An Examination of the Relationship between Mental Distress, Functional and Psychosocial Quality of Life Indicators in a Population Based Sample of Prostate Cancer Survivors Who Received Curative Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Although survival rates are highest among prostate cancer survivors compared to any other forms of cancer, nearly 60% suffer from mental distress. Here we examine urinary function and psychosocial stressors and their association with poor mental health in a younger group of prostate cancer survivors who have undergone curative treatment. METHODS: The study includes 128 men (47 to 70 years old) who received active treatment for prostate cancer, and completed a survivorship online survey between 2017 and 2018. Psychological distress was assessed with Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. International Prostate Symptom Score subscales (incomplete urinary emptying, frequency, intermittency, urgency, weak stream, straining and nocturia) and number of current prostate cancer survivorship stressors were predictors. Multivariate logistic regression was used to fit the model while controlling for months of survivorship since diagnosis, the presence or absence of surgery, radiation or hormone therapy treatment, current medication for depression and demographics. RESULTS: A total of 19.5% of men scored positive for current mental health issues. Prostate cancer survivors who reported increased number of current survivorship stressors (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.09-2.01), had higher frequency of urination (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.15-3.64), history of radiation treatment (OR 7.15, 95% CI 1.02-50.35) and were currently on prescribed medication for depression (OR 33.47, 95% CI 3.80-294.87) had higher odds for screening positive for psychological distress compared with their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: These results corroborate recent findings showing an intersection between urological oncology and poor mental health during survivorship, and warrant the development of multidisciplinary teams in addressing survivorship issues in this population.

Renal cell carcinoma after neuroblastoma: A case study and review of the literature.

We present a case of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) arising in a 26-year-old patient with a history of neuroblastoma. RCC after a previous diagnosis of neuroblastoma is very uncommon, and there have only been 23 reported cases. Using the results of our patient workup, we hoped to determine whether there was a genetic predisposition or iatrogenic cause for the RCC. There is no clear explanation why neuroblastoma survivors are prone to developing RCC. However, genetic predisposition and previous treatment likely play a role. Since there have been few cases described, and few investigations into the genetics of this subtype of RCC, it remains important for individual cases to be added to the literature of this recently described and rare entity.

Inguinoscrotal hernias involving urologic organs: A case series.

We report 2 cases of inguinoscrotal hernias involving urologic organs. The first case involved an elderly gentleman with a history of micturition by squeezing his scrotum. He was diagnosed as having a right-sided indirect inguinal hernia involving the right ureter and bladder. Treatment was surgical. The second case involved an achondroplastic male who presented with acute kidney injury. He had bilateral hydronephrosis and ureteric obstruction secondary to an ureteroinguinal herniation bilaterally. The presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of inguinoscrotal hernias involving the bladder and ureters are discussed.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the testis: A case report and review of the literature.

This is a case of a 68-year-old male who presented with a chief compliant of a testicular mass, which was discovered to be a meta-static lesion of undiagnosed renal cell carcinoma. A computed tomography scan revealed a large right renal mass and multiple pulmonary metastasis. Shortly after diagnosis, the patient was initiated on systemic therapy and received a cytoreductive nephrectomy. We discuss the details of this case as well as a pertinent review of metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the testes.

Does prolonging the time to prostate cancer surgery impact long-term cancer control: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The wait times for prostate cancer surgery in Canada has increased over the past 2 decades. Prolonged wait times have a negative impact on patient quality of life but the effect on long-term cancer control is undefined. We conducted a systematic literature review to examine the best available evidence addressing the following key questions: . What is the reported time interval for prostate cancer patients from the decision to operate until the day of cancer surgery? . Are there recommendations/guidelines in the urological cancer literature and, if so, how do the Canadian times compare? . Is there a known association between duration of wait time beyond the recommended standard and clinical outcome (i.e. recurrence free survival, overall survival)? METHODS: A structured literature search of Medline, Pubmed, CINAHL, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Healthstar and Google Scholar was performed from January 1980 to January 2006 for published epidemiological studies and international guidelines/consensus documents that evaluated surgical wait times for prostate cancer. Data extracted from eligible studies included median time to prostate cancer surgery from the point of patient contact and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for wait times. All HR from the included studies were examined for the possibility of statistical pooling via meta analytic techniques. RESULTS: Thirteen studies evaluating wait times for prostate cancers were identified, six of which measured the HR for prostate specific antigen (PSA) recurrence in patients with prolonged wait times. Differences in study data availability, method of analysis and wait time definitions precluded statistical pooling of the findings. Median wait times from various points of patient contact ranged from 42 days to 244 days. In the six Canadian studies identified, wait times ranged from 42 days (consultation to operation) to 83 days (consultation to hospital admission). This was in contrast to national and international guidelines, which recommended a maximum wait time for prostatectomy between 2 to 4 weeks. The association between surgical delay and disease recurrence remained controversial where only two of six epidemiological studies reported at least a statistical trend for an increased risk of PSA recurrence free survival in patients with surgical delays of 3 months or more. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike comparable countries, surgical wait times in Canada appear to be increasing and are well beyond the threshold recommended by national and international expert bodies. Even though the association between surgical delay and disease recurrence remains unclear, there is an ongoing concern that the psychological impact of prolonged waiting could negatively impact patient outcomes. To address these important issues, the surgical wait times (SWAT) initiative is mandated to provide the necessary guidance and recommendations to the federal and provincial governments. Through a partnership of the key stakeholders, it is the vision of SWAT to ultimately improve the care and quality of life of prostate cancer patients and their families.

Practice patterns of Canadian urologists in the management of stage I testicular seminoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the practice patterns of Canadian urologists in the management of stage I testicular seminoma. METHODS: A survey was conducted with a three-page questionnaire among Canadian urologists between July and November 2002. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 48%. The total number of completed and partially completed questionnaires was 198 and 212, respectively. Ninety-four responders described their practice as university-affiliated teaching centre, while 118 reported community-based or private practice. All ordered CT abdomen/pelvis with either chest x-ray or CT scan of chest for staging investigation. Only 1% would order a lymphangiogram. About one third would not offer surveillance as a management option for stage I testicular seminoma. When asked to rank, in order of preference, three management options (surveillance, adjuvant radiotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy) under four different clinical scenarios varying in perceived relapse risk and the presence/absence of fertility preservation concern, the majority selected adjuvant radiotherapy as the treatment of choice for a patient with high relapse risk or no fertility concern. When a patient had desire to preserve fertility as well as low relapse risk, surveillance was chosen as the preferred management strategy. There was no significant response difference between academic and community urologists. CONCLUSION: There was some variation among Canadian urologists in the management of stage I testicular seminoma. The issue of fertility preservation and perceived relapse risk were important factors influencing management decisions. There was no significant difference between academic and community-based urologists with respect to patient volume and management approaches.