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The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for variant histology (VH) bladder cancer remains incompletely defined and we sought to determine comparative pathologic downstaging at radical cystectomy following NAC for patients with and without VH. Patients from 2 large tertiary care centers were matched 2:1 (437 non-VH patients, 225 VH patients). Our results showed that NAC was associated with increased likelihood of downstaging in the overall cohort and this effect was not modified by VH versus non-VH histology. Therefore, VH patients should not be excluded from NAC if otherwise eligible. Introduction: Variant histology (VH) bladder cancer is often associated with poor outcomes and the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) remains incompletely defined. Our objective was to determine comparative pathologic downstaging at radical cystectomy (RC) following NAC for patients with and without VH. Patients and Methods: Patients who underwent RC at 2 tertiary referral centers (1996-2018) were included. Patients with VH (sarcomatoid, nested, micropapillary, plasmacytoid) were matched 1:2 to patients with pure urothelial carcinoma by age, sex, clinical T (cT)stage, clinical N (cN)stage, cystectomy year and receipt of NAC. The primary outcome was pathologic downstaging (pT-stage < cTstage). The differential impact of NAC on pathologic downstaging between VH and non-VH was assessed using multivariable logistic regression with interaction analysis. Results: 225 VH and 437 non-VH patients were included. One hundred twenty-eight of six hundred sixty-two (19.3%) patients experienced downstaging, including 54/121 (44.6%) patients who received NAC and 74/542 (13.2%) patients who did not (P < .01). Rates of downstaging after NAC for subgroups were: 45/78 (57.7%) urothelial, 3/8 (37.5%) sarcomatoid, 2/12 (16.7%) nested, 3/14 (21.4%) micropapillary, and 1/8 (12.5%) plasmacytoid. Collectively, 9/42 (21.4%) of VH patients who received NAC were downstaged. On multivariable analyses, NAC was associated with increased likelihood of downstaging in the overall cohort (OR 5.25, 95% CI, 3.29-8.36, P < .0001) and this effect was not modified by VH versus non-VH histology (P = .13 for interaction). VH patients had worse survival outcomes compared to non-VH (P < 0.01 for all). Conclusion: When comparing patients with VH to matched pure urothelial carcinoma controls, VH did not have an adverse effect on downstaging following NAC. VH patients should not be excluded from NAC if otherwise eligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether Robotic assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is associated with increased postoperative pulmonary complications compared to open radical cystectomy (ORC). RARC poses challenges for ventilation with positioning and abdominal insufflation. Conventionally protective mechanical ventilation may be challenging, especially in patients with obesity or pulmonary comorbidities. Given the proven benefits of RARC compared to ORC, the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications merits further investigation.Materials and Methods: Adult patients consented for research who underwent RARC and ORC for invasive bladder cancer from 2013-2018 were identified for retrospective chart review. Perioperative and patient variables were looked at along with postoperative course and outcomes.Results: 328 patients who underwent ORC and 108 patients who underwent RARC were identified. Despite findings of higher peak airway pressures throughout surgery, patients who underwent RARC did not have a higher rate of pulmonary complications than patients who underwent ORC. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who underwent ORC had a higher rate of postoperative pulmonary complications. Patients who underwent RARC had a less intraoperative fluid administration, fewer ICU admissions, and decreased length of hospital stay.Conclusion: Despite mechanical ventilation challenges, RARC was not associated with increased post-operative pulmonary complications compared to ORC. This was also found in patients with BMI>30 or with diagnosis or high suspicion of OSA. These findings suggest ventilation at higher pressures does not increase risk for ventilator induced lung injury in patients undergoing RARC, even in conventionally higher risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify factors predictive of locoregional recurrence (LRR) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) treated with nephroureterectomy and to propose adjuvant radiation therapy (ART) fields. Clinical and pathologic variables for patients receiving nephroureterectomy for UTUC between 1995 and 2009 were analyzed for associations with outcomes. Sites of LRR from all patients with available imaging (39) were contoured on computed tomography image sets of patients with representative anatomy, and ART fields were proposed based on these distributions. A total of 279 patients with a median follow-up of 13.0 years were analyzed. The 5-year cumulative incidence of LRR was 16.7% (95% CI, 12.2-21). Pathologic risk factors (PRFs) associated with increased risk of LRR included tumor in both the renal pelvis and ureter, T stage ≥2, lymph node involvement, grade 3 histology, and positive surgical margins (P <.05). Patients with an increased number of PRFs had a significantly greater risk of LRR. The 5-year cumulative incidence estimates of LRR were 5.3% (95% CI, 1.8%-16.0%), 15.6% (95% CI, 9.5%-25.7%), and 43.9% (95% CI, 31.1%-62.1%) for those with 1, 2, and ≥3 PRFs, respectively. ART fields covering the renal fossa and retroperitoneal lymph nodes from the superior border of L1 through the aortic bifurcation would encompass all sites of LRR for 33 of 46 patients (72%). Non-LRR bladder and distant failure occurred in 101 (36.2%) and 73 (26.2%) of the patients, respectively. The 5-year cumulative incidence estimate of distant failure was 22.5% (95% CI, 17.4%-27.3%). In patients receiving nephroureterectomy for UTUC, LRR is significantly increased in patients with 2 or more PRFs. These data provide clinically valuable insight into the selection of candidates for ART and the design of ART fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Assessment of overall health is a critical component in the evaluation of patients presenting with clinically localized prostate cancer. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and overall mortality. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of baseline renal function on oncologic outcomes and overall survival following radical prostatectomy. Materials and methods: We identified 10,099 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution from 1990 to 2004 with a preoperative serum creatinine available for analysis. eGFR was calculated by the chronic kidney disease-epidemiology formula (CKD-EPI) and reported as ml/min per 1.73 m2. Patients were then classified according to their eGFR: <30, 30–59, 60–89, 90–119, and 120–150 ml/min/1.73 m2. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the impact of eGFR on postoperative outcomes. Results: At the time of surgery, 25 patients (0.1%) had an eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2, 2,398 (23.7%) between 30 and 60, 7,097 (70.3%) between 60 and 90, and 605 (6.0%) patients had an eGFR >90. eGFR was not associated with oncologic outcomes, including biochemical recurrence, systemic progression or cancer-specific survival (P > 0.05 for all). However, eGFR was strongly associated with all-cause mortality and non-prostate cancer death. On multivariate analysis, after controlling for age, BMI, prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSA), Gleason score, and clinical stage, eGFR remains a statistically significant predictor of all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Assessment of eGFR is an important metric in the overall evaluation of patient health and should be considered in combination with patient age and other medical comorbidities when selecting the initial treatment of prostate cancer. While prostate cancer-specific outcomes do not appear to be impacted by renal function, overall survival is decreased in those with lower and higher than normal eGFR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To determine the association between endoscopic biopsy grade and the final pathologic characteristics at nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Endoscopic biopsy is an important tool for patients with UTUC because the results can influence the management decisions. Methods: We identified 481 patients who had undergone nephroureterectomy for UTUC at the Mayo Clinic from 1995 to 2008. Of these patients, 184 underwent endoscopic cup or brush biopsy before nephroureterectomy. The biopsy tumor grade was then compared with the tumor grade and stage obtained at nephroureterectomy. Results: Of the 184 patients, 27 (15%) had nondiagnostic biopsy results and 21 (11%) had positive biopsy results with no histologic grade. Of the 24 patients with grade 1 tumors on biopsy, 23 (96%) had the tumor upgraded on the final pathologic examination: 16 (67%) to grade 2 and 7 (29%) to grade 3. Similarly, 23 (40%) of 57 grade 2 tumors on biopsy were upgraded to grade 3 after nephrouretecomy. Only a few patients, 7 (4%) of 184, were found to have a lower histologic grade on the final pathologic examination. The number of patients with invasive UTUC for endoscopic grade 1, 2, and 3 tumors was 9 (38%) of 24, 31 (54%) of 57, and 47 (85%) of 55, respectively. Conclusion: In the context of patients selected for nephroureterectomy, we observed a greater than expected rate of tumor upgrading and invasive disease, particularly in those with low-grade tumors at biopsy. These findings should be considered when electing to use conservative or endoscopic management of low-grade UTUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the incidence and morbidity of surgical site infections (SSI) during prostatectomy, and determine the association with surgical approach. The development of a SSI after radical prostatectomy is associated with increased cost and significant morbidity. However, existing comparisons between open and robotic surgery have been made comparing a contemporary robotic experience with historical cohorts undergoing open surgery. Methods: We reviewed the incidence of SSI in 5908 consecutive patients undergoing both retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP; n = 4824 [81.7%]) and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP; n = 1084 [18.3%]) at our institution between 2004 and 2008. Patient records were reviewed for the development and treatment of an SSI, defined as wound erythema or cellulitis that necessitated antibiotic therapy or opening of the surgical wound within 30 days of surgery. Results: In total, 222 (3.7%) patients developed an SSI. Those undergoing RARP (6/1084, 0.6%) were significantly less likely to develop an SSI than patients undergoing RRP (216/4824, 4.5%) (P <.001). Furthermore, SSIs in patients undergoing RARP resolved more quickly (median, 7 vs 16 days) and were less likely to require wound incision and/or drainage (1 vs 84 patients), hospital readmission (0 vs 11 patients), or return to the operating room for debridement (0 vs 6 patients). Conclusions: Patients undergoing RARP are less likely to develop SSIs than patients undergoing RRP. Furthermore, the infections that develop after minimally invasive surgery are less severe. Continued investigation into the mechanisms of SSIs are needed to further decrease patient morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of preoperative total serum calcium on disease progression after radical prostatectomy (RP). Elevated total serum calcium has been linked to death from prostate cancer in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys I and II. However, these findings have not been studied in a large cohort of patients with prostate cancer. Methods: We identified 10 532 consecutive patients who had undergone RP from 1990 to 2004 for prostate cancer. Total serum calcium levels were available for 7648 (72.6%) of these patients within 90 days before RP. Postoperative survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the ability of serum calcium to predict biochemical recurrence, systemic progression, and cancer-specific survival. Results: The median patient age at surgery was 64 years. The median total serum calcium level was 9.4 mg/dL (range 6.8-11.2). On univariate analysis, the total serum calcium level was not significantly associated with any clinical or pathologic variables, including tumor stage, preoperative prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score, tumor volume, surgical margins, or lymph node status. Furthermore, the serum calcium level was not significantly associated with biochemical failure, systemic progression, or prostate cancer death on univariate or multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The total serum calcium level was not predictive of cancer outcomes in patients who had undergone RP. Additional investigations of the preoperative disease predictors after RP for patients with nonmetastatic disease might be better directed toward other markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine whether iatrogenic immunosuppression used after transplantation infers a poor prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) as natural negative immune regulators have been associated with decreased cancer-specific survival from RCC. Methods: All patients with a solid organ transplant who underwent radical nephrectomy or nephron-sparing surgery for nonhereditary sporadic RCC from 1970 to 2003 were identified and retrospectively reviewed. Results: We identified 17 patients with surgically treated rcc who also underwent a solid organ transplant: 11 with transplant before RCC and 6 with transplant after RCC. Type of transplant included 9 kidney, 3 heart, 3 liver, 1 kidney and liver, and 1 kidney and pancreas. Tumor pathology included 10 clear-cell RCC and 7 papillary RCC. At the last follow-up 6 patients died at a mean of 5.9 years after nephrectomy. Among the 11 patients still alive, mean follow-up was 7.6 years. Only 1 patient died of RCC. This patient had metastatic clear-cell RCC that was completely resected 8 years before renal transplant. He had a recurrence 2 years post transplant and died 3 years after recurrence. No other patients experienced local or distant disease recurrence. Immunosuppression was decreased in only 2 patients; one secondary to RCC metastases and another for recurrent skin cancer. Conclusions: Surgical resection of RCC in transplant patients is associated with a low rate of progression, despite optimal immunosuppression. We recommend surgical resection of low-risk, organ-confined RCC without reduction in immunosuppression in patients with solid organ transplants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk of local recurrence, systemic progression, and death from cancer among patients who experience biochemical relapse after radical retropubic prostatectomy and to stratify those patients by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (DT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified patients who experienced biochemical recurrence (defined as a PSA level ≥0.4 ng/mL) after radical prostatectomy from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1999, for prostate adenocarcinoma. The PSA-DT was calculated by log linear regression using all PSA values within 2 years of biochemical recurrence. Local recurrence- and systemic progression-free survival and cancer-specific survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed by the log-rank test and Cox models. RESULTS: Biochemical recurrence was noted in 1521 (27%) of 5533 men during the follow-up period. Of the 1064 patients with a calculable PSA-DT, 322 (30%) had a PSA-DT of less than 1 year, 357 (34%) had a PSA-DT of 1 to 9.9 years, and 385 (36%) had a PSA-DT of 10 years or more. Patients with a PSA-DT of 10 years or more were less likely to have a higher preoperative PSA level, Gleason score, advanced pathologic stage, and seminal vesicle invasion. Patients with a PSA-DT of 10 years or more were at low risk of local recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06–0.14; compared with patients with a PSA-DT of <1 year), systemic progression (HR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02–0.13), or death from cancer (HR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05–0.43). CONCLUSIONS: Prostate-specific antigen DT is an independent predictor of clinical disease recurrence and mortality after surgical biochemical failure. Risk stratification into high-, intermediate-, and low-risk categories based on the PSA-DT provides helpful clinical information and assists in the development of salvage therapy trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Iatrogenic ureteral injury in children is a rare occurrence, with sparse literature available regarding optimal repair techniques. We reviewed our experience in the management of iatrogenic pediatric ureteral injuries, particularly with respect to initial versus delayed diagnoses. Methods: All pediatric iatrogenic ureteral injuries repaired by a single surgeon during 1986–2007 were reviewed. Results: Ten injuries were repaired over 20 years. Median patient age was 12 years. Injuries occurred during five open tumor resections, three laparoscopic procedures and two ureteroscopies. Diagnosis was immediate in four patients. Median ureteral defect length was 4cm (range 2–5). All underwent ureteral reimplantation and psoas hitch Boari flap. Median follow up was 1 year, with no obstruction noted. Diagnosis was delayed in six patients by a median of 21 days. Five children (83%) were managed by temporary percutaneous nephrostomy tube and one (17%) by ureteral stent. Delayed repair was performed 1–3 months later. In the patients with laparoscopic or ureteroscopic injuries the median ureteral defect length was 4cm (range 3–6). All underwent ureteral reimplantation and psoas hitch Boari flap. Median follow up was 1 year, with no obstruction noted. One child had a proximal ureteral defect 8cm long; delayed ileal ureter was performed with good results 4 years postoperatively. Conclusions: Pediatric iatrogenic ureteral injuries are rare and may be repaired by both immediate and delayed techniques as circumstances demand. Standard techniques used in the adult population may be employed in children with the expectation of good long-term results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To determine whether the rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following radical cystectomy (RC) is changing overtime.Materials and Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer from 2011 to 2016. VTE was defined as pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis within 30 days of RC. VTE rate by year was assessed using the Cochran-Armitage test for trend. Associations between patient features and VTE were evaluated with multivariable logistic regression.Results: A total of 8,241 patients undergoing RC were identified, of whom 348 (4.2%) were diagnosed with VTE. VTE was diagnosed at a median of 13 days (IQR: 7-19) after RC, with 171 (49%) occurring after hospital discharge. Notably, the rate of VTE after RC was found to significantly decrease over time, from 5.1% in 2011 to 2.8% in 2016 (P = 0.001). On multivariable analysis, clinical factors significantly associated with increased odds of VTE included congestive heart failure (odds ratio [OR] = 2.83, P = 0.01), prolonged operative time (OR: 1.48-1.56, P = 0.02-0.01), and receipt of a perioperative blood transfusion (OR = 1.27; P = 0.04). When postoperative complications were adjusted for, sepsis/septic shock (OR = 2.37, P<0.001) and perioperative infection (OR = 1.74, P<0.001) were likewise found to be associated with VTE.Conclusions: The rate of VTE after RC significantly decreased in recent years, potentially reflecting improvements in perioperative care. The specific casual factors underlying this trend, in addition to efforts to address identified risk factors for VTE, warrant continued study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate temporal trends in prescriptions for extended-duration pharmacologic prophylaxis (EDPP) intended to prevent venous thromboembolism following radical cystectomy (RC).Materials and Methods: We used OptumLabs Data Warehouse, a national administrative claims database, to identify patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer from 2012 to 2017. Rates of outpatient prescriptions for EDPP following RC were assessed, and rate over time was evaluated using the Cochran-Armitage test for trend. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between clinical and practice-level characteristics with EDPP prescriptions.Results: A total of 2054 patients were identified, including 386 (19%) who received an EDPP prescription. The rate of EDPP prescriptions increased significantly over the study period, from 9% of cases in 2012 to 26% of cases in 2017 (P <.001). On multivariable logistic regression, age <65 (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.39-2.33; P <.001), receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.71; P = .02), more recent procedure year (OR 4.11, 95% CI 2.35-7.18; P <.001), treatment in a public as compared to a for-profit hospital (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.31-8.74; P = .01), and treatment at a hospital with residency training (OR 4.45, 95% CI 1.26-15.7; P = .02) or a surgical robot (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.31-9.08; P = .01) were significantly associated with increased odds of receiving EDPP.Conclusion: EDPP following RC has increased over time, but is still provided for only a minority of patients. These data may be useful for guiding quality improvement efforts given recent literature supporting the use of EDPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and timing of infections following radical cystectomy (RC).Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database was queried to identify patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer from 2006 to 2013. Characteristics including year of surgery, age, sex body mass index, diabetes, smoking, renal function, steroid usage, preoperative albumin, preoperative hematocrit, perioperative blood transfusion (PBT), and operative time were assessed for association with the risk of infection within 30 days of RC using multivariable logistic regression.Results: A total of 3,187 patients who had undergone RC were identified, of whom 766 (24.0%) were diagnosed with a postoperative infection, at a median of 13 days (interquartile ranges 8-19) after RC. Infections included surgical site infection (SSI) (404; 12.7%), sepsis/septic shock (405; 12.7%), and urinary tract infection (UTI) (309; 9.7%). On multivariable analysis, body mass index≥30kg/m2 (odds ratios [OR] = 1.52; P<0.01), receipt of a PBT (OR = 1.27; P<0.01), and operative time≥480 minutes (OR = 1.72; P<0.01) were significantly associated with the risk of infection. When the outcomes of UTI, SSI, and sepsis were analyzed separately, operative time≥480 minutes remained independently associated with increased infection risk in each model (OR = 2.11 for UTI, OR = 1.63 for SSI, and OR = 1.80 for sepsis/septic shock; all P<0.05), whereas PBT was associated with SSI and sepsis/septic shock (OR = 1.33 and OR = 1.29, respectively; both P< 0.05).Conclusions: Approximately 25% of patients undergoing RC experience an infection within 30 days of surgery. Several potentially modifiable risk factors for infection were identified, specifically PBT and prolonged operative time, which may represent opportunities for future care improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Midurethral sling placement is a common treatment for female stress urinary incontinence. We report a case of a woman with a 9-month history of significant pelvic and right lower extremity pain following synthetic retropubic sling placement at an outside facility. On evaluation, she had unilateral obturator neuropathy and underwent combined vaginal, and robotic excision of the right arm of the sling. During surgery, the sling was adherent to the obturator nerve and passed laterally through the obturator fossa. Following removal, her pain completely resolved. This case highlights strategies for preventing, diagnosing, and managing an unusual complication of retropubic sling placement, obturator neuralgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To report peri-operative outcomes of a contemporary series of bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) with cutaneous ureterostomy (CU) urinary diversion at a tertiary referral center. We retrospectively identified patients who underwent RC with CU at Mayo Clinic between 2016 and 2021. Clinicopathologic and perioperative characteristics were analyzed using standard descriptive statistics. A total of 31 patients underwent RC with CU at our institution. Median age was 72 years and 21 were male. This was highly comorbid cohort (83% had an American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] Physical Status Classification System ≥3; median Charlson Comorbidity index = 8). Median time to flatus, tolerating regular diet, and length of stay were 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 3-3), 3 (IQR 3-4), and 4 days (IQR 4-7), respectively. A total of 14 patients experienced a high-grade complication (Clavien-Dindo ≥3) within 30 days of surgery, and 8 were readmitted. The most common 30-day complication was sepsis, which affected 13% (4/31) of patients. At 90 days postsurgery, the readmission rate was 32% (10/31), most commonly for sepsis. Three patients required reoperation within 90 days, including one patient who required CU revision due to stomal ischemia. One patient died within this time frame from causes unrelated to bladder cancer. In a comorbid, relatively elderly bladder cancer cohort undergoing RC, the use of CU was associated with expeditious surgery and postoperative recovery. CU represents an option for urinary diversion in high-risk patients undergoing RC. Higher rate of postoperative ureteral obstruction can be pre-emptively addressed with chronic stent placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effect of urologic surgical care team consistency on surgical efficiency and patient outcomes. Patients undergoing major urologic surgery (prostatectomy, nephrectomy, or cystectomy) at a single institution from 2010 to 2019 were identified. A surgical care team comprised a certified surgical assistant, certified surgical technologist, and circulating nurse. Primary team member status was assigned on a quarterly basis to team members present for the highest proportion of a surgeon's cases. Surgical efficiency outcomes included time to first incision, procedure duration , and turnover time. Perioperative clinical outcomes included hospital length of stay and 30-day readmission and reoperation rates. Outcomes were compared according to team consistency and assessed via univariate and multivariable analyses. Overall, 11,213 surgical procedures were included. Time to first incision, procedure duration, and turnover time were significantly lower in procedures performed with high-consistency teams (2-3 primary members) versus low-consistency teams (0-1 primary members) (all P <.001). After adjusting for patient-related variables, high-consistency teams were significantly associated with decreased time to first incision (estimate, –2.04 minutes; 95% CI, –2.68 to –1.41 minutes; P <.001) and turnover time (estimate, –7.23 minutes; 95% CI, –9.8 to –4.66 minutes; P <.001). For minimally invasive nephrectomy, high-consistency teams were associated with significantly decreased odds of prolonged hospitalization (odds ratio, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.47-0.84; P =.001). For robotic prostatectomy, high-consistency teams were associated with decreased procedure duration (estimate, –4.55 minutes; 95% CI, –7.48 to –1.62 minutes; P =.002). Highly consistent surgical care teams were associated with improved surgical efficiency and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The presence of renal cell carcinoma within a solitary kidney and vena cava extension presents complex management and surgical decisions for the treating urologist. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case of partial nephrectomy and level II caval thrombectomy within a solitary kidney. Accessory renal veins were identified preoperatively using a three-dimensional, multidetector row computed tomography scan and preserved intraoperatively, allowing complete oncologic resection without compromising renal function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To evaluate clinicopathologic features associated with the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) after radical cystectomy (RC), and determine the underlying organisms responsible for these events.Materials and Methods: We reviewed 1248 patients treated with RC for bladder cancer from 2000 to 2010 at Mayo Clinic. UTIs diagnosed within 90 days of surgery were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of clinicopathologic features with postoperative UTI.Results: UTI was diagnosed in 129 (10.3%) patients within 90 days of RC. Median time to UTI was 22.5 days (interquartile range 14,42). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with a significantly increased UTI risk were diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 2.27; P < .001), receipt of a perioperative blood transfusion (OR 1.58; P = .03), continent urinary diversion (OR 2.17;P < .001), and development of a urine leak (OR 3.42;P < .001). Culture-specific infection data were available for 88 of the patients, with a total of 113 UTIs diagnosed among this cohort. Of these, 36.8% of UTIs were polymicrobial. Drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus were isolated in 45.0% and 12.8% of infections, respectively. Fungal elements were present in 27 (23.9%) cultures, and were the sole organism in 15 (13.3%). No significant differences in microbial distribution or timing of infections were detected between patients who underwent conduit vs continent diversion.Conclusion: We found that diabetes, perioperative blood transfusion, continent diversion, and urine leak were associated with UTI risk following RC. Multiple organisms, drug resistance, and fungal elements were commonly identified, supporting the use of initial broad-spectrum coverage, including consideration of antifungal therapy, upon diagnosis of UTI after RC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intraoperative tranexamic acid (TA), an antifibrinolytic, in reducing perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) for patients undergoing open radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer.Materials and Methods: We instituted a change in our institutional clinical practice starting in April 2013, whereby all patients undergoing open RC were administered intraoperative intravenous TA. Patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or coronary stent insertion within the year prior to RC did not receive TA. Receipt of a PBT, defined as transfusion of red blood cells during RC or within the postoperative hospitalization, and VTE within 30 days of RC were recorded and compared with a matched cohort of patients treated with RC at our center prior to the initiation of TA utilization.Results: A total of 103 patients received TA during open RC between April 2013 and July 2015. These patients were matched 1:2 to historic controls. We found that TA infusion was associated with a significantly decreased rate of PBT, as 32 of 103 (31.1%) patients treated with TA received a PBT, versus 115 of 200 (57.7%) matched controls (P < .0001). Importantly, TA did not significantly increase the rate of perioperative VTE, as 5 patients (4.9%) who received TA were diagnosed with a VTE within 30 days of RC, compared with 6 (3.0%) of the matched controls (P = .52).Conclusion: We noted that the use of intraoperative TA during open RC was associated with a significant reduction in PBT, and did not significantly increase perioperative VTE risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the impact of trainee involvement in surgery on perioperative and oncological outcomes of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC).Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of patients undergoing RC for urothelial carcinoma between 2000 and 2015 at our institution. Trainee level was categorized as fellow, chief, senior and junior residents. Demographic, perioperative and oncological outcomes were recorded and compared between the groups. Specifically, operative time, 30-day complications, severe complications (Clavien III-V) and oncological outcomes (overall, cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival) were assessed.Results: A total of 895 patients were included for study. On multivariable analysis, operative times were 30-40 minutes longer in procedures assisted by junior residents as compared to more senior trainees. Notably, trainee level was not associated with overall or severe complications on multivariable analyses. Similarly, trainee level was not associated with oncologic outcomes.Conclusion: While cases assisted by junior residents had longer operative times, complication rates and oncological outcomes were comparable across trainee groups. Trainee level does not appear to have an impact on perioperative and oncological outcomes of RC for urothelial carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the urologic manifestations of Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD). ECD is a rare multisystem disorder of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. In addition to classic long bone involvement, the retroperitoneum is a well-established site of disease infiltration. Herein, we present the urologic manifestations and outcomes of ECD in a large series of patients. Methods: We identified 47 patients diagnosed with ECD between 1996 and 2012 at our institution. The medical records and imaging for these patients were reviewed for urologic involvement, including perirenal soft tissue encasement, renal atrophy, hydronephrosis, chronic renal insufficiency, diabetes insipidus, and lower urinary tract symptoms. Results: At diagnosis, the median patient age was 57 years (interquartile range 49, 68), and median follow-up after diagnosis was 3 years (interquartile range 1.8, 7.3). There were 31 male patients (66%) and 16 female patients (34%). The majority of these patients (37, 79%) demonstrated evidence of urologic involvement from ECD, requiring urologic surgery in 13 (28%). This urologic involvement included retroperitoneal infiltration (28, 60%), worsening lower tract urinary symptoms from diabetes insipidus (21, 45%), hydronephrosis (10, 21%), and chronic kidney disease (18, 38%). Conclusion: The incidence of urologic involvement with ECD is higher than previously reported in the published data. Urologists should be aware of this disorder, as it might mimic other retroperitoneal diseases and might contribute to lower urinary tract symptoms, hydronephrosis, renal atrophy, and chronic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The natural history of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) is variable and does not always translate into systemic progression or prostate cancer (PCa) death. Objective: To evaluate long-term clinical outcomes of patients with BCR and to determine predictors of disease progression and mortality in these men. Design, setting, and participants: We reviewed our institutional registry of 14 632 patients who underwent RRP between 1990 and 2006 to identify 2426 men with BCR (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] levels ≥0.4ng/ml) who did not receive neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. Median follow-up was 11.5 yr after RRP and 6.6 yr after BCR. Intervention: RRP. Measurements: Patients were grouped into quartiles according to time from RRP to BCR. Survival after BCR was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze clinicopathologic variables associated with systemic progression and death from PCa. Results and limitations: Median systemic progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) had not been reached after 15 yr of follow-up after BCR. Cancer-specific mortality 10 yr after BCR was 9.9%, 9.3%, 7.8%, and 4.7% for patients who experienced BCR <1.2 yr, 1.2–3.1 yr, 3.1–5.9 yr, and >5.9 yr after RRP, respectively (p =0.10). On multivariate analysis, time from RRP to BCR was not significantly associated with the risk of systemic progression (p =0.50) or cancer-specific mortality (p =0.81). Older patient age, increased pathologic Gleason score, advanced tumor stage, and rapid PSA doubling time (DT) predicted systemic progression and death from PCa. Limitations included retrospective design, varied utilization of salvage therapies, and the inclusion of few patients with positive lymph nodes. Conclusions: Only a minority of men experience systemic progression and death from PCa following BCR. The decision to institute secondary therapies must balance the risk of disease progression with the cost and morbidity of treatment, independent of time from RRP to BCR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To assess the impact of decreasing the reading level of hospital dismissal summary information on the number of unplanned patient contacts with providers following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.Methods: A multidisciplinary team revised the hospital dismissal summary given to patients following prostatectomy to decrease the reading level from a 13th grade to seventh grade level. We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing 30-day outcome measures including: patient-initiated telephone calls and online messages, unplanned clinic visits, readmission rates, and emergency department visits pre- and post-intervention. Other perioperative practices remained unchanged between the cohorts.Results: A total of 110 patients were included in the study (pre-intervention n=60, post-intervention n=50). Patient age (P =.72), race (P =.59), marital status (P =.39), and education level (P = 1.0) were similar between the groups. Pre-intervention, 11.7% of patients had a self-reported education lever lower than the 13th grade, compared to 2% of patients post-intervention with an education level at or below the seventh grade. Following revision of the dismissal information, the number of patient-initiated messages (per patient) significantly decreased (mean 2.3 vs 1.4; P =.02). Patients who received the new dismissal information were significantly less likely to have an emergency department visit (20% vs 4%;P = .02). There were no differences in 30-day unplanned office visits (P =.75) or readmissions (P = 1.0).Conclusion: Reducing grade level readability of hospital dismissal information was associated with significantly lower rates of patient-initiated messages and emergency department visits. This intervention represents a valuable opportunity for improving the quality of patient care and decreasing postoperative care burden on the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intraoperative hypothermia (IOH) has been suggested to adversely impact outcomes following surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between IOH and survival following radical cystectomy (RC).Methods: Patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer from 2003 to 2018 were identified in our cystectomy registry. Intraoperative temperatures were extracted from the anesthesia record. IOH was defined as a median intraoperative temperature <36°C, and severe IOH as ≤ 35°C. Time under 36°C was assessed as a continuous variable. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Associations between IOH and outcomes were assessed with multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.Results: A total of 852 patients were identified, among whom 274 (32%) had IOH. Median follow up among survivors was 4.9 years (IQR 2.4-8.7), during which time 483 patients died, including 343 from bladder cancer. Two-year survival was not significantly different between patients with and without IOH (CSS: 74% vs. 71%, P= 0.31; OS: 68% vs. 67%, P= 0.13). Following multivariable adjustment, neither IOH nor time under 36°C was significantly associated with survival. A total of 37 patients (4.3%) had severe IOH. These patients were observed to have significantly lower 2-year OS (56% vs. 68%, P= 0.005); however, this association did not remain statistically significant after multivariable adjustment (P= 0.92).Conclusion: IOH was not independently associated with survival following RC. These data do not support IOH as a prognostic factor for cancer outcomes among patients undergoing RC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To guide management of preoperative hydronephrosis prior to radical cystectomy (RC), we compared post-RC risks of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and ureteroenteric anastomotic complications between ureteral stent and percutaneous nephrostomy tube drainage.Methods: Patients who underwent RC for urothelial carcinoma without a prior diagnosis of UTUC at our institution between 2000 and 2015 were included and divided into 4 patient groups: (1) no hydronephrosis (75%, N = 787); (2) hydronephrosis without preoperative upper tract drainage (13%, N = 132); (3) hydronephrosis treated with nephrostomy tube (3%, N = 36); (4) hydronephrosis treated with ureteral stent (9%, N = 94). The incidence of post-RC UTUC and ureteral complications was compared using Kaplan-Meier analyses and multivariable Cox proportional hazard modeling.Results: We identified a total of 1049 patients who underwent RC (median postoperative follow-up 4.3 years). Five-year post-RC UTUC incidence was 6.6%, 10.2%, 17%, 18.7% for groups 1-4, respectively (P= .13). On multivariable analysis, nephrostomy tube drainage (hazard ratio [HR] 4.10, P = .02) and preoperative ureteral stenting (HR 2.35, P = .04) were both associated with UTUC after RC, but ureteral stenting did not have a significantly higher association with UTUC than nephrostomy tube drainage. Severe hydronephrosis was also associated with development of UTUC (HR 4.03, P = .02). The incidence of ureteroenteric anastomotic complications did not vary by drainage modality.Conclusion: Preoperative hydronephrosis was associated with UTUC after RC, but ureteral stent placement did not increase the risk of UTUC or ureteral complications relative to nephrostomy tube placement. The choice of hydronephrosis drainage pre-RC should not be guided by concern for UTUC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate size exhibits considerable variation among men. Recent evidence from computational, pathologic, and radiologic studies has suggested that enlarged prostates may confer protection against the development of aggressive prostate cancer. In theory, small prostates provide a relatively androgen resistant milieu compared to large prostates, and cancers that develop in smaller glands may be more likely to be androgen resistant and thus aggressive. Nonetheless, the relationship between prostate size and perioperative and oncological outcomes remains uncertain. To address this gap, we studied the association between pathologic prostate specimen weight and perioperative and long-term oncologic outcomes after radical prostatectomy. This study queried the Mayo Clinic's prospectively maintained prostatectomy registry from 1986 to 2017. This study included patients with non-metastatic pathologically confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma and excluded patients that had undergone prior BPH therapy or had previously been taking androgen deprivation therapy. Prostate size was determined using pathologic specimen weight. Prostate sizes were grouped into multiples of 25gm. Multivariable cox analysis evaluated biochemical recurrence after controlling for age, PSA, grade, stage, surgical year, surgical approach, and adjuvant therapy. Using 0-25gm prostates as the reference group, several multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to assess the odds of positive surgical margins, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction at the one-year postoperative mark. In a cohort of 19,160 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, most patients had prostates between 0-50gm (81%), while 13.6%, 3.44%, and 1.80% had prostate sizes of 50-75gm, 75-100gm, and 101+gm, respectively. Patients with larger prostates had higher PSAs and had a lower incidence of positive surgical margins (Table 1). They also had a lower incidence of complete nerve sparing, post-operative potency without medications at 1-year, and post-operative continence at 1-year. On multivariable regression analysis (Figure 1), increasing prostate size was associated with lower risk of positive margins, reduced biochemical recurrence and increased risk of incontinence at 1-year. However, the risk of post-operative impotence at 1-year did not significantly vary by prostate size. Larger prostates had a lower risk of positive surgical margins, and despite adjusting for margin status and other pathological variables, they were associated with a lower risk of biochemical recurrence. There was no significant independent association of prostate size with post-operative functional outcomes. This information can be useful for individualizing surgical counseling. It also supports the hypothesis that smaller prostates developing in a relatively androgen deficient milieu may form more aggressive cancers than those that develop in larger prostates. Further research to understand the biologic basis of this observation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To guide treatment decisions for symptomatic lymphoceles after radical prostatectomy. We examined our experience to create a treatment algorithm.Materials and Methods: We evaluated all patients that underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution from 2003 to 2012. Presenting signs, management and treatment outcomes were evaluated.Results: Of the 8081 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy from 2003 to 2012, we identified 123 (1.5%) patients who developed a symptomatic lymphocele, 70 sterile and 53 infected. Percutaneous aspiration was performed in 26 of 123 (21%) patients, of those, 100% recurred. A drain was placed in 86 of 123 (70%) patients for a median of 13 vs 33 days for the infected and sterile lymphocele groups, respectively (P <.001). The median duration of drainage for sterile lymphoceles was 15 vs 58 days for lymphoceles <10 cm vs ≥10 cm (P <.001). Percutaneous drainage was successful in 93% and 86% of patients with infected and sterile lymphoceles, respectively. Laparoscopic unroofing was performed in 18 sterile lymphocele patients (15%) with a success rate of 94%.Conclusion: Aspiration of symptomatic lymphoceles should be reserved for diagnostic purposes due to a high risk of recurrence. Infected lymphoceles are optimally treated with drain placement and antibiotics, and have excellent resolution rates. While sterile lymphoceles <10 cm can be successfully managed with drain placement, if drainage and sclerotherapy fail, laparoscopic unroofing should be considered. For patients with sterile lymphoceles ≥10 cm there should be a shared decision-making process to weigh the risk of a protracted course if a drain is utilized vs upfront laparoscopic unroofing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-port robotic surgery is being adopted for various surgical procedures. There have been interest in and clinical use of single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (spRARP), but little reported data on feasibility and early outcomes. To describe our institution's initial experience with spRARP utilizing the da Vinci single-port (SP) robotic system. A retrospective review of the initial experience of three high-volume robotic prostate surgeons performing an spRARP utilizing the da Vinci SP robotic system was carried out. An spRARP using the da Vinci SP robotic system was performed following the traditional retropubic or Retzius-sparing approach. Patient demographics, operative time, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, complications, and catheter duration were obtained and analyzed. In a cohort of 49 patients undergoing spRARP, median age was 62 yr and prostate-specific antigen 6.4. Of the patients, 35 (71%) had cT1c disease on presentation, 92% had Gleason grade group ≥2 disease, and 85% were pT2 on final pathology. Median operative time was 161 min. Median blood loss was 200 ml. Seven Retzius-sparing cases were performed. Four Clavien 2 complications occurred (complication rate 8.1%). Median hospital stay was 1 d and median catheter duration 7 d. Operative time was <200 min for all three surgeons by their third case. The da Vinci SP system spRARP is safe and feasible, with acceptable operative time and blood loss. Further research is needed to establish noninferiority to the da Vinci Xi and Si systems, and impact of spRARP on patient-assessed cosmesis and pain. Robotic prostatectomy using a purpose-built da Vinci single-port robotic system is safe and feasible, and warrants further study to determine whether it can improve patient outcomes. Single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy utilizing the da Vinci SP system is safe and feasible, and has an acceptable learning curve. Retropubic and Retzius-sparing approaches can be undertaken with acceptable immediate postoperative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To better understand the safety and diagnostic yield of percutaneous core-needle biopsy (PCNB) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).Methods: Of 444 patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for UTUC between 2009 and 2017 at our institution, 42 who had PCNB prior to RNU were identified for analysis. Endpoints included safety, diagnostic yield, and concordance with RNU pathology. PCNB specimens were deemed histologically concordant with RNU specimens for cases when cytologic evaluation of biopsy specimen and corresponding pathologic evaluation of RNU specimen both made a histologic diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma.Results: Median tumor size was 3.8 cm (1.2-10.2 cm). All lesions arose from the pelvicalyceal system. CT-guidance was utilized in 52% (n = 22), and ultrasound-guidance in 48% (n = 20). Relative to RNU pathology, 95% of PCNBs demonstrated histologic concordance. Histologic grade was provided in 69% (n = 29) of PCNBs, with a 90% (n = 26) concordance with surgical pathology. Grades 1-2 and 3 complications occurred in 14.3% (n = 6) and 2.4% (n = 1), respectively. At a median follow-up of 28.2 months (range, 1.2-97.1 months) after biopsy, no cases of radiographic tract seeding were identified.Conclusion: In our cohort of 42 patients undergoing RNU for UTUC, PCNB appeared a safe diagnostic tool with high histologic yield and grade concordance. With greater than 2 years of follow-up, no cases of tract seeding were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize the frequency and risk factors of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in patients undergoing open radical cystectomy (RC).Methods: We identified 3,285 patients with urothelial carcinoma treated with RC for curative intent between 1980 and 2016. At last follow-up, 72.1% (2,370/3,285) of patients had died, with a median follow-up of 8.6 years (Interquartile Range, (IQR) 3.7, 14.1). PC was defined as any recurrence involving the omentum, small bowel, and mesentery. Overall-specific survival (OSS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier methodology and log-rank test. Risk factors for mortality and recurrence were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression models.Results: One hundred and twenty nine (3.9%) patients were diagnosed with PC, while a total of 1,148 (34.9%) patients experienced recurrence at other sites. Median time to PC vs. other-site recurrence was 1.3 (IQR 1.3, 2.3) and 0.9 (IQR 0.5, 2.1) years, respectively (P= 0.04). Only increasing pathologic stage on multivariable analysis was associated with developing PC (pT1 HR 2.51, 95CI 1.14-5.55, P= 0.02; pT2 OR 2.82, 95CI 1.47-5.43, P= 0.002; pT3+ 2.40, 95CI 1.31-4.42, P= 0.005) over other recurrence patterns. Nodal status and tumor margin status were not associated. Patients with PC experienced worse OSS and CSS than other types of recurrence (P< 0.001).Conclusion: PC was identified in almost 4% of patients undergoing open RC. PC is a rare occurrence after RC and primarily impacts patients with locally advanced disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the predictive ability for oncologic outcomes among current tumor size cut-points and clinically relevant alternatives to determine which are optimal.Methods: Patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy between 1970 and 2010 for T1-2Nx/N0M0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were identified. Associations between tumor size and progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox models. Predictive ability was assessed using c-indexes.Results: The cohort included 3304 patients with a median age of 63 years (interquartile range 53, 70). Median follow-up among survivors was 9.9 years (interquartile range 6.9, 14.3). There were 536 patients who progressed and 354 who died from RCC. For RCC tumors ≤3.0 cm, 10-year PFS and CSS rates were 93%-95% and 97%-99%, respectively. For tumors >3.0-4.0 cm, PFS and CSS began to decline (91% and 95%, respectively), with further gradual declines in PFS and CSS with increasing tumor size. Plots of hazard ratios for progression and RCC death as a function of tumor size did not reveal major inflection points. Differences in discrimination based on various combinations of tumor-size cut-points for progression or RCC death were small, with c-indexes ranging between 0.691-0.704 and 0.734-0.750, respectively.Conclusion: RCC tumors ≤3.0 cm in size are associated with favorable outcomes. Thereafter, risks of progression and RCC death increase gradually with tumor size, with no compelling biological reason to endorse a given cut-point over another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate if adjuvant radiation therapy (ART) is associated with improved long-term oncologic outcomes for pT2N0R1 prostate cancer (PCa).Methods: Men with pT2N0 PCa and a single positive surgical margin following radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were identified (1987-1996). Men who received ART were matched 1:1 to men who did not receive ART based on age, year of surgery, Gleason score, preoperative prostate-specific antigen, site of positive surgical margin, and DNA ploidy. Biochemical recurrence (BCR), local recurrence, distant metastasis, and overall survival (OS) were compared between groups in time-to-event analyses.Results: The cohort included 152 men (76 per group) with a median follow-up of 20 years (interquartile range 19,22). ART was associated with a lower cumulative incidence of BCR (25% vs 52%; P <.001) and local recurrence (3% vs 12%; P = .03), but no significant differences in cumulative incidence of distant metastasis (10% vs 7%; P = .44) or in probability of OS (56% vs 68%; P = .08) at 20 years. In competing risks models, receipt of ART was associated with reduced risks of BCR (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.70; P <.001) and local recurrence (HR = 0.21; 95% CI .05-0.98; P = .05), but not distant metastasis (HR = 1.56; 95% CI 0.51-4.75; P = .43). In the Cox model, ART was not associated with improved OS (HR = 1.56; 95% CI 0.94-2.57; P = .08).Conclusion: ART was associated with reduced risks of BCR and local recurrence for men with pT2N0R1 PCa. However, ART was not significantly associated with metastasis-free or OS benefits, as recurrences in these patients generally followed an indolent trajectory with 20 years of median follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While it has been demonstrated that receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before radical cystectomy (RC) improves survival compared to RC alone, the driving factor for this benefit may be from patients with ypT0 status at surgery. Meanwhile, the implications of having residual urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (rUCB) at RC after NAC are less clear. We therefore evaluated whether survival differed between patients with rUCB at RC after NAC and stage-matched controls who underwent RC alone. Patients who underwent NAC + RC ( n = 180) were matched to controls who underwent RC alone ( n = 324) on the basis of pT and pN stage, margin status, and year of RC. The 5-yr recurrence-free survival (RFS; 90% vs 94%; p = 1), cancer-specific survival (CSS; 82% vs 93%; p = 0.4), and overall survival (OS; 82% vs 82%; p = 0.5) were not significantly different between the NAC and control groups for patients with ypT0N0/pT0N0 disease ( n = 103). Conversely, among patients with rUCB at RC ( n = 401), patients who received NAC had significantly worse 5-yr RFS (50% vs 63%; p = 0.01), CSS (40% vs 59%; p = 0.003), and OS (33% vs 48%; p = 0.02). On multivariable analysis for patients with rUCB, NAC receipt remained independently associated with worse RFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–2.66; p = 0.001), CSS (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.30–2.52; p < 0.001), and OS (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.18–2.08; p = 0.002). Limitations include potential for selection bias owing to the retrospective observational design. Thus, while patients who achieve a complete response to NAC have excellent survival outcomes, those with rUCB after NAC have a worse prognosis compared to stage-matched controls undergoing RC alone. It may be worthwhile considering these patients for clinical trials evaluating the role of additional treatments after RC using newer agents while we await further research on predicting which patients achieve ypT0 status from NAC before RC. Patient summary On surgical removal of the bladder, patients without residual bladder cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy have excellent survival outcomes. However, patients with residual cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery have worse outcomes compared to patients undergoing surgery alone. These patients should therefore be considered for additional treatments after surgery using newer agents while we await further research on predicting which patients will benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy before bladder removal for cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background It is uncertain whether lymph node dissection (LND) provides a therapeutic benefit in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Objective To evaluate the association of LND with oncologic outcomes among patients undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN) for nonmetastatic RCC. Design, setting, and participants A retrospective cohort study of 1797 patients treated with RN for M0 RCC between 1990 and 2010, including 606 (34%) who underwent LND. Intervention RN with or without LND. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The associations of LND with the development of distant metastases, cancer-specific mortality (CSM), and all-cause mortality (ACM) were evaluated using 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching, adjustment for/stratification by PS quintile, and inverse probability weighting. Cox models were used to evaluate the association of the number of lymph nodes removed with oncologic outcomes. Results and limitations A total of 111 (6.2%) patients were pN1. The median follow-up after surgery was 10.6 yr. Following PS adjustment, there were no significant differences in clinicopathologic features between patients with and without LND. In the overall cohort, LND was not significantly associated with a reduced risk of distant metastases, CSM, or ACM. Moreover, LND was not associated with improved oncologic outcomes even among patients at increased risk of pN1 disease, including those with preoperative radiographic lymphadenopathy, or across increasing threshold probabilities for pN1 disease from 0.05 to 0.50. Among patients who underwent LND, the extent of LND was not significantly associated with the development of distant metastases, CSM, or ACM. Limitations include the retrospective design. Conclusions We did not identify an oncologic benefit to LND in the overall cohort or among patients at increased risk of nodal disease. These findings do not support a therapeutic benefit to LND in patients with M0 RCC. Patient summary Lymph node dissection does not appear to provide a therapeutic benefit in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Management of recurrent prostate cancer (CaP) after radiotherapy (RT) is dependent on accurate localization of the site of recurrent disease. Objective To describe the anatomic patterns and clinical features associated with CaP recurrence following RT identified on advanced imaging. Design, setting, and participants Retrospective review of 184 patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after RT for CaP. Intervention C-11 choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CholPET). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Recurrence patterns were classified as pelvic soft tissue only (as a surrogate for potentially salvageable disease) versus any extrapelvic disease, and clinical features were compared between patterns. Multivariable logistic regression was used to generate a predictive nomogram for extrapelvic recurrence. Discrimination was assessed with a c -index. Results and limitations Recurrence site was identified in 161 (87%) patients, with 95 (59%) sites histologically confirmed. Factors associated with the detection of recurrence included the difference between PSA nadir and PSA at CholPET (odds ratio: 1.30, p < 0.01) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network high-risk classification (odds ratio: 10.83, p = 0.03). One hundred (54.3%) patients recurred in the pelvic soft tissue only, while 61 (33%) had extrapelvic recurrence. Of 21 patients who underwent CholPET prior to meeting the Phoenix criteria of biochemical failure, 15 (71%) had recurrence identified on CholPET with 11 localized to the pelvis. On multivariable analysis, the difference between PSA nadir and PSA at CholPET, time from RT, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk group were predictive of recurrence outside of the pelvis, and a nomogram was generated with a c -index of 0.79. Conclusions CholPET identified the site of recurrence in 87% of patients with a rising PSA after RT; most commonly within the pelvis in potentially salvageable locations. A predictive nomogram was generated, and pending external validation, this may aid in assessing the risk of disease beyond the pelvis. These findings underscore the importance of advanced imaging when considering management strategies for patients with a rising PSA following primary RT. Patient summary We identified anatomic patterns of recurrence in patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen after radiotherapy using C-11 choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Most recurrences were localized to the pelvis and we were able to generate a tool to aid in disease localization prior to evaluation with advanced imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the association of ABO blood type with clinicopathologic outcomes and mortality among patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder treated with radical cystectomy (RC).Patients and Methods: We identified 2,086 consecutive patients who underwent RC between 1980 and 2008. Postoperative recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association of ABO blood type with outcomes.Results: A total of 913 (44%), 881 (42%), 216 (10%), and 76 (4%) patients had blood type O, A, B, and AB, respectively. Median postoperative follow-up among survivors was 11.0 years (interquartile range: 7.7-15.9y). Overall, 1,561 patients died, with 770 deaths attributable to bladder cancer. Non-O blood type was associated with significantly worse 5-year RFS (65% vs. 69%; P = 0.04) and/or CSS (64% vs. 70%; P = 0.02). In particular, among patients with≤pT2N0 disease, the 5-year RFS for those with non-O vs. O blood type was 75% vs. 82%, respectively (P = 0.002), whereas the 5-year CSS was 77% vs. 85%, respectively (P = 0.001). Moreover, on multivariable analysis, blood type A remained independently associated with an increased risk of cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratio = 1.22; P = 0.01).Conclusions: Non-O blood type, particularly blood type A, is associated with a significantly increased risk of death from bladder cancer among patients undergoing RC. If validated, the utility of a multimodal therapy approach, including perioperative chemotherapy, or more frequent postoperative surveillance in this cohort warrants further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Telemedicine in an ambulatory surgical population remains incompletely evaluated. Objective To investigate patient encounters in the outpatient setting using video visit (VV) technology compared to traditional office visits (OVs). Design, setting, and participants From June 2013 to March 2014, 55 prescreened men with a history of prostate cancer were prospectively randomized. VVs, with the patient at home or at work, were included in the outpatient clinic calendar of urologists. Intervention Remote VV versus traditional OV. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis An equivalence analysis was used to assess the primary outcome, visit efficiency as measured by time studies. Secondary outcomes were patient/provider satisfaction and costs. Results and limitations There were 28 VVs and 27 OVs. VVs were equivalent in efficiency to relative to OVs, as measured by patient–provider face time (mean 14.5 vs 14.3 min; p = 0.96), patient wait time (18.4 vs 13.0 min; p = 0.20), and total time devoted to care (17.9 vs 17.8 min; p = 0.97). There were no significant differences in patient perception of visit confidentiality, efficiency, education quality, or overall satisfaction. VVs incurred lower costs, including distance traveled (median 0 vs 95 miles), travel time (0 vs 95 min), missed work (0 vs 1 d), and money spent on travel ($0 vs $48; all p < 0.0001). There was a high level of urologist satisfaction for both VVs (88%) and OVs (90%). The major limitation was sample size. Conclusions VV in the ambulatory postprostatectomy setting may have a future role in health care delivery models. We found equivalent efficiency, similar satisfaction, but significantly reduced patient costs for VV compared to OV. Further prospective analyses are warranted. Patient summary Among men with surgically treated prostate cancer, we evaluated the utility of remote video visits compared to office visits for outpatient consultation with a urologist. Video visits were associated with equivalent efficiency, similar satisfaction, and significantly lower patient costs when compared to office visits. We conclude that video visits may have a future role in health care delivery models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The presence of a positive surgical margin (PSM) at radical prostatectomy (RP) has been linked to an increased risk of biochemical recurrence and receipt of secondary therapy; however, its association with other oncologic end points remains controversial. Objective To evaluate the association of primary Gleason grade (GG) at the site of PSM with subsequent clinical progression and mortality among patients with Gleason score (GS) 7 prostate cancer (PCa). Design, setting, and participants We identified 1036 patients who underwent RP between 1996 and 2002. A single uropathologist re-reviewed all specimens noted to have a PSM to record GG at the margin. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox models were used to analyze the association of margin primary GG with outcome. Results and limitations Overall, 338 men (33%) had a PSM; of those, 242 had PSM GG3 and 96 had PSM GG4. Median postoperative follow-up was 13 yr. Compared with men with PSM GG3 or a negative SM, we noted that men with PSM GG4 had significantly worse 15-yr systemic progression-free survival (74% vs 90% vs 93%, respectively; p < 0.001) and cancer-specific survival (86% vs 96% vs 97%, respectively; p = 0.002). On multivariable analysis, the presence of PSM GG4 was associated with increased risks of systemic progression (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.77; p = 0.003) and death from PCa (HR: 3.93; p = 0.02) among men with a PSM. Limitations include the relatively small rate of disease recurrence. Conclusions PSM primary GG4 was independently associated with adverse oncologic outcomes among men with GS7 PCa. Pending external validation, GG at the PSM may be considered for inclusion in pathologic reports and risk stratification following RP. Patient summary Among patients with Gleason grade 7 prostate cancer and a positive surgical margin at the time of prostatectomy, we found that higher Gleason grade at the margin was associated with worse oncologic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation that has been associated with adverse survival in a variety of malignancies. However, the relationship between NLR and oncologic outcomes following radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) has not been well studied. Objective To evaluate the association of preoperative NLR with clinicopathologic outcomes following RC. Design, setting, and participants We identified 899 patients who underwent RC without neoadjuvant therapy at our institution between 1994 and 2005 and who had a pretreatment NLR. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Preoperative NLR (within 90 d prior to RC) was recorded. Recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of NLR with clinicopathologic outcomes. Results and limitations Median postoperative follow-up was 10.9 yr (interquartile range: 8.3–13.9 yr). Higher preoperative NLR was associated with significantly increased risks of pathologic, extravesical tumor extension (odds ratio [OR]: 1.07; p = 0.03) and lymph node involvement (OR: 1.09; p = 0.02). Univariately, 10-yr cancer-specific survival was significantly worse among patients with a preoperative NLR (≥2.7 [51%] vs <2.7 [64%]; p < 0.001). Moreover, on multivariate analysis, increased preoperative NLR was independently associated with greater risks of disease recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.04; p = 0.02), death from bladder cancer (HR: 1.04; p = 0.01), and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.03; p = 0.01). Conclusions Elevated preoperative NLR among patients undergoing RC is associated with significantly increased risk for locally advanced disease as well as subsequent disease recurrence, and cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. These data suggest that serum NLR may be a useful prognostic marker for preoperative patient risk stratification, including consideration for neoadjuvant therapy and clinical trial enrollment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an indicator of the systemic inflammatory response. An increased pretreatment NLR has been associated with adverse outcomes in other malignancies, but its role in localized (M0) clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. As such, we evaluated the ability of preoperative NLR to predict oncologic outcomes in patients with M0 ccRCC undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN). Methods and materials From 1995 to 2008, 952 patients underwent RN for M0 ccRCC. Of these, 827 (87%) had pretreatment NLR collected within 90 days before RN. Metastasis-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate models were used to analyze the association of NLR with clinicopathologic outcomes. Results At a median follow-up of 9.3 years, 302, 233, and 436 patients had distant metastasis, death from ccRCC, and all-cause mortality, respectively. Higher NLR was associated with larger tumor size, higher nuclear grade, histologic tumor necrosis, and sarcomatoid differentiation (all, P <0.001). A NLR≥4.0 was significantly associated with worse 5-year cancer-specific (66% vs. 85%) and overall survival (66% vs. 85%). Finally, after controlling for clinicopathologic features, NLR remained independently associated with risks of death from ccRCC and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for 1-unit increase: 1.02, P < 0.01). Conclusions Our results suggest that NLR is independently associated with increased risks of cancer-specific and all-cause mortality among patients with M0 ccRCC undergoing RN. Accordingly, NLR, an easily obtained marker of biologically aggressive ccRCC, may be useful in preoperative patient risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the association of blood type (non-O vs O) with venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. Methods: From 1980 to 2005, we identified 2076 consecutive patients with RC for whom blood type was available in 2008 (96.7%). We evaluated the association of blood type with postoperative VTE using logistic regression, controlling for patient age, tumor, and nodal stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, body-mass index (BMI), and number of lymph nodes removed at surgery. Results: A total of 865 of 2076 patients (41.7%) had O blood type, 1143 (55.0%) were non-O, and 68 (3.3%) were missing. Median follow-up was 11.1 years, during which time VTE developed in 216 patients (10.4%). No significant differences were noted between those with O vs non-O blood type regarding patient age (median 69 years vs 69, P = .87), ECOG (P = .69), BMI (median 27.5 vs 28.1, P = .12), tumor stage (P = .97), pN+ status (15.6% vs 15.2%, P = .79), or number of nodes removed (median 9 vs 8, P = .43). On multivariate analysis, non-O blood type was associated with a nearly two-fold increased risk of VTE (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85, P = .007). Conclusion: Non-O blood type was independently associated with an increased risk of VTE after RC. These patients should be counseled accordingly, and may benefit from increased perioperative prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: With health technology innovation responsible for higher health care costs, it is essential to have accurate estimates regarding the differential costs between robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and open radical prostatectomy (ORP). Objective: To describe the total hospitalization costs attributable to robotic and open surgery for radical prostatectomy (RP). Design, setting, and participants: Using a population-based cohort by merging the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) survey from 2006 to 2008, we identified 29 837 prostate cancer patients who underwent RP. Interventions: ORP and RARP. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The primary outcome was total hospitalization costs adjusted to year 2008 US dollars. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with total hospitalization costs and to estimate costs of ORP and RARP adjusted for case mix and hospital teaching status, location, and annual case volume. Results and limitations: Overall, 20 424 (68.5%) patients were surgically treated with RARP, and 9413 (31.5%) patients underwent ORP. Compared to ORP, patients undergoing RARP had shorter median length of stay (1 d vs 2 d; p <0.001) and were less likely to experience any postoperative complications (8.2% vs 11.3%; p <0.001). However, patients undergoing RARP had higher median hospitalization costs ($10409 vs $8862; p <0.001). After adjusting for patient and hospital features, RARP was associated with higher total hospitalization costs compared to ORP ($11932 vs $9390; p <0.001). Our results are limited by a study design using retrospective population-based data. Conclusions: Despite RARP having lower complications and shorter length of stay than ORP, total hospitalization costs are higher for patients treated with RARP compared with those treated with ORP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: While the receipt of a perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) has been associated with an increased risk of mortality for a number of malignancies, the relationship between PBT and survival following radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BCa) has not been well established. Objective: To evaluate the association of PBT with disease recurrence and mortality following RC. Design, setting, and participants: We identified 2060 patients who underwent RC at the Mayo Clinic between 1980 and 2005. PBT was defined as transfusion of allogenic red blood cells during RC or postoperative hospitalization. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and was compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the association of PBT with outcome, controlling for clinicopathologic variables. Results and limitations: A total of 1279 patients (62%) received PBT. The median number of units transfused was 2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2–4). Patients receiving PBT were significantly older (median: 69 yr vs 66 yr; p <0.0001), had a worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (p <0.0001), and were more likely to have muscle-invasive tumors (56% vs 49%; p =0.004). Median postoperative follow-up was 10.9 yr (IQR: 7.9–15.7). Receipt of PBT was associated with significantly worse 5-yr recurrence-free survival (58% vs 64%; p =0.01), cancer-specific survival (59% vs 72%; p <0.001), and overall survival (45% vs 63%; p <0.001). On multivariate analyses, PBT remained associated with significantly increased risks of postoperative tumor recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.20; p =0.04), death from BCa (HR: 1.31; p =0.003), and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.27; p =0.0002). Among patients who received PBT, an increasing number of units transfused was independently associated with increased cancer-specific mortality (HR: 1.07; p <0.0001) and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.05; p <0.0001). Limitations include selection bias and lack of standardized transfusion criteria. Conclusions: We found that PBT is associated with significantly increased risks of cancer recurrence and mortality following RC. While external validation is required, continued efforts to reduce the use of blood products in these patients are warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]