Lymph node yield during radical prostatectomy does not impact rate of biochemical recurrence in patients with seminal vesicle invasion and node-negative disease.

OBJECTIVES: Seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) is a risk factor for poor oncologic outcome in patients with prostate cancer. Modifications to the pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during radical prostatectomy (RP) have been reported to have a therapeutic benefit. The present study is the first to determine if lymph node yield (LNY) is associated with a lower risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) for men with SVI. METHODS: A total of 220 patients from 2 high-volume institutions who underwent RP without adjuvant treatment between 1990 and 2015 and had prostate cancer with SVI (i.e., pT3b) were identified, and 21 patients did not undergo lymph node dissection. BCR was defined as a postoperative PSA>0.2ng/mL, or use of salvage androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or radiation. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine whether LNY was predictive of BCR, controlling for PSA, pathologic Gleason Score, pathologic lymph node status, NCCN risk category, etc. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine 3-year freedom from BCR. RESULTS: Median number of lymph nodes sampled were 7 (IQR: 3-12; range: 0-35) and 90.5% underwent PLND. The estimated 3-year BCR rate was 43.9%. Results from multivariable analysis demonstrated that LNY was not significantly associated with risk of BCR overall (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.03; P = 0.848) for pN0 (HR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.03; P = 0.916) or pN1 patients (HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.88-1.06; P = 0.468). Overall, PSA (HR = 1.02, P<0.001) and biopsy Gleason sum ≥ 8 (HR = 1.81, P = 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of BCR, and increasing LNY increased the likelihood of detecting>2 positive lymph nodes (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.06-1.65, P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Seminal vesicle invasion is associated with an increased risk of BCR at 3 years, primarily due to pathologic Gleason score and PSA. Although greater lymph node yield is diagnostic and facilitates more accurate pathologic staging, our data do not show a therapeutic benefit in reducing BCR.

Predictors of Medical and Surgical Complications After Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy: An Analysis of 1139 Patients in a Multi-Institutional Kidney Cancer Database.

INTRODUCTION: Previous robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) studies have identified various predictors of overall and major postoperative complications, but few have evaluated the specific role of these factors in the development of medical and surgical complications. In this study, we present an analysis of the modifiable and nonmodifiable variables influencing medical and surgical complications in a contemporary series of patients who underwent RAPN and were followed in a prospectively maintained, multi-institutional kidney cancer database. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent RAPN at four institutions between 2008 and 2015 was performed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of medical and surgical postoperative complications. RESULTS: Data from 1139 patients were available for analysis. Sixty-seven patients (5.8%) experienced a medical postoperative complication, and 82 (7.1%) experienced a surgical complication. Decreasing baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.98, p = 0.003), greater estimated blood loss (EBL) (OR = 1.002, p = 0.001), and operating surgeon (OR = 8.01, p < 0.001) were associated with an increased likelihood of surgical complications, while decreasing baseline eGFR (OR = 0.99, p = 0.054) and operating surgeon (OR = 1.96, p = 0.054) were associated with an increased likelihood of medical complications. CONCLUSION: We present complication risks in a large contemporary cohort of patients undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) with only 11.3% of patients experiencing a medical or surgical postoperative complication. Prospective candidates for robotic PN with poor baseline renal function and/or risk factors for greater EBL, including a high body mass index, or a complex renal mass should be counseled appropriately on their increased risk for a medical or surgical postoperative complication.

Examining the effectiveness of an opt-in approach to prenatal human immunodeficiency virus screening.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prenatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening rate when using an opt-in policy and to find variables predictive of screening. STUDY DESIGN: This was a case-control study examining gravid women with a prenatal visit and a delivery at our hospital in 2005. Cases were defined as women who did not undergo HIV screening during the first or second prenatal visit. Our institution used an opt-in approach to HIV screening. RESULTS: Overall, 71% (291/412) of women underwent HIV screening at the first or second prenatal visit. Patient refusal was the most common reason for not being screened (15%; 62/412). Women who were < or = 25 years old, were unmarried, and received care from maternal-fetal medicine attendings or family practitioners were more likely to undergo HIV screening. CONCLUSION: With an opt-in approach, 29% of women were not screened for HIV during their early prenatal care. An opt-in policy also leads to screening rates that are provider dependent.

What is the cost of maintaining a kidney in upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma? An objective analysis of cost and survival.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: For many years, the gold standard in upper urinary tract transitional-cell carcinoma (UT-TCC) management has been nephroureterectomy with excision of the bladder cuff. Advances in endourologic instrumentation have allowed urologists to manage this malignancy. The feasibility and success of conservative measures for UT-TCC have been widely published, but there has not been an objective cost analysis performed to date. Our goal was to examine the direct costs of renal-sparing conservative measures v nephroureterectomy and subsequent chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Secondary analysis includes a discussion of survival and quality-of-life issues for both treatment cohorts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of a cohort of patients treated at our institution with renal-sparing ureteroscopic management of UT-TCC who were followed for a minimum of 2 years. The costs per case were based on equipment, anesthesia, surgeon fees, pathologic evaluation fees, and hospital stay. ESRD and CKD costs were estimated based on published reports. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2006, 254 patients were evaluated and treated for UT-TCC at our institution. A cohort of 57 patients was examined who had a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Renal preservation in our series approached 81%, with cancer-specific survival of 94.7%. Assuming a worst-case scenario of a solitary kidney with recurrences at each follow-up for 5 years v nephroureterectomy and dialysis for the same period, an estimated $252,272 U.S. dollars would be saved. This savings would cover the expenses of five cadaveric renal transplantations. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative endoscopic management of UT-TCC in our experience should be the gold standard management for low-grade and superficial-stage disease. From a cost perspective, renal-sparing UT-TCC management is effective in reducing ESRD health care expenses.

Health technology assessment in Canada and the United States: the case of biologics.

Canadian health technology assessments (HTAs) are coordinated by government agencies, while HTA activity in the United States is conducted haphazardly by a variety of interest groups. As a result, biologic therapies have diffused more slowly and rationally in Canada, according to the authors. If HTAs were conducted similarly in the United States, the distribution of biologics might occur more efficiently.