Radiomics-driven spectral profiling of six kidney stone types with monoenergetic CT reconstructions in photon-counting CT.

Objectives: Urolithiasis, a common and painful urological condition, is influenced by factors such as lifestyle, genetics, and medication. Differentiating between different types of kidney stones is crucial for personalized therapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) in combination with radiomics and machine learning to develop a method for automated and detailed characterization of kidney stones.

Automated Kidney Stone Composition Analysis with Photon-Counting Detector CT, a Performance Study-A Phantom Study.

Background: For treatment of urolithiasis, the stone composition is of particular interest, as uric acid (UA) stones can be treated by chemolitholysis. In this ex vivo study, we employed an advanced composition analysis approach for urolithiasis utilizing spectral data obtained from a photon-counting detector CT (PCDCT) to differentiate UA and non-UA stones. Our primary objective was to assess the accuracy of this analysis method.

[New tumor markers for testicular cancer - in the here and now and in the future].

Germ cell tumors of the testis are the most common tumor entities in young men. Since the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy in the 1970s, most patients can be cured despite the aggressiveness of germ cell tumors. Optimal serum tumor markers are required for diagnostics, therapy monitoring and aftercare, and these are subject to high requirements.

Radiological Assessment of Different Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Measurements in Stage 1 Testicular Cancer Patients: Impact on Clinical Stage and Treatment.

In staging for testicular germ cell tumor (GCT), current guidelines lack consensus regarding the measurement of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis, concerning the recommended plane and dimension. This exploratory study aimed to assess its impact on clinical stage (cS) and therapy. We retrospectively examined 154 cSI (retroperitoneal lymph nodes < 10 mm in axial short-axis diameter (SAD)) GCT patients, without adjuvant therapy and a follow-up ≥ 24 months.

Performance of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 on the European Board of Urology (EBU) exams: a comparative analysis.

Background And Objective: In the transformative era of artificial intelligence, its integration into various spheres, especially healthcare, has been promising. The objective of this study was to analyze the performance of ChatGPT, as open-source Large Language Model (LLM), in its different versions on the recent European Board of Urology (EBU) in-service assessment questions.

Design And Setting: We asked multiple choice questions of the official EBU test books to ChatGPT-3.

Comparison of automated kidney stone size measurement and volumetry in photon counting CT compared to 3rd generation dual energy CT and physically measurements - an ex vivo study.

Purpose: This ex vivo study aimed to compare a newly developed dual-source photon-counting CT (PCCT) with a 3rd generation dual-source dual-energy CT (DECT) for the detection and measurement (stone lengths and volumetrics) of urinary stones.

Methods: 143 urinary stones with a known geometry were physically measured and defined as reference values. Next, urinary stones were placed in an anthropomorphic abdomen-model and were scanned with DECT and PCCT.

[Urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer-data from 17,149 patients from 125 certified centers].

Background: In addition to erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence is the most common functional limitation after radical prostatectomy (RPE) for prostate cancer (PCa). The German S3 guideline recommends informing patients about possible effects of the therapy options, including incontinence. However, only little data on continence from routine care in German-speaking countries after RPE are currently available, which makes it difficult to inform patients.

Misuse of tumor marker levels leads to an insufficient International Germ Cell Consensus Classification (IGCCCG) risk group assignment and impaired treatment.

Background: Metastatic germ cell tumors of the testis (GCTs) are risk-stratified according to the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) classification system. This risk classification is based on anatomical risk factors as well as tumor marker levels of AFP, HCG, and LDH assessed pre-chemotherapy after orchiectomy treatment. An incorrect classification is possible when pre-orchiectomy marker levels are used, possibly resulting in over- or undertreatment of patients.

[Multimodal treatment of testicular cancer: chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy?].

Background: Metastatic testicular germ cell tumors patients require histology- and stage-appropriate therapy to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Objectives: This work focuses on the interdisciplinary presentation of current recommendations for the treatment of metastatic germ cell tumor patients.

Materials And Methods: The interdisciplinary recommendations were formulated based on the German S3 guideline and supplemented by recent literature.

Clinical characteristics, treatment patterns and relapse in patients with clinical stage IS testicular cancer.

Purpose: Clinical stage I (CSI) testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) represents disease confined to the testis without metastasis and CSIS is defined as persistently elevated tumor markers (TM) after orchiectomy, indicating subclinical metastatic disease. This study aims at assessing clinical characteristics and oncological outcome in CSIS.

Methods: Data from five tertiary referring centers in Germany were screened.

Therapy of clinical stage IIA and IIB seminoma: a systematic review.

Purpose: The optimal treatment for clinical stage (CS) IIA/IIB seminomas is still controversial. We evaluated current treatment options.

Methods: A systematic review was performed.

Late toxicities and recurrences in patients with clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumours after 1 cycle of adjuvant bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin versus primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection - A 13-year follow-up analysis of a phase III trial cohort.

Background: One cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP) has shown superiority in recurrence-free survival over retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in patients with clinical stage (CS) I non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCTs) of the testis in the setting of a phase III trial. We report the recurrences and late toxicities of this study after 13 years of follow-up.

Methods: Questionnaires from 382 patients with CS I NSGCT treated with 1 cycle of adjuvant BEP (arm A) or RPLND + two cycles of adjuvant BEP in cases of pathological stage II disease (arm B) were evaluated regarding recurrences and late toxicity.

Health-related quality of life in bladder cancer patients: bladder cancer-specific instruments and domains. Part 2.

Purpose Of Review: Several instruments have been designed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with bladder cancer (BC). However, they vary in purpose, domains, and quality. To identify QoL instruments that have been validated for BC patients and to critically assess their domains and limitations.

Health-related quality of life in bladder cancer patients: general and cancer-specific instruments. Part 1.

Purpose Of Review: Although survival outcomes are the primary outcomes to determine the effectiveness of treatment options, quality of life (QoL) is gaining in importance in addition to classic oncological outcomes. The present review aims to state and critically assess the challenges in health-related QoL (HRQoL) assessment especially in bladder cancer (BC) patients.

Recent Findings: General QoL-instruments do not address concerns specific to cancer patients or BC patients.

Management of Germ Cell Tumours of the Testes in Adult Patients: German Clinical Practice Guideline, PART II - Recommendations for the Treatment of Advanced, Recurrent, and Refractory Disease and Extragonadal and Sex Cord/Stromal Tumours and for the Management of Follow-Up, Toxicity, Quality of Life, Palliative Care, and Supportive Therapy.

Objectives: We developed the first German evidence- and consensus-based clinical guideline on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of germ cell tumours (GCT) of the testes in adult patients. We present the guideline content in 2 separate publications. The present second part summarizes therecommendations for the treatment of advanced disease stages and for the management of follow-up and late effects.

Management of Germ Cell Tumours of the Testis in Adult Patients. German Clinical Practice Guideline Part I: Epidemiology, Classification, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Fertility Preservation, and Treatment Recommendations for Localized Stages.

Introduction: This is the first German evidence- and consensus-based clinical guideline on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up on germ cell tumours (GCTs) of the testis in adult patients. We present the guideline content in two publications. Part I covers the topic's background, methods, epidemiology, classification systems, diagnostics, prognosis, and treatment recommendations for the localized stages.

[Cost and Revenue Relationship in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Patients in Relation to Body Mass Index].

Background: Growing numbers of patients in orthopaedic and trauma surgery are obese. The risks involved are e.g.

Liquid Biopsy Using Whole Blood from Testis Tumor and Colon Cancer Patients-A New and Simple Way?

Tumor cells shed exosomes, which are released to the blood. Detecting tumor-derived exosomes containing RNA in plasma (liquid biopsy) is currently being investigated for early identification of occult metastases or relapses. Isolation of exosomes is laborious, resulting in low RNA yields.

Thromboprophylaxis and the route of administration of chemotherapy in testicular cancer patients in German-speaking countries.

Purpose: Due to the excellent cure rates for testicular cancer (TC), focus has shifted towards decreasing therapy-related morbidities. Thrombosis is a frequent complication of cisplatin chemotherapy. Furthermore, the optimal route of administration for chemotherapy is still under debate.

Clinically apparent and occult metastasized seminoma: almost indistinguishable on the transcriptional level.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to examine the biological differences between seminomas with occult and clinically apparent metastases at the time of diagnosis of the primary tumor to gain insight into the biology of these tumors and facilitate the identification of novel predictors of seminoma metastasis.

Materials And Methods: Total RNA including small RNAs was isolated from testicular tumors of patients with pure seminoma presenting with lymphogenic metastasis (n = 5, clinical stage IIb/c) and occult metastasis (n = 5, clinical stage I). The regulation of biological processes was examined (1) throughout the mRNA transcriptome (whole genome microarrays, 8×60 K Array, Agilent with 4 samples/group) and (2) the miRNA transcriptome employing small RNA next generation sequencing (SOLID, Life Technologies with 5 samples/group).