Temporal Trends and Cancer-Specific Mortality in Nonmetastatic Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder Treated With Trimodal Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Trimodal therapy (TMT) is guideline-recommended for the management of organ confined urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder (UCUB). However, temporal trends in TMT use and cancer-specific mortality free-survival (CSM-FS) between historical TMT versus contemporary TMT have not been assessed. We addressed this knowledge gap. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2020), we identified nonmetastatic UCUB patients with cT2-T4aN0-N2 treated with TMT, defined as the combination of transurethral resection of bladder tumor, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Temporal trends described TMT use over time. Subsequently, patients were divided between historical (2004-2012) versus contemporary (2013-2020) cohorts. Survival analyses consisting of Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression (MCR) models addressed CSM-FS. Separate analyses addressed patients with organ confined (OC: cT2N0M0) versus nonorgan confined (NOC: cT3-4a and/or cN1-2) clinical stages. RESULTS: Of 4,097 assessable UCUB TMT patients, 1744 (43%) were treated in the historical period (2004-2012) versus 2353 (58%) in the contemporary period (2013-2020). TMT use increased over time in OC patients (EAPC:+3.4%, P < .001), as well as in NOC (EAPC:+2.7%, P < .001). In OC stage, median CSM-FS was 55.3% in historical versus 49.0% in contemporary patients (HR:0.75, P < .001). Similarly, in NOC stage, 5-year median CSM-FS was 43.0% in historical versus 32.8% in contemporary patients (HR:0.78, P = .01). CONCLUSION: TMT rates have increased over time in both OC and NOC patients. Contemporary TMT patients benefit of better cancer-specific survival. Interestingly, this benefit applies equally to OC and NOC TMT-treated patients.

Trimodal therapy effect on survival in urothelial vs non-urothelial bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To address cancer-specific mortality free-survival (CSM-FS) differences in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder (UCUB) vs non-UCUB who underwent trimodal therapy (TMT), according to organ confined (OC: T2N0M0) vs non-organ confined (NOC: T3-4NanyM0 or TanyN1-3M0) clinical stages. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2020), we identified patients with cT2-T4N0-N3M0 bladder cancer treated with TMT, defined as the combination of transurethral resection of bladder tumour, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Temporal trends described TMT use over time. Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression (MCR) models addressed CSM in UCUB vs non-UCUB according to OC vs NOC stages. RESULTS: Of 5130 assessable TMT-treated patients, 425 (8%) harboured non-UCUB vs 4705 (92%) who had UCUB. The TMT rates increased for patients with OC UCUB from 92.4% to 96.8% (estimated annual percentage change of 0.4%, P < 0.001), but not in the NOC stages (P = 0.3). In the OC stage, the median CSM-FS was 36 months in patients with non-UCUB vs 60 months in those with UCUB, respectively (P = 0.01). Conversely, in the NOC stage, the median CSM-FS was 23 months both in UCUB and non-UCUB (P = 0.9). In the MCR models addressing OC stage, non-UCUB histology independently predicted higher CSM (hazard ratio 1.45, P = 0.004), but not in the NOC stage (P = 0.9). CONCLUSION: In OC UCUB, TMT rates have increased over time in a guideline-consistent fashion. Patients with OC non-UCUB treated with TMT showed a CSM disadvantage relative to OC UCUB. In the NOC stage, use of TMT resulted in dismal CSM, regardless of UCUB vs non-UCUB histology.

Predictive value of urinary exosomal miR-29c in clinical outcomes of organ-and non-organ-confined bladder urothelial carcinoma / 临床外科杂志

Objective To investigate the predictive value of urinary exosomal microRNA(miR)-29 c in the clinical outcome of organ-and non-organ-confined bladder urothelial carcinoma(BUC).Methods From January 2017 to March 2022,152 patients with BUC were recruited from the Department of Urology in our hospital as a validation set.In addition,126 non-cancer controls were selected from the physical examination center of our hospital.The expression level of urinary exosomal miR-29c was detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Results In the validation set,urinary exosomal miR-29c level in BUC patients was significantly lower than that in non-cancer control group(P＜0.05),while urinary exosomal miR-17-5p level and miR-590-5p level were not significantly different(P＞0.05).The area under ROC curve of urinary exosomal miR-29c for the diagnosis of BUC was 0.969(95％CI:0.953～0.986),and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 92.1％and 90.2％,respectively.In subtype analysis,urinary exosomal miR-29c levels were further reduced in patients with non-organ-confined BUC compared with patients with organ-confined BUC(P=0.009).Overall survival(OS),disease-free survival(DFS)and disease-specific survival(DSS)were longer in the urinary exosomal miR-29c high expression group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Low levels of urinary exosomal miR-29c are an adverse prognostic factor for survival in patients with BUC,and are promising as a predictor of adverse clinical outcomes of organ-and non-organ-confined BUC.

Differences in long-term continence rates between prostate cancer patients with extraprostatic vs. organ-confined disease undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: An observational studys.

OBJECTIVES: Within the tertiary-case database, the authors tested for differences in long-term continence rates (≥ 12 months) between prostate cancer patients with extraprostatic vs. organ-confined disease who underwent Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP). METHOD: In the institutional tertiary-care database the authors identified prostate cancer patients who underwent RARP between 01/2014 and 01/2021. The cohort was divided into two groups based on tumor extension in the final RARP specimen: patients with extraprostatic (pT3/4) vs. organ-confined (pT2) disease. Additionally, the authors conducted subgroup analyses within both the extraprostatic and organ-confined disease groups to compare continence rates before and after the implementation of the new surgical technique, which included Full Functional-Length Urethra preservation (FFLU) and Neurovascular Structure-Adjacent Frozen-Section Examination (NeuroSAFE). Multivariable logistic regression models addressing long-term continence were used. RESULTS: Overall, the authors identified 201 study patients of whom 75 (37 %) exhibited extraprostatic and 126 (63 %) organ-confined disease. There was no significant difference in long-term continence rates between patients with extraprostatic and organ-confined disease (77 vs. 83 %; p = 0.3). Following the implementation of FFLU+ NeuroSAFE, there was an overall improvement in continence from 67 % to 89 % (Δ = 22 %; p < 0.001). No difference in the magnitude of improved continence rates between extraprostatic vs. organ-confined disease was observed (Δ = 22 % vs. Δ = 20 %). In multivariable logistic regression models, no difference between extraprostatic vs. organ-confined disease in long-term continence was observed (Odds Ratio: 0.91; p = 0.85). CONCLUSION: In this tertiary-based institutional study, patients with extraprostatic and organ-confined prostate cancer exhibited comparable long-term continence rates.

The association of the type and number of D'Amico high-risk criteria with rates of pathologically non-organ-confined prostate cancer.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the type and number of D'Amico high-risk criteria (DHRCs) with rates of pathologically non-organ-confined (NOC) prostate cancer in patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND). Material and methods: In the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2016), we identified 12961 RP and PLDN patients with at least one DHRC. We relied on descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Of 12 961 patients, 6135 (47%) exclusively harboured biopsy Gleason score (GS) 8-10, 3526 (27%) had clinical stage ≥T2c, and 1234 (9.5%) had prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >20 ng/mL. Only 1886 (15%) harboured any combination of 2 DHRCs. Finally, all 3 DHRCs were present in 180 (1.4%) patients. NOC rates increased from 32% for clinical T stage ≥T2c to 49% for either GS 8-10 only or PSA >20 ng/mL only and to 66-68% for any combination of 2 DHRCs, and to 84% for respectively all 3 DHRCs, which resulted in a multivariable logistic regression OR of 1.00, 2.01 (95% CI 1.85-2.19; p <0.001), 4.16 (95% CI 3.69-4.68; p <0.001), and 10.83 (95% CI 7.35-16.52; p <0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Our study indicates a stimulus-response effect according to the type and number of DHRCs. Hence, a formal risk-stratification within high-risk prostate cancer patients should be considered in clinical decision-making.

Cancer-Specific Mortality Differences in Specimen-Confined Radical Prostatectomy Patients According to Lymph Node Invasion.

PURPOSE: To test cancer-specific mortality (CSM) differences in specimen-confined (pT2) prostate cancer (PCa) at radical prostatectomy (RP) with lymph node dissection (LND) according to lymph node invasion (LNI). METHODS: RP + LND pT2 PCa patients were identified (surveillance, epidemiology, and end results 2010-2015). CSM-FS rates were tested in Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox-regression (MCR) models. Sensitivity analyses respectively addressing patients with 6 or more lymph nodes analyzed and pT2 pN1 patients were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 32,258 patients with pT2 PCa at RP + LND were identified. Of these, 448 (1.4%) patients harbored LNI. Five-year CSM-free estimates were 99.6% for pN0 vs. 96.4% for pN1 (P < .001). In MCR models, pN1 (HR: 3.4, P < .001) independently predicted higher CSM. In sensitivity analyses addressing patients with 6 or more lymph nodes analyzed (n = 15,437), 328 (2.1%) pN1 patients were identified. In this subgroup, 5-year CSM-free estimates were 99.6% for pN0 vs. 96.3% for pN1 (P < .001) and, in MCR models, pN1 independently predicted higher CSM (HR: 4.4, P < .001). In sensitivity analyses addressing pT2 pN1 patients, 5-year CSM-free estimates were 99.3, 100 and 84.8% for ISUP GG 1-3 vs. 4 vs. 5, respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with pT2 PCa a small proportion harbor LNI (1.4%-2.1%). In such patients, CSM rate is higher (HR 3.4-4.4, P < .001). This higher CSM risk seems to virtually exclusively apply to ISUP GG5 patients (84.8% 5-year CSM-free rate).

Differences in long-term continence rates between prostate cancer patients with extraprostatic vs. organ-confined disease undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: An observational studys

ABSTRACT Objectives: Within the tertiary-case database, the authors tested for differences in long-term continence rates (≥ 12 months) between prostate cancer patients with extraprostatic vs. organ-confined disease who underwent Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP). Method: In the institutional tertiary-care database the authors identified prostate cancer patients who underwent RARP between 01/2014 and 01/2021. The cohort was divided into two groups based on tumor extension in the final RARP specimen: patients with extraprostatic (pT3/4) vs. organ-confined (pT2) disease. Additionally, the authors conducted subgroup analyses within both the extraprostatic and organ-confined disease groups to compare continence rates before and after the implementation of the new surgical technique, which included Full Functional-Length Urethra preservation (FFLU) and Neurovascular Structure-Adjacent Frozen-Section Examination (NeuroSAFE). Multivariable logistic regression models addressing long-term continence were used. Results: Overall, the authors identified 201 study patients of whom 75 (37 %) exhibited extraprostatic and 126 (63 %) organ-confined disease. There was no significant difference in long-term continence rates between patients with extraprostatic and organ-confined disease (77 vs. 83 %; p = 0.3). Following the implementation of FFLU+ NeuroSAFE, there was an overall improvement in continence from 67 % to 89 % (Δ = 22 %; p < 0.001). No difference in the magnitude of improved continence rates between extraprostatic vs. organ-confined disease was observed (Δ = 22 % vs. Δ = 20 %). In multivariable logistic regression models, no difference between extraprostatic vs. organ-confined disease in long-term continence was observed (Odds Ratio: 0.91; p = 0.85). Conclusion: In this tertiary-based institutional study, patients with extraprostatic and organ-confined prostate cancer exhibited comparable long-term continence rates.

Factors related to upstaging of clinical stage T2 organ-confined bladder cancer following radical cystectomy: A multicenter study.

Aims: This study aimed to detect possible risk factors related to upstaging of clinical stage T2 organ-confined (OC) to non-OC (nOC) bladder cancer (BC) following radical cystectomy (RC). Settings and Design: This was a prospective multicenter study. Subjects and Methods: This is a multicenter prospective study including 196 Egyptian BC patients undergoing RC from January 2017 to February 2019 at Cairo University, Fayoum University, and Menoufia University. Only patients with muscle invasive BC (T2) were included in the study. Patients' characteristics, preoperative clinical data (including Hydronephrosis), cystoscopy data, and biopsy pathological data were recorded. Preoperative clinical staging is compared to postoperative pathological staging, to determine upstaged cases. The occurrence of upstaging in correspondence to each preoperative factor is recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: Among 196 BC patients of our study, upstaging from OC T2 to nOC occurred in 88 (44.9%) patients. Statistical analysis showed that the factors related to upstaging are older age (P ≤ 0.001), large tumor size (P = 0.048), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (P ≤ 0.001), and multifocal tumor (P ≤ 0.001). On the other hand, the following factors were not related to upstaging: gender (P = 0.159), smoking (P = 0.286), preoperative hydronephrosis (P = 0.242), and presence of carcinoma in situ (P = 0.349). Conclusions: The difference between clinical and pathological staging of BC patients following RC is a frequent problem with no clear guidelines to overcome it. Several factors including age of the patient, large tumor size, LVI, and multifocal tumor are predictors of upstaging in OC BC. A good concern must be taken in these patients to achieve an optimum treatment plan for them.

Non-organ confined stage and upgrading rates in exclusive PSA high-risk prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The pathological stage of prostate cancer with high-risk prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, but otherwise favorable and/or intermediate risk characteristics (clinical T-stage, Gleason Grade group at biopsy [B-GGG]) is unknown. We hypothesized that a considerable proportion of such patients will exhibit clinically meaningful GGG upgrading or non-organ confined (NOC) stage at radical prostatectomy (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2010-2015) we identified RP-patients with cT1c-stage and B-GGG1, B-GGG2, or B-GGG3 and PSA 20-50 ng/ml. Rates of GGG4 or GGG5 and/or rates of NOC stage (≥ pT3 and/or pN1) were analyzed. Subsequently, separate univariable and multivariable logistic regression models tested for predictors of NOC stage and upgrading at RP. RESULTS: Of 486 assessable patients, 134 (28%) exhibited B-GGG1, 209 (43%) B-GGG2, and 143 (29%) B-GGG3, respectively. The overall upgrading and NOC rates were 11% and 51% for a combined rate of upgrading and/or NOC stage of 53%. In multivariable logistic regression models predicting upgrading, only B-GGG3 was an independent predictor (odds ratio [OR]: 5.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.21-14.19; p < 0.001). Conversely, 33%-66% (OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.42-3.95; p = 0.001) and >66% of positive biopsy cores (OR: 4.85; 95% CI: 2.84-8.42; p < 0.001), as well as B-GGG2 and B-GGG3 were independent predictors for NOC stage (all p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In cT1c-stage patients with high-risk PSA baseline, but low- to intermediate risk B-GGG, the rate of upgrading to GGG4 or GGG5 is low (11%). However, NOC stage is found in the majority (51%) and can be independently predicted with percentage of positive cores at biopsy and B-GGG.

Prognostic value of hepatocyte growth factor for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: The HGF/MET pathway is involved in cell motility, angiogenesis, proliferation, and cancer invasion. We assessed the clinical utility of plasma HGF level as a prognostic biomarker in patients with MIBC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 565 patients with MIBC who underwent radical cystectomy. Logistic regression and Cox regression models were used, and predictive accuracies were estimated using the area under the curve and concordance index. To estimate the clinical utility of HGF, DCA and MCID were applied. RESULTS: Plasma HGF level was significantly higher in patients with advanced pathologic stage and LN metastasis (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Higher HGF levels were associated with an increased risk of harboring LN metastasis and non-organ-confined disease (OR1.21, 95%CI 1.12-1.32, p < 0.001, and OR1.35, 95%CI 1.23-1.48, p < 0.001, respectively) on multivariable analyses; the addition of HGF improved the predictive accuracies of a standard preoperative model (+ 7%, p < 0.001 and + 8%, p < 0.001, respectively). According to the DCA and MCID, half of the patients had a net benefit by including HGF, but the absolute magnitude remained limited. In pre- and postoperative predictive models, a higher HGF level was significant prognosticator of worse RFS, OS, and CSS; in the preoperative model, the addition of HGF improved accuracies by 6% and 5% for RFS and CSS, respectively. CONCLUSION: Preoperative HGF identified MIBC patients who harbored features of clinically and biologically aggressive disease. Plasma HGF could serve, as part of a panel, as a biomarker to aid in preoperative treatment planning regarding intensity of treatment in patients with clinical MIBC.

Oncologic outcomes of organ-confined Gleason grade group 4-5 prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Organ-confined prostate cancer (CaP) at radical prostatectomy (RP) is associated with good long-term outcomes. However, information for aggressive Gleason organ-confined CaP is scant. To investigate the impact of Gleason grade group (GG) 4-5 on long-term oncologic outcomes after RP. METHODS: Within a high-volume center database we identified patients who harbored organ-confined CaP (pT2) at RP between 1992 and 2017. Only patients with negative surgical margins, without lymph node invasion and without neo- and/or adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy and/or adjuvant radiotherapy were included. Patients with GG1 were excluded. Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox regression models tested the effect of GG4 and GG5 on biochemical recurrence-free (BFS), metastasis-free (MFS), overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) free survival. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Of 10,855 identified pT2 patients, 0.1% (n=81) and 0.1% (n=114) harbored GG4 and GG5, respectively. At 10-years after RP, BFS, MFS, OS and CSM-free rates were 80.3 vs. 68.6 vs. 55.4% (P<0.001), 96.7 vs. 89.9. vs. 83.4% (P<0.001), 93.2 vs. 78.3 vs. 72.6% (P<0.001) and 99.3 vs. 98.0 vs. 82.7% (P<0.001) for GG2 and GG3 vs. GG4 vs. GG5, respectively. In multivariable Cox regression models, GG5 represented an independent predictor for biochemical recurrence (Hazard ratio [HR] 3.00, P<0.001), metastasis (HR 5.01, P<0.001), death (HR 2.72, P<0.01) and cancer-specific death (HR 30.1, P<0.001). Conversely, GG4 represented an independent predictor for death (HR 2.10, P=0.04) and cancer-specific death (HR 6.09, P=0.01) but not for biochemical recurrence and metastasis. CONCLUSION: GG4/5 in organ-confined CaP is rare. But its associated with worse oncologic outcomes after RP, namely biochemical recurrence, metastasis, death and cancer-specific death. Patients with organ-confined GG4/5 and negative margins should be closely followed and may be candidates for risk stratification by genomic markers.

Tissue distribution of ethanol after intraprostatic injection using a porous needle.

Purpose: To develop a safe and precise method for intraprostatic injection, and to establish correlation between the volume of ethanol injectate and the volume of subsequent infiltrated prostate tissue. Materials and methods: We performed intraprostatic injection of 96% ethanol using a needle which has a segment of its wall made of capillary membrane with hundreds of pores in an acute and chronic canine experiment, in heart-beating cadaveric organ donors, and in a xenograft model of human prostate cancer. Whole mount tissue sections were used for three-dimensional reconstruction of the necrotic lesions and calculation of their volumes. Results: The ethanol injection resulted in oval shaped lesions of well-delineated coagulative necrosis. In both healthy human and canine prostates, the prostatic pseudocapsule and neurovascular bundle remained intact without evidence of disruption. There was a linear correlation between administered volume of ethanol and the volume of necrotic lesion. Regression analysis showed strong correlation in the acute canine experiments and in experiments performed on xenografts of human prostate cancer. A formula was calculated for each experiment to estimate the relationship between the injected volume and the volume of infiltrated prostate tissue area. Conclusions: Intraprostatic injection using a porous needle allows for effective and predictable tissue distribution of the injectate in the prostate. Through varying the volume of the agent injected and use of needles with a different length of the porous segment, the volume of infiltrated tissue could be adjusted allowing for targeted focal treatment.

The effect of sex on disease stage and survival after radical cystectomy: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: The increased awareness regarding the sex gap in bladder cancer (BCa) care over the last decade may have resulted in more timely-wise referral patterns and treatment of female patients with BCa. Thus, we tested the association of sex with disease stage at presentation, as well as with cancer-specific mortality (CSM) after radical cystectomy (RC) in a contemporary cohort of patients with nonmetastatic urothelial bladder cancer (UCUB). METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2016), we identified 14,086 patients (10,879 men and 3,207 women) treated with RC for non-metastatic UCUB. Temporal trend, interaction analyses, logistic regression, cumulative incidence, and competing-risks regression analyses were used. RESULTS: Overall, 10,879 (77.2%) men and 3,207 (22.8%) women underwent RC between 2004 and 2016. Female gender was an independent predictor of non-organ-confined (NOC) UCUB at RC in multivariable analyses (odds ratio: 1.23; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.10-1.38; P < 0.001). While NOC rates in men decreased over time (from 54.8% to 45.7%; P < 0.01), NOC rates in women remained stationary (from 60.6% to 57.3%; P = 0.15) and the excess NOC rate between men and women increased from + 5.8% in 2004 to +11.6% in 2016. Moreover, in multivariable analyses adjusted for other covariates, female gender was an independent predictor of higher CSM after RC in NOC UCUB (HR: 1.14; 95%CI 1.04-1.24; P < 0.01), but not in localized UCUB (P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: It is worrisome that, while in men the rate of NOC is decreasing, NOC rates in females have not improved over time. Moreover, it is also worrisome that, despite adjustment for both pathological tumor and patient characteristics, female sex remains an adverse prognostic factor for CSM. Reassessment of referral, diagnostic, and treatment patterns aimed at eliminating these sex discrepancies appears warranted.

Oncological outcomes of pathologically organ-confined, lymph node-positive prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of lymph-node involvement on oncological outcomes in patients with pathologically organ-confined prostate cancer (pT2 CaP) after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 9,631 pT2 CaP patients who underwent RP at a single institution between 1998 and 2018. Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox regression models (CRMs) assessed biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival and metastasis-free survival (MFS) according to N-stage. In subgroup analyses of N1 patients, Kaplan-Meier plots and CRMs were stratified according to adjuvant treatment. RESULTS: Of 9,631 pT2 staged patients, 241 (2.5%) harbored lymph-node metastases after RP (pN1). The median follow-up was 60.8 months. No pT2 N1-staged patient died due to CaP. The 5-year BCR-free survival rates were 54.7 vs. 88.4% in pT2 N1 vs. pT2 N0 patients, respectively (P < 0.001). The 5-year MFS rates were 92.5 vs. 98.9% in pT2 N1 vs. pT2 N0 patients, respectively (P < 0.001). Within pT2 N1 patients, presence of ≥3 positive lymph nodes was an independent risk factor for BCR (hazard ratio [HR] 3.4, P < 0.001) and for metastatic progression (HR 1.7, P = 0.04). Finally, 3-year BCR-free survival was improved in pT2 N1 patients treated with adjuvant radiation therapy (87.1% vs. 63.7% for patients who received other treatment options [P < 0.001]). CONCLUSION: Patients with pathologically organ-confined but lymph node-positive CaP exhibited favorable oncological outcomes after RP. Presence of ≥3 positive LNs predicted higher rates of BCR and metastatic progression. In consequence, in pT2 N1 patients treated with RP with ≥3 positive LNs, adjuvant treatment may be considered.9.

Specific spatial distribution patterns of tumor foci are associated with a low risk of biochemical recurrence in pT2pN0R0 prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The previous attempts for pT2 substaging of prostate cancer (PCa) were insufficient in providing prognostic subgroups and the search for new prognostic parameters to subcategorize pT2 PCa is, therefore, needed. Therefore, the current study investigated the association between tumor distribution patterns and the biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival rate in pT2pN0R0 PCa. METHODS: Following radical prostatectomy, the anatomical distribution of PCa in 743 men with pT1-pT3pN0 disease was analyzed to determine 20 types of PCa distribution patterns. Then, 245 men with pT2pN0R0 PCa was considered for prognostic evaluation with a mean follow-up period of 60 months. The spatial distribution patterns of PCa were evaluated using a cMDX©-based map model of the prostate. An analysis including 552,049 comparison operations was performed to assist in the evaluation of the similarity levels of the distribution patterns. A k-mean cluster analysis was applied to determine groups with similar distribution patterns. A decision-tree analysis was performed to divide these groups according to frequency of BCR. The BCR-free survival rate was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Predictors of progression were investigated using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: BCR occurred in 8.2% of the 245 men with pT2pN0R0 PCa. The median time of recurrence was 60 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 42-77). In univariate and multivariate analyses, the prostate volume and the distribution patterns were independent predictors for BCR, whereas the sub-staging of pT2 tumors, Gleason grading, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and relative tumor volume were not. In the patients with pT2pN0R0 disease, PCa distribution patterns with the apical involvement were significantly associated with the risk of BCR (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The spread tumor patterns with the apical involvement are associated with a high-risk of BCR in the pT2 tumor stage. The vertical tumor spread could be considered in developing improved prognostic pT2 sub-categories.

Impact of organ confined prostate cancer treatment on quality of life. / Impacto en la calidad de vida del tratamiento del cáncer de próstata organoconfinado.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common male cancer in the world. Its incidence is estimated to grow to 1.7 million new cases and 499,000 new deaths by 2030. Treatment of OCPC can affect patients physically and mentally, as well as their close relationships and their job or career, which conditions health-related quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact on QoL attributable to the treatment for Organ Confined Prostate Cancer (OCPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective multicenter observational study of 406 patients with OCPC treated from January 2015 to June 2018. The sample was divided into four study groups, according to the type of treatment: radical prostatectomy (RP) (GA), external radiotherapy (ERT) (GB), brachytherapy (BT) (GC) and other treatments different from monotherapy with RP, ERT or BT (GD). RESULTS: The age in GC was lower, the mean Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) of all patients was 8.13 ng/ml, the group with the highest mean PSA was GB with a mean of 10.43 ng/dL, the mean Tumor Stage (TNM) was 3.82, and GD had the lowest post treatment quality of life. CONCLUSION: OCPC treatment affects QoL. Curative monotherapies, specifically RP and BT, have less effect on QoL than external radiotherapy or other therapeutic alternatives. Urinary incontinence and fistulas secondary to OCPC have the highest impact on QOL impairment. The internationally validated SF 36 questionnaire is a useful cross-sectional measure of QOL to compare the impact of OCPC treatment modalities.

Risk factors and oncological outcome for intravesical recurrence in organ-confined upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma patients after radical nephroureterectomy: A propensity score-matched case control study.

PURPOSE: Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is the primary treatment strategy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC); however, the prognosis is poor and recurrences are common. The risk factors for intravesical recurrence (IVR) remain inconsistent and unclear. Thus, we have identified the risk factors for IVR in patients with organ-confined UTUC. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 229 patients with UTUC who underwent RNU combined with bladder cuff resection at our center between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015. After propensity score-matching, 204 patients were included in our study. Patient demographics, co-morbidities, and peri-operative data were recorded. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression were used to estimate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were measured using the Kaplan-Meier curve with a log-rank test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 229 patients, 42 (18.3%) had IVR after 40 months (range, 24-56 months) follow-up. In the matched group, the independent risk factors for IVR were tumor diameter (HR = 2.690, p = 0.038) and tumor stage (T3 vs. T1, HR = 3.363, p = 0.019; T2 vs. T1, HR = 2.835, p = 0.022). OS and CSS were poor in patients with IVR than patients without IVR (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this propensity score-matched case-control study, tumor diameter and tumor stage were shown to be independent risk factors for IVR in patients with organ-confined UTUC. Moreover, patients with IVR had poor prognosis than patients without IVR. Thus, more active postoperative surveillance and treatment strategies should be adopted for these patients, which may help improve treatment outcomes.

The role of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in high-risk organ-confined prostate cancer.

The traditional open retropubic radical prostatectomy has an established role in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, it is well known to be morbid procedure with high complication rate. This bad reputation prevented utilizing it on a large scale for high risk prostate cancer. Utilizing the da Vinci® to preform radical prostatectomy decreased the morbidity of the procedure. Since the introduction of robotic prostatectomy, there have been hot debates on its role in the treatment of high risk disease. In this article we reviewed the current evidence on utilizing the surgical system in treating high risk organ confined prostate cancer.

Impact of the Proportion of Biopsy Positive Core in Predicting Biochemical Recurrence in Patients with Pathological Pt2 and Negative Resection Margin Status after Radical Prostatectomy.

This study aimed to determine the prognostic factors associated with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with pathological T2 (pT2) prostate cancer (PCa) and negative resection margin (RM) status at a single institution. In this retrospective study, we examined 386 patients who were diagnosed with pT2 PCa with negative RM after RP. The length of the tumor was provided for each biopsy core and the overall percentage of PCa was calculated by a pathologist at our institution. We estimated the BCR-free survival (BRFS) in these patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model to determine the risk factors of BCR. The median age of the participants was 68 years, and their initial prostate-specific antigen level was 6.55 ng/mL. The median follow-up period was 85.7 months. The 5-year BRFS rate of the participants was 89.0%. The 5-year BRFS rates were 89.8% in patients with a biopsy Gleason score of 6, 90.4% in those with 7, and 64.1% in those with ≥8 (P = 0.007). The BRFS rate was 93.3% in patients who had a biopsy positive core ≤20% and 82.0% in those who had ≥21% (P = 0.001). Based on the multivariate analysis, the proportion of biopsy positive core was significantly associated with BCR. The proportion of biopsy positive core may predict preoperative covariates in patients with pT2 PCa and negative RM status after RP.

The significance of micro-lymphatic invasion and pathological Gleason score in prostate cancer patients with pathologically organ-confined disease and negative surgical margins after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The development process of recurrence in prostate cancer patients with pathologically organ-confined (pT2) disease and negative surgical margins is unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine factors associated with the development of biochemical recurrence following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy among those prostate cancer patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy without neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. We evaluated prognostic factors in 1096 prostate cancer patients with pT2 disease and negative surgical margins. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors for biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: Of the 1096 patients, 55 experienced biochemical recurrence during the follow-up period. The 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rate for patients with pT2 and negative surgical margins was 91.8%. On univariate analysis, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score, percent of positive core, pathological Gleason score, and the presence of micro-lymphatic invasion were significantly associated with biochemical recurrence. On a multivariate analysis, the presence of micro-lymphatic invasion and a pathological Gleason score ≥ 4 + 3 were significant prognostic factors for biochemical recurrence. Based on these factors, we developed a risk stratification model. The biochemical recurrence-free survival rate differed significantly among the risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of prostate cancer patients with pT2 disease and negative surgical margins is favorable. However, patients with the presence of micro-lymphatic invasion and a pathological Gleason score ≥ 4 + 3 tend to experience biochemical recurrence more often after surgery. Therefore, careful follow-up might be necessary for those patients.