Does Ta Low Grade Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder with Focal High-Grade Features Carry Worse Prognosis? The Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the management and outcomes of patients with Ta predominantly low-grade urothelial carcinoma with focal high-grade features (FHG) (<5%), compared to those with Ta low grade (LG) and Ta high grade (HG). METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) between 2005 and 2023. Patients with Ta disease were identified and categorized into LG, FHG, and HG. Kaplan Meier method was used to depict high-grade recurrence, T-stage progression, and radical cystectomy-free survival. RESULTS: 449 patients with Ta disease were identified (LG 48%, FHG 12%, and HG 40%). Patients with FHG (32%) had a second-look TURBT more frequently compared to LG (7%) and HG (29%) (p<0.01). They received intravesical therapy more frequently compared to LG (36% vs 20%) but lower than HG (55%) (p<0.01). They received radical cystectomy less frequently (7% compared to 20% for HG and 11% for LG, p=0.01). HG recurrence-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was HG (68%, 52%, and 43%), FHG (74%, 53%, and 49%), and LG (87%, 79%, and 73%) (log-rank p<0.01). T progression-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was HG (84%, 77%, and 70%), FHG (92%, 82%, and 82%), and LG (94%, 89%, and 85%) (log-rank p=0.02). Cystectomy-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was HG (92%, 84%, and 80%), FHG (96%, 94%, and 94%), and LG (99%, 95%, and 92%) (log-rank p<0.01) CONCLUSION: Patients with Ta FHG seem to behave more like Ta HG disease in terms of high-grade recurrences, but they are less likely to experience T stage progression and convert to cystectomy.

Is Stent-Free Ureteroenteric Anastomosis Associated With Lower Ureteroenteric Strictures After Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy and Ileal Conduit?

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the differences in perioperative outcomes, especially ureteroenteric strictures, between patients who underwent a stented ureteroenteric anastomosis at the time of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and ileal conduit vs those who did not. METHODS: A retrospective review of our RARC database was performed (2009-2023). Patients were divided into those who received stented ureteroenteric anastomosis vs those who did not. Propensity score matching was performed in the ratio of 3 (stented ureteroenteric anastomosis) to 1 (stent-free) in terms of age, gender, BMI, race, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, Charlson Comorbidity Index, prior radiation therapy, previous abdominal surgery history, clinical T3/clinical T4 stage, preoperative metastasis, and preoperative hydronephrosis. A cumulative incidence curve was used to depict ureteroenteric strictures and a Cox regression model was used to identify variables associated with ureteroenteric strictures. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-eight patients underwent RARC, 366 individuals underwent a stented ureteroenteric anastomosis, and 122 patients underwent a stent-free approach. There was no significant difference in 90-day overall complications, high-grade complications, readmissions, UTIs, leakage, and ileus (P > .05). Ureteroenteric strictures occurred at a rate of 13% and 18% at 1 and 2 years, respectively in the stented group, vs 7% and 10% in the stent-free group (P = .05). Stent placement was significantly associated with ureteroenteric strictures. CONCLUSIONS: Stent-free ureteroenteric anastomosis was associated with fewer strictures following RARC and ileal conduit.

The impact of NCCN-compliant multidisciplinary conference on the uptake of active surveillance among eligible patients with localized prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to investigate the impact of National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-compliant multidisciplinary conference on the uptake of active surveillance (AS) among eligible patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Retrospective review of our AS database was performed. Patients who are eligible for AS who sought a second opinion at a comprehensive cancer center (2010-2021) were presented to the multidisciplinary Localized Prostate Cancer Conference (LPCC) that includes urologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and patient advocates. Cochrane Armitage test was used to examine trends over time. Multivariable regression models were fit to evaluate variables associated with the receipt of AS. RESULTS: Seven hundred twelve patients were identified (19% NCCN very low risk, 32% low risk, and 49% intermediate favorable risk). 43% were recommended AS as the preferred option by the community compared to 68% by LPCC, and 65% elected AS. Recommending AS significantly increased between 2010 and 2021 by the community (from 26% to 57%) and by LPCC (from 52% to 82%), while the proportion of men who received AS increased from 47% to 80% during the same period (P < 0.0001 for all). More recent LPCC era 2017 to 2021 (OR 12.31, 95% CI, 5.60-27.03, P < 0.0001), African American race (OR 0.42, 95% CI, 0.18-0.96, P = 0.04), positive cores at biopsy (OR 0.96, 95% CI, 0.94-0.97, P < 0.0001), age (OR 1.14, 95% CI, 1.10-1.18, P < 0.0001), NCCN low risk (OR 0.25, 95% CI, 0.08-0.81, P = 0.02) and NCCN intermediate favorable risk (OR 0.03, 95% CI, 0.01-0.09, P < 0.0001) were associated with receipt of AS. CONCLUSION: AS recommendation increased significantly over time by community urologists and to a higher extent by NCCN-compliant multidisciplinary conference. The Uptake of AS significantly increased within the same period. More recent LPCC era 2017 to 2021, African American race, the proportion of positive cores at biopsy, age, and NCCN risk were the main determinants of receipt of AS.