External validation of hemoglobin and neutrophil levels as predictors of the effectiveness of ipilimumab plus nivolumab for treating renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Pretreatment hemoglobin and neutrophil levels were previously reported to be important indicators for predicting the effectiveness of ipilimumab plus nivolumab (IPI + NIVO) therapy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Therefore, we aimed to validate this in a large external cohort.

Methods: In total, 172 patients with RCC who underwent IPI + NIVO treatment at a multicenter setting were divided into three groups according to their pretreatment hemoglobin and neutrophil levels (group 1: non-anemia; group 2: anemia and low-neutrophil; and group 3: anemia and high-neutrophil).

Prognostic impact of FAN score in patients receiving nivolumab plus ipilimumab for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

FAN score is reportedly associated with prognostic outcomes in patients with urothelial carcinoma being treated with immune check point inhibitors. However, the prognostic impact of pre-treatment FAN score in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab remains unclear. We retrospectively evaluated the association between pre-treatment FAN score and prognostic outcomes in 154 patients with metastatic RCC treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab.

Chronic kidney disease and Charlson comorbidity index predict complications after robot-assisted radical cystectomy: A single-center study in Japan.

Objectives: To investigate preoperative patient factors that may predict the occurrence of perioperative complications following robot-assisted radical cystectomy at a single center in Japan.

Methods: From 2013 to 2022, 103 patients underwent RARC at our institution. Complications within 90 days after surgery were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

The rare urological entity of ureterosciatic hernia: A case report of successful treatment after repeated recurrence.

Ureterosciatic hernia is a rare urological entity. We report a case of successful laparoscopic surgery for a ureterosciatic hernia that recurred repeatedly after conservative treatment. A 73-year-old woman complained of left abdominal pain.

Effect of Adjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy on Intravesical Recurrence After Radical Nephroureterectomy for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background/aim: There are few reports confirming the relationship between the therapeutic effects of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. We aimed to evaluate the benefits of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy on intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 133 patients with pathological T stage ≥3 upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma or lymph node metastasis who underwent radical nephroureterectomy between January 2010 and September 2020 at our hospital and other satellite hospitals.

Advanced Reconstruction of Vesicourethral Support May Improve Urinary Continence and Quality of Life After Non-nerve-sparing Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

Background/aim: Postoperative urinary incontinence (UI) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QOL). Several surgical techniques have been reported to improve postoperative UI. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of advanced reconstruction of vesicourethral support (ARVUS) on urinary symptoms and QOL after non-nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Utility of the HYBRID Method Incorporating the Advantages of Both Extracorporeal and Intracorporeal Urinary Diversion in Robotic-Assisted Radical Cystectomy.

Background: Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is a well-known standard procedure for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. However, it remains controversial whether extracorporeal urinary diversion (ECUD) or intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD) is superior in this technique. We have developed a HYBRID method that combines ECUD and ICUD to retain the advantages of each.

Brain and spinal cord metastases with seminoma: A case report.

Introduction: Brain and spinal cord metastases from testicular cancer occur rarely, and metastases with seminoma are extremely rare.

Case Presentation: A 42-year-old man who was diagnosed with seminoma and multiple metastases underwent first-line and salvage chemotherapy. Brain metastases were noted; consequently, surgery, third-line chemotherapy, and whole-brain irradiation were performed.

Initial Experience of Robot-Assisted Adrenalectomy in Japan: What is the Optimal Selection of Robotic Forceps for Adrenalectomy?

Minimally invasive adrenalectomy is the preferred technique for managing adrenal tumors. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is widely performed and covered by insurance in Japan, but robot-assisted adrenalectomy is not. To investigate the best forceps combinations for performing robot-assisted adrenalectomy safely, we performed robot-assisted adrenalectomy for two left and two right adrenal adenomas using different robotic forceps combinations (bipolar forceps, monopolar curved scissors, Vessel Sealer Extend, and SynchroSeal) for each case.

A Comparison Between Laparoscopic and Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Patients with Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction.

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the results of laparoscopic pyeloplasty and robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Methods: Between March 2008 and May 2019, the patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic or robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in our institution were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Thirteen patients underwent laparoscopically, and 12 patients underwent robotic surgery.

Endoscopic Ablation of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Report of Two Cases with Long Disease Recurrence-Free Periods.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a relatively rare disease that accounts for 5% to 10% of all urothelial carcinomas (UCs). Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) with a bladder cuff is the current gold standard for the management of UTUC; however, endoscopic ablation is also an option for low-risk UTUC to preserve kidney function. Herein, we present two cases of solitary kidney with a right lower ureteral tumor.

Early effects of adipose-derived stem cell sheets against detrusor underactivity in a rat cryo-injury model.

Aims: This study investigated the effects of adipose-derived stem cell sheets on a rat model of detrusor underactivity.

Main Methods: Adipose-derived stem cell sheets were prepared from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of male Lewis rats. Female Lewis rats were assigned into four groups: control, sham operation, cryo-injury, and cryo-injury+sheet (n = 8 per group).

Efficacy of Combination Chemotherapy With Docetaxel, Estramustine and Carboplatin in Men With Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

Background: The efficacy of docetaxel and carboplatin with oral estramustine was evaluated in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients were treated with intravenous docetaxel at 30 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle. Intravenous carboplatin (area under the curve, 6 mg/ml/min) was administered on day 1.

Activation of PPARγ in bladder cancer via introduction of the long arm of human chromosome 9.

Bladder cancer is divided into two molecular subtypes, luminal and basal, which form papillary and nodular tumors, respectively, and are identifiable by gene expression profiling. Although loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the long arm of human chromosome 9 (9q) has been observed in the early development of both types of bladder cancer, the functional significance of LOH remains to be clarified. The present study introduced human chromosome 9q into basal bladder cancer cell line, SCaBER, using microcell-mediated chromosome transfer to investigate the effect of LOH of 9q on molecular bladder cancer subtypes.

Technique of en bloc resection of the membranous urethra and bladder during robot-assisted radical cystectomy in patients without simultaneous urethrectomy.

Introduction: Prophylactic urethrectomy is often performed simultaneously with radical cystectomy (RC) in patients who are not selected for neobladder creation for urinary diversion. However, the indications for prophylactic urethrectomy are still controversial. Here, we introduce the ideal urethral dissection technique during robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in patients without simultaneous prophylactic urethrectomy.

Extent of pelvic lymph node dissection improves early oncological outcomes for patients with high-risk prostate cancer without lymph node involvement after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Background: We investigated the effect of the extent of pelvic lymph node dissection (LND) on biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) without lymph node involvement (LNI) treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 378 patients who underwent RARP with LND at our hospital between October 2010 and June 2019. The BCR-free survival rate was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox regression analysis was used to investigate BCR prognostic factors.

Initial Experience of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy in Japan: A Useful Technique Using a Vessel Sealing Device for Securing a Good Surgical Field and Efficient Sealing.

Introduction: Although robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) has been increasingly used worldwide, the history of RANU remains short, and the optimal surgical method for performing RANU has yet to be established. Here we introduce the ideal approach for RANU using the Vessel Sealer Extend (VSE).

Materials And Surgical Technique: RANU was performed by using a da Vinci Xi surgical system with fenestrated bipolar forceps (by the left arm), and monopolar scissors or needle drivers (by the right arm), and the VSE (by the third arm).

Longitudinal, 5-year long-term outcomes for urinary continence and quality of life after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in Japanese patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal 5-year long-term outcomes for urinary continence and quality of life (QOL) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), particularly nerve-sparing.

Methods: Among patients who underwent RARP between October 2010 and October 2015, postoperative urinary symptoms were retrospectively examined using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), QOL index, and number of pads used. Patients were divided into nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing groups, and all data were evaluated before and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after surgery.

Is Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Daily Clinical Setting Useful to Evaluate Tumor Invasion Beyond the Pseudocapsule in Renal Cell Carcinoma?

Background: We wanted to clarify whether preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the clinical setting can evaluate the pathologic pseudocapsule (PC) morphology with high accuracy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 34 consecutive patients who underwent MRI (1.5 or 3.

Influence of the time interval between biopsy and surgery on the biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in Japanese patients.

Objective: We evaluated the impact of the duration between the biopsy and surgery on the biochemical recurrence (BCR) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 302 patients who underwent RARP in our institution from April 2010 to December 2017. Patients were categorized into 2 groups, an interval between biopsy and surgery of 180 days or less (Group A) and longer than 180 days (Group B).

Response to Platinum-based Chemotherapy Rechallenge for Patients With Pembrolizumab-refractory Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the response to platinum-based chemotherapy rechallenge in patients with pembrolizumab-refractory urothelial carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 14 patients with pembrolizumab-refractory urothelial carcinoma. Each patient received a regimen that they had not previously received (paclitaxel plus carboplatin in 10, gemcitabine plus docetaxel and carboplatin in four).

Sarcopenia is associated with survival in patients with urothelial carcinoma treated with systemic chemotherapy.

Background: Sarcopenia impacts perioperative outcomes and prognosis in various carcinomas. We aimed to investigate whether sarcopenia at the time of chemotherapy induction in patients with urothelial carcinoma is associated with prognosis.

Methods: We evaluated patients treated with chemotherapy for urothelial carcinoma between April 2013 and February 2018 at our institution and affiliated centers.

Optimal Number of Systematic Biopsy Cores Used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Transrectal Ultrasound Fusion Targeted Prostate Biopsy.

Background: In recent years, the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy (MRF-TB) has been widely reported. In this study, we assessed the effect of reduction of the number of systematic biopsy (SB) cores on the cancer detection rate (CDR).

Methods: Patients with a high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level underwent prostate MRI.