Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Background: Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (SCUB) is rare. The optimal treatment for SCUB remains unclear. To address the problem of appropriate treatment for each case, we assessed single-modality and surgery-based multimodality treatments in patients with SCUB. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 12 patients with SCUB between 1990 and 2013. All patients underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor and were diagnosed with SCUB. Their clinicopathological characteristics were assessed, and the outcomes were compared according to the treatment modality. Results: The median (range) age at diagnosis was 66 years (range, 53-85 years). T1-4N0M0 was observed in 8 patients (66%), N1-3M0 in 2 (17%), and NanyM1 in 2 (17%). After transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, 6 patients (50%) underwent cystectomy alone, and 4 (33%) underwent cystectomy and presurgical or adjuvant chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin. During the median follow-up period of 20.7 months, 6 patients (50%) died of cancer, and 2 patients (17%) died of other causes. The median overall survival period was 1.9 years. The 5-year overall survival rate in patients who underwent cystectomy and chemotherapy was 75%, whereas that in those who underwent cystectomy alone and transurethral resection alone were 22% and 0%, respectively (p = 0.012). Recurrence-free survival was significantly correlated with cause-specific survival (r = 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.99; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Radical cystectomy with chemotherapy using the etoposide and cisplatin regimen improved the prognosis of patients with SCUB and TxNxM0. The time from initial progression to death due to cancer was very short, indicating that the initial treatment strategy is crucial.

Serum testosterone level is a useful biomarker for determining the optimal treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of serum testosterone to guide treatment decision for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 115 patients with CRPC treated with either abiraterone (n = 43) or enzalutamide (n = 72). A serum testosterone level was measured at time of starting of abiraterone or enzalutamide. We determined whether serum testosterone influenced the outcomes of androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapy. RESULTS: In the very-low testosterone group (<5 ng/dl), the rate of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response was significantly higher among patients treated with abiraterone compared to enzalutamide (62 vs. 32%, respectively; P = 0.033), with no difference in the low testosterone group (5-<50 ng/dl) (93 vs. 81%, respectively; P = 0.429). During the median follow-up of 26 months, PSA progression-free survival was significantly longer in the low testosterone group than in the very-low testosterone group (12.2 vs. 4.5 months, P<0.001). In the very-low testosterone group, enzalutamide use (HR 3.07, 95% CI 1.36-6.94; P = 0.007), primary androgen deprivation therapy <12 months (HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.23-5.08; P = 0.011) and bone metastases (HR 2.60, 95% CI 1.20-5.64; P = 0.015) were significantly associated with PSA progression. CONCLUSION: Patients with a serum testosterone level ≥5 ng/dl were more likely to receive therapeutic benefits from AR-targeted therapy compared to those with serum testosterone levels <5 ng/dl. However, even for those with a very low serum testosterone level, the efficacy of abiraterone was slightly higher than that of enzalutamide. Therefore, serum testosterone level is a useful biomarker for informing treatment selection for CRPC.

A case of cisplatin-refractory advanced pure seminoma showing complete remission after treatment with high-dose carboplatin plus etoposide as fourth-line salvage chemotherapy.

We report the case of a patient who achieved complete remission (CR) of cisplatin-refractory metastatic pure seminoma after treatment with high-dose carboplatin and etoposide (CE) with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation as fourth-line chemotherapy. A 38-year-old man was diagnosed with advanced pure seminoma (pT3N3M1aS3). In the international germ cell consensus classification, his prognosis was classified as intermediate. He was treated with high-dose CE as fourth-line chemotherapy after treatment with BEP, VeIP, and TIN. After two cycles of high-dose CE, the concentrations of T-HCG and other tumor markers showed normal levels. A CT scan and PET-CT showed that the lymph node swelling had disappeared and there was no uptake. The CR has continued for 27 months after the treatment. High-dose CE might be less toxic and have a better prognostic outcome than other treatments as salvage chemotherapy for patients with cisplatin-refractory advanced testicular cancer.

Molecular-targeted Therapy and Surgery May Prolong Survival of Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients with Bone Metastasis: A Multi-institutional Retrospective Study in Japan.

AIM: To determine prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with bone metastasis in the targeted-therapy era. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multi-institutional review of the medical records of 149 RCC patients with bone metastasis. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors associated with OS. RESULTS: The median OS was 13.4 months. In multivariate analysis, molecular-targeted therapy, nephrectomy and surgery for bone metastasis were independent prognostic factors. Bone-modifying agents (BMAs) were not associated with OS. The median OS of patients receiving molecular-targeted therapy after diagnosis of bone metastasis was significantly better than that of those who did not receive targeted therapy. CONCLUSION: Molecular-targeted therapy, nephrectomy and surgery for bone metastasis should be considered for RCC patients with metastasis in the bones.

Japanese nationwide surveillance in 2011 of antibacterial susceptibility patterns of clinical isolates from complicated urinary tract infection cases.

To investigate antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of various bacterial pathogens isolated from complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) cases, the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, the Japanese Association of Infectious Disease, and the Japanese Society of Clinical Microbiology conducted the second nationwide surveillance from January to September 2011. With the cooperation of 42 medical institutions throughout Japan, 1036 strains belonging to 8 clinically relevant bacterial species were collected. Among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain, the vancomycin (VCM) MIC for 5.5% (3/55) of the strains was 2 µg/mL. Ampicillin, VCM, and linezolid were relatively active against 209 Enterococcus faecalis strains. The proportion of fluoroquinolone (FQ)-resistant strains was >20%. The MIC90 of FQs against the 382 Escherichia coli strains was 2-64 mg/L and the proportion resistant to FQs was approximately 30%. However, susceptibility of E. coli to sitafloxacin was still high (MIC90 = 2 mg/L). Fifty-eight (15.2%) of 382 E. coli, 6 (4.5%) of 132 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 1 (2.4%) of 41 Klebsiella oxytoca and 4 (6.8%) of 59 Proteus mirabilis strains were suspected of producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Of 93 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, the proportions resistant to imipenem, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin were 21.5%, 4.3%, and 20.4%, respectively. Four strains (4.3%) were found to be multidrug-resistant. In complicated UTI cases, all of MRSA and E. faecalis were susceptible to all anti-MRSA agents. Sitafloxacin was active against other FQ-resistant E. coli strains. The isolation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing and multidrug-resistant strains increased.

Serum antimicrobial concentrations for surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in radical nephrectomy and radical prostatectomy.

To evaluate the current methods of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis from the viewpoint of pharmacokinetics for patients undergo urologic surgery, this study was designed to measure the serum concentrations of two different prophylactic antimicrobial agents in different types of urologic surgery. This prospective study included 39 patients with prostate cancer, renal pelvic cancer, ureteral cancer or renal cancer treated by radical surgery from August 2005 to March 2006. Blood samples were taken intraoperatively at 30 min and 180 min after the beginning of the first administration. The half-life of the beta phase of cefazolin is 2.46 h and that of piperacillin is 0.7 h according to their manufacturers. The average serum concentration of cefazolin at 30 min was 144 µg/mL in the prostatectomy group and 175 µg/mL in the nephrectomy group. At 180 min, the average concentration of cefazolin was 37 µg/mL in prostatectomy group and 59 µg/mL in the nephrectomy group. The average concentration of piperacillin at 30 min was 134 µg/mL in the prostatectomy group and 137 µg/mL in the nephrectomy group. At 180 min, the average concentration of piperacillin was 10 µg/mL in the prostatectomy group and 22 µg/mL in the nephrectomy group. Thus, the concentration at 180 min after the beginning of infusion was different according to the half-life of each antimicrobial agent. Therefore, up-to-date guidelines for surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis that deal with additional types of intraoperative prophylaxis should be consulted if the operation exceeds two half-lives of the prophylactic antimicrobial agents used in real-life clinical practice.

Urethral polyp-like lesions on prostatic urethra caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infection: a case report.

Urethral polyp is one of differential diagnoses for the male patients complain of gross-hematuria and/or hematospermia. However, there have been limited numbers of case reports including infectious etiology. Here we reported clinical course and pathological findings of one rare case who was diagnosed and treated as urethral polyp-like lesions on the prostatic urethra caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infection. A 25 year-old man who had a past history of frequent sexual intercourse with unspecified female sexual partner visited the clinic. His chief complaint was gross-hematuria and hematospermia. Endoscopic findings showed that non-specific hemorrhagic polyp-like lesions. To determine the pathological findings including malignant diseases and diagnosis, transurethral resection was performed. Because the pathological findings were similar to those of chlamydial proctitis, additional examination was done. As the results, nucleic acid amplification test of C. trachomatis in urine specimen was positive and immunohistochemical staining of specific chlamydia antigen in resected specimen was also positive. Treatment by orally minocyline 100 mg twice daily for 4 weeks was introduced. After the treatment, symptom was disappeared and nucleic acid amplification test of C. trachomatis in urine specimen turned to be negative. No recurrence was reported 2 years posttreatment.

Lymph node metastasis mapping in extended lymphadenectomy to the level of the inferior mesenteric artery for bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of lymph node metastasis in extended lymphadenectomy for patients with bladder cancer. METHODS: We analyzed 31 patients who underwent extended lymphadenectomy at radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between April 2008 and February 2010. Specimens were evaluated as 14 separate packages from predesignated anatomical locations. The lymph node mapping was prospectively registered. RESULTS: The median lymph node count was 37 (range 19-68). Ten (32%) patients had lymph node metastasis. The positive rates at each lymph node site were 0% at the left internal iliac, 13% at the left obturator, 3.2% at the left external iliac, 6.5% at the right internal iliac, 10% at the right obturator, 16% at the right external iliac, 3.2% at the left common iliac, 3.2% at the right common iliac and 6.5% at the presacral node. No lymph node metastasis was detected in the Cloquet, paracaval, aortocaval or paraaortic nodes. One (3.2%) patient had a skip metastasis from the left obturator to the presacral node. CONCLUSIONS: Extended lymphadenectomy provides more accurate lymph node staging. We suggest that it is better to perform lymphadenectomy at least below the aortic bifurcation including the presacral node.

A case with fistula formation between a perinephric retroperitoneal abscess and the duodenum: successful outcome after conservative management.

A 67-year-old woman diagnosed with pyonephrosis and perinephric abscess because of an impacted urinary stone in the pelvicoureteric junction was admitted to the hospital with a high-grade fever. Although construction of a right nephrostomy for drainage of the abscess improved her general condition, she had a fever again 2 weeks after the initial treatment. Computed tomography revealed a persistent perinephric retroperitoneal abscess and a second drainage procedure was performed. Then, imaging examination revealed fistula formation between the cavity of the perinephric retroperitoneal abscess and the duodenum. The patient received conservative management including percutaneous drainage, discontinuation of oral intake, and antimicrobial chemotherapy. Three days after the second drainage and discontinuation of oral intake, imaging examination revealed complete closure of the fistula. Fistula formation between a perinephric abscess and the duodenum is very rare but a favorable outcome was obtained by our conservative management.

Influence of body mass index and total testosterone level on biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: A high body mass index (BMI) and a low testosterone level were recently reported to be prognostic factors for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence following radical prostatectomy (RP). The goal of this study was to clarify their relationship and influences on biochemical recurrence after RP. METHODS: We analysed 126 patients whose data, including the pre-operative BMI and pre-operative serum total testosterone level, were available. All patients underwent RP at our institution between March 1998 and April 2006 without any adjuvant therapy or pelvic lymph node metastasis. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for the multivariate analysis regarding PSA recurrence for the variables of age, operation period, BMI, clinical stage, PSA, Gleason's sum, pre-operative serum total testosterone level and margin status. RESULTS: There were no internal correlations among the parameters we used, even between BMI and the total testosterone level. The total testosterone level was not different between two BMI groups (BMI <26.4 and >/=26.4 kg/m(2): the cut-off is the mean + 1 SD). BMI, PSA and Gleason's sum were found to be independent predictors for PSA recurrence through the multivariate analysis. PSA recurrence-free survival rates at 2 years were 77% for BMI <26.4 kg/m(2), and 31% for BMI >/=26.4 kg/m(2) (P = 0.002, log-rank test, 95% CI: 1.489-7.726). CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that high BMI independently contributes to PSA recurrence but that the total testosterone level does not. Although the mechanism by which obesity promotes PSA recurrence in RP patients has not been established, careful observation is needed for patients with high BMI.

[Spontaneous renal artery dissection: a case report].

A 65-year-old female was admitted to our hospital complaining of left upper abdominal pain. Although the symptom improved with observation, serum creatinine rose to 2.0 mg/dl. Slight atrophy of the left kidney was seen on abdominal plain computed tomography. In order to examine the possibility of renal infarction from thrombosis with angiography, we consulted the department of cardiovascular medicine. Even though we did not detect thrombosis with left renal angiography or intravascular ultrasound, there was a dissection finding localized at the left renal artery. Based on this finding, we made a diagnosis of spontaneous renal artery dissection and performed stent placement. Spontaneous renal artery dissection is extremely rare and the frequency of occurrence is reported to be less than 0.05%. Recently, however the frequency of detection has risen with the development of clinical imaging. We must keep in mind that the condition has the possibility of leading to renal blood circulation disorders.

[Urinary retention caused by female urethral diverticulum].

We report a 49-year-old female who had circumferential urethral diverticulum. She was admitted to our department for urinary retention. A cystic lesion surrounding the urethra had been detected by magnetic resonance imaging. We diagnosed the lesion as a urethral diverticulum after injecting dye to the cystic mass from vagina and confirming its discharge from the urethra at the pubic side by urethroscopy. Transvaginal resection of the diverticulum was peformed. In general, 4% of female urethral diverticula cause urinary retention. On the other hand, 1% of female bladder outlet obstruction is caused by urethral diverticula. It is neccessary for us to keep in mind urethral diverticulum when we evaluate female patients with urinary retention.

[Surgical site infection by bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) after radical cystectomy, occurring after intravesical bcg therapy: a case report].

A 51-year-old man received 2 courses of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy for carcinoma in situ of the bladder. Two years after the therapy, he underwent left radical nephroureterectomy, cystectomy, urethrectomy and construction of an ileal conduit because of left renal pelvic cancer and severe atrophic bladder. The histopathological diagnosis was carcinoma in situ of the left pelvis and ureter, and epithelioid cell granuloma of left kidney, prostate and bladder. After the operation, he developed extensive surgical site infection (SSI) by BCG, the diagnosis of which was delayed. He recovered from the SSI soon after anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy was begun. We discuss the requirements for more prompt diagnosis of SSI by BCG by analysis of this case.