Prediction of Treatment Response and Survival with Chemotherapy for Metastatic Penile Cancer by the Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score.

PURPOSE: There is increasing evidence that a persistent systemic inflammatory response predicts lower survival in patients with malignant disease. The modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) is defined by a combination of elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (>10 mg/L) and hypoalbuminemia (<35 g/L). It is considered as an independent prognostic marker in several organ malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of mGPS in metastatic penile carcinoma in predicting treatment response and survival. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-six patients with penile carcinoma treated with chemotherapy were included in this retrospective study. The mGPS before chemotherapy was classified into 3 groups (mGPS 0 [CRP <10, any albumin], mGPS 1 [CRP >10 mg/L, albumin >35 g/L], and mGPS 2 [CRP >10 mg/L, albumin <35 g/L]). Overall survival and disease-free survival were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and chemotherapy toxicity by CTC criteria. Univariate Cox proportional hazards models were calculated to estimate the effect of each predictor on OS and DFS. RESULTS: Survival was significantly different in the 3 mGPS classes, with mGPS 0 patients showing the best treatment response and survival. Univariate analysis showed that mGPS (p < 0.0001), tumor stage (p = 0.004), and venous and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.011) were factors independently associated with prognosis. The response to chemotherapy differed significantly between mGPS groups (mGPS 0, 36/51 [71%]; mGPS 1, 24/70 [34%]; mGPS 2, 9/35 [26%], p = 0.03 and p = 0.37, respectively). mGPS was significantly associated with chemotherapy-associated toxicity, with treatment adaptation (p < 0.01) and toxicity-related deaths (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammatory response and nutritional status as expressed by the mGPS are independent predictors of treatment response, chemotherapy-associated toxicity, and survival in metastatic penile carcinoma. In addition to other known pathological markers of tumor aggressiveness, the mGPS can be used as a clinical predictor of prognosis.

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin versus mitomycin C for Ta and T1 bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: People with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder are at risk for recurrence and progression following transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT). Mitomycin C (MMC) and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) are commonly used, competing forms of intravesical therapy for intermediate- or high-risk non-muscle invasive (Ta and T1) urothelial bladder cancer but their relative merits are somewhat uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of BCG intravesical therapy compared to MMC intravesical therapy for treating intermediate- and high-risk Ta and T1 bladder cancer in adults. SEARCH METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search in multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS), as well as in two clinical trial registries. We searched reference lists of relevant publications and abstract proceedings. We applied no language restrictions. The latest search was conducted in September 2019. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared intravesical BCG with intravesical MMC therapy for non-muscle invasive urothelial bladder cancer. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened the literature, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and rated the quality of evidence according to GRADE per outcome. In the meta-analyses, we used the random-effects model. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 12 RCTs comparing BCG versus MMC in participants with intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder tumours (published from 1995 to 2013). In total, 2932 participants were randomised. Time to death from any cause: BCG may make little or no difference on time to death from any cause compared to MMC (hazard ratio (HR) 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79 to 1.20; participants = 1132, studies = 5; 567 participants in the BCG arm and 565 in the MMC arm; low-certainty evidence). This corresponds to 6 fewer deaths (40 fewer to 36 more) per 1000 participants treated with BCG at five years. We downgraded the certainty of the evidence two levels due to study limitations and imprecision. Serious adverse effects: 12/577 participants treated with BCG experienced serious non-fatal adverse effects compared to 4/447 participants in the MMC group. The pooled risk ratio (RR) is 2.31 (95% CI 0.82 to 6.52; participants = 1024, studies = 5; low-certainty evidence). Therefore, BCG may increase the risk for serious adverse effects compared to MMC. This corresponds to nine more serious adverse effects (one fewer to 37 more) with BCG. We downgraded the certainty of the evidence two levels due to study limitations and imprecision. Time to recurrence: BCG may reduce the time to recurrence compared to MMC (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.09; participants = 2616, studies = 11, 1273 participants in the BCG arm and 1343 in the MMC arm; low-certainty evidence). This corresponds to 41 fewer recurrences (104 fewer to 29 more) with BCG at five years. We downgraded the certainty of the evidence two levels due to study limitations, imprecision and inconsistency. Time to progression: BCG may make little or no difference on time to progression compared to MMC (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.26; participants = 1622, studies = 6; 804 participants in the BCG arm and 818 in the MMC arm; low-certainty evidence). This corresponds to four fewer progressions (29 fewer to 27 more) with BCG at five years. We downgraded the certainty of the evidence two levels due to study limitations and imprecision. Quality of life: we found very limited data for this outcomes and were unable to estimate an effect size. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, BCG may reduce the risk of recurrence over time although the Confidence Intervals include the possibility of no difference. It may have no effect on either the risk of progression or risk of death from any cause over time. BCG may cause more serious adverse events although the Confidence Intervals once again include the possibility of no difference. We were unable to determine the impact on quality of life. The certainty of the evidence was consistently low, due to concerns that include possible selection bias, performance bias, given the lack of blinding in these studies, and imprecision.

Cross-Sectional Patient-Reported Outcome Measuring of Health-Related Quality of Life With Establishment of Cancer- and Treatment-Specific Functional and Symptom Scales in Patients With Penile Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In the field of uro-oncology, the assessment of quality of life (QoL) is considered an integral part of clinical research. Because of the rarity of penile cancer, there is currently no cancer-specific questionnaire module available to assess the tumor-specific loss of function and symptoms in terms of influencing QoL. The aim of the study was to apply a validated questionnaire (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] QLQ-C30) in a population of patients diagnosed with penile cancer and to compare these results to reference data of the general population. We also developed a new unvalidated questionnaire (Quality of Life Questionnaire-Penile Cancer-Rostock, HRO-PE29) in this population to promote QoL research in the field of uro-oncology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional evaluation of patients with penile cancer after local surgical treatment (n = 76) was performed using EORTC QLQ-C30 and HRO-PE29. The QLQ-C30 provides information on QoL, functional scales, symptom scales, and 6 individual items (inappetence, insomnia, dyspnea, constipation, diarrhea, financial difficulties). Cancer-specific functional and symptom scales (HRO-PE29) were then established for use in different disease states and forms of treatment. These provide information on QoL as well as on cancer-specific function and symptom scores. RESULTS: The global QoL score was 54, which corresponds to an average QoL (score 0-100) and was well below the age-standardized average for German patients. For the general function scores, the following mean values were determined: physical (x¯ = 73), social (x¯ = 61), emotional (x¯ = 60), cognitive functioning (x¯ = 69), and role function (x¯ = 63). With regard to the general symptom scores and the individual items, the following values were found: fatigue (x¯ = 35), nausea (x¯ = 6), pain (x¯ = 27), dyspnea (x¯ = 23), insomnia (x¯ = 41), loss of appetite (x¯ = 25), constipation (x¯ = 19), diarrhea (x¯ = 10), and financial difficulties (x¯ = 25). The following mean values were found for the cancer-specific functional scores: voiding (x¯ = 77), sexuality (x¯ = 69, function and pleasure), body image (x¯ = 64), lymphedema (x¯ = 75), future prospects (x¯ = 72), and adverse effects of systemic treatment (x¯ = 73). CONCLUSION: Defects of the external genitalia have implications for identity, personality, and interpersonal relationships. The mental stress of these patients results from the diagnosis of cancer as well as the partly mutilating treatment. Reconstructive surgery in penile cancer patients promises to maintain sexual and micturition function and thus improve QoL. Cancer-specific functional losses can be sufficiently named and their influence on QoL determined.

Analysis of psychosocial stress factors in patients with renal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The experience of stress in patients with cancer through helplessness and the suppression of emotions correlates with unfavorable disease prognosis. Significant distress can reduce survival probability as well as subjectively perceived poor quality of life. Currently, there are few data on psychological stress in patients with renal cancer and most studies focus on survival time. The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychosocial stress of patients with renal cancer with screening questionnaires for an inpatient psychosocial treatment program. METHODS: Patients undergoing inpatient surgical or medical treatment for renal cancer were prospectively assessed for psychosocial stress with two standardized stress screening questionnaires used for the identification of the need for psychosocial care [NCCN Distress Thermometer (NCCN-DT), Hornheider Screening Instrument (HSI)]. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients with a mean age of 65 years were assessed. The average NCCN-DT score was 4.8 (scale of 0-10) and did not correlate with tumor stage, sex or prognosis. According to the DT results, 27% of patients were in need of psychosocial care which was significantly higher than the self-reported need. The main stressors were anxiety (32%), pain (27%), nervousness (26%), sadness, worry and sleeping difficulties (20%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant number of patients with renal cancer with increased psychological distress and a consecutive need for psychosocial care. This is underreported and largely unrecognized by patients as well as physicians and nurses. Easy-to-use assessment tools can be very helpful in identifying patients in need and this information can be used to implement psychological support and thus improve patient care.

Psychosocial Distress in Bladder Cancer Stratified by Gender, Age, Treatment, and Tumour Stage.

OBJECTIVES: Cancer patients have to cope with anxieties -concerning their prognosis, potential recurrence/progression, and treatment-associated sequelae. Stress-related psychosocial factors influence survival and disease-related mortality in cancer patients. Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment, bladder cancer (BC) remains characterized by high rates of recurrence and progression. We screened -pre-therapeutically the stress level of BC patients stratified by gender, disease state, treatment, and other factors by -self-administered validated questionnaires to integrate them into psychosocial support as needed. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of distress and need of psychosocial care was done in 301 patients undergoing treatment for BC by 2 questionnaires (Distress Thermometer [DT] and Hornheider Screening Instrument). RESULTS: Of the 301 patients, 230 patients underwent transurethral resection for a first -diagnosis, 63 for recurrent disease, 37 had progressive disease, and 25 had advanced metastatic disease and eventually died of BC. The mean stress level in all patients was 4.6. Twenty-eight percent of the patients expressed a need for psychosocial support. In patients with progressive disease, significantly higher stress scores were seen as well as a higher need of psychosocial care (5.4 and 41%). CONCLUSIONS: The median DT-level of 4.6 indicates moderate psychosocial stress in BC patients. From a stress level of 5, the recommendations of a psycho-oncological supervision are pronounced, so that our study showed that early systematic evaluation of psychosocial needs in BC patients is important.

Critical evaluation of the PADUA score in a retrospective analysis of open partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Several nephrometry scores have been developed to predict postoperative complications in partial nephrectomy based on preoperative imaging characteristics. The most widely used is the PADUA score. We retrospectively evaluated the value of the PADUA score in a consecutive series of open partial nephrectomy in our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirteen consecutive patients who underwent open partial nephrectomy from January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016 in our department for suspected renal malignancies were included in the study. The PADUA score was determined from preoperative computed tomography scans and a retrospective analysis of complications and other relevant parameters based on chart review was performed. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirteen patients underwent open partial nephrectomy, and 72.7% of them had a confirmed renal cell carcinoma (62.9% stage pT1). A total of 73 patients had peri-or postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo Grades 1-5, n=5, 37, 24, 5 and 0, respectively). Logistic and linear regression analysis did not show any correlation of complications with the preoperative three-group PADUA score. However, the PADUA scores were significantly correlated with operative and ischemia time. Dividing the patients into just two PADUA groups (<8 vs. ≥8 points) did show a significant difference in the severity of complications (OR 5.4, p<0.003). CONCLUSION: The PADUA score is an indicator for the complexity of partial nephrectomy and correlates with surgical parameters. Its usefulness in predicting complications is limited.

Surgical resection of locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy: Oncological outcome and predictors of survival.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the course of disease of patients surgically treated for locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma (LRRCC) after nephrectomy and to identify potential predictive factors for long-term survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We, retrospectively, identified 54 patients who underwent surgical resection of LRRCC after open nephrectomy for localized kidney cancer. The median age at time of surgery for LRRCC was 65 years. Survival rates were determined with the Kaplan-Meier method. Mantel-Haenszel hazard ratios were calculated. Comparisons were made with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze combined effects of variables. RESULTS: Median time to local recurrence after nephrectomy was 36 months (5-242 months). Median follow-up after surgery for LRRCC was 39 months. At time of analysis 18 patients (33%) were alive without any evidence of disease, 8 patients (15%) were alive with disease, 20 patients (37%) died of renal cell carcinoma, and 8 patients (15%) died of other causes. A 5-year overall survival (OS) was 60% (95% CI: 0.44-0.73) and 10-year OS was 32% (95% CI: 0.15-0.51). The median survival after surgery for LRRCC was 79 months. In univariate analysis OS differed significantly by the time period between primary surgery and occurrence of LRRCC (<2 years vs. ≥2 years: 10-year OS rate 31% (95% CI: 10.2-55.0) vs. 45% (95% CI: 21.5-65.8; hazard ratio = 0.26; P = 0.0034). In multivariate analysis sarcomatoid features in the primary nephrectomy specimen, positive surgical margins of the LRRCC specimen and a Charlson score of ≥2 were associated with a significantly worse prognosis in this cohort. CONCLUSION: In patients with a disease-free interval of more than 2 years after surgery for the primary tumor, surgical removal of LRRCC may achieve long-term survival in most patients. In those with a shorter disease-free interval, long-term survival is unlikely.

A Paratesticular Multicystic Tumor of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis as Rare Paratesticular Cystadenoma.

The cystadenoma of the testis and paratestis arising from an unequivocal oviduct-like structure, which is morphologically almost identical with those of the ovarian surface epithelium. These are very rare benign tumors of young adults. They present as asymptomatic cystic lesions. Bilateral paratesticular cystadenomas are strongly associated with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and correlate with infertility. It is a neoplasm with low malignant potential. Most cystadenomas are benign but a few cases of malignant transformation of embryonic remnants have been reported in the appendix testis, including cases of adenocarcinoma, cystadenocarcinoma, and a low malignant müllerian-type epithelial tumor. We report the rare case of a 63-year-old man with a paratesticular multicystic cystadenoma of the male adnexa without association to von Hippel-Lindau disease.