Michael A. Poch

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Prostate Cancer Early Detection, Version 2.2016

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Prostate Cancer Early Detection provide recommendations for prostate cancer screening in healthy men who have elected to participate in an early detection program. The NCCN Guidelines focus on minimizing unnecessary procedures and limiting the detection of indolent disease. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the NCCN Prostate Cancer Early Detection Panels most significant discussions for the 2016 guideline update, which included issues surrounding screening in high-risk populations (ie, African Americans, BRCA1/2 mutation carriers), approaches to refine patient selection for initial and repeat biopsies, and approaches to improve biopsy specificity.

Sarcopenia as a predictor of overall survival after cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) is a therapeutic consideration in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We hypothesized that sarcopenia, a novel marker of nutritional status, is a predictor of survival after CN. MATERIALS AND METHODS Of 105 patients who underwent CN at our institution for mRCC, 93 had preoperative imaging available for analysis. Skeletal muscle index was calculated on axial images at the third lumbar vertebrae, and a threshold skeletal muscle index of<43 cm(2)/m(2) in men with a body mass index (BMI)<25 kg/m(2),<53 cm(2)/m(2) in men with a BMI>25 kg/m(2), and<41 cm(2)/m(2) in women was used to classify patients as sarcopenic vs. nonsarcopenic. This classification was then retrospectively correlated with overall survival (OS). RESULTS Overall, 27 patients (29.0%) had sarcopenia before surgery. Sarcopenic patients received neoadjuvant systemic therapy more often (P = 0.022), had lower BMI (P = 0.001), had a higher incidence of hypoalbuminemia before surgery (P = 0.035), received more blood transfusions perioperatively (P = 0.006) owing to lower preoperative hemoglobin levels (P = 0.001), and had longer length of stay after surgery (P = 0.02). Median OS in sarcopenic patients was 7 months (95% CI: 0.8-13.2) vs. 23 months (95% CI: 12.4-33.6) in nonsarcopenic patients. On multivariate analysis, sarcopenia was an independent predictor of OS (hazard ratio = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.15-3.92; P = 0.016) in addition to number of metastatic sites>2 (hazard ratio = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.24-3.53; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Sarcopenia can be an important prognostic factor associated with worse OS after CN for mRCC.

Predicting postoperative complications of inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancer in an international multicentre cohort

To assess the potential complications associated with inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) across international tertiary care referral centres, and to determine the prognostic factors that best predict the development of these complications.

Effect of tumor size on recurrence-free survival of upper tract urothelial carcinoma following surgical resection.

OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) based on the clinicopathological features of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who have undergone radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) with bladder cuff resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients from October 1998 to July 2012 at our tertiary institution and identified 120 patients with sufficient data who underwent RNU for UTUC. We recorded various clinical and histopathological parameters as potential predictors of outcome. Recurrence was defined as any occurrence of urothelial carcinoma after RNU either intravesically, local/regionally, or at distant sites. Univariate, multivariate, and RFS analyses were conducted using the Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS The median age of our cohort was 71 years (interquartile range: 64-78). Median RNU-specimen tumor size was 3.0 cm (interquartile range: 2.0-5.0 cm). Fifty-four patients (45%) had a tumor<3.0 cm and 66 (55%) had a tumor≥3.0 cm. Eighty patients (66.7%) had organ-confined UTUC (≤pT2) and 40 (33.3%) had non-organ-confined UTUC (≥pT3). Sixty-five patients (54.2%) experienced at least 1 recurrence. Forty-three patients (35.8%) had at least 1 episode of intravesical recurrence and 28 (23.3%) had distant recurrence. A multivariate analysis revealed non-organ-confined disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.62, P<0.001), tumor diameter≥3 cm (HR = 1.97, P = 0.011), and male gender (HR = 1.81, P = 0.047) to be significant independent predictors of disease recurrence. The 5-year RFS rate was 46.9% and 25.8% for patients with tumor size<3 and ≥3 cm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Following RNU, the incidence of recurrence remains high among patients with UTUC. In our cohort of patients, tumor diameter≥3.0 cm, non-organ-confined UTUC, and male gender constitute important risk factors for poor RFS outcomes following RNU. These patients require diligent postoperative surveillance and may potentially benefit from perioperative systemic therapy.

A dosimetric study of polyethylene glycol hydrogel in 200 prostate cancer patients treated with high-dose rate brachytherapy ± intensity modulated radiation therapy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We sought to analyze the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel on rectal doses in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between July 2009 and April 2013, we treated 200 clinically localized prostate cancer patients with high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy±intensity modulated radiation therapy. Half of the patients received a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided transperineal injection of 10mL PEG hydrogel (DuraSeal™ Spinal Sealant System; Covidien, Mansfield, MA) in their anterior perirectal fat immediately prior to the first HDR brachytherapy treatment and 5mL PEG hydrogel prior to the second HDR brachytherapy treatment. Prostate, rectal, and bladder doses and prostate-rectal distances were calculated based upon treatment planning CT scans. RESULTS There was a success rate of 100% (100/100) with PEG hydrogel implantation. PEG hydrogel significantly increased the prostate-rectal separation (mean±SD, 12±4mm with gel vs. 4±2mm without gel, p<0.001) and significantly decreased the mean rectal D2 mL (47±9% with gel vs. 60±8% without gel, p<0.001). Gel decreased rectal doses regardless of body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSIONS PEG hydrogel temporarily displaced the rectum away from the prostate by an average of 12mm and led to a significant reduction in rectal radiation doses, regardless of BMI.

Short-term patient reported health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC).

To determine short‐term health‐related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes after robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) using the Bladder Cancer Index (BCI) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Body Image Scale (BIS).

Tips and tricks to robot-assisted radical cystectomy and intracorporeal diversion.

Purpose of reviewTo summarize the fundamental principles for technique of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) based on current peer reviewed literature. Also provide most recent evidence for the efficacy of RARC and Intracorporeal Ileal Conduit (ICIC). Recent findingsTechnical tricks have increased the efficiency of RARC and ICIC diversion. Perioperative and short-term outcomes have demonstrated that RARC is an acceptable alternative to open radical cystectomy. Acceptable positive surgical margin rates, thorough extended lymph node dissection based on tenets of oncological principles and acceptable short-term oncologic outcomes have been reported. Learning curve towards safe incorporation of intracorporeal urinary diversion and its evolution are presented. SummaryThe technical tips and tricks have led to evolution of technique translating into improved surgical outcomes. RARC is a well tolerated and effective alternative to open cystectomy and urinary diversion. Intracorporeal urinary diversion is the next challenge on the horizon with an acceptable learning curve and outcomes; this evolution will lead to improvement in quality of life after this morbid surgical procedure.

Does Body Mass Index Impact the Performance of Robot-Assisted Intracorporeal Ileal Conduit?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Body mass index (BMI) has been shown to influence perioperative outcomes for patients undergoing open radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. The impact of BMI on robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit has not been studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with ileal conduit at our institution were offered intracorporeal ileal conduit beginning May 2009. Fifty-six consecutive patients underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal ileal conduit from May of 2009 to July 2010. Patients were categorized into three groups based on BMI: Normal (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI=25-29 kg/m(2)), and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). The effect of BMI on intraoperative and postoperative outcomes was assessed by retrospective review of a comprehensive RARC quality assurance database. RESULTS Median age at cystectomy was 72 (range 42-87 y), and 75% of patients were male. Median follow-up for the entire cohort was 5 months (range 12 d-16 mos). Median BMI was 27 kg/m(2) (range 19-47 kg/m(2)), and 75% of patients were overweight or obese. Age, ASA score, and overall operative time were not significantly different among the normal, overweight, and obese patients. Median urinary diversion times were 95, 151, and 124 minutes for normal, overweight, and obese patients, respectively (P=0.13). CONCLUSIONS Robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit can be safely performed in all body mass indices. Further studies are needed to assess long-term conduit function and stomal complications.

The association between calcium channel blocker use and prostate cancer outcome

Epidemiological studies indicate that calcium channel blocker (CCB) use is inversely related to prostate cancer (PCa) incidence. The association between CCB use and PCa aggressiveness at the time of radical prostatectomy (RP) and outcome after RP was examined.

Predictors of Postoperative Complications in Patients Who Undergo Radical Nephrectomy and IVC Thrombectomy: A Large Contemporary Tertiary Center Analysis

UNLABELLED In an analysis of a large single-institution experience in the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus, the authors present the effect of RCC characteristics on survival, and aim to identify potential preoperative variables predictive of intraoperative complexity with regard to estimated blood loss, transfusion volume, surgical time, length of stay, and postoperative complication rates. Age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, Charlson Comorbidity Index, preoperative calcium, preoperative creatinine, and IVC wall invasion were significantly related to complication rates. INTRODUCTION Preoperative laboratory values are commonly used as markers of health and potential disease burden, however, their effect on perioperative complexity has not previously been assessed. The authors aimed to evaluate the effect of renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus characteristics on cancer-specific survival (CSS), and identify potential preoperative variables predictive of intraoperative complexity. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a retrospective chart review we identified 144 patients who underwent nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the effect of disease characteristics on CSS and postoperative complications. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between preoperative laboratory values and intraoperative complexity characterized by estimated blood loss (EBL), transfusion volume (TV), operative time, and length of hospital stay (LOS). RESULTS Analysis of intraoperative complexity revealed a significant correlation between preoperative creatinine (Cr) and EBL (P = .022), TV (P = .041), and LOS (P = .005), and preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) was associated with increased EBL (P < .001) and TV (P < .001). Multivariate analyses showed a significant relationship between overall complication rates and preoperative calcium (Ca; P = .012), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (P = .003), and IVC wall invasion (P = .005), and a significant association between major complications and preoperative Ca (P = .011), preoperative Cr (P = .041), age (P = .050), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; P = .002). CONCLUSION With regard to intraoperative complexity and postoperative complications, preoperative Cr and Hgb were significantly associated with increased EBL, TV, and LOS, and ASA score, preoperative Ca, preoperative Cr, IVC wall invasion, age, and CCI were found to have significant relationships with complication rates.