Background and purpose:Liquid biopsy is a kind of blood, urine and other non-solid biologi-cal tissue sampling analysis, mainly for malignant tumor diagnosis, monitoring and predicting its prognosis. In this research, we optimized the extraction of miRNA in urine, established a standardized means of liquid biopsy, screened and verified the miRNA markers in patients with bladder cancer.Methods:From Jan. 2014 to Sept. 2015, we used miRNA microarray in six patients with bladder cancer and six healthy controls. Samples of 78 cases of bladder cancer and 23 healthy controls were tested by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR) to verify the relationship between miRNA markers in liquid biopsy and clinical pathological parameters. The diagnostic value of miRNA markers was also analyzed and compared.Results:We screened 10 miRNAs differential expression in urine. Combined with previous literature, we selected 20 miRNAs to verify their expression levels in bladder cancers and healthy controls. miR-509-5p/miR-124 ratio in the urine was found higher in patients with bladder cancer than in healthy controls (P<0.0001). With the rise of miR-509-5p/miR-124 ratio in urine, tumor stage and grade were also increased (P=0.003). When the cutoff was set at 0.41, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of miR-509-5p/miR-124 ratio were 73.1% and 82.6%, respectively. The AUC of miR-509-5p/miR-124 ratio to detect bladder cancer was 0.864, higher than that of urinary exfoliated cells (P=0.0002).Conclusion:We optimized the extraction of miRNAs in urine,established a standardized liquid biopsy of miRNA markers. The miR-509-5p/miR-124 ratio could be an ideal diagnos-tic marker for bladder cancer.

Objective To construct and evaluate a nomogram for predicting the risk of peri-operative complications after radical retro-pubic prostatectomy (RRP) with standard classification criteria.Methods The peri-operative complications and clinicopathological data of 240 patients (50-82 years old) who had undergone RRP for prostate cancer from June 2006 to June 2011 were retrospectively collected.Gleason score:95 cases ＜ 7; 145 patients ≥ 7;Clinical staging:cT1 is 1 case (0.4％),T2a 5 cases (2.1％),T2b 7 cases (2.9％),T2c 162 cases (67.5％),T3a 26 cases (10.8％),T3b 39 cases (16.3％).The peri-operative complications (in 30 days after surgery) were classified by Clavien-Dindo Classification system (the occurrence rates are as follows:rectum injury 1.6％,wound infection 2.0％,deep venous thrombosis 1.2％,urinary leak 5.0％,lymphocele 4.5％,myocardial infarction 5.8％,second look operation 1.6％),and a logistic regression model was used to construct the nomogram.Results BMI,N staging and Blood loss more than 200ml during surgery were independent prognostic factors of RRP morbidity in multivariate logistic regression.The nomogram predicting the risk of peri-operative complications showed relative good concordance index (0.633) and good calibration. Conclusions Based on the clinicopathological factors,a nomogram to predict the probability of peri-operative complications in patients undergone RRP was constructed.This statistical tool may be beneficial in judging operation risk and help consulting with patient before or after surgery.

Background and purpose:Bladder cancer radical surgery is dififcult with many perioperative complications, and the learning curve is long. To introduce the clinical application of complete retrograde radical cystectomy and consequent abdominal cavity reconstruction in male bladder cancer, and to provide a standardized surgical procedure with minimum perioperative complications and short learning curve. Methods:From Apr. 2012 to Apr. 2013, 110 cases of male patients with bladder cancer received this procedure in our department, with a median age of 64 (35-83) years;Preoperative characters, surgical parameters, perioperative complications, pathology, long-term complications and short-term prognosis were collected and analyzed. Results:The median number of lymph nodes resected in operation was 12 (8-16);Neurovascular bundles were reserved bilaterally in 65 cases, and unilaterally in 31 cases;The complete procedure including urinary diversion took 4.4 (2.2-6.0) hours, with a median time of opened abdominal cavity of 43.0 (5.0-75.0) minutes;The median blood loss was 140.0 (50.0-600.0) mL, and 4 patients needed transfusion; Median time of abdominal and pelvic drainage was 10.0 (6.0-15.0) days, the median gastrointestinal recovery time was 2.5 (1.0-12.0) days, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 17.0 (10.0-39.0) days;Grade 2 Clavien-Dindo classiifcation (CDC) of surgical complications that required medical intervention were found in 19 cases, CDC grade 3 or above were found in 8 cases;Mild to moderate postoperative ileus happened in 5 cases, all recovered in median 2 (1-4) weeks with supportive treatments;There were no perioperative deaths. All samples were sent to pathological analyses. After a median follow-up of 9 (3-15) months, no complications of or above CDC grade 3 happened, and there were no recurrence. Conclusion:Complete retrograde radical cystectomy in male bladder cancer provided clear anatomical approach, reliable neurovascular bundle preservation, less blood loss, limited abdominal organs disturbance and better surgical exposure; With respect to tumor control, more peritoneal was retained for subsequent abdominal cavity reconstruction. The introduced procedure effectively speeded up gastrointestinal recovery, reduced postoperative complications, especially the incidence of ileus and its severity, and shortened hospital stay. The learning curve of this procedure for urologists was short, and further investigation was warranted.

Background and purpose:Laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy makes access to the adrenal glands easier and less invasive than open surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efifcacy of laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy.Methods:A total of 130 patients who underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy for adrenal mass from Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2012 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were retrospectively assessed. Their clinicopathological factors, perioperative complications and short-term prognostic data were retrieved from the medical records.Results:One hundred and twenty-seven of 130 patients underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy successfully, and 3 patients were converted to open surgery due to severe bleeding. Among 130 patients, 63 were male and 67 were female, with the mean age 50.0 years. The pathological results of the 130 patients indicated adrenocortical adenoma in 68, pheochromocytoma in 15, medullary lipoma in 13, adrenal cysts in 10 , ganglioneuroma in 7, metastatic cancer in 5, adrenal hyperplasia in 4, schwannoma in 3, lymphangioma in 2, adrenal hematoma in 1, adrenal cortical carcinoma in 1, adrenal angiosarcoma in 1 and the deputy spleen in 1 (one patient suffering from both pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma). The maximum diameters were ranging from 0.5 to 9.0 cm, and mean diameter was 3.48 cm. The average blood loss in surgery was 62.73 mL. Mean length of stay in hospital was 7 d. GradeⅠ complications occurred in 5 patients, including 2 of fever, 1 of food allergy, 1 of drug allergy and 1 of hypokalemia.Conclusion: Retroperitoneal adrenalectomy should be considered as the procedure of choice for the resection of most adrenal tumors in skilled centers with the advantages of minimal invasion, increased safety and faster recovery.

Objective To evaluate the alterations in renal function after radical nephrectomy ( RN) and partial nephrectomy ( PN) for renal cell carcinoma ( RCC) and to determine the risk factors for the onset of postoperative renal function impairment. Methods We assessed the renal function of 429 T1a RCC patients by investigating the time?dependent changes of the estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) after surgery from August 2003 to August 2010. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to determine the risk factors for the onset of an eGFR<60 ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 function, and to evaluate the prognosis for the two groups. Results The mean eGFR values ( ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 ) at postoperative 1, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 51. 4 ± 12. 6, 52. 1 ± 17. 8, 53. 2 ± 19. 5, 54. 6 ± 20. 2, 53. 8 ± 16. 6, 52.7±22.3 and 51.5±18.4 in the RN group and 69.6±18.3, 70.3±19.5, 71.5±21.4, 76.2±22.8, 75.4± 19.7, 74.3±16.3 and 73.1±23.2 in the PN group, respectively. The eGFR of the radical nephrectomy group was significantly lower than that of the partial nephrectomy group ( P<0.05) . Multivariable analysis revealed that radical nephrectomy and age were risk factors for the onset of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction. Conclusions Renal function recovered partially after partial and radical nephrectomy and is maintained constantly after 3 months. Surgical mode and age are risk factors for the onset of postoperative eGFR<60 ml· min-1 ·1.73 m-2 impairment. Compared with radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy can preserve renal function and reduce the incidence of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

Objective:To explore the value of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist in prostate cancer management.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the data of 92 consecutive hormonal sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) patients treated with GnRH antagonist from Jan 2019 to March 2022 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. The median (IQR) age at diagnosis was 70(65-76)years old. Median(IQR) serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level before treatment was 98.30 (32.50-436.75)ng/ml. The median (IQR) testosterone level was 12.30(1.51-18.44)nmol/L. Twenty-six(28.3%)cases were in M 0 stage, while 66(71.7%) were in M 1 stage at diagnosis. There were 67(72.8%)cases in ≥T 3 stage, and 54(58.7%)cases in N 1 stage.The Gleason score of 80(87.0%)cases was ≥8.The second generation androgen inhibitor was used in 58(63.0%)cases, and 21(22.8%)cases had specific gene mutation. Patients received a subcutaneously 240mg Degarelix in the first 28 days and 80 mg Degarelix following every 28 days. The pre-injection and 3 months post injection PSA and testosterone (T) level were collected. According to the proportion of patients with the largest decrease in PSA, the patients were divided into high response group (PSA decrease ≥99% after 3 months of use of Degarelix) and low response group (PSA decrease <99% after 3 months of use of Degarelix). Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were used to analyze the risk factors affecting the treatment response of Degarelix. Results:Among the 92 prostate cancer patients, after 3 months Degarelix treatment, the median PSA value decreased to 0.64ng/ ml ( P <0.001), and the median testosterone value decreased to 0.45nmol/L ( P <0.001). After treatment, there were 48 cases in the high reaction group and 44 cases in the low reaction group. Before treatment, the median PSA in the high-response group was 100.00(67.11-444.25) ng/ml, higher than 88.50 (9.91-582.25) ng/ml in the low-response group, but not statistically significant ( P=0.077). The median testosterone level in the high response group was 13.82 (7.53-19.43) nmol/L, which was significantly higher than that in the low response group [4.61 (0.75-16.12) nmol/L, P =0.030]. After treatment, the median PSA in the high-response group was 0.22 (0.09-0.82) ng/ml, significantly lower than that in the low-response group [3.22 (0.19-15.88) ng/ ml, P<0.001]. The median testosterone value of the high reaction group was 0.40 (0.09-0.80) nmol/L and that of the low reaction group was 0.45 (0.02-0.65) nmol/L, which showed no significant difference ( P =0.826), and both reached the level of castration (<1.7nmol/L). Univariate analysis showed that age ≤ 65 years old was a good prognostic factor ( OR=0.333, 95% CI 0.119-0.810, P =0.017); T stage ( P =0.540), N stage ( P =0.363), M stage ( P =0.660), Gleason score ( P =0.834), application of second-generation antiandrogens ( P=0.238) and gene mutation ( P =0.525) were not related to Degarelix hyperresponsiveness. In multivariate analysis, age was the only independent favorite prognostic factors( OR=0.913, 95% CI 0.847-0.983, P=0.016). Conclusions:In the real world, GnRH antagonists significantly reduced the levels of testosterone and PSA in HSPC patients after 3 months of treatment regardless of TNM stage, Gleason score, and the second generation androgen inhibitor using.

Objective To evaluate the alterations in renal function after radical nephrectomy ( RN) and partial nephrectomy ( PN) for renal cell carcinoma ( RCC) and to determine the risk factors for the onset of postoperative renal function impairment. Methods We assessed the renal function of 429 T1a RCC patients by investigating the time?dependent changes of the estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) after surgery from August 2003 to August 2010. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to determine the risk factors for the onset of an eGFR<60 ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 function, and to evaluate the prognosis for the two groups. Results The mean eGFR values ( ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 ) at postoperative 1, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 51. 4 ± 12. 6, 52. 1 ± 17. 8, 53. 2 ± 19. 5, 54. 6 ± 20. 2, 53. 8 ± 16. 6, 52.7±22.3 and 51.5±18.4 in the RN group and 69.6±18.3, 70.3±19.5, 71.5±21.4, 76.2±22.8, 75.4± 19.7, 74.3±16.3 and 73.1±23.2 in the PN group, respectively. The eGFR of the radical nephrectomy group was significantly lower than that of the partial nephrectomy group ( P<0.05) . Multivariable analysis revealed that radical nephrectomy and age were risk factors for the onset of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction. Conclusions Renal function recovered partially after partial and radical nephrectomy and is maintained constantly after 3 months. Surgical mode and age are risk factors for the onset of postoperative eGFR<60 ml· min-1 ·1.73 m-2 impairment. Compared with radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy can preserve renal function and reduce the incidence of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

Objective:To assess the diagnostic performance of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI in initial staging of prostate cancer. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with initial diagnosis of prostate cancer who underwent prostatectomy at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from December 2021 to June 2023. All had biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer preoperatively and had not undergone any anti-tumor treatment. Prior to surgery, all patients underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI scans. The surgical samples were processed by whole-mount slides pathology. Thirty patients were included, with a median age of 68 years (range 67-76 years). The preoperative median PSA level was 17.91 ng/ml (range 9.41-39.53 ng/ml). The median interval between the two examinations was 21.00 days (range 2.75-35.50 days). Based on the postoperative whole-mount slides pathology which was the gold standard, we compared the sensitivity and specificity of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI in diagnosing extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and intraprostatic tumor lesion. Results:According to the postoperative pathology, among the 30 patients, 12 had extraprostatic extension (EPE), 8 had seminal vesicle invasion (SVI). Among the 50 lesions found before surgery, postoperative pathology showed that 38 of them were clinically significant prostate cancer lesions (76.0%, 38/50). Using whole-mount pathology, preoperative mpMRI, and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging for triple fusion comparison, the sensitivity and specificity of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in diagnosing EPE were 66.7% (8/12) and 88.9% (16/18), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of mpMRI in diagnosing EPE were 50.0% (6/12) and 83.3% (15/18), respectively. In diagnosing SVI, the sensitivity and specificity of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT were 50.0% (4/8) and 86.3% (19/22), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of mpMRI were 75.0% (6/8) and 90.9% (20/22), respectively. When diagnosing clinically significant tumor lesions within the prostate, the sensitivity of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT was 89.5% (34/38), which was significantly better than the mpMRI of 63.2% (24/38), with no significant difference in specificity. Conclusions:The sensitivity of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in diagnosing intraprostatic lesions was significantly higher than that of mpMRI, with no significant difference in specificity.

Objective:To explore the efficient prognostic factors of cryotherapy for prostate cancer in the real-world setting.Methods:The clinical data of 105 prostate cancer patients treated at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer center from January 2021 to December 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into a non-metastatic group (62 cases, 58.7%) and a metastatic group (43 cases, 41.3%) based on the presence or absence of distant metastasis. In the non-metastatic group, the median age was 79 years (range 73 to 82), the initial PSA was 20 ng/ml (range 10 to 47), 37 cases (59.7%) received neoadjuvant endocrine therapy, and the preoperative PSA was 8 ng/ml (range 2 to 14). The ISUP grades were Grade 1 in 4 cases (6.5%), Grade 2 in 11 cases (17.7%), Grade 3 in 16 cases (25.8%), Grade 4 in 16 cases (25.8%), and Grade 5 in 15 cases (24.2%). The T-stages were T 2 in 49 cases, T 3 in 6 cases, and T 4 in 7 cases. All cases were N 0. In the metastatic group, the median age was 68 years (range 62 to 74), the initial PSA was 64 ng/ml (range 27 to 200), 42 cases (97.7%) received neoadjuvant endocrine therapy, and the preoperative PSA was 0 ng/ml (range 0 to 3). The ISUP grades were Grade 1 in 0 cases, Grade 2 in 5 cases (11.6%), Grade 3 in 3 cases (7.0%), Grade 4 in 19 cases (44.2%), and Grade 5 in 16 cases (37.2%). The T-stages were T 2 in 29 cases (67.4%), T 3 in 8 cases (18.6%), and T 4 in 6 cases (14.0%). The N-stages were N 0 in 38 cases (88.4%) and N 1 in 5 cases (11.6%). The M-stages were M 1a in 5 cases (11.6%), M 1b in 35 cases (81.4%), and M 1c in 3 cases (7.0%). The difference in T-stage between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P=0.346), while differences in other indicators were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The cryotherapy for prostate cancer was performed under general or local anesthesia, with the patients in the lithotomy position and a F20 three-lumen catheter was placed for continuous irrigation. Under transrectal ultrasound guidance, the cryoprobes were inserted parallel to the probe through the perineum, with a safe distance of 3 mm from the bladder wall. A whole-gland freezing mode was adopted, starting from the ventral side and freezing layer by layer towards the rectal side. Ultrasound was used in real-time to observe the ice ball's position and extent, adjusting it during ablation to conform to the prostate's margins while protecting surrounding structures. After ablation, the cryoprobes were removed, the puncture sites were disinfected with povidone-iodine, and gauze was applied for 20 seconds to achieve hemostasis before applying dressings. The catheter was removed 10 days postoperatively. PSA levels were rechecked on the first postoperative day and at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. The ratio of PSA on the first postoperative day to preoperative PSA was defined as the PSA release rate. Biochemical recurrence was defined as a PSA increase of more than 0.2 ng/ml above the postoperative nadir. The PSA progression-free survival time and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. Results:All procedures were successfully completed. The PSA release rates for the non-metastatic and metastatic groups were 4.2 (2.2, 6.4) and 3.9 (1.5, 6.7), respectively, with no statistical significant difference ( P=0.8272). The median PSA at 6 weeks postoperatively was 0.23 (0.01, 1.22) ng/ml, and at 12 weeks it was 0.02 (0.01, 0.49) ng/ml. The median PSA for the non-metastatic group was 0.42 (0.25, 1.00) ng/ml at 6 weeks, and it was 0.03 (0.01, 0.57) ng/ml at 12 weeks. For the metastatic group, the median PSA was 0.30 (0.14, 0.50) ng/ml at 6 weeks, and it was 0.02 (0.01, 1.17) ng/ml at 12 weeks. The median follow-up period was 339 days (range 128 to 571). No Clavien-Dindo grade ≥2 complications occurred postoperatively. One case (0.9%) experienced bladder neck stricture one month postoperatively, which improved by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Two cases (1.9%) experienced urinary retention seven days postoperatively, which resolved after re-catheterization for two weeks. No urinary incontinence was reported. Two non-tumor-related deaths occurred (1.9%), one due to cardiac disease and the other due to complications from COVID-19. During follow-up, 29 cases (27.6%) experienced PSA progression, with a median PSA progression-free survival time of 808.0 days. The median PSA progression-free survival time was not reached in the non-metastatic group, while it was 764.0 days in the metastatic group. There was no statistical significant difference in PSA progression-free survival between the two groups ( P=0.422). Univariate analysis showed that preoperative PSA ( HR=1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.03, P=0.048), T 3 stage ( HR=9.00, 95% CI 2.59-31.25, P<0.01), and T 4 stage ( HR=5.83, 95% CI 1.68-20.21, P=0.005) were prognostic factors for PSA progression-free survival. Multivariate analysis showed that T 3 stage ( HR=9.08, 95% CI 2.47-33.45, P<0.01) and T 4 stage ( HR=4.50, 95% CI 1.18-17.22, P=0.028) were independent prognostic factors for PSA progression-free survival. Conclusions:Cryotherapy for prostate cancer has a high safety profile. The efficacy of Cryotherapy is better in patients with T-stage

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical factors affecting Gleason score upgrade in patients receiving radical prostatectomy (RP).

METHODSA total of 322 patients with prostate cancer who received RP from January 2012 to December 2013 at Department of Urology at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were included, and their data of age, body mass index (BMI), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, percentage core, clinical staging, pathological characteristics, biopsy Gleason score and RP Gleason score were analyzed. Differences in categorical variables and continuous variables were compared using χ² tests and Student's t-test, respectively. Unconditional multiple logistic regression was used to estimate OR and 95% CI of the association of Gleason score upgrade with clinical factors.

RESULTSGleason score upgrade occurred in 107 of 322 (33.3%) patients. There was no difference in age, BMI and clinical staging between the two groups. Compared with patients without Gleason score upgrade, higher levels of PSA (χ² =6.740, P=0.034), smaller prostate volume (t=3.481, P=0.002) and elevated percentage core (t=-2.097, P=0.037) were observed in patients with Gleason score upgrade. In addition, lymph node metastasis (χ² =4.193, P=0.041) and extracapsular extension (χ² =4.747, P=0.029) were more common in patients with Gleason score upgrade. After adjusting for potential confounders, PSA levels (OR=2.451, 95% CI: 1.290-4.660), prostate volume (OR=0.982, 95% CI: 0.969-0.995) and percentage core (OR=2.756, 95% CI: 1.033-7.357) were independent predictors for Gleason score upgrade.

CONCLUSIONGleason score upgrade happens at a relatively high rate. PSA levels, prostate volume and percentage core are important factors affecting Gleason score upgrade.

Biopsy ; Body Mass Index ; China ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery