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Directory of Authors from the Journal and their last article.

Christopher P SteidleView Articles
Christopher R ChappleView Articles
Christopher R PorterView Articles

Volume 8, Number 2Review Articles

Treatment of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Review of Surgical and Adjuvant Therapy

Treatment Review

Kalyan C LatchamsettyChristopher R Porter

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma is a disease entity that has not been as extensively studied and reviewed as carcinoma of the bladder. Recent advances in technology and adjuvant therapy have changed the treatment armamentarium of oncologists and urologists. A literature review was conducted that focused on newer surgical techniques, including laparoscopy and endoscopic management of upper tract disease. Adjuvant therapy including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation is also reviewed. Nephroureterectomy with removal of a bladder cuff still remains the gold standard of treatment. However, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is quickly becoming popular, with equivalent recurrence rates. Because of the relatively recent introduction of laparoscopy into the urologic field, long-term data with respect to recurrence rates and survival rates are not yet available. Immunotherapy has also shown promise, but with higher recurrence rates than surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation also show some improvement in recurrence rates, but there have been no randomized, prospective trials. Endoscopic management is acceptable in patients with severe medical comorbidities or solitary kidneys but requires rigorous and close follow-up. Adjuvant therapy with either chemotherapy or radiation is still debated but does offer some improvement in disease-specific survival. Randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled studies are required but are difficult to perform because of the relatively low incidence and prevalence of this disease. [Rev Urol. 2006;8(2):61-70]

ImmunotherapyChemotherapyUrothelial carcinomaRadiation

Christopher R WilliamsView Articles

Volume 17, Number 1Case Review

En Bloc Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Partial Cystectomy, Urachal Resection, and Pelvic Lymphadenectomy for Urachal Adenocarcinoma

Christopher R WilliamsKeyur ChavdaPaul Abrams

Primary adenocarcinomas of the bladder and urachus are extremely rare, accounting for 0.5% to 2.0% of all bladder malignancies. During fetal development, the urachus develops into the median umbilical ligament that stretches from the umbilicus to the bladder. Adenocarcinoma accounts for 90% of all cases of urachal carcinoma. There is no consensus regarding the management of urachal carcinoma. Although the preferred treatment is wide local excision with partial or radical cystectomy, bladder-sparing management is increasing. We report a case of robot-assisted laparoscopic partial cystectomy with en bloc resection of the urachus and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for urachal carcinoma. The robot-assisted laparoscopic approach allowed us to minimize surgical morbidity, postoperative pain, and convalescent time while maintaining the oncologic principle of wide local excision. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(1):46-49 doi: 10.3909/riu0630] © 2015 MedReviews®, LLC

Urachal adenocarcinomaRobotic partial cystectomyPelvic lymphadenectomy

Christopher ReeceView Articles

Volume 9, Number 4Review Articles

Extending the Rationale of Combination Therapy to Unresponsive Erectile Dysfunction

Treatment Update

Rajeev KumarAjay NehraDiedre NienowChristopher Reece

Combination therapies aim to overcome the limitations of individual drugs by selecting diverse targets of action to enhance effectiveness synergistically. This article reviews the principles of combination therapy and its applications for benign prostatic hyperplasia and overactive bladder. It then examines pathophysiological, pharmacological, and clinical evidence for currently available drug and device combinations for erectile dysfunction that has not responded to first-line, single-agent therapy. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(4):197-206]

Benign prostatic hyperplasiaOveractive bladderErectile dysfunctionCombination therapyIntracavernosal therapyIntraurethral therapy

Christopher RobisonView Articles

Volume 18, Number 4Review Articles

Barriers to Accessing Urethroplasty

Treatment Update

David O SussmanGordon A BrownMichael J ConsoloKirin K SyedChristopher RobisonJacob McFaddenDavid I ShalowitzBradley D Figler

Urethroplasty is an effective treatment for men with anterior urethral strictures, but is utilized less frequently than ineffective treatments such as internal urethrotomy. We sought to identify provider-level barriers to urethroplasty. An anonymous online survey was emailed to all Mid-Atlantic American Urological Association members. Six scenarios in which urethroplasty was the most appropriate treatment were presented. Primary outcome was recommendation for urethroplasty in ≥ three clinical scenarios. Other factors measured include practice zip code, urethroplasty training, and proximity to a urethroplasty surgeon. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with increased likelihood of urethroplasty recommendation. Of 670 members emailed, 109 (16%) completed the survey. Final analysis included 88 respondents. Mean years in practice was 17.2. Most respondents received formal training in urethroplasty: 43 (49%) in residency, 5 (6%) in fellowship, and 10 (11%) in both; 48 respondents (55%) had a urethroplasty surgeon in their practice, whereas 18 (20%) had a urethroplasty surgeon within 45 minutes of his or her primary practice location. The only covariate that was associated with an increased likelihood of recommending urethroplasty in ≥ three scenarios was formal urethroplasty training. Most members (68%) reported no barriers to referring patients for urethroplasty; the most common barriers cited were long distance to urethroplasty surgeon (n = 13, 15%) and concern about complications (n = 8, 9%). Urethroplasty continues to be underutilized in men with anterior urethral strictures, potentially due to lack of knowledge dissemination and access to a urethroplasty surgeon. Appropriate urethroplasty utilization may increase with greater exposure to urethroplasty in training. [Rev Urol. 2016;18(4):188-193 doi: 10.3909/riu0731] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

UrethroplastyUrethral stricturesBarriersPhysician practice patterns

Chung LeeView Articles
CJ JiangView Articles

Volume 22, Number 4Review Articles

Application of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Vision & Learning for the Development of a Live Single-cell Phenotypic Biomarker Test to Predict Prostate Cancer Tumor Aggressiveness

Original Research

David M. AlbalaGrannum R SantJonathan S VarsanikMichael S ManakMatthew J WhitfieldBrad J HoganWendell R SuCJ JiangAshok C Chander

To assess the usefulness and applications of machine vision (MV) and machine learning (ML) techniques that have been used to develop a single cell–based phenotypic (live and fixed biomarkers) platform that correlates with tumor biological aggressiveness and risk stratification, 100 fresh prostate samples were acquired, and areas of prostate cancer were determined by post-surgery pathology reports logged by an independent pathologist. The prostate samples were dissociated into single-cell suspensions in the presence of an extracellular matrix formulation. These samples were analyzed via live-cell microscopy. Dynamic and fixed phenotypic biomarkers per cell were quantified using objective MV software and ML algorithms. The predictive nature of the ML algorithms was developed in two stages. First, random forest (RF) algorithms were developed using 70% of the samples. The developed algorithms were then tested for their predictive performance using the blinded test dataset that contained 30% of the samples in the second stage. Based on the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis, thresholds were set to maximize both sensitivity and specificity. We determined the sensitivity and specificity of the assay by comparing the algorithm-generated predictions with adverse pathologic features in the radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. Using MV and ML algorithms, the biomarkers predictive of adverse pathology at RP were ranked and a prostate cancer patient risk stratification test was developed that distinguishes patients based on surgical adverse pathology features. The ability to identify and track large numbers of individual cells over the length of the microscopy experimental monitoring cycles, in an automated way, created a large biomarker dataset of primary biomarkers. This biomarker dataset was then interrogated with ML algorithms used to correlate with post-surgical adverse pathology findings. Algorithms were generated that predicted adverse pathology with >0.85 sensitivity and specificity and an AUC (area under the curve) of >0.85. Phenotypic biomarkers provide cellular and molecular details that are informative for predicting post-surgical adverse pathologies when considering tumor biopsy samples. Artificial intelligence ML-based approaches for cancer risk stratification are emerging as important and powerful tools to compliment current measures of risk stratification. These techniques have capabilities to address tumor heterogeneity and the molecular complexity of prostate cancer. Specifically, the phenotypic test is a novel example of leveraging biomarkers and advances in MV and ML for developing a powerful prognostic and risk-stratification tool for prostate cancer patients. [Rev Urol. 2020;22(4):159–167] © 2021 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancerArtificial intelligencePhenotypic biomarkersMachine visionMachine learning

Claire DunphyView Articles

Volume 17, Number 2Review Articles

Relationship Between Depression and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Mangement Update

Steven A KaplanLeanna LaorClaire DunphyBilal ChughtaiAlexis E Te

This article provides an overview of current data on the relationship between depression and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with a focus on pathophysiology and patient management implications. Review of the literature indicated a clear relationship between LUTS secondary to BPH and depression. It is unknown whether this relationship is bidirectional or unidirectional. Depression is associated with the impact of LUTS on quality of life in men with BPH. Research suggests that depression alters the experience of LUTS in this population. Medical and surgical treatments for BPH may impact quality of life and, therefore, depression. Results conflict on the exact nature of the relationship examined, and on the extent to which the relationship may be attributed to physiological factors such as inflammation. Practicing clinicians should consider using a brief self-administered scale to assess for depression in patients with BPH. There is a clear need for additional research to decisively determine the nature of the relationship between LUTS secondary to BPH and depression, as well as the extent to which change in either condition may be affected by the other. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(2):51-57 doi: 10.3909/riu0658] © 2015 MedReviews®, LLC

Benign prostatic hyperplasiaDepressionLower urinary tract symptoms

Claudio JeldresView Articles

Volume 18, Number 2Case Review

Endoscopic Management of Bladder Diverticula

Claudio JeldresKhanh N PhamThomas HeftyJohn M Corman

A 50-year-old man with benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary retention had a very large diverticulum on the posterior wall of the bladder. The patient was managed with transurethral resection of the prostate and endoscopic fulguration of the bladder diverticulum mucosa using the Orandi technique. There was near-complete resolution of the bladder diverticulum following endoscopic management, obviating the need for bladder diverticulectomy. The patient now empties his bladder, with a postvoid residual ­ 50 mL and the absence of urinary tract infection after 6-month follow-up. We report the successful treatment of a large bladder diverticulum with endoscopic fulguration to near-complete resolution. This minimally invasive technique is a useful alternative in patients unfit for a more extensive surgical approach. [Rev Urol. 2016;18(2):114-117 doi: 10.3909/riu0701] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

Bladder diverticulumEndoscopicFulguration

Claus G RoehrbornView Articles
Colin DinneyView Articles
Colin IbertiView Articles

Volume 13, Number 4Review Articles

A Review of Focal Therapy Techniques in Prostate Cancer: Clinical Results for High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound and Focal Cryoablation

Treatment Review

Colin IbertiNihal MohamedMichael Palese

The advancement of focal therapy technology for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) is emerging as an option for a middle ground between radical therapies and active surveillance for individuals identified with localized, low-grade PCa. Two promising techniques are high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and focal cryoablation. Both focal cryoablation and HIFU show promise, but additional prospective trials are necessary before any definitive conclusions can be made on either method’s viability. [Rev Urol. 2011;13(4):e196-e202 doi: 10.3909/riu0540] © 2011 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancerHigh-intensity focused ultrasoundFocal cryoablation

Corey PassmanView Articles

Volume 10, Number 3Review Articles

Hypercalcemic States Associated With Nephrolithiasis

Management Update

Dean G AssimosCorey PassmanBrandon L Craven

Although kidney stone formation due to hypercalcemic states is rare, it is important for urologists to understand the pathophysiology of these conditions, methods of diagnosis, and treatments. This should foster a quicker diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy. The latter typically leads to the attenuation of kidney stone activity. Moreover, these patients have a systemic disease, and therapy has other health benefits. [Rev Urol. 2008;10(3):218-226]

NephrolithiasisVitamin DSarcoidosisHypercalcemiaCalcium homeostasisCalcitriolParathyroid hormoneHyperparathyroidism

Cory HigleyView Articles

Volume 18, Number 4Review Articles

Smoking-related Genitourinary Cancers: A Global Call to Action in Smoking Cessation

Disease Outcome Update

Marc A BjurlinJosh GottilebCory HigleyRoman Sosnowski

Smoking is a known modifiable risk factor in the development of genitourinary malignancies. Although the association has long been supported by numerous research studies, the impact of smoking cessation on the decreased risk of genitourinary malignancies is less well studied. PubMed databases were searched using the terms smoking, smoking cessation, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, penile cancer, testicular cancer, their synonyms, and also targeted manual searches to perform a literature review in order to summarize the benefits of cessation on disease progression and patient outcomes including survival and morbidities. Our review yielded substantial evidence highlighting the improved outcomes observed in those diagnosed with bladder, renal, and prostate cancers. The risk of bladder cancer is reduced by up to 60% in those who were able to quit for 25 years and the risk of kidney malignancy was reduced by 50% in those who abstained from smoking for 30 years. A similar trend of reduced risk was observed for prostate cancer with those who quit for more than 10 years, having prostate cancer mortality risks similar to those that never smoked. Although the data were encouraging for bladder, renal, and prostate malignancies, there are comparatively limited data quantifying the benefits of smoking cessation for penile and testicular cancers, highlighting an opportunity for further study. The role of urologists and their impact on their patients’ likelihood to quit smoking shows more than half of urologists never discuss smoking cessation upon diagnosis of a malignancy. Most urologists said they did not provide cessation counseling because they do not believe it would alter their patients’ disease progression. Studies show urologists have more influence at changing their patients’ smoking behaviors than their primary care physicians. The diagnosis of cancer may lead to a teachable moment resulting in increased smoking quit rates. Furthermore, implementing a brief 5-minute clinic counseling session increases quit attempts and quit rates. Diagnosis of genitourinary cancers and the following appointments for treatment provide a unique opportunity for urologists to intervene and affect the progression and outcome of disease. [Rev Urol. 2016;18(4):194-204 doi: 10.3909/riu0729] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

SmokingRisk reductionSmoking cessationGenitourinary malignancy

Cosimo de NunzioView Articles
Courtney K PhillipsView Articles
Courtney L ShephardView Articles

Volume 19, Number 1Review Articles

Urinary Tract Stone Development in Patients With Myelodysplasia Subjected to Augmentation Cystoplasty

Management Update

Dean G AssimosCourtney L ShephardGuaqiao WangBetsy D HopsonErika B Bunt

Patients with myelodysplasia who have undergone augmentation cystoplasty are at risk for urinary tract stones. We sought to determine the incidence and risk factors for stone development in this population. The charts of 40 patients with myelodysplasia who have undergone augmentation cystoplasty were reviewed. None had a prior history of urinary tract stones. All patients were seen on an annual basis with plain abdominal imaging, renal ultrasonography, and laboratory testing. Statistical analysis included a multivariable bootstrap resampling method and Student’s t-test. Fifteen (37.5%) patients developed stones, 14 with bladder stones and 1 with a solitary renal stone, at a mean of 26.9 months after augmentation. Five (33.3%) developed recurrent bladder stones. The patient with a renal stone never developed a bladder stone. The mean follow-up for the stone formers was 117.2 months and for non–stone formers was 89.9 months. The stone incidence per year was 6.8%. Risk factors included a decline in serum chloride after augmentation (P = .02), female sex, younger age at time of augmentation, longer time period since augmentation, and bowel continence. A significant proportion of patients with myelodysplasia subjected to augmentation cystoplasty develop urinary tract stones, predominantly in the bladder. Dehydration may play a role in development of lower urinary tract stones as the decline in serum chloride suggests contraction alkalosis, which could lead to constipation and improved bowel continence. Therefore, improved hydration should be a goal in this cohort. [Rev Urol. 2017;19(1):11-15 doi: 10.3909/riu0741] © 2017 MedReviews®, LLC

NephrolithiasisSpina bifidaNeurogenic bladderaugmentationcystoplasty

Craig S NiederbergerView Articles
Cristian P IlieView Articles