Complete Transurethral Resection before Radical Cystectomy May Improve Oncological Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of complete transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBTs) before radical cystectomy on pathological and oncological outcomes of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and high-risk non-MIBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of all patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in 2 academic departments of urology between 1996 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the completeness of the last endoscopic resection before radical cystectomy: macroscopically complete transurethral resection (complete) or macroscopically incomplete transurethral resection (incomplete). The primary end point was the recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary end points included cancer-specific survival (CSS) and rates of pT0 and downstaging. RESULTS: Out of 486 patients included for analysis, the TURBT immediately preceding radical cystectomy was considered macroscopically complete in 253 patients (52.1%) and incomplete in 233 patients (47.9%). In multivariate analysis, macroscopically complete TURBT was the strongest predictor of both pT0 disease (OR = 3.1; p = 0.02) and downstaging (OR = 7.1; p < 0.0001). After a median follow-up of 41 months, macroscopically complete TURBT was associated with better RFS (5-year RFS: 57 vs. 37%; p < 0.0001) and CSS (5-year CSS: 70.8 vs. 54.5%; p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis adjusting for multifocality, weight of endoscopic resection specimen, cT4 stage on preoperative imaging, interval between endoscopic resection and radical cystectomy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pT stage, and associated carcinoma in situ, macroscopically complete endoscopic resection remained the main predictor of better RFS (HR = 0.4; p = 0.0003) and the only preoperative factor associated with CSS (HR = 0.5; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: A macroscopically complete TURBT immediately preceding radical cystectomy may improve pathological and oncological outcomes in patients with MIBC and high-risk MIBC.

Determinants and prognostic value of post-operative maximum urethral closure pressure after artificial urinary sphincter in men.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the determinants and prognostic value of post-operative maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) after AUS implantation in male patients. METHODS: The charts of all male patients who had an AUS implantation between 2008 and 2018 at a single center were reviewed retrospectively for an exploratory study. A post-operative urethral profilometry was performed systematically as part of routine daily practice over the study period to assess the post-operative MUCP with the AUS consecutively closed (c-MUCP) and opened (o-MUCP). The difference between c-MUCP and the manufacturer's theoretical pressure objective determined by the pressure regulating balloon (PRB) was calculated (diff-th-MUCP). The primary endpoint was social continence at 3 months defined as 0-1 protection/day. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included. The median age was 71 years, and the median follow-up was 50 months. The etiology of incontinence was radical prostatectomy in 84% of cases, and endoscopic prostate surgery in 6.6% of patients. There were 74.4% of patients who were socially continent at 3 months. The c-MCUP was significantly higher in the continent group (53 [42.2, 60.2] vs 62 [58, 70] p = 0.02). The diff-th-MUCP did not differ significantly between the two groups (18 [0, 23] vs 1 [- 2, 7.7] p = 0.29). The c-MUCP was not statistically associated with the risk of revision and/or explantation. CONCLUSION: The MUCP after AUS implantation in male patients often differs from the manufacturer's pressure objective. The postoperative c-MUCP might be significantly associated with functional outcomes suggesting that it might be a valuable tool for treatment decision-making. This should be confirmed by larger studies.

Urinary biomarkers profiles in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity according to their neurological condition.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the disease-specific urinary levels variations of neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF), mediators of inflammation (TGFß-1, PGE-2) and markers of extracellular matrix alterations (TIMP-2) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) spinal cord injury (SCI), or spina bifida (SB), and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). METHODS: A prospective single-center study was conducted between March 2015 and March 2017. Patients aged over 18 years old, with neurological disease, with a urodynamic diagnosis of NDO were included. The urinary levels of NGF, BDNF, TIMP-2, PGE 2, and TGF-ß1 were measured using dedicated ELISA kits. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were included: 6 with MS, 20 with SCI, and 15 with spina bifida. The average urinary level of NGF/Cr was significantly higher in MS patients compared to other neurologic populations (8 vs. 0.56 vs. 1.25 pg/mg of creatinine; p = 0.001) as well for the average urinary level of BDNF (88.3 vs. 5 vs. 4.8 pg/mg of creatinine; p < 0.0001). SCI patients had a significantly lower level of TGFß-1 than SB patients (p = 0.04). The urinary level of PGE2 was significantly correlated with the Body Mass Index (r = 0.61; p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: All NDO may not be created equal from the molecular standpoint. Multiple sclerosis patients had higher urinary levels of neurotrophins than in other neurologic populations with NDO. Urinary TGFß-1, a strong determinant of extracellular matrix, was significantly higher in spina bifida patients compared to SCI patients. These findings underscore the importance of using and interpreting those possible urinary markers in a disease-specific fashion.

Urologic Disorders are Still the Leading Cause of In-hospital Death in Patients With Spina Bifida.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and analyze the contemporary causes of in-hospital deaths of spina bifida patients. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional observational study of the longitudinal national cohort of all patients hospitalized in French public and private hospitals. We analyzed the data from the French hospital discharge database (Programme de Médicalisation des Systemes d'Information, PMSI) from 2009 to 2014. The number of in-hospital deaths was extracted using the combination of the ICD-10 codes "Q05" or "Q760" and a discharge code = 9. RESULTS: There were 138 in-hospital deaths of spina bifida patients over the 6-year study period. The median age at death was 41 years (IQR: 25-52). The median age at death was significantly lower in patients with vs without hydrocephalus (26.6 vs 45.5 years; P <.0001). The leading cause of in-hospital death was urologic disorders (n = 24; 17.3%). Other main causes of death were pulmonary disorders (n = 23; 16.7%), neurologic disorders (n = 19; 13.8%), and bowel disorders (n = 15; 10.9%). Upper urinary tract damage accounted for most of the urologic causes of death: 8 patients died from urinary tract infections (33.3%), 7 patients died from renal failure (29.2%), 4 died from bladder cancer (16.7%), and 5 from other urologic causes. The only variable significantly associated with a death from urologic causes was the absence of hydrocephalus (OR = 0.26; P = .009). CONCLUSION: Urologic disorders remain the leading cause of in-hospital death in spina bifida patients in France. The present study highlights that efforts to improve the urologic management of the spina bifida population are still greatly needed.

Contrast-enhanced CT Texture Parameters as Predictive Markers of High-risk Urodynamic Features in Adult Patients with Spina Bifida.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate computed tomography (CT) texture analysis of the bladder wall as a predictor of urodynamics findings in adult patient with spina bifida. METHODS: A single-center prospective trial was conducted from March 2015 to March 2017 including all consecutive adult spina bifida patients seen for urodynamic testing. A contrast-enhanced abdominal CT was systematically performed in all patients during the same visit. Texture features of the bladder wall related to the gray-level histogram and gray-level co-occurrence were evaluated on CT images. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of poor bladder compliance and detrusor overactivity among clinical and texture parameters. RESULTS: Fourty patients were included. The Lasso penalized logistic regression analysis identified 2 texture parameters as potential predictors of poor bladder compliance: Skewness (coefficient weight, -1.81) and S.1.1.SumVarnc (coefficient weight, -3.52). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed skewness (odds ratio [confidence interval 95%] = 0.40 [0.14, 0.97], P = .04) as an independent predictor of poor bladder compliance. The Lasso penalized logistic regression analysis identified one texture parameters as potential predictor of detrusor overactivity: Kurtosis (coefficient weight, -3.52), which was confirmed in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [confidence interval 95%] = 1.12 [1.01, 1.55], P = .02). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that CT texture analysis of the bladder wall might be an interesting tool to identify spina bifida patients with high risk urodynamic features.

Urinary TIMP-2 and MMP-2 are significantly associated with poor bladder compliance in adult patients with spina bifida.

AIMS: To assess the predictive values of six urinary markers (nerve growth factor [NGF], brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], matrix metalloproteinase 2 [MMP-2], tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase 2 [TIMP-2], transformation growth factor ß-1 [TGF-B1], and prostaglandin 2 [PGE2]) for adverse urodynamic features and for upper urinary tract damage in adult patients with spina bifida. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center prospective trial was conducted from March 2015 to March 2017 including all consecutive adult patients with spina bifida seen for urodynamic testing. The urine was collected and stored at -80°C. A urodynamic and an upper urinary tract were systematically performed. At the end of the inclusion period, urines were defrosted and urinary nerve growth factor, BDNF, TIMP-2, and TGF-B1 were assessed using validated ELISA kits. The urinary markers levels were adjusted on the urinary creatinine level. Urinary MMP-2 levels were assessed by zymography. RESULTS: Fourty patients were included. Only TIMP-2 and MMP-2 were significantly associated with poor bladder compliance (P = .043 and P = .039, respectively). TIMP-2 was also the only urinary marker significantly associated with upper urinary tract damage on imaging (OR = 19.81; P = .02). Of all urodynamic parameters, bladder compliance and maximum detrusor pressure were the only ones associated with upper urinary tract damage on imaging (P = .01 and P = .02), The diagnostic performances of urinary TIMP-2 for upper urinary tract damage were slightly superior to PdetMax and bladder compliance with an area under the curve of 0.72. CONCLUSION: Urinary TIMP-2 and MMP-2 were significantly associated with poor bladder compliance and urinary TIMP-2 was significantly associated with upper urinary tract damage. These findings support a pathophysiological role of extracellular matrix remodeling in poor bladder compliance of adult patients with spina bifida.

Diagnosis and treatment of urinary and sexual dysfunction in hereditary TTR amyloidosis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to review the current knowledge on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of urinary and sexual dysfunction in patients with TTR amyloidosis (ATTR). METHODS: We performed a review of the literature, screening for randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective series, position papers, and guidelines on urinary and sexual dysfunction in ATTR patients published in PubMed and Embase. RESULTS: Lower urinary tract dysfunction is present in up to 83% of patients with ATTR. Voiding symptoms are the most common, reported in 34.8-87.5% of patients, while urinary tract infections are reported in up to 50%. Urinary incontinence is observed in 16.7-37.5% of the ATTR population, mostly due to decreased urethral resistance. Sexual dysfunction affects over 40% of ATTR patients, with erectile dysfunction and sexual arousal disorder being the most common symptoms in male and female patients, respectively. In addition to a thorough clinical examination, invasive pressure-flow urodynamic testing is a cornerstone in the assessment of ATTR lower urinary tract dysfunction. The most common finding is detrusor underactivity and intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Poor bladder compliance can also be observed in patients, due to amyloid deposits on the bladder wall. Urinary tract imaging may be of interest to rule out upper urinary tract deterioration. Given the paucity of data in the ATTR population, treatment should be tailored to the individual patient. CONCLUSION: Urinary and sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent in ATTR patients. Comprehensive assessment and multidisciplinary management are keys to avoiding upper urinary tract damage and improving patients' quality of life.

Impact of routine imaging in the diagnosis of recurrence for patients with localized and locally advanced renal tumor treated with nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Modalities of surveillance to detect recurrence after nephrectomy for localized or locally advanced renal tumor are not standardized. The aim was to assess the impact of surveillance scheme on oncological outcomes. METHODS: Patients treated for localized or locally advanced renal tumor with total or partial nephrectomy between 2006 and 2010 in an academic institution were included retrospectively. According to the University of California Los Angeles Integrated Staging System (UISS) protocol, follow-up was considered adequate or not. Symptoms, location and number of lesions at recurrence diagnosis were collected. Recurrence-free, cancer-specific and overall survivals were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were calculated to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 267 patients were included. Median follow-up was 72 months. Recurrence rate was 23.2% (62/267 patients). Recurrences were local (16%), single metastatic (23%), oligo-metastatic (15%) or multi-metastatic (46%). 72.6% of the recurrences occurred within the 3 years after surgery. No recurrence was diagnosed by chest X-ray or abdominal ultrasound. One hundred and twenty-one patients had inadequate follow-up. They had similar recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival and overall survival as patients with adequate follow-up. In multivariable analysis, the presence of multi-metastatic lesions was an independent prognostic factor of worse cancer-specific mortality after recurrence diagnosis (HR = 10.15, 95% CI: 2.29-44.82, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Role of chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasound for the detection of recurrences is limited. Rigorous follow-up according to the UISS protocol does not improve oncological outcomes. Follow-up schedules with less frequent imaging should be discussed.

Risk of prolapse and urinary complications in adult spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor using clean intermittent catheterization versus Valsalva voiding.

AIMS: To assess the relative risks of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary complications in adult spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor voiding with Valsalva versus those using clean-intermittent catheterization (CIC). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis including all spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Patients were then divided in two groups according to their bladder management: voiding with Valsalva versus CIC. The primary endpoint was any de novo or worsened rectal and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) diagnosed during follow-up. The secondary outcome was urinary complications defined as febrile urinary tract infections (UTI) and/or urolithiasis and/or renal failure. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (50.9% were males) met the inclusion/exclusion criteria: 28 voiding with Valsalva and 27 performing CIC. At baseline, the rates of vaginal prolapse (44.4% vs 50%; P = 0.99), and rectal prolapse/intussusception (25.9% vs 21.4%; P = 0.76) were similar in both groups. After a median follow-up of 80.6 and 65.6 months, respectively (P = 0.29), the rate of de novo or worsened rectal prolapse/intussusception was higher in the Valsalva voiding group than in the CIC group (32.1% vs 3.7%; P = 0.01). De novo or worsened vaginal prolapses were also more common in the Valsalva voiding group, but it did not reach statistical significance (33.3% vs 11.1%; P = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: Valsalva voiding might be harmful in adult spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor as it may increase the risk of rectal prolapse/intussusception. Overall, the prevalence of POP and rectal prolapse was high in both groups.

Defecation disorders in Spina Bifida: Realistic goals and best therapeutic approaches.

AIMS: Spina Bifida (SB) is a rare congenital condition that frequently impairs the neurological control of both fecal continence and defecation. Several therapeutic strategies have been proposed but impact assessment is lacking. Our objectives were to quantify the symptomatic improvement and to determine the optimal strategy in this rare condition where randomized controlled trials are difficult to conduct. METHODS: Data were extracted from a prospective database. The present analysis focused on patients having undergone at least two gastroenterological assessments. A standardized therapeutic approach was used from the first visit. Improvement was quantified by the variation of quantified symptomatic scores. RESULTS: The data of of 57 adults with SB (gender F/M: 30/27 [52.6/47.4%]; mean age: 33.8 [18.5] years) were extracted. After a mean follow-up of 46 months, 23/57 patients (40.4%) had at least improvement of one point of the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence score (CCIS); 13/57 (22.8%) reported a significant improvement of continence (delta score >50%). Five of the twelve patients (41.6%) with CCIS < 5 at baseline became incontinent over time. The neurological level was not associated with a worse continence outcome. Work on stool consistency and transanal irrigation were the most useful strategies in those with significant improvement of continence. CONCLUSIONS: Using conventional strategies, a benefit on fecal continence occurs in only one out of five patients suffering from Spina Bifida and continent patients at baseline can develop fecal incontinence over time. A strategy targeting improved control of defecation (transanal irrigation) and a standardization of follow-up protocol might be beneficial.

Comparison of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunctions in open versus closed spinal dysraphism: A prospective cross-sectional study of 318 patients.

AIMS: To compare the neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in patients with closed spinal dysraphism (CSD) versus patients with open spinal dysraphism (OSD) as well as their management patterns. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2007 and December 2015 including all spina bifida patients seen at the multidisciplinary French national referral center for spina bifida. NLUTD and its management were compared between the OSD and CSD groups. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighteen patients were included for analysis: 100 with a CSD (31.5%) and 218 with an OSD (68.6%). The prevalence of urinary incontinence did not differ significantly between the two groups (43% vs 52.8%; P = 0.11), the mean Qualiveen score was also similar (2.7 vs 2.5, P = 0.22). The voiding mechanism was clean intermittent catheterization, spontaneous voiding, suprapubic tube, and ileal conduit in 55% versus 44%; 29.8% versus 47%; 2.8% versus 3% and 11.9% versus 6% of OSD and CSD patients, respectively (P = 0.02). There were comparable prevalences of detrusor overactivity (36.5% vs 38.8%; P = 0.68) and impaired bladder compliance (34.9% vs 31.7%; P = 0.56) in both groups. Augmentation cystoplasty was more common in patients with OSD (32.1% vs 11%; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective cohort, NLUTD were more common in OSD with a higher rate of patients requiring a surgical treatment and a lower rate of patients with preserved spontaneous voiding. However, when present, NLUTD was as severe and troublesome in patients with closed versus open spinal dysraphism.

Comparison of Short-Term Functional, Oncological, and Perioperative Outcomes Between Laparoscopic and Robotic Partial Nephrectomy Beyond the Learning Curve.

PURPOSE: To compare the short-term outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RPN) and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) when performed by highly experienced surgeons. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was conducted, including the 50 last patients having undergone LPN and RPN for T1-T2 renal tumors in two institutions between 2013 and 2016, performed by two different surgeons with an experience of over 200 procedures each in LPN and RPN, respectively, at the beginning of the study. Perioperative parameters and functional and oncological outcomes were collected and compared between the LPN and RPN groups. RESULTS: The laparoscopic approach was associated with a longer warm ischemia time (15.7 versus 23 minutes; P < .001) and hospital stay (3.6 versus 4.6 days; P = .01). Conversely, estimated blood loss was significantly higher in the RPN group (381 mL versus 215 mL; P < .001), but transfusion rates were similar between the two groups (8% versus 6%; P = .33). In the RPN group, three patients (6%) required conversion to open partial nephrectomy and three patients (6%) required a conversion to radical nephrectomy (RN), while no conversion was needed in the LPN group. There were no differences in terms of perioperative complications, and change in renal function was comparable in the two groups postoperatively. Positive surgical margin rates were similar in the RPN and LPN groups (2% versus 6%; P = .36). After a median follow-up of 19 and 14 months in the RPN and LPN groups, respectively (P = .38), recurrence-free survivals did not differ significantly (P = .94). CONCLUSION: In this series, perioperative and short-term oncological and functional outcomes appeared broadly comparable between RPN and LPN when performed by highly experienced surgeons.

Impact of hospital volume and surgeon volume on robot-assisted partial nephrectomy outcomes: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of hospital volume (HV) and surgeon volume (SV) on perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent a RAPN from 2009 to 2015, at 11 institutions, were included in a retrospective study. To evaluate the impact of HV, we divided RAPN into four quartiles according to the caseload per year: low HV (<20/year), moderate HV (20-44/year), high HV (45-70/year), and very high HV (>70/year). The SV was also divided into four quartiles: low SV (<7/year), moderate SV (7-14/year), high SV (15-30/year), and very high SV (>30/year). The primary endpoint was the Trifecta defined as the following combination: no complications, warm ischaemia time (WIT) <25 min, and negative surgical margins. RESULTS: In total, 1 222 RAPN were included. The mean (sd) caseload per hospital per year was 44.9 (26.7) RAPNs and the mean (sd) caseload per surgeon per year was 19.2 (14.9) RAPNs. The Trifecta achievement rate increased significantly with SV (69.9% vs 72.8% vs 73% vs 86.1%; P < 0.001) and HV (60.3% vs 72.3% vs 86.2% vs 82.4%; P < 0.001). The positive surgical margins (PSM) rate (P = 0.02), length of hospital stay (LOS; P < 0.001), WIT (P < 0.001), and operative time (P < 0.001), all decreased significantly with increasing SV. The PSM rate (P = 0.02), LOS (P < 0.001), WIT (P < 0.001), operative time (P < 0.001), and major complications rate (P = 0.01), all decreased significantly with increasing HV. In multivariate analysis adjusting for HV and SV (model 3), HV remained the main predictive factor of Trifecta achievement (odds ratio [OR] 3.70 for very high vs low HV; P < 0.001), whereas SV was not associated with Trifecta achievement (OR 1.58 for very high vs low SV; P = 0.34). CONCLUSION: In this multicentre study HV and SV both greatly influenced RAPN perioperative outcomes, but HV appeared to have a greater impact than SV.

Reliability of urinary cytology and cystoscopy for the screening and diagnosis of bladder cancer in patients with neurogenic bladder: A systematic review.

AIMS: To assess the reliability of urinary cytology and cystoscopy to screen and diagnose bladder cancer in patients with NB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search of the Medline and Embase databases was performed in April 2017. Data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers. A narrative synthesis was made. RESULTS: Out of 220 records assessed, 15 were included in this systematic review. All studies were prospective or retrospective series with no control group. Cystoscopy allowed the detection of asymptomatic bladder cancer in 0-10 patients, with a screening sensitivity (available in only one study) of 0%, a screening specificity ranging from 65% to 90%, and a yield in detecting asymptomatic bladder cancer of 0% in all series where it could be calculated. Urinary cytology allowed the detection of bladder cancer in asymptomatic patients in 0-12 patients, with a screening sensitivity of 71%, a screening specificity ranging from 92% to 97% and a yield ranging from 0% to 1.25%. Sensitivity of cystoscopy for diagnosis of bladder cancer ranged from 27% to 81% and specificity was 54% in the only study where it could be calculated. Sensitivity of urinary cytology for diagnosis of bladder cancer was 0-72% and specificity was 100%. CONCLUSION: There is currently insufficient data to support formal recommendations of using both tools in the screening of bladder cancer in patients with neurogenic bladder. Urinary cytology outperformed cystoscopy for screening and might be the best tool currently available.

Role of routine computed tomography scan in the oncological follow up of patients treated by radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a prolonged follow-up schedule using computed tomography scan on oncological outcomes after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was carried out. All patients who underwent a radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 1992 and 2012 were included. The protocol for postoperative oncological follow up included a thoracoabdominal computed tomography scan twice per year for 2 years and then annually for life. The patients with tumor recurrence were divided into two groups: asymptomatic recurrences and recurrences diagnosed because of symptoms. Cancer-specific survivals were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the predictive factors of cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: Overall, 331 patients were included in this analysis, and, of them, 48.5% had a cancer recurrence after a median follow up of 52.6 months. A total of 30 of these recurrences were diagnosed at routine follow up among asymptomatic patients (18.8%). A total of 50% of recurrences occurred during the first 6 months and 75% during the first year. Just 10 of the recurrences (6.3%) appeared more than 3 years after radical cystectomy. The 5-year cancer-specific survival was higher in patients with asymptomatic recurrences (15.7% vs 32.1%), but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.10). On multivariate analysis, detection of asymptomatic recurrence reached statistical significance (HR 0.55; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Routine computed tomography scan surveillance after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer might provide a survival benefit. The risk of recurrence beyond 3 years seems to be low, and further studies are required to determine the role of routine computed tomography scan in the follow up beyond this timeframe.

Mortality, cardiovascular risk, and androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: A systematic review with direct and network meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.

UNLABELLED: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a cornerstone therapy for advanced prostate cancer (PCa). We hypothesized that cardiovascular (CV) risk is different across the various ADT modalities to compare their effects on CV morbidity and mortality, and all-cause mortality in patients with PCa. To investigate more in depth potential CV risk heterogeneity focusing on coronary (main outcome) and cerebrovascular risk, CV, and overall mortality. We performed a Medline and Embase query, without language restriction, since 1950 up to July 2014. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies providing that they compared at least 1 ADT modality to another one or to placebo and they gave data on CV event or all-cause mortality. Sixty-eight studies out of 3419 met our eligibility criteria. Eleven observational studies were analyzed. Direct meta-analyses showed that antiandrogen was associated with a 30% decrease risk for myocardial infarction (MI) compared to GnRH agonists (RR, 0.70 [0.54-0.91]); combined androgen blockade (CAB) was associated with a 10% increase risk for stroke when compared to antiandrogen (RR, 1.10 [1.02-1.19]). With regard to RCTs, 57 were included: direct meta-analyses suggested that CAB was associated with a 10% decrease of all-cause mortality when compared to GnRH agonist (RR, 0.90 [0.82-1.00]). Network analysis could only be performed for all-cause mortality and it remains difficult to disentangle benefit (positive impact on cancer survival) and risk (including CV risk). The impact of the ADT modalities on CV morbidity remains difficult to quantify and more detailed prospective collection is required. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42014010598.