Bjørn Brennhovd

Should we use laparoscopic adrenalectomy for metastases? Scandinavian multicenter study

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for metastases is considered controversial. Multicenter retrospective study was performed to gain new knowledge in this issue.

Laparoscopic versus open surgery in stage I-III adrenocortical carcinoma-a retrospective comparison of 32 patients

Abstract Laparoscopic surgery (LS) for resectable adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) has been questioned due to uncertainty with regard to long-term oncological outcome. We analyzed the experience with LS compared to open surgery (OS) at Oslo University Hospital (OUH). Material and methods. Between 1998 and 2011 32 patients were identified with ACC stage I–III operated either by LS (17 patients) or OS (15 patients). Patients’ records were reviewed retrospectively with regard to pre- and intraoperative findings, short-term surgical outcome, relapse and survival. The patients in the LS group had significantly smaller tumors and higher body mass index, otherwise the groups did not differ significantly. Thirty-one patients had been operated at surgical departments of the OUH, and all had been followed at OUH. Results. Short-term outcome favored LS by significantly shorter operation time, lower blood loss and need for transfusions, fewer postoperative complications and shorter hospitalization. The completeness of resection was similar in both groups with R0 resection accomplished in 12 patients in the LS group and 12 in the OS group. Twelve and 15 patients have relapsed in the LS and OS groups, respectively, with a similar pattern of relapse (local, peritoneal or distant). Median progression-free survival (15.2 months for LS vs. 8.1 months for OS) and median overall survival (103.6 months for LS vs. 36.5 months for OS) were not significantly different. Discussion. LS seems to offer short-term advantages and similar long-term outcome compared to OS in patients with resectable ACC stage I–III.

Sentinel node procedure in low-stage/low-grade penile carcinomas

To optimize the indication for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy according to tumour size in penile carcinoma. This was a retrospective analysis of 23 consecutive patients (median age 65 years; range 49–85 years) with primary penile carcinoma classified according to the TNM classification as stage T1–T3 who were identified as having SLNs in the groins. SLNs were detected by means of preoperative injection of a 99mTc nanocolloid around the tumour and peroperative use of a gamma detector probe. The average tumour size was 2.9±1.3 cm. In 7/25 patients with penile carcinoma examined with the SLN method, metastases to inguinal lymph nodes could be demonstrated. Two out of three patients with primary penile carcinomas classified as T1 according to the TNM classification and tumours > 3 cm in diameter had inguinal lymph node metastases. One of the patients had a micrometastasis, which was detected by means of immunohistochemical analysis. Seven out of eight patients with penile carcinomas > 3 cm in diameter had lymph node metastases. We did not observe any major surgical complications associated with the SLN procedure. These data indicate that penile carcinomas with a diameter of >3 cm should be investigated with SLN biopsy regardless of stage. However, multicentre studies are needed in order to obtain the appropriate number of patients.

A comparative study of erectile function and use of erectile aids in high-risk prostate cancer patients after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Abstract Objective. Erectile function with and without use of erectile aids was compared in high-, intermediate- and low-risk prostate cancer patients at a mean of 3 years after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Materials and methods. A sample of 982 men who underwent RALP at Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, between 2005 and 2010 was invited to complete a mailed questionnaire in 2011. The response rate was 79%, but only 609 patients did not have adjuvant treatment and reported on erection. The sample consisted of 29% high-risk, 40% intermediate-risk and 25% low-risk patients according to the preoperative D’Amico classification. Based on questionnaire data, two primary outcomes were defined: ability to have intercourse (sufficient erection), and use and effect of erectile aids. Results. Sufficient erection with or without erectile aids was reported by 19% of the high-, 30% of the intermediate- and 19% of the low-risk group (not significant). Erectile aids were used by 48% of the sample, of whom 18% of the high-, 21% of the intermediate- and 14% of the low-risk group reported sufficient erection (not significant). Papaverine injections were used by 21% and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors by 28% of the sample. Limitations were the lack of data on erection baseline and on penile rehabilitation. Conclusions. Nearly half of the sample used erectile aids, which significantly increased the proportion with sufficient erection in all risk groups after RALP. With and without the use of erectile aids, the proportions of patients with sufficient erection were 30% or less, with non-significant differences between groups.

Clinicians' use of guidelines as illustrated by curative treatment of prostate cancer at a comprehensive cancer center

Abstract Background. We studied compliance to guidelines of curative treatments in prostate cancer (PCa), which were of special interest due to recent introduction of new treatment technologies and the fact that there existed a real choice between surgery and radiotherapy. Material and methods. We did retrospective analyses of guidelines adherence for all PCa patients receiving curative treatment at the Norwegian Radium Hospital from 2004 to 2007 after the introduction of robot-assisted prostatectomy and after-loading brachytherapy. The patients were classified into three groups in relation to guidelines: the accordance, accordance after discussion, and the deviance groups. In time Period I (2004–2005) the 2003 EAU guidelines were used and in Period II (2006–2007) in-house guidelines with minor modifications of EAU were applied. Results. During the observation period 859 patients had curative treatment for PCa, and 83% of the patients were treated according to guidelines. In the deviance group (N=146), 119 men (82%) got prostatectomy instead of radiotherapy. The reasons for deviation in the second period were age >65 years (N=70) and surgery in cases with T3 tumors (N=10), Gleason score >8 (N=13) and combinations (N=26). Deviances from guidelines in the radiotherapy group (N=27) mainly concerned patient selecting this treatment due to expectations of preserving sexuality and/or fertility. Conclusions. In spite of acceptable overall compliance to guidelines for curative PCa treatment, the proportion of non-adherence should not been overseen, in particular when new treatment technologies are introduced. Guidelines for PCa need to be monitored regularly, and the compliance to guidelines has to be assessed on a regular basis. Guidelines should avoid too strict criteria, particularly in relation to age.

Methods for prospective studies of adverse effects as applied to prostate cancer patients treated with surgery or radiotherapy without hormones

Recently two new methods for prospective studies of adverse effects after treatment have been developed: Proportions of patients regaining 90% of baseline function score (PBS‐90) and Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE). We compared these methods to examine changes of sexual, urinary, and bowel functions after robot‐assisted prostatectomy (RALP) and conformal external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in patients without androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Combined MR Imaging of Oxygen Consumption and Supply Reveals Tumor Hypoxia and Aggressiveness in Prostate Cancer Patients

The established role of hypoxia-induced signaling in prostate cancer growth, metastasis, and response to treatment suggests that a method to image hypoxia in tumors could aid treatment decisions. Here, we present consumption and supply-based hypoxia (CSH) imaging, an approach that integrates images related to oxygen consumption and supply into a single image. This integration algorithm was developed in patients with prostate cancer receiving hypoxia marker pimonidazole prior to prostatectomy. We exploited the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) signal in diagnostic diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) images to generate separate images of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional blood volume (fBV). ADC and fBV correlated with cell density (CD) and blood vessel density (BVD) in histology and whole-mount sections from 35 patients, thus linking ADC to oxygen consumption and fBV to oxygen supply. Pixel-wise plots of ADC versus fBV were utilized to predict the hypoxia status of each pixel in a tumor and to visualize the predicted value in a single image. The hypoxic fraction (HFDWI) of CSH images correlated strongly (R2 = 0.66; n = 41) with pimonidazole immunoscore (HSPimo); this relationship was validated in a second pimonidazole cohort (R2 = 0.54; n = 54). We observed good agreement between CSH images and pimonidazole staining in whole-mount sections. HFDWI correlated with tumor stage and lymph node status, consistent with findings for HSPimo Moreover, CSH imaging could be applied on histologic CD and BVD images, demonstrating transferability to a histopathology assay. Thus, CSH represents a robust approach for hypoxia imaging in prostate cancer that could easily be translated into clinical practice.Significance: These findings present a novel imaging strategy that indirectly measures tumor hypoxia and has potential application in a wide variety of solid tumors and other imaging modalities.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/16/4774/F1.large.jpg Cancer Res; 78(16); 4774-85. ©2018 AACR.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in a 68-year-old patient with previous heart transplantation and pelvic irradiation

We report the case of a 68-year-old man who had previously undergone heart transplantation and pelvic irradiation for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and who was under active surveillance for prostate cancer. In response to his increased prostate-specific antigen levels and elevated Gleason score, he was offered robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma of the penis

A radical circumcision was performed by the urologist (Figure 1b). The histo-pathological report concluded with invasive squamous cell carcinoma and extensive carcinoma in situ component adjacent to areas with lichen sclerosus and atrophicus. The appearance of the neoplasm varied considerably with squamous cell differentiation at the superficial part and extensive underlying sarcomatoid growth pattern (Figure 2a). Interlacing fascicles with atypical spindle cells were mixed with multinucleated giant cells and areas with pseudovascular spaces mimicking angiosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (Figure 2a). These areas were seen in close conjunction with the squamous cell neoplasm (Figure 2a). The polypoid sarcomatoid tumor stained negative for CD31, CD34 and cytokeratins and was positive for vimentin, whereas the epithelial component was cytokeratin positive by immunochemistry. The diagnosis sarcomatoid carcinoma was favoured due to the presence of superficial infiltrating squamous cells adjacent to an extensive squamous cell carcinoma in situ component (Figure 2b). Vascular invasion was not seen but the deepest point of tumor invasion was close to the resection margin and a reresection of the prepuce of the penis was consequently performed at The Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH). The histo-pathological examination did not reveal any cancerous tissue in the reresection specimen, but balanitis xerotica obliterans. Tumor spread was not seen in the subsequent inguinal sentinel lymph node procedure from the left groin. The patient was followed at the out-patient department of the NRH and 1.5 year after the primary surgery the patient appeared with a fast growing tumor of glans penis. A palpable enlarged lymph-node in the right groin was resected; histological examination verified a squamous cell carcinoma compatible with metastasis. Sarcomatoid growth pattern was not seen. The patient was operated with partial penile amputation and a surgical margin of 2 cm as well as a radical lymphnode dissection of the right groin. The histopathological report confirmed a squamous cell carcinoma of glans penis. The patient did not receive any other adjuvant oncological treatment.

Trends in incidence, mortality and survival of penile squamous cell carcinoma in Norway 1956–2015

We examine trends in incidence, mortality and survival of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Norway over 60 years. Data on all cases of penile cancer diagnosed in Norway during 1956–2015 were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Trends in age‐standardized rates of penile SCC incidence, mortality and 5‐year relative survival were assessed by the annual percentage change statistic and joinpoint regression. A total of 1,596 penile cancer cases were diagnosed during 1956–2015, among which 1,474 (92.4%) were SCC. During 2011–2015, the age‐standardized incidence and mortality of penile SCC were 0.91 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78; 1.05) and 0.50 (0.42; 0.60) per 100,000, respectively, and the 5‐year relative survival was 61.6% (41.9; 76.4). The incidence of SCC increased during 1956–2015, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 0.80% (0.46; 1.15). The increase was strongest among men diagnosed at a relatively early age (age<=64 years; AAPC: 1.47% (0.90; 2.05)). Mortality also increased over the study period (AAPC: 0.47% (0.10; 0.85)), whereas 5‐year relative survival did not change (AAPC: 0.08% (−0.19; 0.36)). We conclude that the incidence of penile SCC has increased at a moderate and constant rate during 1956–2015, and that the most consistent increase occurred among younger men. Mortality also increased during the study period. However, survival did not change, thus changes in diagnostics and treatment had little impact on survival from penile SCC. Since a substantial proportion of penile SCC is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), the incidence increase may in part be attributed to increased exposure to HPV in the population.