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Objective: To identify factors that are not available at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis and are associated with the risk of biopsy progression in active surveillance (AS) patients., Materials and Methods: The study included 314 AS patients who had at least 1 repeat biopsy. We used logistic regression to analyze the association between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and its derivatives, including PSA density, PSA velocity (PSAV) and doubling time (PSADT); presence of bilateral disease and number of previous successive negative surveillance biopsies; and the risk of progression on the surveillance biopsies first through fourth., Results: Over a median follow-up of 3.1 years, patients had a mean of 2.4 biopsies. The median time from diagnosis to the last biopsy was 2.3 years. The biopsies were performed at fairly equal intervals. For surveillance biopsies 1 through 3, none of the studied factors was adding significant prognostic information to the baseline characteristics. PSAV and PSADT were associated with the risk of progression on the fourth biopsy; this association was independent of baseline characteristics. No progression on the fourth biopsy was noted in 23 patients with negative PSAV. Among 54 patients with PSADT of more than 3 years only, 2 progressed whereas 6 out of 9 patients with a PSADT less than 3 years had biopsy progression on the fourth surveillance biopsy., Conclusion: PSA kinetics may be helpful in defining the indications for prostate biopsy in AS patients who are followed with regular biopsies for more than 3-4 years., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To validate and compare the accuracy and performance of nomograms predicting insignificant prostate cancer and to analyze their performance in patients with different cancer locations., Methods: Our cohort consisted of 370 radical prostatectomy patients with Gleason ≤6 prostate cancer diagnosed on transrectal biopsy with at least 10 cores. We quantified the performance of each nomogram with respect to discrimination, calibration, predictive accuracy at different cut points, and the clinical net benefit. We also evaluated these parameters in subgroups of patients with predominantly anterior-apical (AA) and posterior-basal (PB) tumor location., Results: Insignificant prostate cancer was present in 141 patients (38%). The Kattan and Steyerberg nomograms outperformed other studied models and demonstrated fair discrimination (areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.768 and 0.770, respectively), good calibration, balanced predictive accuracy, and the highest net benefit. All nomograms were less accurate at higher levels of predicted probability. The performance of the nomograms was better in patients with PB tumors than in those with AA tumors. The loss of correlation with the actual prevalence of insignificant prostate cancer at higher levels of predicted probability was not seen in the PB subgroup but was particularly noticeable in the AA subgroup., Conclusion: The Kattan and Steyerberg nomograms demonstrated the best performance in predicting the probability of insignificant prostate cancer in a contemporary cohort of patients with Gleason ≤6 cancer diagnosed on specimens from an extended transrectal biopsy. However, all studied nomograms were more accurate in identifying significant rather than insignificant disease, particularly for tumors located in the apical and anterior prostate., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the effect of prostate cancer zonal origin on the biochemical outcome after radical prostatectomy, to analyze clinicopathological features of tumors arising in different zones and to test the ability of the nomogram to predict the probability of transition zone cancer at radical prostatectomy., Methods: Our cohort consisted of 1441 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy who did not receive neoadjuvant treatment. Clinicopathological characteristics and biochemical outcomes were compared between the groups of men with different zonal location of prostate cancer. Performance of the nomogram in predicting cancer location was evaluated with respect to discrimination and calibration., Results: The rates of positive margin were similar in men with transition zone and mixed tumors and were significantly higher than those with peripheral zone tumors. Most of the positive margins in patients with transition zone and mixed cancers were located at the apico-anterior part of the gland. On multivariate analysis, transition zone cancer location was associated with better biochemical recurrence-free survival (P = .043). The Harrel c-index of the models that did and did not include zonal origin of cancer was 0.810 and 0.807, respectively. Performance of the nomogram was poor., Conclusion: The association between transition zone tumor origin and the risk of biochemical recurrence does not add important predictive value to the standard prognostic factors. Although information about the risk of prostate cancer involvement of the transition zone may be important for surgical planning, our ability to predict this risk preoperatively is limited., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze the diagnostic performance of individual prostate biopsy cores. The 12-core transrectal prostate biopsy scheme has emerged as a standard of care. However, quality of sampling may vary in different areas of the prostate included in this procedure., Material and Methods: Two-hundred fifty men underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution. All participants had a systematic 12-core transrectal prostate biopsy containing lateral and medial cores from each side of the apical, medial and basal thirds of the prostate. Biopsy results were matched with histologic maps of the prostatectomy specimens. Sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV), and overall accuracy were calculated for each biopsy core location and compared between different groups of cores. In addition, patients in the upper quartile of prostate weight were compared with the rest of the cohort., Results: Sensitivity, NPV, and overall accuracy were significantly lower for apical cores. Average NPV and overall accuracy of basal and mid-lateral biopsies were inferior to those of medial biopsies on the same levels. However, sensitivity of these lateral cores was similar to that of the medial cores. Sensitivities of apical and mid cores were significantly lower in patients with larger prostates., Conclusion: Decreased accuracy in lateral mid- and basal cores results from higher frequencies of cancer in corresponding prostate areas, and therefore additional samples should be taken at these locations. In addition, diagnostic accuracy of apical cores may be improved through better targeting of the prostatic apex. This may be particularly important in patients with larger prostates., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To report our technique of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy with a modified Pfannenstiel incision. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy has been gaining in popularity. A completely intracorporeal procedure is a technically difficult and time-consuming procedure. Most surgeons perform the diversion using a small incision, typically midline, that is also used for specimen retrieval., Methods: Radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection was performed using a da Vinci robotic platform in a standard fashion. The robot was undocked and an 8-10 cm modified Pfannenstiel incision made. A self-retaining retractor was used to expose the wound. The specimen was extracted, and an ileal neobladder was reconstructed using the incision., Results: We have performed this procedure in 14 patients to date. The mean age was 58 years (range 56-61). The mean estimated blood loss was 310 ± 220 mL, and the mean operating time was 6 ± 0.8 hours. No intraoperative visceral injuries were noted. None of the patients had positive surgical margins. The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 12 ± 3. The mean hospital stay was 8.5 days., Conclusions: Our initial experience with our technique of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy and neobladder construction using a modified Pfannenstiel incision has been favorable. The incision provides good exposure, facilitating neobladder reconstruction, can be used for specimen retrieval, and heals better with a cosmetic scar., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of previous robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) case volume on the outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy. Little is known regarding the effect of previous robotic surgical experience on the implementation and execution of robot-assisted radical cystectomy., Methods: Using the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium database, 496 patients were identified who had undergone robot-assisted radical cystectomy by 21 surgeons at 14 institutions from 2003 to 2009. The surgeons were divided into 4 groups according to their previous RARP experience (≤ 50, 51-100, 101-150, and > 150 cases). The overall operative time, blood loss, lymph node yield, pathologic stage, and surgical margin status were compared among the 4 groups using chi-square analysis., Results: The mean operative time was 386 minutes (range 178-827). The mean estimated blood loss was 408 mL (range 25-3500). The operative time and blood loss were both significantly associated with previous RARP experience (P < .001). The mean lymph node count was 17.8 nodes (range 0-68). Lymph node yield and increased pathologic stage were significantly associated with previous RARP experience (P < .001). Finally, 34 (7.0%) of the 482 patients had a positive surgical margin. Margin status was not significantly associated with previous RARP experience (P = .089)., Conclusions: Previous RARP case volume might affect the operative time, blood loss, and lymph node yield at robot-assisted radical cystectomy. In addition, surgeons with increased RARP experience operated on patients with more advanced tumors. Previous RARP experience, however, did not appear to affect the surgical margin status., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To assess the changes in the concordance rate of prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) Gleason score (GS) over 15 years., Methods: We reviewed 1670 consecutive patients who underwent RP between 1992 and 2006. We excluded patients who underwent neoadjuvant hormone therapy or salvage RP, or who had incomplete data. Patients who had RP during 1992 through 1996, 1997 through 2001, and 2002 through 2006 were assigned to groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. All clinical and pathological data were collected retrospectively. We defined overgrading as a biopsy GS higher than the RP Gleason score. Undergrading was a biopsy GS less than the RP Gleason score. The GS concordance between biopsy and RP was evaluated by kappa coefficient., Results: A total of 1363 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Biopsy and RP Gleason score categories correlated exactly in 937 (69%) men. Gleason undergrading occurred in 361 (26%) men and overgrading in 65 (5%). The exact correlation of GS between biopsy and RP was 58%, 66%, and 75% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The most common discordant finding was undergrading of the biopsy specimen. The number of cases with exact correlation was highest in GS 7 (78%). Undergrading was more in GS 6 or less (35%) and overgrading was more in the GS 8 through 10 (35%) category., Conclusions: This large, single institutional study confirms increasing concordance of Gleason scores in prostate needle biopsies and surgical specimens. This is reassuring for patients assessing various treatment options for prostate cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate the risk of long-term recurrence for patients who received cell-salvaged blood during radical cystectomy (RC)., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed an RC database and compared those who did and did not receive cell-salvaged blood according to baseline parameters, pathologic outcomes, and recurrence., Results: A total of 378 patients underwent RC between 1992 and 2005 by one surgeon. Of these, 65 (17.2%) received cell-salvaged blood and 313 (82.8%) did not. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. There were no differences between the two groups when compared by pathologic stage. The median follow-up for patients who did and did not receive cell-salvaged blood was 19.1 and 20.7 months, respectively (P = 0.464). The 3-year disease-specific survival rate for the two groups was 72.2% and 73.0%, respectively (P = 0.90)., Conclusions: Intraoperative cell salvage is a safe blood management strategy for patients undergoing RC. There is no increased risk of metastatic disease or death for those who receive cell-salvaged blood. Concerns about spreading tumors cells by IOCS during RC would seem unwarranted. However, only a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial would provide the most valid assessment of the safety of IOCS.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on outcome after orthotopic neobladder (NB) reconstruction., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent radical cystectomy and NB from 1992 to 2004. The patients were categorized according to BMI into group 1, BMI less than 25 kg/m2; group 2, BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m2; and group 3, BMI greater than 30 kg/m2. The relationships among the BMI categories, the predominant complications (eg, urinary tract infection [UTI]; pyelonephritis; ureteral, bladder neck, and urethral stricture), other complications, and continence were analyzed., Results: Of the 343 patients who underwent radical cystectomy, 116 had an NB. The patient characteristics among the BMI groups were similar. Group 1 had fewer complications compared with the other groups (P <0.012). The principal complications observed were UTI, stricture, and pyelonephritis. The incidence of UTI, pyelonephritis, and wound infection were less in group 1 than in the other groups, with statistically significant differences (P = 0.001, P = 0.04, and P = 0.04, respectively). At the last follow-up visit, only 10% of the patients required clean intermittent catheterization to empty the NB, and no statistically significant differences were found in the continence status and voiding pattern among the groups., Conclusions: An increased incidence of UTI, pyelonephritis, and wound infection was found in patients with increased BMI. However, they were transient and not life threatening. The continence and voiding patterns were relatively similar. Hence, an NB can be offered to patients with an increased BMI, and they should be formally counseled.

Objectives: The stage of presentation of prostate cancer has changed dramatically in the past two decades, largely because of prostate-specific antigen screening and increased public awareness regarding the disease. Recently, strides have been made in the validation, development, and approval of bladder cancer (BC) markers. We sought to evaluate whether any stage migration has occurred for patients with BC during the same period., Methods: A total of 351 and 1262 patients underwent radical cystectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy, respectively, between 1992 and 2005 by one surgeon. The patients were divided into two consecutive groups: group 1 (1992 to 1998) and group 2 (1999 to 2005). The baseline and pathologic characteristics of the patients were compared., Results: No differences were found in the clinical or pathologic staging between the two groups of patients undergoing radical cystectomy. The 5-year overall and disease-specific survival also was not different between the two groups. For patients with prostate cancer, those in group 2 presented at a younger age, with a lower prostate-specific antigen level, and had a lower clinical stage. Group 2 patients had a decrease in the incidence of extracapsular extension, a decreased tumor volume, and a decrease in the incidence of Gleason 8 to 10 tumors., Conclusions: During two consecutive periods, our patients with prostate cancer presented with the cancer at an earlier stage and had more favorable pathologic features after radical retropubic prostatectomy. However, our patients with BC did not demonstrate any stage migration. Physicians need to be more aggressive in diagnosing BC, especially in patients at high risk of the disease. Risk factors must be emphasized, urine markers should be used in a screening strategy, and the indications for radical cystectomy should be liberalized.

Objectives: To critically evaluate the survival of patients with high-grade Ta or T1 urothelial cancer (UC) or carcinoma in situ of the bladder who have received bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and who have undergone radical cystectomy., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our single-surgeon database of those patients who underwent cystectomy and previously received BCG. We evaluated the baseline characteristics, pathologic outcomes, and survival data., Results: Of 313 patients who underwent cystectomy between January 1992 and March 2004, 90 (29%) received BCG before bladder removal. The mean time from the first BCG course to the date of cystectomy was 27.9 months. The mean duration of follow-up from cystectomy was 32.1 months. The risk of progression to muscle invasion for those who underwent cystectomy less than or more than 1 year from the time of their first BCG dose was 59% and 36%, respectively (P = 0.05). The disease-specific survival rate was 81% versus 80% for those who underwent early versus delayed cystectomy (P = 0.9)., Conclusions: Patients with high-grade UC are at risk of dying from this cancer, even if they ultimately undergo cystectomy. Patients who receive BCG should be appropriately counseled that they remain at risk for disease progression and death from UC. It is difficult to ascertain the proper time to proceed with cystectomy if an initial bladder conservation approach is used.

Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease with a variable natural history. At one end of the spectrum, low-grade Ta tumors have a low progression rate and require initial endoscopic treatment and surveillance but rarely present a threat to the patient. At the other extreme, high-grade tumors have a high malignant potential associated with significant progression and cancer death rates. In the Western world, bladder cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in men and the eighth most common in women. In Europe and the United States, bladder cancer accounts for 5% to 10% of all malignancies in men. The risk of developing bladder cancer at <75 years of age is 2% to 4% for men and 0.5% to 1% in women compared with the risk of lung cancer, for example, which is 8% in men and 2% in women. For the geographic and temporal comparison of bladder cancer incidence, it is crucial to separate the low-grade from the high-grade tumors. In epidemiologic studies on risk factors for bladder cancer, it is important to distinguish the low-grade Ta tumors from high-grade carcinoma in situ (CIS) and tumors >T1. Current studies do not support the routine screening for bladder cancer. However, prospective long-term studies are required to evaluate the benefits of bladder cancer screening, particularly in those at high risk. After assessing all available evidence, the Epidemiology and Diagnosis Committee has made recommendations on various diagnostic issues, including pathologic evaluation, urinary cytology, and imaging studies. Optimal resection techniques, role of repeat transurethral resection in high-grade T1 tumors, random bladder biopsy, and prostatic urethral biopsy are discussed, and appropriate recommendations are made according to the strength of available evidence.

Objectives: To evaluate the risk of long-term biochemical recurrence for patients who receive cell-salvaged blood. Radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) is historically associated with the potential for significant blood loss. Different blood management strategies include blood donation, hemodilution, preoperative erythropoietin, and intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS). Oncologic surgeons have been reluctant to use IOCS because of the potential risk of tumor dissemination., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed an RRP database and compared those who did and did not receive cell-salvaged blood by baseline parameters, pathologic outcomes, and biochemical recurrence. We also stratified our patients according to the risk of recurrence., Results: A total of 1038 patients underwent RRP between 1992 and 2003. Of these, 265 (25.5%) received cell-salvaged blood and 773 (74.5%) did not. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. No differences were found between the two groups when compared by risk of seminal vesicle invasion or positive surgical margins. Those who received cell-salvaged blood had a lower risk of extraprostatic extension. The median follow-up for all patients was 40.2 months. The overall risk of biochemical recurrence at 5 years for those who did and did not receive cell-salvaged blood was 15% and 18%, respectively (P = 0.76). No significant differences were found in the risk of biochemical recurrence when patients were stratified according to low, intermediate, and high risk., Conclusions: IOCS is a safe and effective blood management strategy for patients undergoing RRP. The risk of biochemical recurrence was not increased for those who received cell-salvaged blood. Concerns about spreading tumor cells by way of IOCS would seem unwarranted.

Objectives: To analyze the postoperative pain, analgesic requirements, and convalescence of patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) under spinal anesthesia using long-acting morphine sulfate as preemptive analgesia., Methods: A total of 103 consecutive men underwent RRP by a single surgeon. The time to tolerate oral fluids, time to unassisted ambulation, postoperative pain levels (visual analog pain score of 0 to 10), and analgesic requirements expressed in morphine equivalents were evaluated. Baseline patient characteristics and intraoperative factors (operating room time, blood loss) were also evaluated., Results: The mean time to tolerate oral fluids and unassisted ambulation was 11.3 +/- 7.6 hours and 20 +/- 6 hours, respectively. The mean narcotic requirements were 7.4 +/- 6.1 morphine equivalents before discharge and 28.5 +/- 25.9 morphine equivalents in the first week after discharge. The mean visual analog pain score was 4.5 +/- 2.1 at discharge and fell significantly to 1.5 +/- 1.0 by the time of Foley catheter removal on postoperative day 7 or 8. The analgesic requirements after discharge correlated with the pain score at discharge (P = 0.016). The mean time to resumption of normal preoperative activities was 19.4 +/- 9.4 days. Two patients developed postspinal anesthesia headache. No other complications attributable to the anesthetic occurred., Conclusions: RRP may be performed through a small modified Pfannenstiel incision under spinal anesthesia containing long-acting morphine with little postoperative pain, low narcotic requirements, and a short convalescence. A prospective, randomized study is needed to compare the early postoperative outcomes of RRP performed using general versus spinal anesthesia.

Objectives: To review our cystoprostatectomy (CP) database to determine the urethral recurrence rate. Urethral recurrence after CP has been reported to occur in up to 10% of patients. Recent data have suggested a much lower incidence. This has important implications when considering the type of urinary diversion and postoperative monitoring., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our single-surgeon, consecutive CP series and determined the urethral recurrence rate and prognostic factors for recurrence. Urethrectomy was performed at CP if the prostatic apical margin was positive for carcinoma. All patients were followed up quarterly for 2 years and then semiannually. Urethral wash cytology was obtained if the patient had an ileal conduit. Cytology and cystoscopy were performed if they had an orthotopic neobladder., Results: A total of 226 men had undergone radical CP. The mean age for all patients was 69 years. Eight (3.5%) had undergone urethrectomy at CP. The mean follow-up was 42 months for the remaining 218 patients, of whom 108 had an orthotopic neobladder and 110 had supravesical diversion. Of the 218 patients, 8 (3.7%) developed urethral recurrence, 7 (6.4%) in the 110 who had undergone supravesical diversion and 1 in the 108 (0.9%) who had an orthotopic neobladder. Seven patients underwent urethrectomy for the recurrence and had no evidence of disease at last follow-up. One patient died of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma at 61 months., Conclusions: In our series, the risk of urethral recurrence after radical CP was low. The risk was substantially lower for patients who had an orthotopic neobladder. Our results show that urethrectomy at CP is rarely necessary because the proximal urethral margin is usually free of cancer. An orthotopic neobladder can therefore be safely considered in most patients. Delayed urethrectomy can be safely performed in those few patients with isolated urethral recurrence without compromising their survival.