Modified holmium laser enucleation for benign prostatic obstruction to preserve sexual and ejaculatory function.

INTRODUCTION: To report ejaculatory and urinary results in patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) with selective laser enucleation of the median lobe (MLHoLEP). METHODS: Patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) who underwent MLHoLEP to preserve ejaculatory function in a single center were retrospectively identified. Urinary function was assessed using International Prostate Score Symptom (IPSS), IPSS-Quality of Life index (IPSS-QoL), peak urinary flow (Qmax) and postvoid residual (PVR). Erectile function was assessed using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). In patients with preoperative antegrade ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation was routinely screened at each follow-up visit. Sexual and urinary functions at 3 and 12 months were compared with baseline values. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients met our inclusion criteria. A significant improvement in the IPSS, IPSS-QoL, PVR and Qmax was found at 3 and 12 months, compared with baseline (all P<0.05). Eight patients (14.5%) required surgical reintervention due to persistant LUTS/BPO. No significant changes in the erectile function were found at 3 (P=0.3) and 12 months (P>0.9). In patients with preoperative antegrade ejaculation (n=32), only four cases of de novo retrograde ejaculation were recorded postoperatively. CONCLUSION: MLHoLEP represents a new alternative for men with LUTS/BPO who wish to preserve their ejaculatory function. Patients should be aware that improvement in urinary function may be inferior to the traditional technique, with a higher reintervention rate due to persistent LUTS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Grade 4.

Salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound (S-HIFU) for recurrence after primary radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate functional and oncological outcomes of salvage high-intensity focal ultrasound (S-HIFU) after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) failure in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. METHODS: This single-center study included patients who underwent S-HIFU for local recurrence after EBRT between 2006 and 2023. Cancer-specific survival, metastasis-free survival and progression-free survival were illustrated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Disease progression was defined by one of the following criteria: increase of 2ng/mL or more above the PSA nadir, positive post-S-HIFU biopsy or initiation of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors of disease progression after S-HIFU. RESULTS: A total of 52 S-HIFU sessions for 48 patients were performed. Median time between EBRT and S-HIFU was 6.5 years. Median PSA before S-HIFU was 3.2ng/mL and median PSA nadir after S-HIFU was 0.58ng/mL. A total of 39 (81.3%) complications was recorded, including 3 (6.3%) high grade complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. After a median follow-up period of 6 years, 14 (29.2%) patients developed metastatic disease. Eighteen (37.5%) patients had no recurrence, whereas 30 (62.5%) patients received ADT for disease progression. The estimated 5-yr cancer-specific survival (CSS), metastasis-free survival (MFS) and progression-free survival rates (PFSR) were 100%, 79.9% (95% CI 67-92) and 41.2% (95% CI 74-96), respectively. The estimated 10-yr CSS, MFS and PFSR were 80% (95% CI 45-100), 50.7% (95% CI 19.4-82.1) and 14% (95% CI 10.8-45), respectively. The hazard of progression increased with the intermediate (HR 3.8; 95% CI 0.99 to 15; p=0.049) and high pre-EBRT d'Amico-s risk group (HR 4.1; 95% CI 0.98 to 16.2; p=0.050). Also, the time between EBRT and S-HIFU was significantly associated with risk of progression (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.86; p=0.004). No significant difference linked to the disease progression (DP) risk was found between focal vs whole-gland treatment (p=0.70). CONCLUSION: Physicians should consider HIFU as a local salvage treatment after failed EBRT, thus avoiding or delaying palliative androgen deprivation therapy. Further studies are needed to improve patient selection for this therapy.

Long-term outcomes of whole gland high-intensity focused ultrasound for localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To report the 10-year oncologic and functional outcomes of whole-gland HIFU as first-line treatment for localized prostate cancer (PCa). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were retrospectively included between January 2005 and July 2018 from a prospectively maintained database at a single academic institution. No patient underwent androgen deprivation therapy prior to HIFU. Primary endpoint was biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS). Secondary oncological endpoints included salvage treatment-free survival (STFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 97 patients met our inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. According to D'Amico classification, the numbers of patients with low-, intermediate-, and high-risk disease were 38 (39.2%), 52 (53.6%), and 7 (7.2%). A total of 21 (21.6%) patients received salvage treatment at a mean of 4.1 years (± 2.8) after HIFU. The 10-year OS, CSS and BRFS rates were 91.8%, 100% and 40.3% in the overall cohort, respectively. In multivariate analysis, predictive factors for biochemical recurrence were intermediate-risk group (RR = 2.065; 95% CI 1.008-4.230; p = 0.047) and PSA nadir > 0.5 ng/mL (RR = 4.963; 95% CI 2.251-10.947; p < 0.001). Symptoms related to bladder outlet obstruction were the most frequently recorded adverse events. In multivariate analysis, positive biopsy on the prostatic apex was predictor of obstructive complications (RR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.092-9.476, p = 0.034). Only four patients developed severe urinary incontinence (> 1 pad/day). CONCLUSIONS: HIFU showed low PCa-specific mortality, but biochemical recurrence rates were highly variable among patients. Future studies are needed to improve patient selection.

Efficacy and Safety of Surgery for Benign Prostatic Obstruction in Patients with Preoperative Urinary Catheter.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) surgery in patients with preoperative urinary catheterization. Patients and Methods: We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study including all patients who failed a trial without catheter (TWOC) after acute urinary retention (AUR) between January 2017 and January 2019. Patients with neurogenic bladder, prostate cancer, or urethral stricture were excluded from the analysis. Patients underwent either monopolar/bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP), prostate artery embolization (PAE), open prostatectomy (OP), or endoscopic enucleation. The primary endpoint was 12-month urinary catheter-free survival without using benign prostatic hyperplasia medications. Results: One hundred seventy-one consecutive men (median age: 71 years; median prostate volume: 75 cm3) underwent BPO surgery, including 48 (28%) TURP, 62 (36.3%) PVP, 21 (12.3%) endoscopic enucleation, 15 (8.8%) PAE, and 25 (14.6%) OP. The median duration of preoperative urinary catheterization was 69 days (interquartile range 46-125). The 12-month urinary catheter-free survival rate was 84.8% (145/171). Satisfactory voiding returned to 121 patients (70.8%). On backward stepwise multivariable analysis, PVP (odds ratio [OR] 0.27 [0.10-0.69]; p = 0.008), PAE (OR 5.27 [1.28-27.75]; p = 0.03), endoscopic enucleation (OR 0.08 [0-0.49]; p = 0.023), OP (OR 0.10 [0.01-0.57]; p = 0.034), Charlson score (OR 1.36 [1.14-1.66]; p = 0.001), and number of preoperative TWOC failure (OR 2.53 [1.23-5.51]; p = 0.014) were significantly associated with catheter-free survival. Conclusions: In this multi-institutional retrospective study, including patients with preoperative catheterization, the overall success rate of BPO surgery was 70.8% after 1-year follow-up. Compared with TURP, enucleation methods and PVP were associated with better catheter-free survival, whereas PAE was associated with higher risk of AUR recurrence.

Selective Trans-arterial Embolization of Iatrogenic Vascular Lesions Did Not Influence the Global Renal Function After Partial Nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the renal function outcomes after selective trans-arterial embolization (SAE) of iatrogenic vascular lesions (IVL), including pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula, following partial nephrectomy (PN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-institutional study was conducted including consecutive patients who underwent PN between January 2009 and March 2019. Two surgical approaches were used: open and robot-assisted PN. Patients with SAE were identified and matched (1:2) with patients without IVL. The matching criteria were age, gender, Charlson score, creatinine clearance, RENAL score, and tumor size. The primary outcome was the evolution of global renal function at 6-months postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 493 consecutive PN (360 open PN and 133 robot-assisted PN) were included. IVL occurred in 17 cases (3.4%) without statistical difference according to the surgical approach (P = .78). Patients from embolization group were matched to 34 cases without postoperative IVL. Groups were comparable concerning clinical, tumor and surgical characteristics. The clinical success of SAE, defined as the absence of recourse to a second embolization or a total nephrectomy, was obtained in 16 (94.1%) cases. No minor or major complications were reported after SAE. The preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was similar between control group (93 [85-102] ml/min) and embolization group (95 [83-102] ml/min) (P = .99). Median (IQR) eGFR between control group (87 [72-95] ml/min) and embolization group (83 [76-93] ml/min) at a follow-up of 6 months showed no significant difference (P = .73). CONCLUSION: IVL are rare complications of PN. SAE is an effective and minimally invasive management tool, with no deleterious effect on global renal function.

Comparison between Zumsteg classification and Briganti nomogram for the risk of lymph-node invasion before radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of the Zumsteg classification to estimate the risk of lymph-node invasion (LNI) compared with the Briganti nomogram (BN) in prostatectomy patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IRPC). METHODS: We included consecutive patients who had extended pelvic lymph-node dissection associated with radical prostatectomy for IRPC. To be classified favorable intermediate risk (FIR), patients could only have one intermediate-risk factor, fewer than 50% positive biopsies and no primary Gleason score of 4. RESULTS: On the 387 patients included, 149 (38.5%) and 238 (54.3%) were classified FIR and unfavorable intermediate risk (UIR), respectively, and 212 (54.8%) had a BN inferior to 5%. Thirty-eight patients (9.8%) had LNI: 6 FIR patients (4.0%) versus 32 UIR patients (13.4%) and 14 patients (6.6%) with a BN inferior to 5% versus 24 patients (13.7%) with a BN superior to 5%. Eight patients with a BN inferior to 5%, but classified UIR, had LNI. Sensitivity to detect LNI was higher with the Zumsteg classification than with the BN: 84.2% (CI 95% [68-93]) versus 63.2% (CI 95% [46-78]). Both screening tests were concordant to predict LNI (kappa coefficient of 0.076, p < 0.05 for Zumsteg and Briganti) CONCLUSIONS: Zumsteg classification appeared to be more sensitive and as effective (despite the impossibility to make decision curve analysis) than the BN to estimate the risk of LNI. Regarding the modest number of pN+ patients, further studies are needed to see the interest of proposing ePLND for UIR patients only.

Diagnostic ureteroscopy prior to nephroureterectomy for urothelial carcinoma is associated with a high risk of bladder recurrence despite technical precautions to avoid tumor spillage.

PURPOSE: There have recent reports in the literature of increased rates of bladder recurrence (BR) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) when diagnostic flexible ureteroscopy (DFU) was performed before RNU. The technical heterogeneity of DFU was a major bias in these studies. Our purpose was to evaluate the impact of a standardized DFU technique before RNU on the risk of BR. METHODS: A retrospective monocenter study including patients who underwent RNU for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) between 2005 and 2017. 171 patients were identified. 78 patients were excluded owing to a history of bladder cancer before RNU or neo-adjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy. 93 included patients were stratified according to pre-RNU ureteroscopy (DFU + 70 patients) or no pre-RNU ureteroscopy (DFU-23 patients). The standardized DFU technique consisted of systematic ureteral sheath (ch9-10), flexible ureteroscopy, biopsy, and drainage with a mono-J/bladder catheter to avoid contact of contaminated urine of the upper tract with the bladder. RESULTS: Epidemiological, initial staging, and postoperative tumoral characteristics were similar in both groups. Mean follow-up was 35 months [2-166], 47(50%) BR occurred with 41(87%) in the DFU + group, and pre-RNU-DFU was an independent predictive factor of BR (OR = 4[1.4-11.9], P = 0.01) (Cox regression model). The characteristics of BR were similar in both groups, although BR occurred earlier in DFU + (427 days vs. 226 days (P = 0.07)). CONCLUSION: Bladder recurrence after diagnostic ureteroscopy + nephroureterectomy was high despite technical precautions to avoid contact of bladder mucosa with contaminated urine from the upper urinary tract. Post-DFU endovesical instillation should be investigated.

"Real-world" evaluation of 18F-Choline PET/CT practices in prostate cancer patients and impact on changes in therapeutic strategy.

OBJECTIVES: The role of 18F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-Choline PET/CT) in different clinical situations remains controversial and current practices are very heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to evaluate the "real-world" practice of 18F-Choline PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer and its potential impacts on therapeutic strategy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This is a retrospective multicenter observational study including 265 consecutive men who underwent 18F-Choline PET/CT for prostate cancer between November 2014 and November 2015. Primary outcome was impact on therapeutic strategy. Secondary outcomes were sensitivity of the 18F-Choline PET/CT and predictive factors associated with positive scans. Statistical analyses comprised Student's t test for continuous variables or chi-squared test for qualitative variables. RESULTS: Median PSA level at the time of PET/CT was 4.19 ng/ml. The decision to perform PET/CT was made after multidisciplinary discussion in 29.8% of cases; most were prescribed by urologists (50.2% of cases). Three main indications were concerned: biochemical recurrence after local treatment (61.1%), initial staging (26.0%), or at the time of progression to castration-resistance (12.9%). Upon biochemical recurrence, 18F-Choline PET/CT allowed identification of ≥1 site(s) with a sensitivity of 80.9%. In multivariate analysis, predictive factors associated with 18F-Choline PET/CT sensitivity were serum PSA level and local treatment type in cases of biochemical recurrence, and PSA doubling time and Gleason score in case of initial staging. 18F-Choline PET/CT results allowed restaging and change in therapeutic strategy in 58.1% of all combined indications. CONCLUSIONS: Indications of 18F-Choline PET/CT were varied. The detection rate of metastatic lesions was suitable, especially when PSA rate was >1 ng/mL. In most cases, 18F-Choline PET/CT led to a change in therapeutic strategy, particularly in the setting of biochemical recurrence.

Focal High Intensity Focused Ultrasound of Unilateral Localized Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Multicentric Hemiablation Study of 111 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Up to a third of patients with localized prostate cancer have unilateral disease that may be suitable for partial treatment with hemiablation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to achieve local control of the tumor in patients with unilateral localized prostate cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The French Urological Association initiated a prospective IDEAL multi-institutional study (2009-2015), to evaluate HIFU-hemiablation as a primary treatment. INTERVENTION: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy were used for unilateral cancer diagnosis and control, and HIFU-hemiablation. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Primary: absence of clinically significant cancer (CSC) on control biopsy at 1 yr (CSC: Gleason score ≥ 7 or cancer core length>3mm regardless of grade or > 2 positive cores). Secondary: presence of any cancer on biopsy, biochemical response, radical treatment free survival, adverse events, continence (no pad), erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function-5 ≥ 16), and quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C28) questionnaires. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: One hundred and eleven patients were treated (mean age: 64.8 yr [standard deviation 6.2]; mean prostate-specific antigen: 6.2 ng/ml [standard deviation 2.6]; 68% low risk, 32% intermediate risk). Of the 101 patients with control biopsy, 96 (95%) and 94 (93%) had no CSC in the treated and contralateral lobes, respectively. Mean prostate-specific antigen at 2 yr was 2.3 ng/ml (standard deviation 1.7). The radical treatment-free survival rate at 2 years was 89% (radical treatments: six radical prostatectomies, three radiotherapies, and two HIFU). Adverse events were Grade 3 in 13%. At 12 mo continence and erectile functions were preserved in 97% and 78%. No significant decrease in quality of life score was observed at 12 mo. One limitation is the number of low-risk patients included in this study. CONCLUSIONS: At 1 yr, HIFU-hemiablation was efficient with 95% absence of clinically significant cancer associated with low morbidity and preservation of quality of life. Radical treatment-free survival rate was 89% at 2 yr. PATIENT SUMMARY: This report shows that high intensity focused ultrasound half-gland treatment of unilateral prostate cancer provides promising results with high cancer control and low morbidity.

Clinicopathological characteristics of incidental prostate cancer discovered from radical cystoprostatectomy specimen: a multicenter French study.

PURPOSE: The present study assessed the incidence and histopathological features of incidentally diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) in specimens from radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP) for bladder cancer. The patient outcomes also were evaluated. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the histopathological features and survival data of 4,299 male patients who underwent a RCP for bladder cancer at 25 French centers between January 1996 and June 2012. No patients had preoperative clinical or biological suspicion of PCa. RESULTS: Among the 4,299 RCP specimens, PCa was diagnosed in 931 patients (21.7%). Most tumors (90.1%) were organ-confined (pT2), whereas 9.9% of them were diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (≥pT3). Gleason score was <6 in 129 cases (13.9%), 6 in 575 cases (61.7%), 7 (3 + 4) in 149 cases (16.0%), 7 (4 + 3) in 38 cases (4.1%), and >7 in 40 cases (4.3%). After a median follow-up of 25.5 months (interquartile range 14.2-47.4), 35.4% of patients had bladder cancer recurrence and 23.8% died of bladder cancer. Only 16 patients (1.9%) experienced PCa biochemical recurrence during follow-up, and no preoperative predictive factor was identified. No patients died from PCa. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of incidentally diagnosed PCa in RCP specimens was 21.7%. The majority of these PCas were organ-confined. PCa recurrence occurred in only 1.9% of cases during follow-up.

[Radical prostatectomy in prostate cancer: indications and surgical approaches]. / Indications et voies d'abord de la prostatectomie radicale dans le cancer de la prostate.

Prostate cancer is the most frequent in men: 71000 new cases were diagnosed in France in 2011. Early diagnosis allows treatments with curative intent. Risk groups by D'Amico classification system were validated to estimate progression risk after radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Radical prostatectomy is one of the reference treatments for localized prostate cancer. There are many surgical approaches: open retropubic approach, perineal, trans peritoneal or extra peritoneal laparoscopic approach, robotic assisted or not. Main surgical steps are the same between retropubic or laparoscopic approaches. Regarding oncologic (positive surgical margins rate, progression free survival) and functional results (continence and erections), no difference was reported between different surgical approaches.