Search

Introduction and hypothesis: To evaluate whether the studies contributing to the national treatment guidelines on pelvic organ prolapse adequately represent the racial and/or ethnic makeup of the American population. Methods: This analysis examines the racial and ethnic makeup of all primary study cohorts contributing to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists/American Urogynecologic Society Practice Bulletin No. 214 on pelvic organ prolapse. References were excluded if they lacked a primary patient population or were from outside the US. Mean proportional representation of racial/ethnic groups was compared to the 2018 United States Census data on race/ethnicity. The representation quotient was also calculated to evaluate for relative representation of each group. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: Of the 110 references, 53 primary studies were included in the final analysis with 30 studies reporting on race/ethnicity. On average, 82% (SD = 15%) of study populations were White, while Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians represented 67% (SD = 7%), 4% (SD = 8%), and < 1% (SD = 1%), respectively, differing significantly from the 2018 US Census (p < 0.01.) The representation quotients for White women was 1.36, demonstrating a 36% overrepresentation, while Black, Hispanic, and Asian women were underrepresented among studies of all evidence levels, with representative quotients of 0.50, 0.23, and 0.09, respectively. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a significant underrepresentation of non-White populations in primary cohorts of studies contributing to the ACOG/AUGS Practice Bulletin No. 214 on POP. This analysis reinforces that more efforts are required to include and report on racial and ethnically diverse cohorts to better serve all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess our institution''s experience with the management of pathologic stage T3bNxM0 renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus confined to the renal vein treated with nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). Methods: Of the 492 patients who have undergone NSS at Columbia University from 1998 to 2009, 8 patients were found to have stage T3bNxM0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) on final pathology. Records were reviewed for indication for NSS, imaging studies, perioperative management, surgical details, pathology, and both functional and disease-specific outcomes. Postoperative renal function was estimated by most recent glomerular filtration rate using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Recurrence of RCC was monitored using serial axial imaging. Results: The 8 patients were presumed to be clinical stage T1aN0M0 RCC before surgery; however, tumor thrombus was identified in the renal vein intraoperatively and on final pathology in 4, and 4 cases, respectively, corresponding to stage T3bNxM0 RCC by current American Joint Committee on Cancer–Tumor-Necrosis-Metastasis 2002 criteria. After a median follow-up of 19.8 months, the patients experienced a mean decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate of 27.1%. One patient developed new-onset renal failure, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate below 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Clean surgical margins were obtained in 7 patients. Carcinoma was identified at the parenchymal margin in 1 patient. No patients have evidence of recurrence of RCC by serial axial imaging. Conclusions: NSS does not seem to have had a negative impact on a small series of patients with pathologic stage T3bNxM0 RCC limited to the renal vein and may be a feasible option when the clinical situation indicates a need for preservation of renal function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To examine the functional outcomes after radical (RN) and partial nephrectomy (PN) stratified by variables before and after surgery, using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), as nephrectomy is the standard treatment for localized renal tumours, but the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analysed patients treated with PN or RN for renal cancer at one institution from 1988 to 2008. Chronic renal function before and after surgery was measured using the eGFR computed using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Four outcomes were measured: (i) presence of new-onset renal insufficiency (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m2); (ii) the percentage change in eGFR; (iii) the change in CKD stage; and (iv) the presence of CKD upstaging. Regression models were used to determine the effect of surgical procedure (RN vs PN), access technique (open vs laparoscopic) and several preoperative characteristics on functional outcomes. RESULTS In all, 276 patients met the inclusion criteria (174 RN and 102 PN) of whom 209 had a preoperative eGFR of >60 mL/min/1.73m2. After ≥3 months from surgery, 108/209 (52%) patients developed new-onset eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73m2. On multivariate analysis, preoperative CKD stage ( P < 0.001) and procedure ( P= 0.001) were both independent predictors of all four functional outcomes measured. Also, hypertension was an independent predictor of CKD upstaging ( P= 0.02). Surgical access technique was not an independent predictor of any of the renal functional outcomes measured. CONCLUSION Patients undergoing renal surgery have a high rate of new-onset CKD afterward. After controlling for preoperative risk factors, patients undergoing RN are at greater risk of a decline in renal function. However, surgical access technique was not a significant predictor for renal impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of age at radical prostatectomy (RP) on recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with prostate cancer stratified by established preoperative risk factors (such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, Gleason score, and tumour stage), as increasing age has been associated with more indolent behaviour in some cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of men treated with RP from 1988 to 2008 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups by age at the time of RP, and RFS rates were analysed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. The subgroups were stratified by preoperative PSA level, biopsy Gleason score, and clinical stage; multivariate analyses with Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify independent predictors of recurrence. Recurrence was defined as a single PSA level of ≥0.2 ng/mL at least 28 days after RP. RESULTS In all, 1984 patients met inclusion criteria and were divided into groups 1 (1325 men aged 40–64 years) and 2 (659 men aged ≥65 years). The 5-year RFS rates were 80.6% (confidence interval, CI 78.0–82.9%) and 75.6% (CI 71.5–79.1%) for groups 1 and 2, respectively. In the univariate model, advanced age was significantly associated with an increased overall risk of recurrence (hazard ratio, HR 1.30, P = 0.012). However, in multivariate analyses accounting for PSA level, Gleason score, and clinical stage, age was not an independent predictor of recurrence (HR 1.04, P = 0.76). CONCLUSION Older patients who undergo RP appear to have an increased risk of recurrence. However, age is not an independent predictor of recurrence when accounting for PSA level, grade, and stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine whether the decreased short-term morbidity associated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has resulted in an alteration in the disease-specific risk profile of prostatectomy patients. MIS in many fields has resulted in an expansion in the pool of patients willing to undergo surgery. Methods: The Columbia Urologic Oncology Database was queried, and 1751 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy between 2000 and 2007 were identified. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: patients who received surgery before or after the initiation of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) at our institution (from 2003 onward). Age at surgery, Kattan Nomogram (KN) score, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score sum, and tumor stage were compared using unpaired t tests with Welch correction and Mann–Whitney tests. Results: A total of 663 patients underwent prostatectomy from 2000 to 2002 (“pre-MIS era”), and 1088 patients had surgery in 2003 or later (“MIS era”), of which 519 and 569 underwent RALRP and open prostatectomy, respectively. There was no significant difference between the 2 eras regarding age, Kattan Nomogram score, or tumor stage. However, there was a significant difference in preoperative PSA (P = .01) and Gleason sum (P = .0002). In a comparison of the pre-MIS era with RALRP patients, only PSA differed significantly (P = .0002). Conclusions: The advent of MIS for prostate cancer did not significantly alter the characteristics of patients undergoing prostatectomy at our institution. Although advancements in surgical techniques may improve clinical outcomes, this study does not suggest a consequential effect on the risk stratification of patients choosing surgery for prostate cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To report the long-term clinical outcomes and durability of response after treatment with induction intravesical docetaxel. Most novel agents used to treat bacillus Calmette-Guerin refractory high-grade non–muscle-invasive (NMI) bladder cancer are evaluated only after short follow-up periods. Our previously published phase I trial demonstrated that docetaxel is a safe agent for intravesical therapy with minimal toxicity and no detectable systemic absorption. We sought to determine long-term clinical outcomes after treatment with intravesical docetaxel. Methods: Eighteen patients with recurrent Ta (n = 7), T1 (n = 5), and Tis (n = 6) transitional cell carcinoma who experienced treatment failure with at least 1 prior intravesical therapy completed the phase I trial. Docetaxel was administered as 6 weekly intravesical instillations using a dose-escalation model terminated at 0.75 mg/mL. Efficacy was evaluated by interval cystoscopy with biopsies when indicated, cytology, and computed tomography imaging. Follow-up consisted of quarterly cystoscopy, cytology, computed tomography, and biopsy when indicated. Results: With a median follow-up of 48.3 months, 4 patients (22%) have demonstrated a complete durable response and currently remain disease-free without further treatment. Three patients (17%) had a partial response, defined as a single NMI recurrence with no further therapy for bladder cancer. Eleven patients (61%) failed treatment, and required another intervention. One patient developed stage progression. No delayed toxicities were noted. The median disease-free survival time was 13.3 months. Conclusions: After 4 years of follow-up without maintenance therapy, intravesical docetaxel has demonstrated the ability to prevent recurrence in a select number of patients with refractory NMI bladder cancer and warrants further investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The definitive treatment for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who fail to respond to intravesical BCG is cystectomy. When a patient is deemed BCG-refractory and cannot or will not undergo cystectomy, alternative intravesical therapy may be the most effective way to minimize recurrence and progression. A number of immunotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic agents have been given intravesically over the years, and several recently and currently investigated novel agents appear to be particularly promising for the management of BCG-refractory NMIBC. The most effective treatments in the future will likely utilize targeted therapies based on the underlying genetic mutations associated with each individual diagnosis of NMIBC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Since the success of our Phase I trial of intravesical docetaxel for treatment-refractory non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), we have found this agent to be a favorable alternative for BCG-refractory patients unable or unwilling to undergo cystectomy. This study analyzes the safety and efficacy of intravesical docetaxel in a larger patient population with extended follow-up. A retrospective analysis of all patients who received salvage intravesical docetaxel at our institution was conducted, including 18 patients treated during the Phase I trial and 15 patients treated after the trial’s completion. Toxicity, efficacy and recurrence-free survival were analyzed. Thirty-three patients with refractory NMIBC received salvage intravesical docetaxel therapy between 2003 and 2008 at a single institution. Twenty of thirty-three (61%) patients had a complete response (CR) after six weekly induction treatments. Ten patients with CRs were given maintenance docetaxel therapy, and one patient received maintenance BCG and interferon. With a median follow-up of 29 months, 1 and 2-year recurrence-free survival rates were and 45 and 32%, respectively. Twelve of thirty-three patients (36%) had Grade 1 or 2 local toxicities. No patients experienced Grade 3 or 4 toxicities. Docetaxel is a promising intravesical agent with minimal toxicity and significant efficacy and durability for the management of BCG-refractory NMIBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate whether there is a correlation between publicized health ranking systems and surgical outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC) in New York State (NYS).Materials and Methods: Using the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System, data were collected in an aggregated fashion per hospital for the 20 hospitals with the highest RC volume in NYS from 2009 to 2012. Hospital characteristics were obtained from the publicly available sources such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Publicized ranking systems evaluated included the US News & World Health Report for Urology ranking (USHR), Healthgrades (HG) score, and Consumer Reports (CR) safety ranking. Outcomes measured included mortality, readmissions, and causes of readmissions.Results: CR safety scores were inversely associated with overall death at 90 days after surgery (R = -0.527, P = .030), number of readmissions (R = -0.608, P = .030), and readmissions because of surgical complications (R = -0.523, P = .031) on a Pearson correlation test. On Kendall rank tau test, USHR and HG were not associated with any outcome of interest, although the scores correlated with increasing RC volume.Conclusion: In our analysis of 20 hospitals with the highest RC volume in NYS, USHR and HG scores were not strongly associated with any clinical outcome after RC. CR performed well in comparison with USHR and HG. Nevertheless, better metrics are needed to compare hospitals and to incorporate curative rates for morbid surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic ability to exhibit self-organizing morphogenetic properties in ex vivo culture may represent a general property of tissue stem cells. Here we show that single luminal stem/progenitor cells can generate prostate organoids in a three-dimensional culture system in the absence of stroma. Organoids generated from CARNs (castration-resistant Nkx3.1-expressing cells) or normal prostate epithelia exhibit tissue architecture containing luminal and basal cells, undergo long-term expansion in culture and exhibit functional androgen receptor signalling. Lineage-tracing demonstrates that luminal cells are favoured for organoid formation and generate basal cells in culture. Furthermore, tumour organoids can initiate from CARNs after oncogenic transformation and from mouse models of prostate cancer, and can facilitate analyses of drug response. Finally, we provide evidence supporting the feasibility of organoid studies of human prostate tissue. Our studies underscore the progenitor properties of luminal cells, and identify in vitro approaches for studying prostate biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence supporting perioperative chemotherapy, few randomized studies compare neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer. Consequently, the standard of care regarding the timing of chemotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer remains controversial. We compared patient outcomes following neoadjuvant or adjuvant systemic chemotherapy for cT2-T4aN0-N2M0 bladder cancer. METHODS: In a retrospective review of a single institutional database from 1988 through 2009, we identified patients receiving neoadjuvant or adjuvant multiagent platinum-based systemic chemotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer. Survival analysis was performed comparing disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 146 patients received systemic perioperative chemotherapy (73 neoadjuvant, 73 adjuvant). Of these, 84% (122/146) received cisplatin-based chemotherapy compared with carboplatin-based chemotherapy (24/146, 16.4%). Most patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy were treated with methotrexate/vinblastine/adriamycin/cisplatin (79/122, 64.8%), whereas the remaining patients received gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC) (43/122, 35.2%). In multivariable analysis, there was no significant difference in DSS ( P = .46) or OS ( P = .76) between neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy groups. There was statistically significant improvement in DSS when patients received neoadjuvant GC rather than adjuvant GC ( P = .049, hazard ratio, 10.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-112.2). CONCLUSION: In this study, there was no statistically significant difference in OS and DSS between patients receiving neoadjuvant versus adjuvant systemic platinum-based chemotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer. In addition, there was no significant difference between neoadjuvant and adjuvant cisplatin- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy. Chemotherapy sequence relative to surgery appeared less important than whether or not a patient actually received perioperative chemotherapy. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To report the long-term clinical outcomes and durability of response after treatment with induction intravesical docetaxel. Most novel agents used to treat bacillus Calmette-Guerin refractory high-grade non-muscle-invasive (NMI) bladder cancer are evaluated only after short follow-up periods. Our previously published phase I trial demonstrated that docetaxel is a safe agent for intravesical therapy with minimal toxicity and no detectable systemic absorption. We sought to determine long-term clinical outcomes after treatment with intravesical docetaxel.Methods: Eighteen patients with recurrent Ta (n = 7), T1 (n = 5), and Tis (n = 6) transitional cell carcinoma who experienced treatment failure with at least 1 prior intravesical therapy completed the phase I trial. Docetaxel was administered as 6 weekly intravesical instillations using a dose-escalation model terminated at 0.75 mg/mL. Efficacy was evaluated by interval cystoscopy with biopsies when indicated, cytology, and computed tomography imaging. Follow-up consisted of quarterly cystoscopy, cytology, computed tomography, and biopsy when indicated.Results: With a median follow-up of 48.3 months, 4 patients (22%) have demonstrated a complete durable response and currently remain disease-free without further treatment. Three patients (17%) had a partial response, defined as a single NMI recurrence with no further therapy for bladder cancer. Eleven patients (61%) failed treatment, and required another intervention. One patient developed stage progression. No delayed toxicities were noted. The median disease-free survival time was 13.3 months.Conclusions: After 4 years of follow-up without maintenance therapy, intravesical docetaxel has demonstrated the ability to prevent recurrence in a select number of patients with refractory NMI bladder cancer and warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]