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The comparative effectiveness of radical prostatectomy (RP) versus radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer remains a largely debated topic. Utilizing a provincial population-based linked data set from an equal-access, universal health care system, we sought to compare outcomes among patients treated with either radiation or prostatectomy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer.We performed a retrospective cohort study by linking several administrative data sets to identify patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2004 and 2016 in Manitoba, Canada and who were subsequently treated with either RP or RT. Cox proportional hazard models with inverse probability of treatment weighting were used to compare rates of all-cause mortality, as well as prostate cancer specific mortality (PCSM) between patients who underwent RP vs RT.During the study period, 2,540 patients underwent RP and 1,895 underwent RT for prostate cancer. Unadjusted overall survival was higher for RP vs RT (5-year overall survival 95.52% for RP compared with 84.55% for RT, p0.0001). In inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted Cox regression analysis, compared to patients in the RP groups, patients in the RT group had an increased rate of all-cause mortality (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.65-2.26, p0.0001), and PCSM (HR 3.98, 95% CI 2.89-5.49; p0.0001).RT was associated with higher all-cause mortality and PCSM rates compared with RP. These findings highlight the importance of comparative effectiveness research to identify treatment disparities and warrant further investigation.

The association between androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and dementia in men with prostate cancer remains inconclusive. We assessed the association between cumulative ADT exposure and the onset of dementia in a nationwide longitudinal registry of men with prostate cancer.A retrospective analysis of men aged ≥50 years from the CaPSURE (Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor) registry was performed. The primary outcome was onset of dementia after primary treatment. ADT exposure was expressed as a time-varying independent variable of total ADT exposure. The probability of receiving ADT was estimated using a propensity score. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to determine the association between ADT exposure and dementia with competing risk of death, adjusted for propensity score and clinical covariates among men receiving various treatments.Of 13,570 men 317 (2.3%) were diagnosed with dementia after a median of 7.0 years (IQR 3.0-12.0) of followup. Cumulative ADT use was significantly associated with dementia (HR 2.02; 95% CI 1.40-2.91; p0.01) after adjustment. In a subset of 8,506 men, where propensity score matched by whether or not they received ADT, there was also an association between ADT use and dementia (HR 1.59; 95% CI 1.03-2.44; p=0.04). There was no association between primary treatment type and onset of dementia in the 8,489 men in the cohort who did not receive ADT.Cumulative ADT exposure was associated with dementia. This increased risk should be accompanied by a careful discussion of the needs and benefits of ADT in those being considered for treatment.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) includes bilateral orchiectomy or long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists/antagonists. It remains controversial with respect to ADT associated cardiovascular outcomes. Hereby, we compared the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients with prostate cancer receiving either surgical castration or GnRH therapies.Using the Taiwan Cancer Registry and Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 8,413 patients receiving GnRH therapies compared with 694 receiving surgical castration from 2008 to 2017. The median followup duration was 3 years.The crude incidences of 3-year mortality and MACCEs were 19.90% vs 26.51% and 8.23% vs 8.65% in patients receiving GnRH therapies or surgical castration, respectively. After adjusting for age, cancer stage and comorbidities, despite no significant differences in MACCEs between groups there was a slight increase in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients receiving surgical castration compared with those receiving GnRH therapies. The mortality adjusted hazard ratios of MACCEs and AMI among patients receiving surgical castration were 1.11- and 1.8-fold higher than those receiving GnRH therapies. Notably, in subgroup analysis regarding cancer stage, patients with cancer stage IV showed the most significantly increasing risk of AMI in those receiving surgical castration compared with GnRH therapies.Collectively, we indicated an increased risk of AMI in patients with prostate cancer, especially in patients receiving surgical castration rather than those receiving GnRH therapies. Our findings highlight concerns regarding the cardiac safety of surgical castration compared with GnRH therapies.

As men age, the prostate continues to grow on average 2.5% per year. While the variable growth rate of the total prostate gland is recognized, the growth rate of different prostate zones remains largely unclear. We evaluated the growth patterns of the prostate zones and identified clinical parameters contributing to the zonal growth rates.Prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data and clinical information were obtained retrospectively on 156 patients who had at least 3 prostate MRIs between 2003 and 2018. Different prostate zonal volumes were measured and analyzed. The outcome was analyzed using linear regression.We observed that prostate growth rates vary depending on body mass index (BMI), transition zone index (TZI), the prostate zone and 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) use. The peripheral zone volume growth rates increased with age and peaked at 60-70 years of age (p=0.047), while the transition zone volume demonstrates continuous growth without a peak through all ages. BMI and TZI are associated with the growth rate of the peripheral zone (p=0.026, p0.001, respectively) but not the transition zone growth rate. 5ARI use is significantly associated with the reduction in the transition zone growth rate (p=0.033), not the peripheral zone. In addition, patients with TZI greater than 60% had the most significant reduction in the transition zone growth rate while taking 5ARI (p0.001).Transition and peripheral zones of the prostate grow at variable rates. BMI and TZI affect peripheral zone growth rate, while 5ARI use reduces the transition zone growth rate.

Robotic reconstructive and extirpative procedures have been widely utilized for surgical management of various conditions in pediatric urology. Outpatient laparoscopic surgery has become the standard in cases of orchidopexy, inguinal hernia repair and varicocelectomy. There is a growing body of evidence that robotic surgery for more complex conditions can also be performed in an outpatient setting. The aim of the study was to assess the short-term safety and feasibility of robotic reconstructive and extirpative procedures for various pediatric urological conditions as scheduled outpatient procedures.Demographic information and perioperative data were prospectively collected in an institutional database for all pediatric patients undergoing outpatient robotic surgery from June 2012 to December 2019. Primary outcomes included rates of 30-day complications, emergency room visits and readmissions.A total of 135 pediatric patients underwent robotic procedures in an outpatient setting. The majority underwent pyeloplasty (62) or extravesical ureteral reimplantation (55). Ten patients underwent ureteroureterostomy and 8 patients underwent extirpative procedures (nephrectomy, hemi-nephrectomy). Median age at surgery was 62 months (IQR, 27-99), median weight was 20 kg (IQR, 12-30) and median body mass index was 17 (IQR, 15-18). During the 30-day followup period there were 9 complications (6.7%), of which only 1 (0.7%) was high grade (Clavien-Dindo 3). There were 9 emergency room visits (6.7%) including 5 cases of readmission (3.7%).Robotic reconstructive and extirpative procedures in pediatric urology can be safely performed as scheduled outpatient procedures in the majority of patients, obviating the need for routine inpatient care.

Purpose The oncological benefit of postchemotherapy residual tumor resection (PC-RTR) in patients with germ cell tumors and elevated serum tumor markers (STMs) remains unclear. This analysis was performed to better define patients who benefit from surgery in this setting. Patients and methods Of 575 PC-RTR procedures (07/2008 - 07/2019), 153 were performed in patients with elevated STMs (human chorionic gonadotropin (s-HCG) >2.0 mIU/ml, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >7.0 µg/l), including 55 after first-line and 98 after second- or later-line chemotherapy. Results Viable cancer in the resected specimen was significantly more common in the salvage group than in the first-line group (48.98% vs. 16.36%, p=0.0001988) and was a predictor of survival in both groups. A preoperative serum level of AFP ≥30 µg/l was a significant predictor of viable cancer in the first-line and salvage groups (55.56% [p=0.0157] and 66.67% [p=0.0017], respectively). The overall relapse-free survival rate (22.7% and 50%, p=0.00032) and overall survival rate (37.8% and 65%, p=0.0059) were significantly worse in the salvage group than in the first-line group. A preoperative serum level of AFP ≥30 µg/l and viable cancer/teratoma found in the histological examination of the RTR specimens were significant predictors of relapse after first-line chemotherapy. Serum AFP ≥30 µg/l and HCG ≥20 mIU/ml were significant factors affecting survival in the first-line group. Conclusion Patients with AFP serum levels>30 µg/l and HCG ≥20 mIU/ml after first-line chemotherapy should receive salvage chemotherapy instead of surgery. After second- or later-line therapy, the prognosis of patients with elevated markers and surgery is poor regardless of the tumor marker levels. However, 38% of these patients are long-term survivors, which justifies PC-RTR in this setting.

PURPOSE The utility of blue light cystoscopy (BLC) in patients receiving bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) during post-treatment cystoscopy is not well understood. Our objective was to determine if BLC improves recurrence detection in patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) undergoing BCG. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the prospective multi-institutional Cysview® Registry (2014-2019), patients with NMIBC who received BCG within 1 year prior to BLC were identified. Primary outcomes were recurrences and whether lesions were detected on white light cystoscopy (WLC), BLC or both. We calculated the percentage of cystoscopies with recurrences that were missed with WLC alone. The cystoscopy-level BLC false-positive rate was the proportion of cystoscopies with biopsies only due to BLC suspicious lesions without recurrence. RESULTS Of 1,703 BLCs, 282 cystoscopies were in the analytic cohort. The overall recurrence rate was 45.0% (127). With only WLC, 13% (16/127) of recurrences would have been missed as 5.7% (16/282) of cystoscopies performed had a recurrence only identified with BLC. Among 16 patients with recurrence missed with WLC, 88% (14) had carcinoma in situ. The cystoscopy-level BLC false-positive rate was 5% (15). CONCLUSIONS BLC helped detect recurrences after recent BCG that would have been missed with WLC alone. Providers should consider BLC for high-risk patients undergoing BCG and should discuss the risk of false-positives with these patients. As clinical trials of novel therapies for BCG-unresponsive disease increase and there are no clear guidelines on BLC use for post-treatment cystoscopies, it is important to consider how variable BLC use could affect enrollment in and comparisons of these studies.

There are limited data regarding the effect of treatment delays on important long-term outcomes among men with intermediate/high-risk prostate cancer (PC).We identified 3,962 men with intermediate/high-risk disease from the SEARCH cohort treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) from 1988 to 2018. Cox proportional hazard models assessed the association between time from biopsy to RP (up to 1 year) and time to castration-resistant PC (CRPC), metastasis and all-cause mortality. Interaction terms were used to test for effect modification by risk group.Of the 3,962 men, 167 developed CRPC, 248 developed metastases and 884 died after a median followup of 85 months. Longer delays between biopsy and RP were associated with a decreased risk of CRPC (adjusted HR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.80-0.98, p=0.02), independent of D'Amico risk group (interaction p0.05). In men with intermediate and high-risk disease, we found no statistically significant association between length of time to RP and risk of developing metastases (p=0.5 and 0.9, respectively) or all-cause mortality (p=0.1 and 0.1, respectively).Among men with intermediate and high-risk PC, we found no statistically significant increased risk of adverse long-term outcomes, including CRPC, metastasis and death, for men who had treatment delays up to 1 year following PC diagnosis.

Although minimally invasive (robotic or laparoscopic) abdominal sacrocolpopexy (MISC) has become the new gold standard for durable pelvic organ prolapse repair after the vaginal mesh controversy, current literature is limited. Our objective was to study reoperation for mesh complications after MISC.All women undergoing MISC in California from January 2012 to December 2018 were identified from Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development data sets using appropriate ICD-9/10 (International Classification of Diseases 9th/10th Revision) and CPT® (Current Procedural Terminology) codes. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to assess associations between patient demographics, surgical details and our primary outcomes: rates of reoperation for a mesh complication.Of 12,189 women undergoing MISC 8,398 (68.9%) had concomitant hysterectomy. Total hysterectomy (TH) and supracervical hysterectomy (SCH) were performed in 5,027 (41.2%) and 3,371 (27.6%) cases, respectively. Reoperation rates for mesh complications were lower after SCH vs TH (overall: 0.7%, mean followup time 1,111 days vs 3.1%, mean followup time 1,095 days, p0.001; subcohort with at least 4 years of followup: 2.1% vs 8.9%, p0.001). Additionally, mesh complication rates were higher even if TH was performed remotely, as compared to concomitant SCH (5.2% vs 0.7%, p0.001). The increased risk for reoperation due to mesh complications after TH was preserved on multivariable analysis (OR 4.20, 95% CI 2.72‒6.50, p0.001).Concomitant TH at time of MISC is associated with a significantly higher rate of mesh complication as compared to SCH. The increased risk of a mesh complication associated with TH is present even if the TH was performed prior to the MISC.

PURPOSE: Increased time after spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with a migration to bladder managements with higher morbidity such as indwelling catheter (IDC). Still it is unclear how this affects bladder-related quality of life (QoL). We hypothesized that time from injury (TFI) would be associated with changes in bladder management, symptoms, and satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of time-related changes in patient-reported bladder management, symptoms, and satisfaction, using the Neurogenic Bladder Research Group SCI Registry. Outcomes included: Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS) and bladder-related satisfaction (NBSS-satisfaction). Multivariable regression was performed to assess associations between TFI and outcomes, adjusting for participant characteristics, injury specifics, and psychosocial aspects of health-related QoL. Participants with TFI 20 years. RESULTS: Of 1420 participants, mean age at injury was 29.7(SD13.4) years and mean TFI was 15.2(SD11.6) years. Participants grouped by TFI included 298(21%) 1–5, 340(24%) 6–10, 198(14%) 11–15, 149(10%) 16–20, and 435(31%) >20 years. As TFI increased, clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) declined (55% 1–5 vs. 45% >20 years, p20 years, p20 years from injury (−3.21[CI-1.29,−5.14,p20 years −0.85[CI-1.07,−0.63

Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) use in children has increased, though many centers still favor open pyeloplasty (OP) in infants. This study aims to compare safety and efficacy of RALP and OP in infants.A single-institution, retrospective cohort study of infants1 year of age who underwent primary RALP or OP between January 2009 and June 2020 was performed. Primary outcomes were intraoperative and 30-day complications, postoperative radiographic improvement at last clinic visit, and operative failure leading to redo pyeloplasty. Multivariable logistic regression was performed for 30-day complications to adjust for demographic variation between groups. Survival analysis was performed to compare time to diagnosis of operative failure leading to redo pyeloplasty.Among 204 patients, 121 underwent OP and 83 underwent RALP (74.5% male). RALP patients were older (median 7.2 vs 2.9 months, p0.001) and larger (median 8.2 vs 5.9 kg, p0.001) than OP patients. Radiographic improvement was seen in 91.1% of RALP patients and 88.8% of OP patients at last visit. Median (interquartile range) followup in months was 24.4 (10.8-50.3) for the full cohort. In adjusted analysis, the odds of a 30-day complication (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.08-2.00) was lower for RALP compared to OP, though not statistically significantRALP is a safe and effective alternative to OP for infants, with comparable intraoperative and 30-day complications, radiographic improvement at last followup, and risk of pyeloplasty failure.

Purpose:Our goal was to compare cancer specific mortality (CSM) rates between radical prostatectomy (RP) vs external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in National Comprehensive Cancer Network© (NCCN©) high ...

Microscopic hematuria is one of the most common office consults for urologists. While revised guidelines have risk-stratified patients to reduce unnecessary screening, they do not provide guidance concerning specimen quality. We sought to define "properly collected" specimens using catheterized urine samples as a reference to improve the utility of hematuria screening in women.We prospectively acquired same-visit voided and catheterized urine samples from 46 women referred for microscopic hematuria from September 2016 to March 2020. Characteristics of pre-referral urinalysis were compared to the matched specimens. True microscopic hematuria was defined as ≥3 red blood cells per high power field on catheterization.Catheterized urinalyses had significantly fewer red blood and squamous epithelial cells in comparison to both referral urinalyses (p=0.006, p=0.001, respectively) and same-day void urinalyses (p=0.02, p=0.04, respectively). As no catheterized sample had2 squamous epithelial cells, we applied this squamous epithelial cell threshold to referral urinalyses for analysis. Addition of this criterion for "properly collected specimen" increased the positive predictive value of referral urinalyses from 46.1% to 68.8% for true microscopic hematuria. Fewer than 2 squamous epithelial cells with elevated RBC was a significant predictor for true microscopic hematuria (p=0.003).Voided specimens in the urology clinic had significantly lower red blood cells than referral samples, indicating improved collection technique may reduce false positive urinalyses. Matched collection suggested that repeat collection by catheterization in women who present with2 squamous epithelial cells per high power field on referral urinalysis may prevent unnecessary future work-up.

PURPOSE: Many patients will experience symptoms in the initial days after radical prostatectomy (RP), but early patient-reported symptoms have not been well-characterized. Our objective was to illustrate the pattern of symptoms experienced after RP and the relation of severe symptoms to postoperative complications. METHODS: In 2016, electronic patient-reported symptom monitoring began at our institution’s ambulatory surgery center. We retrospectively reviewed patients treated with minimally-invasive RP, who were sent a daily questionnaire completed using a web-interface until postoperative day 10. Severe symptoms automatically generate a “yellow alert,” which messages the clinic, while very severe symptoms generate a “red alert,” additionally prompting the patient to call. We summarized rates of moderate-to-very severe symptoms and fit local polynomial regressions. We compared rates of 30- or 90-d complications (≥grade 2) based on the presence of alert symptoms. RESULTS: Of 2266 men undergoing RP, 1942 (86%) completed surveys. Among moderate-to-very severe symptom levels, pain (72%) and dyspnea (11%) were most common. Pain, nausea, and dyspnea consistently decreased over time; fever and vomiting had a flat pattern. In patients experiencing red-alert symptoms, we observed a higher risk of 30-d complications, but rates were low and differences between groups were non-significant (2.9% vs 1.9%; difference 1.1%; 95% CI -1.3%−3.5%; p = 0.3). Results were similar examining 90-d complications. CONCLUSIONS: While symptoms are common after RP, substantial improvements occur over the first 10 d. Severe or very severe symptoms conferred at most a small absolute increase in complication risk, which should be reassuring to patients and clinicians.

The incidence and risk factors for metachronous upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) following radical cystectomy (RC) remain incompletely defined, which has limited the ability to individualize postoperative surveillance.A retrospective review of 2 institutional registries was performed to identify patients undergoing RC for urothelial carcinoma. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models for metachronous post-RC UTUC were developed in one institutional data set and validated in the second institutional data set. A post-RC UTUC risk score was then developed from these models.A total of 3,170 RC patients were included from the training cohort and 959 RC patients from the validation cohort. At a median followup after RC of 4.6 years (IQR 2.1-8.7), 167 patients were diagnosed with UTUC. On multivariable analysis in the training cohort, risk factors for metachronous UTUC were the presence of positive urothelial margin (HR 2.60, p0.01), history of bacillus Calmette-Guérin treatment prior to RC (HR 2.20, p0.01), carcinoma in situ at RC (HR 2.01, p0.01) and pre-RC hydronephrosis (HR 1.48, p=0.04). These factors had similar discriminative capacity in the training and validation cohorts (C-statistic 0.71 and 0.73, respectively). A UTUC risk score was developed with these variables which stratified patients into low (0 points), intermediate (1-3 points), and high risk (4+ points) for post-RC UTUC, with respective 5-year UTUC-free survivals of 99%, 96%, 89% in the training cohort and 98%, 96%, and 91% in the validation cohort.We developed and validated a risk score for post-RC UTUC that may optimize UTUC surveillance protocols after RC.

The objective of this study was to obtain the perspectives of surgeons who treat female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and better understand their range of experiences with mesh mid urethral sling (MUS) surgery.This qualitative study recruited gynecologic and urological surgeons who treat SUI. Surgeons were interviewed by phone and in person using a standardized interview guide. Interviews were transcribed, de-identified, and analyzed by 2 independent researchers. The transcripts were coded and summarized using the principles of thematic analysis. The research team came to consensus that a saturation of ideas representing a diverse demographic of surgeons had been achieved.Twenty-four interviews of surgeons from diverse geographic locations and practice types were performed. Many surgeons described MUS surgery as rewarding and favorably impactful for women with SUI, while others grappled with the serious risks associated with MUS surgery. Those who had treated women with life-altering pain after MUS recounted impactful patient stories. Many stated that recognition, acknowledgement, and appropriate referral of complications were fundamental to responsible and ethical care. Some surgeons expressed frustration and concern about the raised level of controversy and anxiety regarding the MUS landscape. All participants expressed that there was substantial room for improvement in multiple domains. Participants also shared their optimal strategies relevant to MUS surgery.Despite diverse views regarding the role of the MUS, there was agreement among surgeons that the surgeon-patient relationship, thorough informed consent and patient counseling, and accountability are essential when implanting MUSs.

Purpose:Arterio-ureteral fistula (AUF) is an uncommon diagnosis, but increasingly reported and potentially lethal. This systematic review comprehensively presents risk factors, pathophysiology, location and clinical presentation of AUF aiming to increase clinical awareness of this rare but life-threatening condition, and to put this entity into a contemporary perspective with modern diagnostic tools and treatment strategies.Materials and Methods:This review was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data) guidelines. A literature search in PubMed® and EMBASE™ was conducted. In addition, retrieved articles were cross-referenced. Data parameters included oncologic, vascular and urological history, diagnostics, treatment, and followup, and were collected using a standard template by 2 independent reviewers.Results:A total of 245 articles with 445 patients and 470 AUFs were included. Most patients had chronic indwelling ureteral stents (80%) and history of pelvic oncology (70%). Hematuria was observed in 99% of the patients, of whom 76% presented with massive hematuria with or without previous episodes of (micro)hematuria. For diagnosis, angiography had a sensitivity of 62%. The most predominant location of AUF was at the common iliac artery ureteral crossing. AUF-specific mortality before 2000 vs after 2000 is 19% vs 7%, coinciding with increasing use of endovascular stents.Conclusions:AUF should be considered in patients with a medical history of vascular surgery, pelvic oncologic surgery, irradiation and/or chronic indwelling ureteral stents presenting with intermittent (micro)hematuria. A multidisciplinary consultation is necessary for diagnosis and treatment. The most sensitive test is angiography and the preferred initial treatment is endovascular.

Transperineal (TP) prostate biopsy provides an effective approach to prostate cancer (PCa) detection. Although transrectal targeted biopsy has been well described, the specific advantage of the standard TP template or TP targeted biopsy using multiparametric (mp) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-ultrasound (US) fusion remains less understood and without consensus.We identified all men who underwent a transperineal standard 20-core template in addition to a targeted biopsy with mpMRI-US fusion-guided software from September 2019 to February 2021. We assessed and compared clinical, MRI and biopsy characteristics between standard TP template and fusion targeted biopsies.A total of 301 men underwent TP fusion biopsy during the study period. Target lesions on MRI were sampled with 3 targeted cores per patient (IQR 3-4). The overall cancer detection rate was 74.1% and 63.5% by standard template and targeted biopsy, respectively, of which 52.5% and 59.7% were clinically significant (cs) PCa. Combined csPCa detection rate was 62.2%. Of 176 cases with a cancer diagnosis by both biopsy methods, 18.8% were upgraded with targeted biopsies while 18.2% were upgraded with template biopsies.In men with suspicious lesions on mpMRI, TP MRI fusion-guided biopsies combined with standard template provide a higher overall cancer detection rate and higher detection rate of csPCa than the standard template or targeted biopsy alone. In the setting of a suspicious mpMRI prostate lesion, targeted plus standard template should be included as part of the TP biopsy procedure.

We sought to compare testosterone formulations and determine the degree that hematocrit increases vary by testosterone therapy formulation. As head-to-head trials are rare, network meta-analysis of the contemporary studies is the only way to compare hematocrit changes by testosterone type, including topical gels and patches, injectables (both short-acting and long-acting) and oral tablets.We conducted a thorough search of listed publications in Scopus®, PubMed®, Embase®, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov. A total of 29 placebo-controlled randomized trials (3,393 men) met inclusion criteria for analysis of mean hematocrit change after testosterone therapy. Randomized controlled trial data for the following formulations of testosterone were pooled via network meta-analysis: gel, patch, oral testosterone undecanoate, intramuscular testosterone undecanoate, and intramuscular testosterone enanthate/cypionate.All types of testosterone therapies result in statistically significant increases in mean hematocrit when compared with placebo. Meta-analysis revealed all formulations, including gel (3.0%, 95% CI 1.8-4.3), oral testosterone undecanoate (4.3%, 0.7-8.0), patch (1.4%, 0.2-2.6), intramuscular testosterone enanthate/cypionate (4.0%, 2.9-5.1), and intramuscular testosterone undecanoate (1.6%, 0.3-3.0) result in statistically significant increases in mean hematocrit when compared with placebo. When comparing all formulations against one another, intramuscular testosterone cypionate/enanthate were associated with a significantly higher increase in mean hematocrit compared to patch, but no differences in hematocrit between other formulations were detected.All types of testosterone are associated with increased hematocrit; however, the clinical concern of this increase remains questionable, warranting future studies. This is the first network meta-analysis to quantify mean hematocrit change and compare formulations, given the absence of head-to-head trials.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-ultrasound (US) fusion-guided biopsy may improve prostate cancer (PCa) detection and reduce grade misclassification. We compared PCa detection rates on systematic, magnetic resonance imaging-targeted, and combined biopsy with evaluation of important subgroups.Men with clinical suspicion of harboring PCa from 2 institutions with visible Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADSOf 1,236 patients (647 biopsy-naïve) included, 626 (50.6%) harbored PCa and 412 (33.3%) had csPCa on combined biopsy. Detection of csPCa was 27.9% vs 23.3% (+4.6%) and GG1 PCa was 11.3% vs 17.8% (-6.5%) for targeted vs systematic cores. Benefit in csPCa detection was higher in the prior negative than biopsy-naïve setting (+7.8% [p0.0001] vs +1.7% [p=0.3]) while reduction in GG1 PCa detection remained similar (-5.6% [p=0.0002] vs -7.3% [p=0.0001]). Targeted biopsy showed increased csPCa detection for PI-RADS 5, decrease in GG1 for PI-RADS 3, and both for PI-RADS 4 relative to systematic biopsy. Combined biopsy detected more csPCa (+10.0%) and slightly fewer GG1 PCa (-0.5%) compared to systematic alone. Upgrading to ≥GG2 by targeted biopsy occurred in 9.8% with no cancer and 23.6% with GG1 on systematic biopsy.Combined biopsy doubled the benefit of targeted biopsy alone in detection of csPCa without increasing GG1 PCa diagnoses relative to systematic biopsy. Utility of targeted biopsy was higher in the prior negative biopsy cohort, but advantages of combined biopsy were maintained regardless of biopsy history.

Purpose Low-grade intermediate-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (LG IR NMIBC) is a recurrent disease, thus requiring repeated transurethral resection of bladder tumor under general anesthesia. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of UGN-102, a mitomycin-containing reverse thermal gel, as a primary chemoablative therapeutic alternative to transurethral resection of bladder tumor for patients with LG IR NMIBC. Materials and methods This prospective, phase 2b, open-label, single-arm trial recruited patients with biopsy-proven LG IR NMIBC to receive 6 once-weekly instillations of UGN-102. The primary end point was complete response (CR) rate, defined as the proportion of patients with negative endoscopic examination, negative cytology and negative for-cause biopsy 3 months after treatment initiation. Patients with CR were followed quarterly up to 12 months to assess durability of treatment effect. Safety and adverse events were monitored throughout the trial. Results A total of 63 patients (38 males and 25 females 33-96 years old) enrolled and received ≥1 instillation of UGN-102. Among the patients 41 (65%) achieved CR at 3 months, of whom 39 (95%), 30 (73%) and 25 (61%) remained disease-free at 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment initiation, respectively. A total of 13 patients had documented recurrences. The probability of durable response 9 months after CR (12 months after treatment initiation) was estimated to be 73% by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Common adverse events (incidence ≥10%) included dysuria, urinary frequency, hematuria, micturition urgency, urinary tract infection and fatigue. Conclusions Nonsurgical primary chemoablation of LG IR NMIBC using UGN-102 resulted in significant treatment response with sustained durability. UGN-102 may provide an alternative to repetitive surgery for patients with LG IR NMIBC.

PURPOSE Urinary stone disease (USD) has been associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease in Western populations. However, the metabolic disorders associated with unilateral and bilateral renal stones and the association of these types of stones with CKD and kidney tubular injury markers, such as urine N-acetyl-s-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and alpha-1-microglobulin (α1-MG), have not been fully examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of 10,281 participants in rural China in 2014. All the subjects underwent renal ultrasound to detect USD; stone formers were divided into groups with unilateral or bilateral renal stones by ultrasound examinations. CKD was defined as a decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR

The ideal number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) cycles for muscle-invasive bladder cancer is uncertain with 3 to 4 representing the standard of care (SOC). We compared ypT0 rates and survival between patients receiving 4 versus 3 cycles of NAC with evaluation of chemotherapy-related toxicity for correlation with tumor chemosensitivity and pathological response.Patients receiving NAC followed by radical cystectomy for cT2-4N0M0 urothelial carcinoma from 2 institutions were included. Primary study groups included 4 cisplatin-based NAC cycles, 3 cisplatin-based NAC cycles, and nonSOC NAC (1-2 cycles or noncisplatin-based) to compare ypT0/≤ypT1 rates and survival. A cohort of patients not receiving NAC was included for pathological reference.Of 693 total patients, 318 (45.9%) received NAC. ypT0 and ≤ypT1 rates were 42/157 (26.8%) and 86/157 (54.8%) for 4 cycles, 38/114 (33.3%) and 71/114 (62.3%) for 3 cycles, and 6/47 (12.8%) and 13/47 (27.7%) for nonSOC (p=0.03 and p0.01, respectively). Pathological response appeared higher among patients receiving 3 cycles due to toxicity (ypT0: 29/77 [37.7%]; ≤ypT1: 51/77 [66.2%]) but did not reach statistical significance. Toxicities leading to treatment modifications were thrombocytopenia (32.1%), neutropenia (27.2%), renal insufficiency (22.2%), and constitutional symptoms (18.5%). NonSOC patients had lower Kaplan-Meier survival (cT2-cT4N0M0: log-rank p=0.07; cT2N0M0: log-rank p=0.02). There were no statistically significant differences in survival between 4 and 3 cycles (HR 1.00 [95% CI 0.57-1.74], p=0.99).Patients completing 3 cycles of cisplatin-based NAC have similar pathologic response and short-term survival compared to 4 cycles. Further evaluation of patients experiencing toxicity as a potential marker of tumor chemosensitivity is needed.

We evaluate the safety of immediate contralateral orchiopexy (ICLO) at the time of scrotal exploration for testicular torsion suspicion.Patient data were retrieved from the TORSAFUF cohort project, which is a multicenter national study conducted at 14 academic French hospitals between 2005 and 2019. Each patient who underwent surgical exploration for testicular torsion suspicion was included. The primary study outcome was the safety of ICLO compared to ipsilateral scrotal exploration alone. The primary outcome of interest was the complication rate within 90 days of surgery. The end point was planned before data collection.Overall, 2,775 patients were included, of whom 1,554 (56%) underwent ICLO. After propensity score matching and multivariable analysis, ICLO was associated with a higher complication rate (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.1-2.1, p=0.01), especially a higher rate of hematoma (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.6, p=0.01), and delayed wound healing (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.8-5.2, p0.001).At the time of scrotal exploration for acute scrotum, ICLO was associated with an increased postoperative complication rate, with a particular increase in hematoma, and delayed wound healing. ICLO should not be performed systematically.

Purpose: This study provides a contemporary assessment of the treatment patterns, health care resource utilization (HRU) and costs among metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) patients in the U.S. Materials and Methods: Adults with mCSPC were selected from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database (Commercial insurance/Medicare Advantage [COM/MA]; January 1, 2014–July 31, 2019) or Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS; January 1, 2014–December 31, 2017). The index date was the first metastatic disease diagnosis date on/after the first prostate cancer diagnosis (without prior evidence of castration resistance). Patients were observed for 12 months pre-index (baseline) through their mCSPC period (from index until castration resistance or followup end). First-line (1L) mCSPC therapy was assessed during the mCSPC period; all-cause HRU and health plan-paid costs per-patient-per-year (PPPY) were measured during baseline and mCSPC periods. Results: Among 6,517 COM/MA and 13,324 Medicare-FFS mCSPC patients over ∼10 months (median mCSPC period), 38% and 48% remained untreated/deferred treatment, and 45% and 46% received 1L androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) monotherapy, respectively. 1L abiraterone acetate and docetaxel were used among 7% and 6% of COM/MA and 1% and 2% of Medicare-FFS patients, respectively. HRU increased from baseline to mCSPC period, resulting in increased health plan-paid costs from $21,201 to $108,767 in COM/MA and from $16,819 to $69,639 PPPY in Medicare-FFS. Conclusions: This study highlights the limited use of newer therapies that improve survival in men with mCSPC in the U.S. HRU and costs increased substantially after onset of metastasis. Given the emergence of newer effective mCSPC therapies, further evaluation of future real-world mCSPC treatment patterns and outcomes is warranted.

We sought to determine whether a center's surgical volume affects patient reoperation rates after mid urethral sling (MUS) surgery.We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating a large managed care organization from 2005 to 2016. The primary outcome was the MUS reoperation rate. Perioperative factors and reoperation of patients were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum for continuous variables and chi-square for categorical variables. We estimated the adjusted hazard ratio and the 95% confidence interval of reoperation using Cox proportional hazards model.Within the managed care system, 13,404 primary MUSs were performed at 11 centers over the study period (19/105 center years were considered low volume). Higher-volume centers (58 procedures/year based on concentration curve) performed 93% of surgeries in this cohort. Overall reoperation risk for patients of higher-volume centers was smaller than those of lower-volume centers, 4.9% vs 9.8% at 9 years (hazard ratio 0.45 [p0.01]). Risk of reoperation for recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) for patients was lower in the higher-volume centers, 4% vs 9.1% at 9 years (p0.01). Patient of higher-volume centers were less likely to have a reoperation for mesh exposure 0.2% vs 0.7% (p0.01) or infection 0% vs 0.2% (p0.01).Patients who had their MUS surgery at a higher-volume medical center were less likely to have any reoperation including for recurrent SUI, mesh exposure or infection. These findings persisted even when controlling for potential covariates including patient demographics and surgeon volume and specialty.

Purpose: Cxbladder (Cxb) tests combine genomic biomarkers in urine with phenotypic and clinical data to classify hematuria patients into those at low/high probability of urothelial carcinoma (UC). Cxbladder Resolve (CxbR) is designed for use after Cxb Triage (CxbT) and Detect (CxbD), where CxbT-positive tests reflex to CxbD and CxbD-positive to CxbR to identify patients at high probability of high-impact tumors (HIT; high grade Ta, Tis or T1–T3). This study validated the diagnostic performance of CxbR in identifying HIT, and validated the algorithm of Cxb tests to segregate high-impact from low-impact tumors. Materials and Methods: CxbR was developed in 863 hematuria patients in 3 studies in United States, Australia and New Zealand. CxbR, separately and combined with other Cxb tests, was validated in a prospective, observational U.S. study in 548 hematuria patients. All UC diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology. Results: In the development data set, CxbR sensitivity was 92.4% (95% CI 83.3–96.7) and specificity 93.8% (95% CI 86.8–97.2) for identifying HIT within the high priority category. During external validation, sequential Cxb tests correctly ruled out 87.6% of patients from further workup (negative predictive value 99.4%); 100% of HIT were correctly identified (specificity 96.3%), and 3 low-grade tumors were missed. In both studies, all patients with HIT were correctly assigned to prioritized evaluation. Conclusions: CxbR has high sensitivity and specificity, correctly identifying all HIT. Sequential Cxb tests accurately segregate patients with a low vs high probability of HIT, focusing resources on those patients, with a diagnostic yield 4.8-fold higher than American Urological Association guideline stratification.

PURPOSE: Reliable urine samples are of eminent importance when diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTI) in children. Non-invasive procedures are convenient, but likely to be contaminated. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of urine samples obtained by the midstream clean-catch method (CCU) with urine obtained by suprapubic aspiration (SPA), and evaluate the ability of urinary dipstick to predict true infection.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, data on children RESULTS: 223 children were included. Using a cut-off of ≥104 CFU/ml, 16.6% (n=37) of the cohort would be misdiagnosed if relying only on CCU. Using ≥105 CFU/ml, the number was 24.6% (n=55). Evaluating leucocyte esterase (LE) on urinary dipstick, a large difference between using CCU (sensitivity 94.7%, specificity 14.4%) and SPA (sensitivity 78.9%, specificity 82.2%) became obvious.CONCLUSIONS: A large number of children will be misdiagnosed if relying on CCU specimens compared to SPA. Relying on a negative leucocyte esterase dipstick test to rule out a UTI is not sufficient in a child with high suspicion of such an infection. SPA is a safe procedure, and we thus recommend its use, to avoid delay of treatment and unnecessary invasive follow-up investigations.

The clinician treating patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) needs to balance a variety of factors when making treatment decisions. In addition to the patient's urologic symptoms and urodynamic findings, other issues that may influence management options of the lower urinary tract include cognition, hand function, type of neurologic disease, mobility, bowel function/management, and social and caregiver support. This Guideline allows the clinician to understand the options available to treat patients, understand the findings that can be seen in NLUTD, and appreciate which options are best for each individual patient. This allows for decisions to be made with the patient, in a shared decision-making manner, such that the patient's quality of life can be optimized with respect to their bladder management.A comprehensive search for studies assessing patients undergoing evaluation, surveillance, management, or follow-up for NLUTD was conducted from January 2001 through October 2017 and was rerun in February 2021 to capture newer literature. The primary search returned 20,496 unique citations. Following a title and abstract screen, full texts were obtained for 3,036 studies. During full-text review, studies were primarily excluded for not meeting the PICO criteria. One hundred eight-four primary literature studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the evidence base.This guideline was developed to inform clinicians on the proper evaluation, diagnosis, and risk stratification of patients with NLUTD and the non-surgical and surgical treatment options available. Additional statements on urinary tract infection and autonomic dysreflexia were developed to guide the clinician. This Guideline is for adult patients with NLUTD and pediatric NLUTD will not be discussed.NLUTD patients should be risk-stratified as either low-, moderate-, high-, or unknown-risk. After diagnosis and stratification, patients should be monitored according to their level of risk at regular intervals. Patients who experience new or worsening signs and symptoms should be reevaluated and risk stratification should be repeated.

Purpose: Salvage radical prostatectomy is rare due to the risk of postoperative complications. We compare salvage Retzius-sparing robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (SRS-RARP) with salvage standard robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (SS-RARP). Materials and Methods: A total of 72 patients across 9 centers were identified (40 SRS-RARP vs 32 SS-RARP). Demographics, perioperative data, and pathological and functional outcomes were compared using Student's t-test and ANOVA. Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to assess risk of incontinence and time to continence. Linear regression models were constructed to investigate postoperative pad use and console time. Results: Median followup was 23 vs 36 months for SRS-RARP vs SS-RARP. Console time and estimated blood loss favored SRS-RARP. There were no differences in complication rates or oncologic outcomes. SRS-RARP had improved continence (78.4% vs 43.8%, p 0-1 pad (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.79, p=0.016), although not when defined as >0 pad (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.31-1.01, p=0.053). On adjusted analysis SRS-RARP was associated with decreased pads per day. Lymph node dissection and primary treatment with stereotactic body radiation therapy were associated with longer console time. Conclusions: SRS-RARP is a feasible salvage option with significantly improved urinary function outcomes. This may warrant increased utilization of SRS-RARP to manage men who fail nonsurgical primary treatment for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We examined the demographic and clinicopathological parameters associated with the time to convert from active surveillance to treatment among men with prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-institutional cohort of 7,279 patients managed with active surveillance had data and biospecimens collected for germline genetic analyses. RESULTS: Of 6,775 men included in the analysis, 2,260 (33.4%) converted to treatment at a median followup of 6.7 years. Earlier conversion was associated with higher Gleason grade groups (GG2 vs GG1 adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.57, 95% CI 1.36–1.82; ≥GG3 vs GG1 aHR 1.77, 95% CI 1.29–2.43), serum prostate specific antigen concentrations (aHR per 5 ng/ml increment 1.18, 95% CI 1.11–1.25), tumor stages (cT2 vs cT1 aHR 1.58, 95% CI 1.41–1.77; ≥cT3 vs cT1 aHR 4.36, 95% CI 3.19–5.96) and number of cancerous biopsy cores (3 vs 1–2 cores aHR 1.59, 95% CI 1.37–1.84; ≥4 vs 1–2 cores aHR 3.29, 95% CI 2.94–3.69), and younger age (age continuous per 5-year increase aHR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.99). Patients with high-volume GG1 tumors had a shorter interval to conversion than those with low-volume GG1 tumors and behaved like the higher-risk patients. We found no significant association between the time to conversion and self-reported race or genetic ancestry. CONCLUSIONS: A shorter time to conversion from active surveillance to treatment was associated with higher-risk clinicopathological tumor features. Furthermore, patients with high-volume GG1 tumors behaved similarly to those with intermediate and high-risk tumors. An exploratory analysis of self-reported race and genetic ancestry revealed no association with the time to conversion.

We aimed to understand the reasons patients choose to pursue third-line overactive bladder (OAB) therapy.We conducted a mixed methods study that included patient interviews and survey data. Eligible patients were diagnosed by symptoms, had tried behavioral modifications, and OAB medications enrolled from October 2018 to August 2019. In addition to interviews, patients completed 4 surveys: the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form, Life Orientation Test-Revised, and a patient confidence in the health care system survey. Qualitative interview data were analyzed thematically. Logistic regression and chi-square analysis was used to analyze survey data.A total of 69 patients were consented, 4 withdrew, and 51 completed both interview and survey data. Overall 55% of patients were Caucasian, 45% were African American, and their average age was 71 (SD=10.4); 75% intended to pursue third-line OAB therapy and 31 (61%) expressed interest in a specific third-line therapy. Major interview themes included a desire for a better quality of life, embarrassment with accidents, and problems with medication. Themes leading patients away from third-line OAB treatment included concern about invasiveness and side effects of treatments, and restrictions to accessing care.Most patients desired to progress to third-line OAB therapy, were motivated by embarrassment, but were concerned about treatment side effects. We found that economic burden of OAB treatment is associated with patient interest in and decision to receive third-line therapies to include onabotulinumtoxinA and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. Improved quality of life, medication frustration, and concerns about side effects of further therapy are themes patients identified when patients considered third-line overactive bladder therapy.

Surgical therapies for symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are many, and vary from minimally invasive office based to high-cost operative approaches. This Guideline presents effective evidence-based surgical management of male lower urinary tract symptoms secondary/attributed to BPH (LUTS/BPH). See accompanying algorithm for a detailed summary of procedures (figure[Figure: see text]).The Minnesota Evidence Review Team searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and AHRQ databases to identify eligible studies published between January 2007 and September 2020, which includes the initial publication (2018) and amendments (2019, 2020). The Team also reviewed articles identified by Guideline Panel Members. When sufficient evidence existed, the body of evidence was assigned a strength rating of A (high), B (moderate), or C (low) for support of Strong, Moderate, or Conditional Recommendations. In the absence of sufficient evidence, information is provided as Clinical Principles and Expert Opinions (table[Table: see text]).Twenty-four guideline statements pertinent to pre-operative and surgical management were developed. Appropriate levels of evidence and supporting text were created to direct urologic providers towards suitable and safe operative interventions for individual patient characteristics. A re-treatment section was created to direct attention to longevity and outcomes with individual approaches to help guide patient counselling and therapeutic decisions.Pre-operative and surgical management of BPH requires attention to individual patient characteristics and procedural risk. Clinicians should adhere to recommendations and familiarize themselves with criteria that yields the highest likelihood of surgical success when choosing a particular approach for a particular patient.

Performing 1-stage urethroplasty in patients with urethral strictures caused by lichen sclerosus (LS) is hotly debated among reconstructive urologists due to conflicting reports of success. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the pooled incidence of stricture recurrence following 1-stage buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty in patients with LS, to determine the impact of surgical technique on recurrence and to compare recurrence risk between patients with and without LS after 1-stage repairs.A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA criteria. The primary outcome was pooled incidence of recurrence, which was calculated using a Der-Simonian-Laird binary random effects model with a Freeman-Tukey arcsine transformation. A total of 21 studies were included, of which 15 provided data for comparative analyses.Pooled data from 625 LS patients revealed a stricture recurrence rate of 10% (95% CI 6-14). Among studies with longer followup (≥24 months), this increased to 18%. Among patients with penile urethral involvement, studies utilizing a penile skin incision had significantly higher pooled recurrence rates than those utilizing penile invagination (p=0.004). Across all studies, there was no evidence to suggest a difference in pooled recurrence rate between patients with and without LS (p=0.36). However, across only long-term studies, recurrence risk was significantly higher for patients with LS (OR 1.83, p=0.05).One-stage BMG urethroplasty is likely a viable surgical option for patients with LS-related strictures; however, high-quality data are limited. Future multi-institutional, long-term prospective studies are needed to assess durability of 1-stage repair.

We assessed the role of standing vs supine scrotal ultrasound (SUS) for varicocele assessment by evaluating differences in clinical outcomes.We retrospectively reviewed men from 2008-2020 diagnosed with varicocele who had documented SUS with both supine and standing assessments with and without Valsalva. Clinical outcomes (semen parameters, TUNEL and serum testosterone [T]) after microsurgical varicocelectomy were compared among men who had varicoceles diagnosed by standing SUS (vein size2.5 mm, vein size3.0 mm or reversal of flow) to those who would have been missed on supine SUS only.A total of 349 men underwent varicocelectomy (right: 5 [1.4%]; left: 118 [33.8%]; bilateral: 226 [64.8%]). Disagreement between those with abnormal standing vs normal supine for vein size2.5 mm was: 56 men (16.1%) on the right and 31 men (8.9%) on the left, for vein size3.0 mm was: 64 men (18.3%) on the right, and 56 men (16.1%) on the left, and for flow reversal was: 36 (14.0%) on the right and 40 (15.4%) on the left. For those2.5 mm, only T had significant improvements on the left (p=0.05). For those3.0 mm significant differences were seen for sperm motility on the right (p=0.04), and TUNEL (p=0.04) and T (p0.01) on the left. For flow reversal, significant differences were seen for sperm concentration (p0.01), morphology (p=0.03) and volume (p=0.05) on the right and TUNEL on the left (p=0.02).Standing SUS identifies a greater number of men who would have been missed using supine SUS only.

Sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass and function, may predict adverse outcomes for patients with urological cancers. However, the clinical implications and significance of sarcopenic obesity are not well understood. We systematically reviewed data on the prevalence and prognostic impact of sarcopenic obesity for patients with renal cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma and prostate cancer undergoing treatment.We searched EMBASE®, PubMed®/MEDLINE® and Scopus® for relevant original articles and abstracts published between January 2010 and February 2021. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival. The secondary outcome was the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity.A total of 15 studies comprising 3,866 patients were included. Of the 10 studies that evaluated survival outcomes, the association between sarcopenic obesity and survival was mixed. One of 10 studies showed a significant association of sarcopenic obesity with OS (HR 0.7, 95% CI 0.51-0.98; p=0.04). One additional study showed reported a trend for shorter OS (p=0.05) associated with sarcopenic obesity. Others reported that it is an adverse prognostic factor for CSS (HR 5.0, 95% CI 1.4-16.7; p=0.01). All other studies did not demonstrate that sarcopenic obesity was of prognostic relevance with regard to OS, CSS and progression-free survival. Overall, its mean prevalence was 27% (range 11-63).There is considerable heterogeneity in methods used to define sarcopenic obesity in the literature, and current data are limited. Future studies are needed to further understand the relationship of obesity and sarcopenia on the clinical trajectory of patients with urological cancer.

Testicular temperature should remain low to maintain optimal function of germ cells; however, information regarding testicular temperature in infants and the effect of cryptorchidism and its correction, including laparoscopic staged Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy (LSFSO), is limited.A total of 82 infants with unilateral palpable cryptorchidism, 24 with nonpalpable testes who underwent unilateral LSFSO and 20 with scrotal hydrocele were included. Ultrasonographic determination of testicular volume and measurement of testicular temperature but not scrotal surface temperature using a Coretemp CTM204Undescended testicular volume was significantly increased after orchiopexy (0.80 ml to 0.92 ml, p0.0001). The preoperative testicular temperature (35.1C) was significantly higher than that of the control (34.4C, p0.0001), and significant decreases in testicular temperature occurred after orchiopexy (34.3C, p0.0001). A multivariate analysis showed that a decrease in testicular temperature was a factor associated with postoperative testicular development. Twelve months after LSFSO, transinguinal approach was shown to be more effective in decreasing the testicular temperature than the conventional approach (34.4 and 35.3C, respectively, p0.05).Orchiopexy is effective in correcting the high-temperature environment caused by cryptorchidism. In the case of nonpalpable testes treated by LSFSO, transinguinal fixation is more effective than the conventional approach in reducing testicular temperature, but a longer followup period is necessary to draw a final conclusion.

Presently, major guidelines do not provide specific recommendations on oncologic surveillance for patients who harbor variant histology (VH) bladder cancer (BCa) at radical cystectomy. We aimed to create a personalized followup scheme that dynamically weighs other cause mortality (OCM) vs the risk of recurrence for VH BCa, and to compare it with a similar one for pure urothelial carcinoma (pUC).Within a multi-institutional registry, 528 and 1,894 patients with VH BCa and pUC, respectively, were identified. The Weibull regression was used to detect the time points after which the risk of OCM exceeded the risk of recurrence during followup. The risk of OCM over time was stratified based on age and comorbidities, and the risk of recurrence on pathological stage and recurrence site.Individuals with VH had a higher risk of recurrence (recurrence-free survival 30% vs 51% at 10 years, p0.001) and shorter median time to recurrence (88 vs 123 months, p0.01) relative to pUC. Among VH, micropapillary variant conferred the greatest risk of recurrence on the abdomen and lungs, and mixed variants carried the greatest risk of metastasizing to bones and other sites compared to pUC. Overall, surveillance should be continued for a longer time for individuals with VH BCa. Notably, patients younger than 60 years with VH and pT0/Ta/T1/N0 at radical cystectomy should continue oncologic surveillance after 10 years vs 6.5 years for pUC individuals.VH BCa is associated with greater recurrence risk than pUC. A followup scheme that is valid for pUC should not be applied to individuals with VH. Herein, we present a personalized approach for surveillance that may allow an improved shared decision.

Patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) of variant histology have a poor prognosis. It is unclear if neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to radical cystectomy is associated with pathological downstaging or improved overall survival (OS) for patients with variant histology. Our objective was to assess for associations between receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pathological downstaging and OS for patients with variant histology MIBC.Patients were identified in the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2017 with MIBC, without metastases, who underwent radical cystectomy. Patients were stratified by histological subgroup, and receipt or nonreceipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pathological downstaging was defined as pT0N0 or pT ≤1N0, and OS from the time of diagnosis to date of death or censoring at last followup. Multivariable logistic regression analysis determined associations between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and pathological downstaging. Multivariable Cox regression analysis determined associations between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and OS.A total of 31,218 patients were included in the final study population (urothelial carcinoma [UC]: 27,779; sarcomatoid UC: 501; micropapillary UC: 418; squamous cell carcinoma: 1,141; neuroendocrine carcinoma: 629; adenocarcinoma: 750). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with pathological downstaging to pT0N0 in all histological subgroups (UC: OR 5.1 [4.6-5.6]; sarcomatoid UC: OR 13.8 [5.5-39.0]; micropapillary UC: OR 9.7 [2.8-46.8]; squamous cell carcinoma: OR 7.4 [2.1-24.5]; neuroendocrine: OR 4.7 [2.6-9.2]; adenocarcinoma: OR 23.3 [8.0-74.2]). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved OS for UC (HR 0.8 [0.77-0.84]), sarcomatoid UC (HR 0.64 [0.44-0.91]) and neuroendocrine carcinoma (HR 0.55 [0.43-0.70]).Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with pathological downstaging for all MIBC histological variants, with improved OS for patients with UC, sarcomatoid variant UC and neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Our objective was to evaluate the associations with interstitial cystitis during pregnancy using a United States inpatient database.We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. ICD-9 code number 595.1 was used to extract cases of chronic interstitial cystitis and these pregnancies were compared to pregnancies without chronic interstitial cystitis, using the Chi-squared test to evaluate nominal variables. A multivariate logistic regression model was subsequently used to adjust for statistically significant confounders (p value0.05).There were 9,095,995 deliveries during the study period; 793 pregnant women were found to have chronic interstitial cystitis. When controlling for confounding effects in terms of pregnancy outcomes, the diagnosed group had a greater risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension (adjusted OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.21-2.05), preeclampsia (adjusted OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.47-2.87), preterm delivery (adjusted OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.23-2.17), preterm premature rupture of membranes (adjusted OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.25-3.79), chorioamnionitis (adjusted OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.24-3.37), delivery via cesarean section (adjusted OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.32-1.88), maternal infection (adjusted OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.40-3.43), and deep venous thromboembolism (adjusted OR 10.56, 95% CI 3.37-33.09).Interstitial cystitis diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth, and other adverse pregnancy outcomes in this database study. Prospective studies are required to confirm the findings of the correlation between interstitial cystitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare but aggressive malignancy. While centralization of care to referral centers improves outcomes across common urological malignancies, there exists a paucity of data for low-incidence cancers. We sought to evaluate differences in practice patterns and overall survival in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma across types of treating facilities.We identified all patients diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma from 2004-2016 in the National Cancer Database. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate overall survival and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to investigate independent predictors of overall survival. The chi-square test was used to analyze differences in practice patterns.We identified 2,886 patients with adrenocortical carcinoma. Median overall survival was 21.8 months (95% CI 19.8-23.8). Academic centers had improved overall survival versus community centers on unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis (p0.05) and had higher rates of adrenalectomy or radical en bloc resection (p0.001), performed more open surgery (p0.001), administered more systemic therapy (p0.001) and had lower rates of positive surgical margins (p=0.03). On multivariable analysis, controlling for treatment modality, academic centers were associated with significantly decreased risk of death (HR 0.779, 95% CI 0.631-0.963, p=0.021).Treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma at an academic center is associated with improved overall survival compared to community programs. There are significant differences in practice patterns, including more aggressive surgical treatment at academic facilities, but the survival benefit persists on multivariable analysis controlling for treatment modality. Further studies are needed to identify the most important predictors of survival in this at-risk population.

An ill-defined proportion of patients undergoing urethroplasty fail to experience improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) despite being stricture-free. We aim to identify the incidence, associations and causes of "LUTS failure" after urethroplasty.Patients undergoing urethroplasty over a 6-year period were offered enrollment in a prospective study examining urinary function after urethroplasty. Patients were assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and cystoscopy. "LUTS failure" was defined as ≤3-point improvement in IPSS despite an anatomically successful urethroplasty. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to evaluate the association between patient factors and "LUTS failure."Of 365 patients meeting inclusion criteria, mean postoperative IPSS (20.3 vs. 5.4, p0.0001) and median urinary quality of life (UQOL; 5 vs. 1; p0.0001) were significantly improved. Despite being stricture-free, 7.7% of patients reported "LUTS failure" and 10.1% reported UQOL nonresponse. On multivariable logistic regression, increasing age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06; p=0.006) and hypospadias (OR 18.2, 95% CI 2.1-156.0; p=0.008) were associated with "LUTS failure," while stricture location (p=0.76), length (p=0.14), previous urethroplasty (p=0.96), failed endoscopic treatment (p=0.17), type of urethroplasty (p=0.93) and other etiologies were not. Qualitatively, the most likely causes of "LUTS failure" were detrusor underactivity (39.3%), overactivity (21.4%), pelvic floor dysfunction (21.4%) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (14.3%). Only increasing age was associated with UQOL nonresponse (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.07; p=0.02).While many patients experience improved voiding function after urethroplasty, 7.7% experience "LUTS failure" and 10.1% report UQOL nonresponse. Both occurrences are independently associated with increasing patient age and most commonly related to detrusor underactivity.

BACKGROUND: Darolutamide is a potent androgen-receptor inhibitor that has been associated with increased overall survival among patients with nonmetastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer. Whether a combination of darolutamide, androgen-deprivation therapy, and docetaxel would increase survival among patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer is unknown. METHODS: In this international, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in a 1:1 ratio to receive darolutamide (at a dose of 600 mg [two 300-mg tablets] twice daily) or matching placebo, both in combination with androgen-deprivation therapy and docetaxel. The primary end point was overall survival. RESULTS: The primary analysis involved 1306 patients (651 in the darolutamide group and 655 in the placebo group); 86.1% of the patients had disease that was metastatic at the time of the initial diagnosis. At the data cutoff date for the primary analysis (October 25, 2021), the risk of death was significantly lower, by 32.5%, in the darolutamide group than in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.57 to 0.80; P

Although the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System™ version 2 (PI-RADS™ v2) is a reliable diagnostic tool for significant prostate cancer, less is known about the prognostic significance of the structured reporting scheme for estimating oncologic outcomes after treatment. We aimed to synthesize the available evidence regarding the association of PI-RADS v2 score and risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) among patients undergoing primary definitive treatment for prostate cancer.We systematically queried the PubMed® and Web of Science™ databases to identify studies addressing the association between the PI-RADS v2 and treatment outcomes. We included studies through November 2020 that assessed the independent prognostic significance of PI-RADS v2. After assessing risk of bias and quality, we conducted a formal meta-analysis to estimate the pooled effects of prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classification on the risk of BCR.We identified 9 and 7 eligible studies including 2,274 and 1,215 patients for the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. Eight were conducted in the context of radical prostatectomy and 1 post-radiation. Among patients treated with radical prostatectomy, higher PI-RADS v2 scores were significantly associated with risk of BCR (pooled HR 3.06, 95% CI 2.16-4.33; p0.01). There was no significant heterogeneity among studies. For all studies, PI-RADS v2 score remained significantly associated with BCR (pooled HR 3.19, 95% CI 2.28-4.45; p0.01).Prostate MRI findings assessed with the PI-RADS v2 classification were independently associated with risk of BCR after definitive local therapy, primarily based on data from radical prostatectomy. These findings support the prognostic significance of MRI, in addition to its role in prostate cancer diagnosis.

According to the American Urological Association/American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society for Radiation Oncology/Society of Urologic Oncology Guideline on treatment of nonmetastatic muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), females requiring radical cystectomy (RC) should undergo concomitant anterior pelvic exenteration despite low rates of malignant involvement of gynecologic organs. We present the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with MIBC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and evaluate the impact of NAC on gynecologic organ involvement.An institutional review board approved review of patients with cT2-T3 MIBC treated with RC at our institution between 2005 and 2018 was performed. Patients were stratified by receipt of NAC.A total of 186 females with cT2-T3 MIBC underwent RC during the study period, of whom 67.7% received NAC prior to RC. Patients who received NAC were more likely to have cT3 disease, preoperative hydronephrosis, and variant histology on transurethral resection (p0.001, p=0.004, p=0.029, respectively). Rates of recurrence or metastasis were similar between groups (27.0% vs 26.7%, p=0.964). No patients had isolated genitourinary organ recurrence (median followup 32.1 months). Nine patients (5.7%) had gynecologic organ involvement (6 NAC vs 3 no NAC, p=0.978). Among those who underwent hysterectomy, 2 patients (3.1%) who received NAC had uterine involvement compared to none in the no NAC cohort (p=0.551). Rates of vaginal involvement were similar between the groups (4 NAC vs 3 no NAC, p=0.402). Additionally, 1 patient who received NAC had incidentally diagnosed localized endometrial cancer. No women had fallopian tube or ovarian involvement.Even among high risk patients with MIBC, gynecologic organ involvement of MIBC is rare, and organ preservation, especially of the ovaries, is likely safe.

We aimed to investigate the impact of various bladder lesions on the clinical symptoms and recurrence of interstitial cystitis (IC).Patients with IC who underwent transurethral resection and cauterization for Hunner lesions (HLs) were enrolled. Features of HLs-noninflamed, inflamed, and gradually inflamed-and associated cystoscopic findings, including waterfall bleeding (none, focal or extensive), submucosal hemorrhage, and mucosal streak, were analyzed to investigate their association with preoperative symptoms and recurrence.We included 272 procedures from 141 patients (male:female ratio 37:104) with a mean±SD age of 61.4±10.5 years. Recurrence was observed in 160 procedures after a mean of 15.6 months (range 0.7-91.7); repeat transurethral resection and cauterization was performed in 131 cases. The number of HLs observed at each procedure was variable, and sufficient bladder filling revealed hidden lesions in 10.7% of cases. Waterfall bleeding was frequently accompanied with inflamed/gradually inflamed HLs. Inflammatory HLs were associated with smaller functional bladder capacity and preoperative urgency (p=0.007). Extensive waterfall bleeding was associated with smaller functional bladder capacity (p=0.006). On multivariate analysis, initially inflamed HLs (HR: 1.675, 95% CI: 1.022-2.746, p=0.041) and gradual inflammatory changes in HLs (HR: 1.893, 95% CI: 1.050-3.410, p=0.034) were found to be risk factors for recurrence.Sufficient bladder filling revealed hidden HLs. The features of HLs were not associated with subjective symptoms; inflamed changes were a predictive factor for IC recurrence, and associated with frequent urgency episodes and smaller bladder capacity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prophylactic antibiotics are routinely given at the time of catheter removal post radical prostatectomy (RP). The low rate of infectious complications entails that large sample sizes are required for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), a challenge given the cost of standard RCTs. We evaluated infectious complications associated with 1 vs 3 days of prophylactic antibiotics at the time of catheter removal post RP using a novel, clinically-integrated trial with randomization at the surgeon level. METHODS: Surgeons were cluster randomized for periods of 3 months to prescribe 1-day versus 3-day regimen of prophylactic antibiotics at the time of catheter removal. The primary endpoint was an infectious complication as routinely captured by nursing phone call within 10 days of catheter removal and defined as: positive urine cultures (≥10(5) CFU) and at least 1 of the following symptoms: fever (>38C), urgency, frequency, dysuria or suprapubic tenderness. RESULTS: A total of 824 patients were consented and underwent RP, with respectively, 389 and 435 allocated to 1-and 3-day antibiotics, predominately ciprofloxacin. Accrual was achieved within 3 years: 95% and 88% of patients received the allocated 3-day or 1-day antibiotic regimen, respectively. There was 0 UTI (0%) in the 1-day regimen and 3 UTIs (0.7%) in the 3-day regimen, meeting our prespecified criterion for declaring the 1-day regimen to be non-inferior. CONCLUSION: A clinically integrated trial using cluster randomization accrued rapidly with no important logistical problems and negligible burden on surgeons. If surgeons choose to prescribe empiric prophylactic antibiotics after catheter removal following RP, then the duration should not exceed 1 day.

Intravesical recurrence (IVR) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) has an incidence of approximately 20%-50%. Studies to date have been composed of mixed treatment cohorts-open, laparoscopic and robotic. The objective of this study is to assess clinicopathological risk factors for intravesical recurrence after RNU for UTUC in a completely minimally invasive cohort.We performed a multicenter, retrospective analysis of 485 patients with UTUC without prior or concurrent bladder cancer who underwent robotic or laparoscopic RNU. Patients were selected from an international cohort of 17 institutions across the United States, Europe and Asia. Univariate and multiple Cox regression models were used to identify risk factors for bladder recurrence.A total of 485 (396 robotic, 89 laparoscopic) patients were included in analysis. Overall, 110 (22.7%) of patients developed IVR. The average time to recurrence was 15.2 months (SD 15.5 months). Hypertension was a significant risk factor on multiple regression (HR 1.99, CI 1.06; 3.71, p=0.030). Diagnostic ureteroscopic biopsy incurred a 50% higher chance of developing IVR (HR 1.49, CI 1.00; 2.20, p=0.048). Treatment specific risk factors included positive surgical margins (HR 3.36, CI 1.36; 8.33, p=0.009) and transurethral resection for bladder cuff management (HR 2.73, CI 1.10; 6.76, p=0.031).IVR after minimally invasive RNU for UTUC is a relatively common event. Risk factors include a ureteroscopic biopsy, transurethral resection of the bladder cuff, and positive surgical margins. When possible, avoidance of transurethral resection of the bladder cuff and alternative strategies for obtaining biopsy tissue sample should be considered.