Molecular biomarkers in the context of focal therapy for prostate cancer: recommendations of a Delphi Consensus from the Focal Therapy Society.

BACKGROUND: Focal therapy (FT) for prostate cancer (PCa) is promising. However, long-term oncological results are awaited and there is no consensus on follow-up strategies. Molecular biomarkers (MB) may be useful in selecting, treating and following up men undergoing FT, though there is limited evidence in this field to guide practice. We aimed to conduct a consensus meeting, endorsed by the Focal Therapy Society, amongst a large group of experts, to understand the potential utility of MB in FT for localized PCa. METHODS: A 38-item questionnaire was built following a literature search. The authors then performed three rounds of a Delphi Consensus using DelphiManager, using the GRADE grid scoring system, followed by a face-to-face expert meeting. Three areas of interest were identified and covered concerning MB for FT, 1) the current/present role; 2) the potential/future role; 3) the recommended features for future studies. Consensus was defined using a 70% agreement threshold. RESULTS: Of 95 invited experts, 42 (44.2%) completed the three Delphi rounds. Twenty-four items reached a consensus and they were then approved at the meeting involving (N.=15) experts. Fourteen items reached a consensus on uncertainty, or they did not reach a consensus. They were re-discussed, resulting in a consensus (N.=3), a consensus on a partial agreement (N.=1), and a consensus on uncertainty (N.=10). A final list of statements were derived from the approved and discussed items, with the addition of three generated statements, to provide guidance regarding MB in the context of FT for localized PCa. Research efforts in this field should be considered a priority. CONCLUSIONS: The present study detailed an initial consensus on the use of MB in FT for PCa. This is until evidence becomes available on the subject.

Contemporary patterns of presentation, diagnostics and management of upper tract urothelial cancer in 101 centres: the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global upper tract urothelial carcinoma registry.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To assess patterns of presentation, diagnostics and treatment in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), a multicentre registry was launched. Clinical data of UTUC patients were prospectively collected over a 5-year period. RECENT FINDINGS: Data from 2380 patients were included from 2014 to 2019 (101 centres in 29 countries). Patients were predominantly male (70.5%) and 53.3% were past or present smokers. The majority of patients (58.1%) were evaluated because of symptoms, mainly macroscopic hematuria. Computed tomography (CT) was the most common performed imaging modality (90.5%). A ureteroscopy (URS) was part of the diagnostic process in 1184 (49.7%) patients and 488 (20.5%) patients were treated endoscopically. In total, 1430 patients (60.1%) were treated by a radical nephroureterectomy, 59% without a prior diagnostic URS. Eighty-two patients (3.4%) underwent a segmental resection, 19 patients (0.8%) were treated by a percutaneous tumour resection. SUMMARY: Our data is in line with the known epidemiologic characteristics of UTUC. CT imaging is the preferred imaging modality as also recommended by guidelines. Diagnostic URS gained a stronger position, however, in almost half of patients a definitive treatment decision was made without complete endoscopic information. Only one-third of patients with UTUC are currently treated with kidney sparing surgery.

European Association of Urology Guidelines Office Rapid Reaction Group: An Organisation-wide Collaborative Effort to Adapt the European Association of Urology Guidelines Recommendations to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Era.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unlike anything seen before by modern science-based medicine. Health systems across the world are struggling to manage it. Added to this struggle are the effects of social confinement and isolation. This brings into question whether the latest guidelines are relevant in this crisis. We aim to support urologists in this difficult situation by providing tools that can facilitate decision making, and to minimise the impact and risks for both patients and health professionals delivering urological care, whenever possible. We hope that the revised recommendations will assist urologist surgeons across the globe to guide the management of urological conditions during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Numerical simulation modeling of the irreversible electroporation treatment zone for focal therapy of prostate cancer, correlation with whole-mount pathology and T2-weighted MRI sequences.

BACKGROUND: At present, it is not possible to predict the ablation zone volume following irreversible electroporation (IRE) for prostate cancer (PCa). This study aimed to determine the necessary electrical field threshold to ablate human prostate tissue in vivo with IRE. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter trial, patients with localized PCa were treated with IRE 4 weeks before their scheduled radical prostatectomy. In 13 patients, numerical models of the electrical field were generated and compared with the ablation zone volume on whole-mount pathology and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Volume-generating software was used to calculate the ablation zone volumes on histology and MRI. The electric field threshold to ablate prostate tissue was determined for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were included for histological and simulation analysis. The median electrical field threshold was 550 V/cm (interquartile range 383-750 V/cm) for the software-generated histology volumes. The median electrical field threshold was 500 V/cm (interquartile range 386-580 V/cm) when the ablation zone volumes were used from the follow-up MRI. CONCLUSIONS: The electrical field threshold to ablate human prostate tissue in vivo was determined using whole-mount pathology and MRI. These thresholds may be used to develop treatment planning or monitoring software for IRE prostate ablation; however, further optimization of simulation methods are required to decrease the variance that was observed between patients.

New technologies for upper tract urothelial carcinoma management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Image enhancement techniques and optical diagnostic tools have emerged in the quest to improve diagnostics and treatment in patients with upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC). The aim of the present report is to describe their mechanisms of action and to assess the current evidence on applicability and utility in UTUC. RECENT FINDINGS: Image enhancement techniques including narrow band imaging, Image1 S, and photodynamic diagnosis aim at better visualization of malignant urothelium and especially flat tumours or carcinoma in situ which are often difficult to see with white light endoscopy. Conducted studies in the upper tract are scarce but first results show that tumour detection seems to be better for narrow band imaging and photodynamic diagnosis-guided inspection.Optical diagnostic tools as confocal laser endomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography aim at providing real time optical biopsies giving pathologic information. A pilot study of optical coherence tomography proved its feasibility to visualize, grade and stage low and high-grade UTUC. SUMMARY: Better visualization of suspect lesions and optical diagnostic techniques providing real time optical biopsies aim to facilitate in higher diagnostic precision and optimal individualized treatment of our patients with UTUC. As the disease is rare, studies are scarce but indispensable for future implication of these techniques.

Training of European urology residents in laparoscopy: results of a pan-European survey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the participation of European urology residents in urological laparoscopy, their training patterns and facilities available in European Urology Departments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey, consisting of 23 questions concerning laparoscopic training, was published online as well as distributed on paper, during the Annual European Association of Urology Congress in 2012. Exposure to laparoscopic procedures, acquired laparoscopic experience, training patterns, training facilities and motivation were evaluated. Data was analysed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: In all, 219 European urology residents answered the survey. Conventional laparoscopy was available in 74% of the respondents' departments, while robotic surgery was available in 17% of the departments. Of the respondents, 27% were first surgeons and 43% were assistants in conventional laparoscopic procedures. Only 23% of the residents rated their laparoscopic experience as at least 'satisfactory'; 32% of the residents did not attend any course or fellowship on laparoscopy. Dry laboratory was the most frequent setting for training (33%), although 42% of the respondents did not have access to any type of laparoscopic laboratory. The motivation to perform laparoscopy was rated as 'high' or 'very high' by 77% of the respondents, and 81% considered a post-residency fellowship in laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Urological laparoscopy is available in most European training institutions, with residents playing an active role in the procedure. However, most of them consider their laparoscopic experience to be poor. Moreover, the availability of training facilities and participation in laparoscopy courses and fellowships are low and should be encouraged.

Training in percutaneous nephrolithotomy--a critical review.

AIM: To study factors influencing training and maintaining skills in performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: We matched key words, throughout Medline, MeSH, and Cochrane databases including: renal stone, percutaneous, nephrostomy, endourology, educational, training, learning curve, expertise, skill, residency, practice, survey, simulator, and robotics. For this topic we defined, if possible, levels of evidence based on International Consultation on Urological Diseases (ICUD) and World Health Organization recommendations. RESULTS: Obtaining renal access is one of the most important factors in training for PCNL. A resident has to perform about 24 PCNL procedures to obtain a good proficiency during the residence period. Competence at performing PCNL is reached after 60 cases and excellence is obtained at >100 cases. Stone centers providing all the endoscopic treatment options seem to provide the best conditions to ensure a sufficient volume of patients recruited. Virtual reality simulators may have a potential in training for PCNL. To maintain one's expertise, participation in continuing educational programs is recommended. CONCLUSION: PCNL is currently the most complicated stone surgery technique to teach. The steep learning curve is mainly related to obtaining renal access. The traditional method of acquiring surgical skills is by apprenticeship in the absence of validated virtual simulators. Given the complexity of the treatment of renal stones, one may consider a centralized renal stone treatment in dedicated stone centers.

Is the use of parasympathomimetics for treating an underactive urinary bladder evidence-based?

An underactive urinary bladder (UUB), often occurring after surgery, can lead to urinary retention even in otherwise healthy people. We systematically reviewed published reports to determine whether the use of parasympathomimetic agents is warranted in patients with a UUB. Agents allegedly useful in treating UUB were identified from urology and pharmacology textbooks. A systematic search for randomized clinical trials in patients with UUB using these agents revealed 10 such studies. Controls typically received placebo or no treatment. While three studies reported statistically significant improvements relative to the control group, six did not and one even reported a significant worsening of symptoms. There was no evidence for differences between individual drugs, specific uses of such drugs, or in outcome measures. We conclude that the available studies do not support the use of parasympathomimetics for treating UUB, specifically when frequent and/or serious possible side-effects are taken into account.