PURPOSEWe report outcomes of hemigland high intensity focused ultrasound ablation as primary treatment for localized prostate cancer in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 100 ...consecutive men underwent hemigland high intensity focused ultrasound (December 2015 to December 2019). Primary end point was treatment failure, defined as Grade Group 2 or greater on followup prostate biopsy, radical treatment, systemic therapy, metastases or prostate cancer specific mortality. IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function), I-PSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) and 90-day complications were reported. RESULTSAt study entry patients had very low (8%), low (20%), intermediate favorable (50%), intermediate unfavorable (17%) and high (5%) risk prostate cancer. Median followup was 20 months. The 2-year survival free from treatment failure, Grade Group 2 or greater recurrence, repeat focal high intensity focused ultrasound and radical treatment was 73%, 76%, 90% and 91%, respectively. Bilateral prostate cancer at diagnosis was the sole predictor for Grade Group 2 or greater recurrence (p=0.03). Of men who underwent posttreatment biopsy (58), 10 had in-field and 8 out-of-field Grade Group 2 or greater positive biopsy. Continence (zero pad) was maintained in 100% of patients. Median IIEF-5 and I-PSS scores before vs after hemigland high intensity focused ultrasound were 22 vs 21 (p=0.99) and 9 vs 6 (p=0.005), respectively. Minor and major complications occurred in 13% and 0% of patients. No patient had rectal fistula or died. CONCLUSIONSShort-term results of focal high intensity focused ultrasound indicate safety, excellent potency and continence preservation, and adequate short-term prostate cancer control. Radical treatment was avoided in 91% of men at 2 years. Men with bilateral prostate cancer at diagnosis have increased risk for Grade Group 2 or greater recurrence. To our knowledge, this is the initial and largest United States series of focal high intensity focused ultrasound as primary treatment for prostate cancer.
PURPOSEWe evaluated 5-year oncologic and functional outcomes of hemigland cryoablation of localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODSWe reviewed the records of 160 consecutive men who underwent ...hemigland cryoablation of localized prostate cancer. Recurrent and/or residual clinically significant prostate cancer was defined as Grade Group 2 or greater on followup biopsy. A prostate specific antigen nadir plus 2 ng/ml according to the Phoenix criteria was used to define biochemical failure. Radical treatment was defined as any whole gland therapy. Treatment failure was defined as any radical and/or whole gland treatment, systemic therapy initiation, metastasis or prostate cancer specific mortality. The study primary end point was treatment failure-free survival. The secondary end points were survival free of biochemical failure, clinically significant prostate cancer and radical treatment. Followup biopsy and functional outcomes were also evaluated. Statistical analysis included the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate and multivariable Cox and logistic regression with significance considered at p <0.05. RESULTSMedian patient age was 67 years, baseline prostate specific antigen was 6.3 ng/ml and followup was 40 months. A total of 131 patients (82%) had D'Amico intermediate (66%) or high risk (16%) prostate cancer. At 5 years the treatment failure-free survival rate was 85%, the biochemical failure-free survival rate was 62% and the survival rate free of clinically significant prostate cancer was 89%. Higher baseline prostate specific antigen independently predicted treatment failure (p <0.001), biochemical failure (p=0.048), recurrence and radical treatment (p <0.01). Grade Group 3 or greater independently predicted treatment failure (p=0.04). The metastasis-free survival rate was 100% at 5 years. Pad-free continence and potency (erections sufficient for intercourse) were retained in 97% and 73% of patients, respectively. There was no rectal fistula or mortality. CONCLUSIONSHemigland cryoablation of localized prostate cancer provides effective midterm oncologic outcomes with good continence and potency. Patients with higher baseline prostate specific antigen are at increased risk for biochemical failure, recurrent cancer and treatment failure.
Objectives
To assess the effectiveness of soft coagulation in off‐clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.
Methods
A total of 32 patients with renal tumors underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy ...with off‐clamp using soft coagulation between May 2012 and September 2013. Tumor resection was carried out using a combination of bipolar forceps and a ball electrode using the soft coagulation system without hilar clamping. The outcomes of these patients were compared with those of 30 patients treated with hilar clamping.
Results
This off‐clamp procedure was successfully completed in 31 cases. No significant differences were observed in the mean age (60 vs 61 years), sex (male/female; 25/7 vs 20/10), mean RENAL nephrometry score (5.7 vs 5.8), mean body mass index (24.4 vs 23) or tumor size (15 mm vs 16 mm) between the two groups. No significant differences were noted in positive surgical margins (0 vs 0) or blood loss (104 vs 115 cc) as well. In contrast, a significant difference was noted in the total operative time (278 vs 238 min). Serum creatinine percentage changes at 3 months were 6.4 versus 7.3% in the off‐clamp and hilum‐clamp groups, respectively, which were not significantly different.
Conclusions
Off‐clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy can be safely carried out by using a soft coagulation technique.
Purpose
To assess the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of an expedited One-Stop prostate cancer (PCa) diagnostic pathway.
Patients and methods
We identified 370 consecutive patients who underwent ...multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and transrectal ultrasound fusion prostate biopsy (MRI/TRUS-PBx) from our institutional review board-approved database. Patients were divided according to diagnostic pathway: One-Stop (
n
= 74), with mpMRI and same-day PBx, or Standard (
n
= 296), with mpMRI followed by a second visit for PBx. mpMRIs were performed and interpreted according to Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS v2). Grade group ≥ 2 PCa defined clinically significant PCa (csPCa). Statistical significance was considered when
p
< 0.05.
Results
Age (66 vs 66 years,
p
= 0.59) and PSA density (0.1 vs 0.1 ng/mL
2
,
p
= 0.26) were not different between One-Stop vs Standard pathway, respectively. One-Stop patients lived further away from the hospital than Standard patients (163 vs 31 km;
p
< 0.01), and experienced shorter time from mpMRI to PBx (0 vs 7 days;
p
< 0.01). The number (
p
= 0.56) and distribution of PI-RADS lesions (
p
= 0.67) were not different between the groups. All procedures were completed successfully with similar perioperative complications rate (
p
= 0.24). For patients with PI-RADS 3–5 lesions, the csPCa detection rate (49% vs 41%,
p
= 0.55) was similar for One-Stop vs Standard, respectively. The negative predictive value of mpMRI (PI-RADS 1–2) for csPCa was 78% for One-Stop vs 83% for Standard (
p
= 0.99). On multivariate analysis, age, prostate volume and PI-RADS score (
p
< 0.01), but not diagnostic pathway, predicted csPCa detection.
Conclusion
A One-Stop PCa diagnostic pathway is feasible, safe, and provides similar outcomes in a shorter time compared to the Standard two-visit diagnostic pathway.
Purpose
To determine whether multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) can reliably predict proximity of prostate cancer to the prostatic urethra in a contemporary series of men undergoing ...radical prostatectomy (RP) at two academic centers.
Methods
Clinical characteristics of consecutive men undergoing pre-operative mpMRI prior to RP and whole-mount axial serial step-sectioned pathology examination at two academic centers between Jun 2016 and Oct 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Every tumor was characterized by its pathologic minimum distance to the prostatic urethral lumen (pMDUL). Only the cancer closest to the urethra represented the prostatic urethral index lesion. The radiologic minimum distance of the index lesion to the prostatic urethral lumen was measured and noted as ≤ 5 mm versus > 5 mm. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predicting values (PPV and NPV) and area under the receivers operating characteristics curve (AUC) were calculated for performance of mpMRI for predicting pMDUL ≤ 5 mm.
Results
Of the 163 surgical specimens examined, 112 (69%) exhibited a pMDUL ≤ 5 mm. These men had significantly higher grade group (GG) and advanced pathological and clinical stage. The rates of high PI-RADS score and presence of gross extracapsular extension were also significantly greater for the group with pMDUL ≤ 5 mm. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 0.641, 51.8, 76.5, 82.9, and 42.4%, respectively, for mpMRI to predict pMDUL < 5 mm.
Conclusions
Nearly 70% of men undergoing RP present with tumor within 5 mm of the prostatic urethra. These tumors present higher risk characteristics, and mpMRI exhibited moderate performance and high PPV in their pre-operative detection. Physicians performing partial gland ablation should take these results into consideration during treatment selection and planning.
Objectives
To evaluate the impact of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) on definitive treatment (DT) and pathological progression (PP) in patients on active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer.
...Methods
We identified 361 consecutive patients, from an IRB-approved database, on AS for prostate cancer with minimum 2 years follow-up. Patients were grouped into two cohorts, those using 5-ARIs (
5-ARI
;
n
= 119) or not using 5-ARIs (
no 5-ARI
;
n
= 242). Primary and secondary endpoints were treatment-free survival (TFS) and PP-free survival (PPFS), which were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Univariate and multivariable cox regression analysis were used to identify predictors for PP and DT. A
p
value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Baseline characteristics and the prostate biopsy rate were similar between the two groups. Median (range) follow-up was 5.7 (2.0–17.2) years. Five-year and 10-year TFS was 92% and 59% for the
5-ARI
group versus 80% and 51% for the
no 5-ARI
group (
p
= 0.005), respectively. Five-year and 10-year PPFS was 77% and 41% for the
5-ARI
group versus 70% and 32% for the
no 5-ARI
group (
p
= 0.04), respectively. Independent predictors for treatment and PP were not taking 5-ARIs (
p
= 0.005;
p
= 0.02), entry PSA > 2.5 ng/mL (
p
= 0.03;
p
= 0.01) and Gleason pattern 4 on initial biopsy (
p
< 0.001;
p
< 0.001), respectively. The main limitation is the retrospective study design.
Conclusions
5-ARIs reduces reclassification and cross-over to treatment in men on active surveillance for prostate cancer. Further, taking 5-ARIs was an independent predictor for prostate cancer progression and definitive treatment.
Teriparatide is an anabolic therapy for osteoporosis approved in the United States since 2002 and European Union since 2003; however, approval in Japan lagged significantly. This report describes ...analyses based on International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) E-5 guidelines that support bridging between Japanese studies and the large Fracture Prevention Trial (FPT). We analyzed data from single teriparatide doses in healthy Japanese and Caucasian postmenopausal women (J-PK) and from studies of 6 months Phase 2, dose ranging (J-Ph2) and 12 months Phase 3, efficacy and safety (J-Ph3) of randomized, placebo-controlled, once-daily treatment in Japanese subjects with osteoporosis. In J-PK, apparent teriparatide area-under-the-curve (AUC) and peak concentration (
C
max
) were up to 40% higher in Japanese versus Caucasian women; however, body weight-adjusted values were comparable between populations; these findings were supported by population pharmacokinetic analyses. Between the FPT and Japanese studies, baseline demographic characteristics were similar but bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (L1–L4) and body weight were lower for Japanese subjects. With teriparatide 20 μg/day, significant increases in BMD were observed compared to placebo at 12 months in both the FPT and J-Ph3 study, and percent change and actual change in BMD were comparable between studies. Dose response at 6 months was also comparable across populations. No novel safety signals were identified in Japanese subjects. These analyses show that teriparatide clinical data met ICH E-5 criteria for bridging. Findings from foreign trials such as the FPT can thus be extrapolated to Japanese subjects treated with teriparatide 20 μg/day.
We encountered 2 immunocompromised children complicated by Raoultella ornithinolytica bacteremia. One had received methylprednisolone pulse therapy for IgA nephropathy, and the other had leukopenia ...because of chemotherapy for leukemia. Both children had no specific symptoms, and R. ornithinolytica bacteremia was identified by routine blood culture. Both patients were successfully treated with antibiotic treatment.
Focal therapy for localized prostate cancer is well accepted by patients, with a satisfaction rate of > 80%. Higher prostate-specific antigen at nadir, presence of cancer on follow-up biopsy, ...bothersome postoperative urinary symptoms, and impotence after focal therapy were independent predictors of treatment decision regret.
Several reports are available regarding the treatment decision regret of patients receiving conventional treatments for localized prostate cancer (PCa); yet data on patients undergoing focal therapy (FT) are sparse.
To evaluate the treatment decision satisfaction and regret among patients who underwent FT for PCa with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) or cryoablation (CRYO).
We identified consecutive patients who underwent HIFU or CRYO FT as the primary treatment for localized PCa at three US institutions. A survey with validated questionnaires, including the five-question Decision Regret Scale (DRS), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), was mailed to the patients. The regret score was calculated based on the five items of the DRS, and regret was defined as a DRS score of >25.
Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to assess the predictors of treatment decision regret.
Of 236 patients, 143 (61%) responded to the survey. Baseline characteristics were similar between responders and nonresponders. During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 43 (26–68) mo, the treatment decision regret rate was 19.6%. On a multivariable analysis, higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at nadir after FT (odds ratio OR 1.48, 95% confidence interval CI 1.1–2, p = 0.009), presence of PCa on follow-up biopsy (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.5–10.6, p = 0.006), higher post-FT IPSS (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01–1.37, p = 0.03), and newly diagnosed impotence (OR 6.67, 95% CI 1.57–27, p = 0.03) were independent predictors of treatment regret. The type of energy treatment (HIFU/CRYO) was not a predictor of regret/satisfaction. Limitations include retrospective abstraction.
FT for localized PCa is well accepted by the patients, with a low regret rate. Higher PSA at nadir, presence of cancer on follow-up biopsy, bothersome postoperative urinary symptoms, and impotence after FT were independent predictors of treatment decision regret.
In this report, we looked at the factors affecting satisfaction and regret in patients with prostate cancer undergoing focal therapy. We found that focal therapy is well accepted by the patients, while presence of cancer on follow-up biopsy as well as bothersome urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction can predict treatment decision regret.
ABSTRACT
Background and objective: More than 100 000 Japanese die of pneumonia every year. The number of people residing in nursing homes is increasing with the ageing of the population. In 2005, ...the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA) published important guidelines for the management of healthcare‐associated pneumonia (HCAP). In Japan, however, the optimum strategy for management of HCAP is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical features of patients with HCAP.
Methods: Patients (n = 202) who were consecutively admitted with a diagnosis of acute pneumonia between October 2007 and September 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. Using the ATS/IDSA guidelines, patients were divided into three groups: a community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) group (n = 123), a nursing home‐acquired pneumonia (NHAP) group (n = 46) and a HCAP other than NHAP (O‐HCAP) group (n = 33). These groups were then compared with respect to laboratory data, microbiological findings and mortality.
Results: Thirty‐day mortality in the NHAP group (10.9%) tended to be higher than that in the CAP group (3.3%) or the O‐HCAP group (0%). The pathogens most frequently identified were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in the CAP group, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the NHAP group, and S. pneumoniae and K. pneumoniae in the O‐HCAP group.
Conclusions: The NHAP group was clinically different from the O‐HCAP group, based on bacteriological examination and mortality rates. In order to accurately diagnose, and formulate optimum treatment strategies for Japanese patients, the categories of HCAP, as specified in the ATS/IDSA guidelines, should not be applied directly either to patients with NHAP or those with O‐HCAP.
There were differences in bacteriological findings and mortality rates among subgroups of Japanese patients with healthcare‐associated pneumonia (HCAP). The HCAP guidelines of the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America may not necessarily be applicable for accurate diagnosis and optimum treatment of all Japanese patients with HCAP.