Diagnosing Prostate Cancer: The Role of Intravesical Prostatic Gland Protrusion on Accuracy of Prostate Biopsies.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the association between intravesical prostate protrusion (IPP) and the detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion targeted biopsy (TB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 538 consecutive men who underwent MRI-TRUS fusion TB and concomitant systematic biopsy were evaluated. IPP on MRI was independently measured by 4 blinded reviewers. The primary outcome was per-lesion detection of csPCa on TB. We assessed the association between IPP and csPCa detection on TB, controlling for age, prostate specific antigen, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System® (PI-RADS®) score, prostate volume, targeted cores sampled and previous biopsy experience. RESULTS: A total of 847 PI-RADS 3 or greater lesions were targeted across 570 biopsies. Intra- and interrater reliability for measuring IPP was strong. A total of 81 (14.2%), 127 (22.3%), 237 (41.6%) and 125 (21.9%) men had 0, small, medium and large IPP, respectively. A total of 230, 392 and 196 lesions were PI-RADS 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Of the lesions 198 (34.7%) had csPCa on TB. The overall relationship between IPP size and csPCa found on TB was not significant; however, large IPP is associated with a significantly lower rate of csPCa detection than 0 IPP (p=0.007). Every mm increase in IPP is associated with a 5.6% decrease in the odds of csPCa detection on TB (p=0.004) and a 66.5% decrease in odds of detection in large IPP compared to 0 IPP (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: As the size of the IPP and volume increase, there is a decrease in the detection rate of csPCa on MRI-guided TB. These findings may be driven by poor MRI-TRUS co-registration and prostate asymmetry.

Clinical Utility of Rigid Blue Light Cystoscopy: Results from a Post Procedure User Survey in a Prospective Multicenter Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the effectiveness of blue light cystoscopy (BLC) in the management of bladder cancer, the adoption of BLC since its approval has been limited. We evaluated the perceived clinical utility of BLC and assessed factors associated with higher perceived utility of BLC. METHODS: This study used a prospective multi-institutional registry of patients with known or suspected noninvasive bladder cancer. Following BLC, urologists assessed their perceived clinical utility of BLC on a 4-point Likert scale. The primary outcome was the perceived clinical utility of BLC as assessed by participating urologists. RESULTS: A total of 1,702 rigid cystoscopies performed between 2014 and 2019 were evaluated. Of all lesions biopsied 2,285 were identified with both white light and blue light (60.6%), followed by 867 with blue light only (23.0%) and 423 with white light only (11.2%). Among all post-cystoscopy surveys, urologists perceived BLC to be of some utility (38.1%, 648), moderate assistance (25.4%, 432), essential (19%, 324) and no real utility (17.5%, 298). More urologists perceived BLC to be essential in 2019 (28.3%, 30/106) compared to in 2014 (11.5%, 9/78; p=0.006). On multivariable analysis higher perceived utility was associated with more lesions seen only with blue light (LR 4.88, CI 2.27-8.78), malignant pathology on biopsy (LR 3.31, CI 2.10-5.23), and total number of lesions seen with blue light (LR 1.36, CI 1.19-1.55). CONCLUSIONS: The perceived clinical utility of BLC has been increasing over time, particularly among high-volume urologists. Urologists who identify more lesions with BLC than white light cystoscopy perceive BLC to be most clinically useful.

MRI/PET Imaging in elevated PSA and localized prostate cancer: a narrative review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the recent milestones in MRI and PET based imaging and evaluate their evolving role in the setting of elevated PSA as well as localized prostate cancer. BACKGROUND: The importance of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and PET based imaging for the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer cannot be understated. Accurate staging has become another significant milestone with the use of PET scans, particularly with prostate specific radiotracers like 68-Gallium Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (68Ga-PSMA). Integrated PET/MRI systems are commercially available and can be modulated to evaluate the unique needs of localized as well as recurrent prostate cancer. METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar using the MeSH compliant and other keywords that included prostate cancer, PSA, mpMRI, PET CT, PET/MRI. CONCLUSIONS: mpMRI has now established itself as the gold-standard of local prostate imaging and has been incorporated into international guidelines as part of the diagnostic work-up of prostate cancer. PSMA PET/CT has shown superiority over conventional imaging even in staging of localized prostate cancer based on recent randomized control data. Imaging parameters from PET/MRI have been shown to be associated with malignancy, Gleason score and tumour volume. As mpMRI and PSMA PET/CT become more ubiquitous and established; we can anticipate more high-quality data, cost optimization and increasing availability of PET/MRI to be ready for primetime in localized prostate cancer.

Drain fluid creatinine-to-serum creatinine ratio as an initial test to detect urine leakage following cystectomy: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Urine leak following radical cystectomy is a known complication. Among the various methods to diagnose this, assessment of drain fluid creatinine is a relatively easy procedure. We aimed to ascertain the validity of the drain fluid creatinine-to-serum creatinine ratio (DCSCR) as an initial indicator of urinary leak in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively identified consecutive patients with documentation of drain fluid creatinine in the postoperative period following cystectomy and urinary diversion at our institution between January 2009 and December 2018. All continent diversions and any patient with a DCSCR >1.5:1 underwent contrast study postoperatively. A diagnosis of urine leak was made following confirmatory imaging. Receiver operative characteristic curves were created, and Youden's index was used to determine the strength and clinical utility of DCSCR as a diagnostic test. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-four of the 340 patients included in the study underwent cystectomy with conduit and 81 underwent neobladder creation. Sixteen out of 340 (4.7%) patients had radiologically confirmed urinary leak. DCSCR was elevated in all ureteric anastomotic leaks and in 1 out of the 7 neobladder-urethral anastomotic (NUA) leaks. The sensitivity and specificity of DCSCR to predict all urinary leaks were 68.8% and 80.9% at 1.12 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.838), whereas at a value of 1.18 (AUC = 0.876) and with the exclusion of NUA leaks, the sensitivity was 77.8% and specificity was 87.6%. CONCLUSIONS: DCSCR is a good preliminary test for identifying patients who need prompt confirmatory testing for localizing urinary leaks. A drain creatinine level just 18% higher than the serum creatinine level can signify a urine leak. This is different from general assumptions of a higher DCSCR.

Impact of Preoperative Immunonutrition on Perioperative Outcomes following Cystectomy.

PURPOSE: Radical cystectomy (RC) for the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer remains a morbid procedure with high rates of perioperative complications. The role of preoperative immunonutritional supplementation (pre-INS) in improving post-RC outcomes is promising and needs further validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 204 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer at a single institution, comparing patients who received oral L-arginine-based pre-INS, and those who did not. Preoperative features, postoperative complications, and readmission data were collected. Outcomes of interest included development of high-grade (Clavien-Dindo III-V) complications, readmission within 30 days, ileus, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) requirement, postoperative infection, and length of stay (LOS). Categorical and continuous outcomes were assessed using Fisher's exact test and Welch T-test, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression (MLoR) analysis was used to identify predictive factors for our outcomes. RESULTS: Patients who received pre-INS had significantly lower odds of requiring postoperative TPN (17.3% vs 35.6%; Fisher p=0.015, OR=0.38) and developing postoperative infection (25% vs 45%; Fisher p=0.003; OR=0.41) but no significant difference in the rates of other outcomes. On MLoR, when adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and operative features, pre-INS was a significant predictor of postoperative infection (Fisher p=0.02; OR=0.35) but not for high-grade complications, readmission, ileus, needing TPN or LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative immunonutrition with an L-arginine-based supplement is associated with significant reduction in postoperative infection, one of the most common complications of RC.

Alvimopan as part of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol following radical cystectomy is associated with decreased hospital stay.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of alvimopan and the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol on length of hospital stay in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. METHODS: Our retrospective study involved 296 consecutive patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer at our institution from 2010 through 2018. Patients were grouped according to three stages of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol implementation: (i) pre-Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (group A; n = 146); (ii) pre-alvimopan Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (group B; n = 102); and (iii) Enhanced Recovery After Surgery plus alvimopan (group C; n = 48). The primary outcome was the length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were time to first bowel movement, time to tolerate a regular diet, the incidence of postoperative ileus, postoperative complications and 30-day readmission rate. RESULTS: Group C showed a significantly shorter median length of hospital stay (7 days, P = 0.003), shorter gastrointestinal recovery time (4 days, P = 0.018) and a lower rate of postoperative ileus (14.6%, P = 0.005). The reduction in length of hospital stay, gastrointestinal recovery time and a lower rate of postoperative ileus was significant after controlling for other confounders on multivariable regression analysis. With the open approach, group C showed a significantly shorter length of hospital stay and gastrointestinal recovery time (P = 0.005, P = 0.001, respectively); however, in robotic cohorts, no significant differences were observed. There was no difference among groups in the 30-day readmission rate or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing radical cystectomy and managed by an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol experience a significantly shorter length of hospital stay when receiving alvimopan as part of the protocol. Patients seem to derive the optimum benefits of alvimopan when it is used with an open approach; however, these benefits become less obvious with the robotic approach.

Management of bladder tumors in pregnancy: A case of tumor prolapse and avulsion during labor.

Pregnancy presents unique obstacles to diagnosis and management of urologic disease. We present a case of a primigravid female with clot retention requiring evacuation in the operating room due to the avulsion of a bladder mass which prolapsed during labor. Tumor pathology demonstrated a low-grade spindle cell lesion positive for progesterone receptor (PR) and high mobility group A2 (HMGA2), suggestive of deep angiomyxoma versus a benign fibroepithelial polyp or inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.

Risk of Genitourinary Malignancy in the Renal Transplant Patient.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the risk of genitourinary malignancies in the renal transplant patient. Currently, no consensus exists regarding screening and intervention, with much of the clinical decision-making based on historical practices established before recent progress in immunosuppression protocols and in genitourinary cancer diagnosis and management. METHODS: A database of all solid organ transplants performed at the University of Minnesota from 1984 to 2019 was queried for renal transplant recipients in whom development of subsequent urologic malignancies (prostate, bladder, renal, penile, and testicular cancer) was found. RESULTS: Among 6172 renal transplant recipients examined, cumulative incidence of all cancers of genitourinary etiology are presented over an average follow-up time of 10 years. Kidney cancer (combined graft and native), prostate cancer, and bladder cancer each demonstrated respective 30-year incidence of 4.6%, 8.7%, and 1.5% from the time of transplant. By comparison, age-matched data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database demonstrated 30-year cumulative incidence of 1.1%, 11.1%, and 1.7% for kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer respectively. The predominant genitourinary cancer was renal cell cancer, both of the native and of the transplanted kidney (native, n = 64; transplanted, n =11), followed by prostate cancer (n = 63), and bladder cancer (n = 37). CONCLUSION: In this closely followed cohort of renal transplant recipients, renal cancer occurs at a higher incidence rate than in the non-transplanted population, while a lower rate of prostate cancer was found, with bladder cancer demonstrating a comparable cumulative incidence between transplant patients and the national age-matched population.

Public Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Medicine.

Objective: To understand better the public perception and comprehension of medical technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic surgery. In addition to this, to identify sensitivity to their use to ensure acceptability and quality of counseling. Subjects and Methods: A survey was conducted on a convenience sample of visitors to the MN Minnesota State Fair (n = 264). Participants were randomized to receive one of two similar surveys. In the first, a diagnosis was made by a physician and in the second by an AI application to compare confidence in human and computer-based diagnosis. Results: The median age of participants was 45 (interquartile range 28-59), 58% were female (n = 154) vs 42% male (n = 110), 69% had completed at least a bachelor's degree, 88% were Caucasian (n = 233) vs 12% ethnic minorities (n = 31) and were from 12 states, mostly from the Upper Midwest. Participants had nearly equal trust in AI vs physician diagnoses. However, they were significantly more likely to trust an AI diagnosis of cancer over a doctor's diagnosis when responding to the version of the survey that suggested that an AI could make medical diagnoses (p = 9.32e-06). Though 55% of respondents (n = 145) reported that they were uncomfortable with automated robotic surgery, the majority of the individuals surveyed (88%) mistakenly believed that partially autonomous surgery was already happening. Almost all (94%, n = 249) stated that they would be willing to pay for a review of medical imaging by an AI if available. Conclusion: Most participants express confidence in AI providing medical diagnoses, sometimes even over human physicians. Participants generally express concern with surgical AI, but they mistakenly believe that it is already being performed. As AI applications increase in medical practice, health care providers should be cognizant of the potential amount of misinformation and sensitivity that patients have to how such technology is represented.

A Large Renal Mass: Dilemmas With Unusual Features on Imaging.

A 50-year-old man presented with palpable abdominal mass which on CT revealed a large tumor replacing the entire right kidney, filling the right hemi-abdomen and travelling down the ureter into the bladder with retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Urine cytology and metastatic workup were negative. Ultrasound guided renal biopsy revealed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and the patient was started on combination chemotherapy. Primary urinary tract lymphomas comprise <1% of all renal tumors and primary urinary tract DLBCL lymphomas carry a worse prognosis than nodal DLBCL. Biopsy of very large renal masses without distant metastasis or hematuria may significantly change management.

Urological infections in the developing world: an increasing problem in developed countries.

PURPOSE: Infectious diseases that often follow geographical distribution patterns are increasingly crossing such boundaries, aided by human travel and commerce. These pose a new challenge to physicians who are required to diagnose previously unseen conditions and address drug-resistant organisms. We review some such common infections. METHODS: A literature review was performed for six common urological infections and a narrative review based on recent publications on these infections was compiled. RESULTS: In Urology, some infections that are now crossing geographical boundaries include Brucellosis, Schistosomiasis, Tuberculosis, Filariasis, Hydatidosis and emphysematous pyelonephritis. Brucellosis, a zoonotic infection, is common in the Mediterranean areas, Asia, South America and Africa. Infection can involve all parts of the genitourinary tract. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease, is particularly common in Sub-Saharan Africa and may have bacterial superinfection. Voiding symptoms are common and bladder carcinoma may develop. Tuberculosis affects almost every organ in the body and in the male genital system, often presents with abscesses, nodules, ulcers and infertility that is difficult to manage. Filariasis is caused by two species of worms and is transmitted through a bite from a mosquito carrying larvae of the worm. It causes lymphatic obstruction leading to scrotal edema, hydrocoele to elephantiasis of scrotum. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening suppurative necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma. While not being geographically limited, it is more common in developing areas with poor health care access. Genitourinary hydatidosis is a rare disease that is associated mainly with renal involvement in the genitourinary tract. Large cysts with destruction of renal parenchyma may be found. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, these urological infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and awareness in all healthcare settings is now an essential requirement.

Immuno-Oncology Approaches to Salvage Treatment for Non-muscle invasive Bladder Cancer.

This article provides a comprehensive review of the available data for immunotherapy being used as a salvage treatment in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The literature demonstrates that the immune system has an important role in bladder cancer progression. Initial results from studies using checkpoint inhibitors, recombinant interferon-α2b protein, and oncolytic adenoviruses have shown promising responses with acceptable toxicities. However, the majority of the current data arises from small trials with limited follow-up. There are currently several ongoing studies in this setting, which we await completion, to increase our understanding of immunotherapy as a salvage treatment in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Relevance of semen polymerase chain reaction positive for tuberculosis in asymptomatic men undergoing infertility evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Male partners of infertile women with genital tuberculosis (TB) are often screened for genital TB. We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of a positive screening semen polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis test (TB-PCR) in asymptomatic men undergoing infertility evaluation and determine the need for a detailed investigation and treatment for TB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2012 and January 2013, male partners of 15 infertile women with a diagnosis of genitourinary TB (GUTB) as the cause of infertility, tested positive either on semen PCR for TB (13 cases), or Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube-960 test (2 cases). These asymptomatic men underwent infertility evaluation along with evaluation for GUTB. Diagnosis of GUTB was based on standard clinical criteria, which included a high index of suspicion along with clinical, laboratory, and/or radiological evidence of GUTB. Men who had no clinical evidence of GUTB were followed up with clinical evaluation, semen analysis, and repeat semen PCR for TB after 6 months. RESULTS: Fourteen subjects consented for inclusion in the study. One had a history of pulmonary TB 20 years earlier. Another patient was found to have mediastinal lymphadenopathy (tubercular). All except one had a normal semen analysis. None of the patients met the standard clinical criteria for GUTB diagnosis. 8 patients followed up at 6 months with repeat semen analysis, which was similar to the baseline values and no clinical evidence of TB. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic men with positive screening semen PCR for TB do not have clinical evidence of TB. Male partners of women with infertility and GUTB should not be screened if they have no symptoms.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty in a tubercular bladder.

Some of the patients with genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB) present to the urologist with small contracted bladders or with significant renal damage.[1] Additional reconstructive procedures are often required along with anti-tubercular treatment in these patients. These procedures commonly performed via the open approach, now have the advantage of minimally invasive approach provided by laparoscopic and robotic surgery. The technique of robot-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty in a patient with a small contracted bladder due to GUTB will be described. The procedure was performed via a completely intra-corporeal technique using an ileal "cap" created from a 15 cm segment of distal ileum which was anastomosed to the urinary bladder bi-valved in the mid-sagittal plane. The procedure lasted for 420 minutes and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 5. At 6 month follow-up, the patient has no irritative urinary symptoms and voiding with insignificant post-void residual urine.