Oncological outcomes in an Australian cohort according to the new prostate cancer grading groupings.

BACKGROUND: A new 5-tiered grading grouping system has recently been endorsed for reporting of prostate cancer (PCa) grade to better reflect escalating risk of progression and cancer death. While several validations of the new grade groupings have been undertaken, most have involved centralised pathological review by specialist urological pathologists. METHODS: Participants included 4268 men with non-metastatic PCa diagnosed between 2006 and 2013 from the multi-institutional South Australia Prostate Cancer Clinical Outcomes Collaborative registry. PCa-specific survival and biochemical recurrence-free survival were compared across the five grade groups using multivariable competing risk regression. RESULTS: For the entire cohort, risk of PCa death increased with increasing grade groups (at biopsy) Adjusted subdistribution-hazard ratios [sHR] and 95% confidence intervals [95%CI] were: 2.2 (1.5-3.6); 2.5 (1.6-4.2); 4.1 (2.6-6.7) and 8.7 (4.5-14.0) for grade groups II (pattern 3 + 4), III (pattern 4 + 3), IV (total score 8) and V (total score 9-10) respectively, relative to grade group I (total score < =6). Clear gradients in risk of PCa death were observed for radical prostatectomy (RP), but were less clear for those who had radiotherapy (RT) with curative intent and those who were managed conservatively. Likewise, risk of biochemical recurrence increased across grade groups, with a strong and clear gradient for men undergoing RP [sHR (95%CI): 2.0 (1.4-2.8); 3.8 (2.9-5.9); 5.3 (3.5-8.0); 11.2 (6.5-19.2) for grade groups II, III, IV and V respectively, relative to grade group I], and a less clear gradient for men undergoing RT. CONCLUSION: In general, the new five-tiered grade groupings distinguished PCa survival and recurrence outcomes for men with PCa. The absence of a clear gradient for RT may be due to heterogeneity in this patient group.

Tools for predicting patient-reported outcomes in prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: a systematic review of prognostic accuracy and validity.

BACKGROUND: Radical prostatectomy is a common surgical procedure performed to treat prostate cancer. Patient-reported outcomes after surgery include urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, decreased quality of life and psychological effects. Predictive tools to assess the likelihood of an individual experiencing various patient-reported outcomes have been developed to aid decision-making when selecting treatment. METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken to identify all papers describing tools for the prediction of patient-reported outcome measures in men with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy. To be eligible for inclusion, papers had to provide a summary measure of accuracy. PubMed and EMBASE were searched from July 2007. Title/abstract screening, and full-text review were undertaken by two reviewers, while data extraction and critical appraisal was performed by a single reviewer. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 3217 potential studies, of which 191 progressed to full-text review and 14 were included. From these studies, 27 tools in total were identified, of which 18 predicted urinary symptoms, six predicted erectile function and one predicted freedom from a group of three outcomes ('trifecta') (biochemical recurrence, incontinence and erectile dysfunction). On the basis of tool accuracy (>70%) and external validation, two tools predicting incontinence and two tools predicting erectile dysfunction are ready for implementation. CONCLUSIONS: A small number of tools for the prediction of patient-reported outcomes following radical prostatectomy have been developed. Four tools were found to have adequate accuracy and validation and are ready for implementation for the prediction of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Oral conjugated estrogen therapy for treatment of hemorrhagic cystitis.

We report 7 cases of severe hemorrhagic cystitis that required repeated transfusions, surgical intervention and oral conjugated estrogens. Of these 7 cases hematuria resolved completely in 5 during estrogen therapy and decreased sufficiently in 1 to preclude further transfusion. We found conjugated estrogens to be an effective, simple, inexpensive, well tolerated and readily available treatment for hemorrhagic cystitis.

Extrusion of calculi from upper urinary tract into perinephric and periureteric tissues during endourologic stone surgery.

We report on 11 patients in whom fragments of calculi were extruded into the perinephric or periureteric tissues at the time of endourologic stone surgery. All patients have been managed conservatively. In 2 patients ureteric strictures developed, but these were probably secondary to an electrical injury as a result of electrohydraulic lithopaxy. The remaining 9 patients have not experienced serious sequelae as a result of the calculus extrusion.

Percutaneous removal of "extra-renal" residual urinary calculus.

We report a case of an "extra-renal" calculus and associated perinephric abscess treated by endourologic techniques. The calculus could have fallen into the perinephric tissues at the time of open renal surgery.

Ureteral intussusception owing to a malignant ureteral polyp.

We report a case of ureteral intussusception owing to well differentiated transitional cell carcinoma. The occurrence and radiological features of ureteral intussusception are discussed.

BMX handlebar. A threat to manhood?

Two cases of a severe scrotal injury--a new, hitherto unreported pattern of injury peculiar to BMX bicycle riding--are reported. Two such injuries occurring within a short period of time prompted us to suggest that scrotal protection, as well as a crash helmet and limb padding, should be made standard safety equipment for all BMX bicycle riders who engage in the sport of jumping.