Sun Ouck Kim

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Propiverine in Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Storage Symptoms: A Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blinded and Multicenter Clinical Trial

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate whether low-dose anticholinergics combined with an α1-receptor antagonist would continue the effect of an alpha-blocker, decrease the side effects of anticholinergics, and improve the symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). Materials and Methods Two hundred nine men with LUTS/BPH with storage symptoms (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] ≥12; storage symptoms ≥4) were randomly assigned in a prospective, multicentered, and single-blind fashion to either the control group (alfuzosin 10 mg, once daily) or the combined group (alfuzosin 10 mg, once daily, and propiverine 10 mg, once daily) for 2 months. IPSS, maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual volume (PVR) were used to grade symptoms, side effects, and the impact on quality of life (QoL) at the start of the study and after 1 and 2 months. Results There were no significant differences in patient background, including age, prostate size, Qmax, and PVR, between the control group and the combined group. In the combined group, the IPSS total score and the IPSS storage symptom score were significantly improved compared with the control group. The IPSS voiding symptom score, QoL, Qmax, and PVR did not differ significantly. There were no serious side effects in either group. Conclusions Management with an α1-receptor antagonist combined with a low-dose anticholinergic improved the total score and storage symptom score of the IPSS compared with α1-receptor antagonist only group without causing serious side effects. This initial combination medication can be considered an effective and safe treatment modality for LUTS/BPH patients with storage symptoms.

Is a Decreased Serum Testosterone Level a Risk Factor for Prostate Cancer? A Cohort Study of Korean Men

Purpose To investigate patients who had transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy to define the role of the serum testosterone level in predicting prostate cancer risk and its association with a high Gleason score. Materials and Methods A total of 568 patients who underwent prostate biopsy were entered in this study. We divided the patients into two groups according to serum testosterone level (median level, 3.85 ng/ml): the high-testosterone group (n=285) and the low-testosterone group (n=283). Multivariate regression analysis was used to define the effect of age, prostate volume, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and PSA density, and serum testosterone level on the risk of prostate cancer and a high Gleason score. Results Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. Compared with the high-testosterone group, the low-testosterone group had a significantly higher prostate cancer incidence (38.9% vs. 29.5%, p=0.018). Factors associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer were increased age (odds ratio [OR]=1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.25-3.16, p=0.001), a high serum PSA level (OR=3.35, 95% CI=2.63-4.25, p=0.001), a low prostate volume (OR=0.183, 95% CI=0.11-0.30, p=0.001), and a low serum testosterone level (OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.25-3.16, p=0.001). Among these, only the serum PSA level was a strong predictor of high-grade prostate cancer (Gleason score ≥7) (OR=2.19, 95% CI=1.57-2.95, p=0.001). Conclusions Patients with lower levels of serum testosterone had a higher risk of prostate cancer than did patients with high serum testosterone. Even though a lower serum testosterone level was a predictor of prostate cancer risk, it was not associated with an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer.

Predictors of Intravesical Recurrence After Radical Nephroureterectomy for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: An Inflammation-Based Prognostic Score

Purpose Systemic inflammatory responses, which are defined in terms of the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), have been reported to be independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes in various human cancers. We assessed the utility of the GPS as a predictor of intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC). Materials and Methods We collected data for 147 UTUC patients with no previous history of bladder cancer who underwent RNU from 2004 to 2012. Associations between perioperative clinicopathological variables and intravesical recurrence were analyzed by using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Results Overall, 71 of 147 patients (48%) developed intravesical recurrence, including 21 patients (30%) diagnosed with synchronous bladder tumor. In the univariate analysis, performance status, diabetes mellitus (DM), serum albumin, C-reactive protein, GPS, and synchronous bladder tumor were associated with intravesical recurrence. In the multivariate analysis, performance status (hazard ratio [HR], 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-3.85; p=0.001), DM (HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.21-3.41; p=0.007), cortical thinning (HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.08-3.71; p=0.026), and GPS (score of 1: HR, 6.86; 95% CI, 3.69-12.7; p=0.001; score of 2: HR, 5.96; 95% CI, 3.10-11.4; p=0.001) were independent predictors of intravesical recurrence. Conclusions Our results suggest that the GPS as well as performance status, DM, and cortical thinning are associated with intravesical recurrence after RNU. Thus, more careful follow-up, coupled with postoperative intravesical therapy to avoid bladder recurrence, should be considered in these patients.

Prostate cancer with solitary metastases to the bilateral testis.

We present the case of an 81-year-old patient with testicular metastasis from prostate carcinoma. After the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer, he had an 8-year course of hormonal therapy and showed no clinical evidence of metastasis to other organs. Asymptomatic metastasis of prostate carcinoma to the testis is a rare clinical condition. We diagnosed his condition, based on histopathology following a subcapsular orchiectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate.

Modified microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy without testicular delivery

The aim of this study is to report our experience of modified microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy without delivery of the testes. We retrospectively evaluated 138 men treated with microsurgical varicocelectomy who took part in 1‐year follow‐up between 1997 and 2007. The varicoceles were grade III in 115 (81.6%), grade II in 23 (16.3%), and grade I in 3 (2.1%) men. We used a technical modification of the standard microsurgical subinguinal technique: division of the spermatic cord before microsurgical dissection, and the testes were not delivered. Patient age, varicocele grade, operation time, 1‐year follow‐up results, including complications, symptom relief, and recurrence, were recorded. We performed 141 varicocelectomies (Left: n = 135; bilateral: n = 3) in 138 men. The patients’ mean age was 23.5 ± 2.7 (range: 11–45) years. The mean operation time was 69.6 ± 15.6 (range: 35–140) min. There were three complications (2.2%; post‐operative haematomas: n = 2; wound infection: n = 1) and 6 recurrences (4.3%; grade II: n = 1; grade III: n = 5). Among the 86 patients with scrotal pain, 74 (77.9%) reported complete resolution of pain and 13 (12.9%) reported partial resolution. Modified microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy without testis delivery is safe and effective.

Is preoperative chronic kidney disease status associated with oncologic outcomes in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma? A multicenter propensity score-matched analysis

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the prognosis of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who had undergone radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Results The median follow-up period was 31.1 months (interquartile range: 16.2-55.7 months). Among the study patients, 224 patients in the non-CKD group were selected via propensity score matching. The median recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival were significantly shorter for patients with preoperative CKD than for non-CKD patients (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). According to multivariable Cox regression analysis, preoperative CKD was related to worse recurrence-free (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-2.86, p = 0.011), cancer-specific (HR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.44-4.14, p = 0.001), and overall survival (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.40, p = 0.007). Methods A total of 566 patients who underwent RNU at 6 institutions from 2004 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 342 had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (non-CKD group) and 224 patients had an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (CKD group). To adjust for potential baseline confounders, 224 patients in the non-CKD group were selected by propensity matching. Clinicopathological variables and survival rates were compared between the 2 groups. Conclusions Preoperative CKD appears to be an important independent prognostic factor for oncologic outcomes in patients with UTUC.PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the prognosis of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who had undergone radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). RESULTS The median follow-up period was 31.1 months (interquartile range: 16.2-55.7 months). Among the study patients, 224 patients in the non-CKD group were selected via propensity score matching. The median recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival were significantly shorter for patients with preoperative CKD than for non-CKD patients (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). According to multivariable Cox regression analysis, preoperative CKD was related to worse recurrence-free (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-2.86, p = 0.011), cancer-specific (HR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.44-4.14, p = 0.001), and overall survival (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.40, p = 0.007). METHODS A total of 566 patients who underwent RNU at 6 institutions from 2004 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 342 had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (non-CKD group) and 224 patients had an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (CKD group). To adjust for potential baseline confounders, 224 patients in the non-CKD group were selected by propensity matching. Clinicopathological variables and survival rates were compared between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative CKD appears to be an important independent prognostic factor for oncologic outcomes in patients with UTUC.

Application of bone scans for prostate cancer staging: Which guideline shows better result?

INTRODUCTION We evaluated the accuracy of current guidelines by analyzing bone scan results and clinical parameters of patients with prostate cancer to determine the optimal guideline for predicting bone metastasis. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and who underwent a bone scan. Bone metastasis was confirmed by bone scan results with clinical and radiological follow-up. Serum prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score, percent of positive biopsy core, clinical staging and bone scan results were analyzed. We analyzed diagnostic performance in predicting bone metastasis of the guidelines of the European Association of Urology (EAU), American Urological Association (AUA), and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines as well as Brigantis classification and regression tree (CART). We also compared the percent of positive biopsy core between patients with and without bone metastases. RESULTS A total 167 of 806 patients had bone metastases. Receiver operating curve analysis revealed that the AUA and EAU guidelines were better for detecting bone metastases than were Brigantis CART and NCCN. No significant difference was observed between AUA and EAU guidelines. Patients with bone metastases had a higher percent positive core than did patients without metastasis (the cut-off value >55.6). CONCLUSION The EAU and AUA guidelines showed better results than did Brigantis CART and NCCN for predicting bone metastasis in the enrolled patients. A bone scan is strongly recommended for patients who have a higher percent positive core and who meet the EAU and AUA guidelines.

Age Related Changes of Voiding Patterns in Women with Overactive Bladder

Purpose: We tried to discover the voiding patterns, which was diurnal & nocturnal urinary volume and voiding frequencies in women with overactive bladder (OAB). Materials and Methods: All voided volumes, times and frequencies were recorded in 249 women with overactive bladder. The subjects age related changes in bladder capacity, urinary volume and frequency were evaluated. The causes of nocturnal urinary frequency and its increase with age in older women with OAB were evaluated using 3 days of voiding diaries. Nocturia was devided into three types: nocturnal polyuria, decreased nocturnal bladder capacity and mixed type. Results: Total voided volume, daytime urine volume, functional bladder capacity were decreased with the age. Nocturnal urine volume and nocturnal urinary frequency were increased with age. Nocturnal polyuria was the major cause for nocturia, and mixed type was increased with age. Conclusions: Voiding symptoms as well as storage symptoms were increased with age in OAB female. In most cases, nocturia was caused by nocturnal polyuria. (J Korean Continence Soc 2009;13:37-44)

Surgical treatment of invasive renal aspergillosis after chemotherapy

The treatment of hematological malignancies with intensive chemotherapy results in prolonged periods of immunosuppression. This is associated with an increased incidence of Aspergillus infections of the upper respiratory tract with high mortality. We present a case of a 4-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed disseminated pulmonary and renal aspergillosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of aspergillosis affecting a kidney after chemotherapy.

MP28-01 GENERATION OF POTENT CYTOTOXIC T LYMPHOCYTES AGAINST BLADDER CANCER CELLS BY DENDRITIC CELLS LOADED WITH DYING T24 BLADDER CANCER CELLS

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To induce a potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy against bladder cancer, various tumor antigens need to be loaded onto DCs. The aim of this study was to establish a method of immunotherapy for bladder cancer using bladder cancer-specific CTLs generated in vitro by DCs. METHODS: Monocyte-derived DCs from bladder cancer patients were induced to mature in a standard cytokine cocktail (in IL-1b, TNF-a, IL-6, and PGE2: standard DCs, sDCs) or in an a-type 1-polarized DC (aDC1) cocktail (in IL-1b, TNF-a, IFN-b, IFN-g, and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid) and then loaded with the UVB-irradiated bladder cancer cell line T24. Antigen-loaded aDC1s were evaluated by morphological and functional assays, and the bladder cancer-specific CTL response was analyzed by cytotoxic assay. RESULTS: The aDC1s significantly increased the expression of several molecules related to DC maturation, regardless of whether the aDC1s were loaded with tumor antigens or not, compared to sDCs. The aDC1sshowedahigherproductionof interleukin-12bothduringmaturation and after subsequent stimulation with CD40L, which was not significantly affected by loading with tumor antigens as compared to standard DCs (sDCs). Bladder cancer-specific CTLs against autologous bladder cancer cells were successfully induced by aDC1s loaded with dying T24 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous aDC1s loaded with an allogeneic bladder cancer cell line can generate greater bladder cancer-specific CTL responses and may provide a novel source of DC-based vaccines that can be used for the development of immunotherapy in patients with bladder cancer.