Lucas Nogueira

Tumor size is associated with malignant potential in renal cell carcinoma cases.

PURPOSE We evaluated our experience with renal cortical tumors to determine whether tumor size is associated with malignant histology and/or nuclear grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified 2,675 patients treated surgically at our institution for renal cell carcinoma or a benign tumor between 1989 and 2007. Histological subtype and tumor size were obtained from our kidney cancer database and logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS Of the 2,675 tumors 311 (12%) were benign and 2,364 (88%) were renal cell carcinoma. The OR for the association of malignancy with tumor size was 1.16 (95% CI 1.11-1.22, p <0.001), indicating that each 1 cm increase in tumor size was associated with a 16% increase in the odds of malignancy. The incidence of benign tumors decreased from 38% for tumors less than 1 cm to 7% for tumors 7 cm or greater. In patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma each 1 cm increase in tumor size increased the odds of high grade disease (Fuhrman grade 3-4) compared with low grade disease (Fuhrman grade 1-2) by 25% (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.21-1.30, p <0.001). In this subset the incidence of high grade lesions increased from 0% for tumors less than 1 cm to 59% for tumors greater than 7 cm. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm previous observations suggesting that the risks of malignancy and high grade tumors increase with tumor size. Patients with small renal masses are at low risk for harboring a high grade clear cell malignancy, which may be useful during initial consultation.

Comprehensive Standardized Report of Complications of Retropubic and Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

BACKGROUND The lack of standardized reporting of the complications of radical prostatectomy in the literature has made it difficult to compare incidences across institutions and across different surgical approaches. OBJECTIVE To define comprehensively the incidence, severity, and timing of onset of medical and surgical complications of open retropubic prostatectomy (RP) and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LP) using a standardized reporting methodology to facilitate comparison. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Between January 1999 and June 2007, 4592 consecutive patients underwent RP or LP without prior radiation or hormonal therapy. Median follow-up was 36.9 mo (interquartile range: 20.3-60.6). INTERVENTION Open or laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MEASUREMENTS All medical and surgical complications of radical prostatectomy were captured and graded according to the modified Clavien classification and classified by timing of onset. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS There were 612 medical complications in 467 patients (10.2%) and 1426 surgical complications in 925 patients (20.1%). The overall incidences of early minor and major medical and surgical complications for RP were 8.5% and 1.5% for medical and 11.4% and 4.9% for surgical complications, respectively. The overall incidences of early minor and major medical and surgical complications for LP were 14.2% and 2.3% for medical and 23.1% and 6.6% for surgical complications, respectively. On multivariate analysis, LP approach was associated with a higher incidence of any grade medical and surgical complications but a lower incidence of major surgical complications than RP. Six hundred fifty-two men (14.2%) visited the emergency department, and 240 men (5.2%) required readmission. The main limitation is the retrospective nature. CONCLUSIONS With standardized reporting, the incidence of some complications is higher than recognized in the literature. Although most complications are minor in severity, medical and surgical complications are observed in approximately 10% and 20% of patients, respectively. Accurate reporting of complications through a standardized methodology is essential for counseling patients regarding risk of complications, for identifying modifiable risk factors, and for facilitating comparison across institutions and approaches.

Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Robotic-assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Surgical Technique and Initial Experience

OBJECTIVES To describe, and show in the accompanying video segments, a technique for extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and report our clinicopathologic and perioperative outcomes. The extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy during radical prostatectomy has not been standardized. However, evidence demonstrates that an ePLND yields a greater number of positive nodes. METHODS A total of 32 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent RARP with ePLND by a single surgeon (J.C.) between January and August 2008. The template for the ePLND included the obturator, hypogastric, external iliac, and common iliac lymph nodes up to the bifurcation of the aorta. Systematic review and grading of adverse events were performed. RESULTS The median number of lymph nodes retrieved was 18 (interquartile range [IQR] 12-28). Four patients (12.5%) had lymph node metastases. Of the 4 patients with lymph node metastases, 1 patient (25%) had the involved lymph node exclusively in the common iliac region. Median operative time for the ePLND was 72 minutes (IQR 66-86). Median hospital length of stay was 2.0 days (IQR 2.0-2.8). Graded complications included 13 grade 1 events and 1 grade 2 event, with 1 grade 1 event being considered related to ePLND. No clinically presenting lymphoceles or thrombotic events were encountered. CONCLUSIONS An ePLND during RARP is technically feasible and appears to have minimal morbidity. It produces a high lymph node yield and may result in improved pathologic staging.

Focal treatment or observation of prostate cancer: pretreatment accuracy of transrectal ultrasound biopsy and T2-weighted MRI.

OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that men with prostate cancer (PCA) and preoperative disease features considered favorable for focal treatment would be accurately characterized with transrectal biopsy and prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by performing a retrospective analysis of a selected cohort of such patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS A total of 202 patients with PCA who had preoperative MRI and low-risk biopsy criteria (no Gleason grade 4/5, 1 involved core, < 2 mm, PSA density < or = 0.10, clinical stage < or = T2a) were included in the study. Indolent RP pathology was defined as no Gleason 4/5, organ confined, tumor volume < 0.5 mL, and negative surgical margins. MRI ability to locate and determine the tumor extent was assessed. RESULTS After RP, 101 men (50%) had nonindolent cancer. Multifocal and bilateral tumors were present in 81% and 68% of patients, respectively. MRI indicated extensive disease in 16 (8%). MRI sensitivity to locate PCA ranged from 2% to 20%, and specificity from 91% to 95%. On univariate analysis, MRI evidence of extracapsular extension (P = .027) and extensive disease (P = .001) were associated with nonindolent cancer. On multivariate analysis, only the latter remained as significant predictor (P = .0018). CONCLUSIONS Transrectal biopsy identified men with indolent tumors favorable for focal treatment in 50% of cases. MRI findings of extracapsular extension and extensive tumor involving more than half of the gland are associated with unfavorable features, and may be useful in excluding patients from focal treatment. According to these data, endorectal MRI is not sufficient to localize small tumors for focal treatment.

Other biomarkers for detecting prostate cancer.

Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) has been used for detecting prostate cancer since 1994. Although it is the best cancer biomarker available, PSA is not perfect. It lacks both the sensitivity and specificity to accurately detect the presence of prostate cancer. None of the PSA thresholds currently in use consistently identify patients with prostate cancer and exclude patients without cancer. Novel approaches to improve our ability to detect prostate cancer and predict the course of the disease are needed. Additional methods for detecting prostate cancer have been evaluated. Despite the discovery of many new biomarkers, only a few have shown some clinical value. These markers include human kallikrein 2, urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor, prostate‐specific membrane antigen, early prostate cancer antigen, PCA3, α‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase and glutathione S‐transferase π hypermethylation. We review the reports on biomarkers for prostate cancer detection, and their possible role in the clinical practice.

Extending the indications and anatomical limits of pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer: improved staging or increased morbidity?

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Recovery of Renal Function After Open and Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy

BACKGROUND Although oncologic outcomes appear to be similar after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and open partial nephrectomy (OPN), data on renal function are lacking. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the change over time in renal function after LPN and OPN. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We identified 987 patients with a single sporadic tumor and a normal contralateral kidney who were treated by LPN (n=182) and OPN (n=805) between January 2002 and July 2009. INTERVENTION All patients underwent LPN or OPN at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. MEASUREMENTS Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. We created a multivariable generalized estimating equations linear model that predicted GFR based on the time from surgery, preoperative GFR, tumor size, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and ischemia time. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Mean patient age, tumor size, and ASA score were similar between LPN and OPN patients. The baseline preoperative GFR was lower in the laparoscopic group (67 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) vs 73 ml/min per 1.73 m(2); p<0.001). The mean ischemia time was shorter after LPN than OPN (35 min vs 40 min, respectively; p<0.001). In a multivariable model, the interaction term between time from surgery and approach was statistically significant (p=0.045), indicating that there was a differential effect on recovery of renal function over time by approach. Laparoscopically treated patients maintained a slightly higher renal function than those treated via an open approach. The 2-mo and 6-mo predicted GFR for a typical patient increased slightly from 65 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) to 67 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), respectively, for those treated laparoscopically but remained constant at 62 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) after OPN. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the surgical approach has a small effect on the recovery of renal function after partial nephrectomy. Laparoscopically treated patients maintained slightly higher renal function.

Critical Evaluation of Perioperative Complications in Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy

OBJECTIVES To analyze our experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) to detail postoperative adverse events and identify factors that may contribute to adverse surgical outcomes. Complications from LPN result from a variety of factors, both technical and inherent. METHODS Single-center review of 144 consecutive LPN (4 surgeons) performed between November 2002 and January 2008 was conducted. Identified complications were graded using standard reporting criteria. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of variables and their association with complication event and blood loss was performed. RESULTS A total of 39 complications occurred in 29 (20%) cases. Of these, 20 (51%) were urologic and 19 (49%) were nonurologic. Individual adverse events by grade were as follows: grade I, 6 (15.4%); grade II, 19 (48.7%), grade III, 11 (28.2%), and grade IV, 3 (7.7%). No grade V complications occurred. The median tumor size and ischemia time were 2.7 cm and 35 minutes, respectively. Univariate analysis identified increased American Society of Anesthesiologists risk score (odds ratio 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28, 6.94) and ischemia time (odds ratio 1.31; 95% CI 1.00, 1.71) as associated with complication risk. On multivariate analysis, longer ischemia time was associated with increased estimated blood loss (95% CI 3, 57; P = .03). Hospital readmission and reintervention was required in 15 (10.4%) and 9 (6.2%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Complications from LPN occur in a meaningful proportion of procedures although the majority does not require reintervention and half are not urologic. Increasing ischemia time and American Society of Anesthesiologists score are associated with risk for unfavorable surgical outcomes.

Prostatic specific antigen for prostate cancer detection

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been used for prostate cancer detection since 1994. PSA testing has revolutionized our ability to diagnose, treat, and follow-up patients. In the last two decades, PSA screening has led to a substantial increase in the incidence of prostate cancer (PC). This increased detection caused the incidence of advanced-stage disease to decrease at a dramatic rate, and most newly diagnosed PC today are localized tumors with a high probability of cure. PSA screening is associated with a 75% reduction in the proportion of men who now present with metastatic disease and a 32.5% reduction in the age-adjusted prostate cancer mortality rate through 2003. Although PSA is not a perfect marker, PSA testing has limited specificity for prostate cancer detection, and its appropriate clinical application remains a topic of debate. Due to its widespread use and increased over-detection, the result has been the occurrence of over-treatment of indolent cancers. Accordingly, several variations as regards PSA measurement have emerged as useful adjuncts for prostate cancer screening. These procedures take into consideration additional factors, such as the proportion of different PSA isoforms (free PSA, complexed PSA, pro-PSA and B PSA), the prostate volume (PSA density), and the rate of change in PSA levels over time (PSA velocity or PSA doubling time). The history and evidence underlying each of these parameters are reviewed in the following article.

Lymph node dissection during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: comparison of lymph node yield and clinical outcomes when including common iliac nodes with standard template dissection

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4