Alexandre Peltier

Detection, localisation and characterisation of prostate cancer by prostate HistoScanning(™).

Whats known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Clinical impact of 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with prostate cancer with rising prostate-specific antigen after treatment with curative intent: preliminary analysis of a multidisciplinary approach

To assess the impact of a novel molecular imaging technique, 68Ga‐(HBED‐CC)‐prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), in the clinical management of patients with prostate cancer with rising prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) after treatment with curative intent.

MRI-Targeted Biopsies versus Systematic Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Biopsies for the Diagnosis of Localized Prostate Cancer in Biopsy Naïve Men

Introduction. To compare, in the same cohort of men, the detection of clinically significant disease in standard (STD) cores versus multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) targeted (TAR) cores. Material and Methods. A prospective study was conducted on 129 biopsy naïve men with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer. These patients underwent prebiopsy mpMRI with STD systematic biopsies and TAR biopsies when lesions were found. The agreement between the TAR and the STD protocols was measured using Cohens kappa coefficient. Results. Cancer detection rate of MRI-targeted biopsy was 62.7%. TAR protocol demonstrated higher detection rate of clinically significant disease compared to STD protocol. The proportion of cores positive for clinically significant cancer in TAR cores was 28.9% versus 9.8% for STD cores (P < 0.001). The proportion of men with clinically significant cancer and the proportion of men with Gleason score 7 were higher with the TAR protocol than with the STD protocol (P = 0.003; P = 0.0008, resp.). Conclusion. mpMRI improved clinically significant prostate cancer detection rate compared to STD protocol alone with less tissue sampling and higher Gleason score. Further development in imaging as well as multicentre studies using the START recommendation is needed to elucidate the role of mpMRI targeted biopsy in the management of prostate cancer.

A review of currently available vessel sealing systems

Laparoscopic surgery is rapidly expanding among urologists as a minimally invasive treatment with surgical procedures becoming increasingly challenging. Accurate haemostatis is of utmost importance in laparoscopy, as bleeding can rapidly impair the working environment conditions. We subsequently reviewed the different haemostatic tools used in laparoscopy with the focus on ultrasonic dissectors and electrothermal bipolar vessel sealer (EBVS). Briefly, there is a wide variety of haemostatic tools currently available in laparoscopy, all with their inherent advantages and limitations. The comparison of ultrasonic dissectors and EBVS shows that both systems are very attractive with similar physical properties concerning thermal spread and bursting pressure of vessels sealed. It has to be noted, however, that EBVS can handle vessels of up to 7 mm. In conclusion, haemostatic tools constitute a rapidly evolving domain with devices being developed which cause less thermal spread, while being more precise and faster. This evolution should finally allow more complex laparoscopic surgical procedures.

A prospective clinical trial of HIFU hemiablation for clinically localized prostate cancer

Background:Focal therapy is an emerging mini-invasive treatment modality for localized prostate cancer aimed to reduce the morbidity associated with radical therapy while maintaining optimal cancer control. We report the mid-term oncological and functional results of primary hemiablation high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in a prospective cohort of patients.Methods:Over 8 years, hemiablation HIFU was primarily performed in 50 selected patients with biopsy-proven clinically localized unilateral, low–intermediate risk prostate cancer in complete concordance with the prostate cancer lesions identified by magnetic resonance imaging with precise loci matching on multimodal approach. Post-treatment follow-up included regular serial PSA measurements. Biochemical recurrence was reported using Stuttgart and Phoenix criteria. The latter was used as a threshold to offer whole-gland biopsies.Results:Complete follow-up was available for all patients and the median follow-up was 39.5 months (range: 6–94). Mean nadir PSA value was 1.6 ng ml−1, which represents 72% reduction compared with initial PSA pre-treatment value (P<0.001). Median time to achieve PSA nadir was 3 months. Biochemical recurrence, according to Phoenix and Stuttgart definition, occurred in 28 and 36% of patients, respectively. The 5-year actuarial metastases-free survival, cancer-specific survival and overall survival rates were 93, 100 and 87%, respectively. Out of the eight patients undergoing biopsy, six patients had a positive biopsy for cancer occurring in the untreated contralateral (n=3) or treated ipsilateral lobe (n=1) or bilaterally (n=2). A Clavien–Dindo grade 3b complication occurred in two patients. Complete continence (no pads) and erection sufficient for intercourse were documented in 94 or 80% of patients, respectively.Conclusion:Hemiablation HIFU therapy, delivered with intention to treat, for carefully selected patients affords mid-term promising functional and oncological outcomes. The effectiveness of this technique should be now compared with whole-gland radical therapy.

Current management of erectile dysfunction after cancer treatment

Purpose of review Erectile dysfunction has a major impact on quality of life. Treating sexual dysfunction after cancer treatment requires special concern because of specific medical, psychological and social factors. This article presents the relevant experimental and clinical recent literature on rehabilitation of erectile function after surgery, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy or hormonal deprivation therapy for prostate cancer as it is the most studied model for erectile dysfunction management. Recent findings Counseling and reeducation with a multidisciplinary approach seems to be both mandatory and effective in achieving erectile function recovery. Administration of proerectile drugs nightly or on-demand early after cancer treatment is probably the key factor of erectile rehabilitation. Several studies have highlighted the presumption of a potential role for phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) in the prevention of endothelial damage related to ischemia-reperfusion and denervation following surgery or pelvic radiation. Larger multicancer, randomized, controlled trials are needed to assess the role of PDE5-Is in erectile dysfunction pharmacological prophylaxis and rehabilitation strategy. Summary Erectile dysfunction postcancer treatment requires multimodal management with early administration of PDE5-Is, combined therapy to maintain erectile tissue oxygenation if necessary with PDE5-Is, intracavernosal injection and transurethral alprostadil or even vacuum erect device, psychological counseling considering erectile dysfunction as a couples issue. The best modality to optimize postcancer erectile dysfunction management has not yet been standardized and is still challenging.

Primary Zonal High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Prostate Cancer: Results of a Prospective Phase IIa Feasibility Study

Aims. In this study we report our results with storage of cryopreserved semen intended for preservation and subsequent infertility treatment in men with testicular cancer during the last 18 years. Methods. Cryopreserved semen of 523 men with testicular cancer was collected between October 1995 and the end of December 2012. Semen of 34 men (6.5%) was used for fertilization of their partners. They underwent 57 treatment cycles with cryopreserved, fresh, and/or donor sperm. Results. A total of 557 men have decided to freeze their semen before cancer treatment. Seminoma was diagnosed in 283 men (54.1%) and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors in 240 men (45.9%). 34 patients who returned for infertility treatment underwent 46 treatment cycles with cryopreserved sperm. Totally 16 pregnancies were achieved, that is, 34.8% pregnancy rate. Conclusion. The testicular cancer survivors have a good chance of fathering a child by using sperm cryopreserved prior to the oncology treatment, even when it contains only limited number of spermatozoa.

Classification strategies for the grading of renal cell carcinomas, based on nuclear morphometry and densitometry.

The various grading systems proposed for renal cell carcinomas all suffer from problems related to inter‐observer variability. Some of these grading systems are based, either partially or wholly, on morphonuclear criteria, such as nuclear size and shape, anisonucleosis, and chromatin pattern. These criteria can be quantitatively (and thus objectively) evaluated by means of the computer‐assisted microscopic analysis of Feulgen‐stained nuclei. In the present work, 39 quantitative variables, including two morphometric, 28 chromatin pattern‐related, and nine DNA ploidy level‐related, were computed for 65 renal cell carcinomas. The actual diagnostic information contributed by each variable was determined by means of multifactorial statistical analysis (discriminant analysis) and two artificial intelligence‐related methods of data classification (the decision tree and production rule methods). The results show that quantitative information, as provided by the computer‐assisted microscopy of Feulgen‐stained nuclei and analysed by means of artificial intelligence‐related methods of data classification, contributes significant diagnostic information for the grading of renal cell carcinoma, thus reducing the problem of inter‐observer reproducibility.

A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Role of Local Treatment of the Primary Tumor and/or the Metastases in Metastatic Prostate Cancer

To provide an overview of the currently available literature regarding local control of primary tumor and oligometastases in metastatic prostate cancer and salvage lymph node dissection of clinical lymph node relapse after curative treatment of prostate cancer. Evidence Acquisition. A systematic literature search was conducted in 2014 to identify abstracts, original articles, review articles, research articles, and editorials relevant to the local control in metastatic prostate cancer. Evidence Synthesis. Local control of primary tumor in metastatic prostate cancer remains experimental with low level of evidence. The concept is supported by a growing body of genetic and molecular research as well as analogy with other cancers. There is only one retrospective observational population based study showing prolonged survival. To eradicate oligometastases, several options exist with excellent local control rates. Stereotactic body radiotherapy is safe, well tolerated, and efficacious treatment for lymph node and bone lesions. Both biochemical and clinical progression are slowed down with a median time to initiate ADT of 2 years. Salvage lymph node dissection is feasible in patients with clinical lymph node relapse after local curable treatment. Conclusion. Despite encouraging oncologic midterm results, a complete cure remains elusive in metastatic prostate cancer patients. Further advances in imaging are crucial in order to rapidly evolve beyond the proof of concept.

Localising prostate cancer: comparison of endorectal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and 3D-MR spectroscopic imaging with transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) have been gaining acceptance as tools in the evaluation of prostate cancer. We compared the accuracy of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI combined with three-dimensional (3D) MRSI in locating prostate tumours and determined the influence of prostate weight on MRI accuracy. Patients and Methods: Between March 1999 and October 2006, 507 patients with localised prostate cancer underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) at the Jules Bordet Institute. Of these, 220 had undergone endorectal MRI (1.5 T Siemens Quantum Symphony) and 3D-MRSI prior to RP. We retrospectively reviewed data on tumour location and compared the results obtained by MRI and by TRUS-guided biopsy with those obtained on histopathology of the RP specimen. Results: Patient data were as follows: median age 62.4 years (45–74); median PSA 6.36 ng/ml (0.5–22.6); 73.6% of patients had non-palpable disease (T1c); median biopsy Gleason score 6 (3–9); median RP specimen weight 50 g (12–172); median pathological Gleason score 7 (4–10); 68.64% of patients had organ-confined (pT2) disease. Tumour localisation was correlated with RP data in a significantly higher percentage of patients when using MRI rather than TRUS-guided biopsy (47.4 vs. 36.6%, p < 0.0001). MRI was marginally superior to TRUS-guided biopsy in detecting malignancy at the prostate apex (48.3 vs. 41.9%, p = 0.0687) and somewhat better at the prostate base (46 vs. 39.1%, p = 0.0413). It was highly significantly better at mid-gland (52 vs. 41.1%, p = 0.0015) and in the transition zone (40.1 vs. 24.3%, p < 0.0001). MRI had higher sensitivity in larger (≧50 g) than smaller (<50 g) prostates (50.3 vs. 42.2%, p = 0.0017). Conclusions: MRI was superior to TRUS-guided biopsy in locating prostate tumours except at the gland apex. MRI was more accurate in larger (≧50 g) than smaller prostates.