54 pacientes fueron sometidos a cirugía oncológica, 129 fueron tratados con radioterapia, y 11 fueron tratados con quimioterapia intravenosa. La mediana de edad fue de 66 años (RIC: 59 a 94 años), la puntuación mediana en el MeNTS de la cohorte tratada quirúrgicamente fue de 35 puntos (RIC: 31 a 47 puntos). Conclusiones La evaluación y el tratamiento del cáncer urológico debe ser realizado por un EMD durante la pandemia de Covid-19. Los datos recopilados en nuestra institución mostraron que la mayoría de los pacientes podrían ser tratados de manera segura, discutiendo cada caso individualmente y haciendo un seguimiento cercano.

Tumor de vías excretoras urinarias superiores. Presentación de caso / Upper urinary excretory tract tumor. A case report

RESUMEN Los tumores del tracto urinario superior representan menos del 5 % de todas las neoplasias uroteliales, con un porcentaje de recurrencia superior al 90 % y una supervivencia a los 5 años que oscila entre el 30-60 %. Por tales razones se presenta el caso de un paciente de 79 años que fue ingresado en el Hospital General Universitario Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima de Cienfuegos, con un cuadro clínico caracterizado por hematuria, sin otra sintomatología. Mediante estudios imagenológicos le fue diagnosticado un tumor en la pelvis del riñón derecho. Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico, practicándose una nefrectomía total, cuyo resultado histológico fue un carcinoma de células transicionales grado II con infiltración a planos musculares. La evolución clínica fue favorable luego de un año de la cirugía. Podemos concluir que en el diagnóstico precoz tienen un papel fundamental las imágenes tomográficas, pues permitieron identificar un tumor de las vías excretoras urinarias superiores en pelvis renal derecha. Se trazó una estrategia terapéutica inicialmente quirúrgica y a continuación quimioterapia; se logró una evolución satisfactoria y contribuir a la sobrevida de este paciente.

ABSTRACT Upper urinary tract tumors represent less than 5% of all urothelial neoplasms, with a recurrence rate greater than 90% and a 5-year survival that ranges from 30-60%. Therefore a 79-years-old patient was admitted to the Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima University General Hospital in Cienfuegos, with a medical history characterized by hematuria, without other symptoms. Through imaging studies, he was diagnosed with a tumor in the pelvis of the right kidney. Surgical treatment was performed and a total nephrectomy was performed, the histological result of which was a grade II transitional cell carcinoma with infiltration to the muscular planes. The clinical evolution was favorable one year after surgery. We conclude that tomographic images play a fundamental role in early diagnosis, since they allowed the identification of a tumor of the upper urinary excretory tract in the right renal pelvis. A therapeutic strategy was initially designed for surgery and then chemotherapy; a satisfactory evolution was achieved and contributes to the survival of this patient.

Características clínico-patológicas de las lesiones malignas del tracto urinario inferior / Clinicopathological features of malignant lesions of the lower urinary tract / Características clínico-patológicas de lesões malignas do trato urinário inferior

RESUMEN Introducción: El cáncer de vejiga es un tumor mucho más frecuente de lo que a veces nos transmiten las estadísticas o los medios de comunicación. Ocupa el noveno lugar en cuanto al número de diagnósticos de cáncer a nivel mundial y se reporta aproximadamente cinco veces más frecuente en varones que en mujeres. Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-patológicas de los tumores malignos del tracto urinario inferior. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 186 pacientes con tumores malignas del tracto urinario inferior diagnosticados anatomo-patológicamente en el Hospital Provincial Clínico Quirúrgico Docente "Saturnino Lora Torres", de Santiago de Cuba, entre los años 2017 al 2020. Una vez recopilados los datos se procesaron mediante el sistema estadístico SPSS, en su versión 21.0. Resultados: En la serie la mayoría de los afectados fueron hombres entre los 60 y 79 años de edad, siendo más frecuente en el sexo masculino. Predominaron los carcinomas uroteliales con el 96,4 % del total en su variedad papilar y de alto grado de malignidad. Conclusiones: Los tumores malignos del tracto urinario inferior son un problema de salud de baja frecuencia cuya trascendencia es la afectación individual a quien lo padece, y su comportamiento clínico patológico, en sentido general, fue similar a lo reportado por la literatura nacional e internacional, salvo pequeñas y puntuales diferencias relativo a los síntomas, el diagnóstico histológico, en parte, y el grado de malignidad de las lesiones.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Bladder cancer is a more common tumor that sometimes the statistics database or media conveyed to us. It ranks ninth concerning cancer diagnoses worldwide and it is reported to be approximately five times more frequent in males than in females. Objective: To describe the clinicopathologic features of malignant lower urinary tract tumors. Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional study involving a total of 186 patients was conducted. Anatomical and pathological diagnoses were carried out to all patients with malignant lower urinary tract tumor at the Hospital Provincial Clínico Quirúrgico Docente "Saturnino Lora Torres" in Santiago de Cuba, from 2017 throughout 2020. Once the data were collected, they were processed using the SPSS statistical system, version 21.0. Results: Most affected patients with lower urinary tract tumor had an average age of 60 to 70, arising most frequently in males. The 96.4 % of the total of the patients were diagnosed with urothelial carcinomas (predominant), described in its papillary variety and the high degree of malignant transformation. Conclusions: Malignant lower urinary tract tumors are health problems labeled as the low frequency which differ in their transformation according to the patient. The clinical pathological behavior of the tumor, in a general sense, was similar to that reported in the national and international literature, except for small and pointed differences regarding symptoms, histological diagnosis, and the degree of the lesions´ malignant transformation.

RESUMO Introdução: O câncer de bexiga é um tumor mais comum do que às vezes o banco de dados de estatísticas ou a mídia veiculada por nós. Ele ocupa o nono lugar em diagnósticos de câncer em todo o mundo e é relatado ser aproximadamente cinco vezes mais frequente em homens do que em mulheres. Objetivo: Descrever as características clínico-patológicas dos tumores malignos do trato urinário inferior. Método: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo e transversal envolvendo um total de 186 pacientes. Os diagnósticos anatômicos e patológicos foram realizados a todos os pacientes com tumor maligno do trato urinário inferior no Hospital Provincial Clínico Quirúrgico Docente "Saturnino Lora Torres" em Santiago de Cuba, de 2017 a 2020. Uma vez coletados os dados, eles foram processados ​​no SPSS sistema estatístico, versão 21.0. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes afetados com tumor do trato urinário inferior tinha uma idade média de 60 a 70 anos, surgindo mais frequentemente no sexo masculino. 96,4% do total dos pacientes foram diagnosticados com carcinomas uroteliais (predominantes), descritos em sua variedade papilar e alto grau de transformação maligna. Conclusões: Os tumores malignos do trato urinário inferior são problemas de saúde rotulados como de baixa frequência e que diferem em sua transformação de acordo com o paciente. O comportamento clínico-patológico do tumor, de um modo geral, foi semelhante ao relatado na literatura nacional e internacional, exceto por pequenas e pontuadas diferenças quanto à sintomatologia, ao diagnóstico histológico e ao grau de transformação maligna das lesões.

Preoperative hydronephrosis predicts adverse pathological features and postoperative survival in patients with high-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma

ABSTRACT Purpose: Epidemiological studies reported conflicting results about preoperative hydronephrosis in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative hydronephrosis and pathologic features and oncologic outcomes in patients with UTUC treated by radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study of 377 patients treated by RNU without perioperative chemotherapy between January 2001 and December 2014. Logistic regression, Cox regression, and survival analyses were performed. Results: Among the 226 patients with high-grade UTUC, 132 (58%) had preoperative hydronephrosis. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that hydronephrosis was independently associated with advanced pT stage (P=0.017) and lymph node or lymphovascular invasion (P=0.002). Median follow-up was 36 months (interquartile range: 20-48 months). The 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates in patients with hydronephrosis were significantly lower than in those without hydronephrosis (both P <0.001). The 3- and 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates in patients with hydronephrosis were significantly lower than in those without hydronephrosis (both P=0.001). Hydronephrosis was independently associated with OS and CSS (P=0.001 and P=0.004, respectively). Among the 151 patients with low-grade UTUC, hydronephrosis was not associated with pathologic features and postoperative survival. Conclusions: Preoperative hydronephrosis was significantly associated with adverse pathologic features and postoperative survival in patients with high-grade UTUC.

Clinical and pathological features of renal cell carcinoma with urinary tract tumor thrombus: 6 cases report and literature review / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma with urinary tract tumor thrombus.@*METHODS@#From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019, patients with renal cell carcinoma complicated with urinary tract tumor thrombus who were hospitalized in the Peking University Third Hospital and Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Meanwhile, we reviewed the literature, and the reported patients of renal cell carcinoma with urinary tract tumor thrombus were also included in our study. The basic information, clinical manifestations, treatment, pathological characteristics and follow-ups of all the patients were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#In our study, 6 patients from the two hospitals and 16 patients from previous literature reports were included. There were 13 males and 9 females with an average age of 54.7 years (22-79 years). Fifteen patients had renal cell carcinoma on the left side, 6 on the right side, and 1 on the unknown side. Gross hematuria was the most common chief complaint, including 18 patients. One patient complained of weight loss, 1 patient complained of microscopic hematuria, and 1 patient was found by ultrasound examination. Tumor thrombus was classified as grade Ⅰ in 9 cases (the tumor embolus protruded into the renal pelvis, but did not reach the ureteropelvic junction), grade Ⅱ in 10 cases (the tumor embolus protruded into the ureter, but not into the bladder), and grade Ⅲ in 3 cases (the tumor embolus passed through the ureter and protruded into the bladder). Only 11 patients were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma before operation. Radical nephrectomy was performed in 9 cases and nephroureterectomy in 12 cases. In pathological diagnosis, there were 15 cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, 1 case of papillary renal cell carcinoma, 1 case of chromophobe cell carcinoma, 1 case of mixed cell renal cell carcinoma, 4 cases of renal cell carcinoma with undetermined classification. Eleven patients were followed up for 3-31 months, and 3 patients had lung metastasis within 6 months.@*CONCLUSION@#Renal cell carcinoma with urinary tract tumor thrombus is rare in clinic. It needs to be differentiated from renal pelvis carcinoma in diagnosis. The treatment principle can refer to general renal carcinoma. For locally advanced cases, complete resection is the best treatment, and its oncological prognosis needs more long-term and large-scale follow-up observation.

Villous adenoma of the renal pelvis: a common entity at an uncommon location

Villous adenoma is uncommonly seen in the urogenital tract and is even more rarely seen in the upper urinary tract and renal pelvis. Like colorectal adenomas, these neoplasms can transform into adenocarcinoma. The preoperative diagnosis is challenging due to their frequent association with hydronephrosis. Herein, we present the case of a villous adenoma of the renal pelvis in a 62-year-old man presenting with recurrent urinary tract infection. The computed tomography scan showed marked hydronephrosis but no suspicious mass in the right kidney. A laparoscopic right nephrectomy was performed. Gross examination revealed a dilated renal pelvis with an irregular exophytic lesion in the renal pelvis's upper surface. The histopathological examination showed slender, elongated villi with thin fibrovascular cores, consistent with villous adenoma morphology. Isolated villous adenomas have a favorable prognosis. However, the pathologist should undertake a search for an invasive component.

Retrograde pyelography before radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma is associated with intravesical tumor recurrence

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the association between preoperative retrograde pyelography (RGP), conducted to evaluate upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), and intravesical recurrence (IVR) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Materials and Methods: Of 114 patients that underwent RNU, 72 patients without preoperative ureteroscopy and a history of bladder tumor were selectively enrolled. Variables associated with IVR were identified. Results: RGP was performed at a mean duration of 24.9 days prior to RNU in 41 (56.1%) of study subjects. During the mean follow-up period of 64.5 months, IVRs were identified in 32 (44.4%) patients at 22.3±18.8 (mean±SD) months after RNU. Despite similar tumor characteristics in the RGP and non-RGP groups, the incidence of IVR was considerably higher in the RGP group (63.4%) than in the non-RGP group (19.4%, p <0.001). The following variables differed significantly between the IVR and non-IVR groups: age (64.6±8.51 vs. 59.6±9.65 years), tumor location (lower or upper; 53.1% vs. 20%), tumor invasiveness (> pT2; 53.1% vs. 17.5%), preoperative hemoglobin (12.8±1.36 vs. 13.9±1.65), preoperative creatinine (1.29±0.32 vs. 1.11±0.22), and preoperative RGP (81.3% vs. 37.5%), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression model showed that tumor location (p=0.020, HR=2.742), preoperative creatinine level (p=0.004, HR=6.351), and preoperative RGP (p=0.045, HR=3.134) independently predicted IVR. Conclusion: Given the limitations of retrospective single-center series, performance of RGP before RNU was shown to have a negative effect on IVR after surgery.

Pretreatment elevated fibrinogen level predicts worse oncologic outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aimed to further validate the prognostic role of fibrinogen in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in a large Chinese cohort. A total of 703 patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy were retrospectively identified. Fibrinogen levels of ≥4.025 g l-1 were defined as elevated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between fibrinogen and adverse pathological features. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression models were used to assess the associations of fibrinogen with cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). Harrell c-index and decision curve analysis were used to assess the clinical utility of multivariate models. The median follow-up duration was 42 (range: 1-168) months. Logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated fibrinogen was associated with higher tumor stage and grade, lymph node involvement, lymphovascular invasion, sessile carcinoma, concomitant variant histology, and positive surgical margins (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that elevated fibrinogen was independently associated with decreased CSS (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.33; P < 0.001), RFS (HR: 2.09; P < 0.001), and OS (HR: 2.09; P < 0.001). The predictive accuracies of the multivariate models were improved by 3.2%, 2.0%, and 2.8% for CSS, RFS, and OS, respectively, when fibrinogen was added. Decision curve analysis showed an added benefit for CSS prediction when fibrinogen was added to the model. Preoperative fibrinogen may be a strong independent predictor of worse oncologic outcomes in UTUC; therefore, it may be valuable to apply this marker to the current risk stratification in UTUC.

Efecto de la salud mental en los desenlaces clínicos de los pacientes con cáncer urológico / Mental health effect on clinical outcomes of patients with urological cancer

El abordaje integral del paciente oncológico incluye un sinnúmero de parámetros clínicos, que normalmente no se tienen en cuenta durante el diagnóstico y el tratamiento. La mayoría de las ocasiones se minimiza la salud mental del paciente y de su familia, dejando sin atender aspectos emocionales que pueden tener un efecto en los desenlaces clínicos de estos

Precision Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, and Genomic Markers in Urology. Do we need to Tailor our Clinical Practice? / Medicina de precisión, inteligencia artificial y marcadores genómicos en urología. ¿Debemos cambiar nuestra práctica clínica?

Precision medicine plays a key role in urological oncology practice nowadays, with the breakthrough of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), which play a critical role in different DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways, the immune checkpoint inhibitors, the genomic expression profiles and current genome manipulation-directed targeted therapy. Information and technology (IT) are set to change the way we assess and treat patients and should be reviewed and discussed. The aim of the present article is to demonstrate a detailed revision on precision medicine, including novel therapeutic targets, genomic markers, genomic stratification of urological patients, and the top-notch technological breakthroughs that could change our clinical practice We performed a review of the literature in four different databases (PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, and Scielo) on any information concerning prostate, bladder, kidney and urothelial cancer novel treatments with PARPi, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), targeted therapy with fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors (FGFRi), and theranostics with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted monoclonal antibodies. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning algorithm in urological practice were also part of the search. We included all articles written in English, published within the past 7 years, that discussed outstanding therapies and genomics in urological cancer and artificial intelligence applied to urology. Meanwhile, we excluded articles with lack of a clear methodology and written in any other language than English. One-hundred and twenty-six articles of interest were found; of these, 65 articles that presented novel treatments of urological neoplasms, discussed precision medicine, genomic expression profiles and biomarkers in urology, and latest deep learning and machine learning algorithms as well as the use of artificial intelligence in urological practice were selected. A critical review of the literature is presented in the present article. Urology is a constantly changing specialty with a wide range of therapeutic breakthroughs, a huge understanding of the genomic expression profiles for each urological cancer and a tendency to use cutting-edge technology to treat our patients. All of these major developments must be analyzed objectively, taking into account costs to the health systems, risks and benefits to the patients, and the legal background that comes with them. A critical analysis of these new technologies and pharmacological breakthroughs should be made before considering changing our clinical practice. Nowadays, research needs to be strengthened to help us improve results in assessing and treating our patients

La medicina de precisión juega un rol fundamental en la práctica clínica de la urologia oncológica en la actualidad, con el desarrollo de los inhibidores de la poli (ADP-ribosa) polimerasa (PARPi), que juegan un papel fundamental en las distintas vías del reparo del ADN dañado (RAD), los inhibidores del punto de chequeo inmune (ICI), los perfiles de expresión genómicos, y la terapia blanco-dirigida a la manipulación genómica. El desarrollo tecnológico y la informática están cambiando la forma como evaluamos y tratamos a los pacientes, y se debe discutir y revisar a detalle. El objetivo de este artículo es hacer una revisión detallada acerca de la medicina de precisión, genómica, y los avances tecnológicos en nuestro campo. Realizamos una revisión de la literatura en cuatro bases de datos diferentes (PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, y Scielo), buscando cualquier información relacionada con cáncer de próstata, vejiga, riñón y carcinoma urotelial, tratamientos novedosos con PARPi, ICI, terapia-blanco con inhibidores del receptor del factor de crecimiento de los fibroblastos (FGFRi) y teragnósticos con anticuerpos monoclonales dirigidos al antígeno de membrana específico de la próstata (AMEP). Inteligencia artificial, aprendizaje de máquinas y algoritmos de aprendizaje profundo en la práctica urológica también fueron revisados. Incluimos artículos escritos en inglés, publicados dentro de los últimos 7 años, que abordaran terapias novedosas y genómica en cáncer urológico e inteligencia artificial aplicada a la urología. Excluimos artículos con falta de una metodología adecuada y escritos en cualquier idioma diferente al inglés. En total, 126 artículos de interés fueron encontrados, y, de estos seleccionamos 65 artículos que reportaban tratamientos novedosos para neoplasias urológicas, discutían medicina de precisión y perfiles de expresión genómica y bio-marcadores en urología, algoritmos de aprendizaje profundo, aprendizaje de máquina, y el uso de inteligencia artificial en la práctica urológica. Se hizo una revisión crítica de la literatura que se presenta en este artículo. La urología es una especialidad constantemente en cambio, con un gran rango de avances terapéuticos, un gran conocimiento de los perfiles de expresión genómica para cada cáncer urológico, y una tendencia a utilizar tecnología de punta para estudiar y tratar a nuestros pacientes. Todos estos desarrollos se deben analizar objetivamente, y hay que tener en cuenta los costos al sistema de salud, los riesgos y beneficios para los pacientes, y el contexto legal que implica cada uno. Hasta la fecha, estos avances tecnológicos y farmacológicos se deben analizar con cautela antes de vernos en la posición de cambiar nuestra práctica clínica. Se debe fortalecer la investigación médica para mejorar los resultados en el tratamiento y abordaje de nuestros pacientes.

Análise espacial e tendência da mortalidade por câncer de pênis em Sergipe, 2000 a 2015 / Análisis espacial y tendencia de la mortalidad por cáncer de pene en Sergipe, 2000-2015 / Spatial analysis and trends of mortality due to penile cancer in Sergipe, 2000 to 2015

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a distribuição espacial e a tendência temporal da mortalidade por câncer de pênis em Sergipe. Método: estudo ecológico, com técnicas de análise espacial. Foram utilizados dados secundários dos óbitos por câncer de pênis de residentes dos municípios de Sergipe de 2000 a 2015, obtidos no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. A análise das tendências temporais foi realizada pelo programa Joinpoint por meio da regressão Poisson. As análises espaciais foram realizadas por meio do modelo bayesiano empírico, estimador de Kernel e Índices de Moran. Resultados: ocorreram 67 óbitos por câncer de pênis e uma tendência crescente dos coeficientes de mortalidade, de 0,11 (2000) para 0,64 (2015) por 100.000 homens. Observou-se autocorrelação espacial positiva (I=0,64; p=0,01) com áreas de maior risco de morte localizadas na região sul do estado. Conclusão: houve aumento dos coeficientes de mortalidade por câncer de pênis e distribuição geográfica heterogênea das áreas de risco.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la distribución espacial y la tendencia temporal de la mortalidad por cáncer de pene en Sergipe. Método: estudio ecológico, con técnicas de análisis espacial. Se utilizaron datos secundarios de las muertes por cáncer de pene en residentes de los municipios de Sergipe de 2000 a 2015, obtenidos del Sistema de Informaciones sobre Mortalidad. El análisis de las tendencias temporales se realizó en el programa Joinpoint por medio de la regresión Poisson. Los análisis espaciales se realizaron por medio del modelo bayesiano empírico, del estimador de Kernel y de los Índices de Moran. Resultados: se registraron 67 muertes por cáncer de pene y una tendencia creciente de los coeficientes de mortalidad, de 0,11 (2000) a 0,64 (2015) por cada 100.000 hombres. Se observó una autocorrelación positiva (I=0,64; p=0,01) con áreas de mayor riesgo de muerte localizadas en la región sur del estado. Conclusión: se registró un aumento de los coeficientes de mortalidad por cáncer de pene y una distribución héterogenea de las áreas de riesgo.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution and temporal trend of mortality due to penile cancer in Sergipe. Method: An ecological study with spatial analysis techniques. Secondary data on penile cancer deaths from residents of Sergipe municipalities from 2000 to 2015 were used, obtained from the Mortality Information System. The analysis of the temporal trends was performed in the Joinpoint program through Poisson regression. Spatial analyses were performed using the empirical Bayesian model, kernel estimator and Moran indexes. Results: 67 deaths due to penile cancer occurred and a rising trend in mortality rates from 0.11 (2000) to 0.64 (2015) per 100,000 men was recorded. A positive spatial autocorrelation (I=0.64; p=0.01) was observed with areas of higher risk of death in the southern region of the state. Conclusion: There was an increase in the coefficients of mortality due to penile cancer and heterogeneous geographical distribution of the risk areas.

Prognostic significance of inflammation-based prognostic scoring in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate whether Glasgow Prognostic Score has prognostic significance in patients with upper urinary urothelial carcinoma. Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 74 patients with upper urinary urothelial carcinoma. We set the cut-off value for C-reactive protein as 1.0mg/dL, and 3.5mg/dL for albumin as Glasgow Prognostic Score. Their blood data including albumin and C-reactive protein for Glasgow Prognostic Score and cytokeratin 19 fragment 21-1 as a tumor marker were measured before starting treatment. The patients were stratified into three groups with Glasgow Prognostic Score: The Group-1, albumin ≥3.5g/dL and C-reactive protein < 1.0mg/dL; Group-2, albumin < 3.5g/dL or C-reactive protein ≥1.0mg/dL; Group-3, albumin < 3.5g/dL and C-reactive protein ≥1.0mg/dL. Results: The median follow-up for all patients was 26.9 months (range: 10.9-91.1 months), during which 37 (50%) patients died. There was a significant difference in the estimated survival rate among the 3 groups stratified by Glasgow Prognostic Score. The estimated survival rate in the Group-1 was significantly higher than those in Groups 2 and 3. In the univariate analysis C-reactive protein, serum cytokeratin 19 fragment 21-1 and Glasgow Prognostic Score were significant predictors of overall survival. On the multivariate analysis, serum cytokeratin 19 fragment 21-1 and Glasgow Prognostic Score were independently associated with shorter overall survival. Conclusion: Our review suggests Glasgow Prognostic Score may play as a prognostic predictor for upper urinary urothelial carcinoma.

Os sentidos da sobrevivência ao câncer: da perda do autocontrole ao otimismo e esperança / The meanings of cancer survival: from loss of self-control to optimism and hope / Los sentidos de la supervivencia al cáncer: de la pérdida de autocontrol al optimismo y la esperanza

OBJETIVO: interpretar os sentidos atribuídos à sobrevivência ao câncer entre adoecidos adultos e idosos. MÉTODO: estudo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa com método narrativo e referencial da antropologia médica. Participaram do estudo 14 indivíduos adultos e idosos que já haviam concluído o tratamento primário há pelo menos três meses em um hospital universitário e que tinham o diagnóstico de câncer urológico (bexiga, próstata, rim, testículo). Realizou-se entrevista semiestruturada no domicílio dos participantes no período de outubro de 2014 a novembro de 2015 e após transcrição foram analisados segundo análise temática indutiva. RESULTADOS: após análise e interpretação dos dados obtiveram-se duas principais categorias - da perda do autocontrole e a incerteza da recorrência da doença à vigilância do corpo; e o segredo da sobrevivência ao câncer: o sentimento de otimismo e esperança. CONCLUSÃO: após interpretação dos sentidos ficou evidente que a sobrevivência ao câncer é um processo permeado por perda do autocontrole, incerteza, medo da recorrência, associado a multimorbidade e vigilância, mas que cedo ou tarde pode conduzir o sobrevivente do câncer a um crescimento pessoal, atribuindo mais valor à sua vida e sendo otimista.(AU)

Objective: to interpret the meanings attributed to cancer survival among sick adults and the elderly. Method: exploratory study with qualitative approach with narrative and referential method of medical anthropology. Fourteen adult and elderly individuals who had completed primary treatment for at least three months in a university hospital and had a diagnosis of urological cancer (bladder, prostate, kidney, testis) participated in the study. A semi-structured interview was conducted at the participants' homes from October 2014 to November 2015 and after transcription were analyzed according to inductive thematic analysis. Results: after analysis and interpretation of the data, two main categories were obtained - from loss of self-control and uncertainty of disease recurrence to body surveillance; and the secret of cancer survival: the feeling of optimism and hope. Conclusion: After interpretation of the senses it became evident that cancer survival is a process permeated by loss of self-control, uncertainty, fear of recurrence, associated with multimorbidity and vigilance, but that sooner or later it may lead the cancer survivor to personal growth, attaching more value to your life and being optimistic.(AU)

Objetivo: interpretar los significados atribuidos a la supervivencia al cáncer entre enfermos adultos y adultos mayores. Método: estudio exploratorio de enfoque cualitativo con método narrativo y referencial de la antropología médica. En el estudio participaron catorce personas adultas y de edad avanzada que habían completado el tratamiento primario durante, al menos, tres meses en un hospital universitario y tenían un diagnóstico de cáncer urológico (vejiga, próstata, riñón, testículos). Se realizó una entrevista semiestructurada en los hogares de los participantes entre octubre de 2014 y noviembre de 2015 y, después de su transcripción, los datos se analizaron de acuerdo con el análisis temático inductivo. Resultados: luego del análisis e interpretación de datos, se obtuvieron dos categorías principales: desde la pérdida de autocontrol y la incertidumbre de la recurrencia de la enfermedad hasta la vigilancia corporal; y el secreto de la supervivencia al cáncer: el sentimiento de optimismo y esperanza. Conclusión: después de la interpretación de los sentidos, se hizo evidente que la supervivencia al cáncer es un proceso impregnado de pérdida de autocontrol, incertidumbre, miedo a la recurrencia, asociado con la multimorbilidad y la vigilancia, pero que tarde o temprano puede llevar al sobreviviente al crecimiento personal, valorado más la vida y siendo optimista.(AU)

The preoperative serum cystatin-C as an independent prognostic factor for survival in upper tract urothelial carcinoma / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Cystatin-C (Cys-C) has been reported as a valuable prognostic biomarker in various malignancies. However, its effect on upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients has not been investigated before. Thus, to explore the impact of Cys-C on survival outcomes in patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), a total of 538 patients with UTUC who underwent RNU between 2005 and 2014 in our center (West China Hospital, Chengdu, China) were included in this study. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between Cys-C and survival outcomes using SPSS version 22.0. The cutoff value of Cys-C was set as 1.4 mg l-1 using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Youden index. The mean age of patients included was 66.1 ± 11.1 years, and the median follow-up duration was 38 (interquartile range: 19-56) months. Overall, 162 (30.1%) patients had elevated Cys-C, and they were much older and had worse renal function than those with Cys-C <1.4 mg l-1 (both P < 0.001). Meanwhile, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the group with elevated Cys-C had worse cancer-specific survival (CSS, P = 0.001), disease recurrence-free survival (RFS, P = 0.003), and overall survival (OS, P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox analysis suggested that the elevated Cys-C was identified as an independent prognostic predictor of CSS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.997, 95% confidential interval [CI]: 1.331-2.996), RFS (HR: 1.429, 95% CI: 1.009-2.023), and OS (HR: 1.989, 95% CI: 1.366-2.896). In conclusion, our result revealed that the elevated preoperative serum Cys-C was significantly associated with worse outcomes in UTUC patients undergoing RNU.

Health-Related Quality of Life, Perceived Social Support, and Depression in Disease-Free Survivors Who Underwent Curative Surgery Only for Prostate, Kidney and Bladder Cancer: Comparison among Survivors and with the General Population / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of disease-free prostate (PC), kidney (KC), and bladder cancer (BC) survivors with that of the general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 331 urological cancer (UC) survivors (114 PC, 108 KC, and 109 BC) aged ≥ 50 years disease-free for at least 1 year after surgery. The control group included 1,177 subjects without a history of cancer. The HRQoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of any of the functioning sub-scales and symptoms, except significantly lower social functioning observed in BC survivors than that observed in KC survivors. Although the three groups of UC survivors showed essentially similar functioning sub-scales and symptoms when compared to the general population, PC and BC survivors showed significantly lower social functioning and a lower appetite than that observed in controls. KC survivors showed lower physical functioning, as well as higher pain and dyspnea. Although all three groups of UC survivors reported higher financial difficulties, they also reported higher perceived social support than that reported by the non-cancer control group. No statistically significant difference was observed in terms of depressive symptoms between each group of UC survivors and the general population. CONCLUSION: Disease-free survivors of the three major types of UCs showed generally similar HRQoL compared to the general population, as well as compared to each other.

The Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor in Urological Cancers

To systematically review relevant literature on efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with advanced and metastatic urothelial cell cancer (UCC), renal cell cancer (RCC), and prostate cancer. In platinum pretreated UCC, efficacy of pembrolizumab was superior to chemotherapy, with longer median overall survival (OS; 10.3 months vs. 7.4 months), a higher objective response rate (ORR; 21.1% vs. 11.4%, p=0.001), and a lower adverse event rate (60.9% vs. 90.2%). Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the safety and efficacy of nivolumab in advanced RCC. The median OS (25.0 months vs. 19.6 months) and the ORR (25% vs. 5%) were higher in patients treated with nivolumab compared with second-line everolimus. In patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, 2 RCTs were identified, which did not show significant benefits for ipilimumab over placebo. In UCC and RCC, there was no conclusive association between programmed cell death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in tumor tissue and clinical outcome during pembrolizumab and nivolumab treatment, respectively. Therefore, in metastatic UCC and RCC, pembrolizumab and nivolumab have superior efficacy and safety to second-line chemotherapy and everolimus, respectively. No beneficial effect of ipilimumab was observed in prostate cancer patients. PD-L1 expression status is currently not suitable as a predictive marker for treatment outcome.