Boorjian, Stephen A.

Objective To demonstrate sarcomatoid differentiation is an independent prognostic feature for patients with grade 4 renal cell carcinoma ( RCC ) with or without distant metastases. To identify independent predictors of survival, evaluate the correlation between the amount of sarcomatoid differentiation and cancer‐specific survival ( CSS ), and to design a multivariate prognostic model for patients with sarcomatoid RCC . Patients and Methods We used the Mayo Clinic Nephrectomy Registry to identify 204 post‐nephrectomy patients with sarcomatoid‐variant RCC , as well as 207 patients with unilateral grade 4 RCC without sarcomatoid features for comparison. All slides were reviewed by one pathologist. CSS was estimated using the K aplan– M eier method. The associations of clinical and pathological features with death from RCC were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results For all patients with grade 4 RCC , the presence of sarcomatoid differentiation was associated with a 58% increased risk of death from RCC ( P < 0.001). For patients with grade 4 non‐metastatic ( M0 ) RCC , the presence of sarcomatoid differentiation was associated with an 82% increased risk of death from RCC ( P < 0.001). For patients with sarcomatoid RCC , the 2009 primary tumour classifications, presence of regional lymph nodes and distant metastases, coagulative tumour necrosis, and the amount of sarcomatoid differentiation were each significantly associated with death from RCC in a multivariate setting. After adjusting for other prognostic variables, each 10% increase in the amount of sarcomatoid differentiation was associated with a 6% increased risk of death from RCC ( P = 0.028). Patients whose tumours contained ≥30% (median amount) sarcomatoid differentiation were 52% more likely to die from RCC compared with patients whose tumours contained <30% sarcomatoid differentiation (hazard ratio 1.52; P = 0.018). Conclusions Among patients with grade 4 RCC , either with or without distant metastases at surgery, sarcomatoid differentiation is significantly associated with adverse survival in a multivariate setting. We also suggest for the first time that the percentage of sarcomatoid differentiation is an independent prognostic feature in a multivariate setting. The 2009 primary tumour classifications, regional lymph node status, the presence of distant metastases classifications, coagulative tumour necrosis, and the amount of sarcomatoid differentiation are independent predictors of survival for patients with sarcomatoid RCC .

Objective To evaluate the association of perioperative blood transfusion ( PBT ) with survival after nephrectomy. Patients and Methods We identified 2318 patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy at M ayo C linic between 1990 and 2006. PBT was defined as transfusion of allogenic red blood cells during surgery or postoperative hospitalisation. Survival was estimated using the K aplan– M eier method and compared with the log‐rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association of PBT with outcome. Results In all, 498 patients (21%) received a PBT . The median (interquartile range) number of units transfused was 3 (2, 5). Patients receiving a PBT were significantly older at surgery ( P < 0.001), more likely to be female ( P < 0.001), with more frequent symptomatic presentation ( P < 0.001), worse E astern C ooperative O ncology G roup performance status ( P < 0.001), and more frequent adverse pathological features, such as high nuclear grade ( P < 0.001), locally‐advanced tumour stage ( P < 0.001) and lymph node invasion ( P < 0.001). The median follow‐up was 9.1 years. Receipt of a PBT was associated with adverse 5‐year cancer‐specific (68% vs 92%; P < 0.001) and overall (56% vs 82%; P < 0.001) survival. On multivariate analyses, PBT remained associated with higher risk of death from any cause (hazard ratio [ HR ] 1.23; P = 0.02). Among patients who received a PBT , an increasing number of units transfused was independently associated with increased all‐cause mortality ( HR 1.08; P = 0.001). Conclusion PBT is associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality after nephrectomy. While external validation is needed, continued efforts to minimise the use of blood products in these patients are warranted.

Objective To evaluate survival among patients with urothelial carcinoma ( UC ) within the prostate in order to assess the impact of depth of tumour invasion as well as the importance of a concurrent bladder tumour. Patients and Methods We identified 201 patients who underwent radical cystectomy ( RC ) between 1980 and 2006 and were found to have UC involving the prostate. All specimens were re‐reviewed by a genitourinary pathologist. Survival was estimated using the K aplan– M eier method and compared with the log‐rank test. Cox hazard regression models tested the association of clinicopathological variables with outcome. Results In all, 93 patients had pTis disease in the prostate, 43 had pT2 tumours, and 66 patients were pT4a . The median follow‐up was 10.5 years. The 5‐year cancer‐specific survival for patients with pTis , pT2 , and pT4a prostate UC was 73%, 57%, and 21% respectively ( P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, higher prostate tumour stage (hazard ratio [ HR ] 2.09; P = 0.01), positive lymph node status ( HR 2.09; P = 0.002), and concurrent ≥ pT3 bladder cancer ( HR 4.16; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with an increased risk of death from UC . Conclusions Among patients with prostatic UC involvement, depth of tumour invasion was significantly associated with cancer‐specific mortality, validating the staging reclassification. Concurrent locally advanced bladder cancer also negatively impacted survival, suggesting the potential prognostic value of reporting a secondary tumour stage in such cases.

Objective To determine the association between peri‐operative blood transfusion ( PBT ) and oncological outcomes in a large multi‐institutional cohort of patients undergoing radical cystectomy ( RC ) for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder ( UCB ). Patients and Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 2895 patients treated with RC for UCB . Univariable and multivariable C ox regression models were used to analyse the effect of PBT administration on disease recurrence, cancer‐specific mortality, and any‐cause mortality. Results Patients' median (interquartile range [ IQR ]) age was 67 (60, 73) years and the median ( IQR ) follow‐up was 36.1 (15, 84) months. Patients who received PBT were more likely to have advanced disease ( P < 0.001), high grade tumours ( P = 0.047) and nodal metastasis ( P = 0.004). PBT was associated with a higher risk of disease recurrence ( P = 0.003), cancer‐specific mortality ( P = 0.017), and any‐cause mortality ( P = 0.010) in univariable, but not multivariable, analyses ( P > 0.05). In multivariable analyses, pathological tumour stage, pathological nodal stage, soft tissue surgical margin, lymphovascular invasion and administration of adjuvant chemotherapy were independent predictors of disease recurrence, cancer‐specific mortality and any‐cause mortality (all P values <0.002). Conclusions Patients with UCB who underwent RC and received PBT had a greater risk of disease recurrence, cancer‐specific mortality and any‐cause mortality in univariable, but not multivariable, analysis. Although the greater need for PBT with more advanced disease is probably caused by a number of factors, including surgical and cancer‐related factors, the present analysis showed that the disease characteristics rather than need for PBT led to worse outcomes.