Gershman, Boris

T1 bladder cancer constitutes approximately 25% of incident bladder cancers, and as such carries an important public health impact. Notably, it has a heterogeneous natural history, with large variation in reported oncologic outcomes. Optimal risk-stratification is essential to individualize patient management, targeting those at greatest risk of progression for aggressive therapies such as early cystectomy, while allowing others to safely pursue bladder-preserving approaches including intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerrin (BCG). Current strategies for diagnosis, risk-stratification, and treatment are imperfect, but emerging technologies and molecular approaches represent exciting opportunities to advance clinical paradigms in management of this disease entity.

Objectives To evaluate the ability of clinical and radiographic features to predict lymph node (pN1) disease among patients with renal cell carcinoma undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN), and to develop a preoperative risk prediction model. Patients and Methods In all, 220 patients with preoperative computed tomography scans available for review underwent RN with lymph node dissection (LND) from 2000 to 2010. Radiographic features were assessed by one genitourinary radiologist blinded to pN status. Associations of features with pN1 disease were evaluated using logistic regression to develop predictive models. Model performance was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis. Results The median (interquartile range) lymph node yield was 10 (5–18). In all, 55 patients (25%) had pN1 disease at RN. On univariable analysis, the maximum lymph node (LN) short axis diameter [odds ratio (OR) 1.17; P < 0.001] predicted pN1 disease with an AUC of 0.84. Although several clinical and radiographic features were associated with pN1 disease, only two were retained in the multivariable model: maximum LN short axis diameter (OR 1.19; P <0.001) and radiographic perinephric/sinus fat invasion (OR 44.64; P = 0.01), with an AUC of 0.85. On decision curve analysis, the single variable and multivariable models showed similar net benefit. Conclusion Two radiographic features, maximum LN short axis diameter and perinephric/sinus fat invasion, outperformed traditional clinical variables in predicting pN1 disease. Maximum LN short axis diameter alone showed excellent predictive performance, and, if validated externally, would provide for a simple model to guide patient selection for LND.

Objective To evaluate the incidence, predictors and oncological outcomes of pT 0 prostate cancer ( PC a). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 222 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy ( RP ) for PC a at the Mayo Clinic between 1987 and 2012. Disease recurrence was defined as follow‐up PSA >0.4 ng/mL or biopsy‐proven local recurrence. Systemic progression was defined as development of metastatic disease on imaging. Comparisons of baseline characteristics between pT 0 and non‐ pT 0 groups were carried out using chi‐squared tests. Recurrence‐free survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log‐rank test. Results A total of 62 patients (0.3%) had pT 0 disease according to the RP specimen. In univariable analysis, pT 0 disease was significantly associated with older age ( P = 0.045), lower prostate‐specific antigen ( PSA ; P = 0.002), lower clinical stage ( P < 0.001), lower biopsy Gleason score ( P = 0.042), and receipt of preoperative transurethral resection, hormonal and radiation therapies (all P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, lower PSA levels, lower Gleason score, and receipt of preoperative treatment were independently associated with pT 0 (all P < 0.05). Seven patients (11%) with pT 0 PC a developed disease recurrence over a median follow‐up of 10.9 years. All seven patients had preoperative treatment(s) and three had recurrence with a PSA doubling time of <9 months. Compared with non‐ pT 0 disease, pT 0 disease was associated with longer recurrence‐free survival ( P < 0.05). Only one (1.6%) patient with pT 0 disease developed systemic progression. Conclusions pT 0 stage PC a is a rare phenomenon and is associated with receipt of preoperative treatment and features of low‐risk PC a. Although pT 0 has a very favourable prognosis, some men, especially those who received preoperative treatment, experience a small but non‐negligible risk of disease recurrence and systemic progression.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the differences in estimated glomerular filtration rate decline by urinary diversion type (incontinent diversion vs continent diversion) and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate among patients undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.MethodsWe evaluated 1383 patients treated with radical cystectomy between 1980–2006 who had a preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate of 45‐89 mL/min/1.73 m2. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was estimated using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations, and patients were stratified by preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate into chronic kidney disease 2 (estimated glomerular filtration rate 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2) and chronic kidney disease 3a (estimated glomerular filtration rate 45–59 mL/min/1.73 m2). Multiple definitions of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline were evaluated: (i) 10‐point decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate; (ii) 20% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate; and (iii) 10% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate. Time to estimated glomerular filtration rate decline was compared using the Kaplan–Meier method stratified by diversion type. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association of diversion type with estimated glomerular filtration rate decline risk.ResultsIn total, 74% (1021/1383) of patients underwent incontinent diversion and 26% (362/1383) underwent continent diversion. Preoperative chronic kidney disease 2 and chronic kidney disease 3a were noted among 59% and 41% of patients who underwent incontinent diversion, versus 74% and 26% with continent diversion. Median follow up after RC was 11.2 years. The rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline in patients with incontinent diversion versus continent diversion was similar when stratified by preoperative chronic kidney disease 2 and preoperative chronic kidney disease 3a, regardless of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline definition. On multivariable analysis, continent diversion was not associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate decline for patients with preoperative chronic kidney disease 3a.ConclusionsThe risk of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline over 10 years was not significantly different after incontinent diversion versus continent diversion among patients with preoperative chronic kidney disease 2 or chronic kidney disease 3a. Continent diversion does not appear to confer an independently increased risk of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline in patients with preoperative chronic kidney disease 3a.