La 8.ª edición de la clasificación AJCC-TNM: nuevas aportaciones a la estadificación del cáncer de la unión esofagogástrica

The new 8th edition of the TNM classification system for esophageal and cardia or esophagogastric junction cancer provides important innovations in the TNM stages. Two classifications are presented, updated by stages, clinical (cTNM) and pathological (pTNM) methods, together with another pathological classification applicable to cases receiving neoadjuvant treatment (ypTNM). There is a notable increase in complexity compared to previous versions, but it is still early to determine whether the current modifications will result in a clear improvement in the prognostic discrimination of survival among the patient groups (which is their main objective), although the initial expectations are favorable.     

Linfoma prostático y revisión de la literatura

Prostatic Lymphoma is an exceptional pathology, that usually is diagnosed because its prostatic symthomatology or as consequence of its invasion by an extraprostatic lymphoma. We present a case of a patient affected by a prostatic lymphoma and we perform a review of the literature in order to establish the diagnostic and therapeutic steps.     

El índice nutricional pronóstico como factor pronóstico independiente para la respuesta al tratamiento,la supervivencia y la elección del fármaco en el cáncer de próstata metastásico resistente a la castración tratado con acetato de abiraterona o enzalutamida

PurposeWe designed this study to identify the prognostic value of baseline prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide.MethodsOne hundred one mCRPC patients were included. PNI was calculated using formula 10 × serum albumin value (g/dl) + .005 × total lymphocyte count (per mm³). ROC analysis was used for determining prognostic PNI value.ResultsThe statistically significant cut-off value for PNI was 46.62. Initial PSA response and PSA kinetics (early PSA response and 30-50%-90% PSA response at any time) were much better in PNI>46.62 group than the PNI ≤46.62 group (P<.01). In multivariate analysis, baseline PNI level >46.62 was an independent predictor of PSA-PFS (HR: .42; P<.01), radiologic PFS (HR: .53; P<.01), and OS (HR: .42; P<.01). In the PNI≤46.62 group, median OS was 7.4 months (95% CI: 4.1-10.7) for the abiraterone acetate subgroup vs. 17.6 months (95% CI: 10.1-25.1) for enzalutamide subgroups (P<.01).ConclusionPNI is a useful, independent prognostic marker for mCRPC patients treated with either abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide. Using pre-treatment PNI may help clinicians in the prediction of survival and decision making based on abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide.     

Marcadores inflamatorios como factor pronóstico en el cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración metastásico

IntroductionInflammatory markers have prognostic value in various tumors due to the role of inflammatory phenomena at different stages of tumor development. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the prognostic value of these markers, as well as other clinical and analytical variables in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).Material and methodsProspective cohort study carried out on 80 patients diagnosed with mCRPC. Clinical and analytical data were collected, and the following inflammatory markers were estimated: Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Total Platelet Count (TPC), Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Lymphocyte-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) and Systemic Inflammation Index (SII). The values of albumin, hemoglobin (Hb), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also determined.ResultsPatients with ANC>7500, NLR>3, PLR>150, LMR>3 and/or SII>535,000, presented significantly lower median survival time than the remaining patients, and TPC was the only marker which did not show a significant association. Moreover, NLR, PLR and SII were inversely correlated with survival time. Patients with hypoalbuminemia, anemia, and elevated LDH values had significantly lower median survival time. Albumin and hemoglobin were directly correlated to overall survival time. The need for analgesia was also associated with shorter survival.ConclusionThe values of certain inflammatory markers are associated with shorter survival time in patients with mCRPC, and their use in clinical practice can be considered to evaluate the prognosis and estimate survival.     

Predicción de resultados de cistoscopias en la práctica

ObjectiveOur objective was to elaborate a predictive model of bladder cancer, in an unselected clinical population submitted to cystoscopy.Materials and methodsWe recruited consecutive patients that underwent cystoscopy due to suspicion of bladder cancer or surveillance of a previously diagnosed bladder cancer. Urine cytology and a BTA-stat® (BTA) test were carried out for all patients. To avoid an assessment bias, the BTA-tests, cytologies and cystoscopies were conducted in a blinded fashion. We used logistic regression to predict cystoscopy results from cytology, BTA-test and clinical variables.ResultsFrom August 2011 to July 2012, we recruited 244 patients and 237 were valid for analysis. Newly diagnosed and surveillance cases were 13% and 87% respectively. Cytology and BTA-test sensitivities were 57.9% (CI 95: 42.2-72.1) and 63.2% (CI 95: 47.3-76.6) with specificities of 84.4% (CI 95: 78.7-88.8) and 82.9% (CI 95: 77.1-87.5). The predictive model included the BTA-test, cytology, time since previous tumour, and treatment with mitomicin or BGC during the last three months. The model predictive accuracy (AUC) was .85 (.78-.92), and dropped to 0.79 when excluding the BTA-test (P = .026). For the surveillance of bladder cancer, a 10% threshold on the model predicted probabilities resulted in an overall negative predictive value of 95.7%, and 95.0% in low grade tumours.ConclusionIn a cost containment environment, our prediction model could be used to space out cystoscopies in patients with previous, low grade tumours, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in the healthcare system.     

Enzalutamida y apalutamida en el tratamiento del cáncer de próstata no metastásico resistente a la castración: comparación indirecta de la eficacia

ObjectivesTo perform an adjusted indirect comparison of the efficacy of enzalutamide and apalutamide in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) with a high risk of progression to metastatic disease.Material and methodsAfter carrying out a literature search, we performed an adjusted indirect comparison (Bucher et al.) of the relative efficacy of enzalutamide and apalutamide in patients with nmCRPC with a high risk of progression to metastatic disease. The outcomes included were metastasis-free survival (MFS) and PSA response rate (PSARR).ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between enzalutamide and apalutamide regarding the analysed outcomes. For the comparison enzalutamide + ADT vs. apalutamide + ADT: MFS a HR (95% CI) = 1,036 (0.781-1.373) was obtained. For PSARR, a RR (95% CI) = 0.81 (0.339-1.938) was obtained.ConclusionsThe adjusted indirect comparison performed in this study shows that there are no statistically significant differences in terms of efficacy regarding MFS and PSARR between enzalutamide + ADT and apalutamide + ADT in patients with nmCRPC with a high risk of progression to metastatic disease. However, in order to confirm these results, an independent trial with direct comparison between both drugs would be required.     

Análisis de los factores que influyen en la pérdida hemática en la nefrolitotomía percutánea: registro de la Asociación Española de Urología sobre la posición supina

ObjectivePercutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the minimally invasive procedure of choice for removing renal stones larger than 2 cm. This study has aimed to identify the different variables that might influence decrease of hemoglobin during the surgery performed in supine position.Material and methodsA prospective, multicenter, observational study of supine PCNL, based on the Spanish Association of Urology database, was analyzed. The different preoperative and postoperative factors that might affect the decrease of hemoglobin were assessed: demographics and anthropometric data, comorbidities, size and location of the stones, anatomical variants and technical aspects of the procedure.ResultsFrom September 2008 to December 2012, 397 supine PCNL procedures performed in 15 Spanish centers were registered. Mean hemoglobin decrease was 2.3 ± 1.5 g/dl and overall blood transfusion rate was 5.5%. No statistically significant differences were found between genders, body mass index (BMI) and age in terms of blood loss. There were also no differences between patients with cardiovascular, hypertensive, diabetic and anticoagulant treatment background. Blood loss was not significantly influenced by stone size and location. Technical aspects of the procedure as operative time (> 120 min ≤), access to the pelvi-caliceal system (ultrasound, fluoroscopy), percutaneous tract dilation technique (Alken, balloon or Amplatz) or placement of nephrostomy (tube versus tubeless) were not associated with differences in pre-op/post-op hemoglobin. Only multiple percutaneous tracts (≥ 2) and middle calix access were statistically significantly (P = .03 and P = .01) related with less blood loss.ConclusionsPCNL in supine position is a minimally invasive procedure for removal of large (≥ 2 cm) and multiple renal stones, with a low incidence of blood loss and minimal transfusion rate. Multiple percutaneous tracts and middle calix puncture were the only statistically significant variables associated with decrease in hemoglobin levels.     

Factores relacionados con la resistencia a la castración precoz en el cáncer de próstata metastásico. Resultados del Registro nacional de cáncer de próstata en España

IntroductionThe objective of the study was to determine the factors independently related with the development of castration resistance (CR) in prostate cancer (PC) in the medium term.Material and methods155 patients diagnosed with metastatic PC with a follow-up of up to 39 months. Data taken from the National PC Registry.The evaluated variables were age, PSA, nadir PSA, Gleason, perineural invasion, TNM stages, and ADT type (intermittent/continuous).ResultsMean follow-up 26,2 ± 13,4 months. 47.1% developed early CR, with mean time until onset of 12,2 ± 8,7 months.Univariate analysis the mean PSA was correlated with CR (290 ± 905,1 ng/mL in non CR, 519,1 ± 1437,2 ng/mL in CR, P < .001), mean age (73,3 ± 8,3 years in non CR, 69,1 ± 9,3 in CR P = .01), mean PSA nadir (15,5 ± 57,3 ng/mL in non CR, 15,9 ± 23,7 ng/mL in CR, p < 0,001), Gleason (in ≥8, HR:2,11. 95% CI: 1.22-3.65, p = 0.006), and T stage (in T3-T4, HR: 2.85. 95% CI: 1.57-5.19, P < .001).Multivariate analysis the independent variables associated to CR are age (HR: 0.96. 95% CI: 0.94-0.99, P = .01), PSA nadir (HR: 1.65. 95% CI: 1,43-1,91, P < .001), and T3-T4 stage (HR: 2.11. 95% CI: 1.10-4.04, P = .02).ConclusionsPSA nadir and T3-T4 tumor stage at diagnosis are associated to an increased risk of developing CR. In addition, age at diagnosis is shown as a variable that decreases risk. Therefore, an older age would be associated with lower risk probability of CR in the medium term.     

Utilidad de la resonancia magnética ponderada por difusión cervical en la detección del cáncer tiroideo

Background

Nodular thyroid disease possesses the potential to harbor malignancy. Our aim was to evaluate the significance of cervical diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) for the detection of malignant thyroid nodules.

Comparación entre prostatectomía laparoscópica y abierta: análisis de la evolución oncológica

IntroductionThere are very few Spanish studies that compare oncological outcomes following radical prostatectomy (RP) based on surgical approach, and their methodology is not appropriate.ObjectiveTo compare oncological outcomes in terms of surgical margins (SM) and biochemical recurrence (BR) between open radical prostatectomy (ORP) and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).Material and methodsComparison of two cohorts (307 with ORP and 194 with LRP) between 2007-2015. Surgical margin status was defined as positive or negative, and BR as a PSA rise of >0.4 ng/ml after surgery.To compare the qualitative variables, we employed the Chi-squared test, and ANOVA was used for quantitative variables. We performed a multivariate analysis using logistic regression to evaluate the predictive factors of SM, and a multivariate analysis using Cox regression to evaluate the predictive factors of BR.ResultsGleason 7 (3+4) was determined in the surgical specimens of 43.5% of patients, and 31.7% had positive SM. The most frequent pathological stage was pT2c, on the 61.9% of the cases. No significant differences were found between both groups, except for extracapsular extension (p=0.001), more frequent in LRP.The median follow-up was 49 months. BR was seen in the 23% of patients, without significant differences between groups. In the multivariable analysis, only the D’Amico risk group behaved as an independent predictive factor of positive SM, and Gleason score and positive SM acted as independent predictive factors of BR.ConclusionThe surgical approach did not influence SM status or BR.     

Resultados a largo plazo sobre la resección de la cabeza pancreática por pancreatitis crónica: ¿duodenopancreatectomía cefálica o pancreatectomía cefálica con preservación duodenal?

IntroductionChronic pain in chronic pancreatitis is difficult to manage. The objective of our study is to assess the control of pain that is refractory to medical treatment in patients with an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas, as well as to compare the two surgical techniques.MethodsA retrospective study included patients treated surgically between 1989 and 2011 who had been refractory to medical treatment with inflammation of the head of the pancreas. An analysis of the short and long-term results was done to compare patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and/or resection of the head of the pancreas with duodenal preservation (RHPDP).Results22 PD and 12 RHPDP were performed. Postoperative complications were observed in 14% of patients, the most frequent being delayed gastric emptying (14.7%) and pancreatic fistula (11.7%). No statistically significant differences were found in terms of surgical technique. Pain control was satisfactory in 85% of patients, 43% presented de novo diabetes mellitus, and 88% returned to their work activities. Fourteen patients died during follow-up, 7 due to malignancies, and some were related to tobacco use and alcohol consumption. The overall 5 and 10 year survival rates were 88% and 75% respectively.ConclusionCephalic resection in patients with intractable pain in chronic pancreatitis is an effective therapy that provides good long-term results in terms of pain control, with no significant differences between the two surgical techniques. Patients with chronic pancreatitis have a high mortality rate associated with de novo malignancies.     

Efecto de la mitomicina en comparación con la gemcitabina intravesical en el tratamiento del cáncer de vejiga sin invasión muscular: metaanálisis

IntroductionWe performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of intravesical mitomycin compared with gemcitabine on the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.MethodsA systematic literature search up to November 2021 was done and 6 studies included 389 subjects with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer at the start of the study; 197 of them were provided with intravesical-mitomycin and 192 with intravesical gemcitabine. The studies reported the relationships about the effect of intravesical mitomycin compared with gemcitabine on the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the effect of intravesical mitomycin compared with gemcitabine on the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer using the dichotomous method with a random or fixed-effect model.ResultsIntravesical mitomycin had significantly higher recurrence rates (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.43-4.08, P = .001) and chemical cystitis (OR, 4.39; 95% CI, 2.27-8.51, P < .001) compared to intravesical gemcitabine in subjects with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, intravesical mitomycin had no significant difference in its effect on hematuria (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, .68-4.33, P = .26), skin reaction (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, .59-7.07, P = .26), and liver and kidney functions damage (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 0.35-10.96, P = .44) compared to intravesical gemcitabine in subjects with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.ConclusionsIntravesical mitomycin had significantly higher recurrence rates and chemical cystitis and no significant difference in its effect on hematuria, skin reaction, and liver and kidney functions damage compared to intravesical gemcitabine in subjects with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Further studies are required to validate these findings.