Effect of Level of Urology Training on Gleason Score and Prostate Volume Estimation Agreement between Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Biopsy and Radical Prostatectomy Specimen

Introduction Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy may be performed by operators with various levels of training. Little is known about the impact of training level on biopsy results. We evaluated the effect of training level on the accuracy of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy findings. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 500 consecutive patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy and subsequent radical prostatectomy. Transrectal ultrasound operators were stratified based on level of training as junior, senior, chief, fellow or staff. Linear regression was performed to analyze the effect of training level on volume estimates. A weighted Kappa statistic evaluated agreement between biopsy and pathological Gleason scores while an adjusted cumulative logistic regression model analyzed the effects of training level. Results A total of 482 patients were included in the final analysis. Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy was performed by staff in 78 (16%) patients, by fellows in 18 (4%), chief residents in 48 (10%), senior residents in 126 (26%) and junior residents in 212 (44%). There was no significant difference between transrectal ultrasound and radical prostatectomy specimen volume estimates among the training levels. Level of training was not significantly associated with pathological features, including Gleason score, primary Gleason grade, highest single Gleason grade and estimated tumor volume. Study limitations include the retrospective design and the variability among members of the same group. Conclusions Agreement between biopsy and pathological Gleason scores is high for all levels of training. Training level has no impact on prostate volume estimations or the prediction of pathological features

Transurethral convective water vapor as a treatment for lower urinary tract symptomatology due to benign prostatic hyperplasia using the Rezum((R)) system: evaluation of acute ablative capabilities in the human prostate

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the acute ablative characteristics of transurethral convective water vapor (steam) using the Rezum((R)) system in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia through histologic and radiographic studies. METHODS: Seven patients were treated with transurethral intraprostatic injections of sterile steam under endoscopic visualization followed by previously scheduled adenectomies. The extirpated adenomas were grossly examined followed by whole mount sectioning and staining with triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) to evaluate thermal ablation. Histology was performed after hematoxylin and eosin staining on one prostate. After review of results from the first patient cohort, an additional 15 patients with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia were treated followed by gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at one week. RESULTS: In the first patient cohort, gross examination of TTC-stained tissue showed thermal ablation in the transition zone. In addition, there was a distinct interface between viable and necrotic prostatic parenchyma. Histopathologic examination revealed TTC staining-outlined necrotic versus viable tissue. Gadolinium-enhanced MRIs in the cohort of 15 patients demonstrated lesion defects in all patients at 1 week post-procedure. Coalesced lesions were noted with a mean (+/- standard deviation) lesion volume of 9.6+/-8.5 cm(3). The largest lesion volume was 35.1 cm(3). Ablation using vapor was rapid and remained confined to the transition zone, consistent with the thermodynamic principles of convective thermal energy transfer. CONCLUSION: Thermal ablation was observed in all specimens. The resulting coalescing ablative lesions, as seen on MRI, were confined to the transition zone. These studies confirm the ablative capabilities of vapor, validate the thermodynamic principles of convective heating, and allow for further clinical studies

Two-year results after convective radiofrequency water vapor thermal therapy of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

Christopher M Dixon,1 Edwin Rijo Cedano,2 Dalibor Pacik,3 Vítězslav Vit,3 Gabriel Varga,3 Lennart Wagrell,4 Thayne R Larson,5 Lance A Mynderse6 1Department of Urology, Phelps Memorial Hospital, Sleepy Hollow, New York, NY, USA; 2Department of Urology, Clinical Canela, La Romana, Dominican Republic; 3Department of Urology, Brno University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic; 4Urologcentrum, Stockholm, Sweden; 5Institute of Medical Research, Scottsdale, AZ, 6Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of convective radiofrequency (RF) water vapor thermal therapy in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); a pilot study design with 2-year follow-up evaluations.Patients and methods: Men aged ≥45 years with an International Prostate Symptom Score ≥13, a maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) ≤15 mL/s, and prostate volume 20–120 cc were enrolled in a prospective, open-label pilot study using convective RF water vapor energy with the Rezūm System. Patients were followed up for 2 years after transurethral thermal treatment at 3 international centers in the Dominican Republic, Czech Republic, and Sweden. The transurethral thermal therapy utilizes radiofrequency to generate wet thermal energy in the form of water vapor injected through a rigid endoscope into the lateral lobes and median lobe as needed. Urinary symptom relief, urinary flow, quality of life (QOL) impact, sexual function, and adverse events (AEs) were assessed at 1 week, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Results: LUTS, flow rate, and QOL showed significant improvements from baseline; prostate volumes were appreciably reduced. Sexual function was maintained and no de novo erectile dysfunction occurred. The responses evident as early as 1 month after treatment remained consistent and durable over the 24 months of study. Early AEs were typically transient and mild to moderate; most were related to endoscopic instrumentation. No procedure related to late AEs were seen. Conclusion: The Rezūm System convective RF thermal therapy is a minimally invasive treatment for BPH/LUTS which can be performed in the office or as an outpatient procedure with minimal associated perioperative AEs. It has no discernable effect on sexual function and provides significant improvement of LUTS that remain durable at 2 years. Keywords: benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, convective RF, water vapor thermal therapy, minimally invasive&nbsp

Efficacy and Safety of Rezum System Water Vapor Treatment for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

OBJECTIVES: To assess 1 year efficacy and safety data from pilot trials of the Rezum System water vapor to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A total of 65 men with symptoms of moderate to severe BPH were enrolled in pilot studies at centers in the Dominican Republic, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. Each patient was treated with transurethral delivery of sterile water vapor (steam). International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak urinary flow (Qmax), quality of life (QoL), post void residual (PVR), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were evaluated at 1 week and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-treatment. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS: Statistically significant clinical improvements at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were reported for IPSS (decreased by 6.8, 13.4 13.1, and 12.5 points, respectively) and Qmax (increased by 2.0, 4.7, 4.3, and 4.6 ml/sec, respectively). At 12 months, these results equated to a 56% improvement in IPSS (