Purpose We determined the current etiology of urethral stricture disease in the developed world and whether there are any differences in etiology by patient age and stricture site. Material and ...Methods Between January 2001 and August 2007 we prospectively collected a database on 268 male patients with urethral stricture disease who underwent urethroplasty at a referral center. The database was analyzed for possible cause of stricture and for previous interventions. Subanalysis was done for stricture etiology by patient age and stricture site. Results The most important causes were idiopathy, transurethral resection, urethral catheterization, pelvic fracture and hypospadias surgery. Overall iatrogenic causes (transurethral resection, urethral catheterization, cystoscopy, prostatectomy, brachytherapy and hypospadias surgery) were the etiology in 45.5% of stricture cases. In patients younger than 45 years the main causes were idiopathy, hypospadias surgery and pelvic fracture. In patients older than 45 years the main causes were transurethral resection and idiopathy. In cases of penile urethra hypospadias surgery idiopathic stricture, urethral catheterization and lichen sclerosus were the main causes, while in the bulbar urethra idiopathic strictures were most prevalent, followed by strictures due to transurethral resection. The main cause of multifocal/panurethral anterior stricture disease was urethral catheterization, while pelvic fracture was the main cause of posterior urethral strictures. Conclusions Of strictures treated with urethroplasty today iatrogenic causes account for about half of the urethral stricture cases in the developed world. In about 1 of 3 cases no obvious cause could be identified. The etiology is significantly different in younger vs older patients and among stricture sites.
Abstract Background The optimal dose and duration of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in the treatment of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are controversial. Objective To ...determine if a one-third dose (1/3D) is not inferior to the full dose (FD), if 1 yr of maintenance is not inferior to 3 yr of maintenance, and if 1/3D and 1 yr of maintenance are associated with less toxicity. Design, setting, and participants After transurethral resection, intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC patients were randomized to one of four BCG groups: 1/3D-1 yr, 1/3D-3 yr, FD-1 yr, and FD-3 yr. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The trial was designed as a noninferiority study with the null hypothesis of a 10% decrease in the disease-free rate at 5 yr. Times to events were estimated using cumulative incidence functions and compared using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results and limitations In an intention-to-treat analysis of 1355 patients with a median follow-up of 7.1 yr, there were no significant differences in toxicity between 1/3D and FD. The null hypotheses of inferiority of the disease-free interval for both 1/3D and 1 yr could not be rejected. We found that 1/3D-1 yr is suboptimal compared with FD-3 yr (hazard ratio HR: 0.75; 95% confidence interval CI, 0.59–0.94; p = 0.01). Intermediate-risk patients treated with FD do not benefit from an additional 2 yr of BCG. In high-risk patients, 3 yr is associated with a reduction in recurrence (HR: 1.61; 95% CI, 1.13–2.30; p = 0.009) but only when given at FD. There were no differences in progression or survival. Conclusions There were no differences in toxicity between 1/3D and FD. Intermediate-risk patients should be treated with FD-1 yr. In high-risk patients, FD-3 yr reduces recurrences as compared with FD-1 yr but not progressions or deaths. The benefit of the two additional years of maintenance should be weighed against its added costs and inconvenience. Trial registration This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00002990 ; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00002990.
Abstract Context The European Association of Urology (EAU) Guideline Group for urothelial cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT-UCC) has prepared new guidelines to aid clinicians in ...assessing the current evidence-based management of UUT-UCC and to incorporate present recommendations into daily clinical practice. Objective This paper provides a brief overview of the EAU guidelines on UUT-UCC as an aid to clinicians in their daily practice. Evidence acquisition The recommendations provided in the current guidelines are based on a thorough review of available UUT-UCC guidelines and papers identified using a systematic search of Medline. Data on urothelial malignancies and UUT-UCCs in the literature were searched using Medline with the following keywords: urinary tract cancer, urothelial carcinomas, upper urinary tract, carcinoma, transitional cell, renal pelvis, ureter, bladder cancer, chemotherapy, nephroureterectomy, adjuvant treatment, neoadjuvant treatment, recurrence, risk factors, and survival. A panel of experts weighted the references. Evidence synthesis There is a lack of data in the current literature to provide strong recommendations due to the rarity of the disease. A number of recent multicentre studies are now available, whereas earlier publications were based only on limited populations. However, most of these studies have been retrospective analyses. The TNM classification 2009 is recommended. Recommendations are given for diagnosis as well as for radical and conservative treatment; prognostic factors are also discussed. Recommendations are provided for patient follow-up after different therapeutic options. Conclusions These guidelines contain information for the diagnosis and treatment of individual patients according to a current standardised approach. When determining the optimal treatment regimen, physicians must take into account each individual patient’s specific clinical characteristics with regard to renal function including medical comorbidities; tumour location, grade and stage; and molecular marker status.
To explore indications for a definitive perineal urethrostomy (PU). To objectify the proportion of patients not completing the final stage procedure in an intended multi-stage urethroplasty. To ...analyze the incentives for both of these scenarios.
Since 2000, data of all men undergoing urethroplasty at our center have been collected in a database. This study included patients with a definitive PU and patients after ≥1 stages of an intended multi-stage urethroplasty. Patients <18 years or with a follow-up <3 m were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used and groups were compared with nonparametric statistical tests.
Among 1015 urethroplasties, 34 patients underwent a definitive PU and 63 underwent ≥1 stages of an intended multi-stage urethroplasty with a median (IQR) follow-up of respectively 57 (31-120) and 32 (14-101) months. In the definitive PU group, patients were significantly older (P < .001) and had more cardiovascular comorbidity (P = .01), panurethral stricture disease (P = .02) and longer strictures (P = .02) than patients in the multi-stage urethroplasty group. Half of the definitive PUs were surgeon driven and 33% were patient driven. Final stage procedures were completed by 35/63 (56%) patients. Patients not completing the final stage were significantly older (P = .001).
Definitive PU is particularly performed in older patients with worse cardiovascular condition, panurethral stricture disease and longer strictures. PU is often explicitly chosen by well informed patients and as nearly half of the patients refuse closure of the urethrostomy after the first stage, a definitive PU should be proposed as reasonable alternative to complicated urethral reconstruction from the start, especially in older patients.
It is unclear whether immediate adjuvant radiotherapy for high-risk disease at prostatectomy (capsule perforation, seminal vesicle invasion, and/or positive surgical margins) is equivalent to delayed ...salvage radiotherapy at biochemical recurrence. We performed a matched case analysis comparing high-dose adjuvant intensity modulated radiotherapy (A-IMRT) with salvage IMRT (S-IMRT).
One hundred forty-four patients with high-risk disease at prostatectomy were referred for A-IMRT, and 134 patients with high-risk disease were referred at biochemical recurrence (rising prostate-specific antigen PSA, following prostatectomy, above 0.2 ng/ml) for S-IMRT. Patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio according to preoperative PSA level, Gleason score, and pT stage. Median doses of 74 Gy and 76 Gy were prescribed for A-IMRT and S-IMRT, respectively. We report biochemical relapse free survival (bRFS) rates using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine tumour- and treatment-related factors.
A total of 178 patients were matched (89:89). From the end of radiotherapy, the median follow-up was 36 months for both groups. The 3-year bRFS rate for the A-IMRT group was 90% compared to 65% for the S-IMRT group (p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, S-IMRT, Gleason grades of ≥ 4+3, perineural invasion, preoperative PSA level of ≥ 10 ng/ml, and omission of androgen deprivation (AD) were independent predictors for a reduced bRFS (p < 0.05). From the date of surgery, the median follow-up was 43 and 60 months for A-IMRT and S-IMRT, respectively. The 3-year bRFS rate for A-IMRT was 91% compared to 79% for S-IMRT (p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, Gleason grades of ≥ 4+3, perineural invasion, and omission of AD were independent predictors for a reduced bRFS (p < 0.05). S-IMRT was no longer an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.08).
High-dose A-IMRT significantly improves 3-year bRFS compared to S-IMRT. Gleason grades of ≥ 4+3, perineural invasion, and omission of AD were independent prognostic factors for a decreased bRFS, both from the dates of surgery and from radiotherapy.
Purpose
To identify independent risk factors for urethroplasty failure in a prospective dataset.
Methods
Since 2008, data of all male patients undergoing urethroplasty at Ghent University Hospital ...have been prospectively recorded and maintained. This analysis excluded: posterior strictures, strictures of the perineostomy, urethral malignancy-related strictures, age < 18 years and follow-up < 1 year. Postoperatively, a voiding cysto-urethrography (VCUG) was performed after 2 weeks and in absence of significant contrast extravasation, the transurethral catheter was removed. Patients were followed after 3 m, 12 m and annually thereafter. Failure was defined as stricture recurrence requiring additional urethral intervention(s). Uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed on the entire patient cohort and for one-stage urethroplasty (OSU) at specific locations.
Results
In total, 474 patients were included. Median follow-up was 62 m (IQR 35–91). Significant extravasation was present in 6.9%. Bulbar stricture location was identified as independent protective factor for urethroplasty failure (HR 0.44;
p
= 0.046) and significant extravasation at first VCUG was identified as independent risk factor for urethroplasty failure (HR 2.86;
p
= 0.005). Cox regression analyses for OSU at specific locations could not identify other risk factors. All but one (89%) of the failures preceded by significant extravasation at first VCUG occurred within 2 years of follow-up whereas 44% of the failures with no or insignificant extravasation at first VCUG occurred after 2 years of follow-up (
p
= 0.03).
Conclusions
Bulbar stricture location is an independent protective factor for urethroplasty failure. Significant extravasation at first urethrography is an independent risk factor for urethroplasty failure and is associated with earlier stricture recurrence than other failed cases.
Abstract Context Our aim was to present a summary of the Second International Consultation on Bladder Cancer recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment options for non–muscle-invasive urothelial ...cancer of the bladder (NMIBC) using an evidence-based approach. Objective To critically review the recent data on the management of NMIBC to arrive at a general consensus. Evidence acquisition A detailed Medline analysis was performed for original articles addressing the treatment of NMIBC with regard to diagnosis, surgery, intravesical chemotherapy, and follow-up. Proceedings from the last 5 yr of major conferences were also searched. Evidence synthesis The major findings are presented in an evidence-based fashion. We analyzed large retrospective and prospective studies. Conclusions Urothelial cancer of the bladder staged Ta, T1, and carcinoma in situ (CIS), also indicated as NMIBC, poses greatly varying but uniformly demanding challenges to urologic care. On the one hand, the high recurrence rate and low progression rate with Ta low-grade demand risk-adapted treatment and surveillance to provide thorough care while minimizing treatment-related burden. On the other hand, the propensity of Ta high-grade, T1, and CIS to progress demands intense care and timely consideration of radical cystectomy.
Objectives: To evaluate the outcome of different techniques of urethroplasty and to assess the quality of an in‐home algorithm.
Methods: Two hundred fifty‐two male patients underwent urethroplasty. ...Mean patient's age was 48 years (range 1–85 years). Data were analyzed for the failure rate of the different techniques of urethroplasty. An additional analysis was done based on an in‐home algorithm.
Results: Median follow up was 37 months (range: 6–92 months). Global failure rate was 14.9%, with an individual failure rate of 11.7%, 16.0%, 20.7% and 20.8% for anastomotic repair, free graft urethroplasty, pedicled flap urethroplasty and combined urethroplasty, respectively. In free graft urethroplasty, results were significantly worse when extrapreputial skin was used. Anastomotic repair was the principle technique for short strictures (83.3%), at the bulbar and posterior urethra (respectively 50.8 and 100%). Free graft urethroplasty was mainly used for 3–10 cm strictures (58.6%). Anastomotic repair and free graft urethroplasty were more used in case of no previous interventions or after urethrotomy/dilation. Pedicled flap urethroplasty was the main technique at the penile urethra (40.7%). Combined urethroplasty was necessary in 41 and 47.1% in the treatment of, respectively, >10 cm or panurethral/multifocal anterior urethral strictures and was the most important technique in these circumstances. Two‐stage urethroplasty or perineostomy were only used in 2% as first‐line treatment but were already used in 14.9% after failed urethroplasty.
Conclusion: Urethroplasty has good results at intermediate follow up. Different types of techniques must be used for different types of strictures.
Abstract Background Approximately 25% of patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) will develop a biochemical failure within 5 yr after RT when doses of 60–64 Gray (Gy) are used. Objective To ...report on the safety and biochemical outcome of adjuvant intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) with doses >70 Gy. Design, setting, and participants Between 1999 and 2008, 104 patients underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) followed by adjuvant IMRT with or without androgen deprivation (AD) with a median follow-up of 36 mo. Indications for adjuvant IMRT were capsule perforation, seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) and/or positive surgical margins at prostatectomy specimen. All patients were irradiated at a single tertiary academic centre. AD was initiated on the basis of SVI, a preprostatectomy prostate-specific antigen level >20 ng/ml, Gleason score ≥4 + 3 ( n = 36), or personal preference of the referring urologist ( n = 32). Intervention A median dose of 74 Gy was prescribed to the planning target volume using IMRT in all patients. AD consisted out of a luteinising hormone-releasing hormone analogue for 6 mo. Measurements We report on acute and late toxicity, biochemical relapse–free survival (bRFS), and clinical progression. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate bRFS. Univariate analysis was used to examine the influence of patient- and treatment-related factors on bRFS. Results and limitations With respect to acute toxicity, no patients developed grade 3 gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, and eight patients developed grade 3 genitourinary (GU) toxicity (8%). With respect to late toxicity, no patients developed grade 3 GI toxicity, and four patients (4%) developed grade 3 GU toxicity. A urethral stricture was observed in six patients (6%). The 3- and 5-yr actuarial bRFS was 93%. On univariate analysis, bRFS rates were worse when SVI ( p < 0.02), Gleason score ≥4 + 3 ( p < 0.02), or negative surgical margins ( p < 0.02) were present. AD did not influence bRFS. Six patients had a clinical relapse. Conclusions Adjuvant high-dose IMRT after prostatectomy is safe and bRFS is excellent.
T1 transitional cell cancer of the urinary bladder is associated with a significant risk of tumor progression when transurethral resection (TUR) is the only treatment. Additional intravesical ...immunotherapy can reduce this risk; however, long-term results of more than 15 years of follow-up indicate that almost half of the patients may lose their bladder or even die due to recurrent tumor. The alternative to TUR is cystectomy at either the initial presentation or time of first recurrence. However, although the results of this treatment strategy are encouraging, an unknown percentage of patients will lose their bladder and go on to experience all possible complications of urinary diversion unnecessarily.
The central issue of conservative treatment but also the indication for cystectomy is the quality of TUR. From the present literature, it is evident that a ‘textbook TUR’ cannot be performed on every patient, i.e. macroscopical clearance of the bladder from tumor, separate thorough resection of the tumor base and separate biopsies of the borders of the resection area. Moreover, even in cases of a so-called ‘correct TUR’, a significant percentage of residual tumor is left behind and will be the source of local recurrence or progression. In addition, TUR specimens may be difficult to diagnose accurately, especially in respect to grade and stage.
Recent publications demonstrate that the routinely performed second TUR detects residual tumors of similar or higher stage in a significant percentage of patients. The clinical implications of these findings can be considerable as the absence or presence of tumor may determine whether patients undergo conservative or aggressive treatment. Moreover, results of retrospective studies support this suggestion.
Currently, there is no standard appropriate treatment of T1 tumors. However, we strongly recommend that future studies on the conservative treatment of T1 tumors include a second TUR within 2 to 4 weeks after the first one.
