Real-world treatment patterns and medical costs of prostate cancer patients in Switzerland - A claims data analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PC) is the most prevalent cancer in men in Switzerland. However, evidence on the real-world health care use of PC patients is scarce. The aim of this study is to describe health care utilization, treatment patterns, and medical costs in PC patients over a period of five years (2014-2018). METHOD: We used routinely collected longitudinal individual-level claims data from a major provider of mandatory health insurance in Switzerland. Due to the lack of diagnostic coding in the claims data, we identified treated PC patients based on the treatments received. We described health care utilization and treatment pathways for patients with localized and metastatic PC. Costs were calculated from a health care system perspective. RESULTS: A total of 5591 PC patients met the inclusion criteria. Between 2014 and 2018, 1741 patients had outpatient radiotherapy for localized or metastatic PC and 1579 patients underwent radical prostatectomy. 3502 patients had an androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). 9.5% of these patients had a combination therapy with docetaxel, and 11.0% had a combination with abiraterone acetate. Docetaxel was the most commonly used chemotherapy (first-line; n = 413, 78.4% of all patients in chemotherapy). Total medical costs of PC in Switzerland were estimated at CHF 347 m (95% CI 323-372) in 2018. CONCLUSION: Most PC patients in this study were identified based on the use of ADT. Medical costs of PC in Switzerland amounted to 0.45% of total health care spending in 2018. Treatment of metastatic PC accounted for about two thirds of spending.

Safety and quality of cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection after neoadjuvant durvalumab and cisplatin/gemcitabine.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the surgical safety and quality of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) and PLND for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) 06/17 was an open-label single-arm phase II trial including 61 cisplatin-fit patients with clinical stage (c)T2-T4a cN0-1 operable urothelial MIBC or upper urinary tract cancer. Patients received neoadjuvant cisplatin/gemcitabine and durvalumab followed by surgery. Prospective quality assessment of surgeries was performed via central review of intraoperative photographs. Postoperative complications were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo Classification. Data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients received RC and PLND. All patients received neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy. The median (interquartile range) number of lymph nodes removed was 29 (23-38). No intraoperative complications were registered. Grade ≥III postoperative complications were reported in 12 patients (24%). Complete nodal dissection (100%) was performed at the level of the obturator fossa (bilaterally) and of the left external iliac region; in 49 patients (98%) at the internal iliac region and at the right external iliac region; in 39 (78%) and 38 (76%) patients at the right and left presacral level, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study supports the surgical safety of RC and PLND following neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy in patients with MIBC. The extent and completeness of protocol-defined PLND varies between patients, highlighting the need to communicate and monitor the surgical template.

Prospective Multicenter Validation of the Stockholm3 Test in a Central European Cohort.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that the Stockholm3 test decreases overdetection of prostate cancer (PCa) while retaining the ability to detect clinically significant PCa (csPCa) in a Swedish population. However, the test includes potentially population-specific testing of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and has yet not been validated outside Scandinavia. OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of the Stockholm3 test in discriminating csPCa in a Central European cohort undergoing prostate biopsy (PBx). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective multicenter validation study was conducted from August 2020 to September 2022 at two centers in Switzerland and one center in Germany. The study involved 342 men undiagnosed with PCa who were scheduled for PBx after prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate. Before PBx, participants had a blood sample taken for Stockholm3 testing. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcome was the accuracy of the Stockholm3 test in detecting csPCa (International Society of Urological Pathology grade group [GG] ≥2) according to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity, and the clinical consequences of using the model. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The Stockholm3 test with a cutoff of 11% for csPCa detection had sensitivity of 92.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 86.9-95.9%), specificity of 32.6% (95% CI 26.0-39.8%), a positive predictive value of 53.2% (95% CI 47.0-59.2%), and a negative predictive value of 83.6% (95% CI 73-91.2%). It showed superior discrimination for csPCa (AUC 0.77, 95% CI 0.72-0.82) in comparison to PSA (AUC 0.66, 95% CI 0.61-0.72; p < 0.001). Using a Stockholm3 cutoff of 11%, PBx could have been omitted for 73 men (21.0%), and 12/154 (8%) csPCa and 2/72 (2.8%) GG >2 cases would have been missed. Limitations include population selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show favorable clinical outcomes for the blood-based Stockholm3 biomarker test in a Central European patient cohort. PATIENT SUMMARY: The Stockholm3 blood test shows better accuracy in predicting prostate cancer than the more common PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test.

Perioperative Chemoimmunotherapy With Durvalumab for Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma: Primary Analysis of the Single-Arm Phase II Trial SAKK 06/17.

PURPOSE: The integration of immunotherapy in the perioperative setting of muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) appears promising. SAKK 06/17 investigated the addition of neoadjuvant durvalumab to gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC) chemotherapy followed by radical surgery and adjuvant checkpoint inhibition with durvalumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: SAKK 06/17 was an investigator-initiated, open-label, single-arm phase II study including cisplatin-fit patients with stage cT2-T4a cN0-1 operable MIUC. Four cycles of neoadjuvant GC in combination with four cycles of durvalumab (start with GC cycle 2) were administered, followed by radical surgery. Adjuvant durvalumab was given for 10 cycles. The primary end point was event-free survival (EFS) at 2 years. RESULTS: Sixty one patients were accrued at 12 sites. The full analysis set consisted of 57 patients, 54 (95%) had bladder cancer. Median follow-up was 40 months. The primary end point was met, with EFS at 2 years of 76% (one-sided 90% CI [lower bound], 67%; two-sided 95% CI, 62 to 85). EFS at 3 years was 73% (95% CI, 59 to 83). Complete pathologic response in resected patients (N = 52) was achieved in 17 patients (33%), and 31 (60%) had pathologic response

Long-Term Oncological Efficacy of Retroperitoneoscopic Radical Nephrectomy of Localized Renal Cell Cancer pT1-3 (≤12 cm).

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Impact of retrograde intrarenal surgery on biomarkers that are associated with renal parenchyma injury, a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this preliminary study was to assess the changes in concentration of biomarkers, which indicate renal injury, after RIRS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within this prospective study, we included 21 patients with nephrolithiasis requiring treatment with RIRS. From each patient, blood and urine samples were taken at fixed intervals before and after RIRS. Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin-18 (IL-18), calbindin, albumin, clusterin, gluthation S-transferase-π (GST-π), beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), osteopontin, cystatin c, and trefoil-factor-3 (TFF3) were measured in urine. Creatinine, cystatin c and uric acid were analyzed in the blood samples. RESULTS: A significant increase of the biomarkers clusterin, GST-π, B2M, NGAL and cystatin c was observed after RIRS. However, the biomarkers gradually normalized during the first 14 postoperative days. The parameters surgery time, cumulative stone volume, and BMI did not significantly influence the biomarker concentrations. In the case of GST-π and NGAL a significant positive, yet minuscule effect of age was observed. CONCLUSIONS: With our study, we identified 5 out of 12 assessed renal injury biomarkers that showed a significant increase after RIRS. The increase was only temporary and all markers normalized within 14 days. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical value of these identified markers to assess the long-term impact of intrarenal pressure elevation during RIRS.

A Phase 1/2 Single-arm Clinical Trial of Recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) VPM1002BC Immunotherapy in Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Recurrence After Conventional BCG Therapy: SAKK 06/14.

BACKGROUND: VPM1002BC is a genetically modified Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) strain with potentially improved immunogenicity and attenuation. OBJECTIVE: To report on the efficacy, safety, tolerability and quality of life of intravesical VPM1002BC for the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) recurrence after conventional BCG therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We designed a phase 1/2 single-arm trial (NCT02371447). Patients with recurrent NMIBC after BCG induction ± BCG maintenance therapy and intermediate to high risk for cancer progression were eligible. INTERVENTION: Patients were scheduled for standard treatment of six weekly instillations with VPM1002BC followed by maintenance for 1 yr. Treatment was stopped in cases of recurrence. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary endpoint was defined as the recurrence-free rate (RFR) in the bladder 60 wk after trial registration. The sample size was calculated based on the assumption that ≥30% of the patients would be without recurrence at 60 wk after registration. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: After exclusion of two ineligible patients, 40 patients remained in the full analysis set. All treated tumours were of high grade and 27 patients (67.5%) presented with carcinoma in situ. The recurrence-free rate in the bladder at 60 wk after trial registration was 49.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.1-64.4%) and remained at 47.4% (95% CI 30.4-62.6%] at 2 yr and 43.7% (95% CI 26.9-59.4%) at 3 yr after trial registration. At the same time, progression to muscle-invasive disease had occurred in three patients and metastatic disease in four patients. Treatment-related grade 1, 2, and 3 adverse events (AEs) were observed in 14.3%, 54.8%, and 4.8% of the patients, respectively. No grade ≥4 AEs occurred. Two of the 42 patients did not tolerate five or more instillations during induction. Limitations include the single-arm trial design and the low number of patients for subgroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: At 1 yr after treatment start, almost half of the patients remained recurrence-free after therapy with VPM100BC. The primary endpoint of the study was met and the therapy is safe and well tolerated. PATIENT SUMMARY: We conducted a trial of VPM100BC, a genetically modified bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) strain for treatment of bladder cancer not invading the bladder muscle. At 1 year after the start of treatment, almost half of the patients with a recurrence after previous conventional BCG were free from non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The results are encouraging and VPM1002BC merits further evaluation in randomised studies for patients with NMIBC.

Identifying classes of the pain, fatigue, and depression symptom cluster in long-term prostate cancer survivors-results from the multi-regional Prostate Cancer Survivorship Study in Switzerland (PROCAS).

PURPOSE: Aside from urological and sexual problems, long-term (≥5 years after initial diagnosis) prostate cancer (PC) survivors might suffer from pain, fatigue, and depression. These concurrent symptoms can form a cluster. In this study, we aimed to investigate classes of this symptom cluster in long-term PC survivors, to classify PC survivors accordingly, and to explore associations between classes of this cluster and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: Six hundred fifty-three stage T1-T3N0M0 survivors were identified from the Prostate Cancer Survivorship in Switzerland (PROCAS) study. Fatigue was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-FA12, depressive symptoms with the MHI-5, and pain with the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Latent class analysis was used to derive cluster classes. Factors associated with the derived classes were determined using multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Three classes were identified: class 1 (61.4%) - "low pain, low physical and emotional fatigue, moderate depressive symptoms"; class 2 (15.1%) - "low physical fatigue and pain, moderate emotional fatigue, high depressive symptoms"; class 3 (23.5%) - high scores for all symptoms. Survivors in classes 2 and 3 were more likely to be physically inactive, report a history of depression or some other specific comorbidity, be treated with radiation therapy, and have worse HRQoL outcomes compared to class 1. CONCLUSION: Three distinct classes of the pain, fatigue, and depression cluster were identified, which are associated with treatment, comorbidities, lifestyle factors, and HRQoL outcomes. Improving classification of PC survivors according to severity of multiple symptoms could assist in developing interventions tailored to survivors' needs.

The state of TURP through a historical lens.

In 1926 Maximilian Stern introduced a new instrument to treat obstructions at the vesical orifice and baptized it resectoscope. With reference to astonishing historical statements about the new instrument and surgical technique made by the pioneers and their critics we will value why transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the gold standard for most men suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic enlargement. TURP is currently challenged by recently introduced new instruments and techniques claiming advantages over TURP. However, TURP offers an excellent balance between high efficacy in symptom relieve and low morbidity along with low costs and favorable long term outcome compared to other treatment options. We will outline these arguments demonstrating that even after a century has elapsed, since its introduction into the urologists armamentarium, TURP continues to stand the passage of time.

Health-related quality of life in long-term prostate cancer survivors after nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy-Results from the multiregional PROCAS study.

BACKGROUND: Nerve-sparing (NS) surgery was developed to improve postoperative sexual and potentially urological outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP). However, it is largely unknown how NSRP affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) including urinary and sexual outcomes in prostate cancer (PC) survivors 5-10 years after diagnosis in comparison with Non-NSRP. METHODS: The study population included 382 stage pT2-T3N0M0 PC survivors 5-10 years post diagnosis, who were identified from the multiregional Prostate Cancer Survivorship in Switzerland (PROCAS) study. Briefly, in 2017/2018, PC survivors were identified via six population-based cancer registries based in both German- and French-speaking Switzerland. HRQoL and PC-specific symptom burden was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-PR25 questionnaires. Differences in HRQoL outcomes between survivors treated with NSRP (uni- & bilateral) and Non-NSRP were analyzed with multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, years since diagnosis, cancer stage, comorbidities at diagnosis, and further therapies, if appropriate. Multiple imputation was performed to minimize the bias due to missing data. RESULTS: Five to ten years after diagnosis, PC survivors treated with NSRP and Non-NSRP reported similar symptom burden and comparable HRQoL function scores. The only significant differences were reported for sexual activity, whereas PC survivors who underwent NSRP reported statistically significant (P = .031) higher sexual activity than those on Non-NSRP. NSRP and Non-NSRP reported similar scores for urinary symptoms and all other HRQoL outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support nerve-sparing techniques as an option to improve postoperative sexual, but not urinary outcomes after RP in long-term PC survivors.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) before and after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: does improvement of LUTS mitigate worsened incontinence after robotic prostatectomy?

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence is a major concern for patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy. However, after prostatectomy lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may improve and thus mitigate this concern. We assessed LUTS and its interference with the quality of life (QoL) using the short form of the international continence society male questionnaire (ICSMALESF-Q) in patients before and after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Furthermore, we aimed to identify risk factors for postoperative urinary incontinence. METHODS: Data of all patients who underwent RARP from 2009 to 2014 were prospectively collected in our customized database. We identified 453 eligible patients for whom a preoperative and at least two postoperative datasets including ICSMALESF-Q were available. RESULTS: Both the ICSMALESF-Q at 6 months (P<0.001) and the related QoL at 12 months (P<0.01) have significantly improved after RARP (P<0.001). Two years after RARP ICSMALESF-Q and thus LUTS have improved in 64%, remained unchanged in 18% and worsened in 18% of patients. The daily pad use was 0 in 79% and 0 or 1 pad in 95.6%, respectively. Increased patient age (P<0.05) was significantly associated with an increased average number of pads used per day (multiplicative effect: +2.1% pads for each year). Being in the D'Amico low-risk group reduced the average number of pads used by 22% (P<0.05, multiplicative effect 0.780). The prostate volume, planned nerve sparing, adjuvant or salvage radiotherapy, body mass index (BMI), or a history of transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) before radical prostatectomy were not associated with the postoperative pad use or changes in LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: The ICSMALESF-Q and thus LUTS have significantly improved in a majority of patients after RARP and hence the associated QoL improved as well. Preoperative D'Amico low-risk group significantly reduced pad use after RARP, whereas increased age significantly increased postoperative pad use. These results will help providers counsel their patients more appropriately before prostatectomy by focusing not only on pad use and incontinence after RARP, but also on changes of the bothersomeness of LUTS and risk factors in general.

Predictive factors for response to salvage stereotactic body radiotherapy in oligorecurrent prostate cancer limited to lymph nodes: a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: In patients presenting with limited nodal recurrence following radical prostatectomy (RP), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) results might improve with a better case selection. METHODS: Single-institution retrospective analysis of patients presenting with 1-3 lymph node (LN) recurrences (N1 or M1a) on 18F-Choline PET/CT. Prior therapy included radical prostatectomy (RP) ± salvage radiotherapy (RT), in absence of any systemic therapy. Outcome parameters were biochemical response (BR), time to biochemical recurrence (TBR) and time interval between SBRT and androgen deprivation therapy start (TADT). Time to event endpoints was analysed using Kaplan-Meier method. Potential prognostic factors were examined using univariate proportional hazards regression for TADT and logistic regression for BR. The optimal cut-off point for LN size was calculated using the Contal and O'Quigley method. RESULTS: 25 patients fulfilling study criteria were treated with SBRT from January 2010 to January 2015 and retrospectively analysed. Median follow up was 18 months and median LN diameter 10.5 mm. SBRT was delivered to a median dose of 36 Gy in three fractions (range: 30-45 Gy). BR was reached in 52% of cases. Median TBR was 11.9 months and significantly longer in patients with larger LN (Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.87, P = 0.03). Using 14 mm as cut off for LN, median TBR was 10.8 months for patients with small LN (18 patients), and 21.2 months for patients with large LN (6 patients) (P unadjusted = 0.009; P adjusted = 0.099). ADT was started in 32% of patients after a median follow-up of 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: For PCa patients with 1-3 LN recurrence after RP (± salvage RT), SBRT might result in a better biochemical control when delivered to larger sized (≥ 14 mm) LN metastases. This study is hypothesis generating and results should be tested in a larger prospective trial.

Survival with Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Prostate Cancer in the "Docetaxel Era": Data from 917 Patients in the Control Arm of the STAMPEDE Trial (MRC PR08, CRUK/06/019).

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common disease among men worldwide. It is important to know survival outcomes and prognostic factors for this disease. Recruitment for the largest therapeutic randomised controlled trial in PCa--the Systemic Therapy in Advancing or Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Evaluation of Drug Efficacy: A Multi-Stage Multi-Arm Randomised Controlled Trial (STAMPEDE)--includes men with newly diagnosed metastatic PCa who are commencing long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT); the control arm provides valuable data for a prospective cohort. OBJECTIVE: Describe survival outcomes, along with current treatment standards and factors associated with prognosis, to inform future trial design in this patient group. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: STAMPEDE trial control arm comprising men newly diagnosed with M1 disease who were recruited between October 2005 and January 2014. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Overall survival (OS) and failure-free survival (FFS) were reported by primary disease characteristics using Kaplan-Meier methods. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from multivariate Cox models. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A cohort of 917 men with newly diagnosed M1 disease was recruited to the control arm in the specified interval. Median follow-up was 20 mo. Median age at randomisation was 66 yr (interquartile range [IQR]: 61-71), and median prostate-specific antigen level was 112 ng/ml (IQR: 34-373). Most men (n=574; 62%) had bone-only metastases, whereas 237 (26%) had both bone and soft tissue metastases; soft tissue metastasis was found mainly in distant lymph nodes. There were 238 deaths, 202 (85%) from PCa. Median FFS was 11 mo; 2-yr FFS was 29% (95% CI, 25-33). Median OS was 42 mo; 2-yr OS was 72% (95% CI, 68-76). Survival time was influenced by performance status, age, Gleason score, and metastases distribution. Median survival after FFS event was 22 mo. Trial eligibility criteria meant men were younger and fitter than general PCa population. CONCLUSIONS: Survival remains disappointing in men presenting with M1 disease who are started on only long-term ADT, despite active treatments being available at first failure of ADT. Importantly, men with M1 disease now spend the majority of their remaining life in a state of castration-resistant relapse. PATIENT SUMMARY: Results from this control arm cohort found survival is relatively short and highly influenced by patient age, fitness, and where prostate cancer has spread in the body.

Metformin in chemotherapy-naive castration-resistant prostate cancer: a multicenter phase 2 trial (SAKK 08/09).

BACKGROUND: There is evidence linking metformin to improved prostate cancer (PCa)-related outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treatment with metformin in patients with castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) and the effect of the treatment on progression-free survival (PFS) and PSA doubling time (PSA DT). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Forty-four men with progressive metastatic CRPC from 10 Swiss centers were included in this single-arm phase 2 trial between December 2010 and December 2011. INTERVENTION: Patients received metformin 1000 mg twice daily until disease progression. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary end point was the absence of disease progression at 12 wk. Simon two-stage optimal design was applied. With a 5% significance level and 90% power, 44 patients were required to test PFS at 12 wk ≤ 15% (H0) compared with ≥ 35% (H1). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Thirty-six percent of patients were progression-free at 12 wk, 9.1% were progression-free at 24 wk, and in two patients a confirmed ≥ 50% prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline was demonstrated. In 23 patients (52.3%) we observed a prolongation of PSA DT after starting metformin. The homeostatic model assessment index fell by 26% from baseline to 12 wk, indicating an improvement in insulin sensitivity. There was a significant change in insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 from baseline to 12 wk. Sample size and lack of a control arm are the limitations of this trial; analyses are therefore exploratory. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with metformin is safe in nondiabetic patients, and it yields objective PSA responses and may induce disease stabilization. The activity of metformin in PCa, along with its low cost, favorable toxicity profile, and positive effect on metabolic parameters, suggests that further investigation of metformin as therapy for patients with PCa is of interest. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this trial we assessed the use of the diabetes mellitus drug metformin in patients with advanced prostate cancer. We found disease stabilization and prolongation of prostate-specific antigen doubling time in some patients as well as effects on metabolic parameters. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT01243385. PREVIOUS PRESENTATION: The study was presented at ESMO 2012 (abstract 1460).

Multidisciplinary care in patients with prostate cancer: room for improvement.

PURPOSE: New multimodality treatment approaches for prostate cancer require multidisciplinary management of patients. We aimed to assess the current practices of multidisciplinarity and their possible implications in treatment management in Switzerland. METHODS: In a survey, urologists and medical oncologists in Switzerland were asked to include at least 25 or 15 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of prostate cancer, respectively. Information about treatment patterns and multidisciplinary parameters of these patients was collected retrospectively. RESULTS: Thirty-seven urologists and 20 oncologists from the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland representing 7 out of 11 non-university tertiary centres and 20/10 % of all office-based urologists/oncologists in Switzerland collected data on 1,184 patients. Sixty-five percent of the office-based (16/24 urologists; 6/10 oncologists) and 95 % of the hospital-based (10/11 urologists; 8/8 oncologists) physicians participate in multidisciplinary tumour boards (MTBs). However, only 1.5 % of patients with a new diagnosis of prostate cancer (13 of 883) are discussed at a MTB. Overall, second opinions at diagnosis are requested in 23 % of patients, mainly from radiation oncologists (8.4 %) or fellow urologists (7.4 %). Second opinions are more often requested by urologists who participate at MTBs and in case of advanced stage. CONCLUSIONS: Participation at MTBs is high among Swiss urologists and oncologists in private practice and at non-university tertiary centers. In spite of that only a small minority of patietns with prostate cancer are presented at MTBs.

Lowering the PSA threshold for prostate biopsy from 4 to 2.5 ng/ml: influence on cancer characteristics and number of men needed to biopt.

OBJECTIVE: In 1999 we lowered the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) threshold for prostate biopsy at our institution from 4 to 2.5 ng/ml. The aim of this study was to compare the differences in tumor characteristics of the detected prostate cancers (PCAs) and the detection rate for the two different PSA thresholds and to evaluate if lowering the threshold was justified by any of the detected differences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of all patients who underwent an 8-core prostate biopsy between January 1999 and December 2004 and had a PSA between 2.5 and 10 ng/ml. Patients with a PSA between 2.5 and 4 ng/ml (group 1, n = 214, mean age 62.0 years) were compared to patients whose PSA was between 4 and 10 ng/ml (group 2, n = 292, mean age 63.2 years). Patients who were older than 75 years or had a suspicious rectal examination were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Overall, we detected 120 can-cers in 506 patients (cancer yield 23.7%). The cancer yield in group 1 was significantly lower than in group 2 (17 vs. 28%, p < 0.01). In group 1 significantly less Gleason score >or=7 (p = 0.04) and significantly more potentially insignificant cancers (p = 0.03) were identified. In 80 patients who subsequently underwent radical prostatectomy, final pathology revealed no significant differences between the two PSA groups with regard to high pT stages, Gleason score >or=7 PCA or positive surgical margins, respectively. The difference in the absolute risk of being diagnosed with high-grade PCA between a PSA threshold of 2.5 ng/ml and a PSA threshold of 4 ng/ml was 1%. CONCLUSION: Lowering the PSA threshold for prostate biopsy from 4 to 2.5 ng/ml results in a substantial increase in the number of men who undergo biopsy and may result in an increased detection of potentially insignificant cancers. If total PSA alone is used to determine the need for prostate biopsy, the disadvantages of this lower threshold probably outweigh its potential benefits.

Is there a role for tamsulosin in the treatment of distal ureteral stones of 7 mm or less? Results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Numerous randomised trials have confirmed the efficacy of medical expulsive therapy with tamsulosin in patients with distal ureteral stones; however, to date, no randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have been performed. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy of medical expulsive therapy with tamsulosin in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled setting. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients presenting with single distal ureteral stones < or = 7 mm were included in this trial. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomised in a double-blind fashion to receive either tamsulosin or placebo for 21 d. The medication was discontinued after either stone expulsion or intervention. Abdominal computed tomography was performed to assess the initial and final stone status. MEASUREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS: The primary end point was the stone expulsion rate. Secondary end points were time to stone passage, the amount of analgesic required, the maximum daily pain score, safety of the therapy, and the intervention rate. RESULTS: Ten of 100 randomised patients were excluded from the analysis. No statistically significant differences in patient characteristics and stone size (median: 4.1 mm [tamsulosin arm] vs 3.8 mm [placebo arm], p=0.3) were found between the two treatment arms. The stone expulsion rate was not significantly different between the tamsulosin arm (86.7%) and the placebo arm (88.9%; p=1.0). Median time to stone passage was 7 d in the tamsulosin arm and 10 d in the placebo arm (log-rank test, p=0.36). Patients in the tamsulosin arm required significantly fewer analgesics than patients in the placebo arm (median: 3 vs 7, p=0.011). A caveat is that the exact time of stone passage was missing for 29 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin treatment does not improve the stone expulsion rate in patients with distal ureteral stones < or = 7 mm. Nevertheless, patients may benefit from a supportive analgesic effect. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT00831701.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer: surgical technique and experience with the first 99 cases.

BACKGROUND: To date, there is still a paucity of data in the literature on robotic-assisted laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node dissection (RALEPLND) in patients with prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE: To assess the technical feasibility of RALEPLND and to present our surgical technique. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: From April 2006 to March 2008, we performed RALEPLND in 99 patients prior to robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Indications for RALEPLND were a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) > or = 10 ng/ml or a preoperative Gleason score > or = 7. The data were evaluated retrospectively. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: The transperitoneal approach was used in all cases. In order to gain optimal access to the common iliac bifurcation, the five trocars were placed in a more cephalad position than in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy without RALEPLND. After identification of important landmarks, the lymphatics covering the external iliac vein, the obturator lymphatic packet, and the lymphatics overlying the internal iliac artery were removed on both sides. MEASUREMENTS: The total lymph node yield, the frequency of lymph node metastases, and the complication rate. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The median patient age was 64 yr (range: 45-78). The median preoperative PSA level was 7.7 ng/ml (range: 1.5-84.6). The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 19 (range: 8-53). In 16 patients (16%), we found lymph node metastasis. Complications occurred in seven patients (7%). CONCLUSIONS: RALEPLND is feasible, and its lymph node yield is well in the range of open series. The robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach in itself does not seem to limit a surgeon's ability to perform a complete extended pelvic lymph node dissection.

Same patient, new stone composition: amprenavir urinary stone.

We report here the first case to add amprenavir to the growing list of antiretroviral drugs associated with urinary stones. The first reported case of a nelfinavir urinary stone was reported in 2002 in a 37-year-old HIV-infected woman. In September 2007, the same female patient was referred to our department with recent onset of right flank pain and recurrent urinary tract infections. Abdominal computed tomography revealed three obstructing stones in the distal right ureter, another stone in the right renal pelvis with hydronephrosis and a stone in the left kidney. After stone retrieval, analysis of the stone by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry revealed a stone composition of 95% unmodified amprenavir and 5% ritonavir.

Association of cytokeratin 7 and 19 expression with genomic stability and favorable prognosis in clear cell renal cell cancer.

The purpose of our study was to demonstrate that distinct cytogenetic alterations in the most common subtype of renal cell cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), are reflected in protein expression profiles. We performed conventional cytogenetics and immunohistochemical analysis for cytokeratins (CKs) on 126 ccRCCs. Protein expression was evaluated in situ using a semiautomated quantitative system. The results were validated using an independent cohort of 209 ccRCCs with long-term follow-up. Cytogenetic alterations were identified in 96 of 126 ccRCCs, most of them involving chromosome 3 through loss, deletion or translocation. Expression of CKs and E-cadherin in ccRCC was associated with lack of cytogenetic alterations and low nuclear grade. In the validation set, CK7 and CK19 protein expression was associated with better clinical outcome. At the multivariate level, the best model included metastatic status and CK19 expression. Expression microarray analysis on 21 primary ccRCCs and 14 ccRCC metastases identified genes significantly associated with CK7 and CK19 expressing ccRCCs. Two novel ccRCC biomarkers associated with the CK7 positive ccRCC phenotype, PMS2 and MT1-MMP (MMP14), were further validated. We conclude that the variability observed for CK expression in ccRCC can be explained by genetic heterogeneity. Distinct molecular subtypes of ccRCC with prognostic relevance were identified, and the CK7/CK19 expressing subtype is associated with better outcome.