Limited Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate on Needle Core Biopsy

Context.— Grading small foci of prostate cancer on a needle biopsy is often difficult, yet the clinical significance of accurate grading remains uncertain. Objective.— To assess if grading of limited adenocarcinoma on prostate biopsy specimen is critical. Design.— We studied 295 consecutive patients undergoing extended-sextant biopsy with only 1-core involvement of adenocarcinoma, followed by radical prostatectomy. Results.— The linear tumor lengths on these biopsy specimens were: less than 1 mm (n = 114); 1 mm or more or less than 2 mm (n = 82); 2 mm or more or less than 3 mm (n = 35); and 3 mm or more (n = 64). Longer length was strongly associated with higher Grade Group (GG) on biopsy or prostatectomy specimen, higher risk of extraprostatic extension/seminal vesicle invasion and positive surgical margin, and larger estimated tumor volume. When cases were compared based on biopsy specimen GG, higher grade was strongly associated with higher prostatectomy specimen GG, higher incidence of pT3/pT3b disease, and larger tumor volume. Outcome analysis further showed significantly higher risks for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy in patients with 1 mm or more, 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, GG2-4, GG3-4, GG4, less than 1 mm/GG2-4, less than 1 mm/GG3-4, less than 2 mm/GG3-4, 3 mm or more/GG2-4, or 3 mm or more/GG3-4 tumor on biopsy specimens, compared with respective control subgroups. In particular, 3 mm or more, GG3, and GG4 on biopsy specimens showed significance as independent prognosticators by multivariate analysis. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in the rate of upgrading or downgrading after radical prostatectomy among those subgrouped by biopsy specimen tumor length (eg, <1 mm [44.7%] versus ≥1/<2 mm [41.5%] versus ≥2/<3 mm [45.7%] versus ≥3 mm [46.9%]). Conclusions.— These results indicate that pathologists still need to make maximum efforts to grade relatively small prostate cancer on biopsy specimens.

The Clinical Significance of Perineural Invasion by Prostate Cancer on Needle Core Biopsy

Context.— Perineural invasion (PNI) by prostate cancer has been associated with adverse pathology, including extraprostatic extension. However, the significance of PNI quantification on prostate biopsy (PBx) remains unclear. Objective.— To compare radical prostatectomy (RP) findings and long-term outcomes in patients whose PBx had exhibited PNI. Design.— We assessed 497 consecutive patients undergoing sextant (6-site/≥12-core) PBx showing conventional adenocarcinoma followed by RP. Results.— PNI was found in 1 (n = 290)/2 (n = 132)/3 (n = 47)/4 (n = 19)/5 (n = 5)/6 (n = 4) of the sites/regions of PBx. Compared with a single PNI site, multiple PNIs were significantly associated with higher preoperative prostate-specific antigen, higher Grade Group (GG) on PBx or RP, higher pT or pN category, positive surgical margin, and larger estimated tumor volume. When compared in subgroups of patients based on PBx GG, significant differences in RP GG (GG1–3), pT (GG1–2/GG1–3/GG2/GG3), surgical margin status (GG1–3/GG3/GG5), or tumor volume (GG1–2/GG1–3/GG2/GG3) between 1 versus multiple PNIs were observed. Moreover, there were significant differences in prostate-specific antigen (PNI sites: 1–2 versus 3–6/1–3 versus 4–6/1–4 versus 5–6), RP GG (1–3 versus 4–6/1–4 versus 5–6), pT (1–2 versus 3–6/1–3 versus 4–6), pN (1–3 versus 4–6), or tumor volume (1–2 versus 3–6/1–4 versus 5–6). Outcome analysis revealed significantly higher risks of disease progression in the entire cohort or PBx GG1–2/GG1–3/GG2/GG3/GG5 cases showing 2 to 6 PNIs, compared with respective controls with 1-site PNI. In multivariate analysis, multisite PNI was an independent predictor for progression (hazard ratio = 1.556, P = .03). Conclusions.— Multiple sites of PNI on PBx were associated with worse histopathologic features in RP specimens and poorer prognosis. PNI may thus need to be specified, if present, in every sextant site on PBx, especially those showing GG1–3 cancer.

Surgical and Functional Outcomes on Omitting Cortical Renorrhaphy During Robot-Assisted Versus Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: A Match-Paired Analysis

Objectives To assess surgical and functional outcomes in comparison of cortical renorrhaphy omitting, robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (CRO-RAPN), and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (CRO-LPN). Methods Between July 2012 and June 2020, patients with localized clinical T1-2 renal masses who underwent CRO-RAPN or CRO-LPN were reviewed. The outcomes of the CRO-RAPN and CRO-LPN groups were compared using propensity score matching. Trifecta was defined as negative surgical margin, less than 25 minutes of warm ischemic time, and no complications of Clavien-Dindo grade III or more until three months postoperatively. Preservation rate of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was evaluated at six months postoperatively. Results A total of 291 patients, including 210 patients who underwent CRO-RAPN and 81 patients who underwent CRO-LPN, were included, and matched pairs of 150 patients were analyzed. The CRO-RAPN group was associated with a significantly shorter warm ischemic time (13 min vs 20 min, P < 0.001), shorter total operation time (162 min vs 212 min, P < 0.001), less estimated blood loss (40 mL vs 119 mL, P = 0.002), lower incidence of overall complications (3% vs 16%, P = 0.001), higher preservation rate of eGFR at six months postoperatively (93% vs 89%, P = 0.003), and higher trifecta achievement rate (84% vs 64%, P = 0.004) than the CRO-LPN group. Conclusions CRO-RAPN contributes to a shorter warm ischemic time, less blood loss, fewer complications, and preservation of renal function and makes it feasible to achieve a higher rate of trifecta compared to CRO-LPN.

Prediction Model of Distant Metastasis in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma With or Without Regional Lymphatic Metastasis

Patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) who develop distant metastasis (DM) face poor outcomes, and effective prediction models of DM are rare. A total of 595 patients with OCSCC were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Because pathological N staging significantly influences the development and mechanisms of DM, the patients were divided into nodal-negative (pN−) and -positive (pN+) groups. Clinical outcomes, prognoses, and prediction models were analyzed separately for both groups. Overall, 8.9% (53/595) of these patients developed DM. Among the DM cases, 84.9% (45/53) of them developed DM within the first 3 years. The median overall survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, time until DM development, and postmetastatic survival were 19.8, 12.7, 14.6, and 4.1 months, respectively. Distinguishing patients who only developed locoregional recurrence from those with DM according to locoregional conditions was difficult. Age, surgical margin, and early locoregional recurrence were predictors of DM that were independent of time until DM in the pN− group; the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and early locoregional recurrence in the pN+ group were determined. If one point was scored for each factor, then two scoring systems were used to classify the patients into low- (score = 0), intermittent- (score = 1), or high- (score = 2 or 3) risk for the pN− and pN+ groups. According to this scoring system, the 3-year DM rates for the low, intermittent, and high risk subgroups were 0.0%, 5.9%, and 17.8% for the pN− group and 7.1%, 44.9%, and 82.5% for the pN+ group, respectively. These systems also effectively predicted DM, and the areas under the curve predicted DM occurring within the first 3 years were 0.744 and 0.820 for the pN− and pN+ groups, respectively. In conclusion, effective scoring models were established for predicting DM.

Pigmented Lesions of the Eyelid Margin

The eyelid area poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its specific anatomy. The eyelid is composed of skin, orbicularis muscle, tarsus, and the eyelid margin is continuous with palpebral conjunctiva. Among pigmented tumors, benign lesions such as epidermal or intradermal nevi, freckles, lentigo, or seborrheic keratosis are the most common. Melanoma is relatively rare in this location. A suspicious lesion may be biopsied or excised. Surgery in the eyelid area requires special considerations to maintain a safe surgical margin, vital function of the eyelid, and acceptable cosmetic effect due to the exposure of the eyelid region of the face.

Epithelioid Variant of High-Grade Myxofibrosarcoma in the False Vocal Fold: A Case Report

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a histologic subtype of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), with a predominant myxoid component. MFS is characterized by locally aggressive behavior and a high rate of local recurrence, however, with a good prognosis. Head and neck MFS accounts for 3% of all cases of MFS. To date, only two cases of laryngeal MFS have been reported. Owing to the rarity of MFS, the clinical characteristics and optimal treatment options remain controversial. Surgical resection with a clear margin is considered the treatment of choice. Compared to traditional MFS tumors, epithelioid variants have worse prognosis. Other factors associated with a poor prognosis of MFS tumors include inadequate surgical margins, large tumor size, old age, and high-grade tumors. Herein, we report a case of high-grade epithelioid variant MFS located in the false vocal fold, requiring total laryngectomy to obtain an adequate surgical margin. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of epithelioid variant of high-grade MFS presenting in the larynx.

Does transition from standard to Retzius-sparing technique in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy affect the functional and oncological outcomes?

Objective: To appraise the outcomes on the Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (Rs-RARP) learning curve of a surgeon with previous experience of anterior (standard) RARP. Materials and methods: The first 50 cases during the Rs-RARP learning curve (group 1) and 50 cases after the second 100 cases with the standard approach (group 2) were comprised in the study. Patients who used zero or one safety pads were considered continent. Erectile function recuperation was characterized as the competence to achieve penetrative intercourse without receiving any medication. All patients were reevaluated at two weeks, first, third, sixth, and 12th months after surgery using IIEF-5, PSA level, and continence status. Results: Immediate continence rates following catheter removal were 32/50 (64%) in Rs-RARP group and 26/50 (52%) in S-RARP group (p = 0.224). The continence recovery rate was 48/50 (96%) in Rs-RARP group and 46/50 (92%) in the S-RARP group at 12 months follow-up (p = 0.400). Total nerve-sparing surgery was enforced in 36/50 (72%) patients for group 1 and 35/50 (70%) patients for group 2. Potency recovery was 27/43 (62.8%) in Rs-RARP and 30/44 (68.2%) for S-RARP at 12 months follow up (p = 0.597). Surgical margin positivity was detected in 6/50 (12%) cases in the Rs-RARP group and in 4/50 (8%) cases in the S-RARP (p = 0.444). Conclusions: Functional and oncological results are not negatively affected in the first 50 cases for a surgeon who is experienced in S-RARP before transition to the Rs-RARP method.