PURPOSE: We investigated prostate size and its correlation with final pathologic outcomes and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1993 to 2009, 830 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy with follow-up duration of 12 months or more were included in this study. Patients were categorized according to prostate size as follows: group 1, prostate size < or =40 g (n=458), and group 2, prostate size >40 g (n=472). Preoperative parameters and postoperative pathologic outcomes were compared between groups. Multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the pathologic and clinical factors affecting biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: Patients in group 1 had higher pathologic T stage (pT2a=17.7% vs. 23.9%, pT2b=1.1% vs. 0%, pT2c=40.4% vs. 39.8%, pT3a=29.5% vs. 21.0%, pT3b=10.7% vs. 13.2%, p=0.003) and higher positive surgical margin (40.3% vs. 33.1%, p=0.033) than did patients in group 2. Pathologic Gleason score was not significantly different between the two groups. The 5-year biochemical-recurrence-free survival was 62.3% for patients in group 1 and 73.2% for patients in group 2 (p=0.005). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that prostate size of 40 g or less (hazard ratio [HR], 1.378; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.027 to 1.848; p=0.032), extracapsular extension (HR, 1.592; 95% CI, 1.147 to 2.209; p=0.005), positive surgical margin (HR, 2.348; 95% CI, 1.701 to 3.242; p<0.001), and pathologic Gleason sum (HR, 1.507; 95% CI, 1.292 to 1.758; p<0.001) were independent predictors of biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller prostate size was associated with increased risk of higher pT stage and positive surgical margin after radical prostatectomy. Also, prostate size less than 40 g was an independent prognostic factor for biochemical recurrence.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prognosis ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: Tumor size and multiplicity are known to be important prognostic factors in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, evaluation of accurate tumor size is subjective and difficult. Furthermore, there are limitations to the objectification of tumor volume in the case of multiple lesions. In this study, we investigated the relation between resection weight after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and the prognosis of NMIBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 406 patients diagnosed with pTa or pT1 bladder tumors after TURBT between September 1999 and May 2010. The patient's age, sex, underlying diseases, cancer stage, grade, multiplicity, tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, and resection weight were analyzed in relation to cancer progression and recurrence. The resection weight was weighted after formaldehyde fixation. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 76.9 months (range, 12 to 167 months) in 406 patients diagnosed as having NMIBC. Mean resection weight was 4.5 g (range, 0.1 to 35.0 g). The cancer recurred in 99 patients (24.4%), and disease progression was noted in 30 patients (7.4%). Resection weight was categorized as greater than or less than 2 g by use of receiver operator characteristic curves. Cancer grade (p=0.022) and multiplicity (p=0.043) were significantly related to cancer recurrence in the analysis with Cox's multivariate proportional hazard model. Cancer grade (p=0.001) and resection weight (p=0.018) were related to disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Resection weight after TURBT was significantly related to progression of NMIBC. Resection weight was an independent factor of progression. Further management should be considered if the resection weight exceeds 2 g.
Disease Progression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Burden ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

PURPOSE: We aimed to ascertain the effects of performing extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) on the duration of surgery, morbidity, and the number of lymph nodes removed when the dissection was performed before or after radical cystectomy (RC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the database of our previous prospective multicenter study. A total of 118 patients underwent RC and extended PLND. Of the 118 patients, 48 (40.7%) underwent extended PLND before RC (group 1) and 70 (59.3%) underwent extended PLND after RC (group 2). The two groups were compared for extended PLND time, RC time, and total operation times, per operative morbidity, and the total numbers of lymph nodes removed. RESULTS: Clinical and pathologic characteristics were comparable in the two groups (p>0.05). The mean RC time and mean total operation times were significantly shorter in group 1 than in group 2 (p<0.001). The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 27.31+/-10.36 in group 1 and 30.87+/-8.3 in group 2 (p=0.041). Only at the presacral region was the mean number of lymph nodes removed significantly fewer in group 1 than in group 2 (p=0.001). Intraoperative and postoperative complications and drain withdrawal time were similar in both groups (p=0.058, p=0.391, p=0.613, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: When extended PLND was performed before RC, the duration of RC and consequently the total duration of the operation were significantly shorter than when extended PLND was performed after RC. Practitioners may consider performing extended PLND before RC and rechecking the presacral area for additional lymph nodes after RC, particularly in elderly patients with high co-morbidity for whom the duration of surgery matters.
Aged ; Cystectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Since the introduction of laparoscopic surgery, the promise of lower postoperative morbidity and improved cosmesis has been achieved. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) potentially takes this further. Following the first human urological LESS report in 2007, numerous case series have emerged, as well as comparative studies comparing LESS with standard laparoscopy. However, comparative series between conventional laparoscopy and LESS for different procedures suggest a non-inferiority of LESS over standard laparoscopy, but the only objective benefit remains an improved cosmetic outcome. Challenging ergonomics, instrument clashing, lack of true triangulation, and in-line vision are the main concerns with LESS surgery. Various new instruments have been designed, but only experienced laparoscopists and well-selected patients are pivotal for a successful LESS procedure. Robotic-assisted LESS procedures have been performed. The available robotic platform remains bulky, but development of instrumentation and application of robotic technology are expected to define the actual role of these techniques in minimally invasive urologic surgery.
Cosmetics ; Human Engineering ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Robotics ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Vision, Ocular

PURPOSE: We investigated prostate size and its correlation with final pathologic outcomes and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1993 to 2009, 830 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy with follow-up duration of 12 months or more were included in this study. Patients were categorized according to prostate size as follows: group 1, prostate size < or =40 g (n=458), and group 2, prostate size >40 g (n=472). Preoperative parameters and postoperative pathologic outcomes were compared between groups. Multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the pathologic and clinical factors affecting biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: Patients in group 1 had higher pathologic T stage (pT2a=17.7% vs. 23.9%, pT2b=1.1% vs. 0%, pT2c=40.4% vs. 39.8%, pT3a=29.5% vs. 21.0%, pT3b=10.7% vs. 13.2%, p=0.003) and higher positive surgical margin (40.3% vs. 33.1%, p=0.033) than did patients in group 2. Pathologic Gleason score was not significantly different between the two groups. The 5-year biochemical-recurrence-free survival was 62.3% for patients in group 1 and 73.2% for patients in group 2 (p=0.005). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that prostate size of 40 g or less (hazard ratio [HR], 1.378; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.027 to 1.848; p=0.032), extracapsular extension (HR, 1.592; 95% CI, 1.147 to 2.209; p=0.005), positive surgical margin (HR, 2.348; 95% CI, 1.701 to 3.242; p<0.001), and pathologic Gleason sum (HR, 1.507; 95% CI, 1.292 to 1.758; p<0.001) were independent predictors of biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller prostate size was associated with increased risk of higher pT stage and positive surgical margin after radical prostatectomy. Also, prostate size less than 40 g was an independent prognostic factor for biochemical recurrence.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prognosis ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: Tumor size and multiplicity are known to be important prognostic factors in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, evaluation of accurate tumor size is subjective and difficult. Furthermore, there are limitations to the objectification of tumor volume in the case of multiple lesions. In this study, we investigated the relation between resection weight after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and the prognosis of NMIBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 406 patients diagnosed with pTa or pT1 bladder tumors after TURBT between September 1999 and May 2010. The patient's age, sex, underlying diseases, cancer stage, grade, multiplicity, tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, and resection weight were analyzed in relation to cancer progression and recurrence. The resection weight was weighted after formaldehyde fixation. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 76.9 months (range, 12 to 167 months) in 406 patients diagnosed as having NMIBC. Mean resection weight was 4.5 g (range, 0.1 to 35.0 g). The cancer recurred in 99 patients (24.4%), and disease progression was noted in 30 patients (7.4%). Resection weight was categorized as greater than or less than 2 g by use of receiver operator characteristic curves. Cancer grade (p=0.022) and multiplicity (p=0.043) were significantly related to cancer recurrence in the analysis with Cox's multivariate proportional hazard model. Cancer grade (p=0.001) and resection weight (p=0.018) were related to disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Resection weight after TURBT was significantly related to progression of NMIBC. Resection weight was an independent factor of progression. Further management should be considered if the resection weight exceeds 2 g.
Disease Progression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Burden ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

PURPOSE: We aimed to ascertain the effects of performing extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) on the duration of surgery, morbidity, and the number of lymph nodes removed when the dissection was performed before or after radical cystectomy (RC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the database of our previous prospective multicenter study. A total of 118 patients underwent RC and extended PLND. Of the 118 patients, 48 (40.7%) underwent extended PLND before RC (group 1) and 70 (59.3%) underwent extended PLND after RC (group 2). The two groups were compared for extended PLND time, RC time, and total operation times, per operative morbidity, and the total numbers of lymph nodes removed. RESULTS: Clinical and pathologic characteristics were comparable in the two groups (p>0.05). The mean RC time and mean total operation times were significantly shorter in group 1 than in group 2 (p<0.001). The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 27.31+/-10.36 in group 1 and 30.87+/-8.3 in group 2 (p=0.041). Only at the presacral region was the mean number of lymph nodes removed significantly fewer in group 1 than in group 2 (p=0.001). Intraoperative and postoperative complications and drain withdrawal time were similar in both groups (p=0.058, p=0.391, p=0.613, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: When extended PLND was performed before RC, the duration of RC and consequently the total duration of the operation were significantly shorter than when extended PLND was performed after RC. Practitioners may consider performing extended PLND before RC and rechecking the presacral area for additional lymph nodes after RC, particularly in elderly patients with high co-morbidity for whom the duration of surgery matters.
Aged ; Cystectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Since the introduction of laparoscopic surgery, the promise of lower postoperative morbidity and improved cosmesis has been achieved. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) potentially takes this further. Following the first human urological LESS report in 2007, numerous case series have emerged, as well as comparative studies comparing LESS with standard laparoscopy. However, comparative series between conventional laparoscopy and LESS for different procedures suggest a non-inferiority of LESS over standard laparoscopy, but the only objective benefit remains an improved cosmetic outcome. Challenging ergonomics, instrument clashing, lack of true triangulation, and in-line vision are the main concerns with LESS surgery. Various new instruments have been designed, but only experienced laparoscopists and well-selected patients are pivotal for a successful LESS procedure. Robotic-assisted LESS procedures have been performed. The available robotic platform remains bulky, but development of instrumentation and application of robotic technology are expected to define the actual role of these techniques in minimally invasive urologic surgery.
Cosmetics ; Human Engineering ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Robotics ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Vision, Ocular

Transrectal ultrasonography provides an accurate assessment of the prostate, ejaculatory ducts and seminal vesicles, which can be helpful in the evaluation of the patients with variable genitourinary symptoms. We studied 65 symptomatic patients and 20 age-matched controls who underwent transrectal ultrasonography from Feb. 1993 to Jul. 1993. The broad spectrum of genitourinary signs and symptoms was segregated into 4 groups. Group 1 was hematospermia. Group 2 was pains including ejaculatory pain, pain on erection. perineal pain, scrotal pain, tenderness on prostate grand, suprapubic pain, lower back pain, inguinal pain, and penile pain. Group 3 was bladder outlet obstructive symptoms including hesitancy, intermittancy, terminal dribbling, weak stream, and residual urine sensation. Group 4 was bladder irritative symptoms including frequency, nocturia, urgency, and dysuria. The major abnormal findings on the transrectal ultrasonography were cysts in seminal vesicle, cysts in ejaculatory duct, prostatic calculi, ejaculatory duct calculi, and seminal vesicle dilation. Compared with age-matched controls, symptomatic patients had significantly increased prevalence of the abnormal findings on the transrectal ultrasonography (p <0.01 ). Ejaculatory duct calculi were significantly associated with bladder outlet obstructive symptoms and bladder irritative symptoms (p <0.05), and seminal vesicle dilation was also significantly associated with pain (p <0.05). Prostatic calculi and ejaculatory duct calculi were closely associated with voiding dysfunction, however, cyst in seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct were closely associated with pain. Transrectal ultrasonography offers clinical insights into the causes of distressing genitourinary symptoms, and may be helpful in their management.
Calculi ; Dysuria ; Ejaculatory Ducts* ; Hemospermia ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Male ; Nocturia ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Rivers ; Seminal Vesicles* ; Sensation ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder

To determine the usefulness of the Bosniak classification of cystic renal masses, the computed tomographic findings of 30 pathologically proven cystic renal masses were reviewed retrospectively. We categorized cystic renal masses utilizing the Bosniak classification without knowledge of the final pathologic diagnosis. There were 10 category I lesions, 3 category II lesions, 6 category III lesions and 11 category IV lesions. All category l and II lesions were benign. All category IV lesions were malignant. Among the 6 category III lesions, 5 were malignant. The other was benign lesion with hemorrhagic renal cyst. We concluded that computed tomography and Bosniak classification are useful in management of cystic renal masses.
Classification* ; Diagnosis ; Kidney ; Retrospective Studies