Artificial urinary sphincter implantation after transperineal open reconstruction of post-prostatectomy vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis.

Purpose: This study evaluates the effectiveness of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation following transperineal reanastomosis in men with vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy (RP), focusing on long-term explantation rates and urinary continence.

Methods: Patients treated between 2009 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Those undergoing AUS implantation post-transperineal reanastomosis for recurrent VUAS, excluding cases with prior pelvic irradiation and overactive bladder, were included.

Patient-reported outcomes after one-stage neourethral reconstruction in transmen with phalloplasty-associated strictures and fistulas.

Introduction: Urethral strictures and fistulas arising after gender-affirming surgery in transmen require meticulous management strategies. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of urethral reconstruction and patient satisfaction post-surgery.

Methods: A retrospective analysis examined peri- and postoperative data from transmen undergoing urethral reconstruction for urethral fistula and/or strictures at the distal urethral anastomosis between December 2017 and April 2023.

Impact of Preoperative Plasma Potassium Levels on Oncological Outcomes, Major Complications, and 30-Day Mortality in Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy.

Introduction And Objectives: We examined the impact of preoperative plasma potassium levels (PPLs) on outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), hypothesizing that potassium imbalances might influence outcomes.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective study, 501 UCB patients undergoing RC from 2009 to 2017 at a tertiary center were analyzed. Blood samples collected a week prior to surgery defined normal and abnormal PPL based on institutional standards.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Ability of Comorbidity and Health Status Indices to Improve the Prediction of Perioperative Morbidity and Long-Term Survival Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy.

Background: In the era of standardized outcome reporting, it remains unclear if widely used comorbidity and health status indices can enhance predictive accuracy for morbidity and long-term survival outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC).

Patients And Methods: In this monocentric study, we included 468 patients undergoing open RC with pelvic lymph node dissection for bladder cancer between January 2009 and December 2017. Postoperative complications were meticulously assessed according to the EAU guideline criteria for standardized outcome reporting.

Predictive and Prognostic Role of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Treated With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Radical Cystectomy.

Introduction: There is a persistent lack of validated biomarkers that identify patients most likely to benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive and prognostic impact of the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in UCB patients treated with NAC and radical cystectomy (RC).

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of an international-multicenter database comprising 404 UCB patients staged cT2-4N0-3M0.

Radiation therapy compared to radical prostatectomy as first-line definitive therapy for patients with high-risk localised prostate cancer: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To present an update of the available literature on external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with or without brachytherapy (BT) compared to radical prostatectomy (RP) for patients with high-risk localised prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature assessing the survival outcomes in patients with high-risk PCa who received EBRT with or without BT compared to RP as the first-line therapy with curative intent. We queried PubMed and Web of Science database in January 2021.

Risk factors for concomitant positive midstream urine culture in patients presenting with symptomatic ureterolithiasis.

In patients with symptomatic ureterolithiasis, immediate treatment of concomitant urinary tract infection (UTI) may prevent sepsis. However, urine cultures require at least 24 h to confirm or exclude UTI, and therefore, clinical variables may help to identify patients who require immediate empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical intervention. Therefore, we divided a consecutive cohort of 705 patients diagnosed with symptomatic ureterolithiasis at a single institution between 2011 and 2017 into a training (80%) and a testing cohort (20%).

Prognostic impact of insulin-like growth factor-I and its binding proteins, insulin-like growth factor-I binding protein-2 and -3, on adverse histopathological features and survival outcomes after radical cystectomy.

Objectives: Insulin-like growth factor-I and its binding proteins are involved in cancer development, progression, and metastasis. In urothelial carcinoma, the impact of this pathway is still poorly investigated. The present large cohort study aimed to evaluate the association of preoperative circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor-I binding protein-2 and -3 on outcomes after radical cystectomy.

Prognostic Role of Preoperative Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Plasma Levels in Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder Treated With Radical Cystectomy.

Background: Angiogenesis-related marker vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) has been shown to be elevated in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), but its predictive/prognostic role has not been determined. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the predictive/prognostic role of VCAM-1 for patients who have UCB treated with radical cystectomy (RC).

Methods: The study enrolled 1036 patients with clinically non-metastatic advanced UCB who underwent RC, and plasma VCAM-1 was evaluated preoperatively.

Association between previous negative biopsies and lower rates of progression during active surveillance for prostate cancer.

Purpose: To test any-cause discontinuation and ISUP GG upgrading rates during Active Surveillance (AS) in patients that underwent previous negative biopsies (PNBs) before prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis vs. biopsy naive patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 961 AS patients (2008-2020).

Reassessment of the Efficacy of Carboplatin for Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma in the Era of Immunotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Context: Platinum-based combination chemotherapy is the standard treatment for advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (AMUC). However, data comparing the efficacy of different platinum agents are limited.

Objective: This review aimed to assess the efficacy of carboplatin as a first-line treatment for AMUC using phase 3 randomized trial data.

Comparison of short-term and long-term neoadjuvant hormone therapy prior to radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of long-term neoadjuvant androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) before radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods: We conducted meta-analyses and network meta-analyses, which included randomized controlled trials that assessed patients with prostate cancer (PC) who received either short-term (<6 months) or long-term (≥6 months) neoadjuvant ADT before RP.

Results: Thirteen articles with 2778 patients were eligible for analysis.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients With Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer: Oncologic Outcomes From a Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Although upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is more common in the elderly, outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in this population have never been explored. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of NAC on pathologic response and oncological outcomes stratified by age.

Patients And Methods: This multicenter study included 164 patients treated with NAC and radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for clinically non-metastatic, high-risk UTUC.

Prognostic value of hepatocyte growth factor for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Purpose: The HGF/MET pathway is involved in cell motility, angiogenesis, proliferation, and cancer invasion. We assessed the clinical utility of plasma HGF level as a prognostic biomarker in patients with MIBC.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 565 patients with MIBC who underwent radical cystectomy.

The placebo and nocebo effects in functional urology.

A placebo is an inert substance normally used in clinical trials for comparison with an active substance. However, a placebo has been shown to have an effect on its own; commonly known as the placebo effect. A placebo is an essential component in the design of conclusive clinical trials but has itself become the focus of intense research.

Evaluation of the Predictive Role of Blood-Based Biomarkers in the Context of Suspicious Prostate MRI in Patients Undergoing Prostate Biopsy.

The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of pre-biopsy blood-based markers in patients undergoing a fusion biopsy for suspicious prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We identified 365 consecutive patients who underwent MRI-targeted and systematic prostate biopsy for an MRI scored Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System Version (PI-RADS) ≥ 3. We evaluated the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR,) de Ritis ratio, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI).

Impact of preoperative systemic immune-inflammation Index on oncologic outcomes in bladder cancer patients treated with radical cystectomy.

Purpose: To investigate the predictive and prognostic value of the preoperative systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for clinically non-metastatic urothelial cancer of the bladder (UCB).

Methods: Overall, 4,335 patients were included, and the cohort was stratified in two groups according to SII using an optimal cut-off determined by the Youden index. Uni- and multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed, and the discriminatory ability by adding SII to a reference model based on available clinicopathologic variables was assessed by area under receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC) and concordance-indices.

Discordance Between Clinical and Pathological Staging and Grading in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the concordance in tumor stage and grade between ureteroscopic (URS) biopsy and radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Patients And Methods: Records of 1,214 UTUC patients who had undergone URS biopsy followed by RNU were included. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors contributing to the pathological upstaging.

Active surveillance for prostate cancer: comparison between incidental tumors vs. tumors diagnosed at prostate biopsies.

Purpose: To test discontinuation rates during Active Surveillance (AS) in patients diagnosed with incidental prostate cancers (IPCa) vs. tumors diagnosed at prostate biopsies (BxPCa).

Methods: Retrospective single center analysis of 961 vs.

Selection and evaluation of preoperative systemic inflammatory response biomarkers model prior to cytoreductive nephrectomy using a machine-learning approach.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of a panel of SIR-biomarkers, relative to standard clinicopathological variables, to improve mRCC patient selection for cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN).

Material And Methods: A panel of preoperative SIR-biomarkers, including the albumin-globulin ratio (AGR), De Ritis ratio (DRR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), was assessed in 613 patients treated with CN for mRCC. Patients were randomly divided into training and testing cohorts (65/35%).

Preoperative plasma level of endoglin as a predictor for disease outcomes after radical cystectomy for nonmetastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Elevated preoperative plasma level of endoglin has been associated with worse oncologic outcomes in various malignancies. The present large-scale study aimed to determine the predictive and prognostic values of preoperative endoglin with regard to clinicopathologic and survival outcomes in patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) for nonmetastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). We prospectively collected preoperative blood samples from 1036 consecutive patients treated with RC for UCB.

Choosing the Most Efficacious and Safe Oral Treatment for Idiopathic Overactive Bladder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Context: The choice of the most efficacious drug for patients with idiopathic overactive bladder (IOAB) remains challenging.

Objective: The aim of this network meta-analysis was to determine the most efficacious oral antimuscarinic or β-adrenoceptor agonist accounting for adverse events for the management of IOAB.

Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive electronic search was done in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, and Ovid for studies in any language in February 2021 considering the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.

The Value of Preoperative Plasma VEGF Levels in Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder Treated with Radical Cystectomy.

Background: Elevated preoperative plasma levels of the angiogenesis-related marker VEGF have been associated with worse oncological outcomes in various malignancies.

Objective: To investigate the predictive/prognostic role of VEGF in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) treated with radical cystectomy (RC).

Design, Setting, And Participants: VEGF plasma levels were measured preoperatively in 1036 patients with UCB who underwent RC.