The role of nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the immuno-oncology era

n/

Radical prostatectomy improves survival in selected metastatic prostate cancer patients: A North American population-based study.

ObjectiveTo test whether radical prostatectomy might result in better survival than external beam radiation therapy in metastatic prostate cancer patients.MethodsNewly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer patients with M1a/b substages, treated with radical prostatectomy or external beam radiation therapy were abstracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database (2004–2016). Temporal trend analyses, propensity score matching, cumulative incidence plots, multivariate competing risks regression models and landmark analyses were used.ResultsOf 4280 patients, 954 (22.3%) were treated with radical prostatectomy. After propensity score matching, 5‐year cancer‐specific mortality was 47.0 versus 53.0% in radical prostatectomy versus external beam radiation therapy patients (P = 0.003). In propensity score matched competing risks regression models, radical prostatectomy was associated with lower cancer‐specific mortality versus external beam radiation therapy (hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.79–0.90; P = 0.001). Finally, landmark analyses rejected the bias favoring radical prostatectomy. Finally, in subgroup analyses, we relied on selection criteria that most closely resembled the STAMPEDE criteria and a similar hazard ratio of 0.8 (P < 0.001) was recorded.ConclusionIn metastatic prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy results in lower cancer‐specific mortality relative to external beam radiation therapy. Even after adjustment for age at diagnosis, prostate‐specific antigen and biopsy Gleason grade grouping, lower cancer‐specific mortality rates are recorded in radical prostatectomy patients than in external beam radiation therapy patients. As a result, radical prostatectomy should be considered as a treatment option in selected metastatic prostate cancer patients. However, further validation will be provided by ongoing clinical trials

Perceptions and attitudes toward the use of telemedicine for the postoperative outpatient urological care during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Academic Hospital in Southern Italy

Introduction: Telemedicine is a most used tools in various medical and surgical scenarios. The aim of the present study was to explore attitudes and perceptions by urologic patients toward the use of telemedicine in the context of patient-physicians communication during the post-operative follow-up in a large academic tertiary urology referral department in Italy. Materials and methods: An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 15 multiple choice questions was designed including three sections: respondents' demographics, attitudes, and perceptions towards the use of telemedicine. Invitations to participate to this anonymous questionnaire was given to outpatients attended at Urology Department, University of Naples Federico II. Results: In total 697 responses were received (participation rate 73%). The frequency of telemedicine use was described as frequently, occasional, rarely, and never by 41.6%, 30.4%, 15.1%, and 12.6% of respondents, respectively. WhatsApp messenger used by 59.5% of respondents and telephone call (34.3%) were the most common type of tools. Satisfaction in using telemedicine was reported as very satisfied, satisfied, neutral, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied by 39.6%,41.4%,10%,7% and 2% of respondents respectively. Overall, 43.7%% of participants individuated limited interaction and risk of misdiagnosis as the major limit of telemedicine. Conclusions: Telemedicine represents the future of medical practice due to several benefits as well as convenience, increased access to care and decreased healthcare costs

Metastasis-Directed Radiation Therapy with Consolidative Intent for Oligometastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The management of patients with oligometastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) represents an evolving field in uro-oncology, and the role of metastasis-directed therapies, including metastasectomy and metastasis-directed radiation therapy (MDRT), is gaining increasing attention. Herein, we summarize available evidence about the role of MDRT with consolidative intent in oligometastatic UC patients. A systematic review was performed in December 2021. Six studies involving 158 patients were identified. Most patients (n = 120, 90.2%) had a history of bladder cancer and the most frequent sites of metastases were lymph nodes (n = 61, 52.1%) followed by the lungs (n = 34, 29%). Overall, 144 metastases were treated with MDRT. Median follow-up ranged from 17.2 to 25 months. Local control rates ranged from 57% to 100%. Median Overall Survival (OS) ranged from 14.9 to 51.0 months and median progression-free survival ranged from 2.9 to 10.1 months. Rates of OS at one and two years ranged from 78.9% to 96% and from 26% to 63%, respectively. Treatment-related toxicity was recorded in few patients and in most cases a low-grade toxicity was evident. MDRT with consolidative intent represents a potential treatment option for selected patients with oligometastatic UC

Could YouTubeTM encourage men on prostate checks? A contemporary analysis

Objectives: To assess YouTube™ videos' quality on prostate checks, especially on the digital rectal exam (DRE), and to investigate if they can inform patients correctly and eradicate their beliefs and myths.Methods: A search using as keywords "digital rectal exam for prostate cancer" was performed on the YouTubeTM platform. We selected the first 100 videos. To assess video quality content, Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for audio-visual content (PEMAT A/V) and Misinformation tool were used.Results: Seventy-three videos were suitable for the analyses. The median PEMAT A/V Understandability score and PEMAT A/V Actionability score were 46.2% (interquartile range [IQR]: 30.8-76.9) and 50.0% (IQR: 25.0-75.0), respectively. The medi-an PEMAT A/V Understandability and Actionability scores were 69.2% (IQR: 46.2-88.5) vs 46.2% (IQR: 30.8-61.5) (p = 0.01) and 100.0% (IQR: 87.5-100.0) vs 25.0% (IQR: 25.0-68.8)(p < 0.001), for healthcare workers vs patients, respectively. According to the Misinformation tool, the median misinforma-tion score of the overall videos was 2.2 (IQR:1.7-2.8). According to the target audience, the misinformation score was 2.8 (IQR: 2.4-3.5) vs 2.0 (IQR: 1.5-2.8) (p = 0.02), for healthcare workers vs patients, respectively. Conclusions: Currently, based on our analyses, YouTubeTM videos' quality on DRE resulted unsatisfactory according to the PEMAT A/V score and the Misinformation tool. Videos targeted to healthcare workers got higher quality scores if compared to videos targeted to patients. Therefore, YouTubeTM videos' may not be considered a reliable source of information on DRE for patients

Social Media Content on Immunology: Is an Assessment by the Scientific Community Required?

In recent years, vaccines and immunotherapy have become two of the most promising and effective tools in the fight against a wide range of diseases, from the common cold to cancer [...

Penile prosthesis implant in the management of Peyronies' disease

INTRODUCTION: Penile prosthesis implantation (PPI), performed with or without adjunct straightening techniques, is one of the available surgical options in cases of Peyronie's disease (PD) with concomitant erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of the study was to systematically identify and evaluate evidence regarding IPP in patients with PD and ED.EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Using Cochrane's methodological recommendations on systematic reviews, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on clinical research regarding the use of PPI, alone or in combination with any straightening maneuvers in the treatment of patients with PD and ED. The search was carried until January 2020. We included studies in English language with primary population patients with PD and ED who underwent IPP with the intent to treat the PD. All studies that were not original clinical research articles, reported insufficient data or included fewer than 5 patients were excluded from the final analysis.EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: In total 43 clinical articles with more than 2000 patients (N.=2143) investigating the effects of penile prosthesis implantation (PPI) for the treatment of PD with or without ED were included in the study. Depending on the severity of the penile curvature, additional penile deformities (i.e. hourglass deformity), penile length, prior operations and surgeons experience, 6 main categories of surgical techniques of PPI for penile straightening and treatment of PD were identified: PPI only, PPI with modelling of the penis, PPI with plication of the penis on the convex side of the curvature, PPI with plaque incision(s), PPI with plaque incision/excision plus grafting and PPI with grafting and penile lengthening.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patients with PD and ED can expect excellent outcomes with PPI against a minimal risk of side effects. No definite conclusions can be made regarding which technique is superior

Prasterone in the treatment of mild to moderate urge incontinence: an observational study

Objective: To assess the effects of prasterone compared with hyaluronic acid on symptoms of mild to moderate urinary urgency in women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Methods: This is an observational prospective cohort study. A total of 58 postmenopausal women were enrolled (from December 2019 to May 2021). Overactive Bladder Screener questionnaire, Patient Global Impression of Improvement questionnaire, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, and International Quality of Life questionnaire were used. Results: Fifty-eight women, 29 (50%) and 29 (50%), were treated with prasterone and hyaluronic acid for 12 weeks, respectively. At the end of the study, 26 (89.7%) versus 3 (10.3%) women reported an improvement (Patient Global Impression of Improvement score ≤3) of the symptoms in the prasterone versus hyaluronic acid group. According to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, no statistically significant difference was recorded before treatment between the prasterone and hyaluronic acid groups (median, 12 [6-12] vs 11 [8-12]; P = 0.8). Conversely, a statistically significant difference was recorded after treatment between the two groups (median, 8 [5-11] vs 10 [8-11]; P = 0.03). According to the International Quality of Life, a statistically significantly lower median score was recorded in the prasterone compared with the hyaluronic acid group, before (73 [interquartile range {IQR}, 55-81] vs 89 [IQR, 67-94]; P < 0.01) and after (78 [IQR, 65-86] vs 87 [IQR, 72-99]; P = 0.04) treatment. Conclusions: The current observational study supports the hypothesis that prasterone might improve the severity of urinary urge incontinence in this set of women. However, these results need to be confirmed in further studies with a controlled design and a larger population

Inhibition of Androgen Signalling Improves the Outcomes of Therapies for Bladder Cancer: Results from a Systematic Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies

Bladder cancer (BCa) is an endocrine-related tumour and the activation of androgen signalling pathways may promote bladder tumorigenesis. We summarized the available preclinical and clinical evidence on the implications of the manipulation of androgen signalling pathways on the outcomes of BCa therapies. A systematic review was performed in December 2020. We included papers that met the following criteria: original preclinical and clinical research; evaluating the impact of androgen signalling modulation on the outcomes of BCa therapies. Six preclinical and eight clinical studies were identified. The preclinical evidence demonstrates that the modulation of androgen receptor-related pathways has the potential to interfere with the activity of the Bacillus Calmette Guerin, doxorubicin, cisplatin, gemcitabine, and radiotherapy. The relative risk of BCa recurrence after transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) is significantly lower in patients undergoing therapy with 5 alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (Relative risk: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.30–0.82; p = 0.006). Subgroup analysis in patients receiving 5-ARIs revealed a relative risk of BCa recurrence of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.22–0.95; p = 0.040). A significant negative association between the ratio of T1 BCa patients in treated/control groups and the relative risk of BCa recurrence was observed. Therapy with 5-ARIs may represent a potential strategy aimed at reducing BCa recurrence rate, mainly in patients with low stage disease. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data

MR image quality in local staging of prostate cancer: Role of PI-QUAL in the detection of extraprostatic extension

Purpose: To assess the impact of prostate MRI image quality by means of the Prostate Imaging Quality (PI-QUAL) score, on the identification of extraprostatic extension of disease (EPE), predicted using the EPE Grade Score, Likert Scale Score (LSS) and a clinical nomogram (MSKCCn). Methods: We retrospectively included 105 patients with multiparametric prostate MRI prior to prostatectomy. Two radiologists evaluated image quality using PI-QUAL (&gt;4 was considered high quality) in consensus. All cases were also scored using the EPE Grade, the LSS, and the MSKCCn (dichotomized). Inter-rater reproducibility for each score was also assessed. Accuracy was calculated for the entire population and by image quality, considering two thresholds for EPE Grade (&gt;2 and = 3) and LSS (&gt;3 and &gt; 4) and using McNemar's test for comparison. Results: Overall, 66 scans achieved high quality. The accuracy of EPE Grade ranged from 0.695 to 0.743, while LSS achieved values between 0.705 and 0.733. Overall sensitivity for the radiological scores (range = 0.235-0.529) was low irrespective of the PI-QUAL score, while specificity was higher (0.775-0.986). The MSKCCn achieved an AUC of 0.76, outperforming EPE Grade (=3 threshold) in studies with suboptimal image quality (0.821 vs 0.564, p = 0.016). EPE Grade (=3 threshold) accuracy was also better in high image quality studies (0.849 vs 0.564, p = 0.001). Reproducibility was good to excellent overall (95 % Confidence Interval range = 0.782-0.924). Conclusion: Assessing image quality by means of PI-QUAL is helpful in the evaluation of EPE, as a scan of low quality makes its performance drop compared to clinical staging tools