Enzalutamide versus Abiraterone Plus Prednisolone for Nonmetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Sub-Analysis from the ENABLE Study for PCa.

Enzalutamide (ENZ) and abiraterone plus prednisolone (ABI) can improve the survival of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, the agent that is more effective against nonmetastatic CRPC remains unclear. To evaluate the agent that can be used as the first-line treatment for CRPC, an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (ENABLE Study for PCa) including both metastatic and nonmetastatic CRPC was conducted in Japan. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate, overall survival, some essential survival endpoints, and safety of patients with nonmetastatic CRPC were also analyzed. In this subanalysis, 15 and 26 patients in the ENZ and ABI arms, respectively, presented with nonmetastatic CRPC. There was no significant difference in terms of the PSA response rate between the ENZ and ABI arms (80% and 64%, respectively; p = 0.3048). The overall survival did not significantly differ between the two arms (HR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.22-2.14, p = 0.5260). No significant differences were observed in terms of radiographic progression-free survival and cancer-specific survival between the ENZ and ABI arms (HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.35-1.84; p = 0.6056 and HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.19-2.73; p = 0.6443, respectively). Only four and six patients in the ENZ and ABI arms, respectively, had ≥grade 3 adverse events. ABI and ENZ had similar efficacy and safety profiles in patients with nonmetastatic CRPC.

Enzalutamide Versus Abiraterone plus Prednisolone Before Chemotherapy for Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Enzalutamide (ENZ) and abiraterone plus prednisolone (ABI) improve survival in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, which agent is better for patients with CRPC remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate whether ENZ or ABI is better as first-line treatment for CRPC. Design setting and participants: An investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted in Japan. The study enrolled 203 patients with CRPC before chemotherapy between February 20, 2015, and July 31, 2019. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to the ENZ or ABI arm. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The primary endpoint was time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression. Secondary endpoints included the PSA response rate (≥50% decline from baseline), overall survival, and safety. A log-rank test was used for comparison of survival analyses between arms. Results and limitations: After randomization, 92 patients in each arm were treated and analyzed. Time to PSA progression did not significantly differ between the arms (median 21.2 mo for ENZ and 11.9 mo for ABI; hazard ratio [HR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-1.27; p = 0.1732). There was a significant difference in the PSA response rate between the arms (72% for ENZ and 57% for ABI; p = 0.0425). There was no significant difference in overall survival (median 32.9 mo for ENZA and 35.5 mo for ABI; HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.72-1.88; p = 0.5290). Grade ≥3 adverse events were observed in 11% of patients in the ENZA arm and 21% in the ABI arm (p = 0.1044). Conclusions: ENZ did not show any survival benefit in comparison to ABI, but showed a better PSA response rate with a low rate of severe adverse events in CRPC. Patient summary: Results from our study suggest that use of enzalutamide before abiraterone may have potential clinical benefits for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Effects of 4G-beta-D-Galactosylsucrose in patients with depression: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study.

Advances in genetic research on microbiome have led to several trials on the effectiveness of synbiotics or probiotics in patients with depression; however, none have evaluated the efficacy of prebiotics. 4G-beta-D-Galactosylsucrose (Lactosucrose, LS) is selectively assimilated by Bifidobacterium as a prebiotic and improves microbiome diversity. However, as it is not clear if LS consumption can improve symptoms of depression, we investigated whether LS intake can improve depressive symptoms, quality of life (QOL), and self-efficacy by conducting a single cite, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial in 20 outpatients with depressive episodes (F32, ICD-10) for 24 weeks. Participants (age range, 36-72 years) were randomized to the LS (n = 9) or placebo groups (n = 11). Primary outcome was improvement in total Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score, and the secondary outcomes were MADRS subscores, global self-efficacy scale (GSES) score, World Health Organization QOL (WHO/QOL-26) score, and 16S rRNA analysis of the fecal microbiome. LS consumption did not significantly improve total MADRS scores (-2 (-16 to 16) vs 0 (-6 to 10), p = 0.552), but GSES tended to improve in the LS group (2.00 ± 4.24 vs -1.36 ± 4.15, p = 0.091) with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.802). Sequencing of 16S rRNA revealed individual-level differences in microbiome diversity changes due to the intervention. Thus, we show that LS intake can improve self-efficacy, but not depressive symptoms, even in a small sample. Additional studies that also regulate diet and ensure adherence may help determine a correlation between depression and the gut microbiome.

UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization in urothelial carcinoma: a narrative review and future perspectives.

The number of patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) is high, with a corresponding demand for detecting UC easily and non-invasively. Cystoscopy and urine cytology, with widely known diagnostic accuracies, are the gold standards for identifying UC originating from the bladder. However, cystoscopy or other tests, such as ureteroscopy or retrograde pyelography, are uncomfortable for patients. Tests for urinary biomarkers are expected to satisfy the demand for less invasive tests that will benefit patients with anxiety for invasive tests such as cystoscopy or ureteroscopy. Although several urinary biomarkers have been reported to support the diagnosis or follow-up of UC, their use in the clinic is uncommon. The UroVysion test examines urinary biomarkers using a multitarget, multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay. The test uses exfoliated cells found in urine and is a mixture of centromeric fluorescent denatured chromosome enumeration probes for chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 (labelled stratum red, spectrum green and spectrum aqua, respectively), and a locus-specific identifier probe for 9p21 (spectrum gold). It is used for the initial diagnosis of patients with hematuria or the monitoring of patients previously diagnosed with bladder cancer. Almost 20 years have passed since UroVysion was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and so this is a well-established test. However, room exists for further research, with numerous reports on this test having been recently published. In order to update our knowledge, we herein present a brief overview of UroVysion and its features that follows the latest findings as they relate to UC.

Cognition and interpersonal coordination of patients with schizophrenia who have sports habits.

Team sports activities are effective for improving the negative symptoms and cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia. However, the interpersonal coordination during the sports and visual cognition of patients with schizophrenia who have team sports habits are unknown. The main objectives of this study were to test two hypotheses: first, patients with schizophrenia perform the skill requiring ball passing and receiving worse than healthy controls; and second, the patients will be impaired in these functionings in accordance with the previous studies regarding schizophrenia in general. Twelve patients with schizophrenia and 15 healthy controls, who had habits in football, participated in this study. The participants performed three conventional cognitive tests and a 3-vs-1 ball possession task to evaluate their interpersonal coordination. The results showed that in the 3-vs-1 possession task, the displacement in the pass angle for the patients was significantly smaller than that for the control. The recall in the complex figure test, the performance in the trail making test, and that in the five-choice reaction task for the patients were worse than those for the control. Moreover, we found the significant partial correlations in the patients between the extradimensional shift error and the pass angle as well as between the time in the trail making test and the displacement in the pass angle, whereas there was no significant correlation in the control group. This study clarified the impaired interpersonal coordination during team sports and the visual cognition of patients with schizophrenia who have team sports habits.

Initial treatment outcome and feasibility of low-dose cabazitaxel against docetaxel- and castration-resistant prostate cancer in a Japanese hospital.

Introduction: Cabazitaxel (CBZ) is used worldwide for castration-resistant prostate cancer after docetaxel treatment. In July 2014 the drug was approved in Japan with the same induction dose used for Caucasian patients. In this study, we examined and compared the results of an initial low-dose CBZ treatment in patients admitted to our hospital. Patients and Methods: Between July 2014 and August 2018, sixteen mCRPC patients were enrolled and underwent a low-dose CBZ treatment at our hospital. We compared the results with those of a Japanese metastatic docetaxel- and castration-resistant prostate cancer Phase I study. Results: The median patient age was 77 years (range, 53-84 years). Of the 16 patients, eight (50%) had a lymph node metastasis and 11 (68.8%) had a distant metastasis, 10 of whom had only a bone metastasis. The median dose of CBZ was 30 mg (range, 20-32 mg) and the median number of CBZ cycles was 2.5 (range, 1-18). The PSA level of 9 (56.3%) patients decreased after CBZ treatment, including 4 (25%) who showed a decrease to <50%. The median time interval in which the PSA level decreased was 2 months (range, 1-18 months). The observed adverse events (AE) were neutropenia (31.3%), febrile neutropenia (6.3%), fatigue (43.8%), nausea (18.8%), diarrhea (12.5%), decreased appetite (25%), dysgeusia (6.3%), white blood cell count decrease (43.8%), platelet count decrease (12.3%), and anemia (75%). However, no patient listed an AE as the reason for discontinuing the treatment. Conclusions: Even at a low dose, CBZ could improve the PSA value in patients with CRPC previously treated with docetaxel. Dose reduction and prophylactic administration of sustained G-CSF were also safe treatment options. Further studies involving an introduction period including a modulation of duration and dose are necessary, especially in Japanese patients.

A case of laparoscopic fenestration surgery for pelvic lymphocele occurring after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

A 76-year-old Japanese man visited a nearby medical clinic complaining of abdominal distention. He had undergone extraperitoneal laparoscopic prostatectomy at our institution 5 months before the onset of abdominal distention. An imaging study revealed a large cystic lesion, and biochemical examination of a sample obtained via cyst puncture led to a diagnosis of lymphocele. As the lymphocele was resistant to puncture, drainage, and sclerotherapy with minomycin, laparoscopic fenestration was performed. Although the patient developed an adhesive ileus postoperatively, the cyst has not recurred. Fenestration surgery is a feasible option for lymphocele refractory to various conservative therapies.

Skeletal Muscle Mass Reduction Velocity as a Simple Prognostic Indicator for Patients with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma Receiving Second-Line Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) have an uncertain prognosis. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prognostic potential of a skeletal muscle mass reduction index measured by computed tomography (CT) for mUC patients undergoing second-line gemcitabine and docetaxel (GD) chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 44 patients with mUC who received second-line GD chemotherapy between 2006 and 2015 in our hospital. Skeletal muscle area (SMA) at the third lumbar vertebra was measured using CT images obtained from medical records, and a skeletal muscle index (SMI) was calculated for each patient as: SMI = SMA / height2. Changes in SMI across timepoints (SMI inclination) were calculated as: SMI inclination = [( SMI/SMI)/duration of the interval between imaging visits]. Patients were then divided into two groups: a "steep" group (SMI inclination < -0.01) and a "gentle" group (SMI inclination ≥ -0.01). Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between SMI inclination and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: There were no differences in patient characteristics between the two groups with respect to median age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS), disease control rate or first-line treatment regimen. OS from the start of second-line GD therapy group was significantly shorter in the "steep" group relative to the "gentle" group. The multivariate analysis revealed that "steep" SMI inclination and presence of anemia were strong predictors of poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Higher values of SMI inclination, indicating a faster rate of skeletal muscle mass reduction, may serve as a useful predictive marker for OS in mUC patients undergoing second-line GD chemotherapy.

Diagnostic performance of 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT for regional lymph node metastases in patients with primary prostate cancer: a multicenter phase II clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This multicenter, phase II clinical trial evaluated the diagnostic performance of 18F-fluciclovine, a novel amino acid for positron-emission tomography (PET), for detection of small lymph node metastases with short-axis diameters of 5-10 mm in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Patients with prostate cancer were eligible after screening of laboratory tests and pelvic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Pelvic region 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT was then acquired within 28 days and dissection of regional lymph nodes was performed within 60 days of pelvic contrast-enhanced CT. Diagnostic performance of 18F-fluciclovine-PET/CT was evaluated by comparison with standard histopathology of lymph nodes. RESULTS: In a total of 28 patients, 40 regional lymph nodes with short-axis diameters of 5-10 mm were eligible for efficacy evaluation; seven of these showed metastases confirmed by histopathology. The sensitivity of 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT was 57.1% (4/7). All four true positive lymph nodes detected by 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT had a metastatic lesion with a long-axis diameter of ≥7 mm and a high proportion of cancer volume (60-100%) according to pathology evaluation. The specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT in lymph node-based analysis were 84.8% (28/33), 80.0% (32/40), 44.4% (4/9), and 90.3% (28/31), respectively. No clinically significant adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT detected small lymph node metastases; however it also showed positive findings in benign lymph nodes. Refinement of the image assessment criteria may improve the diagnostic performance of 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT for small lymph node metastases in patients with prostate cancer.

Evaluation of the Dwell-Time and Dose Difference in Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guèrin Therapy

Objective: Bacillus Calmette-Guèrin (BCG) intravesical therapy is currently established using a low dose because of the high incidence of side-effects. Moreover, shortening the dwell time of BCG is conducted in some facilities owing to the complications associated with a long dwell time after injection. The method of BCG administration varies in each facility and even with each doctor. We evaluated whether the dwell-time and dose differences in patients who underwent intravesical BCG therapy is related to completion rates, adverse effects, and nonrecurrence rates. Methods: From November 2006 to April 2016, a total of 173 patients who received intravesical BCG therapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumor or transurethral biopsy were evaluated retrospectively. We allocated them into 4 groups based on the dose (40 or 80 mg BCG) and the dwell time (1 or 2 hours). Completion rate, side effects, and nonrecurrence rates were evaluated. Results: No significant improvement in the completion rate or reduction in side-effects was observed in any of the regimens. Although nonrecurrence rates for the 1-hour dwell time tended to be lower than the 2-hour dwell time, the difference was not significant. Conclusion: Our study suggests that reducing the BCG dose or shortening the dwell time does not reduce adverse effects or affect the nonrecurrence rate.

Examination of Diagnostic Accuracy of UroVysion Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Bladder Cancer in a Single Community of Japanese Hospital Patients

Objective: UroVysion (Abbott Molecular, Inc., Illinois, USA) is based on multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). It has been used successfully in the USA following its Food and Drug Administration approval in 2001. However, the technology was not approved for use in Japan until 2017. Cystoscopy and urine cytology are the most frequently used examinations to detect bladder cancer in Japan, and there are only a few reports regarding the performance of UroVysion. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the diagnostic accuracy of UroVysion FISH in Japanese patients whose tumors are detected by cystoscopy before transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Methods: From April 2018 to July 2018, a total of 40 patients who were diagnosed as having bladder tumors by cystoscopy, and therefore underwent TURBT were registered in this study. One day before TURBT, urine cytology and UroVysion FISH were used in order to compare the accuracy with which they could detect bladder carcinoma, as confirmed by pathological results of TURBT. Results: The pathological results of TURBT showed urothelial carcinoma in 33 cases. Urine cytology showed positive results for 0 cases (0%), suspicious results for 10 cases (30.3%), and negative results for 23 cases (69.7%). On the other hand, UroVysion FISH indicated 9 positive cases (27.3%) and 24 negative cases (72.7%). There were 19 cases of urothelial carcinoma (57.6%) that were not detected by either method. Conclusion: We conclude that UroVysion FISH alone is insufficient to detect bladder cancer and that cystoscopy is essential for the optimum detection or follow up of bladder cancer cases in our hospital.

Outcomes and Complications of Simultaneous Laparoscopic Cystectomy and Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy with Umbilical Reduced Port Surgery

Objective: In recent years, although reduced port surgeries (RPS) have been reported for many urological diseases, there have been no reports regarding simultaneous laparoscopic cystectomy and unilateral or bilateral nephroureterectomy with umbilical RPS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes and complications of simultaneous laparoscopic cystectomy and unilateral or bilateral nephroureterectomy with umbilical RPS. Methods: We performed a preliminary case series of 4 patients with synchronous upper urinary tract (UUT) tumor and invasive bladder cancer who underwent simultaneous laparoscopic cystectomy and unilateral or bilateral nephroureterectomy with umbilical RPS between 2014 and 2017 at our hospital. Demographic data, pathologic features, the surgical technique, and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Result: All 4 patients were men whose median age was 79 years (range 65-85 years) and median body mass index was 24.2 kg/m2 (range 21.5-27.3 kg/m2). The laparoscopic approach was technically successful in all 4 patients without the need for open conversion. The median total operative time was 434 minutes (range 372-481 minutes). The median estimated blood loss was 773 ml (range 153-923 ml), median interval to resuming oral intake was 2 days (range 1-7 days), and median hospital stay was 16 days (range 13-20 days). Conclusion: The reduced port approach is technically feasible in terms of many outcome measures, with significant cosmetic advantages. This method can be performed safely and recommended as a viable option for patients with concomitant UUT and bladder cancer.

Case of a giant gauzeoma diagnosed 21 years after an inguinal hernia surgery.

Objectives: Gauze remnants form gauzeomas after surgery, if infection has not occurred. We present a case of gauzeoma diagnosed after surgery. Patient: A 72-year-old man noticed a mass in his lower abdomen. He had undergone surgery for left inguinal hernia 21 years ago. A retroperitoneal mass was found on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and he was then referred to our hospital. A detailed abdominal ultrasonography, CT, and MRI revealed a cystic mass with a bulkhead-like structure near the bladder. These findings indicated the possibility of a malignant cyst; hence, an open surgery was performed to excise the mass. Macroscopically, the specimen was clearly bound, covered with a capsule, and filled with pus and had a gauze inside. Results: Based on the patient history and position of the mass, it was diagnosed as gauzeoma, which had strayed into the retroperitoneal cavity during the surgery for inguinal hernia. Conclusion: The imaging findings of gauzeoma are diverse; hence, it is often difficult to diagnose without surgery. However, gauzeoma can be lethal if the cystic mass is infected; thus, it is important to diagnose it correctly.

Clinical evaluation of two consecutive UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization tests to detect intravesical recurrence of bladder cancer: a prospective blinded comparative study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the use of UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization tests to detect the intravesical recurrence of bladder cancer during follow-up after a transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). METHODS: In this prospective, blinded, comparative study, 486 patients treated by TURBT within the prior 2 years were registered at 12 centers. Urine cytology and UroVysion tests were performed once or twice at a central testing laboratory. For the patients with no suspicious findings of bladder cancer in the first analysis, the same examination set was repeated 3 months later as the second analysis. Totals of 468 and 399 patients were eligible for the first and second analyses, respectively. We determined the sensitivity and specificity of two consecutive UroVysion tests. RESULTS: Bladder cancers were identified in 44 patients at the first analysis. The UroVysion test had 50.0% (95% CI 35.2-64.8%) sensitivity and 72.4% (68.3-76.8%). Urine cytology had 4.5% (0.0-10.7%) sensitivity and 99.8% (99.3-100.0%) specificity. The concordant rate of the first and second UroVysion test results was 72% (kappa coefficient 0.157). Interestingly, the patients with two consecutive positive UroVysion test results had the highest cancer detection rate (14.8%), which is greater than those of the patients with a positive result in either (7.2%) or neither (1.2%) of the two tests at the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The UroVysion test provided higher sensitivity than urine cytology to detect bladder cancer during post-TURBT follow-up. Two consecutive UroVysion tests might be a better indicator to predict intravesical recurrence.

4G-ß-D-galactosylsucrose as a prebiotics may improve underweight in inpatients with schizophrenia.

Japanese inpatients with schizophrenia have a higher mortality risk due to underweight compared with the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 4G-ß-D-galactosylsucrose on body weight in underweight schizophrenia inpatients. The study population consisted of 5 male and 11 female subjects aged 63.0 ± 10.9 years. The subjects had ingested 3.0 g/day 4G-ß-D-galactosylsucrose for 6 months. BMI increased significantly, from 20.9 ± 3.7 kg/m2 to 22.3 ± 4.3 kg/m2, and this was accompanied by a significant increase in Bifidobacterium in the fecal microbiota, which increased from 16.1 ± 12.6% to 21.5 ± 13.9%. Although 4G-ß-D-galactosylsucrose appears to have no significant effects on nutritional indicators such as serum albumin, it may alleviate underweight in inpatients with schizophrenia. Body weight may be related to fecal microbiota composition.

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the ileal conduit created after radical cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Creation of an ileal conduit is associated with complications. A few cases have been reported on tumor development in an ileal conduit; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma originating from an ileal conduit is extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old Japanese man who had undergone radical cystectomy and ileal conduit diversion 6 years previously presented with a whitish bulge that had developed on the surface of the ileal conduit during follow-up visit. Mass biopsy was performed and the histological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Positron emission tomography showed no metastatic lesions. We attempted chemotherapy because the tumor cells tested positive for CD20; after six courses of a regimen involving rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the ileal conduit resolved gradually. The patient is alive and remains free from the diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: We reported an extremely rare case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma originating from the ileal conduit created after radical cystectomy.

A Study of Patients with Primary Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumors Treated Using Multimodal Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Primary mediastinal germ cell tumors (PMGCTs) are rare, which often makes them difficult to treat. Herein, we examined patients with PMGCTs who underwent multimodal treatment. METHODS: We examined 6 patients (median age: 25 years, range: 19-27 years) with PMGCTs who underwent multimodal treatment between April 2001 and March 2015. Three patients had seminomas, 2 patients had yolk sac tumors, and 1 patient had choriocarcinoma. The median observation period was 32.5 months (range: 8-84 months). RESULTS: Three of the 6 patients received initial operation followed by 3-4 courses of chemotherapy (bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) or etoposide and cisplatin (EP)). One patient developed multiple lung metastases 17 months after surgery; received salvage chemotherapy with vinblastine, ifosfamide, and cisplatin; and achieved complete remission. The remaining 3 patients received initial BEP and EP chemotherapy. Multiple lung metastases and supraclavicular lymph node metastases were detected in 2 of these patients at the initial diagnosis. The patients underwent resections to remove residual tumor after treatment, and no viable tumor cells were found. CONCLUSIONS: Reliable diagnosis and immediate multimodal treatments are necessary for patients with PMGCTs. The 6 patients treated in our hospital have never experienced recurrence after the multimodal treatment.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the ureter in an HIV-positive patient.

A 45-year-old Japanese man, who was undergoing HIV infection treatment, was aware that he had gross hematuria, and he was diagnosed as having a ureteral tumor by radiographic examination. Therefore, he was referred to our department for further examination and treatment. We considered that the ureteral tumor was a urothelial carcinoma (cT2N0M0) because of the left ureteral tumor and urine cytology results, and thus, laparoscopic ureteronephrectomy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was a solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) of the ureter. Currently, he is alive and free of disease at 7 months postoperatively. EMP develops in the nasal cavity, paranasal cavity, gastrointestinal tract, lung, thyroid, eye socket, lymph node, and various organs, but the ureter is an extremely rare site of EMP. In addition, the patient had an HIV infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of EMP of the ureter in an HIV-positive patient.

Therapeutic results in elderly patients with prostate cancer: chronological comparison in a single community hospital.

Objective: There are few reports of the long-term outcomes of elderly patients with prostate cancer. We analyzed data from our institution from the past 12 years, including the patient history, treatment methods, and prognosis of patients with prostate cancer aged 80 years or more. Patients and Methods: A total of 179 cases of prostate cancer in patients aged 80 years or more were retrospectively evaluated. We divided them chronologically into groups A, B, C, and D: Group A included 40 cases from 2002-2004; Group B, 48 cases from 2005-2007; Group C, 46 cases from 2008-2010; and Group D, 45 cases from 2011-2013. Results: Sixty-one (30%) patients changed treatment course. Interestingly, no cancer deaths occurred in the patients who changed treatment course. Although 14 (7.8%) cancer deaths occurred (A: B: C: D = 4: 4: 6: 0, respectively), all occurred in 2011 or later. Conclusion: In our study, over 50 patients who underwent treatment survived for 5 years or more. By treating prostate cancer in elderly patients when appropriate, we can lower the mortality rate due to prostate cancer. Our results support the active treatment of prostate cancer in elderly patients.

Association between Medication Adherence and Duration of Outpatient Treatment in Patients with Schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: Medication adherence is important in the treatment of schizophrenia, and critical periods during treatment may be associated with relapse. However, the relationship between adherence and duration of outpatient treatment (DOT) remains unclear. The authors aimed to clarify the relationship between adherence and DOT at a psychiatric hospital in Japan. METHODS: For outpatients with schizophrenia who regularly visit Shin-Abuyama hospital, the authors conducted a single questionnaire survey (five questions covering gender, age, DOT, medication shortages, and residual medication) over one month period. Participants were divided into two groups whether DOT were from more than one year to within five years or not. Mantel-Haenszel analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed on the data regarding the medication adherence. RESULTS: Effective answers were received for 328 patients. The residual medication rate was significantly higher among those receiving outpatient treatment from more than one year to within five years than five years than those receiving outpatient treatment for more than five years or less than one year (p=0.016). CONCLUSION: This survey suggests that there are critical periods during which patients are most prone to poor adherence. Because poor adherence increases the risk of relapse, specific measures must be taken to improve adherence during these periods.