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Introduction:With more than 3,500 artificial urinary sphincters placed annually in the United States a significant cost burden is associated with overnight observation following surgery. We...

Summary Men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer (PC) are increasingly electing active surveillance (AS) as their initial management strategy. While this may reduce the side effects of treatment for PC, many men on AS eventually convert to active treatment. PC is one of the most heritable cancers, and genetic factors that predispose to aggressive tumors may help distinguish men who are more likely to discontinue AS. To investigate this, we undertook a multi-institutional genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 5,222 PC patients and 1,139 other patients from replication cohorts, all of whom initially elected AS and were followed over time for the potential outcome of conversion from AS to active treatment. In the GWAS we detected 18 variants associated with conversion, 15 of which were not previously associated with PC risk. With a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS), we found two genes associated with conversion (MAST3, p = 6.9 × 10−7 and GAB2, p = 2.0 × 10−6). Moreover, increasing values of a previously validated 269-variant genetic risk score (GRS) for PC was positively associated with conversion (e.g., comparing the highest to the two middle deciles gave a hazard ratio [HR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.94–1.36); whereas decreasing values of a 36-variant GRS for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were positively associated with conversion (e.g., comparing the lowest to the two middle deciles gave a HR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04–1.50). These results suggest that germline genetics may help inform and individualize the decision of AS—or the intensity of monitoring on AS—versus treatment for the initial management of patients with low-risk PC., Genetic factors may distinguish who should receive active surveillance (AS) versus treatment following prostate cancer diagnosis. We undertook the first study to investigate this and report novel variants, genes, and risk scores associated with AS outcomes. These findings could help inform and individualize the decision of AS.

Computerized tomography urography is used to evaluate patients with gross or microscopic hematuria. Computerized tomography urography is a high radiation dose scan and, thus, it confers a higher risk of secondary malignancy. A computerized tomography urography split bolus protocol reduces radiation exposure but it may reduce sensitivity. In this study we used a theoretical cohort of patients with hematuria in which to model the risk of missing malignancies against the benefit of averting secondary malignancies.We calculated the prevalence of renal cell carcinoma and upper tract urothelial carcinoma in patients with hematuria by pooled analysis of cohort studies, which in conjunction with split bolus sensitivity allows for the estimation of missed malignancies. The number of prevented secondary malignancies was calculated from lifetime attributable risk estimates. Sensitivity analyses were run to determine the minimum sensitivity required for a net population benefit.Estimates of split bolus computerized tomography urography sensitivity ranged from 80% to 100% (mean 95.2%). At the low estimate of 80% sensitivity split bolus computerized tomography urography was beneficial in men and women with microscopic hematuria at ages less than 50 and less than 60 years, respectively. An increase in sensitivity to 90% improved the benefit 1 decade in each gender, representing 68.8% of patients with microscopic hematuria. The overall population of patients with microscopic hematuria benefited from split bolus computerized tomography urography at 91.1% sensitivity. However, in patients with gross hematuria the threshold for an overall population benefit was high at 98.4% sensitivity.Exposure to ionizing radiation risks causing secondary malignancy. These data indicate that split bolus computerized tomography urography may be performed safely in 70% of the population of patients with microscopic hematuria. However, it is not currently advisable in patients with gross hematuria or in other patients at high risk.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:The majority of patients undergoing insertion of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) are discharged with a course of oral antibiotics postoperatively. This practice is ...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) insertion is the most effective treatment for moderate to severe incontinence in men. With over 3500 devices placed annually in the Un...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:Many urologic conditions are chronic, and leftover opiates are often kept due to concern for recurrent disease-specific pain. Opiates leftover from surgery are an import...