Publications by authors named "Bettocchi C"
Purpose: This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the prognostic value of T1 histo-anatomic substaging (T1a/T1b) for high grade (HG) non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) over a large single-centre cohort.
Materials And Methods: Patients with primary HG T1 NMIBC were identified from our Institutional database, between 2011 and 2022. Data from diagnosis to repeated transurethral resection of bladder tumour (RE-TURBT), bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment and follow-up were collected.
Article Synopsis
- This study evaluated cancer control outcomes in prostate cancer patients with clinically positive nodal involvement, comparing surgery with radiation while considering other causes of death.
- Researchers analyzed data from the SEER database for patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2017, using advanced statistical methods to adjust for differences in treatment and mortality risk.
- Findings indicated that, after 10 years, patients treated with radiation had significantly higher cancer-specific mortality rates (27.6%) compared to those treated with surgery (18.1%), highlighting the advantages of surgical intervention.
Article Synopsis
- Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) men have a higher risk of prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality than Non-Hispanic White (NHW) men, but this study focuses on incidental PCa cases from two North American cohorts.
- The research analyzed data from SEER (2004-2017) and Henry Ford Health (1995-2022) to compare cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and management of incidental PCa between NHB and NHW men, finding no major pathological differences except for slightly elevated PSA levels in NHB men.
- Conclusions indicate that both groups had similar survival outcomes, challenging previous beliefs that racial disparities significantly affect prostate cancer mortality after incidental diagnoses.
Background And Objective: The preferable technique for orthotopic bladder substitution after radical cystectomy is debated. The aim of this study was to describe our technique of a stapled W-shaped ileal neobladder and assess the complications and functional results in 100 patients. treated from December 2009 to July 2022.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Studies show that patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa) have a higher risk of dying from causes unrelated to cancer than those who have radical prostatectomy (RP), hinting at poorer overall health in RT patients.
- Using data from the SEER database, researchers matched RP and RT patients based on their risk of other-cause mortality (OCM) and analyzed the effects on cancer-specific mortality (CSM).
- Results indicate that for patients with unfavorable-intermediate and high-risk cancer, RP significantly reduced CSM rates compared to RT, while no difference was found in those with favorable-intermediate or low-risk disease.
Article Synopsis
- Iontophoresis therapy (IPT) is a noninvasive method using electrical impulses to deliver drugs through the skin, and it’s been investigated as a treatment for Peyronie's disease (PD).
- A systematic review of literature found that while IPT combined with medications like verapamil and dexamethasone shows potential in reducing symptoms of PD, the studies reviewed generally had moderate to low quality.
- Overall, there’s currently not enough strong evidence to support IPT as a primary treatment for PD, highlighting a need for further research to explore its effectiveness.
Purpose: Prostatic urethral lift has been an effective ejaculation sparing treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on male semen parameters.
Methods: Between July 2014 and January 2022, 20 young men with urinary symptoms of BPH, unresponsive to drug treatment and motivated to preserve ejaculation for eventual paternity, underwent UroLift.
Article Synopsis
- The review systematically analyzed data on patient and partner satisfaction with penile prosthesis (PP) implantation, showing a high overall satisfaction rate of 83%.
- Out of 663 articles, 83 were included, covering 12,132 subjects, with findings indicating higher satisfaction linked to three-piece prostheses, certain health conditions, and the use of inflatable devices.
- Long-term complications were minimal, with rates between 3-4.6%, and satisfaction tended to increase over time, while being higher for patients than partners.
Article Synopsis
- This study examined prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) among Black and White men by analyzing their other-cause mortality (OCM) risk to better understand healthcare access disparities.
- Researchers used a large patient database from 2004 to 2009, matching Black and White men with similar OCM risks for comparison.
- The findings revealed that when accounting for OCM risk, Black and White patients had similar rates of PCSM, suggesting that race did not significantly influence cancer survival rates at the population level.
Article Synopsis
- The rising interest in penile enhancement procedures is driven by men's desires for improved genital appearance and self-esteem, highlighting the need for personalized medical assessments.
- This comprehensive review analyzes data from recent studies to evaluate outcomes, complications, and the overall quality of life post-penile augmentation surgery, encompassing various surgical techniques.
- While these surgeries can address concerns about penis size, the potential risks and complications associated with the procedures must be carefully considered before proceeding.
Purpose: To review the literature on the topic, to suggest a common line of treatment applicable across a wide community of specialists, and to contribute in maintaining the high level of interest in this disease.
Methods: A comprehensive and exhaustive review of the literature was performed, identifying hundreds of articles on the topic.
Results: Peyronie's disease is a condition that has been recognized, studied, and treated for centuries; despite this, if one excludes surgery in cases in which the deformity is stable, no clear treatment (or line of treatment) is available for complete relief of signs and symptoms.
Background: The acquisition of skills in penile prosthesis surgery has many limitations mainly due to the absence of simulators and models for training. Three-dimensional (3D) printed models can be utilized for surgical simulations, as they provide an opportunity to practice before entering the operating room and provide better understanding of the surgical approach.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and validate a 3D model of human male genitalia for penile prosthesis surgery.
Previous published studies have shown an improvement of penile hemodynamic parameters after low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT). However, the clinical significance of these findings remains unclear, and definitive selection criteria for Li-ESWT based on preexisting comorbidities have yet to be established. This was an observational study of 113 patients with ED, evaluated between January 2019 and December 2021 in Andrology Unit at the Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia (Foggia, Italy).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms responsible for male infertility. Various conditions such as varicocele, obesity, advanced age, and lifestyle can lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species, causing an oxidative imbalance in the reproductive environment. Spermatozoa are sensitive to reactive oxygen species and require energy to carry out their main function of fertilizing the egg.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To investigate the risk factors for penile arterial insufficiency (PAI), which is a known cause of erectile dysfunction (ED).
Methods: Patients who attended our urology clinic complaining of ED for more than 6 months were prospectively enrolled in this study over 1-year period. Patient consent was taken and ethical committee approval.
Penoscrotal approach for inflatable penile prosthesis implant: why it should be preferred.
Minerva Urol Nephrol
December 2023
Article Synopsis
- Inflatable penile prostheses are recognized as the best treatment for erectile dysfunction, with two main surgical techniques: penoscrotal and infrapubic, though no definitive evidence shows one is better than the other.
- A review of 26 studies indicates that while the penoscrotal approach is more common and viewed as comfortable by surgeons, the infrapubic method is quicker and results in higher patient satisfaction.
- Overall, both techniques show similar complication rates, with the choice often depending on case complexity and surgeon preference, despite the infrapubic method's advantages in speed and patient contentment.
The increasing importance of treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), while avoiding side effects and maintaining sexual function, has allowed for the development of minimally invasive surgical therapies (MISTs). Recently, the European Association of Urology guidelines reported a paradigm shift from the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to the management of nonneurogenic male LUTS. The aim of the present review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the most commonly used MISTs: ablative techniques such as aquablation, prostatic artery embolization, water vapor energy, and transperineal prostate laser ablation, and nonablative techniques such as prostatic urethral lift and temporarily implanted nitinol device (iTIND).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * The main findings indicated that 14.8% of patients suffered from unfavorable outcomes due to significant complications or low quality-of-life scores post-surgery, with most patients showing good satisfaction overall.
- * Logistic regression revealed that middle-aged men faced a higher risk of dissatisfaction after PPI compared to younger and older patients, while other factors like erectile dysfunction cause and surgical volume didn't significantly affect outcomes.
Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate if exposure to 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) modifies the effect of MRI for the diagnosis of clinically significant Prostate Cancer (csPCa) (ISUP Gleason grade ≥ 2).
Methods: This study is a multicenter cohort study including patients undergoing prostate biopsy and MRI at 24 institutions between 2013 and 2022. Multivariable analysis predicting csPCa with an interaction term between 5-ARIs and PIRADS score was performed.
Context: Recommendations regarding the management of penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia are important in guiding evidence-based clinical practice.
Objective: To present a summary of the 2023 European Association of Urology sexual and reproductive health evidence-based recommendations for the management of penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia.
Evidence Acquisition: A broad and comprehensive scoping exercise covering all areas of the guidelines was performed.
The aim of this study was to validate externally a nomogram that relies on MRI volumetric parameters and clinical data to determine the need for a standard biopsy in addition to a target biopsy for men with suspicious prostate MRI findings. We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of 469 biopsy-naïve men who underwent prostate biopsies. These biopsies were guided by pre-biopsy multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) and were performed at two different institutions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * A total of 33 patients, with a median age of 49, were monitored for complications and functional outcomes through standardized questionnaires over an average follow-up period of 83 months.
- * Results showed that most patients underwent a penoscrotal approach for the surgery, with a low incidence of intraoperative and early postoperative complications, highlighting the safety and effectiveness of PPI in this specific patient group.
Introduction: Animal models are frequently used for translational research in Peyronie's disease (PD). However, due to lack of availability of guidelines, there is some heterogeneity in study design, data reporting, and outcome measures.
Aim: This European Society for Sexual Medicine consensus statement aims to provide guidance in utilization of animal models in PD research in a standardized and uniform fashion.