Transperineal biopsy as a new technique versus well-established transrectal biopsy for diagnosis of prostate cancer - A comparative study.

Introduction: Transrectal (TR) prostate biopsy has been the gold standard for prostate cancer diagnosis for years. With the emergence of transperineal (TP) prostatic biopsy, there is a shift in practice across medical services to adopt TP biopsy as the primary method of prostatic biopsy.

Objective: The objective of the study is to compare cancer detection rates and complications between TP and TR biopsies in our region providing single-center experience with introduction of TP biopsy.

A mathematical method to estimate angle and distance for percutaneous renal puncture based on computed tomography data: Description and validation.

Introduction: Gaining access to the kidney is crucial step in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL); it has a steep learning curve.

Objective: Describe the mathematical method to predict renal puncture angle and distance based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) measurements. Then evaluating how it correlates with measured values.

Creation and validation of the harmonized Arabic version of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice (EPIC-CP).

Objectives: Tocreate and validate a translated Arabic version of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice (EPIC-CP), a validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) widely used for assessing the quality of life in patients with prostate cancer (PCa).

Patients And Methods: Using the established protocol as defined by the Professional Society for the Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) for translating patient care questionnaires, a harmonised translated Arabic version of EPIC-CP was created. The questionnaire was tested in native Arabic speakers from four different Arabic countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Kuwait).

Predictors of Survival in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma and Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus.

Introduction: Surgical resection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus is a complex procedure with significant morbidity. Patient selection is critical to determining whether the benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks. In this study, we identified and stratified the risk factors that were associated with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients undergoing surgical resection of RCC with IVC thrombus.

Usefulness of smartphone use among surgeons in clinical practice during the pandemic of COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.

Background: With the magnitude and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual face-to-face consultation within a clinical setting is no longer feasible. Thus, this led to the need for alternate means to provide adequate patient care for surgical patients. This is where the role of smartphones comes into play, in which it is thus of paramount importance.

Consensus on Screening, Diagnosis, and Staging Tools for Prostate Cancer in Developing Countries: A Report From the First Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference for Developing Countries (PCCCDC).

Purpose: To generate and present the survey results on critical issues relevant to screening, diagnosis, and staging tools for prostate cancer (PCa) focused on developing countries.

Methods: A total of 36 of 300 questions concern the main areas of interest of this paper: (1) screening, (2) diagnosis, and (3) staging for various risk levels of PCa in developing countries. A panel of 99 international multidisciplinary cancer experts voted on these questions to create recommendations for screening, diagnosing, and staging tools for PCa in areas of limited resources discussed in this manuscript.

Consensus on Prostate Cancer Treatment of Localized Disease With Very Low, Low, and Intermediate Risk: A Report From the First Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference for Developing Countries (PCCCDC).

Purpose: A group of international urology and medical oncology experts developed and completed a survey on prostate cancer (PCa) in developing countries. The results are reviewed and summarized, and recommendations on consensus statements for very low-, low-, and intermediate-risk PCa focused on developing countries were developed.

Methods: A panel of experts developed more than 300 survey questions of which 66 questions concern the principal areas of interest of this paper: very low, low, and intermediate risk of PCa in developing countries.

Total robotic surgical volume influences outcomes of low-volume robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy over an extended duration.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the surgeon's experience of low-volume robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) over an extended duration, and whether a high-volume fellowship training influenced the outcomes.

Methods: Data on all RAPN at a tertiary center performed by a uro-oncologist were retrospectively collected. The surgeon experience was assessed by examining perioperative outcomes among three groups of consecutive patients (first=14, second=14, third=15 patients, respectively).

Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy in Low-Volume Regions: Should It Be Abandoned or Adopted? A Multi-Institutional Outcome Study.

To present multinational experience in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) by fellowship-trained expertise in low-volume regions in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and to compare the current results with global outcomes reported in recent meta-analyses. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed for patients undergoing RARP for localized prostate cancer (PCa). Three fellowship-trained surgeons at four academic and referral centers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait performed all procedures between February 2014 and December 2019.

Multiple perceptions of robotic-assisted surgery among surgeons and patients: a cross-sectional study.

Limited data exist regarding knowledge and perceptions of surgeons and patients about robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in the Middle East. This study aimed to explore perceptions of surgeons and patients about RAS. A questionnaire-based survey was distributed among surgeons of different specialties and patients.

An exploratory study of public' awareness about robotics-assisted surgery in Kuwait.

Background: The adoption of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) requires a clear willingness, not only from healthcare organization to operate the robotic system but also from the public that is going to perceive it. This study aims to explore public's awareness, understanding and their perceptions towards RAS in Kuwait.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a survey questionnaire that was disseminated on a tablet device to people at their convenience in governmental institutions.

Pathological features of prostate cancer in men treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in the Middle East.

Little is known about the pathological features of radical prostatectomy among men living in the Middle East. Although prostate cancer became the most common malignancy among males in some countries in the Middle East, the incidence is much lower compared to western populations. The aim of this study is to analyze pathological features and biochemical recurrence in men who underwent robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in Kuwait.

Robot-assisted urological surgery in the Middle East: Where are we and how far can we go?

: To evaluate robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in Urology in the Middle East, and its status and future perspectives. : A Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) search was performed using the following keywords: 'robotics', 'robot-assisted surgery', 'laparoscopy', at first with each specific procedure name, such as radical cystectomy, followed by 'Middle East' and country names. All abstracts and articles in English that adhered to the scope of the current issue were selected, giving special consideration to relevant landmark articles and those describing trends and the future of RAS in Urology.

Robotic pyelolithotomy in a congenital pelvic kidney: side docking and robotic prostatectomy port - site approach.

Introduction And Objectives: Ectopic pelvic kidneys with renal stones are challenging to treat. We report our experience in managing a case of ectopic pelvic kidney with a pelvic stone by robotic pyelolithotomy after failure of flexible ureteroscopy.

Materials And Methods: A 46-year old male with 2 months history of vague lower abdominal pain was found to have on Computed Tomography scan a left ectopic pelvic kidney with a 12mm stone in an anomalous renal pelvis.

Cell and nanoparticle transport in tumour microvasculature: the role of size, shape and surface functionality of nanoparticles.

Through nanomedicine, game-changing methods are emerging to deliver drug molecules directly to diseased areas. One of the most promising of these is the targeted delivery of drugs and imaging agents via drug carrier-based platforms. Such drug delivery systems can now be synthesized from a wide range of different materials, made in a number of different shapes, and coated with an array of different organic molecules, including ligands.

Giant nonfunctioning adrenocortical carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy. Patients usually present early with manifestation of abnormal hormone secretion. However, adrenocortical carcinoma can also be nonfunctioning, and such patients present late with a mass effect or distant metastases.

Clavien classification in urology: Is there concordance among post-graduate trainees and attending urologists?

Purpose: We assess the variations between post-graduate trainees (PGTs) and attending urologists in applying the Revised Clavien-Dindo Classification System (RCCS) to urological complications.

Methods: Twenty postoperative complications were selected from urology service Quality Assurance meeting minutes spanning 1 year at a tertiary care centre. The cases were from adult and pediatric sites and included minor and major complications.

Extensive renal infarction following percutaneous biopsy of a small renal mass: A case report.

Percutaneous renal biopsy has become increasingly used particularly in patients undergoing active surveillance for small renal masses. We present a patient, who was recently diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, with significant complication following biopsy of a solid renal mass. The patient was planned for nephron-sparing surgery that was converted to radical nephrectomy due to extensive renal infarction secondary to significant subcapsular hemorrhage inflicted by the biopsy.

A novel mechanism of PPAR gamma induction via EGFR signalling constitutes rational for combination therapy in bladder cancer.

Background: Two signalling molecules that are attractive for targeted therapy are the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). We investigated possible crosstalk between these 2 pathways, particularly in light of the recent evidence implicating PPARγ for anticancer therapy.

Principal Findings: As evaluated by MTT assays, gefitinib (EGFR inhibitor) and DIM-C (PPARγ agonist) inhibited growth of 9 bladder cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner but with variable sensitivity.

Genetic variations in the transforming growth factor beta pathway as predictors of bladder cancer risk.

Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, and identifying genetic markers that may predict susceptibility in high-risk population is always needed. The purpose of our study is to determine whether genetic variations in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathway are associated with bladder cancer risk. We identified 356 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 37 key genes from this pathway and evaluated their association with cancer risk in 801 cases and 801 controls.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for residual masses after chemotherapy in nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumor.

Background: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection has been advocated for the management of post-chemotherapy (PC-RPLND) residual masses of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis (NSGCT). There remains some debate as to the clinical benefit and associated morbidity. Our objective was to report our experience with PC-RPLND in NSGCT.

Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: a case report.

Plasmacytoid bladder cancer is a rare variant of transitional cell carcinoma. A 57-year-old man was referred to our institution for management of invasive transitional cell carcinoma diagnosed at a peripheral hospital. His complaints were of vague lower abdominal pain with associated urgency and frequency requiring oxybutynin.

Update on the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a heterogeneous population of tumours accounting for 80% of bladder cancers. Over the years, the management of this disease has been changing with improvements in results and outcomes. In this review, we focus on the latest updates on the management of NMIBC.