Search

The effect of radical cystectomy (RC) on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) is unclear in non-metastatic sarcomatoid bladder cancer (SBC) patients. We aimed to test the benefit of RC in SBC, and to perform a direct comparison vs urothelial bladder cancer (UCB).Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (SEER 2001-2018) all non-metastatic SBC and UBC patients were identified. Endpoint of interest was CSM. Propensity score matching (PSM), cumulative incidence plots, competing risks regression (CRR) analyses, three-months landmark analyses, and sensitivity analyses were performed. All results were stratified according to organ-confined (OC: TOf 554 SBC patients, 49 vs 51% harbored OC vs NOC stages. Of 47,741 UBC patients, 62 vs 38% harbored OC vs NOC stages. RC rates were 33 vs 67% in OC vs NOC-SBC patients, and 40 vs 60% in OC vs NOC-UBC patients. After 1:1 PSM, comparison between RC vs no-RC was performed in OC-SBC (67 patients per group), OC-UBC (7611 patients per group), NOC-SBC (63 patients per group), and NOC-UBC patients (4644 patients per group). CRR hazard ratios associated with RC vs no-RC were 0.37 (p 0.001) in OC-SBC vs 0.45 (p 0.001) in OC-UBC, and 0.56 (p = 0.01) in NOC-SBC vs 0.68 (p 0.001) in NOC-UBC. These results were replicated in sensitivity and landmark analyses.The protective effect of RC vs no-RC is stronger in SBC than UBC patients, regardless of OC vs NOC stages.

To assess the effect of event-free survival duration on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) after radical cystectomy (RC) in nonmetastatic muscle-invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.RC patients treated for non-metastatic muscle-invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder were identified within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2000-2018). Independent predictor status for CSM of T and N stage groupings (i.e., T2N0, T3N0, T4N0, and TanyN1-3) was tested in multivariable Cox-regression models. Conditional 5-year CSM-free estimates were assessed at baseline and at 4 specific event-free survival times (i.e. 6, 12, 18 and 24 months), within each of the 4 examined stage groups.Of 981 RC patients, 206 (21%), 416 (42%), 152 (16%), and 207 (21%) were T2N0, T3N0, T4N0, and TanyN1-3, respectively. In multivariable Cox-regression models T3N0 (HR 1.94), T4N0 (HR 5.22), and TanyN1-3 (HR 6.62) were independent predictors of CSM, relative to T2N0. In conditional survival analyses based on 24 months event-free status, survival estimates were: 89% for T2N0 vs. 76% at baseline (Δ = 13%), 84% for T3N0 vs. 58% at baseline (Δ = 26%), 69% for T4N0 vs. 25% at baseline (Δ = 44%), 69% for TanyN1-3 vs. 22% at baseline (Δ = 47%).Event-free status at 24 months of follow-up is associated with substantially higher CSM-free survival than when CSM-free survival is predicted at baseline. The magnitude of this effect is most pronounced in TanyN1-3 and T4N0 patients, intermediate in T3N0 and more modest, nonetheless important, in T2N0.

Large-scale analyses addressing cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients treated with local tumor destruction (LTD), relative to partial nephrectomy (PN), are scarce.To compare CSM after LTD versus PN.Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2004-2018), we identified patients with clinical T1a stage RCC treated with LTD or PN.After 1:1 ratio propensity score matching (PSM) between patients treated with LTD versus PN, competing risks regression (CRR) models addressed CSM, after adjustment for other-cause mortality (OCM) and other covariates (age, tumor size, tumor grade, and histological subtype).Relative to the 35 984 PN patients, 5936 LTD patients were older and more frequently harbored unknown RCC histological subtype or unknown grade. After 1:1 PSM that resulted in 5352 LTD versus 5352 PN patients, the 10-yr CSM rate was 8.7% versus 5.5%. In multivariable CRR models, LTD was associated with higher CSM, relative to PN (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.58, p 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed invariably higher CSM after LTD versus PN in patients with tumor size ≤3 cm (10-yr CSM 7.2% vs 5.3%, multivariable HR: 1.47, p 0.001) and in patients with tumor size 3.1-4 cm (10-yr CSM 11.4% vs 6.1%, multivariable HR: 1.72, p 0.001). Lack of information regarding earlier cancer controls, retreatment, tumor location within the kidney, and type of surgery represented limitations.In T1a RCC patients, LTD is invariably associated with higher CSM relative to PN, even after adjustment for OCM and all available patient and tumor characteristics, and regardless of tumor size considerations. However, the magnitude of CSM disadvantage was more pronounced in LTD patients with tumor size 3.1-4 cm than in those with tumor size ≤3 cm.In patients with small renal masses, we observed higher cancer-specific death rates for local tumor destruction (LTD) than for partial nephrectomy. The LTD disadvantage was more pronounced for patients with tumor size 3.1-4 cm, but was also present in those with tumor size ≤3 cm.

Two recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported overall survival benefit of triplet therapy (androgen receptor axis-targeted therapy agent [ARAT], docetaxel, and androgen deprivation therapy [ADT]) over that of doublet therapy (docetaxel and ADT) in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Ranking of therapy options and comparisons between triplet therapy and doublet ARAT and ADT therapy are scarce.To rank therapy options (triplet vs doublet [docetaxel and ADT] vs doublet [ARAT and ADT]) and address them within formal network meta-analyses (NMAs); subsequently, NMAs were refitted following stratification according to (1) low- and high-volume tumor burden and (2) doublet versus triplet therapy.A systematic literature review (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane database) of RCT trials that investigated the overall survival efficacy of systemic treatment in the setting of mHSPC was conducted. The study search and inclusion criteria were in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines.Ten RCTs (n = 9702) were identified. The NMA focusing on the overall cohort of mHSPC demonstrated that triplet therapies (darolutamide, docetaxel, and ADT, and abiraterone, docetaxel, and ADT) were ranked first and second (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44-0.66; HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.46-0.78), followed by doublet therapy (ARAT and ADT) and lastly docetaxel and ADT. Owing to missing data within one RCT, the NMA for low- and high-volume mHSPC focused on nine trials. In high-volume disease, triplet therapy (abiraterone, docetaxel, and ADT) was ranked first (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.38-0.71).Triplet therapy, consisting of an ARAT, docetaxel, and ADT, ranked first in systematic treatment in mHSPC. Moreover, triplet therapy might result in more pronounced overall survival benefit than doublet ARAT and ADT therapy in high-volume mHSPC.We compared different systemic therapy options for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and concluded that triplet therapy, consisting of androgen receptor axis-targeted therapy agent, docetaxel, and androgen deprivation therapy, seems to be most beneficial for overall survival. Back to top.

To investigate perioperative complication rates at radical nephrectomy (RN) according to inferior vena cava thrombectomy (IVC-T) status and stage (metastatic vs non-metastatic) within kidney cancer patients.We ascertained perioperative complication rates within the National Inpatient Sample database (2016-2019). First, log-link linear Generalized Estimating Equation function (GEE) regression models (adjusted for hospital clustering and weighted for discharge disposition) tested complication rates in IVC-T patients, according to metastatic stage. Subsequently, a subgroup analysis relied on RN patients with or without IVC-T. Here, multivariable logistic regression models tested complication rates in RN patients according to IVC-T status, after propensity score matching including metastatic stage.Of 26,299 RN patients, 461 (2%) patients underwent IVC-T. Of those, 252 (55%) were non-metastatic vs 209 (45%) were metastatic. Rates of acute kidney injury (AKI), transfusion, cardiac, thromboembolic and other medical complications in non-metastatic vs metastatic patients were 40 vs 40%, 25 vs 22%, 21 vs 23%, 19 vs 14% and 38 vs 40%, respectively (all p ≥ 0.2). Metastatic stage in IVC-T patients did not predict differences in complications in log-link linear GEE regression models (all p 0.1). However, in logistic regression models with propensity score matching, relying on the overall cohort of RN patients, IVC-T status was associated with higher complication rates (all p 0.001): AKI (Odds ratio [OR]:2.60; 95%-CI [95%-Confidence interval: 1.97-3.44), transfusions (OR:2.40; 95%-CI: 1.72-3.36), cardiac (OR:2.27; 95%-CI: 1.49-3.47), thromboembolic (OR:9.07; 95%-CI: 5.21-16.58) and other medical complications (OR:2.01; 95%-CI: 1.52-2.66).The current analyses indicate that presence of concomitant IVC-T is associated with higher complication rate at RN. Conversely, metastatic stage has no effect on recorded complication rates.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to examine cancer-specific mortality (CSM) of unconventional urethral cancers. Methods: Within the SEER (2004–2016) database, we analyzed CSM of 165 patients with unconventional urethral-cancer histology. Kaplan-Meier plots were used to test the effect of unconventional histologies in urethral cancer on CSM. Results: Of 165 eligible patients, the Mullerian type accounted for 55 (33.3%) versus melanocytic (26.7%) versus neuroendocrine 25 (15.2%) versus lymphoma 22 (13.3%) versus mesenchymal/sarcoma 15 (9.1%) versus spindle cell 4 (2.1%) patients. Median age at diagnosis was 81 years in spindle cell, 75 in melanocytic, 74 in neuroendocrine and mesenchymal/sarcoma, 67 in lymphoma, and 62 years Mullerian type (p < 0.001). Of all, 116 (70.3%) were female. The Mullerian type exhibited the highest female ratio (96.4%) versus the lowest female ratio in neuroendocrine (24.0%). The Mullerian type was most frequent in African-American females. In Caucasian females, the melanocytic type was most frequent (49.1%). In African-American (38.9%) and Caucasian males (33.3%), neuroendocrine histology was most frequent. Three-year CSM was, respectively, 27.5%, 23.1% 22.3%, 20.5%, and 16.1% for melanocytic, mesenchymal/sarcoma, Mullerian type, neuroendocrine, and lymphoma histology. Median cancer-specific survival was 106 versus 10 months for combined nonmetastatic versus metastatic nonconventional histologies. Conclusion: Important age, sex, racial/ethnic group distribution, and survival differences exist between each unconventional urethral-cancer histological subtypes.

Data in patients with malignant melanoma, who have been previously treated with pembrolizumab as adjuvant therapy, show a reduction in pembrolizumab efficacy upon rechallenge. We examined this scenario in patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) eligible for adjuvant pembrolizumab after nephrectomy. We hypothesized that a proportion of such patients will either require re-treatment with pembrolizumab upon metastatic progression prior to cancer-specific mortality (CSM) or die from other cause mortality (OCM).We identified within the SEER database 10,635 patients, between 2004 and 2017, with a diagnosis of non-metastatic intermediate-high and high risk RCC, who had undergone nephrectomy and fulfilled criteria for enrollment in KEYNOTE-564. Kaplan-Meier analyses addressed overall survival (OS), CSM and OCM.9,825 (92.4%) of the 10,635 patients had intermediate-high risk RCC and 9,456 (88.9%) underwent radical nephrectomy. Additionally, 760 (7.1%) harbored sarcomatoid features. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, median OS was 9.8 (9.1-11.4) years. At 10-years of follow-up, CSM rate was 36% and OCM rate was 22%.Based on CSM, our observations indicate that by 10-years of follow-up 36% of patients treated with adjuvant pembrolizumab will require a rechallenge, in a setting where a checkpoint inhibitor may have reduced efficacy. Moreover, at 10-years of follow-up, 22% of patients with RCC, previously treated with adjuvant pembrolizumab, will die of other causes. These percentages should be strongly considered prior to routine use of adjuvant pembrolizumab, especially given an OS benefit has not been proven.

Controlled contemporary analyses of mortality in metastatic collecting duct renal cell carcinoma (mcdRCC) are unavailable. We addressed this knowledge gap and tested rates of treatment and associated mortality in patients with mcdRCC.Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2018), we identified 155 mcdRCC patients. Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox proportional hazards regression models tested the effect of treatment (cytoreductive nephrectomy [CN] alone vs. systemic therapy [ST] alone vs. combination of both CN + ST) on overall mortality (OM).In the overall cohort (n = 155), 57 patients (37%) were treated with combination of both CN + ST, 46 (30%) underwent CN alone, 28 (18%) received ST alone, and 24 (15%) had none/unknown treatment. According to age categories (≤ 59 vs. 60-69 vs. ≥ 70 years), rates of combination of both CN + ST were 45% vs. 45% vs. 14%, respectively. CN alone was the most frequent type of treatment in patients aged ≥ 70 (50%). Median overall survival was 4.0 months for CN alone vs. 5.5 months for ST alone vs. 9.0 months for combination of both CN+ST. In multivariable Cox regression models, where CN alone was the referent, the use of ST alone and combination of both CN + ST were respectively associated with a HR of 0.74 (P = .3) and 0.43 (P.001), after adjustment for all covariates.In mcdRCC patients, concomitant use of CN and ST results in lowest mortality, followed by ST alone, and CN alone. In consequence combination of both CN + ST should be recommended whenever applicable.

Background: the pathological stage of prostate cancer with high-risk prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, but otherwise favorable and/or intermediate risk characteristics (clinical T-stage, Gleason Grade group at biopsy [B-GGG]) is unknown. We hypothesized that a considerable proportion of such patients will exhibit clinically meaningful GGG upgrading or non-organ confined (NOC) stage at radical prostatectomy (RP). Materials and methods: within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results: database (2010-2015) we identified RP-patients with cT1c-stage and B-GGG1, B-GGG2, or B-GGG3 and PSA 20-50 ng/ml. Rates of GGG4 or GGG5 and/or rates of NOC stage (>= pT3 and/or pN1) were analyzed. Subsequently, separate univariable and multivariable logistic regression models tested for predictors of NOC stage and upgrading at RP. Results Of 486 assessable patients, 134 (28%) exhibited B-GGG1, 209 (43%) B-GGG2, and 143 (29%) B-GGG3, respectively. The overall upgrading and NOC rates were 11% and 51% for a combined rate of upgrading and/or NOC stage of 53%. In multivariable logistic regression models predicting upgrading, only B-GGG3 was an independent predictor (odds ratio [OR]: 5.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.21-14.19; p < 0.001). Conversely, 33%-66% (OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.42-3.95; p = 0.001) and >66% of positive biopsy cores (OR: 4.85; 95% CI: 2.84-8.42; p < 0.001), as well as B-GGG2 and B-GGG3 were independent predictors for NOC stage (all p, Stiftung Giersch; Projekt DEAL

Collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) is a rare renal malignancy. We relied on a large population-based cohort to address epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment of CDC patients. We also tested survival in the overall cohort, as well as in stage-specific fashion.Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (2004-2018) database, we identified 399 CDC patients. Based on Kaplan-Meier plots survival estimates, conditional survival rates were derived according to disease stage. Cox regression models tested for predictors of cancer specific mortality (CSM).Overall, 273 (68.4%) patients were male, 236 (59.2%) had T3-4 stages, 148 (37.1%) had lymph node invasion, and 156 (39.1%) had distant metastases at initial diagnosis. Nephrectomy alone was commonest in stage I-II (n = 91/99, 92%) and III (n = 94/116, 81%). Combination of both nephrectomy and systemic therapy was commonest in stage IV (n = 62/172, 36%). In the overall cohort, median cancer specific survival was 18 months. Provided a disease-free interval of 24 months, five-year Kaplan-Meier estimated survival at diagnosis increased from 74.2 to 91.0% in stage I-II, from 31.1 to 65.3% in stage III, and from 6.3 to 34.1% in stage IV. In multivariable Cox regression models addressing CSM, systemic therapy (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.47, P = 0.020), nephrectomy (HR: 0.37, P0.001) and combination of both (HR: 0.28, P0.001) exhibited a strong protective effect.Despite its highly aggressive phenotype and dismal survival, CDC is sensitive to nephrectomy and/or systemic therapy. Moreover, even for advanced stage, a more favorable prognosis can be achieved in patients, who benefit of disease-free interval after diagnosis and initial treatment.

Collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) is biologically more aggressive than clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). We tested for differences in cancer specific mortality (CSM) rates according to CDC vs. ISUP (International Society of Urological Pathology) 4 ccRCC histological subtype. We hypothesized that the survival disadvantage still applies, even after most detailed adjustments.Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2018), we identified 380 CDC vs. 6273 ISUP 4 ccRCC patients of all stages. Propensity score matching (age, sex, race/ethnicity, T, N, and M stages, nephrectomy, and systemic therapy status), Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression models were used.All 380 CDC were matched (1:2) with 760 ISUP4 ccRCC patients. Prior to matching CDC patients exhibited higher rates of lymph node invasion (37.6 % vs. 14.7 %, p 0.001), and of distant metastases (40.8 % vs. 30.4 %, p 0.001). Systemic therapy rates were higher in CDC (29.5 % vs. 20.5 %, p 0.001). However, nephrectomy rates were higher in ISUP4 ccRCC patients (97.5 % vs. 84.7 %, p 0.001). After matching, in multivariable Cox regression models addressing CSM, CDC was associated with a HR of 1.5 (p 0.001) in the overall population vs. 1.9 (p = 0.014) in stage I-II vs. 1.4 (p = 0.022) in stage III vs. 1.6 in stage IV (p 0.001), relative to ISUP4 ccRCC.CDC patients exhibited 40-90 % higher CSM than their ISUP4 ccRCC counterparts in the overall analysis, as well as in stage specific analyses. The CSM disadvantage applies despite higher rates of systemic therapy in CDC patients.

To investigate pathological stage at radical prostatectomy (RP) using the "Partin tables" approach in NCCN high-risk (HR) prostate cancer (PCa) patients.Within the SEER 2010 to 2016 database, we identified 7,718 NCCN HR PCa patients. Cross-tabulation was used to illustrate the distribution of organ confined disease (OC, pT2), extra-prostatic extension (EPE, pT3a), seminal vesicles invasion (SVI, pT3b), lymph node invasion (LNI, pT2N1), extra-prostatic and lymph node invasion (EPE + LNI, pT3aN1), and seminal vescicale and lymph node invasion (SVI + LNI, pT3bN1), according to preoperative criteria, which consisted in PSA, clinical T stage, biopsy Gleason Score (GS). Binomial 95%CI was constructed for the reported proportions.Median (IQR) PSA levels was 9 (6-20) ng/ml. The majority of patient harbored cT1c (51%) followed by cT2 (35%) and cT3 (14%) stage. Most patients exhibited GS 4+4 (43%). Overall, 87 vs. 15 vs. 2% of patients harbored only 1 vs. 2 vs. all 3 HR criteria. At RP, OC, EPE, SVI, and LNI rates were respectively 36%, 27%, 17%, and 19%. Highest levels of OC were recorded for cT1c, PSA10 ng/mL and biopsy GS4+4. Conversely, EPE, SVI and LNI were the highest in patients with cT3, PSA ≥20 ng/mL and GS 5+5. After stratification according to clinical stages, OC rates decreased with increasing PSA levels and GS. Conversely, EPE, SVI and LNI rates increased with increasing PSA and GS.We provide a lookup table to illustrate the relationship between clinical and pathological characteristics in NCCN HR PCa patients.

We tested for other-cause mortality (OCM) differences according to race/ethnicity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Such differences may affect treatment considerations.Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Research Plus repository (2000-2018), we identified clear cell (ccmRCC) and non-clear cell (non-ccmRCC) mRCC patients and stratified according to race/ethnicity: Caucasian vs. Hispanic vs. African American vs. Asian. Poisson smoothed cumulative incidence plots and competing risks regression (CRR) models addressing OCM, after adjustment for cancer-specific mortality , were fitted. Subsequently, multivariable logistic regression models tested access to cytoreductive nephrectomy (CNT) and systemic therapy (ST).Of 10,958 ccmRCC patients, 7,892 (72%), 1,743 (16%), 688 (6%), and 635 (6%) were Caucasian, Hispanic, African American, and Asian, respectively. Of 1,239 non-ccmRCC patients, 799 (64%), 106 (9%), 278 (22%), and 56 (5%) were Caucasian, Hispanic, African American, and Asian, respectively. In multivariable CRR models, OCM was higher in African Americans vs. Caucasians in ccmRCC (HR:1.55; CI:1.19-2.01; P0.001) and in non-ccmRCC (HR:1.54; CI:1.01-2.35; P = 0.04). In multivariable logistic regression models, African Americans with ccmRCC were less likely to undergo CNT (OR:0.72, CI:0.60-0.86; P0.001), but more likely to undergo ST (OR:1.34, CI:1.11-1.61; P = 0.002).In this retrospective analysis, African Americans with ccmRCC and non-ccmRCC exhibited higher OCM than Caucasians. Based on higher OCM, African Americans were less likely to undergo CNT, but more likely to benefit from ST.

Not infrequently patients are diagnosed with clinically localized prostate based on a single positive biopsy core exhibiting Gleason grade group 1 (GGG1) with variable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. We investigated treatment patterns and hypothesized that regardless of PSA in cT1- to cT2-stage patients, presence of GGG3/GGG4/GGG5 and/or non-organ confined stage will rarely be identified.Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2010-2015), clinically localized prostate cancer (CaP) patients with PSA ≤ 50 ng/ml and a single positive GGG1 biopsy core were identified. Overall treatment rates were examined, estimated annual percentage changes and logistic regression analyses were fitted to test for no-local treatment. Subsequently, rates of upgrading (GGG3/GGG4/GGG5) and/or upstaging (≥pT3 and/or pN1) were investigated in radical prostatectomy patients.13,342 clinically localized CaP patients harbored single GGG1 positive biopsy core at diagnosis. No local treatment was recorded in 5,235 (53.0%) cT1-stage vs. in 1,039 (49.0%) cT2-stage patients. No local treatment rates increased over time from 35.0% to 67.0% vs. 34.0% to 63.0% in cT1 vs. cT2 patients, observations were confirmed in logistic regression analyses (cT1: multivariable odds ratio [mOR]: 1.39; cT2: mOR: 1.33). In radical prostatectomy treated cT1-patients (n = 2,293) and cT2-patients (n = 659), upgrading vs. upstaging vs. upgrading/upstaging combined was 6.1%, 6.5%, 11.0% and 6.2%, 5.0%, 9.9% respectively.In single GGG1 positive biopsy core CaP patients, the combined proportion of upgrading and upstaging should be expected in one tenth. In consequence, the overwhelming majority harbors favorable grade and stage that is compatible with no local treatment.

To test for survival differences in metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder (mUCUB) patients, according to years of diagnosis, age, sex, and race/ethnicity over time and for the effect of chemotherapy on overall mortality (OM).Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (2000-2016), we identified 6860 mUCUB patients. Of those, 3,249 were exposed to chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox regression models focused on OM. First, we tested the effect of years of diagnosis (historical [2000-2005] vs. intermediate [2006-2011] vs. contemporary [2012-2016]) in chemotherapy exposed mUCUB patients. Second, we tested the effect of chemotherapy in all mUCUB patients.In chemotherapy exposed mUCUB patients according to historical vs. intermediate vs. contemporary years, median overall survival was 11 vs. 13 vs. 14 months respectively, which translated into hazard ratios (HR) of 0.86 (P = 0.005) and 0.75 (P0.001) in intermediate and contemporary vs. historical, respectively. Subgroup analyses in70 years old, males and Caucasians were in agreement regarding statistically significant differences between historical vs. intermediate vs. contemporary, respectively. In multivariable Cox regression models fitted in the entire mUCUB cohort, chemotherapy exposure reduced OM (HR: 0.46; P0.001). Virtually the same results were recorded in age, sex, and race/ethnicity subgroups analyses.Contemporary chemotherapy exposed mUCUB patients exhibited better survival than their historical and intermediate counterparts. Chemotherapy reduced mortality by half, across all patient types.

Conventional gray scale ultrasound has a low sensitivity and specificity for prostate cancer detection. Better imaging modalities are needed.To determine sensitivity and specificity for prostate cancer detection with ultrasound-based real-time elastography (elastography) in patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy (RP).Between July and October 2007, 109 patients with biopsy-proven localized prostate cancer (PCa) underwent elastography before RP. The investigator was blinded to clinical data.A EUB-6500HV ultrasound system with a V53W 7.5MHz end-fire transrectal probe was used preoperatively. Areas found to be suspicious for PCa were recorded for left and right side of the apex, mid-gland, and base. These findings were correlated with the obtained whole-mount sections after RP.Sensitivity and specificity for detecting PCa were 75.4% and 76.6%, respectively. A total of 439 suspicious areas in elastography were recorded, and 451 cancerous areas were found in the RP specimens. Positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for elastography were 87.8%, 59%, and 76%, respectively. Nevertheless, there are limitations to our studies because we investigated specific patients scheduled for RP with apparent PCa. Whether elastography is practical as a diagnostic tool or can be used to target a biopsy and be at least as sensitive in tumor detection as extended biopsy schemes has yet to be determined.Elastography can detect prostate cancer foci within the prostate with good accuracy and has potential to increase ultrasound-based PCa detection. Further studies need to be done to approve these data and to evaluate whether tumor detection can be increased by elastography-guided biopsies.