Publications by authors named "Lawrentschuk N"

Background: stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is a disruptive radiation therapy technique which is increasingly used for the treatment of urologic cancers. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview on the current landscape of SABR in urologic cancers and highlight advancements on the horizon.

Methods: a narrative review of the contemporary role of SABR in urologic cancers is conducted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the relationship between intraprostatic maximum standardised uptake value (SUV) of the dominant prostatic lesion as measured on preoperative prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) with radical prostatectomy International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Grade Group, pathological tumour (pT) staging, and biochemical recurrence (BCR).

Methods: Prostate-specific membrane antigen PET may offer non-invasive assessment of histopathological and oncological outcomes before definitive treatment. SUV of the dominant lesion has been explored as a prognostic biomarker.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Compelling evidence has solidified the notion of early treatment intensification in managing patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Landmark trials have provided Level 1 evidence for the survival benefits achieved by combining multiple agents. The efficacy of combined therapy relies not only on how treatment is intensified but also on how it is de-escalated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Penile cancer is aggressive and rapidly progressive. Early recognition is paramount for overall survival. However, many men delay presentation due to a lack of awareness and social stigma.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Objective: There is uncertainty regarding the clinical significance of Ga-PSMA-11 positron emission tomography (PET) computed tomography (CT) findings in men with prostate cancer. In this prespecified objective of the proPSMA study, we report the prognostic value of PET-defined nodal involvement.

Methods: Men with intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer (grade group 3-5, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] ≥20 ng/ml, or clinical stage ≥T3) underwent Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT or CT and bone scanning as first- or second-line imaging.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The increased use of imaging techniques has led to more frequent detection of incidental findings in the kidneys and adrenal glands, often referred to as incidentalomas, which are commonly encountered by general practitioners.* -
  • This review provides guidelines for managing these renal and adrenal masses, highlighting that renal lesions are seen in about 14% of CT scans and should be assessed using the Bosniak classification for cystic lesions.* -
  • For renal cell carcinomas larger than 4 cm or showing symptoms, active treatment is recommended, while adrenal lesions require functional testing, with specific screening tests indicated based on clinical signs such as hypertension.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Genital skin conditions are rare and pose a diagnostic challenge due to their diverse pathology. Patient anxiety and referral decisions add complexity for primary caregivers. Demographics and overlapping symptoms complicate diagnosis, causing anxiety for both patients and clinicians.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) is a significant predictor of distal metastases and mortality in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. This systematic review aims to evaluate the accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting BCR post-RP. : Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to systematically review the role of primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in stage II testicular seminoma, analyzing its oncological, functional, and peri-operative outcomes based on existing literature up to November 2023.
  • Six studies encompassing 385 patients were reviewed, revealing a median operation time of 187 minutes, a median blood loss of 150 mL, and a typical hospital stay of 4 days, with a complication rate of 6.1% for serious issues.
  • While long-term survival data is limited, one study showed a 92% 5-year overall survival for treated stage IIA/B disease, indicating that R
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Imaging advancements are crucial in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with rising detection rates due to improved technology leading to incidental findings.
  • A literature search up to May 2024 highlighted key imaging methods, including ultrasound, CT, MRI, and new technologies like CEUS and molecular imaging techniques.
  • The future of RCC imaging points toward a more conservative treatment strategy, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries or biopsies for benign lesions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction And Objectives: Full blood examinations, often referred to as FBE, are commonly ordered postoperatively, despite limited utility in many of its markers in the acute phase. It is estimated that in the 2022-2023 financial year, the Australian healthcare system billed over $13 million for full blood examinations (FBEs) to Medicare. This study aims to assess the cost of using FBE following surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Primary hypogonadism is a recognised complication in survivors of testicular cancer. However, secondary hypogonadism can result from other causes that suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, including obesity, high dose glucocorticoids, chronic end organ failure, and diabetes. The aim of this study was to explore low total serum testosterone in Australian survivors of testicular cancer and examine associations with body mass index, age, and prior chemotherapy use.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Objective: Evidence on the cost effectiveness of decision aids to guide management decisions for men with prostate cancer is limited. We examined the cost utility of the Navigate online decision aid for men with prostate cancer in comparison to usual care (no decision aid).

Methods: A Markov model with a 10-yr time horizon was constructed from a government health care perspective.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

High-risk localized prostate cancer remains a lethal disease with high rates of recurrence, metastases and death, despite attempts at curative local treatment including surgery. Disease recurrence is thought to be a result of failure of local control and occult micrometastases. Neoadjuvant strategies before surgery have been effective in many cancers, but, to date, none has worked in this setting for prostate cancer.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To assess the impact of ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD; failure of emission or retrograde ejaculation) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for testicular cancer and explore the efficacy of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride as treatment.

Patients And Methods: In a single arm, phase II trial, patients at ≥6 months after RPLND were invited to complete patient-reported outcome measures (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] quality of life questionnaire [QLQ]-30-item core, EORTC QLQ-testicular cancer-26, and Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory) evaluating HRQoL and sexual function in follow-up (ACTRN12622000537752/12622000542796). If EjD was reported, post-ejaculatory urine ± semen analysis was undertaken.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To assess artificial intelligence (AI) ability to evaluate intraprostatic prostate cancer (PCa) on prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA PET) scans prior to active treatment (radiotherapy or prostatectomy).

Materials And Methods: This systematic review was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO identifier: CRD42023438706). A search was performed on Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Engineering Village with the following terms: 'artificial intelligence', 'prostate cancer', and 'PSMA PET'.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The benefits of a robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) compared to an open approach is still under debate. Initial data on RARC were from trials where urinary diversion was performed by an extracorporeal approach, which does not represent a completely minimally invasive procedure. There are now updated data for RARC with intracorporeal urinary diversion that add to the evidence profile of RARC.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF