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Purpose: We reviewed the clinical experience of using the ureteral tumor stent (Bard®, angiomed UROSOFT) in the National Taiwan University Hospital. We focused on the efficacy and durability of the ureteral tumor stent. Materials and Methods: We collected the patient data from April 2013 to 2014. A total of 94 patients with 157 ureteral units which received ureteral tumor stent in the National Taiwan University Hospital were enrolled. We analyzed the effectiveness according to the hydronephrosis grading. The durability was counted if it did not match any of the failure criteria including the following: 1. Hydronephrosis upgrade, 2. Serum creatinine elevated over 150% of baseline, 3. Ipsilateral percutaneous nephrostomy insertion or failure to remove it after antegrade insertion, and 4. Replacement due to clinically significant symptoms. Results: In general, 65% hydronephrosis downgrade, 25% remained stationary without severe hydronephrosis, while only 10% deteriorated or remain severe hydronephrosis. The median durability was 6.8 months. The bacteriuria and size of the ureteral tumor stent were the significant factors about the durability in single variant analysis. Conclusion: The ureteral tumor stent would improve the obstructive uropathy and persist functional for an average period over half a year.

Purpose: Deficiencies in methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSR) enzymes, which function as a defense system against oxidative stress, have been linked to age-related diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to assess the association between genetic variants in MSR genes and susceptibility to renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and methods: We systematically evaluated the effects of 89 common MSR gene polymorphisms on the risk of developing RCC in a cohort of 630 patients and controls. Furthermore, publicly available gene expression datasets were used to analyze gene expression and patient prognosis. Results: After adjusting for covariates and multiple testing corrections, MSRA rs56198596 and rs11782000 showed significant associations with the risk of RCC. Analysis of expression quantitative trait loci indicated that the risk alleles of these 2 variants tended to correlate with reduced MSRA expression. Pooled analyses of 19 kidney cancer gene expression datasets revealed that RCC exhibited lower MSRA expression than did normal tissues (P < 0.001) and that higher MSRA expression was associated with improved patient prognosis (P < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that MSRA gene variants may affect the risk of RCC, highlighting the potential protective role of MSRA and its contribution to a favorable RCC prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, segmental ureterectomy (SU) of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a considerable option for selected mid- and distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma (UC). As a UTUC endemic area, Taiwan lacks treatment outcome analysis of SU. Materials and methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the treatment outcomes of SU for clinically localized UTUCs. Patients with biopsy or washing cytology-confirmed UTUCs who underwent open, laparoscopic, or robot-assisted management with curative intent were retrospectively reviewed for the eligibility of analysis. Cox regression was applied for univariable and multivariable analyses. Results: A total of 161 patients who underwent SU were reviewed and analyzed. The median follow-up period was 44.5 (interquartile range, 21.6-84.9) months. After SU, 56/161 (34.8%) patients were free of UTUCs after the follow-up, 25/161 (15.5%) patients had local recurrence, and 35/161 (21.7%) had lymph node or distant metastasis. Surgical margin involvement was a risk factor associated with worse cancer-specific survival. Higher bladder recurrence and local recurrence rates were observed with concurrent bladder UC. Lymphovascular invasion and previous radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for UC were related to higher local recurrence rates. Patients with pathological T3/T4 stage and end-stage renal disease tended to have higher metastasis rates. For the management of local recurrence, 19 patients received salvage RNU and 25 patients had adjuvant chemotherapy. However, 26/161 (16.1%) patients died of UTUCs and 2/161 (1.2%) patients died of surgery-related complications. Conclusion: SU provides acceptable oncological outcomes if the surgeons select candidates carefully. SU is not recommended if the patient has T3 or higher stage or comorbidity of end-stage renal disease. Concurrent bladder UC is a risk factor for worse bladder recurrence-free survival and local recurrence-free survival. Lymphovascular invasion and previous RNU for UC were related to higher local recurrence rates. After SU, periodic follow-up is mandatory because the local recurrence rate is higher than radical surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of the Senhance robotic system in urologic surgeries. Materials and methods: Patients were included prospectively from July 2018 to December 2020. The exclusion criteria included severe cardiopulmonary diseases and previous extensive abdominal surgeries. Institutional approval and informed consent were obtained. We used the Clavien-Dindo classification system to evaluate the complications that occurred within 30 days after surgery. Common technical and mechanical events encountered were also recorded. Results: A total of 173 patients were recruited. The median age was 65 (58-74) years, and the median body mass index was 24.7 (16.5-35.6) kg/m². Seventeen (9.8%) patients had previously undergone abdominal surgeries. Eighty-three (48%) cases had total extraperitoneal hernioplasty and 32 (18.5%) cases radical prostatectomy, which were the largest 2 surgeries in our study. Sixty-one (35.3%) patients received surgeries due to malignancy. The median docking time was 5 (1-35) minutes. There were 28 (16.2%) cases with grade I complications and 9 (5.2%) cases with grade II complications. Only one case of a grade IIIb complication occurred during radical prostatectomy. No grade IV complications or mortalities were noted. Robotic arm collisions and forces exceeding the limit were the most commonly encountered problems intraoperatively. Conclusion: In our initial experiences, the Senhance robotic system was feasible in oncologic and nononcologic urologic surgeries and had acceptable outcomes. The haptic feedback system is unique and requires a learning period. This system may serve as an alternative tool for robotic urologic surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) are two pathological findings occasionally noted in prostate biopsies. Previous Western studies reported that they were associated with prostate cancer. However, none Taiwanese series report the subsequent cancer detection in ASAP and HGPIN patients. This study aimed to examine the results of repeated biopsies in the patients with ASAP and HGPIN. Materials and Methods: A total of 220 consecutive patients with ASAP and/or HGPIN at our institute between January 1990 and December 2010 were enrolled. Patient demographics and clinical information were extracted from the electronic database of our institute. Prostate biopsies were performed through transrectal ultrasound guidance. The patients who had concurrent prostate cancer (n = 51) and no repeated prostate biopsies (n = 103) were excluded from the study. Patients with biopsy pathologies reporting low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 2) were also excluded. The remaining 64 patients were available for the final analysis. Results: Nearly, 38, 24, and 2 patients were initially diagnosed as ASAP, HGPIN, and ASAP along with HGPIN, respectively. After 10 years of follow-up, 36.8% patients in ASAP group developed prostate cancer, while 16.7% in HGPIN group and 100% in ASAP + HGPIN group. Median time to developing prostate cancer were 20 months in ASAP group, 31 months in HGPIN group, and 48 months in ASAP + HGPIN group. There was no significant difference of prostate cancer development between ASAP and HGPIN group (P = 0.291). Only older age, classified by 65 years, was significantly associated with a higher detection rate of prostate cancer. Conclusion: Patients with the initial diagnosis of ASAP or PIN has a high risk of developing prostate cancer. Therefore, those patients should be well announced and followed regularly.

Objectives: Some studies have shown that in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who have undergone hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HALNU), the narrow working space and inevitable manipulation that occurs during the retroperitoneal approach (RP-HALNU) enhances tumor cell seeding in the bladder mucosa. This study was an attempt to investigate the differences in intravesical recurrence between transperitoneal HALNU (TP-HALNU) and RP-HALNU. Patients and Methods: From 1999 to 2011, a total of 197 patients with UTUC were enrolled. After excluding those with a previous history of bladder cancer, 170 patients were analyzed. Sixty-five of these underwent RP-HALNU, and 105 of these underwent TP-HALNU. The median follow-up periods were 39.2 and 46.2 months. Tumor location was divided into three groups: In the renal pelvis, in the ureter, and in both the renal pelvis and ureter. Results: There was no significant difference in the intravesical recurrence rate in relation to the different surgical approaches (P = 0.10), but tumor location in both the renal pelvis and ureter significantly increased the risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.11, P = 0.01). In addition, advanced T stage (HR = 9.63, P < 0.01) was the only significant risk factor related to death. Conclusions: In patients with UTUC, tumor location in both the renal pelvis and ureter determined higher susceptibility to intravesical recurrence. However, different surgical approaches to HALNU were not a significant risk factor for intravesical recurrence.

Purpose: Comparative studies on the outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) procedures conducted using the da Vinci Xi and Si platforms remain sparse. We retrospectively reviewed and compared the Trifecta and Pentafecta rates of the two robotic surgical platforms. Materials and Methods: A total of 338 patients who had undergone RAPN using da Vinci Si platform or Xi platform were included. Pentafecta was defined herein as Trifecta (a warm ischemia time <25 min, a negative surgical margin, and the absence of significant perioperative complications) with the addition of estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation of over 90% and no chronic kidney disease stage progression by 12 months postsurgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of Trifecta and Pentafecta achievement. Results: The trifecta and pentafecta rates were higher in the Xi group than in the Si group (65% vs. 29%, P < 0.001 for trifecta; 31% vs. 14%, P = 0.001 for pentafecta). In addition, a significantly shorter average WIT (19 vs. 28 min, P < 0.001) and console time (141 vs. 163 min, P = 0.004) were identified in the Xi group than in the Si group. RAPN conducted using the Xi platform was independently associated with both higher achievement rates of trifecta and pentafecta. In addition, multivariate regression analyses revealed that no history of hypertension, low tumor complexity as measured using the RENAL nephrometry score, anterior orientation of the renal tumor were associated with higher Trifecta rates; while history of diabetes and anterior--posterior renal tumor orientation were the significant predictors of Pentafecta achievement, respectively. Conclusion: A significantly higher rates of trifecta and pentafecta achievement were observed in the Xi group than in the Si group. The use of the Xi platform was also significantly associated with low operative times and acceptable complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Prostate Health Index (PHI) and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) are used as complementary tools for more accurate diagnosis in men with suspected prostate cancer (PCa). This study investigated whether the combination of PHI and mpMRI better predict clinically significant PCa (csPCa), defined as a Gleason score of ≥7. Materials and Methods: Ninety-four men with clinical suspicion of csPCa were prospectively included. PHI was determined before the prostate biopsy. A uroradiologist reviewed mpMRI findings by using the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2.1 (PI-RADS version 2.1). Fusion-targeted biopsy with systematic biopsy was performed in patients with any suspicious lesions on MRI (PI-RADS assessment category ≥3), whereas systematic biopsy was performed in patients without suspicious lesions. The diagnostic values of different biomarkers and PI-RADS were compared by the area under the receiver operating curve (area under the curve [AUC]) for detecting csPCa. Results: Forty-nine (52%) patients were diagnosed with csPCa. The csPCa group had higher median PHI and more abnormal MRI findings than did the non-csPCa group. The median total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was similar between the PI-RADS 3 and 4 lesion groups. The median PHI values increased and more patients were diagnosed as having csPCa with an increase in PI-RADS. The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that PHI and MRI (AUC 0.85 and 0.82, respectively) predicted csPCa more accurately than did the total PSA, free PSA ratio, and PSA density. Adding PHI to mpMRI significantly increased the diagnostic accuracy for csPCa (P = 0.004). PHI remained the optimal biomarker in patients with "gray zone" PI-RADS 3 or PI-RADS 4 lesions. Conclusion: PHI can guide decision-making for prostate biopsy for patients with gray-zone mpMRI lesions. We proposed a biopsy strategy incorporating PHI and MRI which resulted in the avoidance of biopsies in 35% of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical oncological outcomes and prognostic factors of high-volume disease (HVD) in the Asian population with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 503 patients with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer. Patients were classified as HVD if visceral metastases were present and/or =4 bone lesions with =1 lesion beyond the vertebral bodies and pelvis. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival were investigated based on the disease burden. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the prognostic factors. Results: About 50.7% patients were classified as low-volume disease (LVD) and 49.3% were HVD at diagnosis. The medians of OS and cancer-specific survival were 64 and 116 months, respectively, for patients with LVD and 26 and 46 months, respectively, for men with HVD (both P < 0.001). Among patients with HVD, 76.6% had both high-volume bone disease (HBD) (=4 bone metastases) and appendicular bone involvement. There was no significant difference in both OS and cancer-specific survival between patients with visceral metastases and those with HBD combined with appendicular bone involvement. In the multivariable analysis, presence of Gleason score =8, HBD, or HVD may predict poorer OS and cancer-specific survival outcomes (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Asian patients with high-volume metastatic prostate cancer had a larger proportion of HBD with appendicular bone involvement, who had a comparably poor prognosis to those with visceral metastases. Patients with HBD or HVD had reduced survival outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of genetic analysis with short tandem repeats (STRs) to identify the cellular origin of an unusual allograft urothelial carcinoma (UC). Materials and Methods: A 30-year-old Taiwanese woman received a kidney transplant from her aunt in 2000. She was diagnosed with high-grade UC of her native upper urinary tract (urinary tract UC [UTUC]) in 2012. During a follow-up, tumors were discovered in both her native right ureter and graft ureter. The final pathology report identified this as a high-grade invasive UC. To investigate the origin of her allograft ureteral cancer to determine whether it originated from her own or the donor cells, we employed STR analysis because the recipient and donor were of the same gender. Results: We compared 23 autosomal STR loci and one amelogenin. Overall, the STR expression from the native right UTUC was identical to that of the recipient's buccal cells. The STR expression of the graft UTUC was similar to that of recipient cells, but importantly, some STR loci showed gene expressions that were only present in the donor's buccal cells. Conclusion: We concluded that the native right UTUC was of recipient origin and not metastatic from the donor. While we cannot be entirely sure of the tumor origin of the graft ureteral UC, we conjectured that it was not wholly from the donor source alone; either because of the intermixing with the donor stroma or due to microchimerism that developed after transplantation.

Objective: To compare pathological and oncological outcomes between robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RaLRP) and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) among high-risk prostate cancer patient in a tertiary center in Taiwan. Materials and methods: From November 2003 to October 2013, 129 high-risk prostate cancer patients receiving minimally-invasive radical prostatectomy were included. The Kaplan–Meier analysis was used for measuring biochemical recurrence-free survival (BFS). Multivariate logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine predictors of positive surgical margin and BFS. Results: Among the 129 high-risk prostate cancer patients included, 80 (62%) patients received LRP and 49 (38%) patients received RaLRP. There was no significant difference of positive surgical margin and biochemical recurrence rate between RaLRP and LRP group (P = 0.802 and 0.292). Higher pathological T stage predicted an increased likelihood of positive margins (OR = 3.44, 95% CI [1.45, 8.18], P = 0.005). Higher initial PSA level (HR = 2.88, 95% CI [1.04, 7.94], P = 0.041) and positive surgical margin (HR = 2.55, 95% CI [1.20, 5.44], P = 0.015) were poor prognostic factors for BFS. Conclusion: RaLRP can be considered among high-risk prostate cancer in Asian people with comparable oncological outcomes to LRP. Higher pathological T stage was associated with increased likelihood of positive margins, patients with higher iPSA level and positive surgical margin had worsen biochemical recurrence-free survival.

Background/Purpose: This study evaluated the long-term outcomes of nephrectomy and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: From January 1996 to December 2013, we retrospectively collected the clinical data of 31 patients with pathologically confirmed RCC and IVC tumor thrombus. All patients received nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy. We examined the clinical outcomes, including cancer-specific survival, progression-free survival, and postoperative complications, during a 90-day period. The associated prognostic factors were also analyzed. This study is registered with the National Taiwan University Hospital Research Ethics Committee (number 201305059RINC). Results: The median follow-up period was 24 months. Of 20 patients with nonmetastatic disease, 15 developed metastases during the study period. The overall 5-year cancer-specific survival rate was 30.8% in the nonmetastatic group versus 12.5% in the metastatic group. The level of IVC thrombus (Levels I–II vs. Levels III–IV) was not significantly associated with the 5-year cancer-specific survival (P = 0.43). The Fuhrman grade and sarcomatoid type were statistically significant predictors of cancer-specific survival (Fuhrman Grades III–IV vs. Grades I–II: Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.11, P = 0.04; sarcomatoid type: HR = 0.136, P = 0.001). Fuhrman grade, capsular invasion, and positive surgical margins were associated with 1-year progression-free survival (Fuhrman Grades III–IV vs. Grades I–II: HR = 0.08, P = 0.04; capsular invasion: HR = 0.15, P = 0.04; positive surgical margins: HR = 0.16, P = 0.05). The most common perioperative complication was massive blood loss. The most common recurrence sites were bones, liver, and lungs. Conclusion: The pathologic Fuhrman grade, sarcomatoid type, positive surgical margins, and capsular invasion were significant predictors of oncological outcomes in patients with advanced RCC and IVC thrombus.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between suprapubic ultrasonography (SPUS) and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in the measurements of prostate dimensions and volume. Materials and methods: A total of 90 patients presenting with prostate enlargement and lower urinary tract symptoms were enrolled. All SPUS and TRUS were performed by a single experienced urologist at the same clinic visit. We analyzed the correlations of prostate volume measured by SPUS and TRUS using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Data were further analyzed in the subgroups to determine the correlation between uroflowmetry, prostate volume, postvoid residue, and prostate specific antigen level and the presence of intravesical growth. Results: The mean prostate volume of the 90 patients measured by SPUS and TRUS were 65.8 ± 46.5 mL and 65.4 ± 43.9 mL, respectively (r = 0.944; p

It is believed that androgens and their receptors regulate normal prostate growth and mediate prostate cancer development. Androgen deprivation therapy is the most commonly used treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Although the therapy is initially effective, progression of the disease to castration-resistant prostate cancer is almost inevitable, leading to treatment failure. Despite the existence of current clinical parameters, new biomarkers are urgently needed to improve the prognosis. Some molecules and DNA-based genetic biomarkers are under investigation as potential prognostic factors. The advancement in molecular cytogenetic research, such as genome-wide association for single-nucleotide polymorphisms, has made possible the detection of genetic mutations. In this study, a literature search from August 1985 to April 2013 was performed through the PubMed database using the keywords “genetic polymorphisms”, “prostate cancer” and “androgen deprivation therapy”. The results revealed that several genome-wide association studies (such as rs16901979, rs7931342, HSD17B4, rs6162 in the CYP17A1, rs4243229 and rs7201637 in the HSD17B2, rs1062577 in the ESR1, SLCO1B3, SLCO2B1, rs2939244 in the ARRDC3, rs9508016 in the FLT1, rs6504145 in the SKAP1, rs7830611 in the FBXO32, rs9508016 in the FLT1, rs12529 in the AKR1C3, rs16934641 in the BNC2, rs3763763 in the TACC2, rs2051778 in the ALPK1, and rs3763763 in the TACC2, AR, ESR1, and ESR2) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in important pathways (such as androgen signal, biosynthesis, metabolism, androgen receptor binding site, response element, androgen receptor CAG repeat polymorphism length, and estrogen receptor-binding sites) involved in prostate cancer occurrence and mechanism could serve as candidate biomarkers for the early detection of castration-resistant prostate cancer after androgen deprivation therapy. Additional investigations are required to decipher precisely the gene combinations and personalize the management of prostate cancer.

Objective: Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas are known as paragangliomas. The majority of extra-adrenal tumors occur intra-abdominally along the sympathetic chain. However, they may also occur in the urinary tract, including the urinary bladder. Materials and methods: In this study, we report a clinical series of six patients diagnosed with bladder paragangliomas in our hospital over the past two decades, and review the literature regarding this unusual disease. Results: Among the six cases, two were male and four were female. The most common presentation was painless gross hematuria, with five of the six patients (83.3%) having this chief complaint. Two patients presented with hypertension and one with palpitations. Two had malignant bladder paragangliomas, and one died within one year after the diagnosis. Four patients received transurethral resection of the bladder tumors, and one patient developed tumor recurrence within one year of follow-up. Conclusion: Bladder paraganglioma is an extremely rare tumor with a high recurrence rate, and the most common presenting symptom in our series was painless gross hematuria. Large, polypoid, and multiple tumors indicate malignancy.

Objective: The results of urinalysis, radiographic studies, urinary cytology examinations, and ureterorenoscopy (URS) biopsies, as well as the results of histopathology can be used to establish a diagnosis of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Materials and Methods: We enrolled 99 patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) during the period 2003–2007. A total of 65 random urine and 83 URS washing cytology examinations, 48 intravenous urography (IVU), 59 retrograde pyelography (RP), and 81 URS biopsy results were available prior to RNU and were compared with the pathological grades and stages of these surgical specimens. Results: Ninety-three UTUCs were found among the 99 RNU specimens. Initial presentations and urinalysis results could not predict tumor stages. The patient with preoperative pyuria was significantly associated with high-grade UTUC (75.0% vs 52.6%, p = 0.031). Random urine and URS washing cytology results could not predict tumor grades or stages. The sensitivity of 3-day random urine cytology was significantly better than 2-day and 1-day examinations (p = 0.002 and p = 0.019, respectively). The abnormal findings in IVU and RP accounted for 89.4% and 100%, respectively. Non-enhancement of images was significantly associated with high tumor grading (p = 0.01). URS biopsy (n = 72) was positive for malignancy in 52 patients (69.3%). Biopsy grade had a significant correlation with surgical tumor grade (κ = 0.649) and high-grade biopsy results were significantly associated with invasive tumor stage (pT2–T4) (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Combining random urine cytology for 3 nonconsecutive days, upper urinary tract images, and URS biopsies provided an accurate diagnosis of UTUC. This study found that preoperative pyuria in urinalysis, non-enhancement in IVP or RP, and high-grade tumor in URS biopsy could predict high-grade tumor in RNU specimens.