Prostate-specific antigen 10-20 ng/mL: A predictor of degree of upgrading to ≥8 among patients with biopsy Gleason score 6.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the predictors of upgrading and degree of upgrading among patients who have initial Gleason score (GS) 6 treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the data of 359 men with an initial biopsy GS 6, localized prostate cancer who underwent RARP between July 2005 to June 2010 was performed. They were grouped into group 1 (nonupgrade) and group 2 (upgraded) based on their prostatectomy specimen GS. Logistic regression analysis of studied cases identified significant predictors of upgrading and the degree of upgrading after RARP. RESULTS: The mean age and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 63±7.5 years, 8.9±8.77 ng/mL, respectively. Median follow-up was 59 months (interquartile range, 47-70 months). On multivariable analysis, age, PSA, PSA density and ≥2 cores positive were predictors of upgrading with (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.06; p=0.003; OR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.01-1.11; p=0.018; OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.43-0.98, p=0.04), respectively. On subanalysis, only PSA level of 10-20 ng/mL is associated with upgrading into GS ≥8. They also had lower biochemical recurrence free survival, cancer specific survival, and overall survival (p≤0.001, p=0.003, and p=0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Gleason score 6 patients with PSA (10-20 ng/mL) have an increased risk of upgrading to pathologic GS (≥8), subsequently poorer oncological outcome thus require a stricter follow-up. These patients should be carefully counseled in making an optimal treatment decision.

Proctorship and mentoring: Its backbone and application in robotic surgery.

In pursuit of continuing medical education in robotic surgery, several forms of training have been implemented. This variable application of curriculum has brought acquisition of skills in a heterogeneous and unstandardized fashion from different parts of the world. Recently, efforts have been made to provide cost effective and well-structured curricula with the aim of bridging the gap between formal fellowship training and short courses. Proctorship training has been implicated on some curriculum to provide excellent progression during the learning curve while ensuring patient safety.

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy confers excellent long-term outcomes for the treatment of complex cystic renal tumors: Median follow up of 58 months.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze long-term outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for treatment of complex cystic renal tumors. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for cystic (n = 32) and solid (n = 263) renal masses at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. The primary outcome was assessment of perioperative safety for cystic tumor. Secondary outcomes were evaluation of long-term oncological and functional results. RESULTS: Patients' clinical and demographic characteristics were similar among both groups. The median follow up of cystic and solid masses were 58 and 46 months, respectively. Cystic masses were more likely to have low Fuhrman grade 1 and 2 (P = 0.03), and shorter operative time (P = 0.04) compared with solid masses. There was no statistically significant difference regarding warm ischemia time, estimated blood loss, trifecta achievement, length of hospital stay, complication rates and renal function preservation (P > 0.05) between groups. In the solid group, 12 patients (4.1%) recurred, and six patients (2%) died from metastatic renal cell carcinoma, whereas the patients in the cystic group did not have any local or distance recurrence, and the survival rates were 100%. The 5-year cancer-free survival (P = 0.77), cancer-specific survival (P = 0.65) and overall survival (P = 0.83) rates were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy appears to be safe and feasible treatment for complex cystic renal masses. It confers excellent long-term oncological outcomes. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy should be the treatment of choice for complex cysts whenever feasible.