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Erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a significant problem in up to 63% of men after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). After the discovery of the neurovascular bundle (NVB), additional anatomic description and variation in nerve-sparing (NS) techniques have been described to improve post-RARP ED. However, it remains questionable whether ED rates have improved over time, and this is concerning as competing treatments are introduced that have better ED outcomes. In this review, we describe RARP NS technical modifications that improve erectile function recovery. We focused on reports that included detailed anatomical descriptions as well as video illustrations to disseminate technique. We found that the alternative RARP NS surgical techniques provide better outcomes compared with standard NS RARP. The use of validated quality of life questionnaires is necessary for the appropriate comparison of outcomes. However, the retrospective character and inherent weaknesses of the included studies do not allow one to conclude which is the best NS approach. Overall, there is significant variation in RARP NS techniques and outcomes, and the ideal technical maneuvers to optimize outcomes remains subject to debate. However, there is a consensus on the importance of anatomically dissecting the NVB, minimizing traction and thermal injury as well as preserving the periprostatic fascia. Well-designed randomized controlled trials with videos describing details of different surgical techniques for generalizability are needed to consistently and objectively evaluate sexual function outcomes after RARP to optimize postoperative potency.

IntroductionApproximately one million prostate biopsies are performed annually in the USA, and most are performed using a transrectal approach under local anaesthesia. The risk of postbiopsy infection is increasing due to increasing antibiotic resistance of rectal flora. Single-centre studies suggest that a clean, percutaneous transperineal approach to prostate biopsy may have a lower risk of infection. To date, there is no high-level evidence comparing transperineal versus transrectal prostate biopsy. We hypothesise that transperineal versus transrectal prostate biopsy under local anaesthesia has a significantly lower risk of infection, similar pain/discomfort levels and comparable detection of non-low-grade prostate cancer.Methods and analysisWe will perform a multicentre, prospective randomised clinical trial to compare transperineal versus transrectal prostate biopsy for elevated prostate-specific antigen in the first biopsy, prior negative biopsy and active surveillance biopsy setting. Prostate MRI will be performed prior to biopsy, and targeted biopsy will be conducted for suspicious MRI lesions in addition to systematic biopsy (12 cores). Approximately 1700 men will be recruited and randomised in a 1:1 ratio to transperineal versus transrectal biopsy. A streamlined design to collect data and to determine trial eligibility along with the two-stage consent process will be used to facilitate subject recruitment and retention. The primary outcome is postbiopsy infection, and secondary outcomes include other adverse events (bleeding, urinary retention), pain/discomfort/anxiety and critically, detection of non-low-grade (grade group ≥2) prostate cancer.Ethics and disseminationThe Institutional Review Board of the Biomedical Research Alliance of New York approved the research protocol (protocol number #18-02-365, approved 20 April 2020). The results of the trial will be presented at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed medical journals.Trial registration numberNCT04815876.

Purpose: Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical cystectomy (RC) is standard of care for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, NAC is used in less than 20% of patients with MIBC. Our goal is to investigate factors that contribute to underutilization NAC to facilitate more routine incorporation into clinical practice. Materials and Methods: We identified 5,915 patients diagnosed with cT2-T3N0M0 MIBC who underwent RC between 2004 and 2014 from the National Cancer Database. Univariate and multivariable models were created to identify variables associated with NAC utilization. Results: Only 18.8% of patients received NAC during the study period. On univariate analyses, NAC utilization was more likely at academic hospitals, US South and Midwest (p

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:The digital rectal exam (DRE), as a component of prostate cancer screening, may have predictive value complementary to or independent of serum prostate-specific antigen (...

Recent clinical trials have investigated the benefit of combining tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Our goal is to determine whether the perioperative use of TKIs increases the postoperative morbidity following CN in renal cell carcinoma patients. We identified 627 patients with Stage IV renal cell carcinoma who underwent CN from 2007–2010 utilizing the SEER-Medicare database. Eighty-two patients treated with TKIs were matched (3:1) to 246 controls. We calculated 30- and 90-day incidence rates of postoperative complications and mortality. On unadjusted analysis, TKI use prior to CN was associated with higher overall complication rate within 30 days (HR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.09–6.8) after surgery. On multivariate analysis, perioperative TKI use was independently associated with higher risk for postoperative complications within 30 days (HR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.17–7.36), as well as 90 days (HR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.02–3.32) after nephrectomy. A higher Charlson comorbidity index also emerged to represent an independent risk factor for postoperative complications within 30 days (HR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.44–4.02) and 90 days (HR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.51–3.29) after nephrectomy. TKI treatment was not associated with an increased postoperative mortality at 30 and 90 days after surgery. Thus, TKI treatment was associated with an increased complication rate but not overall mortality following CN. Our results suggest that renal surgeons should be aware of possibly increased complications following CN in renal cell carcinoma patients, when TKI treatment is administered.

Lymphoceles are common following prostatectomy with lymph node dissection, but the vast majority are asymptomatic. We present a unique case of a large complex lymphocele tracking into the anterior space of Retzius following Retzius sparing prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. The patient initially presented with shortness of breath and subsequent diagnosis of a submassive pulmonary embolism. Further evaluation revealed compression of the iliac vessels by the fluid collection. Following multiple failed attempts of drainage percutaneously, the patient required return to the operating room for peritoneal marsupialization, drainage of fluid collection, and evacuation of large amounts of clot within the collection.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) is reported to improve urinary functional outcomes faster over standard RARP. However, there are reports of...

Primary adenomas are common in the gastrointestinal tract but exceedingly rare on the periurethral surface and vagina. The pathogenesis remains unknown but vaginal adenomas are hypothesized to arise from vaginal adenosis or embryonic cloacal remnants and possess malignant potential. We present a case of a large primary vaginal tubulovillous adenoma in an eighty-one-year-old, likely diethylstilbestrol naïve patient. To the best of our knowledge the patient's 7.4 x 4.5 × 1.4 cm primary vaginal tubulovillous adenoma is the largest ever reported in literature., Highlights - Primary vaginal adenomas in diethylstilbestrol naïve patients are exceedingly rare - Vaginal adenomas have malignant potential and must be fully resected - There is no consensus on management of primary vaginal adenomas

BACKGROUND Approximately 1.7 million individuals per year are affected with health care-associated infections (HAIs) in the United States. The authors examined trends in the incidence of HAI after major cancer surgery (MCS) and risk factors for HAI to describe the effects of HAI on mortality after MCS. METHODS Patients undergoing 1 of 8 MCS procedures within the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 1999 and 2009 were identified (n = 2,502,686). Generalized linear regression models were used to estimate the impact of the primary predictors (procedure type, age, sex, race, insurance status, Charlson comorbidity index, hospital volume, and hospital bed size) on the odds of HAI and in-hospital mortality. Trends in incidence were evaluated with linear regression. RESULTS Overall, MCS-associated HAI incidence increased 2.7% per year (P < .001), whereas mortality decreased 1.3% per year (P < .001). Male gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.14), advancing age (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.02-1.02), black race (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.21-1.31), ≥1 comorbidities (OR, from 1.08 [95% CI, 1.04-1.13] to 1.31 [95% CI, 1.27-1.35]), and nonprivate insurance (OR, from 1.18 [95% CI, 1.15-1.22] to 1.67 [95% CI, 1.59-1.76]) were associated with an increased odds of HAI on multivariable analysis. Conversely, increasing hospital volume was associated with lower odds of HAI (OR, 0.999; 95% CI, 0.99-0.99). Patients with MCS-associated HAI had increased odds of mortality (OR, 8.66; 95% CI, 8.51-8.82). CONCLUSIONS Between 1999 and 2009, the incidence of MCS-associated HAI events increased; however, HAI-associated mortality decreased. That said, significant disparities exist in the hospital and demographic attributes associated with MCS-associated HAI, with attendant health policy implications. Moreover, HAI remains detrimentally linked to mortality during hospitalization. Cancer 2013;119:2317–2324. © 2013 American Cancer Society.

Purpose Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) offers reportedly comparable oncologic outcomes for localized disease compared with open radical retropubic prostatectomy (ORRP). However, the oncologic efficacy of RALP in locally-advanced prostate cancer (PCa) is less clear. We report and compare our experience with RALP and ORRP in men with locally advanced PCa. Methods Patients with locally advanced PCa (stage T3 or greater) were identified in both robotic and open cohorts. Clinicopathologic features including age, clinical stage, prostate-specific antigen, surgical margins, and Gleason score were reviewed. We further examined the incidence of positive surgical margins, the effect of the surgical learning curve on margins, and the need for adjuvant therapy. Results From 1997 to 2010, 1,011 patients underwent RALP and 415 patients were identified who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) across four institutions. 140 patients in the RALP group and 95 in the RRP group had locally advanced PCa on final pathology. The overall robotic positive margin rate 47.1% compared with 51.4% in the RRP group. A trend towards a lower positive margin rate was seen after 300 cases in the RALP group, with 66.7% positive margin rate in the first 300 cases compared with 41.8% in the latter 700 cases. In addition, a lower incidence of biochemical recurrence was also noted in the latter cases (30.6% vs. 9.5%). Conclusions Up to 2 out of 3 men undergoing RALP for locally-advanced PCa had positive margins during our initial experience. However, with increasing surgeon experience the overall positive margin rate decreased significantly and was comparable to the positive margin rate for patients with locally advanced disease undergoing ORRP over four academic institutions. We also noted a lower incidence of biochemical recurrence with increasing RALP experience, suggesting better oncologic outcomes with higher volume. Given this data, RALP has comparable oncologic outcomes compared to ORRP, especially with higher volume surgeons.

Development of new renal tumors or recurrence after radio frequency ablation not amendable for repeat ablation presents a difficult therapeutic dilemma. We report on the outcomes of partial nephrectomy on kidneys previously treated with radio frequency ablation.We performed a chart review of 13 patients who underwent 16 attempted partial nephrectomies following radio frequency ablation. Hospital records and operative reports were reviewed for demographic data, perioperative data and outcomes. The outcomes of the present series were compared to historical controls of published studies in similar patient populations.No cases were converted to radical nephrectomy. Median time from radio frequency ablation to surgery was 2.75 years (range 1 to 7.1). A median of 7 tumors (range 2 to 40) were removed with a median estimated blood loss of 1,500 ml (range 500 to 3,500) and a median operative time of 7.8 hours (range 5 to 10.7). Operative notes commented on the presence of severe fibrosis in the operative field in 12 of 16 cases (75%). There was a modest but statistically significant decrease in renal function. Partial nephrectomy after radio frequency ablation had a higher reoperation rate compared to other series of primary or repeat partial nephrectomies but had the lowest rate of vascular or visceral injuries.Partial nephrectomy on kidneys previously treated with radio frequency ablation is a technically challenging but feasible procedure. Residual or metachronous disease after radio frequency ablation may be salvaged with partial nephrectomy with a modest decrease in renal function. A trend toward a higher chance of reoperation and urine leak after partial nephrectomy after radio frequency ablation may be useful information for the planning and discussion of treatment decisions.

Background: Laparoscopic and robotic simple prostatectomy (SP) have been introduced with the aim of reducing the morbidity of the standard open technique. Objective: To report a large multi-institutional series of minimally invasive SP (MISP). Design, setting, and participants: Consecutive cases of MISP done for the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) between 2000 and 2014 at 23 participating institutions in the Americas and Europe were included in this retrospective analysis. Intervention: Laparoscopic or robotic SP. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Demographic data and main perioperative outcomes were gathered and analyzed. A multivariable analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with a favorable trifecta outcome, arbitrarily defined as a combination of the following postoperative events: International Prostate Symptom Score 15 ml/s, and no perioperative complications. Results and limitations: Overall, 1330 consecutive cases were analyzed, including 487 robotic (36.6%) and 843 laparoscopic (63.4%) SP cases. Median overall prostate volume was 100 ml (range: 89-128). Median estimated blood loss was 200 ml (range: 150-300). An intraoperative transfusion was required in 3.5% of cases, an intraoperative complication was recorded in 2.2% of cases, and the conversion rate was 3%. Median length of stay was 4 d (range: 3-5). On pathology, prostate cancer was found in 4% of cases. Overall postoperative complication rate was 10.6%, mostly of low grade. At a median follow-up of 12 mo, a significant improvement was observed for subjective and objective indicators of BOO. Trifecta outcome was not significantly influenced by the type of procedure (robotic vs laparoscopic; p = 0.136; odds ratio [OR]: 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8-2.9), whereas operative time (p = 0.01; OR: 0.9; 95% CI, 0.9-1.0) and estimated blood loss ( p = 0.03; OR: 0.9; 95% CI, 0.9-1.0) were the only two significant factors. Retrospective study design, lack of a control arm, and limited follow-up represent major limitations of the present analysis. Conclusions: This study provides the largest outcome analysis reported for MISP for BOO/BPE. These findings confirm that SP can be safely and effectively performed in a minimally invasive fashion in a variety of healthcare settings in which specific surgical expertise and technology is available. MISP can be considered a viable surgical treatment in cases of large prostatic adenomas. The use of robotic technology for this indication can be considered in centers that have a robotic program in place for other urologic indications. Patient summary: Analysis of a large data set from multiple institutions shows that surgical removal of symptomatic large prostatic adenomas can be carried out with good outcomes by using robot-assisted laparoscopy.

A middle-aged man with poor access to medical care presented with shortness of breath and 3 years of abdominal distention. On physical examination, he was found to have a palpable mass in the left upper quadrant. He was found to have undiagnosed congestive heart failure with dilated cardiomyopathy, and a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a left renal mass. An MRI performed to further characterise the lesion demonstrated a large exophytic mass with a central scar and segmental enhancement originating from the lateral aspect of the left kidney with no evidence of renal vein or caval thrombus (figure 1). Owing to the possibility of renal malignancy, the patient underwent …

Background Obstructive voiding symptoms (OVS) are common following prostate cancer treatment with radiation therapy. The risk of urinary retention (UR) following hypofractionated radiotherapy has yet to be fully elucidated. This study sought to evaluate OVS and UR requiring catheterization following SBRT for prostate cancer. Methods Patients treated with SBRT for localized prostate cancer from February 2008 to July 2011 at Georgetown University were included in this study. Treatment was delivered using the CyberKnife® with doses of 35 Gy-36.25 Gy in 5 fractions. UR was prospectively scored using the CTCAE v.3. Patient-reported OVS were assessed using the IPSS-obstructive subdomain at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. Associated bother was evaluated via the EPIC-26. Results 269 patients at a median age of 69 years received SBRT with a median follow-up of 3 years. The mean prostate volume was 39 cc. Prior to treatment, 50.6% of patients reported moderate to severe lower urinary track symptoms per the IPSS and 6.7% felt that weak urine stream and/or incomplete emptying were a moderate to big problem. The 2-year actuarial incidence rates of acute and late UR ≥ grade 2 were 39.5% and 41.4%. Alpha-antagonist utilization rose at one month (58%) and 18 months (48%) post-treatment. However, Grade 3 UR was low with only 4 men (1.5%) requiring catheterization and/or TURP. A mean baseline IPSS-obstructive score of 3.6 significantly increased to 5.0 at 1 month (p < 0.0001); however, it returned to baseline in 92.6% within a median time of 3 months. Late increases in OVS were common, but transient. Only 7.1% of patients felt that weak urine stream and/or incomplete emptying was a moderate to big problem at two years post-SBRT (p = 0.6854). Conclusions SBRT treatment caused an acute increase in OVS which peaked within the first month post-treatment, though acute UR requiring catheterization was rare. OVS returned to baseline in > 90% of patients within a median time of three months. Transient Late increases in OVS were common. However, less than 10% of patients felt that OVS were a moderate to big problem at two years post-SBRT.

BACKGROUND Molecular markers that can discriminate indolent cancers from aggressive ones may improve the management of prostate cancer and minimize unnecessary treatment. Aberrant DNA methylation is a common epigenetic event in cancers and HOXD3 promoter hypermethylation (H3PH) has been found in prostate cancer. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between H3PH and clinicopathologic features in screening prostate biopsies. METHODS Ninety-two patients who underwent a prostate biopsy at our institution between October 2011 and May 2012 were included in this study. The core with the greatest percentage of the highest grade disease was analyzed for H3PH by methylation-specific PCR. Correlational analysis was used to analyze the relationship between H3PH and various clinical parameters. Chi-square analysis was used to compare H3PH status between benign and malignant disease. RESULTS Of the 80 biopsies with HOXD3 methylation status assessable, 66 sets were confirmed to have cancer. In the 14 biopsies with benign disease there was minimal H3PH with the mean percentage of methylation reference (PMR) of 0.7%. In contrast, the HOXD3 promoter was hypermethylated in 16.7% of all cancers and in 50% of high risk tumors with an average PMR of 4.3% (P = 0.008). H3PH was significantly correlated with age (P = 0.013), Gleason score (P = 0.031) and the maximum involvement of the biopsy core (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS H3PH is associated with clinicopathologic features. The data indicate that H3PH is more common in older higher risk patients. More research is needed to determine the role of this marker in optimizing management strategies in men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Prostate 74:714–721, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. The Prostate published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The "July effect" refers to the phenomenon of adverse impacts on patient care arising from the changeover in medical staff that takes place during this month at academic medical centres in North America. There has been some evidence supporting the presence of the July effect, including data from surgical specialties. Uniformity of care, regardless of time of year, is required for patients undergoing major cancer surgery. We therefore sought to perform a population-level assessment for the presence of a July effect in this field.We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to abstract data on patients undergoing 1 of 8 major cancer surgeries at academic medical centres between Jan. 1, 1999, and Dec. 30, 2009. The primary outcomes examined were postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality. Univariate analyses and subsequently multivariate analyses, controlling for patient and hospital characteristics, were performed to identify whether the time of surgery was an independent predictor of outcome after major cancer surgery.On univariate analysis, the overall postoperative complication rate, as well as genitourinary and hematologic complications specifically, was higher in July than the rest of the year. However, on multivariate analysis, only hematologic complications were significantly higher in July, with no difference in overall postoperative complication rate or in-hospital mortality for all 8 surgeries considered separately or together.On the whole, the data confirm an absence of a July effect in patients undergoing major cancer surgery.L’effet « juillet » désigne les répercussions négatives que peut avoir sur les soins aux patients le roulement du personnel médical qui survient au cours de ce mois d’été dans les centres médicaux universitaires d’Amérique du Nord. Certaines preuves ont étayé l’existence de l’effet juillet, notamment des données provenant des spéciali tés chirurgicales. Peu importe le temps de l’année, l’uniformité des soins est indispensable pour les patients qui doivent subir des interventions chirurgicales majeures pour le cancer. Nous avons donc voulu effectuer une évaluation à l’échelle des populations au sujet de l’existence d’un effet juillet dans cette branche de la médecine.Nous avons utilisé la base de données Nationwide Inpatient Sample pour extraire les données relatives aux patients soumis à l’une de 8 interventions chirurgicales majeures pour le cancer dans des centres médicaux universitaires entre le 1er janvier 1999 et le 30 décembre 2009. Les principaux paramètres examinés ont été les complications postopératoires et la mortalité perhospitalière. Nous avons effectué des analyses univariées et, par la suite, des analyses multivariées en tenant compte des caractéristiques des patients et des hôpitaux afin de vérifier si la date à laquelle la chirurgie a eu lieu était un prédicteur indépendant des résultats après une chirurgie majeure pour le cancer.L’analyse univariée a révélé que les taux de complications postopératoires globales et de complications des interventions urogénitales et hématologiques plus spécifiquement ont été plus élevés en juillet qu’à d’autres moments de l’année. Toutefois, à l’analyse multivariée, seules les complications des suites d’interventions pour un cancer hématologique ont été significativement plus élevées en juillet, sans différence au plan du taux de complications postopératoires globales ou du taux de mortalité perhospitalière pour les 8 interventions considérées séparément ou ensemble.Globalement, les données confirment l’absence d’un effet juillet chez les patients soumis à une intervention chirurgicale majeure pour un cancer.

Background Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers high doses of radiation to the prostate while minimizing radiation to adjacent normal tissues. Large fraction sizes may increase the risk of functional decrements. Treatment-related bother may be more important to a patient than treatment-related dysfunction. This study reports on patient-reported outcomes following SBRT for clinically localized prostate cancer. Methods Between August 2007 and July 2011, 228 consecutive hormone-naïve patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated with 35–36.25 Gy SBRT delivered using the CyberKnife Radiosurgical System (Accuray) in 5 fractions. Quality of life was assessed using the American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA) and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC)-26. Urinary symptom flare was defined as an AUA score 15 or more with an increase of 5 or more points above baseline 6 months after treatment. Results 228 patients (88 low-, 126 intermediate- and 14 high-risk) at a median age of 69 (44–90) years received SBRT with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. EPIC urinary and bowel summary scores declined transiently at 1 month and experienced a second, more protracted decline between 9 months and 18 months before returning to near baseline 2 years post-SBRT. 14.5% of patients experienced late urinary symptom flare following treatment. Patients who experienced urinary symptom flare had poorer bowel quality of life following SBRT. EPIC scores for urinary bother declined transiently, first at 1 month and again at 12 months, before approaching pre-treatment scores by 2 years. Bowel bother showed a similar pattern, but the second decline was smaller and lasted 9 months to 18 months. EPIC sexual summary and bother scores progressively declined over the 2 years following SBRT without recovery. Conclusions In the first 2 years, the impact of SBRT on urination and defecation was minimal. Transient late increases in urinary and bowel dysfunction and bother were observed. However, urinary and bowel function and bother recovered to near baseline by 2 years post-SBRT. Sexual dysfunction and bother steadily increased following treatment without recovery. SBRT for clinically localized prostate cancer was well tolerated with treatment-related dysfunction and bother comparable to conventionally fractionated radiation therapy or brachytherapy.

Background Erectile dysfunction after prostate radiation therapy remains an ongoing challenge and critical quality of life issue. Given the higher dose of radiation per fraction using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) there is concern that post-SBRT impotency would be higher than conventional radiation therapy approaches. This study sought to evaluate potency preservation and sexual function following SBRT for prostate cancer. Methods Between February 2008 and March 2011, 216 men with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated definitively with SBRT monotherapy at Georgetown University Hospital. Potency was defined as the ability to have an erection firm enough for intercourse with or without sexual aids while sexual activity was defined as the ability to have an erection firm enough for masturbation and foreplay. Patients who received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were excluded from this study. Ninety-seven hormone-naïve men were identified as being potent at the initiation of therapy and were included in this review. All patients were treated to 35–36.25 Gy in 5 fractions delivered with the CyberKnife Radiosurgical System (Accuray). Prostate specific antigen (PSA) and total testosterone levels were obtained pre-treatment, every 3 months for the first year and every 6 months for the subsequent year. Sexual function was assessed with the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), the Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC)-26 and Utilization of Sexual Medication/Device questionnaires at baseline and all follow-up visits. Results Ninety-seven men (43 low-, 50 intermediate- and 4 high-risk) at a median age of 68 years (range, 48–82 years) received SBRT. The median pre-treatment PSA was 5.9 ng/ml and the minimum follow-up was 24 months. The median pre-treatment total serum testosterone level was 11.4 nmol/L (range, 4.4-27.9 nmol/L). The median baseline SHIM was 22 and 36% of patients utilized sexual aids prior to treatment. Although potency rates declined following treatment: 100% (baseline); 68% (6 months); 62% (12 months); 57% (18 months) and 54.4% (24 months), 78% of previously potent patients had erections sufficient for sexual activity at 24 months post-treatment. Overall sexual aid utilization increased from 36% at baseline to 49% at 24 months. Average EPIC sexual scores showed a slow decline over the first two years following treatment: 77.6 (baseline); 68.7 (6 months); 63.2 (12 months); 61.9 (18 months); 59.3 (24 months). All sexual functions including orgasm declined with time. Prior to treatment, 13.4% of men felt their sexual function was a moderate to big problem which increased to 26.7% two years post treatment. Post-treatment testosterone levels gradually decreased with a median value at two year follow-up of 10.7 nmol/L. However, the average EPIC hormonal scores did not illustrate a statistically significant difference two years post-treatment. Review of the radiation doses to the penile bulb in this study, a potential marker of post-treatment sexual function, revealed that the dose was relatively low and at these low doses the percentage of the penile bulb receiving 29.5 Gy did not correlate with the development of ED. Conclusions Men undergoing SBRT monotherapy for prostate cancer report sexual outcomes comparable to those reported for conventional radiation modalities within the first 24 months after treatment. Longer follow-up is required to confirm the durability of these findings.

Purpose Due to varying clinical definitions of lower urinary tract symptoms, it has been difficult to determine comparable prevalence and incidence rates of lower urinary tract symptoms and their treatment modalities. We assessed the incidence of emergency department visits in men with lower urinary tract symptoms who presented to emergency departments in the United States and factors associated with an increased likelihood of hospitalization. Materials and Methods Emergency department visits from 2006 to 2009 associated with a primary diagnosis of lower urinary tract symptoms using established criteria were abstracted from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. Age adjusted incidence rates of emergency department visits and charges were calculated. We performed multivariable analysis to examine patient and hospital characteristics of those hospitalized and those with benign prostatic hyperplasia related adverse events. Results A weighted estimate of 1,178,423 emergency department visits for lower urinary tract symptoms was recorded with a national incidence of 197.6/100,000 males per year. A total of 112,288 visits (9.5%) resulted in hospitalization. Adverse events were identified in 734,269 patients (62.3%). The most common adverse events were catheterization in 44.6% of cases, infection in 17.4%, hematuria in 9.6%, bladder stones in 1.7%, hydronephrosis in 1.2% and acute renal failure in 0.1%. On multivariable analysis independent predictors of hospital admission included comorbidities, socioeconomic status, hospital characteristics and adverse events such as sepsis, acute renal failure and hydronephrosis. Independent predictors of adverse events included patient age, year of visit, socioeconomic status, hospital characteristics and concomitant neurological disease. In 2009 total emergency department charges for lower urinary tract symptoms were $494,981,922. Conclusions The number of men with lower urinary tract symptoms who visit the emergency department has remained stable, while emergency department charges have increased by 40%. The rate of adverse events increased during the study period. These findings might suggest over reliance on medical and conservative therapy in the contemporary era.

Purpose Urinary incontinence (UI) following prostate radiotherapy is a rare toxicity that adversely affects a patient’s quality of life. This study sought to evaluate the incidence of UI following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer. Methods Between February, 2008 and October, 2010, 204 men with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated definitively with SBRT at Georgetown University Hospital. Patients were treated to 35–36.25 Gray (Gy) in 5 fractions delivered with the CyberKnife (Accuray). UI was assessed via the Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC)-26. Results Baseline UI was common with 4.4%, 1.0% and 3.4% of patients reporting leaking > 1 time per day, frequent dribbling and pad usage, respectively. Three year post treatment, 5.7%, 6.4% and 10.8% of patients reported UI based on leaking > 1 time per day, frequent dribbling and pad usage, respectively. Average EPIC UI summary scores showed an acute transient decline at one month post-SBRT then a second a gradual decline over the next three years. The proportion of men feeling that their UI was a moderate to big problem increased from 1% at baseline to 6.4% at three years post-SBRT. Conclusions Prostate SBRT was well tolerated with UI rates comparable to conventionally fractionated radiotherapy and brachytherapy. More than 90% of men who were pad-free prior to treatment remained pad-free three years following treatment. Less than 10% of men felt post-treatment UI was a moderate to big problem at any time point following treatment. Longer term follow-up is needed to confirm late effects.

Objectives Although high-volume hospitals have been associated with improved outcomes for radical prostatectomy (RP), the association of residency or fellowship teaching institutions or both and this volume-outcome relationship remains poorly described. We examine the effect of teaching status and hospital volume on perioperative RP outcomes. Methods and materials Within the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we focused on RPs performed between 2003 and 2007. We tested the rates of prolonged length of stay beyond the median of 3 days, in-hospital mortality, and intraoperative and postoperative complications, stratified according to teaching status. Multivariable logistic regression analyses further adjusted for confounding factors. Results Overall, 47,100 eligible RPs were identified. Of these, 19,193 cases were performed at non-teaching institutions, 24,006 at residency teaching institutions, and 3,901 at fellowship teaching institutions. Relative to patients treated at non-teaching institutions, patients treated at fellowship teaching institutions were healthier and more likely to hold private insurance. In multivariable analyses, patients treated at residency (OR = 0.92, P = 0.015) and fellowship (OR = 0.82, P = 0.011) teaching institutions were less likely to experience a postoperative complication than patients treated at non-teaching institutions. Patients treated at residency (OR = 0.73, P P = 0.045) teaching institutions were less likely to experience a prolonged length of stay. Conclusions More favorable postoperative complication profile and shorter length of stay should be expected at residency and fellowship teaching institutions following RP. Moreover, postoperative complication rates were lower at fellowship teaching than at residency teaching institutions, despite adjustment for potential confounders.

There is limited data on the prevalence and mortality of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following oncologic surgery.To evaluate the trends, factors, and mortality of VTE following major cancer surgery.Patients undergoing colectomy, cystectomy, esophagectomy, gastrectomy, hysterectomy, lung resection, pancreatectomy, or prostatectomy were identified retrospectively using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between January 1, 1999, and December 30, 2009, resulting in a weighted estimate of 2,508,916 patients.Venous thromboembolism following major cancer surgery was assessed according to date, patient, and hospital characteristics. The determinants of in-hospital VTE were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.Venous thromboembolism showed an estimated annual percentage increase of 4.0% (95% CI, 2.9% to 5.1%), which contrasts with a 2.4% (95% CI, -4.3% to -0.5%) annual decrease in mortality in VTE after major cancer surgery. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; P .001), female sex (OR, 1.25; P .001), black race (vs white; OR, 1.56; P .001), Charlson comorbidity index score of 3 or more (OR, 1.85; P .001), and Medicaid (vs private insurance; OR, 2.04; P .001), Medicare (OR, 1.39; P .001), and uninsured (OR, 1.49; P .001) status were associated with an increased risk of VTE. Conversely, other (nonwhite and nonblack) race (OR, 0.75; P .001) was associated with a lower risk of VTE. Among hospital characteristics, urban location (OR, 1.32; P .001) and teaching status (OR, 1.08; P = .01) were associated with greater odds of VTE. Patients with vs without VTE experienced 5.3-fold greater odds of mortality.During our study period, VTE events following major cancer surgery increased in frequency; however, associated VTE mortality decreased. Changing VTE detection guidelines and better management of this condition may explain our findings.

Background Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers fewer high-dose fractions of radiation which may be radiobiologically favorable to conventional low-dose fractions commonly used for prostate cancer radiotherapy. We report our early experience using SBRT for localized prostate cancer. Methods Patients treated with SBRT from June 2008 to May 2010 at Georgetown University Hospital for localized prostate carcinoma, with or without the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), were included in this retrospective review of data that was prospectively collected in an institutional database. Treatment was delivered using the CyberKnife® with doses of 35 Gy or 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions. Biochemical control was assessed using the Phoenix definition. Toxicities were recorded and scored using the CTCAE v.3. Quality of life was assessed before and after treatment using the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12), the American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA) and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaires. Late urinary symptom flare was defined as an AUA score ≥ 15 with an increase of ≥ 5 points above baseline six months after the completion of SBRT. Results One hundred patients (37 low-, 55 intermediate- and 8 high-risk according to the D’Amico classification) at a median age of 69 years (range, 48–90 years) received SBRT, with 11 patients receiving ADT. The median pre-treatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 6.2 ng/ml (range, 1.9-31.6 ng/ml) and the median follow-up was 2.3 years (range, 1.4-3.5 years). At 2 years, median PSA decreased to 0.49 ng/ml (range, 0.1-1.9 ng/ml). Benign PSA bounce occurred in 31% of patients. There was one biochemical failure in a high-risk patient, yielding a two-year actuarial biochemical relapse free survival of 99%. The 2-year actuarial incidence rates of GI and GU toxicity ≥ grade 2 were 1% and 31%, respectively. A median baseline AUA symptom score of 8 significantly increased to 11 at 1 month (p = 0.001), however returned to baseline at 3 months (p = 0.60). Twenty one percent of patients experienced a late transient urinary symptom flare in the first two years following treatment. Of patients who were sexually potent prior to treatment, 79% maintained potency at 2 years post-treatment. Conclusions SBRT for clinically localized prostate cancer was well tolerated, with an early biochemical response similar to other radiation therapy treatments. Benign PSA bounces were common. Late GI and GU toxicity rates were comparable to conventionally fractionated radiation therapy and brachytherapy. Late urinary symptom flares were observed but the majority resolved with conservative management. A high percentage of men who were potent prior to treatment remained potent two years following treatment.