Patient and Context Factors in the Adoption of Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer.

Importance: Although active surveillance for patients with low-risk prostate cancer (LRPC) has been recommended for years, its adoption at the population level is often limited. Objective: To make active surveillance available for patients with LRPC using a research framework and to compare patient characteristics and clinical outcomes between those who receive active surveillance vs radical treatments at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based, prospective cohort study was designed by a large multidisciplinary group of specialists and patients' representatives. The study was conducted within all 18 urology centers and 7 radiation oncology centers in the Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta Regional Oncology Network in Northwest Italy (approximate population, 4.5 million). Participants included patients with a new diagnosis of LRPC from June 2015 to December 2021. Data were analyzed from January to May 2023. Exposure: At diagnosis, all patients were informed of the available treatment options by the urologist and received an information leaflet describing the benefits and risks of active surveillance compared with active treatments, either radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiation treatment (RT). Patients choosing active surveillance were actively monitored with regular prostate-specific antigen testing, clinical examinations, and a rebiopsy at 12 months. Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes of interest were proportion of patients choosing active surveillance or radical treatments, overall survival, and, for patients in active surveillance, treatment-free survival. Comparisons were analyzed with multivariable logistic or Cox models, considering centers as clusters. Results: A total of 852 male patients (median [IQR] age, 70 [64-74] years) were included, and 706 patients (82.9%) chose active surveillance, with an increasing trend over time; 109 patients (12.8%) chose RP, and 37 patients (4.3%) chose RT. Median (IQR) follow-up was 57 (41-76) months. Worse prostate cancer prognostic factors were negatively associated with choosing active surveillance (eg, stage T2a vs T1c: odds ratio [OR], 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28-0.93), while patients who were older (eg, age ≥75 vs <65 years: OR, 4.27; 95% CI, 1.98-9.22), had higher comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥2 vs 0: OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.02-3.85), underwent an independent revision of the first prostate biopsy (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.26-4.38) or underwent a multidisciplinary assessment (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.38-5.11) were more likely to choose active surveillance vs active treatment. After adjustment, center at which a patient was treated continued to be an important factor in the choice of treatment (intraclass correlation coefficient, 18.6%). No differences were detected in overall survival between active treatment and active surveillance. Treatment-free survival in the active surveillance cohort was 59.0% (95% CI, 54.8%-62.9%) at 24 months, 54.5% (95% CI, 50.2%-58.6%) at 36 months, and 47.0% (95% CI, 42.2%-51.7%) at 48 months. Conclusions and Relevance: In this population-based cohort study of patients with LRPC, a research framework at system level as well as favorable prognostic factors, a multidisciplinary approach, and an independent review of the first prostate biopsy at patient-level were positively associated with high uptake of active surveillance, a practice largely underused before this study.

Comparison of dental and alveolar arch forms between different ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate, by means of 3D software, any correlation between ethnic group and the shape and size of the dental arcade and its bony support, and to investigate the correspondence between the latter two variables within each ethnic group. The data gathered were also compared with the measurements of commercially available pre-formed archwires to determine which provide the best fit for each arch in each group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The shape and size of the dental and alveolar arches of 29 subjects of African origin and 37 Caucasian subjects were compared in terms of linear inter-canine, inter-premolar and inter-molar measurements, overall arch length, and the distance between each tooth and the reference occlusal plane. To determine which pre-formed archwires are best suited to each of the two ethnic groups, the in-out of the brackets was considered, simulating their presence in the oral cavity. RESULTS: The upper and lower dental and alveolar arches were all wider and longer in African with respect to Caucasian subjects (P<0.05). In general, "Roth small" (index value 1.556) and "Ideal Form Medium" (index value 0.645) archwires were better suited to both upper and lower arcades in the latter group, while "Damon" (index value 1.447) and "Ideal Form Large" (index value 1.695) conformed better to the size and shape of both arcades in the former. CONCLUSIONS: There are very significant differences in arch form between the two ethnic groups considered, and the range of pre-formed archwires on the market does not provide for the anatomical variability of patients.

Laparoscopic microwave ablation and enucleation of small renal masses: preliminary experience.

Advancements in imaging and laparoscopy have led to the expansion of minimally invasive techniques in the ablation of small renal masses (SRMs). We report the results of a study aimed at assessing the efficacy of thermoablative microwave (MW) effects on SRMs and the haemostatic as well as necrotic MW effects on the parenchyma surrounding the neoplasm. From November 2008 to October 2010, 10 patients with SRMs underwent laparoscopy-guided Tru-Cut biopsy, MW tumour ablation, and enucleation. Mean age was 66 yr (range: 46-84 yr). Mean renal tumour diameter was 2.75 cm (range: 1.3-4.2 cm). MW antennas were applied one to three times depending on tumour volume, location, and shape. After MW thermoablation, laparoscopic enucleation was performed to evaluate the histopathologic and haemostatic effects of MW. The mean MW antenna application time was 14.1 min (range: 4-30 min). Enucleation did not require renal pedicle clamping in any of the cases because no significant bleeding took place. Preablation pathology revealed clear cell renal carcinoma of Fuhrman grade I-II in all cases. Postablation pathology showed extensive coagulative necrosis without skipped tumour areas. No intra- or postoperative complications were reported. Histopathologic effects on SRMs provide consistent proof of principle for future studies.