A non-cancer-related survival benefit is associated with partial nephrectomy

Background

Partial nephrectomy (PN) may better protect against other-cause mortality (OCM) when compared with radical nephrectomy (RN) in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Objective

Test the effect of treatment type on OCM.

Design, setting, and participants

Using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results–Medicare-linked database, 4956 RN patients (82%) and 1068 PN patients (18%) with T1a RCC were identified (1988–2005).

Measurements

To adjust for inherent differences between treatment types, we relied on propensity-matched analyses. One-to-one matching was performed according to age, sex, race, baseline Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), baseline diagnosis of hypercalcemia and hyperlipidemia, socioeconomic status (SES), population density, tumor size, and year of surgery. The 2- and 5-yr OCM rates were computed using cumulative incidence. Univariable and multivariable competing-risks regression analyses for prediction of OCM were performed according to treatment type. Adjustment was made for cancer-specific mortality (CSM), patient age, CCI, sex, race, SES, tumor grade, and year of surgery.

Results and limitations

Following propensity-based matching, 1068 RN patients were matched with 1068 PN patients. The 2- and 5-yr OCM rates after nephrectomy were 5.0% and 16.0% for PN versus 6.9% and 18.1% for RN, respectively. In the postpropensity multivariable analyses, patients who underwent PN were significantly less likely to die of OCM compared with their RN-treated counterparts (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.98; p = 0.04). Increasing age (HR: 1.08, p < 0.001), higher CCI (HR: 1.14, p < 0.001), female gender (HR: 0.79, p = 0.02), baseline hypercalcemia (HR: 2.05, p = 0.03), baseline hyperlipidemia (HR: 0.73, p = 0.003), and year of surgery (HR: 0.95, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of OCM.

Conclusions

Compared with PN-treated patients, RN-treated patients are more likely to die of OCM after surgery, even after adjusting for CSM, as well as baseline CCI. Consequently, PN should be offered whenever technically feasible.     

Nephron-sparing surgery is superior to radical nephrectomy in preserving renal function benefit even when expanding indications beyond the traditional 4-cm cutoff

ObjectivesTo analyze to what extent partial nephrectomy (PN) is superior to radical nephrectomy (RN) in preserving renal function outcome in relation to tumor size indication.Methods and materialsClinical data from 973 patients operated at 9 academic institutions were retrospectively analyzed. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) before and after surgery was calculated with the abbreviated Modification of the Diet in Renal Disease equation. For a fair comparison between the 2 techniques, all imperative indications for PN were excluded. A shift to a less favorable GFR group following surgery was considered clinically significant.ResultsMedian age at diagnosis was 60 years (19–91). Tumor size was smaller than 4 cm in 665 (68.3%) cases and larger than 4 cm in 308 (31.7%) cases. PN and RN were performed in 663 (68.1%) and 310 (31.9%) patients, respectively. In univariate analysis, patients undergoing PN had a smaller risk for developing significant GFR change following surgery than those undergoing RN did. This was true for tumors≤4 cm (P = 0.0001) and for tumors>4 cm (P = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the following criteria were independent predictive factors for developing significant postoperative GFR loss: the use of RN (P = 0.0001), preoperative GFR<60 ml/min (P = 0.0001), tumor size≥4 cm (P = 0.0001), and older age at diagnosis (P = 0.0001).ConclusionsThe renal function benefit carried out by elective PN over RN persists even when expanding nephron-sparing surgery indications beyond the traditional 4-cm cutoff.     

Presurgical sunitinib reduces tumor size and may facilitate partial nephrectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma

ObjectiveTo determine whether presurgical sunitinib reduces primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) size and facilitates partial nephrectomy (PN).MethodsData from potential candidates for PN treated with sunitinib with primary RCC in situ were reviewed retrospectively. Primary outcome was reduction in tumor bidirectional area.ResultsIncluded were 72 potential candidates for PN who received sunitinib before definitive renal surgery on 78 kidneys. Median primary tumor size was 7.2 cm (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.3–8.7 cm) before and 5.3 cm (IQR: 4.1–7.5 cm) after sunitinib treatment (P<0.0001), resulting in 32% reduction in tumor bidirectional area (IQR: 14%–46%). Downsizing occurred in 65 tumors (83%), with 15 partial responses (19%). Tumor complexity per R.E.N.A.L. score was reduced in 59%, with median posttreatment score of 9 (IQR: 8–10). Predictors of lesser tumor downsizing included clinical evidence of lymph node metastases (P<0.0001), non–clear cell histology (P = 0.0017), and higher nuclear grade (P = 0.023). Surgery was performed for 68 tumors (87%) and was not delayed in any patient owing to sunitinib toxicity. Grade≥3 surgical complications occurred in 5 patients (7%). PN was performed for 49 kidneys (63%) after sunitinib, including 76% of patients without and 41% with metastatic disease (P = 0.0026). PN was completed in 100%, 86%, 65%, and 60% of localized cT1a, cT1b, cT2, and cT3 tumors, respectively.ConclusionPresurgical sunitinib leads to modest tumor reduction in most primary RCC, and many patients can be subsequently treated with PN with acceptable morbidity and preserved renal function. A randomized trial is required to definitively determine whether presurgical therapy enhances feasibility of PN.     

A meta-analysis for comparison of partial nephrectomy vs. radical nephrectomy in patients with pT3a renal cell carcinoma

BackgroundKidney cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the kidney in adults. However, in terms of the treatment for pT3a renal cell carcinoma (RCC), whether partial nephrectomy (PN) can be selected is still controversial. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of PN and radical nephrectomy (RN) in treatment for patients with pT3a RCC.MethodsThe relative English databases including PubMed and EMBASE were searched for studies comparing PN and RN for pT3a RCC between 2010 and 2020. Stata 13.0 software was used to compare the cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), cancer-specific mortality (CSM), relapse-free survival (RFS), complications and positive surgical margin.ResultsNine articles were included with a total of 3,391 patients, of whom 2,113 received RN and 1,278 received PN. The results showed that there is no statistical difference in CSS, OS, CSM, RFS, complications and positive surgical margin between RN and PN. No heterogeneity was shown in study.ConclusionsThere were no differences in the CSS, OS, CSM, RFS, complications and positive surgical margin of the patients in RN and PN group. For pT3a RCC, RN did not provide a better survival benefit compared to PN. Considering PN can suppress the progression of tumor and reduce the risk of postoperative chronic renal insufficiency, we found PN is a good choice for pT3a RCC. However, further large-sample, studies are still needed in future.     

Compared with radical nephrectomy,nephron-sparing surgery offers a long-term survival advantage in patients between the ages of 20 and 44 years with renal cell carcinomas (≤4 cm): An analysis of the SEER database

PurposeCompared with radical nephrectomy (RN), partial nephrectomy (PN) decreases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the survival advantage of PN in older patients, they have been criticized by selection bias toward the procedure owing to comorbidities. We hypothesized that long-standing effects of renal preservation would manifest in a survival advantage of a younger patient population, where selection bias owing to comorbidities is minimized.Materials and methodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18-registries database was queried for patients aged 20 to 44 years surgically treated between 1993 and 2003 for renal cell carcinoma (RCC)≤4 cm with known grade and histology. Patients with prior RCC, multiple tumors, and metastatic or locally advanced disease were excluded. The final cohorts consisted of 222 and 494 subjects treated with PN and RN, respectively. The chi-square and log-rank analyses compared patient and tumor characteristics and patient survival, respectively.ResultsThere were no differences between the groups in demographics or tumor characteristics. Additionally, there was no difference in cancer-specific survival at 5 or 10 years (P = 0.34 and P = 0.1, respectively). Although there was no difference in 5-year overall survival (P = 0.07), PN offered an advantage in 10-year overall survival (P = 0.025).ConclusionsPresent Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results analyses demonstrate that compared with RN, PN improved overall survival in patients with small, localized RCC. As expected, the survival advantage is observed late and supports the importance of long-term renal functional preservation. Although our study is limited by lack of comorbidities, the results suggest that detrimental effects of RN may have implications on overall survival in younger patients with RCC.     

La obesidad,la hipertensión y la diabetes mellitus afectan la tasa de complicaciones de las diferentes técnicas de nefrectomía

IntroductionTo investigate whether obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM) would increase post-nephrectomy complication rates using standardized classification method.MethodsWe retrospectively included 843 patients from March 2006 to November 2012, of whom 613 underwent radical nephrectomy (RN) and 229 had partial nephrectomy (PN). Modified Clavien classification system was applied to quantify complication severity of nephrectomy. Fisher's exact or chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between complication rates and obesity, hypertension, as well as DM.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and DM was 11.51%, 30.84%, 8.78%, respectively. The overall complication rate was 19.31%, 30.04%, 35.71% and 36.36% for laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN), open-RN, LPN and open-PN respectively. An increasing trend of low grade complication rate as BMI increased was observed in LRN (P = .027) and open-RN (P < .001). Obese patients had greater chance to have low grade complications in LRN (OR = 4.471; 95% CI: 1.290-17.422; P = 0.031) and open-RN (OR = 2.448; 95% CI: 1.703-3.518; P < .001). Patients with hypertension were more likely to have low grade complications, especially grade ii complications in open-RN (OR = 1.526; 95% CI: 1.055-2.206; P = .026) and open PN (OR = 2.032; 95% CI: 1.199-3.443; P = .009). DM was also associated with higher grade i complication rate in open-RN (OR = 2.490; 95% CI: 331-4.657; P = .016) and open-PN (OR = 4.425; 95% CI: 1.815-10.791; P = .013). High grade complication rates were similar in comparison.ConclusionsObesity, hypertension, and DM were closely associated with increased post-nephrectomy complication rates, mainly low grade complications.     

Results of a comparative study analyzing octogenarians with renal cell carcinoma in a competing risk analysis with patients in the seventh decade of life

ObjectivesTo analyze clinicopathological features and survival of surgically treated patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC)≥80 years of age in comparison with patients between the ages of 60 and 70 years.Materials and methodsThe data for 2,516 patients with a median follow-up of 57 months were retrieved from a multinational database (Collaborative Research on Renal Neoplasms Association [CORONA]), including data for 6,234 consecutive patients with RCC after radical or partial nephrectomy. Comparative analysis of clinicopathological features of 241 octogenarians (3.9% of the database) and 2,275 reference patients between the ages of 60 and 70 years (36.5%) was performed. Multivariable regression analysis adjusted for competing risks was applied to identify the effect of advanced age on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and other-cause mortality (OCM). Furthermore, instrumental variable analysis was employed to reduce residual confounding by unmeasured parameters.ResultsSignificantly more women were present (50% vs. 40%, P = 0.004), and significantly less often nephron-sparing surgery was performed in octogenarians compared with the reference group (11% vs. 20%, P<0.001). Although median tumor size and stages did not significantly defer, older patients less often had advanced or metastatic disease (N+/M1) (4.6% vs. 9.6%, P = 0.009). On multivariable analysis, higher CSM (hazard ratio = 1.48, P = 0.042) and OCM rates (hazard ratio = 4.32, P<0.001) were detectable in octogenarians (c-indices = 0.85 and 0.72, respectively). Integration of the variable age group in multivariable models significantly increased the predictive accuracy regarding OCM (6%, P<0.001), but not for CSM. Limitations are based on the retrospective study design.ConclusionsOctogenarian patients with RCC significantly differ in clinical features and display significantly higher CSM and OCM rates in comparison with their younger counterparts.     

Predictors of 30-day acute kidney injury following radical and partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

IntroductionPatients with renal cell carcinoma who were treated with radical nephrectomy (RN) or partial nephrectomy (PN) are at risk of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), and in consequence, short- and long-term adverse outcomes. We sought to identify independent predictors of 30-day AKI in patients undergoing RN or PN.Materials and methodsBetween 2005 and 2011, patients who underwent RN or PN for renal cell carcinoma within the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data set were identified. Patients with preexisting severe renal failure, defined as a preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate<30 ml/min/1.73 m², were excluded from the analyses. AKI was defined as an elevation of serum creatinine>2 mg/dl above baseline or the need for dialysis within 30 days of surgery. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between preoperative factors and the risk of postoperative AKI.ResultsOverall, 1,944 (58.6%) and 1,376 (41.4%) patients underwent RN and PN, respectively. Overall, 1.8% of the patients included in the study experienced AKI within an average of 5.4 days after RN or PN. Independent predictors for AKI included obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 2.24, P = 0.04), history of neurovascular disease (OR = 5.29, P<0.001), and a preoperative chronic kidney disease stage II (OR = 10.00, P = 0.03) or stage III (OR = 26.49, P = 0.02). Furthermore, RN (OR = 2.87, P = 0.02) or the open approach (OR = 2.18, P = 0.04) was significantly associated with postoperative AKI. AKI was significantly associated with adverse postoperative outcomes, such as prolonged length of stay, occurrence of any complication, and mortality (all P <0.001).ConclusionsThe assessment of preoperative kidney function and comorbidity status is essential to identify patients at risk of postoperative AKI. In addition to preoperative chronic kidney disease stages II and III, neurovascular disease, obesity, and surgical approach (RN or open) represent predictors of 30-day AKI. Careful patient selection as well as preoperative planning may help reduce this unfavorable postoperative outcome.     

Preoperative predictors of malignancy and unfavorable pathology for clinical T1a tumors treated with partial nephrectomy: A multi-institutional analysis

PurposeTo determine preoperative predictors associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and unfavorable pathology in small renal masses treated with partial nephrectomy (PN).Materials and methodsPN records from 5 centers were retrospectively queried for patients with a clinically localized single tumor <4 cm on imaging (clinical T1a). Between 2007 and 2013, 1,009 patients met the inclusion criteria. Unfavorable pathology was defined as any grade III or IV RCC or tumors upstaged to pathologic T3a disease. Logistic regression models were used to determine preoperative characteristics associated with RCC and with unfavorable pathology.ResultsA total of 771 (76.4%) patients were found to have RCC and 198 (19.6%) had unfavorable pathology. On multivariate, bootstrap-adjusted logistic regression analysis, factors associated with the presence of malignancy were imaging tumor size≥3 cm (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46; P = 0.040), male sex (OR = 1.88; P<0.0001), and nephrometry score≥8 (OR = 1.64; P = 0.005). These same factors were independently associated with risk of unfavorable pathology: size≥3 cm (OR = 1.46; P = 0.021), male sex (OR = 2.35; P<0.0001), and nephrometry score≥8 (OR = 1.49; P = 0.015). The c statistic was 0.62 for the predicting malignancy and 0.63 for unfavorable pathology.ConclusionsIn this multi-institutional cohort, male sex, imaging tumor size≥3 cm, and nephrometry score≥8 were predictors of RCC and adverse pathology following PN. These factors may assist in risk stratification and selective renal mass biopsy before decision making. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings.     

Relevancia de los factores predictivos clínico-patológicos vigentes en el carcinoma renal de células cromófobas

IntroductionThe identification of new subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has made it necessary to re-evaluate the current clinical and pathological predictive factors (stage, Fuhrman nuclear grade, necrosis, lymphovascular invasion [LVI] and sarcomatoid component) in these new subtypes. The chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) is considered a less aggressive subtype of RCC. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the usefulness of current clinicopathologic predictors of RCC in our series of CRCC.Material and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic features of 63 patients with CRCC treated with radical nephrectomy. The parameters analyzed were tumor extension with the TNM, grade according to Fuhrman classification, LVI, tumor necrosis, tumor thrombus, surgical margin status, and involvement of the collecting system. The results (disease recurrence) were evaluated by Cox regression model with univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsWith a median follow up of 60.2 months (0.37-160.2), 8 (11%) patients had recurrence, with median time to recurrence of 31.7 months (5.37-124.33). In the univariate analysis, TNM extension (p = 0.0001), Fuhrman grade III or IV (p = 0.031), LVI (p = 0.0001) and the presence of positive surgical margins (p = 0.0001) were statistically significant variables for recurrence. In the multivariate analysis, only tumor stage was confirmed as an independent predictor of recurrence, pT1 versus pT2 (p = 0.02, OR 0.27 95% CI 0.03-0.258) and pT2 versus higher stage (p = 0.037, OR 0.173 95% CI 0.033-0.896).ConclusionsThe tumor stage predicts aggressiveness in the CCRC. The classification of Fuhrman nuclear grade is not useful for this histological subtype.     

Prevalence of Rathke cleft cysts in children on magnetic resonance imaging

PurposeThe purposes of this study were to estimate the prevalence of Rathke cleft cysts (RCC) in a pediatric population on brain MRI, to describe their appearance, and to estimate interobserver agreement in the detection of RCC.Materials and methodsThe brain MRI examinations of 460 children were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists for the presence of RCC. There were 223 boys and 237 girls with a mean age of 8.8 ± 4.3 (standard deviation [SD]) years (range: 0.1–14.9 years). When present, RCC were analyzed with respect to internal contain and further classified as serous RCC (i.e., high signal on T2-weighted sequences and iso or low signal on T1-weighted sequences) or mucosal RCC (i.e., low signal on T2-weighted sequences and high or iso signal on T1-weighted sequences). Cohen's Kappa coefficient was used to estimate interobserver agreement between the interpretations performed by the two radiologists for the presence of RCC.ResultsA total of 14 children had a RCC present on brain MRI, yielding a prevalence of 3.04% (14/460); of these, 3/14 RCCs (21%) were of serous type and 11/14 (79%) were of mucosal type. Interobserver agreement for the presence of RCC was strong (Kappa = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.70; 0.99).ConclusionThe results of our study suggest that the prevalence of RCC in children is greater than previously described.     

Cystic renal cell carcinoma carries an excellent prognosis regardless of tumor size

IntroductionCystic renal cell carcinoma (cystic RCC) is thought to carry an improved prognosis relative to clear cell RCC (CCRCC); however, this is based on small case series. We used a population-based tumor registry to compare clinicopathologic features and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) of cystic RCC with those of CCRCC.Materials and methodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for all patients diagnosed and treated for cystic RCC and CCRCC between 2001 and 2010. Clinical and pathologic factors were compared using t tests and chi-square tests as appropriate. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis compared CSM differences between cystic RCC and CCRCC.ResultsA total of 678 patients with cystic RCC and 46,677 with CCRCC were identified. The mean follow-up duration was 52 and 40 months, respectively. When compared with CCRCC patients, those with cystic RCC were younger (mean age 58 vs. 61 y, P <0.001), more commonly black (22% vs. 9%, P<0.001), and female (45% vs. 41%, P = 0.02). Cystic RCCs were more commonly T1a tumors (66% vs. 55%, P<0.001), well differentiated (33% vs. 16%, P<0.001), and smaller (mean size = 3.8 vs. 4.5 cm, P<0.001). Cystic RCC was associated with a reduction in CSM when compared with CCRCC (P = 0.002). In a subset analysis, this reduction in CSM was seen only for those with T1b/T2 tumors (P = 0.01) but not for those with T1a RCCs lesions (P = 0.31).ConclusionsWe report the largest series of cystic RCC and corroborate the findings of improved CSM when compared with CCRCC for larger tumors; however, no difference was noted in smaller tumors, suggesting that tumor biology becomes more relevant to prognosis with increasing size. These data may suggest a role for active surveillance in appropriately selected patients with small, cystic renal masses.     

National treatment trends among older patients with T1-localized renal cell carcinoma

Objective

To assess the national trends in treatment of localized renal tumors among older patients with limited life expectancy.

Predictive factors of chronic kidney disease stage V after partial nephrectomy in a solitary kidney: a multi-institutional study

ObjectivePartial Nephrectomy (PN) in a solitary kidney is at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage V and/or haemodialysis (HD). Our objective was to determine predictive factors of CKD stage V in this population.Material & MethodsData from 300 patients were retrospectively collected from 16 tertiary centres. Clinical and operative parameters, tumor characteristics and renal function before surgery were analyzed. Patients with and without CKD stage V (defined as MDRD<15 ml/min) were compared using χ2 and Student-t tests for qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. Predictive factors of CKD stage V were evaluated with a multivariable analysis using a Cox regression model.ResultsMedian age and BMI were 63 years old and 26 kg/m², respectively. Most of the patients (65%) were male with an anatomic solitary kidney (88.3%). Median tumor size was 4 cm and 98% were malignant tumors. Median operative time, blood loss and clamping time were 180 min, 350 ml and 20 min respectively. Renal cooling was used in 19.3% and clamping of the pedicle was performed in 61.6%. Twenty five patients (8.5%) presented post operative CKD stage V at last follow-up and 18 underwent HD (6%) post-operatively because of acute renal insufficiency. There was no difference between CKD stage V and non CKD stage V patients concerning Charlson index, operative time (180 min vs 179 min, p = 0.39), blood loss (475 ml vs 350 ml, p = 0.51), use of renal cooling and type of clamping. Patients with CKD stage V were older (70 vs 63 years old, p = 0.005), had a lower baseline renal function (clearance MDRD 41 vs. 62 ml/min, p<0.0001) and an increased tumor size (p = 0.02). Complications occurred in 91 patients (30%) with 16% of minor (Clavien 1–2) and 14% of major (Clavien > 2) complications, respectively. In multivariable analysis, baseline MDRD, BMI, and the occurrence of a minor complication were independent predictive factors of post operative CKD stage V.ConclusionPN in a solitary kidney is at risk of post-operative CKD stage V and HD. Pre-operative altered renal function and post operative complications are the main predictive factors of permanent CKD stage V.     

High preoperative C-reactive protein values predict poor survival in patients on chronic hemodialysis undergoing nephrectomy for renal cancer

ObjectivesPrevious studies have reported that elevated pretreatment C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with poor outcome in various malignancies, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC), in the general population. However, there is no evidence of such an association in dialysis patients. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of preoperative serum CRP levels in patients with RCC related to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis (HD).Materials and methodsWe evaluated 315 patients with ESRD requiring HD who underwent nephrectomy for RCC as the first-line treatment at our hospital from 1982 to 2013. Complete patient- and tumor-specific characteristics as well as preoperative CRP levels were assessed. We defined a serum CRP level >0.5 mg/dl as elevated and divided these patients into 2 groups according to their preoperative CRP levels (CRP≤0.5 and >0.5 mg/dl). The median follow-up was 51 months.ResultsPreoperative CRP levels were elevated in 75 patients (23.8%). The Kaplan-Meier 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were 95.2% and 69.9% in patients with CRP levels≤0.5 and>0.5 mg/dl, respectively (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified preoperative CRP level as an independent predictor for cancer-specific survival, along with a pathological TNM stage and tumor grade (CRP>0.5: hazard ratio = 3.47; 95% CI: 1.35–9.18; P = 0.0098). The concordance index of multivariable base models increased after including the preoperative CRP levels.ConclusionsPreoperative serum CRP level might be an independent predictor of postoperative survival in patients with RCC related to ESRD requiring HD. Its routine use, together with the TNM classification and tumor grade, could allow better risk stratification and risk-adjusted follow-up of these patients.     

Efecto de la quimioterapia adyuvante en el carcinoma urotelial de vejiga localmente avanzado tratado con cistectomía

IntroductionCurrently, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy (ADJ) in muscle invasive bladder tumor remains controversial.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of ADJ on cancer specific survival of muscle invasive bladder tumor after radical cystectomy (RC).Material and methodsRetrospective analysis of 292 patients diagnosed with urothelial bladder tumor pT3-4pN0 / + cM0 stage, treated with RC between 1986-2009. Total cohort was divided in two groups: 185 (63.4%) patients treated with ADJ and 107 (36.6%) without ADJ. Median follow-up was 40.5 months (IQR 55-80.5).Comparative analysis was performed with Chi-square test and Student's t test /ANOVA. Survival analysis was carried out with the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Multivariate analysis (Cox regression) was made to identify independent predictors of cancer-specific mortality (CSM).Results42.8% of the series presented lymph node involvement after RC. At the end of follow-up, 22.9% were BC-free and 54.8% had died due to this cause. The median cancer specific survival was 30 months. No significant differences were observed in cancer specific survival regarding the treatment with ADJ in pT3pN0 (p = .25) or pT4pN0 (p = .29) patients, but it was significant in pT3-4pN+ (p = .001).Multivariate analysis showed pathological stage (p = .0001) and treatment with ADJ (p = .007) as independent prognostic factors for CSM. ADJ reduced the risk of CSM (HR:0.59,95% CI 0.40-0.87, p = .007).ConclusionspT and pN stages were identified as independent predictors of CSM after RC. The administration of ADJ in our series behaved as a protective factor reducing the risk of CSM, although only pN+ patients were benefited in the stage analysis.     

Valor pronóstico de la invasión microvascular en la predicción de la supervivencia en el carcinoma de células renales

ObjectiveTo assess microvascular tumor invasion and other clinical and histological parameters as potential prognostic factors in surgically treated renal cell carcinoma.Materials and methodsSurgical specimens from 238 consecutive patients who underwent radical or partial surgery between 1990 and 2006 were retrospectively evaluated. The series included clinically localized or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (pT1-4; N0-1; M0-1). Disease-free and cancer-specific survival assessments were the end points with median follow-up of 75 months (range 1-189 months). Variables studied included: age, sex, tumor size, TNM 2010 classification, Fuhrman grade, histological subtype and microvascular tumor invasion.ResultsMicrovascular tumor invasion was observed in 79 patients (33,2%) and was significantly associated with age (P = .010), tumor size (P = .000), Fuhrman grade (P = .000), pT stage 2010 (P = .000), N stage 2010 (P = .000) and M stage 2010 (P = .000). Multivariate analyses determined that sex, Fuhrman grade, pT stage 2010 and histological subtipe were independent prognostic factors of disease-free survival, while sex, Fuhrman grade, pT stage 2010, M stage 2010, histological subtype and microvascular invasion were prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival.ConclusionsOur study shows that microvascular tumor invasion is an independent prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival in surgically treated patients with renal cell carcinoma.     

Complications of percutaneous image-guided screw fixation: An analysis of 94 consecutive patients

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the safety profile of percutaneous image-guided screw fixation (PIGSF) for insufficiency, impending or pathological fractures.Materials and methodsFrom July 2012 to April 2020, all consecutive patients who underwent PIGSF were retrospectively included in the study. Patient characteristics, fracture type, procedural data and complications were analyzed. Complications were divided into per-procedural, early (< 24 hours) and delayed (> 24 hours) and classified into minor (grade 1-2) and major complications (grade 3-5) according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0.ResultsA total of 110 fractures (40 insufficiency [36%], 53 pathological [48.5%] and 17 impending [15.5%] fractures) in 94 patients (48 women, 46 men; mean age, 62.7 ± 12.7 [SD] years; age range: 32–88 years) were treated with PIGSF during 95 procedures. Twenty-four-hours follow-up was available for all patients, and > 24-hours follow-up was available for 79 (79/110; 71.8%) fractures in 69 (69/94; 73.4%) patients. Per-procedural complications occurred in 3/110 fractures (2.7%, all minor). Early complications were reported in 4/110 fractures (3.6%, 1 major and 3 minor) and delayed ones in 14/79 fractures (17.7%, 5 major and 9 minor). The most frequent major delayed complication was infection (3/79; 3.8%).ConclusionThe rate of per-procedural and early (within 24 hours) complications following PIGSF is extremely low with most complications being minor, with major complications being delayed ones (> 24 hours).     

Texture analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map for glioma grading: Analysis of whole tumoral and peri-tumoral tissue

PurposeTo prospectively investigate the capabilities of texture analysis (TA) based on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map of the entire tumor volume and the whole volume of peri-tumoral edema, in discriminating between high-grade glioma (HGG) and low-grade glioma (LGG).Materials and methodsA total of 33 patients with histopathological proven glioma were prospectively included. There were 20 men and 13 women with a mean age of 54.5 ± 14.7 (standard deviation [SD]) years (range: 34–75 years). TA parameters of whole tumor and peri-tumoral edema were extracted from the ADC map obtained with diffusion-weighted spin-echo echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5–T. TA variables of HGG were compared to those of LGG. The optimum cut-off values of TA variables and their corresponding sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for differentiating between LGG and HGG were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsMean and median tumoral ADC of HGG were significantly lower than those of LGG, at 1.23 × 10^?3 mm²/s and 1.21 × 10^?3 mm²/s cut-off values, yielding 70% sensitivity each (95% CI: 59–82% and 61–80%, respectively), 80% (95% CI: 79–98%) and 90% (95% CI: 82–97%) specificity, and 73% (95% CI: 66–91%) and 76% (95% CI: 72–90%) accuracy, respectively. Significant differences in tumoral and peri-tumoral kurtosis were found between HGG and LGG at 1.60 and 0.314 cut-off values yielding sensitivities of 74% (95% CI: 58–83%) and 70% (95% CI: 59–84%), specificities of 90% (95% CI: 80–95%) and 70% (95% CI: 64–83%) and accuracies of 79% (95% CI: 69–89%) and 70% (95% CI: 64–77%), respectively.ConclusionMeasurements of whole tumoral and peri-tumoral TA, based on ADC maps, provide useful information that helps distinguish between HGG and LGG.