Impact of COVID-19 on the time to counseling and treatment of prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: This study investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic (CP) impacted the timeline between initial diagnosis (ID) of prostate carcinoma and subsequent therapy consultation (TC) or radical prostatectomy (RP) due to the implementation of a "minimal contact concept," which postponed clinical examinations until the day of admission. METHODS: We analyzed patient data from a tertiary care center from 2018 to September 2021. The focus was on comparing the time intervals from ID to TC and from ID to RP before and during the CP. RESULTS: Of 12,255 patients, 6,073 (61.6%) were treated before and 3,791 (38.4%) during the CP. The median time from ID to TC reduced from 37 days (IQR: 21 - 58d) pre-CP to 32 days (IQR: 20 - 50d) during CP (p < 0.001). Similarly, the time from ID to RP decreased from 98 days (IQR: 70 - 141d) to 75 days (IQR: 55 - 108d; p < 0.001) during the CP. There was a significant decrease in low-risk tumor cases at ID (18.9% vs. 21.4%; p = 0.003) and post-RP (4% vs. 6.7%; p < 0.001) during the CP. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic facilitated more timely treatment of prostate cancer, suggesting potential benefits for both low-risk and aggressive tumor management through expedited clinical procedures.

No evidence for seasonal variations of the incidence of testicular germ cell tumours in Germany.

The pathogenesis of testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs) is still incompletely understood. Any progress in its understanding must derive from observational studies. Recently, it has been suggested that the incidence of GCTs may follow a seasonal pattern based on circannual changes in the Vitamin D serum levels, with maximum incidence rates in winter months. To examine this promising hypothesis, we studied monthly incidence rates of testicular GCTs in Germany by analysing 30,988 GCT cases aged 15-69 years, diagnosed during 2009-2019. Monthly incident case numbers with data regarding histology and patient age were obtained from the Robert Koch Institut, Berlin, along with annual male population counts. We used precision weighting for deriving pooled monthly incidence rates for GCTs of the period 2009-2019. We stratified pooled rates by histology (seminoma and nonseminoma) and age (15-39 and 40-69 years). By assuming a cyclical effect, we used an estimator of the intensity of seasonal occurrence and report seasonal relative risks (RR). The mean monthly incidence rate was 11.93/105 person-months. The seasonal RR for testicular cancer over-all is 1.022 (95% CI 1.000-1.054). The highest seasonal RR was found in the subgroup of nonseminoma aged 15-39 years, with a RR 1.044 (95% CI 1.000-1.112). The comparison of the pooled monthly rates of the winter months (October-March) with the summer months (April-September) revealed a maximum relative difference of 5% (95% CI 1-10%) for nonseminoma, aged 15-39 years. We conclude that there is no evidence of a seasonal variation of incidence rates of testicular cancer. Our results are at odds with an Austrian study, but the present data appear sound because the results were obtained with precision weighted monthly incidence rates in a large population of GCT cases.

Testicular neoplasms: the interrelationships of serum levels of microRNA-371a-3p (M371) and classical tumor markers with histology, clinical staging, and age-a statistical analysis.

PURPOSE: In testicular neoplasms, the interrelationship of elevations of the novel serum tumor marker microRNA-371a-3p (M371) and traditional markers with other clinical features is still incompletely understood. The present study evaluated marker expression rates in relation to various other clinical parameters. METHODS: The following data were retrospectively registered from 641 consecutive patients with testicular neoplasms: histology, such as seminoma (n = 365), nonseminoma (n = 179), benign tumor (n = 79), other malignant tumor (n = 18); patients age (years); clinical stage (CS1, CS2a/b, CS2c, CS3); and preoperative elevation of beta HCG, AFP, LDH, M371 (yes/no). Descriptive statistical methods were employed with comparisons of various subgroups to disclose associations of marker expression rates with age, histology and CS, and of age with histology. RESULTS: The histologic subgroups revealed significantly different expression rates of tumor markers. M371 performed best with expression rates of 82.69% and 93.58% in seminoma and in nonseminoma, respectively. In germ cell tumors, all markers had significantly higher expression rates in metastasized stages than in localized disease. All markers except LDH have significantly higher expression rates in younger than in older patients. Nonseminoma is most prevalent in the youngest age category, seminoma predominates in patients > 40 years, other malignancies were restricted to patients > 50 years. CONCLUSION: The study documented significant associations of serum marker expression rates with histology, age and clinical staging, with highest rates in nonseminomas, young age and advanced clinical stages. M371 showed significantly higher expression rates than other markers suggesting its superior clinical usefulness.

Histopathological results of radical prostatectomy specimen of men younger than 50 years of age at the time of surgery: possible implications for prostate cancer screening programs?

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) detection is usually achieved by PSA measurement and, if indicated, further diagnostics. The recent EAU guidelines recommend a first PSA test at the age of 50 years, if no family history of PCa or BRCA2 mutation exists. However, some men might harbor significant PCa at younger age; thus we evaluated the histopathological results of men treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) in their 40 s at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We relied on the data of all patients who underwent RP in our institution between 1992 and 2020 and were younger than 50 years at the time of surgery. The histopathological results are descriptively presented. Moreover, we tested the effect of a positive family history on the descriptive results. RESULTS: Overall, 1225 patients younger than 50 years underwent RP at our institution. Median age was 47 years. Most patients showed favorable histopathological characteristics. However, 20% of patients had extraprostatic disease (≥ pT3a), 15% had ISUP Gleason grade group ≥ 3, and 7% had positive lymph nodes (pN1). Patients with a known positive family history did not have a higher rate of adverse disease as their counterparts with a negative family history. DISCUSSION: Our data show that the majority of patients who were diagnosed with PCa at a very young age had favorable histopathological RP characteristics. However, a non-negligible proportion of patients already showed locally advanced disease and would have probably benefited from earlier PCa detection. This should be kept in mind when PCa screening recommendations are proposed.

Testicular Neoplasms: Primary Tumour Size Is Closely Interrelated with Histology, Clinical Staging, and Tumour Marker Expression Rates-A Comprehensive Statistical Analysis.

The role of primary tumour size (TS) in the clinical course of testicular tumours is incompletely understood. We retrospectively evaluated 641 consecutive patients with testicular neoplasms with regard to TS, histology, clinical stage (CS), serum tumour marker (STM) expression and patient age using descriptive statistical methods. TS ≤ 10 mm was encountered in 13.6% of cases. Median TS of 10 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, and 53 mm were found in benign tumours, seminomas, nonseminomas, and other malignant tumours, respectively. In cases with TS ≤ 10 mm, 50.6% had benign tumours. Upon receiver operating characteristics analysis, TS of > 16 mm revealed 81.5% sensitivity and 81.0% specificity for detecting malignancy. In subcentimeter germ cell tumours (GCTs), 97.7% of cases had CS1, and CS1 frequency dropped with increasing TS. Expression rates of all STMs significantly increased with TS. MicroRNA-371a-3p (M371) serum levels had higher expression rates than classical STMs, with a rate of 44.1% in subcentimeter GCTs. In all, TS is a biologically relevant factor owing to its significant associations with CS, STM expression rates and histology. Importantly, 50% of subcentimeter testicular neoplasms are of benign nature, and M371 outperforms the classical markers even in subcentimeter tumours.

Single-course bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (1xBEP) as adjuvant treatment in testicular nonseminoma clinical stage 1: outcome, safety, and risk factors for relapse in a population-based study.

Introduction: Clinical stage 1 (CS1) nonseminomatous (NS) germ cell tumors involve a 30% probability of relapse upon surveillance. Adjuvant chemotherapy with one course of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (1xBEP) can reduce this risk to <5%. However, 1xBEP results are based solely on five controlled trials from high-volume centers. We analyzed the outcome in a real-life population. Patients and Methods: In a multicentric international study, 423 NS CS1 patients receiving 1xBEP were retrospectively evaluated. Median follow-up was 37 (range, 6-89) months. Primary end points were relapse-free and overall survival evaluated after 5 years. We also looked at associations of relapse with clinico-pathological factors using stratified Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression models. Treatment modality and outcome of recurrences were analyzed descriptively. Results: The 5-year relapse-free survival rate was 96.2%. Thirteen patients (3.1%; 95% confidence interval, 1.65-5.04%) relapsed after a median time of 13 months, of which 10 were salvaged (77%). Relapses were mostly confined to retroperitoneal nodes. Three patients succumbed, two to disease progression and one to toxicity of chemotherapy. Pathological stage >pT2 was significantly associated with relapse rate. Conclusion: The relapse rate of 3.1% found in this population of NS CS1 patients treated with 1xBEP at the routine care level was not inferior to the median rate of 2.3% reported from a meta-analysis of controlled trials. Also, the cure rate of relapses of 77% is consistent with the previously reported rate of 80%. This study clearly shows that the 1xBEP regimen represents a safe treatment for NS CS1 patients.

Management of Patients Receiving Direct Oral Anticoagulants Scheduled for Radical Prostatectomy: An Update of a Prospective Assessment.

BACKGROUND: In the perioperative setting, temporary interruption of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is mandatory. However, the safety of these recommendations is largely based on nonurological surgical experiences. OBJECTIVE: To verify the safety of these recommendations in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5317 patients underwent RP in our tertiary care centre between December 2017 and February 2020. Of them, 107 consecutive patients had DOACs in standard preoperative medication. DOAC intake was stopped 2-3 d before RP. Postoperatively, patients received weight- and risk-adapted low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). DOAC intake was restarted, and administration of LMWH was stopped the 3rd day after surgery. For comparison, we performed 1:2 propensity-score matching (DOAC:non-DOAC), which resulted in 321 consecutive patients. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Perioperative outcomes and 30-d morbidity were compared between both cohorts. The Wilcoxon rank sum test and the Pearson's chi-square test were used. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The median age of patients with DOACs was 68 yr. Sixty-six patients (61.7%) stopped DOAC intake 48 h and 41 patients (38.3%) 72 h before RP. In comparison with the matching cohort, the median blood loss during RP, median duration of surgery, and median duration of hospitalisation did not differ in a statistically significant fashion. Similarly, there was no significant difference in 30-d morbidity between groups. Importantly, the rate of bleeding and thromboembolic complications did likewise not differ significantly, though it is a nonrandomised and retrospective study. CONCLUSIONS: Standardised perioperative management of DOACs is important to minimise bleeding and thromboembolic complications. RP can be performed with a low perioperative complication risk if patients are adherent to our presented algorithm. PATIENT SUMMARY: We looked at peri- and postoperative complications and compared direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and non-DOAC patients. We found no significant difference in thromboembolic and bleeding complications between the groups. We conclude that our regime is safe.

Revised manuscript R2, clean version are serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D reduced following orchiectomy in testicular cancer patients?

BACKGROUND: The testis represents one place where the progenitor of vitamin D is converted into its active form. Loss of one testis was suggested to result in reduced vitamin D serum levels. Vitamin D deficiency would represent a significant health problem in the long-term course of patients with testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) since most of them survive. The purpose of this study was to look to the serum 25(OH)-Vitamin D (25OHD) levels in patients with GCTs before and after orchiectomy. A total of 177 GCT patients underwent measurements of serum 25OHD levels, thereof 83 with preoperative measurements and 94 with measurements at six particular time-points from immediate postoperatively to >24 months. Longitudinal assessments of 25OHD serum levels were performed in individual patients with repeated measurements. A second analysis involved patient cohorts with measurements at six postoperative time-points. Serum levels of patients were also compared with 2 control groups, one consisting of 84 patients with non-neoplastic testicular diseases and another with 237 patients with non-neoplastic urologic diseases. We also looked to associations of 25OHD levels with levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), age, histology of GCT and season. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to compare groups and to analyze changes over time. RESULTS: Normal serum levels of 25OHD were found in 21.7%, 23.1%, 20.2%, 21.9% in GCT patients preoperatively, after >2 years, in control group 1 and control group 2, respectively. Levels were significantly higher in spring and summer, but no association was found with other parameters. We found a significant transient decrease of 25OHD levels with a nadir at 6-12 months after orchiectomy and a recovery thereafter. CONCLUSION: Contrasting with previous studies we found no permanent reduction of serum 25OHD levels after orchiectomy but transient postoperative drop of 25OHD levels. There were no associations of 25OHD levels with age, and levels of testosterone or FSH. Our results may point to a particular role of the testis in vitamin D metabolism and may thus enhance the understanding of the diverse physiological roles of the testis.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Le testicule représente un lieu où le précurseur de la vitamine D est converti en sa forme active. Il a été suggéré que la perte d'un testicule pouvait induire une réduction des taux sériques de vitamine D. La carence en vitamine D représenterait un problème de santé important à long terme pour les patients présentant des tumeurs testiculaires à cellules germinales (TCG) puisque la plupart d'entre eux survivent. Le but de cette étude était de se tourner vers les taux sériques de 25(OH)-Vitamine D (25OHD) chez les patients présentant des TCG, avant et après orchidectomie. Au total, 177 patients avec TCG ont subi des mesures des taux sériques de 25OHD, dont 83 avec mesures préopératoires et 94 avec des mesures à six points de temps particuliers, de l'immédiat postopératoire jusqu'à plus de 24 mois. Des évaluations longitudinales des taux sériques de 25OHD ont été réalisées individuellement chez les patients avec des mesures répétées. Une seconde analyse a impliqué des cohortes de patients avec des mesures à six points de temps postopératoires. Les taux sériques des patients ont également été comparés à ceux de 2 groupes témoins, l'un composé de 84 patients atteints de maladies testiculaires non néoplasiques, et l'autre de 237 patients atteints de maladies urologiques non néoplasiques. Nous nous sommes également penchés sur les associations des taux de 25OHD avec les taux de testostérone, d'hormone folliculostimulante (FSH), l'âge, l'histologie de la TCG et la saison. Des méthodes statistiques descriptives ont été utilisées pour comparer les groupes et analyser les changements au fil du temps. RéSULTATS: Des taux sériques normaux de 25OHD ont été trouvés chez 21,7%, 23,1%, 20,2%, et 21,9% des patients avec GCT, respectivement en préopératoire et après >2 ans, ainsi que chez les patients du groupe témoin 1 et du groupe témoin 2. Les taux ont été significativement plus élevés au printemps et en été, mais aucune association n'a été observée avec d'autres paramètres. Nous avons retrouvé une diminution transitoire significative des taux de 25OHD avec un nadir à 6-12 mois après orchiectomie et un rétablissement par la suite. CONCLUSION: Contrairement aux études précédentes, nous n'avons trouvé aucune réduction permanente des niveaux de sérum 25OHD après orchiectomie, mais une baisse postopératoire transitoire des taux de 25OHD. Il n'y avait pas d'associations entre les taux de 25OHD et l'âge, ni avec les taux de testostérone ou de FSH. Nos résultats peuvent mettre en avant un rôle particulier du testicule dans le métabolisme de la vitamine D et peuvent ainsi améliorer la compréhension des divers rôles physiologiques des testicules.

Evaluation of Risk Factors for Adverse Functional Outcomes after Radical Prostatectomy in Patients with Previous Transurethral Surgery of the Prostate.

INTRODUCTION: A history of transurethral surgery of the prostate is generally considered as a risk factor of adverse functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP). We tested whether the risk of postoperative urinary incontinence (UIC) and erectile dysfunction (ED) after RP could be further substantiated in such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested the effect of the following variables on UIC and ED rates 1 year after RP: residual prostate volume after transurethral desobstruction, the time from transurethral desobstruction to RP, the type of transurethral desobstruction (TURP vs. laser enucleation), age, and nerve-sparing surgery (yes vs. no). UIC was defined as usage of any pad except a safety pad. ED was defined as no sexual intercourse possible. RESULTS: Overall, 216 patients treated with RP between 2010 and 2019 in a tertiary care center were evaluated. All patients had previously undergone transurethral desobstruction. Regarding UIC analyses, only time from transurethral desobstruction to RP significantly influenced UIC rates (p = 0.003). Regarding ED rates, none of the tested variables reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The risk of UIC and ED after RP is substantial in men who had previously undergone transurethral desobstruction. The time from transurethral desobstruction to RP significantly impacts on the postoperative UIC rates. This observation should be further explored in future studies.

Major complications of post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in a contemporary cohort of patients with testicular cancer and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (pc-RPLND) is one cornerstone in the clinical management of patients with nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumours (GCT). A wide range of complication rates in this type of surgery is reported so far. We retrospectively evaluated the frequency of major complications by using the Clavien-Dindo classification and analysed the influence of various clinical factors on complication rates in pc-RPLND. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 146 GCT patients undergoing pc-RPLND. Complications of grade III-V according to the Clavien-Dindo classification occurring within 30 days after surgery were registered along with the following clinical factors: age, body mass index (BMI), duration of surgery, number of anatomic fields resected, side of primary tumour, histology of surgical specimen, histology of primary tumour, and total dose of cisplatin applied prior to surgery. For comparison, we also evaluated 35 chemotherapy-naïve patients with primary RPLND and 19 with laparoscopic RPLND. We analysed types and frequencies of the various complications as well as associations with clinical factors using descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS: A total of 14.4% grade III-IV complications were observed in pc-RPLND, and 8.6% and 5.3% in primary and in laparoscopic RPLND, respectively. There was no perioperative mortality. Lymphocele was the most frequent adverse event (16% of grade III-IV complications). Operation time > 270 min (p = 0.001) and vital cancer in the resected specimen (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with higher complication rates. Left-sided resection fields involved two-fold higher complication rates, barely missing statistical significance (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Pc-RPLND involves a grade III-V complication rate of 14.4%. Prolonged operation time and vital cancer in the residual mass are significantly associated with higher complication rates. The Clavien-Dindo classification system may allow inter-observer variation in rating complication grades, which may represent one reason for the wide range of reported RPLND complication rates. RPLND represents major surgery and surgeons active in this field must be competent to manage adverse events.

Leydig-cell tumour of the testis: retrospective analysis of clinical and therapeutic features in 204 cases.

PURPOSE: Leydig-cell tumours (LCT) of the testis are poorly understood clinically. The aim of this report is to analyse the clinical characteristics of LCT in a large patient sample and to compare these findings with corresponding data of germ-cell tumours (GCT). METHODS: In a sample of 208 patients treated during 1995-2017 in 33 institutions, the following characteristics were registered: age, presenting symptoms, primary tumour size, testis-sparing surgery (TSS) or orchiectomy, malignancy, laterality, medical history, and outcome. Data analysis included descriptive statistical methods and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The ratio LCT:GCT is 1:23 (4.4%). The findings are as follows: median age 41 years, undescended testis 8%, bilateral LCTs 3%, malignant LCT 2.5%, contralateral GCT 2.5%, incidental detection 28%, scrotal symptoms 43%, infertility 18%, elevated estradiol levels 29%. TSS was performed in 56% with no local relapse. Of the patients with malignant LCT, one was cured through surgery. CONCLUSION: LCT is rare, with a relative frequency (relative to GCT) of 1:23. Malignancy is found in 2.5%. LCT and GCT share a number of clinical features, e.g. bilaterality, history of undescended testis, and presenting age. TSS is safe in benign LCT. Surgery is the treatment of choice in malignant LCT.

Tumor-Associated Release of Prostatic Cells into the Blood after Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy in Patients with Histologically Confirmed Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS) is a standard procedure for prostate cancer diagnosis. Because prostate cancer is a multifocal disease in many patients, multiple sampling (n ≥ 10) is required, which may bear the risk of systemic spread of cancer cells. DESIGN: Using the standardized CellSearch® system that allows for the detection of single epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood, we investigated whether prostate biopsy is associated with release of prostatic tumor cells into the circulation. Peripheral blood was obtained before and within 30 min after performing prostate biopsy from 115 men with increased serum prostate-specific antigen. RESULTS: The number of CTCs significantly increased after biopsy in men with histologically confirmed prostate cancer (odds ratio, 7.8; 95% CI, 4.8-12.8), whereas no biopsy-related changes could be detected in men without confirmed prostate cancer. Multivariable analysis showed that biopsy-related increase of CTCs was significantly correlated with a worse progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 12.4; 95% CI, 3.2-48.6) within the median follow-up of 41 months. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate biopsies may lead to a tumor-associated release of CTCs into the blood circulation. Larger confirmatory trials with longer follow-up periods are required before any change in clinical practice can be recommended.

Serum Tumour Markers in Testicular Germ Cell Tumours: Frequencies of Elevated Levels and Extents of Marker Elevation Are Significantly Associated with Clinical Parameters and with Response to Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Although serum tumor markers beta human chorionic gonadotropin (bHCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are well-established tools for the management of testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs), there are only few data from contemporary cohorts of primary GCT patients regarding these biomarkers. Our aim was to evaluate marker elevations in testicular GCTs and to document their associations with various clinical characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 422 consecutive patients with GCTs were retrospectively analysed regarding serum levels of bHCG, AFP, and LDH during the course of treatment. Additionally, the following characteristics were recorded: histology, age, laterality, clinical stage (CS), pT-stage, and tumour size. Marker elevations were first tabulated in dichotomized way (elevated: yes/no) in various subgroups and second as continuous measured serum values. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to look for differences among subgroups and for associations of elevations with clinical parameters. RESULTS: In all GCT patients, the frequencies of elevated levels of bHCG, AFP, LDH, and bHCG or AFP were 37.9%, 25.6%, 32.9%, and 47.6%; in pure seminomas 28%, 2.8%, 29.1%, and 30.3%; and in nonseminoma 53.0%, 60.1%, 38.7%, and 73.8%. Significant associations were noted with pT-stages >pT1, clinical stages >CS1, tumour size, and younger age. Frequencies of marker elevations dropped significantly after treatment, but LDH levels remained elevated in 30.5%-34.1%. Relapsing patients (n=27) had elevated levels of bHCG, AFP, and LDH in 25.9%, 22.2%, and 29.6%, respectively, thirteen of whom with a changed marker pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The classical GCT-biomarkers correlate with treatment success. Clinical utility is limited due to proportions of < 50% of patients with elevated levels and the low specificity of LDH. The elevation rates are significantly associated with histology, clinical and pT-stages, tumour size, and younger age. Individual marker patterns may change upon relapse. Clinically, ideal biomarkers are yet to be found.

Adjuvant carboplatin therapy in patients with clinical stage 1 testicular seminoma: is long-term morbidity increased?

PURPOSE: Clinical stage (CS) 1 testicular seminoma is cured in almost 100% of cases following either retroperitoneal radiotherapy, carboplatin monotherapy, or surveillance strategies. Little is known about potential long-term effects of carboplatin. We, therefore, examined late sequelae of this drug in seminoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 451 patients with CS1 testicular seminoma treated between 1994 and 2014, of whom 243 underwent carboplatin therapy [median follow-up (F/U) 96 months], 81 received radiotherapy (median F/U 142 months), and 127 underwent surveillance (median F/U 40 months). Satisfaction regarding management, as well as the following events during F/U, were analysed by questionnaire: subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs), cardiovascular events, arterial hypertension, peptic ulcer, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypogonadism, and infertility. The relative frequencies of the events were analysed using descriptive statistics. The frequency of observed SMNs was compared with the expected number. RESULTS: Patients receiving carboplatin tolerated the treatment less well (71.2%) than those under surveillance (81.9%). After carboplatin, 12 SMNs (5.0%) were noted vis-a-vis 5.0 expected. There were three cases of prostatic cancer and 3 melanomas among the SMNs. Half of these SMNs occurred early after treatment. Among the other health events, only reported hypogonadism (13.2%) appeared to be marginally increased in frequency. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a 2.4-fold higher than expected rate of SMN-and a slightly increased rate of hypogonadism-in the long-term period following carboplatin treatment. Although further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings, these results are probably informative for clinicians caring for seminoma patients.

A comparative study of robot-assisted and open radical prostatectomy in 10 790 men treated by highly trained surgeons for both procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare oncological, functional and surgical outcomes of open retropubic radical prostatectomy (ORP) vs robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 10 790 consecutive treated patients within our prospective database (2008-2016) who underwent either ORP (7007 patients) or RARP (3783). All procedures were performed by seven highly trained surgeons performing both surgical approaches regularly. Oncological (48-month biochemical recurrence [BCR] rate), functional (urinary continence, erectile function), and surgical outcomes (rate of nerve-sparing [NS] procedures, lymph node yield, surgical margin [SM] status, length of hospital stay [LOS], operation time, blood loss, transfusion rate, time to catheter removal) were assessed. Kaplan-Meier, multivariable Cox and logistic regression models were used to test for BCR and functional outcome differences. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference regarding oncological outcome distinguished between ORP vs RARP. For functional outcomes, the 1-week continence rates were higher in the ORP group (25.8% vs 21.8%, P < 0.001). At 3 months, no statistically significant differences were observed. At 12 months, continence rates were modestly higher in the RARP group (90.3% vs 88.8%, P = 0.01). This effect was no longer observed after stratification for age-groups. The 12-month potency rates were similar in ORP vs RARP (80.3% vs 83.6%, P = 0.33). For surgical outcomes, there was no significant difference in the rates of NS procedures, lymph node yield, SM status, and LOS. Conversely, operation time was shorter in ORP, and blood loss, transfusion rates and time to catheter removal were significantly lower in RARP. CONCLUSIONS: Both surgical approaches, performed in a high-volume centre by the same surgeons, achieve excellent, comparable oncological and functional outcomes. However, a modest advantage for RARP for surgical outcomes was observed, most likely attributable to its minimally invasive nature, and better teaching capabilities. Consequently, more than the surgical approach itself, the well-trained surgeon remains the most important factor to achieve satisfactory outcomes.

Perioperative management of direct oral anticoagulants in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: results of a prospective assessment.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: In the perioperative setting, temporary interruption of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is recommended. However, the safety of these recommendations is based on non-urological surgical experiences. Our objective was to verify the safety of these recommendations in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients regularly receiving a DOAC and scheduled for RP at our institution were prospectively assessed. DOAC intake was usually stopped 48 h before surgery without any preoperative bridging therapy. Postoperatively, patients received risk-adapted low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH). On the third day after unremarkable RP, DOAC intake was restarted and the administration of LMWH was stopped. We assessed perioperative outcomes and 30-day morbidity. RESULTS: Thirty-two consecutive patients receiving DOAC underwent RP at our institution between 12/2017 and 07/2018. Time of surgery (median, 177 min) and intraoperative blood loss (median, 500 mL) were unremarkable. DOACs were restarted on the third postoperative day in 30 patients (94%). No patient had a significant hemoglobin level reduction after DOAC restart. Overall, 28% of patients experienced complications within 30 days after surgery. Most of which were minor (Clavien ≤ 2), three patients (9%), however, had Clavien ≥ 3 complications. CONCLUSION: Our report is the first to prospectively assess current guideline recommendations regarding DOAC restarting after major urological surgery. RP can safely be performed, if DOACs are correctly paused before surgery. Moreover, in case of an uneventful postoperative clinical course, DOACs can be safely restarted on the third postoperative day. A 9% Clavien ≥ 3 30-day morbidity warrants attention and should be further explored in future studies.

Diagnostic accuracy of third-generation dual-source dual-energy CT: a prospective trial and protocol for clinical implementation.

PURPOSE: Uric acid (UA) calculi can be referred to chemolitholysis rather than invasive treatment. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) may be able to distinguish between UA and non-UA (NUA) calculi. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of third-generation DECT for the first time and to investigate whether combining DECT with clinical parameters can increase its predictive accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who presented to our emergency department between January 2015 and March 2017 with urinary stones were prospectively included in this observational study and underwent DECT with subsequent interventional stone removal. Stone composition was analyzed using infrared spectrometry as the gold standard. Predictive accuracy of DECT and clinical covariates was computed by assessing univariate and multivariate areas under the curve (AUCs). RESULTS: Of 84 patients with 144 urinary stones, 10 (11.9%) patients had UA stones according to infrared spectrometry, and the remaining stones were NUA or mixed stones. DECT had a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 98.5% for UA stones. The AUC for urine pH alone was 0.71 and 0.97 for DECT plus urine pH. No UA stones were found in patients with a urine pH above > 5.5. Mean DLP was 225.15 ± 128.60 mGy*cm and mean effective dose was 3.38 ± 1.93 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: DECT is a safe method for assigning patients to oral chemolitholysis. Clinical preselection of patients based on urinary pH (< 6.0) leads to a more liable use of DECT. Third-generation DECT needs significant lower radiation doses compared to previous generations.

Evaluating Guideline Adherence for T1 Bladder Cancer Treatment and Surveillance: A Retrospective German Multicenter Observation.

INTRODUCTION: To mirror guideline-adherence for pT1 bladder cancer treatment in Northern Germany. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 111 patients with pT1 diagnosis were treated at 4 institutions. Guideline-adherence was defined as repeat resection, instillation, and quarterly cystoscopy. Patient characteristics and pathological parameters were assessed. We summarized patients using descriptive analyses and evaluated guideline-adherence within selected subgroups. We created a multivariable model to identify predictors of guideline-adherence. RESULTS: Median age was 75 years (range 39-94 years), multifocal tumors were found in 44.1%, early instillation was performed in 33.3%, and repeat resection was performed in 77.5%. Of 62.2% who underwent instillation, 59.4% received BCG, while 40.6% received Mitomycin C or other agents. Cystoscopic follow-up was performed in 81.8%. Guideline-adherence was met in 56.8%. Patients aged below the median met adherence metrics more often compared to those above the median (66.7 vs. 46.3%; p = 0.030). Men more frequently met adherence metrics compared to women (62.1 vs. 37.5%; p = 0.038). More patients with multifocal tumors met all 3 adherence metrics (69.4 vs. 48.0%; p = 0.050), as compared to those with unifocal lesions. In multivariable analyses, age-adjusted comorbidity (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59-0.94; p = 0.011) and multifocality (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.09-6.27; p = 0.031) were predictors of guideline-adherence. CONCLUSIONS: We found non-adherence in more than one-third of patients and disparities among patients of different age and according to tumor focality. Larger samples and prospective studies are needed to delineate and eradicate treatment disadvantages in these high-risk patients.