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Background: Urosepsis is an acute life-threating disease, and some cases show refractory outcome to therapy. In an aging society of developed countries, characteristics of urosepsis are becoming complicated. We performed a comprehensive investigation regarding the clinical and social aspects that are related to refractory outcomes in urosepsis patients. Methods: The patient cohort consisted of 66 patients with urosepsis. Multiple factors from clinical and social aspects were reviewed retrospectively. Two categories of refractory outcomes were defined. One was afebrile resistance (AR); fever continued more than 7 days from the initiation of therapy. Another was discharge resistance (DR); hospitalization continued for more than 30 days. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant factors that are related to the AR or DR. Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated that high score of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) (? 2) and Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) (? 4), high serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level (? 14.9 mg/dL), and low serum albumin level (? 2.26 g/dL) were significantly related to AR. Univariate analysis results also revealed that high score of ECOG PS (? 2), high serum creatinine level (? 1.54 mg/dL) and vasopressor administration were significantly related to DR. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that low serum albumin level (? 2.26g/dL) was the only significant factor that was related to AR. In contrast, high score of ECOG PS (? 2) and high serum creatinine level (? 1.54 mg/dL) were significant factors that were related to DR. Conclusion: It is suggested that evaluating serum albumin levels is essential for the therapeutic first step because hypoalbuminemia was the significant factor that was related to obstruction to antipyresis. It is also suggested that the deterioration of patients’ activities of daily living and renal dysfunction might be the refractory factors for discharge from the hospital, which was the ultimate therapeutic goal.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, plus mirabegron, a β3-adrenoreceptor agonist, in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who presented with persistent storage symptoms after tadalafil monotreatment. Methods: The registration of this study started in August 2016 and ended in July 2019. The inclusion criteria included patients aged ? 50 years who were diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and who presented with overactive bladder symptoms. Patients were treated with oral tadalafil 5 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Then, its efficacy was evaluated. Patients who responded to the treatment received oral tadalafil 5 mg once daily for 4 more weeks (monotreatment group). Meanwhile, those who did not respond received oral tadalafil 5 mg and mirabegron 50 mg, which is an add-on treatment, once daily for 4 more weeks (combination therapy group). Results: After 8 weeks, the monotreatment group (n = 19) and the combination group (n = 56) had significantly better total Overactive Bladder Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score voiding and storage subscale scores. Moreover, the two groups experienced significant improvements in the total Overactive Bladder Questionnaire and Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire scores, and Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire Bother/Concern subscale score after 8 weeks. However, there were no cases of urinary retention or serious adverse events. Conclusion: Combination treatment with tadalafil and mirabegron is effective and safe for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who presented with persistent storage symptoms after tadalafil monotreatment. Hence, tadalafil plus mirabegron is a promising therapeutic option, and it can improve overactive bladder related-quality of life.

Background Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) is widely used for prostate cancer diagnosis, surveillance, and staging; however, it has some limitations, including higher cost, longer examination time, and the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of index tumor (IT) assessed preoperatively using biparametric MRI (bpMRI)/transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion prostate biopsy with radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. Methods We included 69 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer through bpMRI/TRUS fusion-guided biopsy of lesions with Prostate Imaging Reporting & Data System (PI-RADS) category ≥ 3 and underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) at our institution between July 2017 and December 2021. The localization of preoperative and postoperative IT, highest Gleason score (GS), and tumor diameter were examined in these patients. Results The preoperative cT stage matched the postoperative pT stage in 34 cases (48%), while 20 cases (30%) were upstaged, and 15 cases (22%) were downstaged (Weighted Kappa = 0.236). The preoperative and postoperative IT localization were consistent in 59 cases (85.5%). The concordance rate between Gleason groups in targeted biopsy and RP specimens was 48%, with an upgrade in 17 cases (24%) and a downgrade in 29 cases (28%) (Weighted Kappa = 0.424). The IT maximum diameter and maximum cancer core length on biopsy were correlated with RP tumor maximum diameter (p = 0.007, p = 0.008). Conclusion In conclusion, the diagnostic accuracy of bpMRI/TRUS fusion biopsy is comparable to that of previous reports using mpMRI. The findings suggest that bpMRI/TRUS fusion biopsy can be a cost-effective and time-saving alternative.

Although robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) has been increasingly used worldwide, the history of RANU remains short, and the optimal surgical method for performing RANU has yet to be established. Here we introduce the ideal approach for RANU using the Vessel Sealer Extend (VSE).RANU was performed by using a da Vinci Xi surgical system with fenestrated bipolar forceps (by the left arm), and monopolar scissors or needle drivers (by the right arm), and the VSE (by the third arm). First, nephrectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed at the kidney direction stage, followed by the removal of the distal ureter and suturing of the bladder at the bladder direction stage. The key point of our technique is that the console surgeon can continue to obtain the optimal surgical field by traction using the third arm, and thus cut the tissue by smoothly switching between the right hand and the third arm without the need to exchange instruments, especially in the kidney direction stage. In this study we performed RANU in nine patients and lymphadenectomy in seven patients. The median console time was 195 (range: 165-265) min, the median blood loss was 55 (range: 5-179) ml. In eight cases of RANU using the VSE, no lymphatic leakage was observed and all procedures could be performed safely.The use of VSE provides sufficient coagulation and optimal surgical field development, thus allowing console surgeons to perform RANU more safely.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal 5-year long-term outcomes for urinary continence and quality of life (QOL) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), particularly nerve-sparing. METHODS Among patients who underwent RARP between October 2010 and October 2015, postoperative urinary symptoms were retrospectively examined using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), QOL index, and number of pads used. Patients were divided into nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing groups, and all data were evaluated before and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after surgery. RESULTS After propensity score matching, 47 patients each were included in the two groups. No significant difference in the IPSS or QOL index was seen between groups. The IPSS and QOL index showed an increase in the first month after RARP, but at 6 months, values were lower than preoperative levels and then slowly improved. Pad-free rates at 5 years after surgery were 93.6% and 80.1% in the nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing groups, respectively (P = .029). ICIQ-SF scores were significantly improved in the nerve-sparing compared with the non-nerve-sparing group at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. After 12 months, no significant changes were identified until 60 months. CONCLUSIONS In this study, nerve-sparing had a strong impact on urinary continence in the early postoperative period. After 12 months, urinary continence remained stable until 60 months.

Background: We wanted to clarify whether preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the clinical setting can evaluate the pathologic pseudocapsule (PC) morphology with high accuracy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 34 consecutive patients who underwent MRI (1.5 or 3.0T, 5 mm slices) prior to partial nephrectomy (PN) for RCC at our institution between January 2010 and December 2019. First, the correlation between PC morphology (complete or incomplete) and tumor infiltration to the renal parenchyma was examined as pathologic validation. Second, the concordance rate of PC morphology between pathologic tissue and preoperative MRI was evaluated as radiologic validation. Third, risk factor for renal parenchymal invasion in RCC was analyzed. Results: In the pathologic validation, parenchymal invasion rates were 11% and 28% in the “complete PC” and “incomplete PC” groups, respectively. In the radiologic validation, pathological PC morphology could be diagnosed on preoperative MRI in 17 patients (50.0%). “None PC” on MRI had the lowest positive predictive value (PPV) (0%), “partial PC” on MRI had a good PPV (76.5%), “complete PC” on MRI had a relatively low PPV (33.3%). Unfortunately, these data were insufficient for diagnostic accuracy. As risk factor for renal parenchymal invasion in RCC, only pathologic subtype (non-clear cell) was found to have significant differences in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that renal tumors with pathologically incomplete PC have a high possibility of renal parenchymal invasion. However, it is currently difficult to accurately evaluate pathologic PC morphology by preoperative MRI in the clinical setting.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the response to platinum-based chemotherapy rechallenge in patients with pembrolizumab-refractory urothelial carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 14 patients with pembrolizumab-refractory urothelial carcinoma. Each patient received a regimen that they had not previously received (paclitaxel plus carboplatin in 10, gemcitabine plus docetaxel and carboplatin in four). Tumor response and adverse events were assessed. We evaluated overall survival from the chemotherapy rechallenge start date until death. RESULTS The median overall survival was 11.2 months. The disease-control rate was 85.7%. Partial responses occurred in the metastases in lymph nodes in three (37.5%) patients, lung in one (25%), peritoneal in three (75%), and liver in three (100%). Neutropenia of grade ≥3 occurred in 13 (92.9%) patients. CONCLUSION The activity of platinum-based chemotherapy rechallenge after pembrolizumab was maintained. Neutropenia was observed in most patients.

Sarcopenia impacts perioperative outcomes and prognosis in various carcinomas. We aimed to investigate whether sarcopenia at the time of chemotherapy induction in patients with urothelial carcinoma is associated with prognosis. We evaluated patients treated with chemotherapy for urothelial carcinoma between April 2013 and February 2018 at our institution and affiliated centers. Skeletal muscle mass (total psoas muscle, paraspinal muscle, and total skeletal muscle areas) were used to calculate the total psoas muscle index, paraspinal muscle index, and skeletal muscle index. All participants were grouped as per cutoff points set at the median value for each sex. Overall survival was evaluated using Cox regression analysis. Of the 240 patients, 171 were men and 69 were women; mean age during chemotherapy was 71 years (range: 43–88); and 36, 56, and 148 patients were at stages II, III, and IV, respectively. Paraspinal muscle index was most associated with the prognosis; groups with lower paraspinal muscle index were defined as sarcopenic (men: ≤ 20.9 cm2/m2, women: ≤ 16.8 cm2/m2). The overall survival was significantly longer in the non-sarcopenia group including all stages (p = 0.001), and in stage III (p = 0.048) and IV (p = 0.005) patients. There was no significant difference among stage II patients (p = 0.648). After propensity score matching, survival was still significantly longer in the non-sarcopenia group (p = 0.004). Paraspinal muscle index measurements obtained during chemotherapy induction for urothelial carcinoma were independent prognostic factors. The absence of sarcopenia may lead to long-term survival in patients undergoing chemotherapy for urothelial carcinoma.

We investigated the association between positive surgical margin (PSM) status and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) to develop a prognostic factor-based risk stratification model for BCR.We analyzed the data of 483 patients who underwent RARP at our hospital between October 2010 and April 2019; 435 patients without neoadjuvant therapy were finally included. The BCR-free survival rate was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Effects of the PSM status, including the number of PSMs, Gleason score (GS) at a PSM, and the maximum PSM length for BCR, were investigated using Cox regression analysis.BCR was confirmed after RARP in 61 patients (14.0%), and PSM was confirmed in 74 patients (17.0%); PSM was a significant predictor of BCR (p 0.001). The median number of PSMs was 2 (1-6), and the median maximum length of PSM was 6.0 (2.0-17.0) mm. Multivariable analysis showed lymph node invasion (p 0.001), GS of ≥ 7 at a PSM (p = 0.022) and a maximum PSM length of 6.0 mm (p = 0.003) were significant predictors of BCR. We classified the patients without lymph node invasion into good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk groups according to the other two risk factors (presence of 0, 1, and 2 factors, respectively) and rates of 1-year BCR-free survival (100.0, 72.7, and 48.1%, respectively).Higher GS at PSM and greater length of PSM were significant predictors of BCR after RARP, and console surgeons should be careful to prevent PSM during RARP.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin treatment (onabotulinumtoxinA 200 units) for Japanese patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity caused by spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. Methods Patients with urinary incontinence refractory to pharmacological treatment were enrolled and randomized in a phase III trial. A single dose of onabotulinumtoxinA (n = 11) or placebo (n = 10) was given in the double-blind phase, and repeat injections of onabotulinumtoxinA were given in the subsequent open-label phase. Outcomes included urinary incontinence episodes, urodynamics, patient-reported outcomes and adverse events. Results The onabotulinumtoxinA group showed a numerically greater reduction in the number of urinary incontinence episodes per day than the placebo group, with the difference between the groups at week 6 of -3.02 (95% confidence interval -5.85 to -0.19). The onabotulinumtoxinA group also showed greater improvements in urodynamic assessments. Adverse events related to onabotulinumtoxinA injections were hematuria, urinary retention, urinary bladder hemorrhage, autonomic dysreflexia and epididymitis. Most events were deemed mild or moderate. Conclusions Intradetrusor injections of onabotulinumtoxinA are efficacious and tolerable for Japanese patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity-related symptoms that are difficult to manage with anticholinergics and/or β3 -adrenergic receptor agonists.

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intravenous ghrelin administration on the micturition reflex in rats. Material and methods Continuous cystometrograms were performed with female Sparague-Dawley rats under urethane anesthesia. Stable micturition cycles were established, and ghrelin was then administered intravenously to evaluate changes in bladder activity. In this experiment investigating the role of opioid systems, ghrelin was administered intravenously at the time of first observed bladder contraction after intravenous administration of naloxone methiodide, an opioid receptor antagonist. Results Intravenous administration of ghrelin increased intercontraction interval that was dose-dependent. These inhibitory effects returned to pre-controls level within 80 minutes of administration. Similarly, intravenous administration of ghrelin increased threshold pressure in a dose-dependent fashion. These inhibitory effects of ghrelin were antagonized by intravenous naloxone methiodide administration. Conclusions These results show that ghrelin inhibits the micturition reflex through an opioid-dependent mechanism in rats under urethane anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of penile rehabilitation on the recovery of erectile function after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in our department from 2010 to 2019 were included. For penile rehabilitation, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (tadalafil 20 mg) was administered twice a week for 1-6 months postoperatively. The International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (question 1 and erectile function domain) and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire (sexual function) were used. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, there were 79 patients in the penile rehabilitation group and 79 patients in the non-penile rehabilitation group. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Significantly higher scores were seen in the penile rehabilitation group compared with the non-penile rehabilitation group at postoperative 3, 6 and 9 months in the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire-question 1, at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months in erectile function domain, and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months in Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire sexual function (P

Background In recent years, the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy (MRF-TB) has been widely reported. In this study, we assessed the effect of reduction of the number of systematic biopsy (SB) cores on the cancer detection rate (CDR). Methods Patients with a high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level underwent prostate MRI. The Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS) was then used to rate the lesions. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) PSA level between 4.0 and 30.0 ng/mL and (2) patients with one or more lesions on MRI and a PI-RADS score of 3 or more. All enrolled patients were SB naive or had a history of one or more prior negative SBs. A total of 104 Japanese met this selection criterion. We have traditionally performed 14-core SB following the MRF-TB. In this study, the CDRs of 10-core SB methods, excluding biopsy results at the center of the base and mid-level on both sides, were compared with those of the conventional biopsy method. Results We compared CDRs of the 14-core and 10-core SBs used in combination. The overall CDR was 55.8% for the former and 55.8% for the latter, thereby indicating that there was no significant difference (P = 1.00) between the two. In addition, the CDRs of csPCa were 51.9% for the former and 51.1% for the latter, which indicated that there was no significant difference (P = 0.317). Conclusion There was no significant difference in the CDR when the number of SB cores to be used in combination was 14 and 10.

Background Radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy are standard treatments for localized prostate cancer. When making decisions about treatment, it is important to not only consider medical information such as the patient's age, performance status, and complications, but also the impact on quality of life (QOL) after treatment. Our purpose was to compare health related quality of life (HRQOL) after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) versus radiation therapy in Japanese patients with localized prostate cancer retrospectively. Methods Patients with localized prostate cancer receiving RARP or radiotherapy at Tottori University Hospital between October 2010 and December 2014 were enrolled in a retrospective observational study with follow-up for 24 months to December 2016. The Medical Outcome Study 8-Item Short-Form Health Survey was performed before treatment and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-treatment. Results Complete responses to the questionnaire were obtained from 154/227 patients receiving RARP, 41/67 patients receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapy, 35/82 patients receiving low dose rate brachytherapy, and 18/28 patients given low dose rate brachytherapy plus external beam radiation therapy. The median physical component summary score of the Medical Outcome Study 8-Item Short-Form Health Survey was significantly lower at 1 month after prostatectomy than radiotherapy, but was similar for both treatments at 3 months, and was significantly higher at 6, 12 and 24 months after prostatectomy. The median mental component summary score was also significantly lower in the prostatectomy group at 1 month, but not from 3 months onwards. Conclusion Our study suggested that HRQOL was inferior at 1 month after RARP, however, recovered at 3 months after RARP and was better than after radiotherapy at 6, 12, and 24 months.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA (botulinum toxin type A) 100 U in patients with overactive bladder and urinary incontinence. METHODS This was a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Japanese patients who were inadequately managed with overactive bladder medications (anticholinergics and/or β3 -adrenergic receptor agonists). Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to receive a single dose of either onabotulinumtoxinA or placebo into the detrusor muscle (n = 124 each). The primary end-point was the change in the number of daily urinary incontinence episodes at week 12 from baseline. Secondary end-points included volume voided per micturition, other symptomatic measures (urinary urgency incontinence, micturition, urgency and nocturia) and patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS In the onabotulinumtoxinA group, there was a significantly greater decrease from baseline in the mean number of daily urinary incontinence episodes compared with the placebo group (2.16; P

To investigate the involvement of pretreatment C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the prognosis of patients who underwent intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).The clinicopathological data of 1709 patients with NMIBC who underwent initial intravesical BCG therapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumor were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the outcome of intravesical BCG therapy in a multicenter study conducted by the Japan Urological Oncology Group. The prognoses of these patients were analyzed to determine whether the biomarkers (CRP and NLR) could predict the efficacy of intravesical BCG therapy. Patients were divided into two groups according to the pretreatment CRP and NLR, with cutoff values defined as CRP ≥ 0.5 mg/dl and NLR ≥ 2.5, based on several previous reports.In the univariable analysis, CRP ≥ 0.5 mg/dl was significantly associated with intravesical recurrence, cancer-specific survival, and bladder cancer (BC) progression, while NLR ≥ 2.5 was not significantly associated with patient prognosis. In the multivariable analysis, CRP ≥ 0.5 mg/dl was significantly associated with intravesical recurrence and BC progression. The concordance index was used to examine the accuracy in predicting recurrence and progression events. While CRP was slightly, though not statistically significant, inferior to the European Association of Urology risk classification, the combination of them showed improved predictive accuracy.This study suggests that CRP can be a prognostic factor after intravesical BCG therapy and may provide useful data for determining treatment and follow-up strategies for patients with NMIBC.

Bladder cancer is divided into two molecular subtypes, luminal and basal, which form papillary and nodular tumors, respectively, and are identifiable by gene expression profiling. Although loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the long arm of human chromosome 9 (9q) has been observed in the early development of both types of bladder cancer, the functional significance of LOH remains to be clarified. The present study introduced human chromosome 9q into basal bladder cancer cell line, SCaBER, using microcell-mediated chromosome transfer to investigate the effect of LOH of 9q on molecular bladder cancer subtypes. These cells demonstrated decreased proliferation and migration capacity compared with parental and control cells. Conversely, transfer of human chromosome 4 did not change the cell phenotype. Expression level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, a marker of luminal type, increased 3.0-4.4 fold in SCaBER cells altered with 9q compared with parental SCaBER cells. Furthermore, the expression levels of tumor suppressor PTEN, which regulates PPARγ, also increased in 9q-altered cells. These results suggested that human chromosome 9q may carry regulatory genes for PPARγ that are involved in the progression of neoplastic transformation of bladder cancer.

Prophylactic urethrectomy is often performed simultaneously with radical cystectomy (RC) in patients who are not selected for neobladder creation for urinary diversion. However, the indications for prophylactic urethrectomy are still controversial. Here, we introduce the ideal urethral dissection technique during robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in patients without simultaneous prophylactic urethrectomy.At our hospital, RARC is performed using a da Vinci surgical system with the operating table tilted to 20°. After lymph node dissection and bladder mobilization, periurethral dissection is commenced. A notable point of our technique is en bloc resection of the bladder and membranous urethra using a continuous intracorporeal approach. First, while applying traction on the isolated bladder in the cranial direction, we carefully and gradually dissect the urethral smooth muscle from the external urethral sphincter with electrocautery scissors. Next, we ligate the membranous urethra with suture material as far from the prostate as possible. Then, we cut the urethra as far from the prostate as possible after ligation of the urethra with a Hem-o-lok clip just beyond the apex of the prostate. Using this method, we are able to remove at least 1.0 cm of the membranous urethra en bloc with the bladder. Finally, we suture the pelvic floor, including the levator ani muscle, in two layers using 3-0 V-Loc and 2-0 V-Loc sutures.We believe this technique allows separation of the residual urethra from the abdominal cavity and enables safe performance of secondary urethrectomy.

We sought to evaluate the incidence and extent of orgasmic dysfunction in patients after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and to identify factors that could predict patients at risk.A single-center, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (n = 523) between October 2010 and November 2019. In addition to six questions about sexual activity, orgasmic function, altered perception of orgasms, dysorgasmia, and climacturia, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form was administered. In February 2020, a letter was mailed inviting patients to participate in the survey. The primary outcome measure was the rate of orgasmic dysfunction. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of orgasmic dysfunction.Overall, 259 questionnaires were used for analysis. Among sexually active patients (n = 145), 33 (22.8%) reported anorgasmia, and 83 (57.2%) reported decreased orgasm intensity. Twenty-two (15.1%) patients reported dysorgasmia; among these patients, the pain was experienced almost always or always in 13.6%, sometimes in 13.6%, and a few times in 72.8% of cases. Climacturia was reported by 44 patients (30.3%). Nerve-sparing procedures decreased the risk of anorgasmia (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.15-0.88) and urinary incontinence increased the risk of climacturia (odds ratio 3.13, 95% confidence interval 1.20-8.15).These results indicate that orgasmic dysfunction after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is relatively common.

We investigated the effect of the extent of pelvic lymph node dissection (LND) on biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) without lymph node involvement (LNI) treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).We retrospectively analyzed data from 378 patients who underwent RARP with LND at our hospital between October 2010 and June 2019. The BCR-free survival rate was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox regression analysis was used to investigate BCR prognostic factors. The total score calculated from the D'Amico risk classification and the percentage of positive biopsy cores were used for analysis. Patients were classified into 3 BCR risk groups (low risk: 0-3 points, intermediate risk: 4-5 points, and high risk: 6-8 points).Limited LND was performed in 161 patients (42.6%), extended LND in 217 patients (57.4%), and BCR was confirmed in 66 patients (17.5%) after RARP. Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed no significant difference in the association between the extent of LND and BCR. The Kaplan-Meier curve for BCR generated using our risk classification for patients with PCa without LNI showed no significant association between the extent of LND and BCR in the low-risk group (p = 0.790). A significantly improved BCR-free survival was observed in the extended LND group among patients with PCa at intermediate risk or higher (p 0.05).According to our risk classification, BCR may be less likely to occur when extended LND is performed during RARP for patients with localized PCa at intermediate risk or higher.

Background: The efficacy of docetaxel and carboplatin with oral estramustine was evaluated in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: Patients were treated with intravenous docetaxel at 30 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle. Intravenous carboplatin (area under the curve, 6 mg/ml/min) was administered on day 1. Patients received oral estramustine at 626.8 mg/day throughout the treatment protocol. Patients were evaluated for response, with treatment continued until cancer progression or onset of severe adverse events. Results: Twenty patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer were treated for a median of 3.5 cycles. Prostate-specific antigen decreased by more than 30% in 18 patients, including 14 patients with a decrease of more than 50%. Median overall survival was 11 months, prostate-specific antigen progression-free survival was 6.5 months, and radiographic progression-free survival was 7 months. Conclusion: Docetaxel and carboplatin with oral estramustine shows efficacy against castration-resistant prostate cancer.

This study investigated the effects of adipose-derived stem cell sheets on a rat model of detrusor underactivity.Adipose-derived stem cell sheets were prepared from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of male Lewis rats. Female Lewis rats were assigned into four groups: control, sham operation, cryo-injury, and cryo-injury+sheet (n = 8 per group). Rats in the cryo-injury+sheet group were implanted with ASC sheets 3 days after cryo-injury induction and underwent cystometry 7 days later. Subsequently, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and histopathological examinations were performed. Cell sheets expressing the green fluorescent protein were prepared and transplanted to confirm the viability and differentiation of the sheets. Fluorescence was confirmed using a fluorescence stereomicroscope on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after sheet implantation, and tissue immunostaining was performed.Cystometry showed that sheet implantation improved the maximum intravesical pressure (P = 0.009) and the residual urine volume (P = 0.011). Furthermore, RT-PCR indicated that the mRNA levels of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor were significantly higher in the cryo-injury+sheet group than in the cryo-injury group (P = 0.045, P = 0.037, respectively). Histologically, sheet implantation resulted in an improvement in inflammation and increased the number of blood vessels. Green fluorescent protein-positive cells fused with von Willebrand factor-positive cells and differentiated into blood vessels 7 days after sheet implantation.Adipose-derived stem cell sheets transplanted into the bladder of cryo-injured rats differentiated into blood vessels and restored bladder contractile function 7 days after transplantation.

Although immuno-oncology combination therapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab has recently shown a notable antitumor effect for first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma, the eradication of the disease is extremely rare. Moreover, conventional treatments for renal cell carcinoma show little efficacy in the case of a poor prognostic pathological feature of sarcomatoid dedifferentiation. We report a case of pathological eradication of recurrent metastatic renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid component after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy by nivolumab plus ipilimumab combination therapy. A 57-year-old male patient received four cycles of nivolumab plus ipilimumab and thirty cycles of nivolumab for local recurrence and liver metastasis after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for T3a renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid component. He underwent partial hepatectomy for the remaining small hepatic lesion after immuno-oncology therapy. Pathology of the surgical specimen showed no viable cancer cells. The patient was alive with no evidence of disease a year after partial hepatectomy. Our case encourages clinicians to achieve a second cure for patients with recurrent metastatic renal cell carcinoma after radical nephrectomy even though the resected kidney pathology showed sarcomatoid component.

Introduction The aim of this article is to evaluate the risk factors and recommend a prophylactic procedure for preventing inguinal hernia (IH) after robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) without extra products and operative time. Material and methods A total of 279 patients (558 groins) who underwent RARP at our institution from October 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Age, body mass index, prostate-specific antigen, clinical T stage, prostate volume, console time and the dilatation of internal inguinal ring were evaluated as the risk factors of IH. We also investigated whether the different incision procedures of the peritoneum around the medial side of the internal inguinal ring, 'proximal incision' or 'distal incision', were related to the occurrence of IH. Results Postoperative IH occurred in 39 (7.5%) of 558 groins. The dilatation of the internal inguinal ring was observed in 89 of 558 (15.9%) groins. The proximal and distal incision group included 296 groins (52.8%) and 262 groins (47.2%), respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed the right side (P = 0.041), the dilatation of internal inguinal ring (P