Trifecta Outcomes After Use of 3-Dimensional Digital Models for Planning of Robotic Prostatectomy: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Planning complex operations such as robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) requires surgeons to review 2-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to understand 3-dimensional (3D) patient anatomy. Three-dimensional digital models for planning RALP may allow better understanding of patient anatomy and may lead to better patient outcomes, although data are currently limited.

Objective: To determine surgical outcomes after RALP when surgeons reviewed 3D digital models during operative planning.

Practice Readiness? Trends in Chief Resident Case Logs vs Subsequent Case Log Data in Clinical Practice.

Introduction: Limited information exists regarding the association between resident surgical case experience and subsequent case mix in practice. We compare the case log distribution residents completed during their chief year to those completed by these graduates in their first 2 years in independent practice.

Methods: Resident chief year case logs from 10 institutions were analyzed across 4 categories of index procedures: (1) general urology, (2) endourology, (3) reconstructive urology, and (4) urologic oncology.

Decisional Conflict Among Patients Newly Diagnosed With Clinical T1 Renal Masses: A Prospective Study.

Purpose: Because multiple management options exist for clinical T1 renal masses, patients may experience a state of uncertainty about the course of action to pursue (ie, decisional conflict). To better support patients, we examined patient, clinical, and decision-making factors associated with decisional conflict among patients newly diagnosed with clinical T1 renal masses suspicious for kidney cancer.

Materials And Methods: From a prospective clinical trial, participants completed the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS), scored 0 to 100 with < 25 associated with implementing decisions, at 2 time points during the initial decision-making period.

Practice Readiness? Trends in Chief Resident Year Training Experience Across 13 Residency Programs.

Introduction: Urology residency prepares trainees for independent practice. The optimal operative chief resident year experience to prepare for practice is undefined. We analyzed the temporal arc of cases residents complete during their residency compared to their chief year in a multi-institutional cohort.

Linguistic Differences Based on Gender and Race in Urology Application Personal Statements: A Comparison of 2017 and 2023 Applications.

While diversity and inclusion efforts have increased in urology, comparative analysis of personal statements from 2016-2017 and 2022-2023 residency applications showed few linguistic changes over time by gender or race/ethnicity. These results suggest the need for directed efforts to engage, mentor, and coach females and underrepresented minorities during medical school and the urology application process.

Effect of 3-Dimensional, Virtual Reality Models for Surgical Planning of Robotic Prostatectomy on Trifecta Outcomes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: Planning complex operations such as robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy requires surgeons to review 2-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cross-sectional images to understand 3-dimensional (3D), patient-specific anatomy. We sought to determine surgical outcomes for robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy when surgeons reviewed 3D, virtual reality (VR) models for operative planning.

Materials And Methods: A multicenter, randomized, single-blind clinical trial was conducted from January 2019 to December 2020.

Testis Cancer Care in North Carolina: Implications for Real-World Evidence and Cancer Surveillance.

Introduction: Contemporary testis cancer management requires fastidious adherence to clinical guidelines and care principles, especially for those pursuing active surveillance (AS). However, real-world testis cancer care remains largely undescribed. Accordingly, we sought to assess the rigor of evaluation and monitoring among men with testis cancer.

Complete Pathologic Response to Pembrolizumab and Axitinib in a Patient With Sarcomatoid RCC and Ocrelizumab-Treated Multiple Sclerosis.

Non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous disease. We report a case of sarcomatoid non-clear cell RCC in a patient with underlying multiple sclerosis (MS) on immunosuppression with a complete pathologic response to pembrolizumab and axitinib. Comprehensive genomic profiling revealed pathogenic mutations in SETD2 and TP53 with high RNA expression levels of immune checkpoint proteins.

Linguistic Differences in Personal Statements of Urology Residency Applicants by Self-Reported Race and Ethnicity.

Objectives: To assess a potential source of bias that could contribute to underrepresentation of minorities in urology, we analyzed differences in linguistic characteristics in personal statements between urology residency applicants of various racial and ethnic groups.

Methods: Personal statements submitted by urology residency applicants to a urology program were evaluated with Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, a validated text analysis program. Analyzed statements and application characteristics were compared according to self-identified race/ethnicity of the applicant using multivariable analysis and independent sample T-tests.

Patient-reported Health Status, Comorbidity Burden, and Prostate Cancer Treatment.

Objective: To determine whether patient-reported health status, more so than comorbidity, influences treatment in men with localized prostate cancer.

Methods: Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data linked with Medicare claims and CAHPS surveys, we identified men aged 65-84 diagnosed with localized prostate cancer from 2004 to 2013 and ascertained their National Cancer Institute (NCI) comorbidity score and patient-reported health status. Adjusting for demographics and cancer risk, we examined the relationship between these measures and treatment for the overall cohort, low-risk men aged 65-74, intermediate/high-risk men aged 65-74, and men aged 75-84.

Implementation of Postoperative Standard Opioid Prescribing Schedules Reduces Opioid Prescriptions Without Change in Patient-reported Pain Outcomes.

Objective: To implement Standard Opioid Prescribing Schedules (SOPS) based on opioid use following urologic surgeries and to evaluate how evidence-based prescribing schedules affect opioid use and patient reported outcomes.

Methods: Patients who underwent urologic surgeries within 6 procedure subtypes at UNC Health during the 2 study time periods ("pre-SOPS": 7/2017-1/2018, "post-SOPS": 7/2018-1/2019) were invited to complete a survey analyzing postoperative opioid usage, storage and disposal, and patient reported outcomes (including pain interference using a validated questionnaire). A pharmacy database provided medication prescribing data and patient demographics.

Neoadjuvant pazopanib and molecular analysis of tissue response in renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUNDSurgery remains the frontline therapy for patients with localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC); however, 20%-40% recur. Angiogenesis inhibitors have improved survival in metastatic patients and may result in responses in the neoadjuvant setting. The impact of these agents on the tumor genetic heterogeneity or the immune milieu is largely unknown.

Gender-Based Differences in Urology Residency Applicant Personal Statements.

Objective: To gain insight into the perceptions of urology held by medical students as they enter the field, we analyzed the linguistic characteristics and gender differences in personal statements written by urology residency program applicants.

Methods: Personal statements were abstracted from residency applications to a urology residency program. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, a validated text analysis software, characterized the linguistic content of the statements.

Advances in the diagnostic options for prostate cancer.

Over the past decade, despite the controversies surrounding prostate cancer screening, significant refinements have improved its application. PSA screening, although it has been questioned, appears to confer a mortality benefit and remains the most effective way to identify the possible presence of prostate cancer. Methods to improve the specificity of PSA screening and limit overdiagnosis of indolent cancers, including risk-stratified screening regimens, are currently being utilized.

Pilot Study of [F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET)/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for Staging of Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC).

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) has limited diagnostic accuracy for staging of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). [F] Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a novel imaging modality incorporating functional imaging with improved soft tissue characterization. This pilot study evaluated the use of preoperative FDG-PET/MRI for staging of MIBC.

Effect of 3-Dimensional Virtual Reality Models for Surgical Planning of Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy on Surgical Outcomes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Planning complex operations such as robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy requires surgeons to review 2-dimensional computed tomography or magnetic resonance images to understand 3-dimensional (3-D), patient-specific anatomy.

Objective: To determine surgical outcomes for robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy when surgeons reviewed 3-D virtual reality (VR) models during operative planning.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed.

The Presence of Gender Bias in Letters of Recommendations Written for Urology Residency Applicants.

Objective: To determine whether implicit gender bias exists in the urology residency application process, we compared linguistic differences in letters of recommendation (LOR) submitted for male and female applicants.

Methods: LOR were abstracted from residency applications to a urology residency program. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, a validated text analysis software program, characterized the linguistic content of the letters.

Endogenous retroviral signatures predict immunotherapy response in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Human endogenous retroviruses (hERVs) are remnants of exogenous retroviruses that have integrated into the genome throughout evolution. We developed a computational workflow, hervQuant, which identified more than 3,000 transcriptionally active hERVs within The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) pan-cancer RNA-Seq database. hERV expression was associated with clinical prognosis in several tumor types, most significantly clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Implementation of medical scribes in an academic urology practice: an analysis of productivity, revenue, and satisfaction.

Purpose: Pressure on physicians to increase productivity is rising in parallel with administrative tasks, regulations, and the use of electronic health records (EHRs). Physician extenders and clinical pathways are already in use to increase productivity and reduce costs and burnout, but other strategies are required. We evaluated whether implementation of medical scribes in an academic urology clinic would affect productivity, revenue, and patient/provider satisfaction.

Functional Outcomes Following Radical Cystectomy in Women with Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Context: Gender-specific functional and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes following radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BCa) remain unclear, with many studies excluding women from the study population.

Objective: To better characterize female-specific functional outcomes following RC and urinary diversion for BCa.

Evidence Acquisition: We performed a critical review of PubMed/Medline and Embase in August 2015 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement.

Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Urachal Adenocarcinoma Reveals Commonalities With Colorectal Cancer, Including a Hypermutable Phenotype.

Purpose: Urachal adenocarcinoma is a rare type of primary bladder adenocarcinoma that comprises less than 1% of all bladder cancers. The low incidence of urachal adenocarcinomas does not allow for an evidence-based approach to therapy. Transcriptome profiling of urachal adenocarcinomas has not been previously reported.

Associations between Tumor Vascularity, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression and PET/MRI Radiomic Signatures in Primary Clear-Cell-Renal-Cell-Carcinoma: Proof-of-Concept Study.

Studies have shown that tumor angiogenesis is an essential process for tumor growth, proliferation and metastasis. Also, tumor angiogenesis is an important prognostic factor of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), as well as a factor in guiding treatment with antiangiogenic agents. Here, we attempted to find the associations between tumor angiogenesis and radiomic imaging features from PET/MRI.

Renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava involvement: Prognostic effect of tumor thrombus consistency on cancer specific survival.

Background: Renal cell carcinoma forming a venous tumor thrombus (VTT) in the inferior vena cava (IVC) has a poor prognosis. Recent investigations have been focused on prognostic markers of survival. Thrombus consistency (TC) has been proposed to be of significant value but yet there are conflicting data.