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Objective To evaluate temporal trends in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) utilisation and outcomes in patients with locally advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Patients and methods We included 289 patients from seven hospitals who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for locally advanced UTUC (≥cT3 or cN+) between 2000 and 2020. These patients received RNU alone or two to four courses of NAC with either a cisplatin- or carboplatin-based regimen. We evaluated the temporal changes in NAC use and compared the visceral recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival rates. The effect of NAC on oncological outcomes was examined using multivariate Cox regression analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) models. Results Of 289 patients, 144 underwent NAC followed by RNU (NAC group) and 145 underwent RNU alone (Control [Ctrl] group). NAC use increased significantly from 19% (2006-2010), 58% (2011-2015), to 79% (2016-2020). Pathological downstaging was significantly higher in the NAC group than in the Ctrl group. The IPTW-adjusted multivariable analyses showed that NAC significantly improved the oncological outcomes in the NAC group compared with the Ctrl group. Moreover, carboplatin-based NAC significantly improved the oncological outcomes in the NAC group compared with the Ctrl group among patients with chronic kidney disease Stage ≥3. There were no significant differences in oncological outcomes between the cisplatin- and carboplatin-based regimens. Conclusions The use of NAC for high-risk UTUC increased significantly after 2010. Platinum-based short-term NAC followed by immediate RNU may not impede and potentially improves oncological outcomes.

This study compared real-world outcomes of metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or nivolumab plus ipilimumab. Using the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC), we retrospectively evaluated intermediate- and poor-risk mRCC patients who were treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab (Nivo-Ipi), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as the first-line therapy between August 2015 and January 2020. We compared oncological outcomes between the Nivo-Ipi group and TKIs group using multivariate logistic regression analysis with the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method. In this study 278 patients were included. There were 52 and 226 patients in the Nivo-Ipi and TKIs groups (sunitinib 97, axitinib 118, sorafenib 9, pazopanib 2), respectively. The median age in the Nivo-Ipi and TKIs groups were 69 and 67 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in age, performance status, history of nephrectomy, and the IMDC risk group distribution between the groups. The objective response rate was significantly higher in the Nivo-Ipi group (38%) than in the TKIs group (23%, P = 0.018). The IPTW-adjusted Cox regression analysis showed that a significantly longer progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.60, P = 0.039) and overall survival (hazard ratio 0.51, P = 0.037) rates in the Nivo-Ipi group than those in the TKIs group. The oncological outcomes of patients receiving the first-line therapy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab in real-world practice were significantly improved in comparison with first-line TKIs therapy.

We investigated the effect of upfront intensive therapy on primary resistance in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) in real-world practice. We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 348 patients with newly diagnosed mCSPC who had a high tumor-burden between January 2008 and May 2021. We compared the oncological outcomes between patients who received conventional androgen deprivation therapy ± bicalutamide (ADT group) and those treated with upfront intensive therapies (upfront group). The primary purpose was comparing the rate of primary resistance between the ADT and upfront groups. The primary resistance was defined as a castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) progression

Objectives To investigate the efficacy and safety of first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab for patients treated with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 52 metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients who were treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab between August 2015 and January 2020. Data on patient characteristics, treatment parameters and adverse events were obtained. Oncological outcomes were assessed according to the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium prognostic model. Furthermore, differences in treatment parameters between patients with objective response (responders) and non-responders were compared. Results The median age and follow-up periods were 69 years and 8.2 months, respectively. The 1-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 55% and 75%, respectively. The objective response rate was 39%, and it was significantly different between the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium intermediate- and poor-risk groups (52% vs 24%). We observed 36 (69%) any immune-related adverse events, and 19 (37%) severe immune-related adverse events (grades III-V). The International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium poor-risk group and higher value of initial C-reactive protein (≥1.0 mg/dL) were significantly associated with non-responders. Patients with two factors (the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium poor-risk group plus C-reactive protein ≥1.0 mg/dL) had a significantly poor overall survival than those with none or a single factor. Conclusions In our experience, treatment response to nivolumab plus ipilimumab is comparable with that of the CheckMate 214 clinical trial, but the incidence of treatment-related adverse events is lower. The International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium poor-risk group and initial C-reactive protein value might have a prognostic value for poor survival.

The impact of nail abnormalities on prognosis in hemodialysis patients is unknown. This study investigated whether toenail opacity as a readout of nail abnormalities predicted prognosis in hemodialysis patients. In this observational study, 494 eligible hemodialysis patients who received hemodialysis at Oyokyo Kidney Research Institute between September 2010 and December 2015 were included. The presence of nail abnormalities was objectively evaluated by big toenail opacity ratio measurement. Primary endpoint was overall survival, and secondary endpoints were lower limb amputation and determination of risk factors for poor prognosis among patient demographics, comorbidities, blood tests, and big toenail opacity. Overall survival and lower limb survival were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method with log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analyses assessed predictors for poor prognosis. Big toenail opacity was found in 259 (52%) patients. Patients with big toenail opacity were significantly older, had shorter duration of dialysis, higher prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and higher mortality rates than those without opacity. Presence of big toenail opacity predicted poor prognosis for both overall and lower limb survival. Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed serum albumin, the presence of DM and big toenail opacity were independent risk factors for both poor overall and lower limb survivals. The prevalence of big toenail opacity was high in hemodialysis patients. Despite the short observation period, our findings indicated that big toenail opacity had significant predictive power for poor overall and lower limb survival.

// Shogo Hosogoe 1 , Shingo Hatakeyama 1 , Ayumu Kusaka 1 , Itsuto Hamano 1 , Yoshimi Tanaka 1 , Kazuhisa Hagiwara 1 , Hideaki Hirai 2 , Satoko Morohashi 2 , Hiroshi Kijima 2 , Hayato Yamamoto 1 , Yuki Tobisawa 1 , Tohru Yoneyama 3 , Takahiro Yoneyama 1 , Yasuhiro Hashimoto 3 , Takuya Koie 1 and Chikara Ohyama 1, 3 1 Department of Urology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan 2 Department of Pathology and Bioscience, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan 3 Department of Advanced Transplant and Regenerative Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan Correspondence to: Shingo Hatakeyama, email: shingoh@hirosaki-u.ac.jp Keywords: renal cell carcinoma, presurgical therapy, axitinib, radiological response Received: March 29, 2017 Accepted: May 04, 2017 Published: May 17, 2017 ABSTRACT Background and Objective: A quantitative tumor response evaluation to molecular-targeting agents in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is debatable. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between radiologic tumor response and pathological response in patients with advanced RCC who underwent presurgical therapy. Results: Of 34 patients, 31 underwent scheduled radical nephrectomy. Presurgical therapy agents included axitinib ( n = 26), everolimus ( n = 3), sunitinib ( n = 1), and axitinib followed by temsirolimus ( n = 1). The major presurgical treatment-related adverse event was grade 2 or 3 hypertension (44%). The median radiologic tumor response by RECIST, Choi, and CMER were −19%, −24%, and −49%, respectively. Among the radiologic tumor response tests, CMER showed a higher association with tumor necrosis in surgical specimens than others. Ki67/MIB1 status was significantly decreased in surgical specimens than in biopsy specimens. The magnitude of the slope of the regression line associated with the tumor necrosis percentage was greater in CMER than in Choi and RECIST. Materials and Methods: Between March 2012 and December 2016, we prospectively enrolled 34 locally advanced and/or metastatic RCC who underwent presurgical molecular-targeting therapy followed by radical nephrectomy. Primary endpoint was comparison of radiologic tumor response among Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), Choi, and contrast media enhancement reduction (CMER). Secondary endpoint included pathological downstaging, treatment related adverse events, postoperative complications, Ki67/MIB1 status, and tumor necrosis. Conclusions: CMER may predict tumor response after presurgical molecular-targeting therapy. Larger prospective studies are needed to develop an optimal tumor response evaluation for molecular-targeting therapy.

// Ayumu Kusaka 1 , Shingo Hatakeyama 1 , Shogo Hosogoe 1 , Itsuto Hamano 1 , Hiromichi Iwamura 1 , Naoki Fujita 1 , Ken Fukushi 1 , Takuma Narita 1 , Kazuhisa Hagiwara 1 , Hayato Yamamoto 1 , Yuki Tobisawa 1 , Tohru Yoneyama 2 , Takahiro Yoneyama 1 , Yasuhiro Hashimoto 2 , Takuya Koie 1 , Hiroyuki Ito 3 , Kazuaki Yoshikawa 4 , Toshiaki Kawaguchi 5 and Chikara Ohyama 1, 2 1 Department of Urology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan 2 Department of Advanced Transplant and Regenerative Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan 3 Department of Urology, Aomori Rosai Hospital, Hachinohe, Japan 4 Department of Urology, Mutsu General Hospital, Mutsu, Japan 5 Department of Urology, Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital, Aomori, Japan Correspondence to: Shingo Hatakeyama, email: shingoh@hirosaki-u.ac.jp Keywords: medical cost, radical cystectomy, recurrence, screening, surveillance Received: March 07, 2017 Accepted: June 20, 2017 Published: July 06, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: The recurrence risk stratification and the cost effectiveness of oncological surveillance after radical cystectomy are not clear. We aimed to develop a risk stratification and a surveillance protocol with improved cost effectiveness after radical cystectomy. Results: Of 581 enrolled patients, 175 experienced disease recurrences. The pathology-based protocol presented significant differences in recurrence-free survival between normal- and high-risk patients, but the medical expense was high, especially in normal-risk (≤pT2pN0) patients. Cox regression analysis identified six factors associated with recurrence-free survival. Risk score-based 5-year follow-up was significantly more cost effective than the pathology-based protocol. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 581 patients with radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer at 4 hospitals. Patients with routine oncological follow-up were stratified into normal- and high-risk groups by a pathology-based protocol utilizing pT, pN, lymphovascular invasion, and histology. Cost effectiveness of the pathology-based protocol was evaluated and a risk-score-based protocol was developed to optimize cost effectiveness. Risk-scores were calculated by summing risk factors independently associated with recurrence-free survival. Patients were stratified by low-, intermediate-, and high-risk score. Estimated cost per one recurrence detection by the pathology and by risk-scores were compared. Conclusions: Risk-score-stratified surveillance protocol has potential to reduce over-evaluation after radical cystectomy without adverse effects on medical cost.

// Itsuto Hamano 1 , Shingo Hatakeyama 1 , Hiromichi Iwamura 1 , Naoki Fujita 1 , Ken Fukushi 1 , Takuma Narita 1 , Kazuhisa Hagiwara 1 , Ayumu Kusaka 1 , Shogo Hosogoe 1 , Hayato Yamamoto 1 , Yuki Tobisawa 1 , Tohru Yoneyama 2 , Takahiro Yoneyama 1 , Yasuhiro Hashimoto 2 , Takuya Koie 1 , Hiroyuki Ito 3 , Kazuaki Yoshikawa 4 , Toshiaki Kawaguchi 5 and Chikara Ohyama 1, 2 1 Department of Urology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan 2 Department of Advanced Transplant and Regenerative Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan 3 Department of Urology, Aomori Rosai Hospital, Hachinohe, Japan 4 Department of Urology, Mutsu General Hospital, Mutsu, Japan 5 Department of Urology, Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital, Aomori, Japan Correspondence to: Shingo Hatakeyama, email: shingoh@hirosaki-u.ac.jp Keywords: bladder cancer, radical cystectomy, survival, chronic kidney disease, renal function Received: March 17, 2017 Accepted: April 17, 2017 Published: May 29, 2017 ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of preoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) on oncologic outcomes in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients who underwent radical cystectomy. Methods: A total of 581 patients who underwent radical cystectomy at four medical centers between January 1995 and February 2017 were examined retrospectively. We investigated oncologic outcomes, including progression-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival (PFS, CSS, and OS, respectively) stratified by preoperative CKD status (pre-CKD vs. non-CKD). We performed a Cox proportional hazards regression analysis using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to evaluate the impact of preoperative CKD on prognosis and developed the prognostic factor-based risk stratification nomogram. Results: Of the 581 patients, 215 (37%) were diagnosed with CKD before radical cystectomy. Before the background adjustment, PFS, CSS, and OS after radical cystectomy were significantly lower in the pre-CKD group compared to the non-CKD group. Background-adjusted IPTW analysis showed that preoperative CKD was significantly associated with poor PFS, CSS, and OS after radical cystectomy. The nomogram for predicting 5-year PFS and OS probability showed significant correlation with actual PFS and OS ( c -index = 0.73 and 0.77, respectively). Conclusions: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients with preoperative CKD had a significantly lower survival probability than those without CKD.

Background Although aortic calcification has a significant negative impact on prognosis in patients on hemodialysis (HD), risk factors for aortic calcification progression remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between malnutrition and aortic calcification progression in patients on HD. Methods Between April 2015 and October 2016, we treated 232 patients on HD. Of those, we retrospectively evaluated data from 184 patients who had had regular blood tests and computed tomography (CT) scans. The abdominal aortic calcification index (ACI) was quantitatively measured by abdominal CT. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). A normalized treatment ratio of functional urea clearance was evaluated by Kt/V. The difference in ACI values between 2015 and 2016 was evaluated as a ΔACI, and patients were stratified into two groups according to ΔACI value: high (≥75th percentile, ΔACI-high group) and low (

Backgrounds Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can be associated with vascular calcification in patients undergoing dialysis through hypomagnesemia. However, only few studies have demonstrated the influence of PPIs on vascular calcification in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). This study aimed to investigate whether the use of PPIs accelerates vascular calcification in patients on HD. Materials and methods We retrospectively evaluated 200 HD patients who underwent regular blood tests and computed tomography (CT) between 2016 and 2017. The abdominal aortic calcification index (ACI) was measured using abdominal CT. The difference in the ACI values between 2016 and 2017 was evaluated as ΔACI. Patients were divided into PPI and non-PPI groups, and variables, such as patient background, medication, laboratory data, and ΔACI were compared. Factors independently associated with higher ΔACI progression (≥ third tertile value of ΔACI in this study) were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The PPI and non-PPI groups had 112 (56%) and 88 (44%) patients, respectively. Median and third tertile value of ΔACIs were 4.2% and 5.8%, respectively. Serum magnesium was significantly lower in the PPI (2.1 mg/dL) than in the non-PPI (2.3 mg/dL) group (P

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is an alpha-glycoprotein found in the nervous system and liver. Its serum level is reduced in many clinical conditions, such as liver damage, inflammation, injury, infection, malnutrition, and malignant disease. In this study, we analyzed the potential prognostic significance of preoperative BChE levels in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). We retrospectively evaluated 535 patients with PCa who underwent RP from 1996−2014 at a single institution. Serum BChE was routinely measured in all patients before operation. Covariates included age, preoperative laboratory data [prostate-specific antigen (PSA), hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, BChE, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein], clinical T, biopsy Gleason score, D’Amico risk classification, and RP with/without neoadjuvant therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify clinical factors associated with biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS). Univariate analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier and log-rank methods, and multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazard model. The median BChE level was 255 U/L (normal range 168–470 U/L). The median age of the enrolled patients was 68 years, and the median PSA level at diagnosis of PCa was 8.39 ng/mL. The median follow-up period was 65 months. The 5-year BRFS rate was 72.9 %. The 5-year BRFS rates in the BChE ≥168 and ≤ 167 U/L groups were 77.7 and 55.0 %, respectively (P

Clinical benefits of presurgical axitinib therapy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) remain unclear. We aimed to investigate surgical benefits and pathological antitumor effects of presurgical axitinib therapy for RCC with IVC thrombus. Of 56 consecutive RCC patients with IVC thrombus between January 1994 and December 2016, 41 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy (RN) were categorized as upfront RN (Upfront group) or presurgical axitinib followed by RN (Presurgical group). We retrospectively evaluated safety, radiologic tumor responses, and Ki-67 proliferation index before and after axitinib administration in the Presurgical group. Surgical outcomes, postoperative complications, and fibrosis within the IVC thrombus were compared between the Upfront and Presurgical groups. The number of patients in the Upfront and Presurgical groups was 31 and 10, respectively. Major presurgical axitinib-related adverse events were grade 2 or 3 hypertension (50%). The median radiological tumor response in the renal tumor, IVC thrombus length, and IVC thrombus volume were −19%, −21 mm, and −54%, respectively. The fibrosis within the IVC thrombus was significantly higher in the Presurgical group (10%) than in the Upfront group (3.4%). The Ki-67 proliferation index was significantly decreased in RN specimens (7.3%) versus needle biopsy specimens (23%) in the Presurgical group. Blood loss and operative duration were significantly lower and shorter, respectively, in the Presurgical group than in the Upfront group. Presurgical axitinib therapy enhanced tumor reduction accompanied by fibrosis and may contribute to surgical risk reduction for selected patients.

Background Although quality of life (QOL) is one of the most important considerations in patients treated with anticancer therapies, desirable regimens for neoadjuvant chemotherapy including QOL in locally advanced urothelial carcinoma remain unclear. The present study evaluated the influence of neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy on QOL in patients with locally advanced urothelial carcinoma.

The prognostic benefit of oncological follow-up to detect asymptomatic recurrence after radical cystectomy (RC) remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether routine follow-up to detect asymptomatic recurrence after RC improves patient survival. We retrospectively analyzed 581 RC cases for muscle-invasive bladder cancer at four hospitals between May 1996 and February 2017. All patients had regular follow-up examinations with urine cytology, blood biochemical tests, and computed tomography after RC. We investigated the first site and date of tumor recurrence. Overall survival in patients with recurrence stratified by the mode of recurrence (asymptomatic group vs. symptomatic group) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis via inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to evaluate the impact of the mode of diagnosing recurrence on survival. Of the 581 patients, 175 experienced relapse. Among those, 12 without adequate data were excluded. Of the remaining 163 patients, 76 (47%) were asymptomatic and 87 (53%) were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. The most common recurrence site and symptom were lymph nodes (47%) and pain (53%), respectively. Time of overall survival after RC and from recurrence to death was significantly longer in the asymptomatic group than in the symptomatic group. A multivariate Cox regression analysis using IPTW showed that in the patients with symptomatic recurrence was an independent risk factor for overall survival after RC and survival from recurrence to death. Routine oncological follow-up for detection of asymptomatic recurrence contributes to a better prognosis after RC.

A 47-year-old Japanese man was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 1995 (Initial PSA 77.2 ng/mL, GS3 + 4, cT3N0M0). He underwent radical prostatectomy after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in June 1995. Nine years after operation, he was diagnosed with local recurrence of prostate cancer and he received postoperative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) (70 Gy). By May 2008, the PSA dropped to 0.33 ng/mL, and a CT scan showed that the mass had disappeared. On April 2012, the PSA once again rose to 3.1 ng/mL. CT scan and MRI revealed a mass in the prostatic bed. We diagnosed local recurrence of prostate cancer. We underwent salvage low-dose brachytherapy after obtaining informed consent. The prescribed dose of the salvage brachytherapy was 145 Gy to control the tumor considering the hormone resistant prostatic cancer and high-risk feature. PSA level rapidly decreased to 0.66 ng/mL by 6 months after seed implantation. No adverse events were seen during the follow-up period.

A 44-year-old male patient visited our hospital with a chief complaint of macroscopic hematuria. Prostate biopsies were performed due to prostate specific antigen (PSA) 11.6 ng/ml, and he was diagnosed with Gleason score 5＋4 prostate cancer. Computed tomography showed a left hypoplastic kidney. T2- weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed the left ureter stump with ectopic insertion into the dilated left seminal vesicle. He was diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer and left ectopic ureter inserting into the seminal vesicle with ipsilateral hypoplastic kidney. Laparoscopic left nephroureterectomy and open radical prostatectomy were performed.

486 Background: Systemic inflammation is a common host reaction to cancer progression. Serum level of buttyrylcholinesterase (BChE) have been reported to reflect the presence of inflammation and other clinical conditions. BChE is an alphaglycoprotein found in the nervous system and liver. Its serum level is reduced in many clinical conditions, such as liver damage, injury, infection, and malignant disease. We retrospectively evaluated the potential prognostic significance of buttyrylcholinesterase before chemotherapy as an independent predictor of overall survival in patients with advanced upper-tract urothelial cancer. Methods: We treated seventy-four patients (52 men and 22 women) with advanced upper-tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) at our clinic between August 2004 and September 2017. The average age was 69.3 (43–89), and average eGFR was 50.5 (11.6–99.3) ml/minute/1.73m2. Mean observation period was 28.7 (3–111) months. Levels of serum BChE (normal range 168-470 U/L) were measured 1 week before chemotherapy. The average serum level of BChE were 240.6 U/L (53-509). The patients received 2 courses of GCarbo consisted of 800mg/m2 gemcitabine on days 1, 8, and 15 and carboplatin (AUC 4) on day 2. If this regimen was effective, another 2 courses of GCcarbo was performed. If this regimen did not induce any tumor size reduction, we switched to 2 courses of GCarboD (D; 70mg/m2) treatment as second-line treatment. Results: GCarbo regimen yielded 5 cases (6.8%) of CR, 32 (43.2%) of PR, and the average duration of response of 11.4 (2–29) months. GCarboD treatment was administered in 21 cases, and yielded 2 (9.5%) PR and a duration of response was 31.5(7-50) months. The median over-all survival period was 14.3 months. When analyzed by serum BChE level, the ovearall survival were 22.0 months in the BChE > 168 U/L group and 11.0 months in the BChE < 168 group (p = 0.0035). The level of serum BChE showed no association with treatment effect. Conclusions: Serum BChE level before chemotherapy may have the potential to predict overall survival in patients with advanced upper-tract urothelial cancer.

Objectives To assess the effects of urinary diversion on renal function, we retrospectively investigated renal function over 5 years after urinary diversion using a propensity score matching strategy. Methods Between May 1996 and November 2013, 345 consecutive adult patients underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion in our hospital; one hundred and fifteen patients with more than a 5-year follow-up were enrolled. Propensity scores were calculated using logistic analysis, and the data used in the analyses included age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS), clinical tumor stage, presence of cardiovascular disease; hypertension; and type 2 diabetes and preoperative eGFR at the initial visit. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors for stage 3B chronic kidney disease (CKD) after the different types of urinary diversion. Results Continent and incontinent diversion were performed in 68 and 47 patients, respectively. The mean preoperative eGFR was significantly lower in the incontinent than in the continent group (P < 0.001). In propensity score-matched patients (n = 34 each), no significant differences were observed in pre- and postoperative eGFR and 5-year eGFR decrease rates between the groups. In the incontinent group, the number of postoperative stage 3B CKD patients was significantly increased than the continent group. Using multivariate analysis, independent risk factors significantly associated with stage 3B CKD at 5 years after surgery were older age, eGFR before surgery, incontinent diversion (cutaneous ureterostomy), and postoperative hydronephrosis. Conclusions The types of urinary diversion had no significant impact on renal function decline, whereas older age, preexisting impaired renal function, postoperative hydronephrosis, and cutaneous ureterostomy were independent risk factors for stage 3B CKD at 5 years after radical cystectomy.

Background We evaluated the safety and feasibility of living kidney transplantation from marginal donors. Patients and Methods Between June 2006 and March 2015, we performed 61 living related renal transplantations at two renal transplantation centers. Marginal donors were defined as those who were older than 70 years or who had hypertension, reduced renal function, body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2, or mildly impaired glucose tolerance. We retrospectively compared renal function and graft survival between marginal and standard living donor kidney transplantations. To evaluate renal function, creatinine clearance (CCr) was preoperatively used for donors, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was postoperatively used for donors and recipients. Results Among 61 donors, 14 (23%) met the marginal criteria, the major reason being hypertension (91%). The mean age tended to be higher in the marginal group. Preoperative eGFR was significantly lower in the marginal group, whereas postoperative renal function decline ratio at two years was not significantly different between the groups (67% vs 67%, P = .960). Five-year graft survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups. However, recipient eGFR 1 year after kidney transplantation was lower in the marginal group than in the standard group (44 ± 8 vs 55 ± 9 in eGFR, P = .003). Conclusions No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding donor renal function. Careful marginal donor selection can be safe and feasible for donors and recipients of living kidney transplantation; however, it may have a negative impact on recipient renal function.

A second transurethral resection (TUR) has been recommended by guidelines for high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, the impact of surgical quality and post-TUR intra-vesical instillation therapy on oncologic outcome still remains unclear for newly diagnosed NMIBC. We conducted a retrospective cohort study for the patients who underwent extensive TUR followed by appropriate intra-vesical therapy for newly diagnosed NMIBC to assess their oncological outcomes. We treated a cohort of 150 patients with NMIBC by our single but extensive TUR protocol at Hirosaki University Hospital between January 2005 and May 2012. The extensive TUR procedure comprised complete resection of all visible tumors including the muscle layer with a separate cold cup-biopsy of the marginal bottom. After visible tumors resection, additional resection for 5 mm wider area around the first surgical margin was performed. TUR was conducted by three expert urologists who had common agreement with the extensive TUR. All patients received 50 mg of epirubicin instillation immediately after TUR. Out of 150 patients, 74 patients who had multiple tumors or high-grade T1 disease received 40 mg of bacillus Calmette–Guerin Tokyo 172 strain once a week for six consecutive weeks. Patients who received second TUR were not included. The endpoints in this study were the recurrence-, progression-free, cancer-specific, and overall survivals. The 5-year recurrence- and progression-free survival rates were 77.2 and 98.0 %, respectively. The 5-year cancer-specific and overall survival rates were 98.0 and 92.6 %, respectively. The 5-year recurrence- and progression-free survival rates in high-grade T1 disease were 77.1 and 97.6 %, respectively, which were not significantly different from those in the cohort with Ta or low-grade BC. Cystoscopy revealed that 93 % of the patients were tumor-free, at the first cystoscopy, and four patients (3 %) showed progression to stage T2 or higher disease during the first year. While the present study has several limitations, including single-arm and retrospective nature, a single but extensive TUR combined with adjuvant intravesical treatment may have acceptable oncological outcomes in NMIBC patients.

Background: Urinary tract obstruction and postoperative hydronephrosis are risk factor for renal function deterioration after orthotopic ileal neobladder construction. However, reports of relationship between transient hydronephrosis and renal function are limited. We assess the influence of postoperative transient hydronephrosis on renal function in patients with orthotopic ileal neobladder construction. Methods: Between January 2006 and June 2013, we performed radical cystectomy in 164 patients, and 101 received orthotopic ileal neobladder construction. This study included data available from 64 patients with 128 renal units who were enrolled retrospectively. The hydronephrosis grade of each renal unit scored 0-4. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the grade of hydronephrosis: control, low, intermediate, and high. The grade of postoperative hydronephrosis was compared with renal function 1 month and 1 year after surgery. Results: There were no significant differences in renal function before surgery between groups. One month after surgery, the presence of hydronephrosis was significantly associated with decreased renal function. However, 1 year after urinary diversion hydronephrosis grades were improved significantly, and renal function was comparable between groups. Postoperative hydronephrosis at 1 month had no significant influence on renal function 1 year after ileal neobladder construction. Limitations include retrospective design, short follow-up periods, and a sample composition. Conclusions: The presence of transient hydronephrosis immediately after surgery may have limited influence on renal function 1 year after ileal neobladder construction.

Objectives The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with postoperative delirium in patients undergoing urological surgery. Methods We prospectively evaluated pre- and postoperative risk factors for postoperative delirium in consecutive 215 patients who received urological surgery between August 2013 and November 2014. Preoperative factors included patient demographics, comorbidities, and frailty assessment. Frailty was measured by handgrip strength, fatigue scale of depression, fall risk assessment, and gait speed (the timed Get-up and Go test). Postoperative factors included types of anesthesia, surgical procedure, renal function and serum albumin decline, blood loss, surgery time, highest body temperature, and complications. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess pre- and postoperative predictors for the development of postoperative delirium. Results Median age of this cohort was 67 years. Ten patients (4.7%) experienced postoperative delirium. These patients were significantly older, had weak handgrip strength, a higher fall risk assessment score, slow gait speed, and greater renal function decline compared with patients without delirium. Multivariate analysis revealed slow gait speed (>13.0 s) and rapid renal function decline (>30%) were independent risk factors for postoperative delirium. Conclusions Slow gait speed and rapid renal function decline after urological surgery are significant factors for postoperative delirium. These data will be helpful for perioperative patient management. This study was registered as a clinical trial: UMIN: R000018809.