Methodology and findings of randomized clinical trials on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions to treat renal colic pain - a review.

Introduction: Renal colic pain is considered one of the most excruciating pains ever experienced and ranks as one of the most common urological emergencies. Despite existing established recommendations, new therapies and their combinations are continuously being tested. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze and compare studies involving pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions used in the treatment of renal colic pain. Material and methods: This systematic review was conducted following the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adult patients. The quality and results of the included studies were assessed and discussed. Results: This review provides an extensive analysis of 71 identified RCTs. Opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and dipyrone/metamizole have demonstrated effectiveness as single medications. Some evidence points to opioids having a potential disadvantage compared to others when used as a first-line single medication. Among the 63 studies exploring pharmacological therapy, 51 reported opioids utilization for rescue therapy in significant proportion of patients. Promising combination therapies involve the administration of an NSAID alongside opioids, ketamine, desmopressin, steroids, or nitric oxide. Conversely, spasmolytics, magnesium, and lidocaine exhibited limited or no additional effect. Noteworthy methodological shortcomings encompass a low pain threshold during participant recruitment and the reliance on pain reduction rather than complete pain elimination as an endpoint. Conclusions: Frequent use of opioids as rescue medications in RCTs undermine their conclusions on effectiness of other therapeutics. Combination therapies should be considered as first choice in renal colic pain management. RCTs should define success of therapy as achieving complete or near-complete pain relief rather than pain reduction.

Not as black as it is painted? The impact of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on surgical treatment of urological cancer patients in Poland - a cross-country experience.

Introduction: In the majority of Western European countries, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a dramatic reduction in urooncological surgeries. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on volume and patterns of urooncological surgery in Poland. Material and methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 10 urologic centres in Poland. Data regarding major oncological procedures performed after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak (March 15, 2020 - May 31, 2020) were evaluated and compared with data from the respective period in 2019. Results: Between March 15, 2020 and May 31, 2020, a total of 968 oncological procedures were performed in participating centres. When compared to the respective period in 2019 (1063 procedures) the overall number of surgeries declined by 8.9%. The reduction was observed for transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) (20.1%) and partial nephrectomies (PN) (16.5%). Surgical activity considering radical nephrectomy (RN), nephroureterectomy (NU), and radical prostatectomy (RP) remained relatively unchanged, whereas radical cystectomy (RC) burden showed a significant increase (90.9%). Characteristics of patients treated with TURBT, RC, NU, PN, and RN did not differ significantly between the compared periods, whereas RP in the COVID-19 period was performed more frequently in patients with a higher grade group (p = 0.028) and positive digital rectal examination (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Surgical activity for urological cancers in Poland has been maintained during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Polish strategy in the initial period of the COVID-19 crisis mirrors the scenario of hard initial lockdown followed by adaptive lockdown, during which oncological care remained undisrupted and did not require particular priority triage.

External validation of a magnetic resonance imaging-based algorithm for prediction of side-specific extracapsular extension in prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Recently developed algorithm for prediction of side-specific extracapsular extension (ECE) of prostate cancer required validation before being recommended to use. The algorithm assumed that ECE on a particular side was not likely with same side maximum tumor diameter (MTD) <15 mm AND cancerous tissue in ipsilateral biopsy <15% AND PSA <20 ng/mL (both sides condition). The aim of the study was to validate this predictive tool in patients from another department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 154 consecutive patients (308 prostatic lateral lobes) were used for validation. Predictive factors chosen in the development set of patients were assessed together with other preoperative parameters using logistic regression to check for their significance. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values were calculated for bootstrapped risk-stratified validation dataset. RESULTS: Validation cohort did not differ significantly from development cohort regarding PSA, PSA density, Gleason score (GS), MTD, age, ECE and seminal vesicle invasion rate. In bootstrapped data set (n = 200 random sampling) algorithm revealed 70.2% sensitivity (95% confidence interval (CI) 58.8-83.0%), 49.9% specificity (95%CI: 42.0-57.7%), 83.9% negative predictive value (NPV; 95%CI: 76.1-91.4%) and 31.1% positive predictive value (PPV; 95%CI: 19.6-39.7%). When limiting analysis to high-risk patients (Gleason score >7) the algorithm improved its performance: sensitivity 91%, specificity 47%, PPV 53%, NPV 89%. CONCLUSIONS: Analyzed algorithm is useful for identifying prostate lobes without ECE and deciding on ipsilateral nerve-sparing technique during radical prostatectomy, especially in patients with GS >7. Due to significant number of false positives in case of: MTD ≥15 mm OR cancer in biopsy ≥15% OR PSA ≥20 ng/mL additional evaluation is necessary to aid decision-making.

Risk factors for infectious complications after retrograde intrarenal surgery - a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

INTRODUCTION: Infectious complications are among the most frequent and significant complications in retrograde intrarenal lithotripsy. To date, review articles have covered complications after a ureteroscopy, but not after retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), specifically. Because the complications and risk factors are different for a ureteroscopy and RIRS, we aimed to identify variables related to the occurrence of infectious complications post-RIRS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. We included original studies that described 100 or more procedures published in 2014-2021. We extracted data and performed a narrative synthesis to explore and interpret differences between the studies. RESULTS: We selected 17 studies for analysis, including 10 from 2019-2021. Infectious complications after RIRS were observed in 2.8-7.5% of patients (mean 7.1%). We found seven independent risk factors associated with infectious complications after RIRS: long operative time, recent history of positive urine culture or urinary tract infection or antibiotic use, pyuria/nitrites, small caliber of ureteral access sheath, struvite stone, high irrigation rate, and comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: If an increased rate of infectious complications is found at a RIRS center, countermeasures should include restrictions on operative time and irrigation rate, and consideration of larger access sheaths, especially for patients with abnormal urine results or with struvite stones or with a history of urinary tract infection or co-morbidities.

Changing patterns of urologic emergency visits and admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective, multicenter, nationwide study.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to examine the change in the number and severity of visits to the emergency departments (EDs) and subsequent admissions for urgent urologic conditions in the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated data from 13 urologic centers in Poland and compared the number of visits to the EDs and subsequent admissions before and after the advent of COVID-19 in 2020, and before and after the escalating national restrictions. Furthermore, data on types of urologic complaints, crucial laboratory parameters, and post-admission procedures were analyzed. RESULTS: In total 1,696 and 2,187 urologic visits (22.45% decrease) and 387 and 439 urologic urgent admissions (11.85% decrease) were reported in given periods in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The year-over-year difference in daily mean visits was clear (36.1 vs. 46.5; p < 0.001). Declines were seen in all complaints but device malfunction. In 2020 daily mean visits and admissions decreased from 40.9 and 9.6 before lockdowns to 30.9 (p < 0.001) and 6.9 (p = 0.001) after severe restrictions, respectively. There was a trend towards more negative laboratory parameter profiles in 2020, with patients who visited the EDs after severe restrictions having twice as high median levels of C-reactive protein (15.39 vs. 7.84, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The observed declines in ED visits and admissions were apparent with the significant effect of national lockdowns. Our results indicate that some of the patients requiring urgent medical help did not appear at the ED or came later than they would have done before the pandemic, presenting with more severe complaints.

The Urogynecology Section of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians Guideline on the use of urodynamic testing in gynecological practice.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to present an interdisciplinary Guideline of the Urogynecology Section of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (PSGO) for the use of urodynamics (UDS) in the diagnostic process of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) based on the available literature, expert knowledge, and everyday practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the literature concerning the use of UDS in women, including current international guidelines and earlier recommendations of the PSGO Urogynecology Section, was conducted. RESULTS: Urodynamic testing allows to make the urodynamic diagnosis which, nevertheless, remains to be the preliminary diagnosis. Medical history, physical examination, and detailed analysis of the previous test results (laboratory, imaging, endoscopic) need to be taken into consideration before making the final diagnosis. Urodynamic testing before surgical treatment of SUI is allowable, but the decision remains at the discretion of the physician. Urodynamic testing is not necessary before primary surgical treatment of uncomplicated SUI, but it has been demonstrated to optimize the therapeutic methods in complicated SUI. The significance of UDS in the diagnostic process of patients with overactive bladder symptoms, voiding dysfunction, and bladder outlet obstruction was discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Urodynamic testing is a vital element of the urogynecological diagnostic process. The scope of UDS should reflect the individual needs and symptoms of each patient and be based on the current guidelines, expert knowledge and experience of the physician, indications, and eligibility, as well as additional test results of the affected patients. Due to formal and legal requirements, PSGO, in this Guideline, wishes to emphasize the need for an individualized approach to both, test performance and result interpretation.

Diagnostic and treatment delays among patients with primary bladder cancer in Poland: a survey study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine and quantify the mechanisms responsible for the delays in bladder cancer diagnosis and initial treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients referred to two academic hospitals in Poland with a primary bladder tumor were prospectively identified and structurally interviewed. For all patients, time intervals between symptom onset, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer were included in the analysis. The median time from symptom onset to treatment was 112 days. This comprised of the following median waiting times: 1) patient waiting time of 13 days, 2) assessment waiting time of 14 days and 3) treatment waiting time of 42 days. In the multivariate analysis, large city residence (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.6) and comorbidity (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8) reduced the risk of delay, whereas medium-sized city residence (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.4-5.1) and general practitioner as the first medical professional contact (OR 5.3, 95% CI 0.6-50.0) increased the risk of delay. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic and treatment waiting times for bladder cancer in Poland are unsatisfactory. Potential solutions for shortening these delays include healthcare policy changes such as utilization of the oncological priority programs, primary care education and public health campaigns.

Predicting side-specific prostate cancer extracapsular extension: a simple decision rule of PSA, biopsy, and MRI parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an easy-to-use side-specific tool for the prediction of prostate cancer extracapsular extension (ECE) using clinical, biopsy, and MRI parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy preceded by staging multiparametric MRI of the prostate was performed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to choose independent predictors of ECE. Continuous variables were transformed to categorical ones by choosing threshold values using spline knots or testing thresholds used in previously described models. Internal validation of the rule was carried out as well as validation of other algorithms on our group was performed. RESULTS: In the analyzed period of time, 88 out of 164 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy met inclusion criteria. ECE was evidenced at radical prostatectomy in 41 patients (46.6%) and in 53 lobes (30.1%). In the multivariate analysis PSA, total percentage of cancerous tissue in cores (%PCa) and maximum tumour diameter (MTD) of Likert 3-5 lesions on MRI were independent predictors of ECE. The following rule for predicting side-specific ECE was proposed: %PCa ≥ 15% OR MTD ≥ 15 mm OR PSA ≥ 20 ng/mL. Internal validation of the algorithm revealed safe lower confidence limits for sensitivity and NPV, proving that model offers accurate risk grouping that can be safely used in decision-making. CONCLUSION: The rule developed in this study makes ECE prediction fast, intuitive, and side-specific. However, until validated externally it should be used with caution.

Surgical treatment for renal masses in the elderly: analysis of oncological, surgical and functional outcomes

ABSTRACT Purpose: Radical treatment in elderly patients with renal tumor remains debatable due to uncertainties regarding the risk of surgical complications, risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and survival benefit. The aim of the study was to assess outcomes of radical treatment for renal cancer in elderly patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis enrolled 507 consecutive patients treated with partial or radical nephrectomy due to renal mass. Patients with upfront metastatic disease (n=46) and patients lost to follow-up (n=110) were excluded from the analysis. Surgical, functional (screen for ESRD development) and survival outcomes were analyzed in patients aged >75 years in comparison to younger individuals. Results: The analyzed group included 55 elderly patients and 296 younger controls. Within the cohort a total of 148 and 203 patients underwent radical and partial nephrectomies respectively. The rate of surgical complications, including grade ≥3 Clavien- Dindo complications, did not differ between groups (3.6% vs. 4.4%, p=0.63). Median length of hospital stay was equal in both groups (7 days). During a follow-up (median 51.9 months, no difference between groups), ESRD occurred in 3.4% of controls and was not reported in elderly group (p=0.37). Younger patients demonstrated a statistically significant advantage in both overall survival and cancer-specific survival over elderly patients (OS 94.6% vs. 87% p=0.036, CSS 97.3% vs. 89.1% p=0.0008). Conclusions: Surgical treatment in elderly patients with renal tumor is as safe as in younger individuals and does not increase the risk of ESRD. However, cancer specific survival among these patients remains shorter than in younger patients.

Surgical treatment for renal masses in the elderly: analysis of oncological, surgical and functional outcomes.

PURPOSE: Radical treatment in elderly patients with renal tumor remains debatable due to uncertainties regarding the risk of surgical complications, risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and survival benefit. The aim of the study was to assess outcomes of radical treatment for renal cancer in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis enrolled 507 consecutive patients treated with partial or radical nephrectomy due to renal mass. Patients with upfront metastatic disease (n=46) and patients lost to follow-up (n=110) were excluded from the analysis. Surgical, functional (screen for ESRD development) and survival outcomes were analyzed in patients aged >75 years in comparison to younger individuals. RESULTS: The analyzed group included 55 elderly patients and 296 younger controls. Within the cohort a total of 148 and 203 patients underwent radical and partial nephrectomies respectively. The rate of surgical complications, including grade >3 Clavien- Dindo complications, did not differ between groups (3.6% vs. 4.4%, p=0.63). Median length of hospital stay was equal in both groups (7 days). During a follow-up (median 51.9 months, no difference between groups), ESRD occurred in 3.4% of controls and was not reported in elderly group (p=0.37). Younger patients demonstrated a statistically significant advantage in both overall survival and cancer-specific survival over elderly patients (OS 94.6% vs. 87% p=0.036, CSS 97.3% vs. 89.1% p=0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment in elderly patients with renal tumor is as safe as in younger individuals and does not increase the risk of ESRD. However, cancer specific survival among these patients remains shorter than in younger patients.

Bimanual palpation for staging of bladder cancer-clinical use and its predictors.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of performing bimanual palpation (BP) during transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) and to identify its predictors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis enrolled 568 consecutive patients, who underwent TURBT due to primary bladder cancer. There were thirty surgeons involved in the analysis, each performed a mean of 18.9 TURBTs (range 1-43). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors predicting the BP use. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-five patients (46.7%) underwent BP. BP was performed in 36.1% of Ta tumors, 49.1% of T1 tumors and 76.6% of ≥T2 tumors (p<0.001); in 60.2% of tumors >3 cm and in 33.3% of tumors <3 cm (p<0.001). Female, and male doctors performed BP in 38.3%, and 48.8% of the cases, respectively (p=0.01). Senior residents performed BP more often than junior residents and certified junior and senior urologists (64.6% vs. 39.2% vs. 48.2% vs. 31.1%, respectively; p=0.03). In multivariate logistic regression analysis higher tumor stage, larger tumor size, as well as senior residents and male surgeons performing TURBT were independent predictors of BP. CONCLUSION: Though BP is recommended for each patient at the time of TURBT, it is performed only in the minority of patients undergoing TURBT, mainly those with advanced or larger tumors, operated by senior residents and male surgeons.

Catheter-associated bacterial flora in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: shift in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.

BACKGROUND: Men with urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are prone to genitourinary infections. Physicians should be aware of the current antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in this population if empirical treatment is needed. The goal of this study was to evaluate variations in prevalence, composition and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial flora in men with indwelling catheters subjected to surgery for BPH in chosen time periods since 1994. Necessary changes in empirical therapy were also assessed. METHODS: All patients with indwelling catheters admitted to a single urological center for BPH surgery in the years 1994-1996, 2004-2006, and 2011-2015 were considered. Catheterization times and results of urine cultures from samples collected at admission were evaluated. Susceptibility for selected antimicrobials was compared separately for Gram negative and Gram positive species. For each agent and for their combinations effectiveness of empirical therapy was calculated dividing the number of patients with bacteriuria susceptible to the agents by the total number of patients with bacteriuria. RESULTS: Bacteriuria was present in 70% of 169, 72% of 132, and 69% of 156 men in the respective time periods. The incidence of Gram-positive strains increased from 10 to 37% (P < 0.001). Their susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanate was fluctuating (81, 61, 77%; P=NS). No vancomycin-resistant strain was present. Gram-negative flora composition was stable. Their susceptibility decreased to ciprofloxacin (70 to 53%; P = 0.01) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (56 to 37%; P < 0.01) while it increased to gentamycin (64 to 88%; P < 0.001) and co-trimoxazole (14 to 62%; P < 0.001); susceptibility to amikacin remained high (> 85%). Only two cases of resistance to carbapenems in 2004-2006 were found. In vitro effectiveness of amikacin + amoxicillin/clavulanate in empirical therapy was slowly decreasing (87 to 77%; P=NS). Imipenem was found the most effective single agent (90-95%) and its efficacy was even improved by adding vancomycin (97-98%). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial rise in the incidence of Gram-positive species and fluctuations in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were found. Empirical therapy of genitourinary infection in catheterized men with BPH should now involve antimicrobial agents effective both to Enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae. Periodic monitoring and publishing data on antimicrobial susceptibility for this population is necessary.

Intraurethral co-transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and muscle-derived cells improves the urethral closure.

BACKGROUND: Cell therapy constitutes an attractive alternative to treat stress urinary incontinence. Although promising results have been demonstrated in this field, the procedure requires further optimization. The most commonly proposed cell types for intraurethral injections are muscle derived cells (MDCs) and mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of MDC-MSC co-transplantation into the urethra. METHODS: Autologous transplantation of labeled MDCs, bone marrow MSCs or co-transplantation of MDC-MSC were performed in aged multiparous female goats (n = 6 in each group). The mean number of cells injected per animal was 29.6 × 106(± 4.3 × 106). PBS-injected animals constituted the control group (n = 5). Each animal underwent urethral pressure profile (UPP) measurements before and after the injection procedure. The maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and functional area (FA) of UPPs were calculated. The urethras were collected at the 28th or the 84th day after transplantation. The marker fluorochrome (DID) was visualized and quantified using in vivo imaging system in whole explants. Myogenic differentiation of the graft was immunohistochemically evaluated. RESULTS: The grafted cells were identified in all urethras collected at day 28 regardless of injected cell type. At this time point the strongest DID-derived signal (normalized to the number of injected cells) was noted in the co-transplanted group. There was a distinct decline in signal intensity between day 28 and day 84 in all types of transplantation. Both MSCs and MDCs contributed to striated muscle formation if transplanted directly to the external urethral sphincter. In the MSC group those events were rare. If cells were injected into the submucosal region they remained undifferentiated usually packed in clearly distinguishable depots. The mean increase in MUCP after transplantation in comparison to the pre-transplantation state in the MDC, MSC and MDC-MSC groups was 12.3% (± 11.2%, not significant (ns)), 8.2% (± 9.6%, ns) and 24.1% (± 3.1%, p = 0.02), respectively. The mean increase in FA after transplantation in the MDC, MSC and MDC-MSC groups amounted to 17.8% (± 15.4%, ns), 15.2% (± 12.9%, ns) and 17.8% (± 2.5%, p = 0.04), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that MDC-MSC co-transplantation provides a greater chance of improvement in urethral closure than transplantation of each population alone.

A stone pushed back to the collecting system - long therapeutic path in centers with limited access to flexible instruments.

INTRODUCTION: Availability of flexible ureteroscopes is still limited in many countries and centers. Under such circumstances treating small stones pushed from the ureter to the kidney that pose a risk of symptomatic recurrence is controversial as it may require a number of surgical procedures to remove. The aim of this study was to assess the type and number of procedures used to treat stones relocated from the ureter to the collecting system in a high volume urological center with limited access to flexible instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients treated for ureteral stones in years 2013-2016 were retrospectively reviewed. All procedures performed after stone relocation were counted. Final stone status was determined by ultrasonography and radiography. RESULTS: Out of 75 patients with a stone relocated to the collecting system full follow-up was available for 66. In three patients (4%) the stone remained in the collecting system untreated. Seven patients (11%) passed their stones spontaneously. Active treatment was successful in 45 (68%), while it failed in 11 (17%) patients. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was used 132 times, semi-rigid ureteroscopy 21 times and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy 22 times - 175 procedures altogether (2.6 procedures/patient + accessory procedures such as JJ removal). Shockwave lithotripsy was effective in 7/41 patients, semi-rigid ureteroscopy in 18/21 and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy in 22/22 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Treating small stones relocated from the ureter to the collecting system in centers not equipped with flexible endoscopes is inefficient, time-consuming or too invasive. Cost-effectiveness analysis should follow this study to obtain evidence for public health payers to change their policies.

[Infectious complications of prostate biopsy].

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men in Poland. Prostate biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Every year, the number of procedures is increasing, so knowledge of possible complications is becoming crucial. Over time, a continuous increase in infectious complications of prostate biopsy is observed, so it is important to identify risk factors and preventive methods. Antibiotic prophylaxis is mandatory for prostate biopsy. Simultaneously, complications after prostate biopsy affect as many as 90% of patients, including up to 17% of infective complications. In some patients, complications are severe and require urgent medical intervention. The risk of death from septic complications is approximately 0.1%. Significant risk factors are diabetes, older age, enlarged prostate gland and recent antibiotic exposure. Transperineal or MRI guided biopsy is associated with a significantly lower incidence of severe infectious complications.

Limited accuracy of transurethral and periurethral intrasphincteric injections of cellular suspension.

AIMS: The efficacy of cell therapy in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is lower than expected. The aim of this study was to determine the injection accuracy rate both with transurethral and periurethral route. METHODS: Autologous intraurethral cell transplantation was performed in female goats. The cells were injected either periurethrally (PERI group, two depots/animal, n = 8) or transurethrally (TRANS group, eight depots/animal, n = 11). Transurethral injections were performed under endoscopic guidance. The number and distribution of cell depots in urethras were analyzed in the three-step protocol: 1) screening of whole explants by in vivo imaging system; 2) systematic microscopic analysis of raw 10 µm cross-sections; 3) immunohistochemistry. As control, four urethras collected 1 day after transurethral transplantation were used. Episodes of cell suspension leakages after needle withdrawal were noted. RESULTS: In all experimental animals depots were identified in the urethral wall 28 days after transplantation. The mean percentage of depots located in the urethral wall in relation to all performed injections amounted to 68.7% and 67.0% for PERI and TRANS groups, respectively. The mean proportions of depots which were identified in external urethral sphincter (EUS) amounted 18.8% and 17.1%, respectively. Suspension leakage was observed in 19% of transurethral injections. CONCLUSIONS: Although majority of cell depots were administrated accurately into the urethral wall, the precise delivery of cells into EUS is limited regardless of injection method. The insufficient accuracy of cell delivery into EUS and cell suspension leakage can contribute to the low efficacy of cell therapy in human patients with SUI.

Clinical rationale and safety of restaging transurethral resection in indication-stratified patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Indications for restaging transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (reTURBT) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) remain controversial. This study was aimed at evaluation of clinical value and safety of reTURBT in different clinical indications. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive 141 patients who underwent TURBT followed by reTURBT in years 2011-2015 in a single department. Pathological results and surgical complications were analyzed in the whole study cohort and stratified by clinical stage (Ta, T1, Tx (no muscle in the specimen)) and grade (low-grade (LG), high-grade (HG)) of bladder cancer diagnosed at primary TURBT. RESULTS: Full data was available for 132 patients. Residual disease was found in 53 patients (40.2%) with highest rate for Ta-HG cases (57.1%) followed by T1-HG (51.4%), Tx-HG (45.2%), T1-LG (32.1%), and Tx-LG (25.8%). In the multivariate analysis, high grade (p = 0.02) was the only independent predictor of residual disease. Upstaging to muscle-invasive bladder cancer was noticed in 9 patients (6.8%). The rate of grade ≥ 2 Clavien-Dindo complications (1.5 vs. 5.3%) did not differ significantly between TURBT and reTURBT cases. CONCLUSIONS: ReTURBT is a safe procedure that remains crucial for therapeutic and staging purposes in patients with T1, Tx, or high-grade bladder cancer found in the primary resection.

What Can Be Expected from Prostate Cancer Biomarkers A Clinical Perspective.

Along with significant advances in prostate cancer biology research, we also observe the rapid development of modern diagnostic tests. New biomarkers are derived to detect disease while it is organ-confined to stratify the risk and to aid clinical decision-making. Majority of these tools have already been validated clinically, but only a few have received premarket clearance and administration approval. Superiority of novel tests is visible not only in improved detection accuracy but predominantly in the assessment of tumour aggressiveness and selection of patients eligible for conservative management. Two factors limiting the clinical implementation of validated biomarker candidates are costs and local availability. For these reasons, currently, their true clinical role starts after routine screening with prostate-specific antigen test. With this review of prostate cancer biomarkers, we attempted to draw general conclusions on clinical perspectives of these novel tools.