There is controversy regarding the survival benefits of eliminating primary tumors via cytoreductive radical prostatectomy (CRP) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa). The purpose of this article is to review the theoretical background of and rationale for CRP, and the current knowledge base. The Scopus and PubMed databases were searched for studies investigating CRP published between January 2000 and October 2019. The retrieved articles were nonsystematically reviewed. Based on preclinical data, retrospective patient case studies, retrospective population-based studies, and prospective studies, CRP has been reported to afford benefits for the treatment and prevention of local symptoms through the removal of primary tumors, and the management of neo-metastatic disease and overall survival. However, despite the results from these studies, the current review mostly addresses small case studies and uncontrolled population-based studies with weak evidence. Based on this weak evidence, therefore, clinical use has not yet been recommended. Further research investigating the role and timing of CRP in patients with mPCa is needed, in addition to studies screening the most suitable populations for CRP.

There is controversy regarding the survival benefits of eliminating primary tumors via cytoreductive radical prostatectomy (CRP) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa). The purpose of this article is to review the theoretical background of and rationale for CRP, and the current knowledge base. The Scopus and PubMed databases were searched for studies investigating CRP published between January 2000 and October 2019. The retrieved articles were nonsystematically reviewed. Based on preclinical data, retrospective patient case studies, retrospective population-based studies, and prospective studies, CRP has been reported to afford benefits for the treatment and prevention of local symptoms through the removal of primary tumors, and the management of neo-metastatic disease and overall survival. However, despite the results from these studies, the current review mostly addresses small case studies and uncontrolled population-based studies with weak evidence. Based on this weak evidence, therefore, clinical use has not yet been recommended. Further research investigating the role and timing of CRP in patients with mPCa is needed, in addition to studies screening the most suitable populations for CRP.

This review examines the evolution, clinical efficacy, and future directions of trimodal therapy (TMT) as a bladder-preserving treatment option for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. A nonsystematic literature search was conducted on PubMed in October 2024 using the following keywords: “muscle invasive bladder cancer,” “bladder preservation,” “trimodal therapy,” “chemoradiotherapy,” and “radiation therapy.” Papers published between 2000 and 2024 were included, and original articles, reviews, and editorials written in English were selected. Relevant studies were organized and cited in the analysis. TMT, which consists of transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, demonstrated comparable oncologic outcomes to radical cystectomy (RC) in terms of 5-year overall survival (36%–74%) and cancer-specific survival (50%–82%). Long-term data from multiple studies indicate that TMT can preserve bladder function while maintaining acceptable survival rates. The recent integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors with TMT shows promise, further improving tumor control and expanding the eligible patient population. However, standardized protocols and long-term follow-up data are still lacking. TMT serves as an effective alternative to RC in selected patients, offering similar oncologic outcomes while preserving quality of life. Further research is needed to establish standardized protocols and to refine patient selection criteria to optimize treatment outcomes.

This review examines the evolution, clinical efficacy, and future directions of trimodal therapy (TMT) as a bladder-preserving treatment option for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. A nonsystematic literature search was conducted on PubMed in October 2024 using the following keywords: “muscle invasive bladder cancer,” “bladder preservation,” “trimodal therapy,” “chemoradiotherapy,” and “radiation therapy.” Papers published between 2000 and 2024 were included, and original articles, reviews, and editorials written in English were selected. Relevant studies were organized and cited in the analysis. TMT, which consists of transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, demonstrated comparable oncologic outcomes to radical cystectomy (RC) in terms of 5-year overall survival (36%–74%) and cancer-specific survival (50%–82%). Long-term data from multiple studies indicate that TMT can preserve bladder function while maintaining acceptable survival rates. The recent integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors with TMT shows promise, further improving tumor control and expanding the eligible patient population. However, standardized protocols and long-term follow-up data are still lacking. TMT serves as an effective alternative to RC in selected patients, offering similar oncologic outcomes while preserving quality of life. Further research is needed to establish standardized protocols and to refine patient selection criteria to optimize treatment outcomes.

This review examines the evolution, clinical efficacy, and future directions of trimodal therapy (TMT) as a bladder-preserving treatment option for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. A nonsystematic literature search was conducted on PubMed in October 2024 using the following keywords: “muscle invasive bladder cancer,” “bladder preservation,” “trimodal therapy,” “chemoradiotherapy,” and “radiation therapy.” Papers published between 2000 and 2024 were included, and original articles, reviews, and editorials written in English were selected. Relevant studies were organized and cited in the analysis. TMT, which consists of transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, demonstrated comparable oncologic outcomes to radical cystectomy (RC) in terms of 5-year overall survival (36%–74%) and cancer-specific survival (50%–82%). Long-term data from multiple studies indicate that TMT can preserve bladder function while maintaining acceptable survival rates. The recent integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors with TMT shows promise, further improving tumor control and expanding the eligible patient population. However, standardized protocols and long-term follow-up data are still lacking. TMT serves as an effective alternative to RC in selected patients, offering similar oncologic outcomes while preserving quality of life. Further research is needed to establish standardized protocols and to refine patient selection criteria to optimize treatment outcomes.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between preoperative De Ritis ratio (aspartate transaminase [AST]/alanine transaminase [ALT]) and postoperative clinical outcome in patients with upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) and adjuvant chemotherapy (ACH). Materials and Methods: We respectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 102 patients who underwent RNU and ACH for UTUC. Patients were divided into 2 groups, according to the optimal value of AST/ALT ratio. The effect of the AST/ALT ratio was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression hazard models for patients’ cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Mean survival time was 50.5±41.2 months. Mean age was 61.4±9.7years. Forty-one of the patients (46.5%) were in the high AST/ALT group. According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimal AST/ALT ratio was 1.2. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, the high AST/ALT group showed worse outcomes in OS (p=0.007) and CSS (p=0.011). Using Cox regression models of clinical and pathological parameters to predict OS, high AST/ALT ratio (hazard ratio [HR], 5.428; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.803–16.334; p=0.002), pathological T3 (pT3) or higher (HR, 1.464; 95% CI; 1.156-1.857; p=0.002), and to predict CSS, high AST/ALT ratio (HR, 4.417; 95% CI; 1.545–12.632; p=0.005), and pT3 or higher (HR, 1.475; 95% CI; 1.172–1.904; p=0.002) were determined as independent prognostic factors. Conclusions Pretreatment AST/ALT ratio is a significant independent predictor of CSS and OS in advanced UTUC patients receiving systemic ACH after RNU.

PURPOSE: To assess outcomes from patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and had their indwelling urinary catheter removed on postoperative day (POD) 4 or 7. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 107 consecutive patients receiving radical prostatectomy (RP), were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into two groups according to length of catheterization. Group 1 (n=40) had the urethral catheter removed on postoperative day (POD) 4, and group 2 (n=67) had the catheter removed on POD7. Group 1 had urethral catheter removal following no leakage on intraoperative leak testing and POD4 cystography, whilst group 2 exhibited leakage at POD4 and instead had routine POD7 urethral catheter removal if there was evidence of no leakage of POD7 cystography. Incontinence was checked according to the use of protective pad. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 67.0 years. acute urinary retension (AUR) following catheter removal occurred in 6 of the cohort (5.6%); 3 patients (7.5%) from group 1 and 3 (4.5%) from group 2 (p=0.669). The overall continence rate was 39.3%, 68.2%, 80.4%, and 91.6% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months respectively. Importantly, the incontinence recovery pace of group 1 was notably higher than that of group 2 (p=0.001). Neither group exhibited bladder neck contracture. Intraoperative factors influencing the decision to remove catheter at POD4 following RP, are bladder neck reconstruction (OR=3.792, p=0.010) and nerve sparing (OR=6.646, p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Selective early urethral catheter removal may shorten the length of incontinence recovery, without increasing the risk of AUR and bladder neck contracture.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Cohort Studies ; Contracture ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Prostatectomy* ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Catheters*

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of the Seoul National University Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator (SNU-PCRC) to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsy and to increase the detection rate of high-risk cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 546 patients who underwent prostate biopsy between 2014 and 2016. The subjects were divided into 2 groups based on the type of risk calculator used: conventional and SNU-PCRC group. In the SNU-PCRC group, prostate biopsy was recommended when the probability of SNU-PCRC was more than 30%. Results: The SNU-PCRC group had significantly smaller prostate volume (p=0.010) and significantly more digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) abnormalities (p=0.011 and p=0.010, respectively). Overall detection (71.9% vs. 32.1%) and high-risk cancer detection rates (40.6% vs. 19.3%) were significantly higher in the gray zone (prostate-specific antigen=4-10 ng/mL) (p<0.001 and p=0.006). The group with prostate cancer risk ≥30% on the SNU-PCRC compared to <30% group, overall detection rate of 72.3% versus 30.2% and high-risk detection rate of 60.6% versus 18.3% were significantly different (p<0.001 and p<0.001). Applying the SNU-PCRC to the conventional group could avoid unnecessary prostate biopsy in 50.6%. Conclusions SNU-PCRC is clinically useful to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsy and increase overall detection rate and high-risk cancer detection rate.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of the Seoul National University Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator (SNU-PCRC) to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsy and to increase the detection rate of high-risk cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 546 patients who underwent prostate biopsy between 2014 and 2016. The subjects were divided into 2 groups based on the type of risk calculator used: conventional and SNU-PCRC group. In the SNU-PCRC group, prostate biopsy was recommended when the probability of SNU-PCRC was more than 30%. Results: The SNU-PCRC group had significantly smaller prostate volume (p=0.010) and significantly more digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) abnormalities (p=0.011 and p=0.010, respectively). Overall detection (71.9% vs. 32.1%) and high-risk cancer detection rates (40.6% vs. 19.3%) were significantly higher in the gray zone (prostate-specific antigen=4-10 ng/mL) (p<0.001 and p=0.006). The group with prostate cancer risk ≥30% on the SNU-PCRC compared to <30% group, overall detection rate of 72.3% versus 30.2% and high-risk detection rate of 60.6% versus 18.3% were significantly different (p<0.001 and p<0.001). Applying the SNU-PCRC to the conventional group could avoid unnecessary prostate biopsy in 50.6%. Conclusions SNU-PCRC is clinically useful to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsy and increase overall detection rate and high-risk cancer detection rate.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinicopathologic and oncological outcomes of advanced metastatic testicular cancer in Korean men who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) following chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 26 patients with testicular cancer who underwent RPLND after chemotherapy at 2 hospitals in Korea between September 2004 and June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and histopathological variables such as stage of the testicular cancer, age of the patients during surgery, size of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes (RPLNs), histopathological results, duration and complications related to the surgery, cancer recurrence, and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: During testicular surgery, the T stage was pT1, pT2, and pT3 in 50% (n=13), 26.9% (n=7), and 15.3% (n=4) of the patients, respectively. Mixed germ cell tumor was the most common finding, seen in 73.1% (n=19) of patients. The indications for RPLND were residual lymph nodes after chemotherapy, 84.6% (n=22); and disease progression and remission, 7.7% (n=2). Pathological analysis revealed viable tumors in 19.2% of patients (n=5), necrotic/fibrotic tissue in 42.3% (n=11), and teratoma in 34.6% (n=9). Intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 23.1% (n=6) and 19.2% of patients (n=5). The median duration of follow-up was 27.5 months (interquartile range, 1.3–108.2 months); 11.5% (n=3) patients had recurrence, and 3.8% (n=1) died of progressive metastatic testicular cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Viable germ cell tumors were present in 19.2% of patients with testicular cancer who underwent RPLND after chemotherapy. This is the first study of its kind in the Korean population.
Disease Progression ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Node Excision* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Male ; Mortality ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Teratoma ; Testicular Neoplasms*