External validation of nomograms including MRI features for the prediction of side-specific extraprostatic extension.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of side-specific extraprostatic extension (EPE) is crucial in selecting patients for nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (RP). Multiple nomograms, which include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) information, are available predict side-specific EPE. It is crucial that the accuracy of these nomograms is assessed with external validation to ensure they can be used in clinical practice to support medical decision-making. METHODS: Data of prostate cancer (PCa) patients that underwent robot-assisted RP (RARP) from 2017 to 2021 at four European tertiary referral centers were collected retrospectively. Four previously developed nomograms for the prediction of side-specific EPE were identified and externally validated. Discrimination (area under the curve [AUC]), calibration and net benefit of four nomograms were assessed. To assess the strongest predictor among the MRI features included in all nomograms, we evaluated their association with side-specific EPE using multivariate regression analysis and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). RESULTS: This study involved 773 patients with a total of 1546 prostate lobes. EPE was found in 338 (22%) lobes. The AUCs of the models predicting EPE ranged from 72.2% (95% CI 69.1-72.3%) (Wibmer) to 75.5% (95% CI 72.5-78.5%) (Nyarangi-Dix). The nomogram with the highest AUC varied across the cohorts. The Soeterik, Nyarangi-Dix, and Martini nomograms demonstrated fair to good calibration for clinically most relevant thresholds between 5 and 30%. In contrast, the Wibmer nomogram showed substantial overestimation of EPE risk for thresholds above 25%. The Nyarangi-Dix nomogram demonstrated a higher net benefit for risk thresholds between 20 and 30% when compared to the other three nomograms. Of all MRI features, the European Society of Urogenital Radiology score and tumor capsule contact length showed the highest AUCs and lowest AIC. CONCLUSION: The Nyarangi-Dix, Martini and Soeterik nomograms resulted in accurate EPE prediction and are therefore suitable to support medical decision-making.

The current role of precision surgery in oligometastatic prostate cancer.

Oligometastatic prostate cancer (omPCa) is a novel intermediate disease state characterized by a limited volume of metastatic cells and specific locations. Accurate staging is paramount to unmask oligometastatic disease, as provided by prostate-specific membrane antigen-positron emission tomography. Driven by the results of prospective trials employing conventional and/or modern staging modalities, the treatment landscape of omPCa has rapidly evolved over the last years. Several treatment-related questions comprising the concept of precision strikes are under development. For example, beyond systemic therapy, cohort studies have found that cytoreductive radical prostatectomy (CRP) can confer a survival benefit in select patients with omPCa. More importantly, CRP has been consistently shown to improve long-term local symptoms when the tumor progresses across disease states due to resistance to systemic therapies. Metastasis-directed treatments have also emerged as a promising treatment option due to the visibility of oligometastatic disease and new technologies as well as treatment strategies to target the novel PCa colonies. Whether metastases are present at primary cancer diagnosis or detected upon biochemical recurrence after treatment with curative intent, targeted yet decisive elimination of disseminated tumor cell hotspots is thought to improve survival outcomes. One such strategy is salvage lymph node dissection in oligorecurrent PCa which can alter the natural history of progressive PCa. In this review, we will highlight how refinements in modern staging modalities change the classification and treatment of (oligo-)metastatic PCa. Further, we will also discuss the current role and future directions of precision surgery in omPCa.

Evaluation of the prognostic value of LMR, PLR, NLR, and dNLR in urothelial bladder cancer patients treated with radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the association between preoperative LMR, PLR, NLR, dNLR, and survival of urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC). We also analyzed the relationship between preoperative blood-based inflammatory biomarkers' levels and postoperative in-hospital complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 144 UBC patients, who underwent RC between 2003 and 2015. The study endpoints were cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Univariable analysis revealed that continuous LMR, PLR, NLR and dNLR were significantly associated with CSS and OS. On multivariable regression model analysis, continuous LMR, NLR, and dNLR independently predicted both endpoints. Furthermore, the group of patients with lower LMR values had a greater chance of developing postoperative in-hospital complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the cheap and simple blood-based biomarkers may be valuable in identifying UBC patients treated with RC, who are at higher risk of all-cause and cancer-related mortality.

The comparison of laparoscopic and microsurgical varicocoelectomy in infertile men with varicocoele on paternity rate 12 months after surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

The best surgical approach for varicocoelectomy is still unknown, however more and more physicians favour subinguinal microsurgery. The aim of this study was to find whether microsurgical approach is superior to laparoscopic varicocoelectomy in terms of pregnancy rate, fertility potential, endocrinological function of the testis, erectile dysfunction and testicle volume increase. It was a prospective, non-masked, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with one to one allocation. It was conducted at authors' institution and designed as per protocol study. From 2012 till 2015 84 patients were randomly allocated to two groups. First group consisted of 42 patients who underwent laparoscopic varicocoelectomy, whereas patients from the second group underwent microsurgical varicocoelectomy. The indications for varicocoelectomy consisted of infertility >1 year, palpable left-sided varicocoele and at least one impaired semen parameter (sperm concentration <15 mln/mL; total motility<40%; progressive motility <32%, vitality <58% or normal morphology <4%). The primary goal was to show superiority of microsurgical varicocoelectomy over laparoscopic varicocoelectomy in terms of pregnancy rate. The secondary endpoints comprised assessment of sperm parameters in three-month intervals after intervention until one year. Other points included, LH, FSH and testosterone levels as well as testicle volume and International Index of Erectile Function. From each group five patients were lost during the follow-up period. The primary endpoint was not achieved - pregnancy rate in first and second group was 29.7% and 40.5% respectively (p = 0.34). Analysis of the sperm parameters after surgery revealed significant statistical difference in total motility, progressive motility and morphology in favour of microsurgical approach. Both methods showed improvement in all sperm parameters. There were no differences in hormonal levels as well as in erectile function and testicle volume between groups. Small number of patients in both groups are the main limitation of our study.