miRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis and Prognosis in Penile Carcinoma.

Penile cancer (PeC) is a rare disease, and no prognostic biomarkers have been adopted in clinical practice yet. The objective of the present study was to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) and genes (DEGs) as potential biomarkers for lymph node metastasis and other prognostic factors in PeC. Tumor samples were prospectively obtained from 24 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. miRNA microarray analysis was performed comparing tumors from patients with inguinal lymph node metastatic and localized disease, and the results were validated by qRT-PCR. Eighty-three gene expression levels were also compared between groups through qRT-PCR. Moreover, DEmiRs and DEGs expression levels were correlated with clinicopathological variables, cancer-specific (CSS), and overall survival (OS). TAC software, TM4 MeV 4.9 software, SPSS v.25.0, and R software v.4.0.2 were used for statistical analyses. We identified 21 DEmiRs in microarray analysis, and seven were selected for validation. miR-744-5p and miR-421 were overexpressed in tissue samples of metastatic patients, and high expression of miR-421 was also associated with lower OS. We found seven DEGs (CCND1, EGFR, ENTPD5, HOXA10, IGF1R, MYC, and SNAI2) related to metastatic disease. A significant association was found between increased MMP1 expression and tumor size, grade, pathological T stage, and perineural invasion. Other genes were also associated with clinicopathological variables, CSS and OS. Finally, we found changes in mRNA-miRNA regulation that contribute to understanding the mechanisms involved in tumor progression. Therefore, we identified miRNA and mRNA expression profiles as potential biomarkers associated with lymph node metastasis and prognosis in PeC, in addition to disruption in mRNA-miRNA regulation during disease progression.

A Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing the Outcomes of Open vs Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: Partial nephrectomy is the standard treatment for renal tumors <7 cm, and the trend toward minimally invasive surgery has increased. However, data that could support its use and benefits are still lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing surgical, functional and oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing open partial nephrectomy (OPN) or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Randomization was 1:1 to OPN or LPN for the treatment of renal tumors <7 cm. The primary endpoint was surgical complications up to 90 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes were comparison of surgical, oncologic and functional results. RESULTS: We randomized 208 patients between 2012 and 2020 (110 with OPN vs 98 with LPN). Operative data showed no differences in operative time, warm ischemia time, estimated blood loss, transfusions or length of hospital stay. Zero ischemia was more frequent in the OPN (35.4% vs 15.5%, p=0.02). OPN was associated with more abdominal wall complications (31.2% vs 13.1%, p=0.004). Regarding oncologic outcomes, no differences were noted. The LPN group had less kidney function reduction at 3 (-5.2% vs -10%, p=0.04; CI 0.09 to 9.46) and 12 months after surgery (-0.8% vs -6.3%, p=0.02; CI 1.18 to 12.95), and a lower rate of downstaging on the chronic kidney disease classification at 12 months (14.1% vs 32.6%, p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical and oncologic outcomes of LPN were similar to OPN. Minimally invasive surgery may provide better preservation of kidney function. More studies, especially those involving robotic surgery, are necessary to confirm our findings.

Tranexamic acid in patients with complex stones undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of single-dose tranexamic acid on the blood transfusion rate and outcomes of patients with complex kidney stones undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 192 patients with complex kidney stone (Guy's Stone Scores III-IV) were prospectively enrolled and randomised (1:1 ratio) to receive either one dose of tranexamic acid (1 g) or a placebo at the time of anaesthetic induction for PCNL. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence rate of perioperative blood transfusion. The secondary outcome measures included blood loss, operative time, stone-free rate (SFR), and complications. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02966236. RESULTS: The overall risk of receiving a blood transfusion was reduced in the tranexamic acid group (2.2% vs 10.4%; relative risk, 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.76, P = 0.033; number-needed-to-treat: 12). Patients randomised to the tranexamic acid group had a higher immediate and 3-month SFR compared with those in the placebo group (29% vs 14.7%, odds ratio [OR] 2.37, 95% CI 1.15-4.87, P = 0.019, and 46.2% vs 28.1%, OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.20-4.02, P = 0.011, respectively). Faster haemoglobin recovery occurred in patients in the tranexamic acid group (mean, 21.3 days; P = 0.001). No statistical differences were found in operative time and complications between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Tranexamic acid administration is safe and reduces the need for blood transfusion by five-times in patients with complex kidney stones undergoing PCNL. Moreover, tranexamic acid may contribute to better stone clearance rate and faster haemoglobin recovery without increasing complications. A single dose of tranexamic acid at the time of anaesthetic induction could be considered standard clinical practice for patients with complex kidney stones undergoing PCNL.

Robot-assisted simple prostatectomy: the evolution of a surgical technique

ABSTRACT Purpose: Enucleation of a large prostate is the best surgical choice for patients refractory to clinical treatment (1,2). Since the first robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) was described (3,4), some technical modifications (5-7) and different approaches to reach the adenoma have been proposed (8,9). The aim of this video is to demonstrate three different techniques of RASP. Materials and Methods: The first procedure begins with a transversal incision over the bladder neck, the second is a transvesical approach and the last one is a Retzius-sparing RASP. All techniques were performed with a vesico-urethral anastomosis. Results: Three patients underwent RASP, each one with a different approach. Patients presented mean age of 66±4.4 years, PSA baseline level of 7.8±3ng/mL, IPSS score of 17.7±4.5, maximum urine flow of 8.3±1.5mL/seg and 122.3±11.2cm3 of prostate volume. The mean operative time was 63±8 minutes, estimated blood loss of 106.7±11.5mL, prostate weight of the surgical specimen of 106.3±8 grams and 1 day of length of stay. No continuous bladder irrigation was required and there was no complication. The mean postoperative PSA and IPSS were 0.7±0.3ng/mL, 4.7±1.5. The maximum urine flow raised to 20±4.4mL/seg. Conclusions: RASP with vesico-urethral anastomosis allowed minimal blood loss, short length of stay and great functional outcomes. All the three approaches allowed to perform this technique in a safe way, while showing different alternatives to reach the adenoma.

Robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy: The state of art.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a narrative review about the role of robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (R-RPLND) in the management of testicular cancer. METHODS: A PubMed search for all relevant publications regarding the R-RPLND series up until August 2019 was performed. The largest series were identified, and weighted means calculated for outcomes using the number of patients included in each study as the weighting factor. RESULTS: Fifty-six articles of R-RPLND were identified and eight series with more than 10 patients in each were included. The weighted mean age was 31.12 years; primary and post chemotherapy R-RPLND were performed in 50.59% and 49.41% of patients. The clinical stage was I, II and III in 47.20%, 39.57% and 13.23% of patients. A modified R-RPLND template was used in 78.02% of patients, while 21.98% underwent bilateral full template. The weighted mean node yield, operative time and estimated blood loss were, respectively, 22.15 nodes, 277.35 min and 131.94 mL. The weighted mean length of hospital stay was 2 days and antegrade ejaculation was preserved in 92.12% of patients. Major post-operative complications (Clavien III or IV) occurred in 5.34%. Positive pathological nodes were detected in 24.54%, while the recurrence free survival was 95.77% with a follow-up of 21.81 months. CONCLUSION: R-RPLND has proven to be a reproducible and safe approach in experienced centers; short-term oncologic outcomes are similar to the open approach with less morbidity and shorter convalescence related to its minimal invasiveness. However, longer follow-up and new trials comparing head-to-head both techniques are expected.

Androgen deprivation therapy improves the in vitro capacity of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to receive cholesterol and other lipids in patients with prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is widely used in the treatment of testosterone-dependent prostate carcinomas. ADT often increases plasma LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. The aim was to test whether ADT changes the transfer of lipids to HDL, an important aspect of this metabolism and HDL protective functions, and related parameters. METHODS: Sixteen volunteers with advanced prostate carcinoma submitted to pharmacological ADT or orchiectomy had plasma collected shortly before and after 6 months of ADT. In vitro transfer of lipids to HDL was performed by incubating plasma with donor emulsion containing radioactive lipids by 1 h at 37 °C. After chemical precipitation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein, the radioactivity of HDL fraction was counted. RESULTS: ADT reduced testosterone to nearly undetectable levels and markedly diminished PSA. ADT increased the body weight but glycemia, triglycerides, LDL and HDL cholesterol, HDL lipid composition and CETP concentration were unchanged. However, ADT increased the plasma unesterified cholesterol concentration (48 ± 12 vs 56 ± 12 mg/dL, p = 0.019) and LCAT concentration (7.15 ± 1.81 vs 8.01 ± 1.55µg/mL, p = 0.020). Transfer of unesterified (7.32 ± 1.09 vs 8.18 ± 1.52%, p < 0.05) and esterified cholesterol (6.15 ± 0.69 vs 6.94 ± 1.29%, p < 0.01) and of triglycerides (6.37 ± 0.43 vs 7.18 ± 0.91%, p < 0.001) to HDL were increased after ADT. Phospholipid transfer was unchanged. CONCLUSION: Increase in transfer of unesterified and esterified cholesterol protects against cardiovascular disease, as shown previously, and increased LCAT favors cholesterol esterification and facilitates the reverse cholesterol transport. Thus, our results suggest that ADT may offer anti-atherosclerosis protection by improving HDL functional properties. This could counteract, at least partially, the eventual worse effects on plasma lipids.

Robot - assisted laparoscopic local recurrence resection after radical prostatectomy

ABSTRACT Introduction and objective: Local prostate cancer recurrence is usually treated with salvage radiation (sRDT) with or without adjuvant therapy. However, surgical resection could be an option. We aim to present the surgical technique for robot - assisted laparoscopic resection prostate cancer local recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) and sRDT in 2 cases. Patients and method: First case depicts a 70 year - old man who underwent RP in 2001 and sRDT in 2004. Following adjuvant therapy, patient had biochemical recurrence. MRI showed a solid mass in the prostatic fossa close to vesicourethral anastomosis, measuring 2.1 cm and PET / CT revealed hyper caption significant uptake in the prostatic fossa. Second case is a 59 year - old man who underwent RP in 2010 and sRDT in 2011. Again, patient presented with biochemical recurrence. PET / CT showed hyper caption in the prostatic fossa. Biopsy conformed a prostate adenocarcinoma. Both patients underwent robot - assisted extended pelvic lymph nodes dissection and local recurrence resection. A standard 4 robotic arms port placement was utilized. Results: Both procedures were uneventfully performed in less than 3 hours and there were no complications. Pathological examination showed a prostate adenocarcinoma Gleason 7 and 8 in the first and second case, respectively; surgical margins and lymph nodes were negative. After 6 months of follow-up, continence was not affected and both patients presented with PSA < 0.15 ng / mL. Conclusion: Robot - assisted laparoscopic resection of prostate cancer local recurrence after RP and sRDT detected by PSMA PET / CT seems to be safe in experienced hands. It may postpone adjuvant therapy in selected cases.

Robot - assisted laparoscopic local recurrence resection after radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Local prostate cancer recurrence is usually treated with salvage radiation (sRDT) with or without adjuvant therapy. However, surgical resection could be an option. We aim to present the surgical technique for robot - assisted laparoscopic resection prostate cancer local recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) and sRDT in 2 cases. PATIENTS AND METHOD: First case depicts a 70 year - old man who underwent RP in 2001 and sRDT in 2004. Following adjuvant therapy, patient had biochemical recurrence. MRI showed a solid mass in the prostatic fossa close to vesicourethral anastomosis, measuring 2.1 cm and PET / CT revealed hyper caption significant uptake in the prostatic fossa. Second case is a 59 year - old man who underwent RP in 2010 and sRDT in 2011. Again, patient presented with biochemical recurrence. PET / CT showed hyper caption in the prostatic fossa. Biopsy conformed a prostate adenocarcinoma. Both patients underwent robot - assisted extended pelvic lymph nodes dissection and local recurrence resection. A standard 4 robotic arms port placement was utilized. RESULTS: Both procedures were uneventfully performed in less than 3 hours and there were no complications. Pathological examination showed a prostate adenocarcinoma Gleason 7 and 8 in the first and second case, respectively; surgical margins and lymph nodes were negative. After 6 months of follow-up, continence was not affected and both patients presented with PSA < 0.15 ng / mL. CONCLUSION: Robot - assisted laparoscopic resection of prostate cancer local recurrence after RP and sRDT detected by PSMA PET / CT seems to be safe in experienced hands. It may postpone adjuvant therapy in selected cases.

Predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay after retropubic radical prostatectomy in a high-volume teaching center

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the length hospital stay and predictors of prolonged hospitalization after RRP performed in a high-surgical volume teaching institution, and analyze the rate of unplanned visits to the office, emergency care, hospital readmissions and perioperative complications rates. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a standardized database for patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing RRP in our institution between January/2010 - January/2012. A logistic regression model including preoperative variables was initially built in order to determine the factors that predict prolonged hospital stay before the surgical procedure; subsequently, a second model including both pre and intraoperative variables was analyzed. Results: 1011 patients underwent RRP at our institution were evaluated. The median hospital stay was 2 days, and 217 (21.5%) patients had prolonged hospitalization. Predictors of prolonged hospital stay among the preoperative variables were ICC (OR. 1.40 p=0.003), age (OR 1.050 p<0.001), ASA score of 3 (OR. 3.260 p<0.001), prostate volume on USG-TR (OR, 1.005 p=0.038) and African-American race (OR 2.235 p=0.004); among intra and postoperative factors, operative time (OR 1.007 p=0.022) and the presence of any complications (OR 2.013 p=0.009) or major complications (OR 2.357 p=0.01) were also correlated independently with prolonged hospital stay. The complication rate was 14.5%. Conclusions: The independent predictors of prolonged hospitalization among preoperative variables were CCI, age, ASA score of 3, prostate volume on USG-TR and African-American race; amongst intra and postoperative factors, operative time, presence of any complications and major complications were correlated independently with prolonged hospital stay.

Predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay after retropubic radical prostatectomy in a high-volume teaching center.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the length hospital stay and predictors of prolonged hospitalization after RRP performed in a high-surgical volume teaching institution, and analyze the rate of unplanned visits to the office, emergency care, hospital readmissions and perioperative complications rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a standardized database for patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing RRP in our institution between January/2010 - January/2012. A logistic regression model including preoperative variables was initially built in order to determine the factors that predict prolonged hospital stay before the surgical procedure; subsequently, a second model including both pre and intraoperative variables was analyzed. RESULTS: 1011 patients underwent RRP at our institution were evaluated. The median hospital stay was 2 days, and 217 (21.5%) patients had prolonged hospitalization. Predictors of prolonged hospital stay among the preoperative variables were ICC (OR. 1.40 p=0.003), age (OR 1.050 p<0.001), ASA score of 3 (OR. 3.260 p<0.001), prostate volume on USG-TR (OR, 1.005 p=0.038) and African-American race (OR 2.235 p=0.004); among intra and postoperative factors, operative time (OR 1.007 p=0.022) and the presence of any complications (OR 2.013 p=0.009) or major complications (OR 2.357 p=0.01) were also correlated independently with prolonged hospital stay. The complication rate was 14.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The independent predictors of prolonged hospitalization among preoperative variables were CCI, age, ASA score of 3, prostate volume on USG-TR and African-American race; amongst intra and postoperative factors, operative time, presence of any complications and major complications were correlated independently with prolonged hospital stay.

Ureteroileal bypass: a new technic to treat ureteroenteric strictures in urinary diversion

ABSTRACT Objective: To present our technique of ureteroileal bypass to treat uretero-enteric stric- tures in urinary diversion. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-one medical records were reviewed from patients submitted to radical cystectomy to treat muscle-invasive bladder cancer between 2013 and 2015. Twelve (8.5%) patients developed uretero-enteric anastomotic stricture during follow-up. Five patients were treated with endoscopic dilatation and double J placement. Four were treated surgically with standard terminal-lateral im- plantation. Three patients with uretero-enteric anastomotic stricture were treated at our institution by "ureteroileal bypass", one of them was treated with robotic surgery. Results: All patients had the diagnosis of uretero-enteric anastomotic stricture via computerized tomography and DTPA renal scan. Time between cystectomy and diag- nosis of uretero-enteric anastomotic stricture varied from five months to three years. Mean operative time was 120±17.9 minutes (98 to 142 min) and hospital stay was 3.3±0.62 days (3 to 4 days). Mean follow-up was 24±39.5 months (6 to 72 months). During follow-up, all patients were asymptomatic and presented improvement in ure-terohydronephrosis. Serum creatinine of all patients had been stable. Conclusions: Latero-lateral ureter re-implantation is feasible by open or even robotic surgery with positive results, reasonable operation time, and without complications.

Ureteroileal bypass: a new technic to treat ureteroenteric strictures in urinary diversion.

OBJECTIVE: To present our technique of ureteroileal bypass to treat uretero-enteric strictures in urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-one medical records were reviewed from patients submitted to radical cystectomy to treat muscle-invasive bladder cancer between 2013 and 2015. Twelve (8.5%) patients developed uretero-enteric anastomotic stricture during follow-up. Five patients were treated with endoscopic dilatation and double J placement. Four were treated surgically with standard terminal-lateral implantation. Three patients with uretero-enteric anastomotic stricture were treated at our institution by "ureteroileal bypass", one of them was treated with robotic surgery. RESULTS: All patients had the diagnosis of uretero-enteric anastomotic stricture via computerized tomography and DTPA renal scan. Time between cystectomy and diagnosis of uretero-enteric anastomotic stricture varied from five months to three years. Mean operative time was 120±17.9 minutes (98 to 142 min) and hospital stay was 3.3±0.62 days (3 to 4 days). Mean follow-up was 24±39.5 months (6 to 72 months). During follow-up, all patients were asymptomatic and presented improvement in ureterohydronephrosis. Serum creatinine of all patients had been stable. CONCLUSIONS: Latero-lateral ureter re-implantation is feasible by open or even robotic surgery with positive results, reasonable operation time, and without complications.