World Journal of Urology最新文献

Purpose: The therapeutic efficacy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has been significantly enhanced with the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, there are limited data on the efficacy of Tislelizumab in patients with mRCC. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of Tislelizumab plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for patients with mRCC.

Methods: Demographic and clinicopathological data of mRCC patients treated with first-line TKI monotherapy or Tislelizumab plus TKI therapy between March 2019 to February 2023 were collected. Outcome measures included the objective response rate (ORR), median progression-free survival (mPFS). Patient baseline characteristics and adverse events (AEs) were documented.

Results: Totally 136 patients were included in the analysis, with a median age of 57 years. Of the patients, 72.1% were male, 78.8% with intermediate/poor-risk disease. For the overall population, the combination group (n = 61) exhibited a longer PFS compared to the TKI monotherapy group (n = 75) (mPFS (95% CI): 15.9 (10.9-20.9) vs. 6.2 (5.4-6.9) months, P < 0.001) and improved ORR (44.3% vs. 18.7%, P = 0.001). In the non-clear cell RCC (nccRCC) subgroup (n = 39), the combination group (n = 20) showed improved PFS (mPFS (95% CI): 11.9 (0.6-23.3) vs. 4.6 (3.4-5.9) months, P < 0.001) and ORR (40.0% vs. 10.5%, P = 0.006) compared to the TKI monotherapy group (n = 19). The incidence of grade three or higher treatment-related AEs are comparable between the groups (47.54% vs. 40.00%).

Conclusion: Our data demonstrated the promising efficacy and safety profile of Tislelizumab plus TKI as first-line treatment for both ccRCC and nccRCC.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the current clinical practice patterns regarding the utilization of "Urolithiasis Guidelines" in Turkey and to identify critical factors influencing their application by urologists.

Methods: The study targeted practicing urologists in Turkey, primarily those involved in the management of urolithiasis, to assess their perspectives and experiences regarding the clinical application of established guidelines. A total of 415 urology specialists were invited to participate in a survey-based study conducted via Google Forms. Participation was voluntary, and 65.08% of the invited urologists completed the survey.

Results: Among the respondents, 84.7% reported utilizing the available guidelines in their routine clinical practice, with varying frequencies of reference. The primary motivations for guideline use were the prevention of potential complications and the avoidance of legal risks, as indicated by 90.5% of respondents. While 56.9% of participants adhered to the guidelines as a clinically standardized practice, 41.6% reported applying the recommendations on a case-by-case basis. Notably, 41.0% of respondents emphasized the need for locally adapted versions of guideline texts. Additionally, nearly half of the participants reported receiving no formal education or training on the significance, content, and practical application of these guidelines. Furthermore, 12.7% expressed skepticism about the evidence-based foundation of the guidelines, questioning whether the recommendations were derived from rigorously conducted studies.

Conclusion: The available urolithiasis guidelines are recognized as valuable resources offering key recommendations for the effective and safe management of urolithiasis. However, findings from this survey highlight significant variability in clinical practice patterns due to local conditions and the individual experience and attitudes of practicing urologists. The application of guideline recommendations is further influenced by perceptions regarding their development, content, and practicality. Insights gathered from this study may contribute to improving the preparation, dissemination, and implementation of urolithiasis guidelines, particularly in adapting them to local clinical settings.

Objectives: To investigate the long-term impact of superselective renal artery embolization (SRAE) on renal function in cases of severe post-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) haemorrhage, and to identify the factors associated with the long-term outcome of renal function.

Methods: Patients treated with SRAE for post-PCNL hemorrhage between September 2016 and September 2021 were included. Patients' demographic and clinical data were recorded. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to identify the factors related to the percentages of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change and the risk factors of worsening renal function (WRF), respectively.

Result: A total of 80 patients were included. There was no significant change in eGFR before and after SRAE immediately within 1.45 ± 1.66 days (66.37 ± 28.45 vs. 63.86 ± 29.26 mL/min/1.73 m², p = 0.202). Patient's eGFR increased significantly from 66.37 ± 28.45 to 70.94 ± 30.48 mL/min/1.73 m² (p = 0.044) with a mean follow-up of 30.4 months after SRAE, especially in patients with compromised renal function before SRAE (β = 0.297, p = 0.039). However, BMI > 24 kg/m² was significantly associated with the decrease of eGFR (β = -0.343, p = 0.016). 12 (15.0%) patients developed WRF, logistic regression analysis showed that BMI > 24.0 kg/m² (OR = 4.144, p = 0.045) and atrophic renal cortex (OR = 4.180, p = 0.040) were independent risk factors of WRF.

Conclusion: SRAE is an effective treatment for post-PCNL severe haemorrhage, and is not deleterious to long term renal function. Notably, BMI > 24.0 kg/m² and atrophic renal cortex were significant predictors of long-term WRF in SRAE patients.

Objective: This systematic review was conducted to synthesize current research on the role of repeated transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) and the emerging use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in discerning patient suitability for safely foregoing this procedure.

Evidence acquisition: Employing a methodical literature search, we consulted several bibliographic databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase. The review process adhered strictly to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines.

Evidence synthesis: We evaluated data from 667 patients (mean age 65.8 years; age range 59-75 years) who underwent MRI prior to potential re-TURB. The gap between initial TURB and MRI was reported as 42 days in one study, while the interval between MRI and subsequent cystoscopy, with or without biopsy, varied from 21 days to 3 months. Initial TURB pathology for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients identified stage Ta in 177 (42.5%) and T1 in 246 (57.5%) patients across three studies. High-grade and low-grade pathologic classifications were reported in 377 (64.5%) and 207 (35.5%) patients respectively in two studies. The VI-RADS scoring system's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for the detection of bladder cancer recurrence were 89%, 85.5%, 82.7%, and 96%, respectively. A total of 365 patients (54.7%) underwent re-TUR. Among NMIBC patients, re-TUR pathology revealed Ta in 22 cases (5.4%) and pT1 in 179 cases (44%) with VI-RADS 1-2, while no cases of Ta (0%) and 37 cases of T1 (9%) were reported with VI-RADS 4-5, as documented in two studies. Notably, only 69 patients (10.7%) were identified as having MIBC across all studies.

Conclusion: MRI is demonstrating reliability as a diagnostic tool for non-muscle invasive bladder cancers. The VI-RADS scoring system appears to be a promising approach in selecting patients for re-TURB. DW-MRI may serve as a primary diagnostic examination for patient follow-up post-TURB.

Objective: Given the increasing significance of digital health literacy (DHL) and health literacy (HL) in promoting informed decision-making and healthy behaviors, this study aimed to assess the influence of self-reported HL and DHL on treatment adherence and quality of life among patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TUR-BT) for primary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Materials & methods: This single-center observational study involved patients who underwent TUR-BT for NIMBC at a tertiary hospital from May 2022 to February 2024. Before the procedure, the patients' DHL and HL were evaluated using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire short version and the eHealth Literacy Scale. Six months after surgery, we surveyed patients' QoL using the EORTC QLQ-C30. In line with recommendations from the European Association of Urology guidelines, adherence to the treatment plan was assessed along with a follow-up cystoscopy examination for each patient.

Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that poorer DHL and HL were significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001), lower educational attainment (p < 0.001), and lack of internet access (p < 0.001). Conversely, higher DHL and HL levels were positively correlated with increased treatment adherence, as measured by cystoscopy completion (p < 0.001). Additionally, logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant associations between improved DHL and HL scores and better global health status (DHL, p = 0.022; HL, p = 0.008), higher emotional status (p < 0.001 for both), and social functioning (p < 0.001 for both). Notably, there were no significant differences in the symptom scale scores between the DHL and HL groups.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the specific effect of HL/DHL on QoL and adherence in this patient population. Our research suggests that there may be a link between self-reported levels of DHL/HL and treatment adherence as well as QoL among patients with NIMBC.

Purpose: To compare the effect on sexual function of ejaculation-sparing enucleation of the prostate using Thulium: YAG laser (ES-ThuLEP) versus continuous-wave Thulium Fiber Laser (ES-ThuFLEP).

Methods: 112 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia who wished to preserve ejaculation were treated. 58 patients underwent ES-ThuLEP (Group A) using the Cyber TM generator. 54 patients underwent ES-ThuFLEP (Group B) using the Fiber Dust generator. Sexual function was evaluated through the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) score, the four-item Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ-EjD), personal satisfaction and the occurrence of haemospermia and painful ejaculation 3 and 6 months after surgery.

Results: Mean age of patients was 65.8 years in Group A and 66.7 years in Group B. Groups were comparable according to preoperative features. Mean preoperative IIEF-5 score was 18.8 in Group A and 17.9 in Group B (p = 0.14). In all cases an ejaculation-sparing procedure was performed sparing the tissue around the veru montanum and near the prostate apex. Three months after surgery mean IIEF-5 score was 19.3 in Group A and 18.0 in Group B (p = 0.12). Six months after surgery mean IIEF-5 score was 17.8 in Group A and 18.1 in Group B (p = 0.09). No significant differences were observed according to anterograde ejaculation (81.0% vs. 81.5%, p = 0.07), subjective satisfaction (72.4% vs. 74.1%, p = 0.10), painful ejaculation (10.3% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.14) and haemosparmia rate (12.1% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.08). Ejaculation and satisfaction rate were significantly higher with prostates ≥ 80 ml in both groups.

Conclusion: Ejaculation-sparing enucleation of the prostate effectively preserved sexual function in the majority of patients, with high rate of anterograde ejaculation and subjective satisfaction, low rates of painful ejaculation and haemospermia and no significant differences between Thulium: YAG and Thulium Fiber Laser. Preservation of ejaculation and personal satisfaction were significantly higher with prostates ≥ 80 ml compared to smaller ones.

Purpose: Evaluation of the prognostic significance of four different scoring systems in a real-world cohort of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) or renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) undergoing immunotherapy (IO).

Methods: For 120 patients with mUC (n = 67) and mRCC (n = 53) who received IO between July 2016 and December 2020 at the tertiary Urological University Medical Centre Mannheim, the following scores were recorded at pre-treatment baseline: modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil-to-eosinophil ratio (NER). Overall survival (time between the beginning of IO until the patients' death or last contact) was determined for every patient.

Results: Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that high baseline mGPS, SII (> 979) and NLR (> 3) were associated with poor overall survival (OS) (p < 0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that baseline mGPS and NLR had a significant independent prognostic influence on OS (p < 0.05), of which mGPS had a greater significance (p < 0.001, mGPS Score 2 vs. Score 0: HR 4.1, 95% CI 1.9-8.8). Although a high baseline NER (63.9) was associated with poor OS, it did not reach statistical significance. Baseline NER was also not identified as a significant score in the regression analyses.

Conclusion: mGPS, SII and NLR are scoring systems that are easy to record in routine clinical practice. As they provide good prediction of OS in patients with mUC and mRCC under IO, they may allow identification of patients at high-risk and monitor them more cautiously in addition to imaging.

Background: We aimed to evaluate and compare the rise in the temperature for the safety of the kidney parenchyma on firing the Holmium: Yttrium Aluminium Garnet laser and the Thulium Fiber Laser during laser lithotripsy in humans.

Method: We included 30 pre-stented patients with renal calculi undergoing Retrograde intra-renal surgery. They were randomized into two groups - 15 patients underwent holmium laser lithotripsy and 15 patients underwent TFL laser lithotripsy. We used Philips paediatric esophageal probe to measure rise in temperature on firing holmium or TFL laser with irrigation at 10 ml/min and pressure at 100 mmHg. Different laser settings were used.

Result: The mean size of the calculi was 0.8 mm. The rise in temperature with holmium and TFL lasers depended on the firing time and irrigation flow, keeping power constant. On continuous firing for 10s, 20s, and 30s, the average rise in temperature went up to 28.67 °C, 29.70 °C, and 37.17 °C with holmium and with TFL it was 28.77 °C, 29.83 °C, and 37.62 °C, respectively. The difference in rise in temperature between two groups was statistically insignificant with p-values > 0.05. The maximum temperature reached with TFL was 39.4 °C with a 30s lasing time, and that with Ho: YAG was 38.9 °C.

Conclusions: The rise in temperature was almost equivalent with holmium and TFL. Hence, both Ho: YAG and TFL can be safely used in laser lithotripsy. Adequate irrigation is a must during the surgery. The continuous lasing time should be strictly restricted to less than 20s.