Subclinical inflammation as a predictor for erectile dysfunction after brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer.

Purpose: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker for subclinical inflammation, has been previously shown to be associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). We studied the potential predictive value of the NLR on ED after prostate brachytherapy (PB) for PCa.

Methods And Materials: Between July 2005 and January 2021, 842 patients were included in this retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database.

Biochemical failure-rate and preservation of erectile function after prostate seed brachytherapy in early-onset prostate cancer.

Introduction: To analyze biochemical failure-free survival and erectile dysfunction (ED) in younger men treated with prostate seed brachytherapy (PB).

Materials And Methods: Included were patients ≤ 55 years treated with PB. Erectile function at baseline and after treatment were assessed using the physician-reported CTCAE version 4.

Pilot trial of telemedicine in urology: Video vs. telephone consultations.

Introduction: In the past year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person clinical activities have been drastically restricted, driving the already growing interest in the use of telemedicine in the urban setting to reduce unnecessary commute. Therefore, there has been a rapid shift to telephone and video consultations in outpatient practice. We sought to conduct a pilot trial to establish feasibility and acceptability of video consultations as an alternative to telephone consultations in urology patients to inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial.

The interaction between inflammation, urinary symptoms and erectile dysfunction in early-stage prostate cancer treated with brachytherapy.

Erectile function has been shown to decline as a function of increasing peripheral blood inflammatory markers, namely the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We evaluated if the association between NLR and erectile dysfunction (ED) applies to patients with localised prostate cancer. We included 1,282 patients who underwent brachytherapy.

Do Women Have Equal Chances for an Academic Career in Radiation Oncology in Canada? A Comparison With Related Specialties.

Purpose: The progress of women in academic medicine appears to be curtailed. We evaluated gender differences in academia for residents in radiation oncology compared with 2 of its related specialties, radiology and medical oncology, across Canada.

Methods And Materials: We analyzed abstracts presented between 2013 and 2016 at the annual meetings of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists and compared it to the corresponding data for the meetings of the Canadian Association of Radiologists and Canadian Association of Medical Oncology.

Favorable preservation of erectile function after prostate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer.

Purpose: We analyzed the rate of preserved potency after prostate brachytherapy (PB) with radioactive seeds and the impact of patient comorbidities on post-PB erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: We included 627 patients who were assessed for pre- and postimplant potency between 2005 and 2017. Assessment was based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Scale (CTCAEs).

Iatrogenic ureteral injury after gynecological surgery.

Iatrogenic ureteral injury can occur in many different settings, however, the majority occur in the context of gynecological procedures. We present a case of a ureteral injury during vaginal hysterectomy for severe pelvic organ prolapse. We provide a discussion on the diagnosis and management of ureteral injury after gynecological surgery.

External validation of the novel International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Gleason grading groups in a large contemporary Canadian cohort.

Introduction: We sought to test the discriminatory ability of the 2014 International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Gleason grading groups (GGG) for predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in a large, contemporary, Canadian cohort.

Methods: A total of 621 patients who underwent RARP in two major Canadian centres were identified in a prospectively maintained Canadian database between 2006 and 2016. Followup endpoint was BCR.

Outcomes of revision surgery for difficult to catheterize continent channels in a multi-institutional cohort of adults.

Introduction: The study aimed to describe the strategies of surgical revision for catheterizable channel obstruction and their outcomes, including restenosis and new channel incontinence.

Methods: We retrospectively queried the charts of adults who underwent catheterizable channel revision or replacement from 2000-2014 for stomal stenosis, channel obstruction, or difficulty with catheterization at the Universities of Minnesota, Michigan, and Utah. The primary endpoint was channel patency as measured by freedom from repeat surgical intervention.

Real-World Retention Rates After Intravesical OnabotulinumtoxinA for Idiopathic Overactive Bladder.

Introduction: The risk of incomplete bladder evacuation requiring catheterization after intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A) is well established. However, the rates reported in the literature are highly variable and low overall in clinical trials. We attempt to evaluate the rate of symptomatic acute urinary retention requiring catheterization after initial BoNT-A in a private practice setting of patients with idiopathic overactive bladder.

180W-LBO GreenLight XPS laser vaporization for benign prostatic hyperplasia: our experience with current markers of surgical proficiency for durable and reproducible outcomes.

Introduction: This study aims at analyzing the impact of reaching current markers of proficiency on intra and postoperative clinical outcomes of laser vaporization with 180W GreenLight XPS in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a prospectively collected database of 328 consecutive patients who underwent photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) using Greenlight XPS performed by a single experienced laser surgeon. A logarithmic model was used to evaluate the case number to attain benchmark criteria for durable treatment.

Sacral Neuromodulation in Urological Practice.

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a minimally invasive, restorative treatment to improve voiding and elimination functions. We give a historical perspective of SNM and explore the evidence for the use of this therapy for Food and Drug Administration-approved pathologies as well as disease processes that are being treated internationally. Ensuring optimal lead placement increases the potential of a comfortable, durable, and efficacious response.

Urodynamic Findings in Adults With Moderate to Severe Cerebral Palsy.

Objective: To determine urodynamic studies (UDS) findings in adult cerebral palsy (CP) patients. CP patients may suffer from voiding dysfunction. UDS in children with CP has consistently shown an upper motor neuron bladder with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia.

The Patient Burden of Bladder Outlet Obstruction after Prostate Cancer Treatment.

Purpose: Bladder outlet obstruction after prostate cancer therapy imposes a significant burden on health and quality of life in men. Our objective was to describe the burden of bladder outlet obstruction after prostate cancer therapy by detailing the type of procedures performed and how often those procedures were repeated in men with recurrent bladder outlet obstruction.

Materials And Methods: Using SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results)-Medicare linked data from 1992 to 2007 with followup through 2009 we identified 12,676 men who underwent at least 1 bladder outlet obstruction procedure after prostate cancer therapy, including external beam radiotherapy in 3,994, brachytherapy in 1,485, brachytherapy plus external beam radiotherapy in 1,847, radical prostatectomy in 4,736, radical prostatectomy plus external beam radiotherapy in 369 and cryotherapy in 245.

Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Adults with Cerebral Palsy: Outcomes following a Conservative Management Approach.

Purpose: Cerebral palsy is characterized by motor impairment following injury to the developing brain. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction is estimated to affect at least a third of children with cerebral palsy. However there are limited data as patients transition to adulthood.

Evaluation of the outcomes after posterior urethroplasty.

Posterior urethral injury is a clinically significant complication of pelvic fractures. The management is complicated by the associated organ injuries, distortion of the pelvic anatomy and the ensuing fibrosis that occurs with urethral injury. We report a review of the outcomes after posterior urethroplasty in the context of pelvic fracture urethral injury.

Urinary adverse effects of pelvic radiotherapy.

Objective: Radiation is an integral part of the treatment of many pelvic tumors. The cellular death induced by radiotherapy (RT) benefits cancer control but can also result in adverse effects (AEs) on the organ being treated or those adjacent to it. RT for cancers of the pelvis (bladder, prostate, rectum, uterus or cervix) can result in AEs in the urinary tract.

180 W vs 120 W lithium triborate photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a global, multicenter comparative analysis of perioperative treatment parameters.

Objective: To evaluate the surgical performance of the new Greenlight XPS-180 W laser system (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MI) and the effect of prostate volume (PV), in comparison with the former HPS-120 W system, for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia by photo-selective vaporization of the prostate.

Methods: Between July 2007 and March 2012, 1809 patients underwent laser photo-selective vaporization of the prostate (1187 patients with the use of HPS-120 W and 622 patients with the use of XPS-180 W) at 7 international centers. All data were collected prospectively.

Short term outcomes of GreenLight vapor incision technique (VIT) of the prostate: comparison of outcomes to standard GreenLight 120W HPS vaporization in prostate volumes greater than 80 cc.

Introduction: To evaluate a hybrid technique involving GreenLight 120W HPS vapor incision tissue removal in prostate glands > 80 cc.

Materials And Methods: Vapor incision technique (VIT) was performed in 25 consecutive men with a prostate > 80 cc by a single surgeon from May 2010 until September 2010. VIT involved adenoma incisions at 5 and 7-o'clock positions followed by 3, 9 and 12 o'clock down to the surgical capsule.

GreenLight XPS 180W vs HPS 120W laser therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia: a prospective comparative analysis after 200 cases in a single-center study.

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and short-term outcomes of the new GreenLight XPS (GL-XPS) 180W laser system (AMS, Minnetonka, MI) in comparison to the former generation GL-HPS 120W system for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a prospective nonrandomized single-center study.

Methods: From June 2010 to March 2012, 200 consecutive patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH were included: 80 patients were treated with GL-HPS 120W and 120 with GL-XPS 180W laser vaporization of the prostate. Perioperative variables (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS], quality f life [QOL], maximum flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual (PVR), and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

A population-based analysis of the effect of marital status on overall and cancer-specific mortality in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

Purpose: The association between marital status and tumor stage and grade, as well as overall mortality (OM) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) received little attention in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP).

Methods: We relied on the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) 17 database to identify patients diagnosed with primary SCCP. Logistic and Cox regression models, respectively, addressed the effect of marital status on the rate of locally advanced disease and its effect on OM and CSM.

Mid term outcomes of initial 250 case experience with GreenLight 120W-HPS photoselective vaporization prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: comparison of prostate volumes < 60 cc, 60 cc-100 cc and > 100 cc.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of GreenLight 120W-HPS (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA) laser vaporization for men with obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) according to prostate volumes < 60 cc, 60 cc-100 cc and > 100 cc.

Material And Methods: The clinical data of 250 men with symptomatic BPH who underwent photoselective vaporization prostatectomy (PVP) by a single surgeon between July 2007 and August 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Prostate volumes were measured by using transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS).

Renal and urologic problems: management of ureteric obstruction.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this article is to review the recent literature concerning obstructive uropathy from advanced cancer. This factor is relevant as it is often a difficult task for physicians to estimate a patient's life expectancy and evaluate the possible benefit of urinary diversion. Recent research has addressed this issue.

Effect of needle size on cancer detection, pain, bleeding and infection in TRUS-guided prostate biopsies: A prospective trial.

Introduction: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies using 18G calibre needles are widely used; most often 12-core tissue samples of the peripheral zone are obtained. Although the diagnostic yield of prostate biopsies is fair, there is still a potential for false negative results, which necessitates repeat biopsies. In an effort to improve the accuracy of prostate biopsies, different sampling schemes have been developed.