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Erectile dysfunction (ED), the impairment of achieving and maintaining an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse, is a common pathology that men experience for a variety of different factors. Conservative treatment for ED includes changing medications, lifestyle modifications, and psychotherapy. Pharmaceutical and nonsurgical interventions include phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors(PDE‐5i), intracavernosal medication injections, and vacuum devices. Surgical treatment options for ED have evolved over time and currently include the use of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) and malleable penile prosthesis. IPP insertion is usually met with good patient satisfaction. However, complications of device insertion can include corporal perforation, urethral injury, cylinder erosion or extrusion, infection, and mechanical failure, to name a few. Our patient presented with device malfunction and intraoperative assessment showed the IPP tubing twisted at the levels of the reservoir on the first operation and the level of the cylinder and scrotal pump on the second operation. The twisting of the tubing resulted in a nonfunctioning IPP as the fluid was unable to fill the cylinders resulting in an erection. The patient was managed with complete device explanation and reinsertion of a new three‐piece IPP per the patient and partner's request. This is the first case report highlighting this specific complication, and we hope to provide clinicians with the resources to recognize this rare complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We encountered a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in which the serum level of KL‐6, a therapeutic marker, was exceptionally high and fluctuated with the progression of treatment. A 74‐year‐old man was diagnosed with right renal cystic cancer and multiple metastases in October 2022. The KL‐6 level was 27490 U/mL. He started treatment with lenvatinib and pembrolizumab. KL‐6 decreased to 3885 U/mg in February 2023. The patient's proteinuria worsened, leading to the discontinuation of lenvatinib. KL‐6 increased to 25950 U/mL in April. He discontinued pembrolizumab and started taking cabozantinib. In September, drug‐induced bilateral inflammatory pneumonitis developed. He discontinued cabozantinb and began taking axitinib. KL‐6 decreased; however, he suffered from severe diarrhea and subsequent renal insufficiency. He discontinued axitinib in November. KL‐6 increased to 29640 U/mL in December. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We evaluated oncological outcomes of patients undergoing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer (PCa) and their perioperative complications in Japan. We investigated clinical and pathological covariates to predict biochemical recurrence (BCR) after RARP. Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted in RARP patients with PCa at 10 institutions in Japan. Pre‐ and postoperative covariates were collected from enrolled patients. The primary endpoint was defined as biochemical recurrence‐free survival (BRFS). Additionally, the association between BCR and clinicopathological covariates was determined. Results: We enrolled 2670 patients in this study. The median follow‐up period was 26.0 months. RARP‐related perioperative complications were identified in 198 patients (7.4%), including 69 patients (2.6%) with grade 3/4 complications according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. The 2‐year BRFS was 88.0%. Using the Kaplan–Meier method, initial prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of ≤7.6 ng/mL, biopsy and pathological Gleason score (GS) of ≤7, clinical and pathological T1/2, and low/intermediate risks according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk classification, and negative surgical margin status had significant BRFS than their counterparts. In multivariate analysis, initial PSA, biopsy and pathological GS, clinical and pathological T stage, and surgical margin status significantly correlated with BCR after RARP. Conclusion: In this study, RARP achieved a lower incidence of perioperative complications than other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 37-year-old Burmese woman presented with an incidentally found retroperitoneal fat-containing tumor. The tumor was 9 cm in the longest diameter, surrounding the right kidney, and composed of homogenous adipose tissue with thickened septum-like structures and spotty nonadipose structures, which were enhanced on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The tumor did not show either a beak sign or synchronous angiomyolipoma-like lesion in the kidneys. The tumor had irregular septa, thin blood vessels, and spotty small soft-tissue nodules. The tumor did not contain any heterogeneously enhanced solid lesions suspicious for dedifferentiated liposarcomas. Based on these imaging findings, a clinical diagnosis of a well-differentiated liposarcoma was made. Under the consensus of a multidisciplinary cancer board, she was recommended to undergo core-needle biopsy to confirm the clinical diagnosis. However, she declined to undergo biopsy for financial reasons. She underwent kidney-sparing retroperitoneal tumor resection. Histopathologically, the tumor was an angiomyolipoma with positive immunostaining for HMB45 and Melan A. The present case suggests the importance of core-needle biopsy prior to surgical intervention for retroperitoneal fat-containing tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic significance of contact with the renal sinus in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Methods: A total of 787 pT1N0M0 clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients who had undergone radical or partial nephrectomy were reviewed retrospectively. A tumor in contact with the renal sinus was defined as a tumor radiologically attached to the renal sinus. Metastatic‐free survival rates were analyzed in the total and propensity score‐matched cohorts. A risk score model for metastasis after surgery was developed. Results: Of the 787 patients, 411 (52.2%) had tumors in contact with renal sinus. The contact with renal sinus group showed poorer metastatic‐free survival in both total and matched cohorts. In multivariate analysis, contact with renal sinus was an independent prognostic factor of metastasis, as well as Fuhrman grade, microvascular invasion and age. The scoring model likewise consisted of Fuhrman grade, microvascular invasion, age and contact with renal sinus. Metastasis‐free survival curves were clearly stratified according to risk, with 5‐year metastasis‐free survival rates of 95.7% and 65.2% in the low‐ and high‐risk groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Contact with the renal sinus is a significant risk factor for metastasis in T1 clear cell renal cell carcinoma after surgery. More intensive follow up should be recommended for patients with renal cell carcinoma that is in contact with the renal sinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the oncological and functional outcomes associated with selective tetramodal bladder‐sparing therapy, comprising maximal transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT), induction chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and consolidative partial cystectomy (PC) with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND). Materials and Methods: In the present study, 154 patients with non‐metastatic muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), prospectively enrolled in the tetramodal bladder‐preservation protocol, were analysed. After TURBT and induction CRT, patients showing complete remission were offered consolidative PC with PLND for the achievement of bladder preservation. Pathological response to induction CRT was evaluated using PC specimens. Oncological and functional outcomes after bladder preservation were evaluated using the following endpoints: MIBC‐recurrence‐free survival (RFS); cancer‐specific survival (CSS); overall survival (OS), and cross‐sectional assessments of preserved bladder function and quality of life (QoL) including uroflowmetry, bladder diary, International Prostate Symptom Score, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score and the 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) score. Results: The median follow‐up period was 48 months. Complete MIBC remission was achieved in 121 patients (79%) after CRT, and 107 patients (69%) completed the tetramodal bladder‐preservation protocol comprising consolidative PC with PLND. Pathological examination in these 107 patients revealed residual invasive cancer (≥pT1) that was surgically removed in 11 patients (10%) and lymph node metastases in two patients (2%). The 5‐year MIBC‐RFS, CSS and OS rates in the 107 patients who completed the protocol were 97%, 93% and 91%, respectively. As for preserved bladder function, the median maximum voided volume, post‐void residual urine volume, and nighttime frequency were 350 mL, 25 mL, and two voids, respectively. In the SF‐36, patients had favourable scores, equivalent to the age‐matched references in all the QoL scales. Conclusion: Selective tetramodal bladder‐preservation therapy, incorporating consolidative PC with PLND, yielded favourable oncological and functional outcomes in patients with MIBC. Consolidative PC may have contributed to the low rate of MIBC recurrence in patients treated according to this protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography/computed tomography on chemosensitivity and survival in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Methods: The present study assessed 51 metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients undergoing fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography before first‐line systemic chemotherapy. Fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in metastases was evaluated using the maximum standardized uptake value, which was measured for all eligible lesions, and the highest value among the maximum standardized uptake value measurements in each case was defined as the highest maximum standardized uptake value. The associations between the highest maximum standardized uptake value and objective response rate to chemotherapy, progression‐free survival or cancer‐specific survival were analyzed. For cancer‐specific survival, the C‐index was compared between multivariate models that incorporated predictors in the Bajorin model including the Karnofsky performance status and the presence of visceral metastasis, and the Apolo model additionally including hemoglobin and albumin levels, with/without the highest maximum standardized uptake value. Results: The median age was 69 years. The Karnofsky performance status was ≥80% for all patients. Visceral metastasis was observed in 12 patients (24%). The objective response rate, median progression‐free survival and median cancer‐specific survival were 61%, 9 and 26 months in the entire cohort, respectively. The higher highest maximum standardized uptake value was significantly associated with a lower objective response rate, shorter progression‐free survival and shorter cancer‐specific survival (P = 0.01, <0.001 and 0.004, respectively). On multivariate analyses, the highest maximum standardized uptake value was an independent predictor for all end‐points. In the multivariate models for cancer‐specific survival, the C‐index improved from 0.559 to 0.601 and from 0.604 to 0.652 by adding the highest maximum standardized uptake value to the parameter set of the Bajorin model and Apolo model, respectively. Conclusions: Higher fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in metastases was significantly and independently associated with poor chemosensitivity and worse survival outcomes. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography might aid in patient counseling and treatment decisions for metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 78-year-old man who had a horseshoe kidney (HSK) visited us because of gross hematuria and suspicious urine cytology. CT and MRI revealed a right renal pelvic tumor of 28 mm in diameter. He underwent gasless single-port retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy with division of the isthmus via the right pararectal small incision using the RoboSurgeon system. Pathological diagnosis was invasive urothelial carcinoma, grade 3, pT3, pN0, LVI0, RM0. He was discharged from hospital on the 6th postoperative day without any perioperative complication. He has no evidence of disease clinically and radiologically 19 months after the operation. Only a few cases of upper tract urothelial carcinoma complicated by HSK treated with minimally invasive surgery have been reported in English literature. This is the first case successfully managed with RoboSurgeon gasless single-port retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the prognostic significance of sarcopenia in upper tract urothelial carcinoma ( UTUC) patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy ( RNU). The skeletal muscle index ( SMI) was calculated from computed tomography images. Sarcopenia was defined as SMI <43 cm2/m2 for males with body mass index <25 kg/m2, <53 cm2/m2 for males with BMI ≥25 kg/m2, and <41 cm2/m2 for females. Associations of sarcopenia with cancer-specific survival ( CSS) and overall survival ( OS) were evaluated in 81 consecutive UTUC patients who underwent RNU. Forty-seven (58%) out of 81 patients had sarcopenia. Multivariate analyses identified sarcopenia as a significant and independent poor prognostic factor for both CSS (hazard ratio [ HR] 8.58, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.63-158.1, P = 0.008) and OS ( HR 6.05, 95% CI 2.00-26.21, P < 0.001). In patients with locally advanced disease ( pT3/4 or pN+), those with sarcopenia showed significantly worse CSS and OS than those without (5-year CSS rate 55% vs. 100%, P = 0.014; 5-year OS rate 40% vs. 86%, P = 0.007). In contrast, no prognostic difference was observed between patients with and without sarcopenia in those with organ-confined disease ( pTa-2pN0/x). Sarcopenia is an independent poor prognostic factor for UTUC patients treated with RNU, particularly for those with locally advanced disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify prostatic quadrants that could be preserved without intervention, using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and extended core biopsy, as a step toward implementation of quadrant-based focal ablation with potential preservation of erectile and ejaculatory functions, based on comparisons with unilateral hemi-gland ablation. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prebiopsy DWI study including 648 quadrants in 162 men who underwent 14-core biopsy including anterior sampling and radical prostatectomy (RP) for localised cancer. Imaging and pathology were analysed on a quadrant basis. Each quadrant was assessed through four-core sampling. Predictive performance of DWI and biopsy for quadrant status was analysed. Results: On RP specimens, 170 anterior (52.5%) and 172 posterior quadrants (53.1%) harboured significant cancer. Negative predictive values of DWI, biopsy, and their combination for significant cancer were 79.7%, 70.6%, and 91.1%, respectively, in anterior quadrants, and 78.5%, 81.3%, and 91.7%, respectively, in posterior quadrants. DWI incrementally improved the negative predictive values of biopsy in anterior (P < 0.001) and posterior quadrants (P = 0.025), without untoward impacts on positive predictive values. Negative findings on both DWI and biopsy were identified in posterior quadrants of 109 sides (33.6%), but in entire hemi-glands of 54 sides (16.7%). Conclusions: The combination of DWI and 14-core biopsy including anterior sampling efficiently identifies quadrants without significant cancer in men with localised prostate cancer; the remaining quadrants, therefore, could be potential candidate areas for focal ablation. Focal therapy designed based on quadrant-based assessment could be superior to unilateral hemi-gland ablation for preservation of posterior quadrants and retaining of sexual function in more sides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To identify risk factors and develop a model for predicting recurrence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma ( UTUC) in the bladder in patients without a history of bladder cancer after radical nephroureterectomy ( RNU). Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 754 patients with UTUC without prior or concurrent bladder cancer or distant metastasis at 13 institutions in Japan. Univariate and multivariate Fine and Gray competing risks proportional hazards models were used to examine the cumulative incidence of bladder recurrence of UTUC. A risk stratification model and a nomogram were constructed. Two prediction models were compared using the concordance index (c-index) focusing on predictive accuracy and decision-curve analysis, which indicate whether a model is appropriate for decision-making and determining subsequent patient prognosis. Results The cumulative incidence rates of bladder UTUC recurrence at 1 and 5 years were 15 and 29%, respectively; the median time to bladder UTUC recurrence was 10 months. Multivariate analysis showed that papillary tumour architecture, absence of lymphovascular invasion and higher pathological T stage were both predictive factors for bladder cancer recurrence. The predictive accuracy of the risk stratification model and the nomogram for bladder cancer recurrence were not different (c-index: 0.60 and 0.62). According to the decision-curve analysis, the risk stratification was an acceptable model because the net benefit of the risk stratification was equivalent to that of the nomogram. The overall cumulative incidence rates of bladder cancer 5 years after RNU were 10, 26 and 44% in the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups, respectively. Conclusions We identified risk factors and developed a risk stratification model for UTUC recurrence in the bladder after RNU. This model could be used to provide both an individualised strategy to prevent recurrence and a risk-stratified surveillance protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To describe the technical aspects of gasless laparoendoscopic single-port clampless sutureless partial nephrectomy for peripheral renal tumors, and to evaluate its outcomes, including surgical, pathological, and short-term oncological and functional outcomes. Methods Between January 2010 and June 2013, 103 patients with peripheral renal tumors suggestive of renal cell carcinoma underwent gasless laparoendoscopic single-port partial nephrectomy. In all cases, an attempt was made to accomplish partial nephrectomy without vascular clamping using ultrasonic coagulating and bipolar sealing devices. Hemostasis was achieved by coagulation and hemostatic agents without reconstructing the renal parenchyma. Results Of the 103 patients, gasless laparoendoscopic single-port partial nephrectomy was accomplished without vascular clamping and parenchymal suture in all but two patients (98%). Median operative time and blood loss were 191 min and 244 mL, respectively. One patient (1%) received allogeneic blood transfusion. The median postoperative time to full recovery was 3 days. Three major complications (3%, all grade 3 urinary leakage) were observed. Of 92 renal cell carcinoma patients, four (4%) had positive surgical margins, most of which underwent thermal degeneration histologically. In 91 non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients, 3-year local recurrence-free, progression-free, cancer-specific and overall survival rates were 100%, 99%, 100%, and 100%, respectively (mean follow-up period, 21 months). In the 103 patients, the median percent decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate 3 months after partial nephrectomy was 2.4%. Conclusions Gasless laparoendoscopic single-port clampless sutureless partial nephrectomy can be accomplished in almost all cases of peripheral renal tumors. This surgery is technically feasible and safe, yielding acceptable short-term oncological outcomes and maximal preservation of renal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the diagnostic performance and safety of a three-dimensional 14-core biopsy ( 3D14PBx) method, which is a combination of the transrectal six-core and transperineal eight-core biopsy methods. Patients and Methods Between December 2005 and August 2010, 1103 men underwent 3D14PBx at our institutions and were analysed prospectively. Biopsy criteria included a PSA level of 2.5-20 ng/mL or abnormal digital rectal examination ( DRE) findings, or both. The primary endpoint of the study was diagnostic performance and the secondary endpoint was safety. We applied recursive partitioning to the entire study cohort to delineate the unique contribution of each sampling site to overall and clinically significant cancer detection. Results Prostate cancer was detected in 503 of the 1103 patients (45.6%). Age, family history of prostate cancer, DRE, PSA, percentage of free PSA and prostate volume were associated with the positive biopsy results significantly and independently. Of the 503 cancers detected, 39 (7.8%) were clinically locally advanced (≥ cT3a), 348 (69%) had a biopsy Gleason score ( GS) of ≥7, and 463 (92%) met the definition of biopsy-based significant cancer. Recursive partitioning analysis showed that each sampling site contributed uniquely to both the overall and the biopsy-based significant cancer detection rate of the 3D14PBx method. The overall cancer-positive rate of each sampling site ranged from 14.5% in the transrectal far lateral base to 22.8% in the transrectal far lateral apex. As of August 2010, 210 patients (42%) had undergone radical prostatectomy, of whom 55 (26%) were found to have pathologically non-organ-confined disease, 174 (83%) had prostatectomy GS ≥7 and 185 (88%) met the definition of prostatectomy-based significant cancer. Conclusions This is the first prospective analysis of the diagnostic performance of an extended biopsy method, which is a simplified version of the somewhat redundant super-extended three-dimensional 26-core biopsy. As expected, each sampling site uniquely contributed not only to overall cancer detection, but also to significant cancer detection. 3D14PBx is a feasible systematic biopsy method in men with PSA <20 ng/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a type of functional imaging that is increasingly being applied in the management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma and bladder cancer. The image contrast is derived from differences in the Brownian motion of water molecules in tissues. The homogenous high signal intensity of upper tract urothelial carcinoma and bladder cancer on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging provides helpful diagnostic information for the presence of cancerous lesions in a non-invasive manner. Recently, growing evidence has emerged showing that diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging can serve as an imaging biomarker for characterizing cancer pathophysiology, because the signal reflects biophysical information about the tissues. Quantitative analysis by evaluating the apparent diffusion coefficient values potentially reflects the histological grade and the biological aggressiveness of urothelial carcinoma. The apparent diffusion coefficient value could be a biomarker predicting the clinical course of upper tract urothelial carcinoma and bladder cancer. In addition, in chemoradiotherapy-based bladder-sparing approaches against muscle-invasive bladder cancer, the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for predicting the chemoradiosensitivity and for monitoring therapeutic response has been shown. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is expected to improve the diagnostic accuracy, and this qualitative information might allow individualized treatment strategies for patients with urothelial carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To investigate the oncological and functional outcome of distal ureterectomy compared with nephroureterectomy in the management of distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma. Methods Using a database including upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma patients ( n = 1329), 282 patients were identified with urothelial carcinoma localized in the distal ureter on clinical evaluation. To adjust for potential baseline differences between groups, 43 patients undergoing distal ureterectomy were matched with 86 patients undergoing nephroureterectomy using propensity scoring. Cox regression models tested the effect of surgery type on recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was measured before and after surgery. Results The median follow-up period was 50 months. There were no significant differences in 5-year recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival rates between the distal ureterectomy and nephroureterectomy groups ( P = 0.22 and P = 0.70, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that surgery type was not associated with recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival ( P = 0.90 and P = 0.28, respectively). In the subanalysis, recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival in the distal ureterectomy group were equivalent to those of the nephroureterectomy group in both pTa-1 and pT2-4 patients. Renal function was better preserved in the distal ureterectomy group than in the nephroureterectomy group (rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate 2% vs −20%; P < 0.001). Conclusions The oncological outcome of distal ureterectomy is comparable with that of nephroureterectomy in distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma patients, and distal ureterectomy provides better preservation of renal function. Distal ureterectomy would be feasible for carefully selected patients with distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To develop and validate predictive models for postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate and risk of chronic kidney disease after radical nephrectomy in Japanese patients. Methods The present retrospective study included a development cohort of 209 patients without preoperative chronic kidney disease who underwent radical nephrectomy between 1994 and 2008, and were followed up for longer than 3 years, and a validation cohort of 144 similar such patients. Univariate and multivariate linear regression or logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the independent predictors of estimated glomerular filtration rate or chronic kidney disease 3 years after radical nephrectomy. Incorporating all independent predictors, predictive models for postoperative renal function were developed and externally validated. Results Age, the presence of diabetes mellitus, and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate were independent predictors of both postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate and chronic kidney disease. A formula for predicting the postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate and a nomogram for predicting the risk of postoperative chronic kidney disease were developed. The adjusted R2 of the formula and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the nomogram were 0.446 and 0.865 in the development cohort, and 0.396 and 0.787 in the validation cohort, respectively. Conclusions We developed and validated novel predictive models for the postoperative renal function 3 years after radical nephrectomy in Japanese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To elucidate a role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value as a biomarker of bladder cancer, we investigated its associations with Ki-67 labeling index (LI) along with classical clinicopathological prognosticators. Materials and Methods Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) at 1.5 Tesla using b-values of 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 s/mm2 was prospectively taken before transurethral resection by 132 bladder cancer patients. ADC value of index tumors was measured and compared with clinicopathological prognosticators including Ki-67 LI. Results ADC value was significantly lower in tumors with higher Ki-67 LIs, sessile tumors (versus papillary), larger tumors, higher grade disease, and higher T stage disease. ADC value inversely correlated with Ki-67 LI (ρ = −0.57; P < 0.0001). On multiple regression analysis, T stage and Ki-67 LI significantly correlated with ADC value. The Akaike information criterion confirms these two parameters constitute the best model for determining ADC value. Similarly, T stage and ADC value significantly correlated with Ki-67 LI and these two parameters composed the best model for predicting Ki-67 LI. Conclusion ADC value would reflect T stage and Ki-67 LI, representing invasive and proliferative potential, respectively. ADC value is likely to serve as a biomarker reflecting aggressiveness of bladder cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:172-178. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the association between lower urinary tract symptoms status and prostate cancer risk at initial extended biopsy. Methods Between 2005 and 2011, the International Prostate Symptom Score was completed on 1467 consecutive men with prostate-specific antigen <10 ng/mL and non-suspicious digital rectal examination. After excluding 308 men treated with alpha-blockers, the remaining 1159 men were enrolled in the present study. Lower urinary tract symptoms status was divided into absent or mild ( International Prostate Symptom Score scores of 0-7) and moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms ( International Prostate Symptom Score scores of 8-35). The risks of prostate cancer diagnosis and high-grade ( Gleason score ≥4 + 3) prostate cancer diagnosis in relation to lower urinary tract symptoms status was evaluated using logistic regression. A stratified analysis based on prostate volume (<30 cc, 30-50 cc and >50 cc) was also carried out. Results Of 1159 patients, 421 (36.3%) had a positive biopsy and 590 (51.0%) had moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms. On multivariate analysis, absent or mild lower urinary tract symptoms had a significant and positive impact on the risk of prostate cancer and high-grade disease (odds ratio 1.64 and 1.70, P = 0.0007 and 0.0121, respectively). Furthermore, the aforementioned findings for prostate cancer detection did not change throughout every prostate volume subgroup. In contrast, in men with prostate volume ≤50 cc, but not in those with prostate volume >50 cc, prostate-specific antigen or %free prostate-specific antigen remained as a significant predictor of prostate cancer. Conclusion In men with elevated prostate-specific antigen, absent or mild lower urinary tract symptoms are positively associated with prostate cancer and high-grade disease regardless of the prostate volume. This finding is especially useful in men with enlarged prostates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Type - Prognosis (inception cohort) Level of Evidence 2 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The criteria used for selecting patients with prostate cancer for active surveillance (AS) are still not satisfactory due to the difficulty in predicting the significance of the prostate cancer. Urologists could predict insignificant prostate cancer by incorporating cumulative cancer length and biopsy Gleason score, derived from extended biopsy. The present study has added new criteria for predicting insignificant prostate cancer, which would lead to a better selection of candidates for AS. OBJECTIVE To develop extended biopsy based criteria for predicting insignificant cancer (IC) using extended biopsy findings., PATIENTS AND METHODS From 2000 to 2009, 1575 patients with prostate cancer were primarily treated by radical prostatectomy in two referral hospitals., Of these, the study cohort comprised 499 patients with extended biopsy confirmed, clinically organ-confined (cT1-2N0M0) prostate cancer with PSA levels of <20 ng/mL., Cancer information obtained through extended biopsy included cumulative cancer length (CCL) divided by the number of biopsy cores (CCL/core)., RESULTS Pathological examination revealed 39 ICs (7.8%). All these ICs fell in a category of prostate cancer with clinical stage ≤T2a and 2005 International Society of Urological Pathology Consensus Conference (ISUP) modified biopsy Gleason score ≤7., Accordingly, we analysed predictors of IC in a subset cohort of 370 patients in this category. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that 2005 ISUP modified biopsy Gleason score and CCL/core were independently significant predictors of IC., We determined a threshold value of CCL/core of 0.20 mm for predicting IC using receiver operating characteristic analysis., Based on these findings, we developed simple extended biopsy based criteria for predicting IC as follows: (i) PSA level of <20 ng/mL; (ii) Clinical stage ≤T2a; (iii) 2005 ISUP modified biopsy Gleason score ≤6; (iv) CCL/core of <0.20 mm., The specificity of the criteria was 91%, which was significantly higher than the value from a subset of criteria without item iv ( P < 0.001)., CONCLUSION We have developed extended biopsy based criteria for predicting IC incorporating the 2005 ISUP modified biopsy Gleason score and CCL/core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Type - Prognosis (retrospective cohort analysis) Level of Evidence 2b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The additional use of anti-androgen (deferred combined androgen blockade [CAB] therapy) for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) initially treated with androgen deprivation monotherapy (ADMT) can provide a clinical response, although the reported response rates vary widely. Our previous study, which reported a response rate of 66% to deferred CAB therapy, suggested that deferred CAB responders would also respond better to subsequent therapies than non-responders because the difference in cancer-specific survival between the deferred CAB responders and the non-responders was much larger than the progression-free survival rates for the responders. The present study showed that PSA response to deferred CAB therapy predicts clinical outcomes after subsequent oestrogen and docetaxel therapy. We propose that PSA response to deferred CAB be used for planning individualized treatment that includes secondary hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether there is any association between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response to deferred combined androgen blockade (CAB) therapy using bicalutamide in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), initially treated with castration monotherapy, and the clinical outcomes after subsequent oestrogen and docetaxel therapies., PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty-six patients with advanced prostate cancer, who were refractory to both initial castration monotherapy and subsequent deferred CAB, received oestrogen therapy (estramustine phosphate 140 or 280 mg/day in 50 patients, diethylstilbestrol diphosphate 100 mg/day orally in six patients). Of the 56 patients, 33 underwent docetaxel therapy (median dose 55 mg/m2, every 4-8 weeks, median 6 courses) when they became refractory to oestrogen therapy., A deferred CAB response was defined as a decrease of >50% in PSA levels after the addition of bicalutamide. The difference in cancer-specific survival (CSS) after confirmation of resistance to initial castration monotherapy between the deferred CAB responders and the non-responders was evaluated, and outcomes after oestrogen and docetaxel therapies were also compared between the two groups., RESULTS A response to deferred CAB was observed in 27 (48%) of the 56 patients. There was no significant difference between the responders and the non-responders in pretreatment clinical variables, including Gleason score, metastatic sites, PSA level at diagnosis, and PSA nadir during castration monotherapy., A deferred CAB response was a significant predictor of CSS after confirmation of resistance to initial castration monotherapy., The deferred CAB responders had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) (median 3.2 months in the responders, 2.1 month in the non-responders, P= 0.04) and CSS (median 3.0 years in the responders, 1.5 years in the non-responders, P= 0.04) after oestrogen therapy. Likewise, PFS (median 8.2 months in the responders, 2.2 months in the non-responders, P < 0.01) and CSS (median not reached in the responders, 1.4 years in the non-responders, P < 0.01) after docetaxel therapy was significantly longer in the deferred CAB responders., CONCLUSION PSA response to deferred CAB predicts clinical outcomes after subsequent oestrogen and docetaxel therapies in patients with CRPC, and provides useful information for planning individualized optimum treatment courses that include secondary hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Obese men with benign prostate hyperplasia might have lower serum prostate-specific antigen because of hemodilution, resulting in underestimation of total prostate volume by serum prostate-specific antigen. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of prostate-specific antigen mass as the absolute amount of prostate-specific antigen protein secreted into circulation with that of serum prostate-specific antigen in the prediction of total prostate volume. Methods: A total of 1517 men with serum prostate-specific antigen up to 10 ng/mL, including 1425 with biopsy-proven benign prostate hyperplasia, were enrolled in this study. Height and weight were used to estimate body mass index, body surface area and plasma volume. Prostate-specific antigen mass was calculated as serum prostate-specific antigen multiplied by plasma volume. The association between serum prostate-specific antigen or prostate-specific antigen mass and transrectal ultrasound-measured total prostate volume were evaluated by Pearson's correlation coefficient (Υ), linear regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: Serum prostate-specific antigen had an inverse relationship with plasma volume, decreasing as plasma volume increased, after adjustment of total prostate volume. Larger total prostate volume per serum prostate-specific antigen was found in men with higher body mass index or plasma volume. Among all participants, the correlation (Υ = 0.456) between prostate-specific antigen mass and total prostate volume was apparently stronger than that (Υ = 0.442) between serum prostate-specific antigen and total prostate volume. Prostate-specific antigen mass outperformed serum prostate-specific antigen at estimating total prostate volume cut-off values of 30 and 40 mL. These findings were more significant in men aged ≥60 years. Conclusions: Prostate-specific antigen mass performs better than serum prostate-specific antigen in estimating TPV, especially in men aged ≥60 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Type - Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? In bladder-sparing approach incorporating TURBT and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) to MIBC, patients who clinically achieve complete response to induction CRT enjoy favourable prognosis and quality of life with preserved functioning bladder, whereas those with persisting disease have poor prognosis despite salvage radical cystectomy. Risk factors for cancer death among the non-responders remain fully unknown. The current study showed that survival of the non-responders is clearly stratified into low- and high-risk groups based on pathology of cystectomy specimens; 5-yr CSS rates for low- (pTO-2pNO) and high-risk (pT3-4a or pN+) patients were 85% and 20%, respectively. OBJECTIVE To stratify patients with a clinical non-complete response (CR) after induction chemoradiotherapy (CRT) according to their risk of death from cancer, based on pathology of cystectomy specimens., PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1997 to 2009, 170 patients with cT2-4aN0M0 bladder cancer underwent transurethral resection followed by induction CRT (40 Gy with cisplatin). Clinical response was evaluated 4-6 weeks after completion of CRT., Patients who met partial cystectomy (PC) criteria underwent PC plus pelvic lymph node dissection for bladder preservation. Otherwise, radical cystectomy (RC) was recommended., PC criteria were unifocal tumours, intact bladder neck and trigone, and CR (defined as no evidence of residual disease) or minimal amounts of residual non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer after induction CRT., Pathological variables associated with cancer death were analysed in patients who underwent PC or RC using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model., RESULTS Of 170 patients, 81 (48%) achieved a CR and 62 (36%) met the PC criteria. After CRT, 122 patients (72%) ultimately underwent PC ( n= 44, 26%) or RC ( n= 78, 46%)., The 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate was 96% for the patients with a CR and 50% for patients with non-CR ( P < 0.001, median follow-up for survivors: 48 months)., In the 122 patients who underwent cystectomy, pT3-4a (hazard ratio [HR] 8.3 versus pTO-2, P < 0.001) and pN+ (HR 3.0 versus pNO, P = 0.037) were identified as significant and independent risk factors among variables including pT stage, lymph node yield at cystectomy, pN stage, and Iymphovascular invasion. A similar result was obtained through analysis of a sub-cohort of 69 patients with non-CR., Patients with non-CR were stratified according to their risk factors into low- (pT0-2pN0, 5-year CSS rate 85%) and high-risk (pT3-4a or pN+, 5-year CSS rate 20%) groups., CONCLUSION In CRT-based bladder-sparing approaches, patients with a clinical non-CR after induction CRT can be stratified into low- and high-risk groups for death from cancer based on pathology of cystectomy specimens. Patients at high risk are potential candidates for intensive adjuvant therapy including clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an application of a new three-dimensional head-mounted display system that combines a high-definition three-dimensional organic electroluminescent head-mounted display with a high-definition three-dimensional endoscope to minimally invasive surgery, using gasless single-port radical nephrectomy procedures as a model. This system presents the surgeon with a higher quality of magnified three-dimensional imagery in front of the eyes regardless of head position, and simultaneously allows direct vision by moving the angle of sight downward. It is also significantly less expensive than the current robotic surgery system. While carrying out gasless single-port radical nephrectomy, the system provided the surgeon with excellent three-dimensional imagery of the operative field, direct vision of the outside and inside of the patient, and depth perception and tactile feedback through the devices. All four nephrectomies were safely completed within the operative time, blood loss was within usual limits and there were no complications. The display was light enough to comfortably be worn for a long operative time. Our experiences show that the three-dimensional head-mounted display system might facilitate maneuverability and safety in minimally invasive procedures, without prohibitive cost, and thus might mitigate the drawbacks of other three-dimensional vision systems. Because of the potential benefits that this system offers, it deserves further refinements of its role in various minimally invasive surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For metastatic bladder cancer patients, systemic cisplatin (CDDP)-based combination chemotherapy is the first-line choice of treatment. Although up to 70% of advanced bladder cancer patients initially show good tumor response to this form of combination chemotherapy, over 90% of good responders relapse and eventually die of the disease. According to the cancer stem cell theory, this phenomenon is attributable to the re-growth of bladder cancer-initiating cells (BCICs) that have survived chemotherapy. In this study, the authors have isolated BCICs from cultured human bladder cancer cells to analyze their sensitivity to CDDP and to investigate whether heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors potentiate the cytotoxicity of CDDP on BCICs. First, the authors have confirmed that a CD44+ subpopulation of 5637 cells met the requirements to be considered tumor-initiating cells. These BCICs were more resistant to CDDP and exhibited more activity in the Akt and ERK oncogenic signaling pathways when compared with their CD44− counterparts. The Hsp90 inhibitor 17-(dimethylaminoethylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG), which simultaneously inactivated both Akt and ERK signaling at noncytocidal concentrations, synergistically potentiated the cytotoxicity of CDDP against BCICs by enhancing CDDP-induced apoptosis in vitro. The potentiating effect of 17-DMAG was more effective than a combination of the two inhibitors specific for the Akt and ERK pathways. Finally, the authors have confirmed that, though human BCIC xenografts exhibited resistance to a single administration of CDDP and the Hsp90 inhibitor 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), 17-AAG sensitized them to CDDP in a mouse model. These data encourage clinical trials of Hsp90 inhibitors as they may improve therapeutic outcomes of CDDP-based combination chemotherapy against advanced bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radical cystectomy plus urinary diversion, the reference standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, associates with high complication rates and compromises quality of life as a result of long-term effects on urinary, gastrointestinal and sexual function, and changes in body image. As a society ages, the number of elderly patients unfit for radical cystectomy as a result of comorbidity will increase, and thus the demand for bladder-sparing approaches for muscle-invasive bladder cancer will also inevitably increase. Trimodality bladder-sparing approaches consisting of transurethral resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (Σ55-65 Gy) yield overall survival rates comparable with those of radical cystectomy series (50-70% at 5 years), while preserving the native bladder in 40-60% of muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients, contributing to an improvement in quality of life for such patients. Limitations of the trimodality therapy include (i) muscle-invasive bladder cancer recurrence in the preserved bladder, which most often arises in the original muscle-invasive bladder cancer site; (ii) potential lack of curative intervention for regional lymph nodes; and (iii) increased morbidity in the event of salvage radical cystectomy for remaining or recurrent disease as a result of high-dose pelvic irradiation. Consolidative partial cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection followed by induction chemoradiotherapy at lower dose (e.g. 40 Gy) is a rational strategy for overcoming such limitations by strengthening locoregional control and reducing radiation dosage. Molecular profiling of the tumor and functional imaging might play important roles in optimal patient selection for bladder preservation. Refinement of radiation techniques, intensified concurrent or adjuvant chemotherapy, and novel sensitizers, including molecular targeting agent, are also expected to improve outcomes and consequently provide more muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients with favorable quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Type - Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? TURBT plus full-dose chemoradiotherapy (CRT) against MIBC allow more than 40% of patients to spare the bladder while maintaining survival outcomes comparable to those of radical cystectomy (RC) series, contributing to improvement of the patients' quality of life. Limitations of these protocols, however, include 1) MIBC recurrence in the preserved bladder mainly due to subclinical residual disease in the original MIBC site, 2) potential lack of curative intervention to regional lymph nodes and 3) increased mortality of salvage RC due to previous high-dose pelvic irradiation. We propose a novel selective bladder-sparing protocol consisting of induction low-dose CRT plus consolidative partial cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection, which potentially contributes to overcoming the limitations of the conventional bladder-sparing protocols. OBJECTIVE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Type - Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 3a What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Initial transrectal 12-core biopsy has a small but definite risk of missing anterior significant prostate cancers irrespective of age, PSA, prostate volume and DRE findings. Our study yields valuable information for diagnosis and treatment decision of prostate cancer based on transrectal 12-core biopsy. OBJECTIVE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating between minimal fat angiomyolipoma (MFAML) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). Forty-one solid renal tumors without visible macroscopic fat on unenhanced computed tomography images were evaluated by MRI, including DW-MRI, and were diagnosed pathologically as CCRCC ( n = 36) or MFAML ( n = 5). To evaluate the heterogeneity of diffusion in each tumor, the signals of the tumors on DW-MRI were analyzed subjectively and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and histograms assessed objectively. Thirty-three of 36 CCRCC (92%) exhibited a heterogeneous signal on DW-MRI and several peaks in the ADC value histogram, whereas four of five MFAML exhibited a homogeneous signal on DW-MRI and a single prominent peak in the histogram. The standard deviations of the ADC values were significantly smaller for MFAML than for CCRCC ( P = 0.0015). In conclusion, DW-MRI can be considered a useful and noninvasive addition to the preoperative differentiation of CCRCC and MFAML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have recently reported favorable responses to a combination treatment comprising cimetidine, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and a renin-angiotensin-system inhibitor in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In view of the potential synergistic effects of these three agents and interferon-α (I-CCA therapy), we conducted a phase-II trial to examine the efficacy and toxicity of I-CCA as first-line treatment. Fifty-one patients with advanced RCC received natural interferon-α (3-6 million U thrice/week) and cimetidine (800 mg), cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor meloxicam (10 mg), and renin-angiotensin-system inhibitor candesartan (4 mg) or perindopril (4 mg) orally daily. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center prognostic categories were favorable, intermediate and poor in 10 (20%), 31 (61%) and 10 (20%) patients, respectively. The primary end-point was the objective response rate (ORR) and the secondary end-points included clinical benefit, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. Median follow-up was 19 months. Complete response (CR) was observed in four patients (8%) and partial response in seven (14%), yielding an ORR of 22%. None of the four patients who achieved CR relapsed during the 16- to 81-month follow up. The ORR were 17% in the favorable- or intermediate-risk group and 40% in the poor-risk group. The other 24 patients (45%) had stable disease for at least 6 months, resulting in a clinical benefit rate of 67%. The median PFS and OS were 12 and 30 months, respectively. Grade 3/4 toxicities were never observed. The I-CCA therapy, providing favorable responses and low toxicity profiles, is worthy of further consideration as a first-line therapy for metastatic RCC. ( Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 137-143) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To investigate the interactions between inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in response to ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) of rabbit bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rabbit bladders were exposed to 2 h of ischaemia by bilaterally clamping the major arteries entering the bladder and then a subsequent 36 h of reperfusion (I/R) with or without intraperitoneal administration of a selective iNOS inhibitorn-(3-(amynomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine (1400W) or a selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 given 1 h before killing. The bladder tissues were processed for isometric tension experiments, enzymatic NOS activitiy, tissue contents of nitrite/nitrate (NOX), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and COX activity determined by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. RESULTS iNOS and constitutive NOS (cNOS) activities, NOX and PGE2 contents in the bladder tissues at 36 h after reperfusion were significantly higher than those in the sham group with no significant increase in cGMP. Treatment with 1400W abrogated the increases in iNOS activity and NOX as well as PGE2 without changing cNOS activity. In the tension experiments, a NOS substrate,l-arginine, induced detrusor contraction only in the I/R group, which was inhibited by 1400W or NS-398 but not by a selective soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). 8-Br-cGMP induced detrusor relaxation in the sham and I/R groups. Also,l-arginine increased NOX and PGE2 in the bladder tissues only in the I/R group, which were inhibited by pretreatment with 1400W. While,l-arginine increased cGMP contents in the I/R group and this increase was suppressed by ODQ but not by 1400W. CONCLUSION These results show that NO derived from an up-regulation of iNOS after I/R increases COX-2-derived PG via a cGMP-independent mechanism. NO-mediated activation of COX-2 may be an important mechanism for the modulation of bladder function after I/R injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a 32-year-old female case of a right adrenal gland mass detected on CT scan at medical checkup. CT and MRI showed a mass of 5.1 cm made of fat and calcification in the right adrenal gland, leading to the clinical diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma. Because of its relatively large size and the patient’s desire, the patient underwent gasless single-port retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy using the RoboSurgeon system. Histopathological examination revealed that the cystic tumor is composed of keratinized epidermis, mature fat, nerve, cartilage, bone, and sebaceous glands compressing the normal adrenal gland, leading to the diagnosis of retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma. The patient remains free of recurrence 29 months after surgery. Retroperitoneal teratoma is relatively rare but clinically important because of high possibility of malignancy. In a case of an adrenal mass difficult to clinically distinguish retroperitoneal teratoma from adrenal myelolipoma, surgical resection via a minimally invasive approach would be the best therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine whether the transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal 14-core prostate biopsy can be carried out safely in diabetic men and to determine adequate antimicrobial prophylaxis protocol in this setting. Methods: The present study included 539 men, 135 with concurrent diabetes mellitus (DM) and 404 without DM, who underwent transperineal extended 14-core biopsy due to elevated prostate-specific antigen ≥2.5 ng/mL and/or abnormal digital rectal examination. Any complication requiring prolonged hospitalization or rehospitalization during the 4-week post-biopsy period was considered major. All other complications were considered minor. Intensity of antimicrobial prophylaxis was prospectively reduced in a stepwise manner down to single dose of oral levofloxacin. Results: Except for DM, there was no significant difference in clinical background between the diabetic and non-diabetic men. The procedure was completed in all revealing prostate cancer in 42% of the diabetic men and 36% of the non-diabetic men ( P = 0.23). Incidence of minor or major complications was not significantly different between the two groups. Minor complications were observed in 15.6% and 16.6% of each group, respectively, with voiding disturbance being the most common. No infectious major complication was observed regardless of the presence of DM. In the diabetic men, there was no statistical difference in incidence of biopsy-related complications according to modality of DM treatment, HbA1c level or antimicrobial prophylaxis protocol. Conclusions: Transperineal 14-core biopsy can be carried out without major infectious complications in diabetic men. Oral levofloxacin 300 mg once before the procedure seems to represent an effective antimicrobial prophylaxis in diabetic men without other risk of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether activation of brain and spinal cholinergic pathways affects the micturition reflex in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intrathecal (i.t.) administration of neostigmine as a cholinesterase inhibitor and oxotremorine-M (OXO-M) as a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChRs) agonist, on the micturition reflex were evaluated by infusion cystometrography (CMG) in urethane-anaesthetized untreated rats or rats pretreated with capsaicin. RESULTS Neostigmine injected i.c.v. increased bladder capacity (BC) and pressure threshold (PT) dose-dependently, with an increase in maximum voiding pressure (MVP) and a decrease in voiding efficiency (VE) at higher doses. Also, neostigmine injected i.t. increased the BC and PT dose-dependently without changing MVP or VE, and these effects were not apparent in capsaicin-pretreated rats. In both routes, atropine as an antagonist of mAChRs, but not mecamylamine as a nicotinic-AChR antagonist, almost completely antagonized the effects of neostigmine. The rank order of potencies of the antagonists for increasing effects of BC induced by 1 nmol of neostigmine was: pirenzepine (an M1 mAChR antagonist) = atropine > 4-DAMP (an M3 mAChR antagonist) >> methoctramine (an M2 mAChR antagonist) and tropicamide (an M4 mAChR antagonist) via the i.c.v. route; and atropine > methoctramine > pirenzepine > tropicamide and 4-DAMP via the i.t. route, respectively. OXO-M injected via i.c.v. and i.t. had the same effects on BC, PT, MVP and VE as neostigmine by i.c.v. and i.t., respectively. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that activation of muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms by the cholinesterase inhibitor in the brain and spinal cord can inhibit the micturition reflex, mainly by affecting afferent pathways. These mAChR-induced inhibitory effects seem to be mediated through M1/M3 receptor subtypes in the brain, while in the spinal cord, the M1/M2 receptor subtypes might be involved in inhibitory effects, which are mediated via inhibition of mechanoceptive C-fibre afferent pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimum incision endoscopic surgery (MIES) is a gasless, single-port access, cost-effective, and minimally invasive surgery that has been in development since the late 1990s. Use of MIES has steadily increased in Japan and Asia and has been introduced into Europe and the USA. In 2006, MIES was certified by the Japanese government as an advanced surgery and since 2008 it has been covered by the Japanese universal health insurance system as a new surgical technique. Briefly, MIES involves an initial minimum incision (a single port) that permits extraction of the target specimen. A wide working space through the port is then made by separating the anatomical plane extraperitoneally. This is maintained with special retractors instead of gas insufflation. All instruments including an endoscope are inserted through the port and the operation is completed. The size of the port can be tailored to the situation if necessary, which contributes to preclusion of patient selection. The procedure uses only two disposable devices that are inexpensive, resulting in low equipment costs. Surgeons have the benefits of magnified vision through endoscopy as well as stereovision and panoramic vision of naked eyes through the port, which reduces the technical demands of the procedure. Techniques for two basic MIES procedures allow MIES to be performed for most urological organs and in extraordinary cases by their modifications. Thus, the MIES system permits minimally invasive surgery without use of CO2 gas, which is ideal from medical, environmental and economic perspectives, is cost-effective and minimizes patient selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES To address the role of neoadjuvant concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer, by comparing retrospectively the oncological outcomes between a low-dose CRT (LCRT) plus partial cystectomy (PC) or radical cystectomy (RC) protocol and an immediate RC protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1997 to 2007, 119 patients with clinical stage T2–4aN0M0 bladder cancer received LCRT consisting of RT of 40 Gy in 4 weeks concurrently with two cycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin (20 mg/day for 5 days) during the first and fourth week of RT. Subsequently, 24 (20%) and 65 patients (55%) had PC and RC, respectively, while 30 (25%) had no curative surgery; the median follow-up was 36 months. From 1983 to 1997, 73 patients had an immediate RC; 29 (41%) received cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy, and the median follow-up was 46 months. Oncological outcomes were compared retrospectively between these groups. RESULTS The cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate at 5 years was 75% and 61% for the LCRT protocol and immediate RC protocol, respectively ( P = 0.11). In patients with clinical stage T3N0M0 the LCRT protocol gave significantly better survival rates than the immediate RC protocol, with 5-year CSS rates of 62% vs 27% ( P = 0.006), while being comparable in those with clinical stage T2N0M0 disease (89% vs 88%, P = 0.84). In patients with clinical stage T3N0M0 the LCRT protocol provided a lower 5-year recurrence rate at distant sites than the immediate RC protocol (31% vs 62%, P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS The LCRT plus PC or RC protocol gave significantly better survival rates than the historical, immediate RC protocol in patients with clinical stage T3N0M0 bladder cancer, suggesting that neoadjuvant CRT possibly has survival benefits for such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new structure is proposed for the magnetostrictive effect type force sensors using a pickup head layered with magnetostrictive foil and pair of planar coils. Mutual coupling between two planar coils is used as a measure of force applied to the magnetostrictive foil. In this type of force sensor, the output voltage is zero when force is zero, and the planar coils with electric wires can be put on and taken off easily because the magnetostrictive foil does not need a current contact. Basic characteristics of the force sensors are examined using Metglas2605SC amorphous foil glued to the side of an aluminun square bar of 15 mm×15 mm cross-sectional area and a pair of 16-turn planar coils. Sensitivity was 38.4 mV/Nm [1.57 mV/με (ε = δ l/l)] at the coil excitation condition of 1 MHz, 60 mA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 166(3): 1–7, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20740 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine whether history of malignancy adds any significant information to the prediction of positive prostate biopsy in referred men with moderately elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and to develop a predicting nomogram that does not require extra examinations other than PSA. Methods: A total of 1767 consecutive Japanese men with PSA less than 10 ng/mL who underwent prostate biopsy were included in the study cohort. Age, digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA, body mass index, family history of prostate cancer and number of previous malignancies other than the prostate were evaluated in regard to their association with prostate cancer. A logistic regression-based nomogram for predicting prostate cancer was developed and externally validated. Results: Of the 1767 men, 269 had a history of malignancy with a total of 312 primary sites. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that DRE, PSA, age, family history and number of previous malignancies are independent and significant predictors of positive biopsy result. External validation revealed that the predicting accuracy of a nomogram incorporating these five variables is significantly higher than those of PSA or PSA and DRE. Using the nomogram, 8% of unnecessary biopsies would be saved at 95% sensitivity. Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time that history of malignancy is a potent predictor of prostate cancer in men with moderately elevated PSA even if the established risk factors are adjusted. The nomogram can be a useful tool in decision-making of prostate biopsy. In daily practice, history of malignancy should be rigorously taken from these men before a decision is made regarding prostate biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Most of the previously reported patient selection criteria for nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy were based on conventional sextant biopsy, and those based on extended biopsy have been scarcely investigated. In the current study, we developed patient selection criteria for nerve-sparing RP based on the three-dimensional 26-core (3D26) biopsy-derived variables. Methods: We evaluated 202 non-nerve-spared sides in 109 consecutive patients in whom prostate cancer was diagnosed by the 3D26 biopsy and who underwent RP without neoadjuvant treatment. Associations of clinical and pathological variables with side-specific posterolateral extraprostatic extension (SS-PL-EPE) were analyzed. Subgroup analysis using transperineal 14-core (TP14) and transrectal 12-core (TR12) biopsies as representative subsets of the 3D26 biopsy was also performed. Results: Maximum cancer length in positive cores ≥5 mm and biopsy Gleason score ≥4 + 3 were independent and were significant risk factors of SS-PL-EPE in the 3D26 cohort at multivariate analysis. In the prostatic side with none, one, and two risk factors, the incidences of SS-PL-EPE were 0, 14 and 52% in the 3D26 cohort, 3.4,15 and 57% in the TP14 cohort and 2.6, 20 and 61% in the TR12 cohort, respectively. Conclusions: We developed simple patient selection criteria for nerve-sparing RP. According to our criteria, the nerve-sparing side can be selected in the majority of patients who undergo the 3D26, TP14 or TR12 biopsy with a less-than-4% risk of SS-PL-EPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of C-reactive protein (CRP) level on the prognosis of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy (ChRT), as it is increasingly recognized that the presence of a systemic inflammatory response is associated with poor survival in various malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS The clinical records of 88 patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (cT2–4 N0M0) treated with ChRT were reviewed retrospectively. ChRT comprised external beam radiotherapy to the bladder (40 Gy) with two cycles of cisplatin (50–100 mg) at 3-week intervals. Elevated CRP was defined as >0.5 mg/dL. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a multivariate analysis was used to identify significant factors associated with prognosis, using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS During the median (range) follow-up of 33 (3–117) months, 19 patients died from bladder cancer; the 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate was 73%. Ten patients had a high CRP level before ChRT (≥0.5 mg/dL) and their CSS rate was significantly worse than that in the remaining patients ( P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that CRP and cT stage were independent prognostic indicators for CSS, with a hazard ratio of 1.80 (95% confidence interval 1.01–2.97; P = 0.046). Among 10 patients in those with elevated CRP the CRP levels became normal after ChRT in six, of whom all but one was alive with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis during the follow-up. By contrast, all four with no CRP normalization after ChRT died within 2 years. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge this is the first study to report that elevation of CRP before treatment predicts a poor prognosis in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are receiving ChRT. Furthermore, failure of CRP levels to normalize after ChRT was associated with extremely poor survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between the expression of uroplakin III (UPIII) and the prognosis of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract, as uroplakins are urothelium-specific markers of terminal urothelial differentiation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Clinicopathological and follow-up data from 71 patients who had undergone radical nephroureterectomy and lymph node dissection or sampling for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract were reviewed. The expression of UPIII was evaluated immunohistochemically in surgical specimens. Cancer-specific survival was calculated using Kaplan–Meier plots. Prognostic values of clinicopathological variables including UPIII expression status, tumour stage and grade were evaluated by univariate analyses, followed by multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional-hazard model. RESULTS In all specimens there was intense UPIII immunoreactivity of umbrella cells of normal urothelium. In tumour samples, UPIII expression was positive in 75% of ≤ pT1 tumours and 40% of ≥ pT2 ( P = 0.02), and in 65% of grade 1–2 tumours and 33% of grade 3 ( P = 0.009). Of the 71 patients, 21 died from the disease during the median follow-up of 61 months. The cancer-specific survival of patients with negative UPIII expression was significantly worse than that of those with positive UPIII expression (5-year cancer-specific survival, 100% vs 46%, P < 0.001). Neither patient age at diagnosis, histological grade, sex, or multiplicity of the tumour had significant prognostic value. Multivariate analysis revealed that UPIII expression was the most powerful prognostic indicator ( P < 0.001) followed by tumour stage ( P = 0.04) and lymph node metastasis ( P = 0.05). CONCLUSION The present data suggest that UPIII expression is a powerful prognostic factor in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A 27-year-old man with advanced testicular cancer experienced two events of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during three cycles of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy; the first thrombotic event occurred in the inferior vena cava (IVC) following the initial two cycles of chemotherapy and the second thrombotic event occurred in the right iliac vein following the third cycle. For both thrombotic events, he was successfully managed with thrombolytic therapy and percutaneous thrombectomy using a transcatheter hydraulic thrombectomy device under temporary placement of a retrievable IVC filter. Stasis of the IVC due to compression by a retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy of 7 cm in diameter, which was demonstrated on computed tomographic scans at presentation, was considered a major cause of DVT during chemotherapy. Patients with bulky retroperitoneal disease causing stasis of major veins are at high risk of DVT associated with chemotherapy and thromboprophylaxis should be strongly considered during their chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of discarding antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) for transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Methods: One-hundred and sixty-two patients undergoing TURBT, with no risk factors for infectious complications were included in this prospective study between April 2006 and April 2008. Forty-four patients received single oral dose of 200 mg levofloxacin for AMP (LVFX group), and the remaining 118 received no AMP (no AMP group). Rates of postoperative infectious complications were compared between the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of baseline characteristics, including age, sex, history of TURBT, number of tumors, duration of operation and days of catheterization. Symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) occurred in four patients (3.4%) in the no AMP group and one patient (2.3%) in the LVFX group ( P = 0.61). All patients having UTIs were men, and were successfully treated by immediate administration of antibiotics. No patients developed extra-urinary tract infections. Conclusions: Based on our findings, AMP for TURBT in patients with no risk factors for infectious complications is not necessary. The use of antibiotics might be deferred until postoperative infections develop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report three cases of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in which combination treatment of cimetidine, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist) (CCA therapy) was effective. Case 1: A 47-year-old man who had a 12-cm right renal tumor with multiple pulmonary and hepatic metastases refused cytokine therapy for economic reasons and received CCA therapy. All of the metastases showed partial remission, which continued for 12 months. Case 2: A 62-year-old man with multiple pulmonary and mediastinal lymph node metastases from clear cell RCC refractory to interferon-α and interleukin-2 started CCA therapy. Partial remission has been maintained for 16 months. Case 3: A 64-year-old man with pulmonary metastases from clear cell RCC discontinued interferon-α treatment due to its side effects after six months and received CCA therapy. Pulmonary metastases showed partial remission for 31 months. The CCA therapy could be an alternative treatment for metastatic RCC patients unfit for cytokine therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a very rare case of collecting or Bellini duct carcinoma (CDC) found in a 60-year-old male who had received hemodialysis therapy for 21 years. Screening with ultrasonography revealed a solid tumor originating from the cyst wall in the right kidney with acquired cystic disease of the kidney. Subsequent computed tomography (CT) and angiography could not detect another renal tumor. Right radical nephrectomy was performed. The tumor detected preoperatively was composed of papillary renal cell tumor (RCC) and multiple clear cell carcinoma, pathologically. In addition to the tumors, CDC was revealed in the central medulla with the involvement of regional lymph nodes. Three months later, left nephrectomy was performed because left RCC was suspected during CT. The histological diagnosis was multiple clear cell carcinomas. Peritonitis carcinomatosa appeared and the patient died 13 months later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five consecutive patients with symptomatic giant hydronephrosis underwent minimum incision endoscopic nephrectomy. The originally huge renal specimen was retroperitoneally mobilized using both of endoscopy and direct vision, without the use of trocar ports or gas insufflation, via a single minimum incision that narrowly permitted extraction of the specimen. The specimen was successfully extracted from the incision in all patients. Technically, proper deflation of the hydronephrotic sac facilitates mobilization and enables extraction of the specimen. Median (range) size of incision, operative time, and estimated blood loss were 4 cm (3–5), 205 min (156–222), and 210 mL (110–350), respectively. No patient required blood transfusion or encountered operative complications. Postoperative convalescence was short and uneventful; all patients resumed oral intake and ambulance on the day following surgery, and were physically dischargeable from hospital after 2–3 postoperative days. Thus, this technique is a feasible, minimally invasive and safe procedure for symptomatic giant hydronephrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA 30-year-old male underwent radical nephrectomy for a right renal tumor 15 cm in diameter. On microscopic examination of initial 17 sections, the tumor consisted of pleomorphic giant cells and spindle neoplastic cells. There was no carcinomatous component. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were negative for keratin and epithelial membrane antigen but positive for vimentin. The giant cells were also scatteringly, weakly positive for myoglobin. At that time a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma of the kidney was made. However, further microscopic examination of another eight sections revealed small areas of clear cell-type renal cell carcinoma (RCC) which transited to sarcomatous components and led to a diagnosis of sarcomatoid RCC. The patient underwent three cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. He has been free of the disease for 14 months after nephrectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]