Purpose: To describe the incidence and mortality of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) from 2002–2020 using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, which contains data from the entire Korean population. Materials and Methods: Reimbursement records for 43,255 patients diagnosed with primary UTUC (according to the International Classification of Disease 10th revision code C65 and C66) between 2002–2020 were retrieved. The study period was split into four: period I (2002–2005), period II (2006–2010), period III (2011–2015), and period IV (2016–2020). Trends were quantified by calculating the annual percentage change (APC). Mortality data were obtained from the Statistics Korea. Results: From 2002–2020, the incidence of UTUC in Korea increased gradually from 9.34 to 11.40 per 100,000 person-years. Although there was a male predominance, the male to female ratio did not change significantly over time; however, age at the time of diagnosis, the comorbidity index, and the proportion of patients undergoing open/laparoscopic surgery increased significantly over time. There was a modest improvement in 5-year survival (both all cause- and cancer-specific) over the study period. Multivariate analysis identified age at diagnosis, sex, the comorbidity index, and open/laparoscopic surgery as being associated with survival. Conclusions Between 2002 and 2020, the incidence of UTUC in Korea showed a general upward trend; however, survival outcomes have improved. These representative datasets from the Korean population might provide crucial information that enables clinicians to better understand of the epidemiology of UTUC in Korea.

Purpose: Although bladder cancer occurs three to 4 times more frequently in men than in women, the relative number of deaths compared to incidence is higher in women, suggesting that women have a worse prognosis than men. Emerging evidence indicates that the activity of the sex steroid hormone pathway may play a role in bladder cancer development, with demonstrations that both androgens and estrogens have biological effects on bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo. This study investigates the influence of sex and menopausal status on recurrence and cancer-specific death (CSD) in bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis included 3,913 patients from the Korean Bladder Cancer Study Group Database who underwent RC between 2010 and 2019. Patients were categorized based on gender and menopausal status (≤50 years: premenopausal; >50 years: postmenopausal). Pathological factors, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, recurrence, and CSD rates were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Results: Among the 3,913 patients, 400 (10.2%) were female. Premenopausal females exhibited significantly lower recurrence rates (28.6%) compared to postmenopausal females (45.7%). CSD rates were similarly reduced in premenopausal females (12.0% vs. 22.2% in postmenopausal females). No significant sex differences in recurrence or CSD were observed among premenopausal patients. Pathological T stage, nodal status, and lymphovascular invasion were significantly associated with recurrence in males, while nodal status alone was significant in females. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly more frequently administered to male patients under the age of 50, while no difference was observed in the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy among female patients based on menopausal status. Conclusion Hormonal changes associated with menopause significantly influence bladder cancer outcomes in women. Premenopausal hormonal environments seem protective, underscoring the need for further research into hormone-driven mechanisms in bladder cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate whether extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) improves survival outcomes compared with standard PLND in patients with bladder cancer (BCa) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC), and to assess its potential benefits in patients with prior or concurrent radical nephroureterectomy (p/cRNU). Materials and Methods: A multicenter analysis included 2202 patients with BCa undergoing RC with standard or extended PLND at 11 tertiary centers from 2003 to 2023. Following propensity score matching, 659 pairs (n=1,318), including 128 patients with p/cRNU, were analyzed. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was the primary outcome, while overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and readmission rates were secondary outcomes. Survival analyses performed using Kaplan-Meier methods and clustered Cox models. Results: Extended PLND yielded significantly more lymph nodes than standard PLND (median: 27.0 vs. 17.0, p<0.001) but did not improve RFS, CSS, or OS in the overall cohort (all p>0.05). Extended PLND increased readmission rates (28.4% vs. 20.2%, p=0.001) and readmission risk (odds ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–2.16, p=0.005). However, subgroup analysis revealed extended PLND significantly improved RFS in patients with p/cRNU (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.38–0.77; p<0.001). Conclusion Extended PLND does not provide survival benefits for overall patient population and increases readmission risk but significantly improves RFS in patients with p/cRNU. Tailoring PLND extent based on upper tract disease status is recommended.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to share our outcomes and experiences on allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in elderly patients aged 60 years and older with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in South Korea, and to compare them with other studies. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the clinical outcomes of 116 patients with AML or MDS aged 60 years and older who underwent allogeneic HSCT. We also analyzed which pretreatment factors affect the overall survival (OS) after allogeneic HSCT. Results: Neutrophil and platelet engraftment were achieved at median day +11 [interquartile range (IQR) 10–15] and +14 (IQR 11–19), respectively. A complete donor chimerism was confirmed in 65 (56.0%) patients at 3 weeks and in 63 (54.3%) patients at 3 months after HSCT. The estimated incidence of grade II–IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) at day 100 was 13.7%. The estimated incidence of chronic GVHD at 2 years was 38.8%. Within a median follow-up of 14 months after HSCT, OS was 64% at 1 year and 55% at 2 years, and non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 20% at 1 year and 28% at 2 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation-Specific Comorbidity Index ≥3 were associated with poor OS. Conclusion This study showed that allogeneic HSCT in elderly adults aged 60 and older can be performed with successful engraftment and acceptable NRM and OS are expected given the generally known survival of patients with higher risk MDS and poor risk AML.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of de novo overactive bladder (OAB) and the factors related to its occurrence following radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and Methods: We prospectively examined 50 patients without OAB who underwent RP for clinically localized PCa in our institution from August 2019 to February 2020. We performed assessments using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and uroflowmetry before surgery and 3 months after RP. OAB was defined as a score of 1 or more on the urgency components of the OABSS. Three months after RP, the patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of de novo OAB symptoms. We evaluated the patients’ demographics and outcomes after RP according to their de novo OAB grouping. The predictive factors of de novo OAB after RP were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Of the 50 patients, 22 (44%) had de novo OAB 3 months after RP. The patients in the de novo OAB group were older, had higher preoperative IPSS storage subscores, and had larger volumes of postvoid residual urine on preoperative uroflowmetry than those in the non-de novo OAB group. Multivariate analysis showed that age and preoperative IPSS storage subscores were predictive factors of de novo OAB after RP. Conclusions de novo OAB was observed in 44% of the patients 3 months after RP. Age and preoperative IPSS storage subscores were predictive factors of de novo OAB following RP.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of de novo overactive bladder (OAB) and the factors related to its occurrence following radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and Methods: We prospectively examined 50 patients without OAB who underwent RP for clinically localized PCa in our institution from August 2019 to February 2020. We performed assessments using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and uroflowmetry before surgery and 3 months after RP. OAB was defined as a score of 1 or more on the urgency components of the OABSS. Three months after RP, the patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of de novo OAB symptoms. We evaluated the patients’ demographics and outcomes after RP according to their de novo OAB grouping. The predictive factors of de novo OAB after RP were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Of the 50 patients, 22 (44%) had de novo OAB 3 months after RP. The patients in the de novo OAB group were older, had higher preoperative IPSS storage subscores, and had larger volumes of postvoid residual urine on preoperative uroflowmetry than those in the non-de novo OAB group. Multivariate analysis showed that age and preoperative IPSS storage subscores were predictive factors of de novo OAB after RP. Conclusions de novo OAB was observed in 44% of the patients 3 months after RP. Age and preoperative IPSS storage subscores were predictive factors of de novo OAB following RP.

PURPOSE: Changes in magnesium (Mg) concentration and calcium-to-magnesium ratio (Ca/Mg) play a critical role in cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we evaluated the association between preoperative Ca/Mg ratio and clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative serum levels of Ca and Mg, as well as the Ca/Mg ratio, were retrospectively analyzed in 319 consecutive patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution between February 2014 and June 2016. Blood Ca and Mg levels, together with the Ca/Mg ratio, were analyzed in relation to the patients' demographic and clinicopathological characteristics. RESULTS: Preoperative Ca/Mg ratio was significantly higher in patients with pathologic Gleason score (pGS)≥8 than in those with pGS≤7 (mean [95% confidence interval]: 4.45 [4.35–4.56] vs. 4.32 [4.27–4.38], p=0.037). The Ca/Mg ratio was positively correlated with preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (r=0.116, p=0.039) and PSA density (r=0.156, p=0.005). Ca/Mg ratio was a preoperative predictor of high pGS (≥8) according to multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 1.752; 95% confidence interval, 1.002–3.064; p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: A high serum Ca/Mg ratio was closely associated with worse clinicopathological parameters (high PSA and PSA density and pGS≥8), suggesting that the Ca/Mg ratio may be a useful serological marker for further characterization of oncologic features in prostate cancer. A multicenter prospective study with long-term follow-up is recommended to further assess the utility of this cost-effective marker as a prognostic indicator of prostate cancer.
Calcium ; Cell Proliferation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Magnesium ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies

The aim of the present multi-institutional study was to assess the influence of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) classification on adjuvant chemotherapy eligibility and survival in a multi-institutional cohort of patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We retrospectively reviewed data from 416 patients who underwent RNU for UTUC at four Korean institutions between 2001 and 2013. The ASA-PS classification was obtained from the anesthesia chart. Locally advanced UTUC was defined as ≥ pT3 and/or pN1 disease. The influence of ASA-PS score on survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analyses and a multivariate Cox regression model. Patients with a higher ASA-PS class were less likely to be eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced UTUC (P = 0.016). Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that the high-risk ASA-PS group has a poorer overallsurvival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) compared to low risk ASA-PS groups in both the total and locally advanced UTUC cohorts. Based on multivariate Cox regression analysis, the high-risk ASA-PS category was an independent predictor for overall mortality (OM) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.919; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.017–3.619; P = 0.044) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) (HR, 2.120; 95% CI, 1.023–4.394; P = 0.043). In conclusion, high-risk ASA-PS score was independently associated with a lower survival rate in patients with UTUC after RNU. However, the influence of ASA-PS classification on survival was limited to locally advanced UTUC. The lower eligibility of patients in the high-risk ASA category for adjuvant chemotherapy may contribute to the lower survival rate in this group.
Anesthesia ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant* ; Classification ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Urolithiasis is common and is becoming more prevalent worldwide. This study assessed the chronological trends in clinical and urinary metabolic features over 20 years in Korean urolithiasis patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of 4,076 patients treated at our clinic from 1996 to 2015. Urinary metabolic data and stone analysis data were available for 1,421 and 723 patients (34.9% and 17.7%), respectively. Patients were categorized into 4 groups according to the date of initial diagnosis: group 1 (1996–2000, n = 897), group 2 (2001–2005, n = 1,018), group 3 (2006–2010, n = 1,043), and group 4 (2011–2015, n = 1,118). Incidental detection of uric acid renal stones has become more prevalent in the past 10 years, accompanied by an increase in body mass index and age at diagnosis. Similarly, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and of hypertension increased from one group to the next throughout the study period. Levels of 24-hour urinary excretion of sodium, calcium, uric acid, and oxalate have decreased significantly over the study period. The incidence of urinary metabolic abnormalities also showed an identical tendency. The proportion of stones composed of uric acid increased over the study period. In conclusion, incidental detection of uric acid renal stones has become more prevalent in Korea in the past 20 years. Urinary excretion of lithogenic constituents and the incidence of urinary metabolic abnormalities have decreased significantly over this period.
Body Mass Index ; Calcium ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Uric Acid ; Urolithiasis*

PURPOSE: Previously, we reported the presence of virus-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) in the urine of prostate cancer (CaP) patients. In this study, we investigated the expression of two herpes virus-encoded miRNAs in prostate tissue. METHODS: A total of 175 tissue samples from noncancerous benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 248 tissue samples from patients with CaP and BPH, and 50 samples from noncancerous surrounding tissues from these same patients were analyzed for the expression of two herpes virus-encoded miRNAs by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunocytochemistry using nanoparticles as molecular beacons. RESULTS: Real-time reverse transcription-PCR results revealed significantly higher expression of hsv1-miR-H18 and hsv2-miRH9- 5p in surrounding noncancerous and CaP tissues than that in BPH tissue (each comparison, P<0.001). Of note, these miRNA were expressed equivalently in the CaP tissues and surrounding noncancerous tissues. Moreover, immunocytochemistry clearly demonstrated a significant enrichment of both hsv1-miR-H18 and hsv2-miR-H9 beacon-labeled cells in CaP and surrounding noncancerous tissue compared to that in BPH tissue (each comparison, P<0.05 for hsv1-miR-H18 and hsv2- miR-H9). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increased expression of hsv1-miR-H18 and hsv2-miR-H95p might be associated with tumorigenesis in the prostate. Further studies will be required to elucidate the role of these miRNAs with respect to CaP and herpes viral infections.
Carcinogenesis ; Herpesviridae ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Immunohistochemistry ; MicroRNAs ; Nanoparticles ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction