Initial surveillance in men with marker negative clinical stage IIA non-seminomatous germ cell tumours.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether extended surveillance with repeated computed tomography (CT) scans for patients with clinical stage IIA (CS IIA; <2 cm abdominal node involvement) and negative markers (Mk-) non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCTs) can identify those with true CS I. To assess the rate of benign lymph nodes, teratoma, and viable cancer in retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) histopathology for patients with CS IIA Mk- NSGCT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational prospective population-based study of patients diagnosed 2008-2019 with CS IIA Mk- NSGCT in the Swedish and Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group (SWENOTECA) registry. Patients were managed with surveillance, with CT scans, and tumour markers every sixth week for a maximum of 18 weeks. Patients with radiological regression were treated as CS I, if progression with chemotherapy, and remaining CS IIA Mk- disease with RPLND. The end-point was the number and percentage of patients down-staged to CS I on surveillance and rate of RPLND histopathology presented as benign, teratoma, or viable cancer. RESULTS: Overall, 126 patients with CS IIA Mk- NSGCT were included but 41 received therapy upfront. After surveillance for a median (range) of 6 (6-18) weeks, 23/85 (27%) patients were in true CS I and four (5%) progressed. Of the remaining 58 patients with lasting CS IIA Mk- NSGCT, 16 received chemotherapy and 42 underwent RPLND. The RPLND histopathology revealed benign lymph nodes in 11 (26%), teratoma in two (6%), and viable cancer in 29 (70%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance with repeated CT scans can identify patients in true CS I, thus avoiding overtreatment. The RPLND histopathology in patients with CS IIA Mk- NSGCT had a high rate of cancer and a low rate of teratoma.

Validation of a prediction model for post-chemotherapy fibrosis in nonseminoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: To validate Vergouwe's prediction model using the Swedish and Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group (SWENOTECA) RETROP database and to define its clinical utility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vergouwe's prediction model for benign histopathology in post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) uses the following variables: presence of teratoma in orchiectomy specimen; pre-chemotherapy level of alpha-fetoprotein; ß-Human chorionic gonadotropin and lactate dehydrogenase; and lymph node size pre- and post-chemotherapy. Our validation cohort consisted of patients included in RETROP, a prospective population-based database of patients in Sweden and Norway with metastatic nonseminoma, who underwent PC-RPLND in the period 2007-2014. Discrimination and calibration analyses were used to validate Vergouwe's prediction model results. Calibration plots were created and a Hosmer-Lemeshow test was calculated. Clinical utility, expressed as opt-out net benefit (NBopt-out ), was analysed using decision curve analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 284 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 130 (46%) had benign histology after PC-RPLND. Discrimination analysis showed good reproducibility, with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.77-0.87) compared to Vergouwe's prediction model (AUC between 0.77 and 0.84). Calibration was acceptable with no recalibration. Using a prediction threshold of 70% for benign histopathology, NBopt-out was 0.098. Using the model and this threshold, 61 patients would have been spared surgery. However, only 51 of 61 were correctly classified as benign. CONCLUSIONS: The model was externally validated with good reproducibility. In a clinical setting, the model may identify patients with a high chance of benign histopathology, thereby sparing patients of surgery. However, meticulous follow-up is required.

Robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer at a national referral centre.

Objectives: We aim to determine if robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) can be performed as a safe option to open RPLND in selected patients with metastatic germ cell cancer. Patients and methods: This population-based prospective study was performed at a one of two national referral centres for RPLND in Sweden. All patients referred during January 2017-March 2021 were screened for possible inclusion. R-RPLND was performed using the Da Vinci Xi surgical system. Perioperative parameters, postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo), final pathology, preservation of antegrade ejaculation and relapse rates were evaluated. Classifiers for selecting patients to open versus robotic RPLND were analysed by logistic regression modelling. The median follow-up was 23 months. Results: Of 87 patients referred, 29 were selected for R-RPLND, 19 in a post-chemotherapy setting. In median, retroperitoneal tumour diameter was 18 mm, BMI 24 kg/m2, operative time 433 min, estimated blood loss 50 ml and length of stay 3 days. One patient underwent open conversion due to failure to progress. Four patients had Clavien-Dindo grade 3 complications, of which three were chylous-related. No in-field recurrences occurred during follow-up. Conclusion: This population-based study suggests that R-RPLND can be safely performed in at least one third of patients referred for an RPLND. A relatively high rate of lymph-leakage may represent a potential drawback. Tumour size may be the most important discriminator when deciding on robotic versus open RPLND. Further studies with longer follow-up are needed to validate the results.

Unilateral or Bilateral Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection in Nonseminoma Patients with Postchemotherapy Residual Tumour? Results from RETROP, a Population-based Mapping Study by the Swedish Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group.

BACKGROUND: The distribution of retroperitoneal lymph node metastases for patients with nonseminoma and a residual tumour of 10-49 mm in a population-based setting is unknown. This information is needed to justify selection of patients for a unilateral template resection. OBJECTIVE: To describe the location of retroperitoneal metastases and recurrences in patients with nonseminoma germ cell tumour (NSGCT) with a residual tumour of 10-49 mm. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: RETROP is a population-based prospective observational mapping study of 213 patients in Sweden and Norway with a retroperitoneal residual tumour of 10-49 mm who underwent postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic NSGCT during 2007-2014 with median follow-up of 100 mo. Patients were classified according to the testis primary tumour and the distribution of unilateral or bilateral lymph node metastases (with reference to the aorta) present on pre- and/or postchemotherapy computed tomography (CT) scans. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The distribution and rate of teratoma or cancer in unilateral or bilateral retroperitoneal fields and the location and rate of retroperitoneal recurrence were measured. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: In total, 65% of the patients had unilateral retroperitoneal lymph node metastases (RLNMs) on CT scans. Patients with unilateral RLNMs had a low risk of contralateral teratoma or cancer (1.6% for right- and 2.6% for left-sided NSGCT) or retroperitoneal recurrence (0% for right- and 4% for left-sided NSGCT). A weakness of the study is that the pathology specimen could not be fully designated to one specific area for some of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Men with postchemotherapy residual disease of 10-49 mm and unilateral metastases on pre- and postchemotherapy CT scans have a low risk of contralateral disease and should be considered for a unilateral template resection. PATIENT SUMMARY: The surgeon can use computed tomography (CT) scans in deciding on the extent of lymph node dissection in patients with testicular cancer.

Surgical Complications in Postchemotherapy Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Nonseminoma Germ Cell Tumour: A Population-based Study from the Swedish Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group.

BACKGROUND: Reports on perioperative complications after postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) for nonseminoma germ cell tumour (NSGCT) are from experienced single centres, with a lack of population-based studies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the complications of bilateral and unilateral PC-RPLND. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective, population-based, observational multicentre study included all patients with NSGCT who underwent PC-RPLND in Norway and Sweden during 2007-2014. Of a total of 318 patients, 87 underwent bilateral PC-RPLND and 231 underwent unilateral PC-RPLND. The median follow-up was 6 yr. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Bilateral and unilateral PC-RPLND were compared for the outcomes of intra- and postoperative complications (graded by Clavien-Dindo) and retrograde ejaculation (with or without nerve-sparing surgery). Complications were reported as absolute counts and percentages. The χ2 test was used for comparisons. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The incidence of intraoperative complications was higher for bilateral PC-RPLND than for unilateral PC-RPLND (14% vs 4.3%, p = 0.003), with ureteral injury as the most frequent reported complication (2% of the patients). Postoperative complications were more common after bilateral than after unilateral PC-RPLND (45% vs 25%, p = 0.001) with Clavien ≥3b reported in 8.3% and 2.2%, respectively (p = 0.009). Lymphatic leakage was the most common complication occurring in 11% of the patients. Retrograde ejaculation occurred more frequently after bilateral than after unilateral surgery (59% vs 32%, p < 0.001). Limitations of the study include reporting of retrograde ejaculation, which was based on a chart review. CONCLUSIONS: Intra- and postoperative complications including retrograde ejaculation are more frequent after bilateral PC-RPLND than after unilateral PC-RPLND. PATIENT SUMMARY: Lymph node dissection in patients with testicular cancer puts them at risk of complications. In this study, we present the complications after lymph node dissection.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy as primary treatment for ureteric stones: a retrospective study comparing two different treatment strategies.

OBJECTIVE: Our extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) lithotripter with ultrasound localization technique was replaced in 1999 by a Storz SLX-MX lithotripter with both X-ray and ultrasound detection possibilities. Before replacing our lithotripter, most ureteric stones were treated with ureteroscopy (URS); subsequently, almost all patients underwent ESWL as primary treatment. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the results of these two treatment strategies in all consecutive patients attending our hospital in 1998 and 2000 for ureteric stone treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of all patients treated for ureteric stones in 1998 and 2000 were reviewed. In 1998, 173 ureteric stones were treated. Primary treatment was URS in 124 patients, push back/ESWL in 24, ESWL in 21 and open surgery in four. In 2000, 176 ureteric stones were treated: 158 with ESWL and 18 with URS. ESWL or URS monotherapy was defined as ESWL or URS, respectively as the only stone-treatment therapy, with or without the use of a ureteric catheter or nephrostomy tube. Treatment success was defined as a stone-free ureter. RESULTS: In 1998, the success rate for URS monotherapy was 95%, with a retreatment rate (sessions per stone situation) of 1.06. Corresponding figures for ESWL monotherapy in 2000 were 90% and 1.69. All URS patients received general anaesthesia; ESWL patients received opiods. Complication rates were 6% for URS and 3% for ESWL. In the URS group, 4/8 complications were considered to be major. CONCLUSION: ESWL should be considered the first-line treatment for ureteric stones because of its non-invasive nature, lack of a requirement for general anaesthesia and low complication rates.

Immediate versus deferred radiological investigation after acute renal colic: a prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: The timing of radiological assessment after acute renal colic is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of immediate versus deferred radiological imaging and to compare morbidity rates after an attack of acute renal colic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2001 and December 2002 all 686 patients with acute renal colic attending our university hospital were registered. Of these, 172 patients rendered pain-free after analgesic injection were randomized to either immediate or deferred radiological investigation. All patients received a questionnaire encompassing questions on consumption of analgesics, impact of symptoms on normal daily activity (including working ability), need for additional emergency department visits and hospitalization. Stone treatments were registered. RESULTS: The incidence of renal colic was 0.9/1,000 inhabitants per year. In total, 74% of all patients became pain-free after analgesic injection. Morbidity was low among the randomized patients, and did not differ between the immediate or deferred radiological investigation groups. In both groups, the duration of impairment of normal daily activities and analgesic consumption was a median of 2 days. In the immediate group, 14% needed another emergency visit and 4% were hospitalized. Corresponding figures for the deferred group were 15% and 7%. In the immediate group, 17% had stone treatment, compared with 8% in the deferred group. CONCLUSION: For most patients with acute renal colic, parenteral analgesia resulted in complete symptom resolution. When initial medical treatment was successful, patient morbidity was low. In these patients, immediate radiological imaging did not lead to reduced morbidity compared with radiological imaging after 2-3 weeks.