A Multicentre Evaluation of the Role of the Prostate Health Index (PHI) in Regions with Differing Prevalence of Prostate Cancer: Adjustment of PHI Reference Ranges is Needed for European and Asian Settings.

Asians have a lower incidence of prostate cancer (PC). We compared the performance of the Prostate Health Index (PHI) for 2488 men in different ethnic groups (1688 Asian and 800 European men from 9 sites) with PSA 2-20ng/ml and PHI test and transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy results available. Of these, 1652 men had PSA 2-10ng/ml and a normal digital rectal examination and underwent initial biopsy. The proportions of PC (Gleason ≥6) and higher-grade PC (HGPC, Gleason ≥7) across different PHI ranges were compared. The performance of PSA and PHI was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and decision curve analyses (DCA). Among Asian men, HGPC would be diagnosed in 1.0%, 1.9%, 13%, and 30% of men using PHI thresholds of <25, 25-35, 35-55, and >55, respectively. At 90% sensitivity for HGPC (PHI >30), 56% of biopsies and 33% of Gleason 6 PC diagnoses could have been avoided. Among European men, HGPC would be diagnosed in 4.1%, 4.3%, 30%, and 34% of men using PHI thresholds of <25, 25-35, 35-55, and >55, respectively. At 90% sensitivity for HGPC (PHI >40), 40% of biopsies and 31% of Gleason 6 PC diagnoses could have been avoided. AUC and DCA confirmed the benefit of PHI over PSA. The benefit of PHI was also seen at repeat biopsy (n=397) and for PSA 10-20ng/ml (n=439). PHI is effective in cancer risk stratification for both European and Asian men. However, population-specific PHI reference ranges should be used. PATIENT SUMMARY: The Prostate Health Index (PHI) blood test helps to identify individuals at higher risk of prostate cancer among Asian and European men, and could significantly reduce unnecessary biopsies and overdiagnosis of prostate cancer. Different PHI reference ranges should be used for different ethnic groups.

Post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal teratoma in nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: Do predictive factors exist? Results from a national multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To identify predictive preoperative factors of the presence of teratoma in retroperitoneal lymph node dissection specimens. METHODS: We performed a 20 years multicenter retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for residual masses after chemotherapy (PC-RPLND). Patients had undergone PC-RPLND after chemotherapy for advanced testicular cancer. The histologic components of the primary tumor were compared with those of the residual masses using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 469 NSGCT patients underwent PC-RPLND (complete data available for 211). By PC-RPLND, necrosis was found in 84 cases, teratoma in 102 cases, and viable tumor in 25 cases. The univariate and multivariate analyses showed that teratoma (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) and yolk sac tumor (P = 0.009 and P = 0.035, respectively) in orchiectomy specimens were statistically significant predictors of the presence of teratoma in retroperitoneal lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: PC-RPLND is the standard treatment for any supracentimetric residual lesion. This procedure is associated with a high morbidity, and almost half patients are overtreated. The presence of teratoma and yolk sac tumor in the orchiectomy specimen were independent significant predictors of teratoma in retroperitoneal masses. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:992-996. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The percentage of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) isoform [-2]proPSA and the Prostate Health Index improve the diagnostic accuracy for clinically relevant prostate cancer at initial and repeat biopsy compared with total PSA and percentage free PSA in men aged ≤65 years.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively test the diagnostic accuracy of the percentage of prostate specific antigen (PSA) isoform [-2]proPSA (%p2PSA) and the Prostate Health Index (PHI), and to determine their role for discrimination between significant and insignificant prostate cancer at initial and repeat prostate biopsy in men aged ≤65 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The diagnostic performance of %p2PSA and PHI were evaluated in a multicentre study. In all, 769 men aged ≤65 years scheduled for initial or repeat prostate biopsy were recruited in four sites based on a total PSA (t-PSA) level of 1.6-8.0 ng/mL World Health Organization (WHO) calibrated (2-10 ng/mL Hybritech-calibrated). Serum samples were measured for the concentration of t-PSA, free PSA (f-PSA) and p2PSA with Beckman Coulter immunoassays on Access-2 or DxI800 instruments. PHI was calculated as (p2PSA/f-PSA × âˆšt-PSA). Uni- and multivariable logistic regression models and an artificial neural network (ANN) were complemented by decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: In univariate analysis %p2PSA and PHI were the best predictors of prostate cancer detection in all patients (area under the curve [AUC] 0.72 and 0.73, respectively), at initial (AUC 0.67 and 0.69) and repeat biopsy (AUC 0.74 and 0.74). t-PSA and %f-PSA performed less accurately for all patients (AUC 0.54 and 0.62). For detection of significant prostate cancer (based on Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance [PRIAS] criteria) the %p2PSA and PHI equally demonstrated best performance (AUC 0.70 and 0.73) compared with t-PSA and %f-PSA (AUC 0.54 and 0.59). In multivariate analysis PHI we added to a base model of age, prostate volume, digital rectal examination, t-PSA and %f-PSA. PHI was strongest in predicting prostate cancer in all patients, at initial and repeat biopsy and for significant prostate cancer (AUC 0.73, 0.68, 0.78 and 0.72, respectively). In DCA for all patients the ANN showed the broadest threshold probability and best net benefit. PHI as single parameter and the base model + PHI were equivalent with threshold probability and net benefit nearing those of the ANN. For significant cancers the ANN was the strongest parameter in DCA. CONCLUSION: The present multicentre study showed that %p2PSA and PHI have a superior diagnostic performance for detecting prostate cancer in the PSA range of 1.6-8.0 ng/mL compared with t-PSA and %f-PSA at initial and repeat biopsy and for predicting significant prostate cancer in men aged ≤65 years. They are equally superior for counselling patients before biopsy.

A 20-Year Epidemiological Review of Testis Cancer at a French Military Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if the epidemiology of testis cancer in military service has followed worldwide trends and if the end of conscription in 2000 in France marked an epidemiologic turn. METHODS: All of the patients who had an orchiectomy for a testis germ tumor from January 1990 to January 2011 were studied. The patients were divided into two groups: orchiectomy before 2000 and after 2000. RESULTS: 289 patients were included, with a mean age of 30.8. The mean age at diagnosis increased significantly as well as the proportion of stage 1 seminomas, whereas stage 1 nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) slightly decreased. For stage 1 seminomas, there was an increase in the surveillance (10% vs. 31%) and in the number of chemotherapies (19% vs. 22%); for stage 1 NSGCT, surveillance also increased (53% vs. 64%). The specific 5-year survival was 98.3%. CONCLUSIONS: We noted an increase in the number of stage 1 seminomas, the surveillance of located germ tumors, and an excellent survival rate. However, the population was younger with regard to national data, and the number of stage 1 NSGCT decreased in favor of advanced metastatic tumors.

Comparison of Two Prostate Cancer Risk Calculators that Include the Prostate Health Index.

BACKGROUND: Risk prediction models for prostate cancer (PCa) have become important tools in reducing unnecessary prostate biopsies. The Prostate Health Index (PHI) may increase the predictive accuracy of such models. OBJECTIVES: To compare two PCa risk calculators (RCs) that include PHI. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We evaluated the predictive performance of a previously developed PHI-based nomogram and updated versions of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) RCs based on digital rectal examination (DRE): RC3 (no prior biopsy) and RC4 (prior biopsy). For the ERSPC updates, the original RCs were recalibrated and PHI was added as a predictor. The PHI-updated ERSPC RCs were compared with the Lughezzani nomogram in 1185 men from four European sites. Outcomes were biopsy-detectable PC and potentially advanced or aggressive PCa, defined as clinical stage >T2b and/or a Gleason score ≥7 (clinically relevant PCa). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The PHI-updated ERSPC models had a combined area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) of 0.72 for all PCa and 0.68 for clinically relevant PCa. For the Lughezzani PHI-based nomogram, AUCs were 0.75 for all PCa and 0.69 for clinically relevant PCa. For men without a prior biopsy, PHI-updated RC3 resulted in AUCs of 0.73 for PCa and 0.66 for clinically relevant PCa. Decision curves confirmed these patterns, although the number of clinically relevant cancers was low. CONCLUSION: Differences between RCs that include PHI are small. Addition of PHI to an RC leads to further reductions in the rate of unnecessary biopsies when compared to a strategy based on prostate-specific antigen measurement. PATIENT SUMMARY: Risk prediction models for prostate cancer have become important tools in reducing unnecessary prostate biopsies. We compared two risk prediction models for prostate cancer that include the Prostate Health Index. We found that these models are equivalent to each other, and both perform better than the prostate-specific antigen test alone in predicting cancer.

Surgical treatment of an aneurysm of a distal branch of the renal artery.

Aneurysms of the renal artery and its branches are rare, but are associated with significant morbimortality due to the absence of clinical symptoms and hemorrhagic risk in the event of rupture. We report the case of a patient with an aneurysm of a distal branch of the right renal artery that measured 25 mm in diameter. The diagnosis and localization were obtained using selective arteriography. Treatment consisted of resection of the aneurysmal sac associated with closure with a saphenous vein patch rather than an endovascular treatment in order to preserve the nephronic capital. Right renal parenchymatous vascularization was satisfactory on arterial echo-Doppler and angioscanner assessment at 1 year.

Influence of previous or synchronous bladder cancer on oncologic outcomes after radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a history of bladder cancer (BC) or synchronous BC on the prognosis and survival of patients who have undergone radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using a multi-institutional, retrospective database, we identified 662 patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC) treated by radical nephroureterectomy, between 1995 and 2010. We analyzed clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes according to the history of BC or concomitant BC or both, at the time of diagnosis. BC was evaluated as a prognostic factor for bladder recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Overall, 83 (12.5%) patients had previous BC, 62 (9.4%) exhibited concomitant BC, and 75 (11.3%) presented with both previous and current BC. A history of BC was less seen in women and nonsmokers (P<0.0001 and P = 0.013, respectively). The patients with associated BC had more tumors located in the ureter (P<0.0001), as well as more multiple locations in the upper tract (P<0.0001). The tumors without concomitant BC were more likely to be associated with locally advanced stages (P = 0.024). At a median follow-up time of 37.3 months, 31.4% of patients experienced BC recurrence and 2.9% developed contralateral upper tract tumor. Using multivariate analyses, the previous or synchronous BC (P = 0.01) and positive surgical margins (P = 0.03) are independent prognostic factors for BC recurrence. The metastasis-free survival and cancer-specific survival rates did not significantly differ according to the associated BC status. CONCLUSIONS: In patients without previous or concomitant BC, the upper tract tumors are more frequently localized in the renal pelvis and are associated with a more invasive status at the time of diagnosis. Nevertheless, the presence of UUT-UC without previous or synchronous BC did not significantly affect the survival rates after nephroureterectomy.

Clinicopathological characteristics of incidental prostate cancer discovered from radical cystoprostatectomy specimen: a multicenter French study.

PURPOSE: The present study assessed the incidence and histopathological features of incidentally diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) in specimens from radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP) for bladder cancer. The patient outcomes also were evaluated. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the histopathological features and survival data of 4,299 male patients who underwent a RCP for bladder cancer at 25 French centers between January 1996 and June 2012. No patients had preoperative clinical or biological suspicion of PCa. RESULTS: Among the 4,299 RCP specimens, PCa was diagnosed in 931 patients (21.7%). Most tumors (90.1%) were organ-confined (pT2), whereas 9.9% of them were diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (≥pT3). Gleason score was <6 in 129 cases (13.9%), 6 in 575 cases (61.7%), 7 (3 + 4) in 149 cases (16.0%), 7 (4 + 3) in 38 cases (4.1%), and >7 in 40 cases (4.3%). After a median follow-up of 25.5 months (interquartile range 14.2-47.4), 35.4% of patients had bladder cancer recurrence and 23.8% died of bladder cancer. Only 16 patients (1.9%) experienced PCa biochemical recurrence during follow-up, and no preoperative predictive factor was identified. No patients died from PCa. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of incidentally diagnosed PCa in RCP specimens was 21.7%. The majority of these PCas were organ-confined. PCa recurrence occurred in only 1.9% of cases during follow-up.

Impact of lymphovascular invasion on oncological outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma after radical nephroureterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) on upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) in a multicentre study on cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival and metastasis-free survival (MFS). To show the negative impact of LVI for patients with pN0/x disease and to stratify these patients into risk groups for metastatic relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicentre retrospective study was performed on patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy between 1995 and 2010. LVI status was evaluated as a prognostic factor for survival using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 551 patients were included and were divided into two groups: those without LVI (LVI-), n = 388 and those with LVI (LVI+), n = 163. LVI+ status was associated with high stage and grade UTUC and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). The 5-year CSS and MFS rates were significantly worse in the LVI+ group than in LVI- group (52.2 vs 84.5%, P < 0.001 and 43.8 vs 82.7%, P < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, LVI+ status was an independent prognostic factor for CSS and MFS (P = 0.04 and P < 0.001). These findings were confirmed for the pN0/x patient subgroup (n = 504, P < 0.001). In the pN0/x patient subgroup, we described a prognostic tool for MFS based on independent factors that permitted us to stratify patients into groups of high, intermediate or low risk of metastasis relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of LVI was a strong predictor of a poor outcome for UTUC. When a lymphadenectomy has not been achieved, the report of LVI status is crucial to identfiy those patients at higher risk for metastatic relapse.

Intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinomas: predictors and impact on subsequent oncological outcomes from a national multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictive factors and assess the impact on oncological outcomes of intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). METHODS: Using a national multicentric retrospective dataset, we identified all patients with UTUC who underwent a RNU between 1995 and 2010 (n = 482). Intravesical recurrence was tested as a prognostic factor for survival through univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, intravesical recurrence occurred in 169 patients (35 %) with a median age of 69.2 years (IQR: 60-76) and after a median follow-up of 39.5 months (IQR: 25-60). Actuarial intravesical recurrence-free survival estimates at 2 and 5 years after RNU were 72 and 45 %, respectively. On univariable analyses, previous history of bladder tumor, tumor multifocality, laparoscopic approach, pathological T-stage, presence of concomitant CIS and lymphovascular invasion were all associated with intravesical recurrence. On multivariable analysis, previous history of bladder cancer, tumor multifocality and laparoscopic approach remained independent predictors of intravesical recurrence. Existence of intravesical recurrence was not correlated with worst oncological outcomes in terms of disease recurrence (p = 0.075) and cancer-specific mortality (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, intravesical recurrence occurred in 35 % of patients with UTUC after RNU. Previous history of bladder cancer, tumor multifocality, concomitant CIS and laparoscopic approach were independent predictors of intravesical recurrence. These findings are in line with recent published data and should be considered carefully to provide a definitive surveillance protocol regarding management of urothelial carcinomas regardless of the location of urothelial carcinomas in the whole urinary tract.

The impact of lymph node status and features on oncological outcomes in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC) treated by nephroureterectomy.

PURPOSE: Prognostic impact of lymphadenectomy during radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC) is controversial. Our aim was to assess the impact of lymph node status (LNS) on survival in patients treated by RNU. METHODS: In our multi-institutional, retrospective database, 714 patients with non-metastatic UTUC had undergone RNU between 1995 and 2010. LNS was tested as prognostic factor for survivals through univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Median age was 70 years [interquartile range (IQR), 60-75] with median follow-up of 27 months (IQR, 10-50). Overall, lymphadenectomy was performed in 254 patients (35.5 %). Among these patients, 204 (80 %) had negative lymph nodes (pN0) and 50 (20 %) had positive lymph nodes (pN1/2). The 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) was 81 % [95 % confidence interval (CI), 73-88 %] for pN0 patients, 85 % (95 % CI, 80-90 %) for pNx patients and 47 % (95 % CI, 24-69 %) for pN1/2 patients (p < 0.001). Metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were significantly lower in pN1/2 patients than in pN0 and pNx patients (p < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, LNS did not appear as an independent prognostic factor for CSS, OS or MFS (p > 0.05). In case of lymph node involvement, extra-nodal extension was marginally associated with worse CSS (log rank p = 0.07). The retrospective design was the main limitation. CONCLUSION: LNS is helpful for survival stratification in patients treated with RNU for UTUC. However, LNS did not appear as an independent predictor of survival in this retrospective series and needs to be investigated in a large multicentre, prospective evaluation.

Multicenter evaluation of [-2]proprostate-specific antigen and the prostate health index for detecting prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) is flawed for prostate cancer (PCa) detection. [-2]proprostate-specific antigen (p2PSA), a molecular isoform of free PSA (fPSA), shows higher specificity compared with tPSA or percentage of free PSA (%fPSA). The prostate health index (Phi), a measure based on p2PSA and calculated as p2PSA/fPSA × âˆštPSA, was evaluated in a multicenter study for detecting PCa. METHODS: A total of 1362 patients from 4 different study sites who had tPSA values of 1.6-8.0 µg/L (668 patients with PCa, 694 without PCa) underwent ≥10 core biopsies. Serum concentrations of tPSA, fPSA (both calibrated against a WHO reference material), and p2PSA were measured on Access2 or DxI800 analyzers (Beckman Coulter). RESULTS: The percentage ratio of p2PSA to fPSA (%p2PSA) and Phi were significantly higher in all PCa subcohorts (positive initial or repeat biopsy result or negative digital rectal examination) (P < 0.0001) compared with patients without PCa. Phi had the largest area under the ROC curve (AUC) (AUC = 0.74) and provided significantly better clinical performance for predicting PCa compared with %p2PSA (AUC = 0.72, P = 0.018), p2PSA (AUC = 0.63, P < 0.0001), %fPSA (AUC = 0.61) or tPSA (AUC = 0.56). Significantly higher median values of Phi were observed for patients with a Gleason score ≥7 (Phi = 60) compared with a Gleason score <7 (Phi = 53; P = 0.0018). The proportion of aggressive PCa (Gleason score ≥7) increased with the Phi score. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this multicenter study show that Phi, compared with tPSA or %fPSA, demonstrated superior clinical performance in detecting PCa at tPSA 1.6-8.0 µg/L (i.e., approximately 2-10 µg/L in traditional calibration) and is better able to detect aggressive PCa.

[History of prostatic adenomectomy]. / Histoire de l'adénomectomie prostatique.

Treatment of the prostate hypertrophy has long been limited to that of its complications and particularly to retention linked with congestion of this gland. The different operating techniques appear only in the 19th century in parallel with a better knowledge in the pathogenesis of this gland; the different schools in urology competing with various approaches from perinea to hypogastria surgery. The 21st century and its innovating technologies bring in a new era where the laser and coeliosurgery will find their respective place.

A proportion of hereditary upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas are misclassified as sporadic according to a multi-institutional database analysis: proposal of patient-specific risk identification tool.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch syndrome, is an autosomal dominant multi-organ cancer syndrome. Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas belong to HNPCC-related tumours and rank third within this group after colorectal and endometrial cancer. However, many urologists are not aware of this association and it is presumed that some hereditary cancers are misclassified as sporadic and that their incidence is underestimated. Consequently, family members of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas secondary to HNPCC may be denied appropriate surveillance and early detection. A significant proportion of patients (21.3%) with newly diagnosed upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas may have underlying HNPCC. Demographic and epidemiological characteristics suggest different mechanisms of carcinogenesis among this population. Recognition of such potential is essential for appropriate clinical and genetic management of patients and family. In order to help to identify these patients, we propose a patient-specific checklist. OBJECTIVE: • To identify, based on previously described clinical criteria, hereditary upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UUT-UCs) that are likely to be misclassified as sporadic although they may belong to the spectrum of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) associated cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • We identified, using established clinical criteria, suspected hereditary UUT-UC among 1122 patients included in the French national database for UUT-UC. • Patients were considered at risk for hereditary status in the following situations: age at diagnosis <60 years with no previous history of bladder cancer; previous history of HNPCC-related cancer regardless of age; one first-degree relative with HNPCC-related cancer diagnosed before 50 years of age or two first-degree relatives diagnosed regardless of age. RESULTS: • Overall, 239 patients (21.3%) were considered to be at risk of hereditary UUT-UC. • Compared with sporadic cases, hereditary cases are more likely to be female (P= 0.047) with less exposure to tobacco (P= 0.012) and occupational carcinogens (P= 0.037). A greater proportion of tumours were located in the renal pelvis (54.5% vs 48.4%; P= 0.026) and were lower grade (40% vs 30.1%; P= 0.015) in the hereditary cohort. • The overall, cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival rates were similar in both cohorts. • We propose a patient-specific risk identification tool. CONCLUSIONS: • A significant proportion (21.3%) of patients with newly diagnosed UUT-UC may have underlying HNPCC as a cause. • Recognition of such potential and application of a patient-specific checklist upon diagnosis will allow identification and appropriate clinical and genetic management for patient and family.

Knowledge and screening of testicular cancer in the French Armed Forces: a prospective study.

We performed a prospective study in the French Armed Forces regarding testicular cancer. Our primary objective was to assess whether willingness to have a testicular examination by medical doctor could be improved by a self-administered questionnaire through invitation to self-reflection. A total of 415 soldiers were enrolled. The study used a test-posttest design in that soldiers estimated their willingness to have a testicular palpation before and after responding to a self-administered questionnaire. The willingness to have testicular palpation significantly increased after responding to the questionnaire (p < 0.000001). Acceptance of testicular palpation after responding the questionnaire did not change in 82.25%, increased in 15%, and decreased in 2.75%. Analysis of responses to the questionnaire showed that 26.75% of soldiers (n = 107) had previously received general information on testicular cancer and 85.8% (n = 343) declared that they would be delighted if they were proposed a short educational course on testicular cancer. As a conclusion, this study demonstrates that the willingness to have a testicular examination by medical doctor could be easily improved, since there is a strong demand on medical education regarding testicular cancer.

Ureteral and multifocal tumours have worse prognosis than renal pelvic tumours in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract treated by nephroureterectomy.

BACKGROUND: It is not known whether the primary tumour location of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC) is associated with prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of initial primary tumour location on survival in patients who had undergone radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Using a multi-institutional, retrospective database, we identified 609 patients with UUT-UC who had undergone RNU between 1995 and 2010. Tumour location was categorised as renal pelvis, ureter, or multifocal. INTERVENTION: All patients had undergone RNU. MEASUREMENTS: Tumour location was tested as a prognostic factor for survival through univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Tumour location was renal pelvis in 317 cases (52%), ureter in 185 cases (30%), and multifocal in 107 cases (18%). Compared to renal pelvic and ureteral tumours, multifocal tumours were more likely to be associated with advanced stages (pT3/pT4; 39%, 30%, and 54%, respectively; p<0.001) and high-grade disease (53%, 56%, and 76%, respectively; p<0.001). On multivariable analysis, tumour location was an independent prognostic factor for cancer-specific death, disease recurrence, and metastasis (p<0.05). The 5-yr cancer-specific death-free survival probability was 86.8% for renal pelvic tumours, 68.9% for ureteral tumours, and 56.8% for multifocal tumours (p<0.001). The retrospective design of this study was its main limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral and multifocal tumours had a worse prognosis than renal pelvic tumours. These findings are not in line with recently published data and should be investigated in a prospective assessment to obtain a definitive statement regarding this matter.

Prostate needle biopsy examination by means of virtual microscopy.

This study aimed at determining whether virtual microscopy improves the accuracy in the pathological examination of prostate needle biopsies regarding maximum tumor length, percentage of positive cores, and Gleason grading. We assessed a series of 816 prostate needle biopsy cores in 68 consecutive patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. Biopsy specimens were reviewed using conventional examination. Then, slides were converted to whole slide imaging (Olympus BX51). Tumor was measured, and Gleason score was assigned using the OlyVia software. Optically evaluated pathological features were compared with digital findings to determine whether one of these two methods for the assignment of a preoperative Gleason score is appropriate for predicting the definitive Gleason score of radical prostatectomy. When comparing optical and digital measurements, maximum tumor length in biopsy cores and percent prostate needle biopsy with cancer showed no significant difference. The mean variation in the measurement of tumor length was 2.65mm per biopsy. Among 240 biopsy cores involved with cancer, the concordance rate for Gleason score assignment was 75.8% (κ=0.49, good agreement). When considering the higher Gleason score assignment as the score for the entire case (ISUP 2005), the concordance rate was 69.1% (κ=0.46, good agreement). When comparing the biopsy scores with the definitive score of radical prostatectomy, the concordance rate was significantly increased from 54.4% for conventional examination (κ=0.23, marginal agreement) to 66.2% for virtual slide examination (κ=0.42, good agreement). Virtual microscopy does not compromise, but might improve, the accuracy of grading in prostate needle biopsies. This requires further assessment.

Tamsulosin hydrochloride vs placebo for management of distal ureteral stones: a multicentric, randomized, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: α-Blockers induce selective relaxation of ureteral smooth muscle with subsequent inhibition of ureteral spasms and dilatation of the ureteral lumen. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the α-blocker tamsulosin hydrochloride in patients with ureteral colic owing to a distal ureteral stone. METHODS: This was a multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study. Patients with emergency admission for ureteral colic with a 2- to 7-mm-diameter radio-opaque distal ureteral stone were included in the study. They received tamsulosin (0.4 mg/d) or matching placebo until stone expulsion or day 42, whichever came first. The main end point was time to stone expulsion between inclusion and day 42. Sequential statistical analysis was performed using the triangular test. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients with acute renal colic were recruited from emergency wards between February 1, 2002, and December 8, 2006, in 6 French hospitals. Of these 129 randomized patients (placebo, 63; tamsulosin, 66), 7 were excluded from analyses: 5 for major deviations from inclusion criteria, 1 for stone expulsion before the first treatment administration, and 1 for consent withdrawal. At inclusion, mean (SD) stone diameters were 3.2 (1.2) and 2.9 (1.0) mm in the placebo and tamsulosin groups, respectively (P = .23). Expulsion delay distributions during 42 days did not show any difference (P = .30). The numbers of patients who spontaneously expelled their stone within 42 days were 43 of 61 (70.5%) and 47 of 61 (77.0%) in the placebo and tamsulosin groups, respectively (P = .41). Corresponding delays were 10.1 (10.0) and 9.6 (9.8) days (P = .82). Other secondary end points and tolerance were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: Although well tolerated, a daily administration of 0.4 mg of tamsulosin did not accelerate the expulsion of distal ureteral stones in patients with ureteral colic. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00151567.

Tissue expression of IL16 in prostate cancer and its association with recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Genetic polymorphism located within the IL16 gene has been reported to be associated with aggressive prostate cancer (PCa). Our aim was to establish whether the tissue expression of IL16 is a prognostic factor of survival in PCa. METHODS: The files of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between 1995 and 2001 were reviewed. The cases were selected and classified according to the D'Amico classification for risk of recurrence (intermediate or high). The value of IL16 and its receptor CCR5 (chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5) expression levels were determined as witness of aggressiveness patterns and markers of biological relapse in patients with PCa treated by RP. A tissue microarray of 304 cases was constructed. IL16 and CCR5 expression levels were characterized by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: IL16 expression was correlated with high Gleason score (i.e., >7) (P < 0.01). It was not significant for CCR5. IL16 and CCR5 were not associated with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or capsular extension of the disease. The accurate prediction of disease outcome, using stratification of cases, according to negative margins and D'Amico classification was significantly enhanced by status of IL16 expression (P ≤ 0.01). In univariate analyses, Gleason score, PSA level, stage and loss of IL16 expression were related to better biological-free survival (P < 0.05) but not CCR5. In a multivariate analysis, IL16 expression, Gleason score, and tumor stage were independent factors for biochemical-free survival (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IL16 appears to be a useful prognostic factor in PCa. Its expression in PCa tissue was correlated to tumor aggressiveness and biochemical relapse of the disease.

[Testicular metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma: a case report]. / Métastase testiculaire d'un adénocarcinome prostatique: à propos d'un cas.

Metastasis of prostate adenocarcinoma to testis is an extremely rare occurrence. Orchiectomy is necessary to confirm histopathological diagnosis. Metastatic carcinoma of the prostate to the testis is a commonly accepted as a sign of disseminated disease. Systemic treatment are therefore required. We report a case of a 62-year-old patient who presented a prostatic carcinoma with a testicular metastasis.