Issues

Sipuleucel-T for the Treatment of Patients With Metastatic Castrate-resistant Prostate Cancer: Considerations for Clinical Practice

Treatment Update

Christopher M PieczonkaVladimir MouravievDavid AlbalaDimitrios Telonis

Sipuleucel-T treatment is associated with a significant and consistent survival benefit in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Most adverse events are infusion related, manageable, and of short duration. Early screening and diagnosis of metastatic disease is important, as the greatest survival benefit may occur in patients with a lower disease burden. The short duration of sipuleucel-T treatment facilitates the use of subsequent therapies. Sipuleucel-T is now being used in the clinic for patients with a lower disease burden. We present our own experience with the use of sipuleucel-T in the setting of a large urology practice. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(4):203-210 doi: 10.3909/riu0671] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

Metabolic Syndrome and Nephrolithiasis Risk: Should the Medical Management of Nephrolithiasis Include the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome?

Patrick MufarrijJohn Michael DiBiancoTW Jarrett

This article reviews the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and nephrolithiasis, as well as the clinical implications for patients with this dual diagnosis. MetS, estimated to affect 25% of adults in the United States, is associated with a fivefold increase in the risk of developing diabetes, a doubling of the risk of acquiring cardiovascular disease, and an increase in overall mortality. Defined as a syndrome, MetS is recognized clinically by numerous constitutive traits, including abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia (elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and hyperglycemia. Urologic complications of MetS include a 30% higher risk of nephrolithiasis, with an increased percentage of uric acid nephrolithiasis in the setting of hyperuricemia, hyperuricosuria, low urine pH, and low urinary volume. Current American Urological Association and European Association of Urology guidelines suggest investigating the etiology of nephrolithiasis in affected individuals; however, there is no specific goal of treating MetS as part of the medical management. Weight loss and exercise, the main lifestyle treatments of MetS, counter abdominal obesity and insulin resistance and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events and the development of diabetes. These recommendations may offer a beneficial adjunctive treatment option for nephrolithiasis complicated by MetS. Although definitive therapeutic recommendations must await further studies, it seems both reasonable and justifiable for the urologist, as part of a multidisciplinary team, to recommend these important lifestyle changes to patients with both conditions. These recommendations should accompany the currently accepted management of nephrolithiasis. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(3):117-128 doi: 10.3909/riu0650] © 2015 MedReviews®, LLC

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

Using the 4Kscore Test and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Results to Avoid Unnecessary Prostate Biopsy

Herbert Lepor

[Rev Urol. 2015;17(1):1-2 doi: 10.3909/riu0668a] © 2015 MedReviews®, LLC

Extent of Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection During Radical Cystectomy: Is Bigger Better?

Management Review

Debasish SundiRobert S SvatekMatthew E NielsenTrinity J Bivalacqua

Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is a standard component of radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. The optimal anatomic PLND template remains undefined. An extended PLND template can potentially improve survival through the eradication of micrometastatic disease and improved pathologic staging. However, this benefit could be compromised by a potential increase in perioperative complications and cost. Two randomized controlled clinical trials that will clarify this question are ongoing. Many important retrospective studies have provided insights into the optimal PLND extent. Here the authors review the key evidence that informs how urologists may tailor the PLND template during RC depending on patient and tumor characteristics. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(4):159-166 doi: 10.3909/riu0626] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

Taxi Cab Syndrome: A Review of the Extensive Genitourinary Pathology Experienced by Taxi Cab Drivers and What We Can Do to Help

Disease State Review

Alon Y MassDavid S GoldfarbOjas D Shah

This review consolidates knowledge regarding the extensive genitourinary pathology experienced by taxi cab drivers. Taxi cab, livery, truck, and other drivers all objectively and subjectively may have more voiding dysfunction, infertility, urolithiasis, bladder cancer, and urinary infections as compared with nonprofessional drivers; this is called taxi cab syndrome. Together with governmental and medical assistance, simple interventions—such as education, the addition of taxi relief stations, and possibly the use of sanitary urinary collection devices—to curb the progression of genitourinary disease in taxi drivers should be prospectively studied. It is postulated that many of these interventions may also benefit other groups of occupationally related infrequent voiders. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(3):99-104 doi: 10.3909/riu0627] This article is a US Government work, and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America. Published by MedReviews®, LLC

Focal Laser Ablation for Localized Prostate Cancer: Principles, Clinical Trials, and Our Initial Experience

Treatment Update

Herbert LeporTed LeeNeil MendhirattaDan Sperling

Focal therapy of prostate cancer is an evolving treatment strategy that destroys a predefined region of the prostate gland that harbors clinically significant disease. Although long-term oncologic control has yet to be demonstrated, focal therapy is associated with a marked decrease in treatment-related morbidity. Focal laser ablation is an emerging modality that has several advantages, most notably real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility. This review presents the principles of laser ablation, the role of multiparametric MRI for delineating the site of significant prostate cancer, a summary of published clinical studies, and our initial experience with 23 patients, criteria for selecting candidates for focal prostate ablation, and speculation regarding future directions. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(2):55-66 doi: 10.3909/riu0615] © 2014 MedReviews® LLC

Options for the Medical Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease

KOL Interview

Laurence A LevineSanford J Siegel

[Rev Urol. 2014;16(suppl 1):S1-S5 doi: 10.3909/riu16S1S001] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

The Physiologic and Anesthetic Considerations in Elderly Patients Undergoing Robotic Renal Surgery

Management Review

Nikhil VasdevTim LaneDamian HanburyAnna Sau Kuk PoonGowrie MohanGregory BousteadJames M Adshead

A number of patients are diagnosed with renal malignancies incidentally worldwide. Once a diagnosis of a renal malignancy is established, after a careful evaluation, patients can be offered a robotic nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy. We present a review of the physiologic and anesthetic considerations in elderly patients who are being considered for robotic renal surgery. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(1):1-9 doi: 10.3909/riu0591] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

A Modest Proposal: Prostate Biopsies and In-house Pathology Laboratories

[Rev Urol. 2013;15(4):135-136 doi: 10.3909/riu0605] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC