The majority of bladder cancers (BCs) are non-muscle invasive BCs (NMIBCs) and show the morphology of a conventional urothelial carcinoma (UC). Aberrant morphology is rare but can be observed. The classification and characterization of histologic subtypes (HS) in UC in BC have mainly been described in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, the currently used classification is applied for invasive urothelial neoplasm and therefore, also valid for a subset of NMIBC. The standard transurethral diagnostic work-up misses the presence of HS in NMIBC in a considerable percentage of patients and the real prevalence is not known. HS in NMIBC are associated with an aggressive phenotype. Consequently, clinical guidelines categorize HS of NMIBC as "(very) high-risk" tumors and recommend offering radical cystectomy to these patients. Alternative strategies for bladder preservation can only be offered to highly selected patients and ideally within clinical trials. Novel treatment strategies and biomarkers have been established MIBC and NMIBC but have not been comprehensively investigated in the context of HS in NMIBC. Further evaluation prior to implementation into clinical practice is needed.
Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) - Endo-vascular Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Presumed Secondary to Benign Prostatic Obstruction Abstract: Based on the available evidence on efficacy and safety in the short to midterm, Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) is now endorsed by international evidence-based guidelines as a treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms presumed secondary to benign prostatic obstruction (LUTS/BPO) for selected patients. As PAE has a unique treatment approach (i.e., endovascular instead of transurethral), its profile and ideal application differ clearly from other treatments of LUTS/BPO, which must be considered for patient selection. Performance in local anesthesia with ongoing anticoagulation and no upper prostate size limitation represent advantages of the technique. Limited availability, an inferior relief of obstruction associated with higher retreatment rates and inferior outcomes in small prostates represent disadvantages. This should be considered for patient selection and counselling.Zusammenfassung: Die Prostataarterien-Embolisation (PAE) ist eine minimal-invasive Therapie zur Behandlung des benignen Prostatasyndroms (BPS). Auf Basis der vorhandenen Evidenz zu Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit im kurz- und mittelfristigen Verlauf wird sie mittlerweile durch internationale evidenzbasierte Guidelines empfohlen. Da sich der Behandlungsansatz deutlich von jenem anderer Therapien unterscheidet (endovaskulär statt transurethral), unterscheidet sich auch das Profil der PAE erheblich von anderen Behandlungen. Wesentliche Vorteile der PAE sind das gute Sicherheitsprofil, das Fehlen einer oberen Limitation des Prostatavolumens, die Behandlung in Lokalanästhesie und unter laufender Antikoagulation sowie die nicht notwendige postoperative Schonung. Die suboptimale Desobstruktion der Prostata, das schlechtere Ansprechen bei kleinerer Prostata und die Verfügbarkeit der PAE stellen Nachteile des Verfahrens dar. Beides muss bei Patientenselektion und -beratung berücksichtigt werden.
We performed a urine cytology analysis of a pharmacologically induced diuresis for the diagnosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. To evaluate the diagnostic value of cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis, an initial cohort of 77 consecutive patients with primary upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated via radical surgery was enrolled. To evaluate pharmacologically forced diuresis cytology as a follow-up procedure, a second cohort of 1250 patients who underwent a radical cystectomy for bladder cancer was selected. In the first cohort, the sensitivity of cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis in patients with invasive, high-grade, low-grade, and concomitant carcinoma in situ was 8%, 9%, 0%, and 14%, respectively. In the second cohort, cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis was positive in 30/689 (4.3%) patients, in whom upper urinary tract recurrence was present in 21/30 (70%) of cases, and urethral recurrence was present in 8/30 (26%) of cases. As a follow-up tool, cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis showed a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 60%, 99%, 70%, and 98%, respectively. Overall, as a diagnostic tool, the sensitivity of cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis is slightly better in patients with invasive upper tract urothelial carcinoma and concomitant carcinoma in situ. As a follow-up method, positive cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis is strongly related to cancer recurrence and can reveal urethral recurrence. Cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis might be useful in cases with contraindications for imaging or when achieving endoscopic access to the upper urinary tract is difficult.
Abstract Introduction Similar to bladder cancer, about one third of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) present variant histology (VH). We aim to evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics and the impact on outcomes of VH in UTUC. Methods We consecutively enrolled 77 patients from 2009-2022 treated with radical surgery for UTUC from a secondary and a tertiary referral center. A central pathology review of all specimens was performed by one independent uropathologist for each center. We compared pure UTUC and UTUC with VH and the accuracy of endoscopic biopsy. Descriptive and comparative analysis were used to assess association with clinical characteristics and the Kaplan-Meier estimator to compare outcomes. Results Median follow-up after surgery was 51 months. VH was present in 21/77 (28%) patients and 4/21 (19%) patients had multiple variants. The most frequent VH was squamous 12/21 (57%), followed by glandular 6/21 (29%) and micropapillary 3/21 (14%). Small cell neuroendocrine bladder carcinoma was present in two patients. Nested variant was found in one patient. Muscle invasive tumor (≥pT2) was present in 29/56 (52%) patients with pure UTUC and in 18/21 (86%) patients with VH (p <0.05). Presence of carcinoma in situ was seen in 14/56 (25%) patients with pure UTUC and in 15/21 (71%) with VH (p <0.05). Cumulative 8/56 (14%) with pure UTUC had a non-intravesical recurrence (6 patients with local and 2 distant recurrence) compared to 8/21 (38%) (3 local, 3 nodal, 2 distant) in the subgroup with VH (p <0.05). Opposite effect was noted for bladder recurrence: 60% for pure UTUC vs. 29% for tumors with VH (p <0.05). Review of preoperative endoscopic biopsy did not show the presence of VH in any patients. Differences in outcomes did not reach significance: 3yr-OS 63% vs 42% (p 0.28) and 3yr-CSS 77% vs. 50% (p 0.7). Conclusion Almost a third of UTUC present VH. Presence of VH is related to more aggressive tumor characteristics and associated with unfavorable outcomes. Due to a higher rate of extravesical recurrences in UTUC with VH, Follow-up controls should include cross sectional imaging and cystoscopy.
Abstract: Urothelial carcinomas (UC) arise from the urothelium that covers the proximal urethra, urinary bladder, and the upper urinary tract. In daily routine and clinical trials UC originating from different locations are often treated and investigated in the same manner. However, differences between the two locations seem to be apparent and may question in handling them as a single oncologic entity. In this review we discuss similarities and differences between bladder and upper urinary tract UC and consider their potential impact on treatment strategies. Despite similarities of UC in the bladder (BC) and the upper urinary tract (UTUC), clinicopathologic and molecular differences may question to generally assemble both as a single tumor entity. Treatment standards for UTUC are often adopted from BC. However, a specific investigation in the former may still be meaningful as shown by the example of adjuvant cisplatin based chemotherapy. In conclusion, future investigations should prioritize the understanding of the tumor biology of both BC and UTUC. This may reveal which UTUC can be treated according to treatment standards of BC and in which cases, a separate approach may be more appropriate.
We performed urine cytology analysis of a pharmacologically induced diuresis for diagnostics of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. To evaluate the diagnostic value of cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis, a first cohort of 77 consecutive patients with primary upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated with radical surgery was enrolled. To evaluate pharmacologically forced diuresis cytology as follow-up procedure, a second cohort of 1250 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer was selected. In the first cohort, sensitivity of cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis in patients with invasive, high-grade, low-grade, and concomitant carcinoma in situ was 8%, 9%, 0% and 14%, respectively. In the second cohort, cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis was positive in 30/689 (4.3%) of patients, in whom upper urinary tract recurrence was present in 21/30 (70%) and urethral recurrence in 8/30 (26%) of cases. As a follow-up tool, cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis showed a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of 60%, 99%, 70% and 98%, respectively.
Summarized, as diagnostic tool, sensitivity of cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis is slightly better in patients with invasive upper tract urothelial carcinoma and concomitant carcinoma in situ. As follow-up method, positive cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis is strongly related to cancer recurrence and can reveal urethral recurrence. cytology of pharmacologically forced diuresis might be useful in patients with contraindications for imaging or with difficult endoscopic access to the upper urinary tract.