Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Eur J Radiol 2019 Feb 14;111:6-13. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany.

Introduction: To investigate the utility of quantitative dual-energy spectral CT derived iodine concentration (IC), in comparison with conventional CT attenuation, for the differentiation of pulmonary metastases from different primary malignancies.

Materials And Methods: CT scans were performed on a dual-layer spectral CT. We retrospectively evaluated pulmonary metastases of 130 patients (77 men and 53 women, mean age 63, range 22-87) with primary bone (OS) (osteosarcoma; n = 6), breast (invasive-ductal adenocarcinoma; n = 17), colorectal (CRC) (adenocarcinoma; n = 27), head and neck (HNC) (squamous cell carcinoma; n = 17), kidney (RCC) (clear-cell renal cell carcinoma; n = 10), lung (adenocarcinoma; n = 12), pancreato-biliary (PBC) (adenocarcinoma; n = 18), prostate (adenocarcinoma; n = 5), soft tissue (undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma; n = 6), skin (malignant melanoma; n = 6), and urinary tract (transitional-cell carcinoma; n = 6) malignancies. Read More

Curr Urol Rep 2019 Jan 21;20(1). Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Radiology, University of Miami/Miller School of Medicine, 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Renal masses are a wide entity and a common finding in clinical practice. Detection of these masses has increased in the last years, yet mortality rates have slightly decreased.

Recent Findings: According to the World Health Organization classification, there are 8 types, 51 subtypes, and a lot more subsequent subclassifications of renal tumors. Read More

Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere 2018 Oct 12;46(5):289-295. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Objective: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common malignant tumour of the canine urinary tract. Previously, the mutation of the BRAF gene V595E was identified in approximately 85 % of canine TCC cases by DNA sequencing of TCC tumour cells, both in frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sections, as well as in urine. The objective of this study was to establish these methods in cytological smears and to investigate the prevalence of BRAF mutation V595E in canine TCC in our cohort of patients. Read More

Neoplasma 2019 Jan 4;66(1):160-165. Epub 2018 Sep 4.

Division of Radiation Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.

This paper presents a retrospective report on radiotherapy (RT) in the oligometastastic recurrence of bladder cancer. Thirteen patients treated for low-volume metastatic transitional cell urinary bladder carcinoma (TCC) were reviewed, with the primary endpoint to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RT, proposed as an alternative to systemic treatment and/or to defer commencement of systemic therapy. The inclusion criteria were: patients who received RT without other local/systemic therapy for oligometastatic TCC with lymph node, bone and lung lesions or local recurrence. Read More

Am J Clin Oncol 2019 Feb;42(2):179-183

Institute of Oncology.

Purpose/objectives: The main purpose of this study was to report treatment outcomes of definitive image-guided accelerated hypofractionated radiation therapy for elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer unsuitable for surgery or trimodality therapy.

Materials And Methods: Patients with confirmed muscle-invasive or high-risk T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, stage T1-T4aN0M0, who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor were irradiated with 45 Gy in 15 fractions. Comorbidity was assessed by Charlson Comorbidity Index. Read More

Case Rep Womens Health 2018 Oct 13;20:e00082. Epub 2018 Oct 13.

Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA.

Malignant Brenner tumor (MBT) is a rare ovarian tumor that, given the infrequency of the disease, has not been well documented in the literature. Diagnosing MBT both radiographically and histologically remains a challenge. We report two cases of ovarian MBT, detailing the clinical presentation, radiographic characteristics, and histologic findings with supplementary imaging. Read More

Curr Urol Rep 2018 Oct 24;19(12):100. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Division of Urologic Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Bladder cancer care is costly due to long surveillance periods for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and comorbidities associated with the surgical treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). We reviewed current evidence-based practices and propose quality metrics for NMIBC and MIBC.

Recent Findings: For patients with NMIBC, we propose four categories of candidate quality metrics: (1) appropriate use of imaging, (2) re-staging transurethral resection of bladder tumor, (3) perioperative intravesical chemotherapy, and (4) induction and maintenance BCG in high-risk NMIBC. Read More

Clin Imaging 2018 Nov - Dec;52:208-215. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan. Electronic address:

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of adding diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) to CT urography (CTU) for diagnosing upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 102 high-risk patients with UTUC who underwent both CTU and DW-MRI. The diagnostic performance of CTU and DW-MRI was evaluated in all the patients. Read More

World J Urol 2018 Aug 17. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.

Purpose: The detection of lymph node metastases in bladder cancer has a significant impact on treatment decisions. Multiple imaging modalities are available to clinicians including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and positron emission tomography. We aimed to investigate the utility of alternate imaging modalities on pre-cystectomy imaging in bladder cancer for the detection of lymph node metastases. Read More

Int Urol Nephrol 2018 Oct 16;50(10):1771-1778. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Department of Radiology, Osaka Medical College, 2-7 Daigaku-machi, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-8686, Japan.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to retrospectively determine whether there are metastases to the chest in patients with primary non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma in the bladder on the follow-up computed tomography (CT).

Methods: We analyzed 328 patients with follow-up chest CT for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder diagnosed between January 2004 and September 2013. We divided patients into four groups: Ta (n = 74), T1 (n = 78), carcinoma in situ (CIS, n = 25), and ≥ T2 (n = 151). Read More

Curr Urol Rep 2018 Aug 17;19(10):84. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Institute of Urology, USC Keck/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Ave, Suite 7416, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Endoscopy coupled with targeted resections represents a cornerstone in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of patients with bladder cancer. Direct visualization can be challenging and imprecise due to patient-, tumor-, and surgeon-specific factors. We will review contemporary endoscopic technologies and techniques used to improve our ability to safely identify and resect malignant lesions in patients with bladder cancer. Read More

Urol Clin North Am 2018 Aug;45(3):389-405

Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, JHOC 3251, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

Computed tomography (CT) urography is the best noninvasive method of evaluating the upper urinary tract for urothelial malignancies. However, the utility of CT urography is heavily contingent on the use of proper image acquisition protocols. This article focuses on the appropriate protocols for optimizing CT urography acquisitions, including contrast administration and the timing of imaging acquisitions, as well as the use of ancillary techniques to increase collecting system distention. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2018 Nov 10;59(6):767-776. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine,  The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210.

Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common cancer of the canine urinary tract. The inconsistent appearance of transitional cell carcinoma in patients introduces error if applying mathematic models for extrapolating total tumor volume from linear measurements. Reliable techniques to assess tumor size are important for monitoring treatment response. Read More

In Vivo 2018 Jul-Aug;32(4):905-910

Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Background/aim: Bladder cancer can spread from the sub-peritoneal space superior and posterolateral to the peritoneal cavity via the peritoneal lining. The aim of this study was to improve the identification of peritoneal spread from bladder urothelial carcinoma based on computed tomography (CT) scans.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective study including patients selected with the following criteria: (i) pathology-confirmed urothelial carcinoma; (ii) peritoneal spread identified on CT scans from axial and corona views, either initially or after radical/partial cystectomy, concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), or radiotherapy. Read More

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2018 Nov 6;28(11):1316-1325. Epub 2018 Jun 6.

1 State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Urology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center , Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China .

Background: Owing to the aggressive nature of radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), it is extremely important for the diagnostic modalities to be accurate. The European Association of Urology guidelines recommend that diagnostic ureteroscopy (URS) and biopsy be performed for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UUTCs). But that diagnostic URS adversely affects oncologic outcomes still exist. Read More

Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi 2018 May;40(5):379-383

Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.

To explore the value of CT texture analysis (CTTA) in differentiating the pathological grade of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). A total of 53 lesions from 43 patients with bladder cancer confirmed by postoperative pathology were retrospectively analyzed, including 27 cases of high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) and 26 cases of low-grade urothelial carcinoma (LGUC). All the patients took pelvic CT and enhanced scanning in the same CT scanner with same scanning parameters. Read More

J Ovarian Res 2018 May 30;11(1):44. Epub 2018 May 30.

Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.

Background: Although cases of cervical squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the ovary have been previously documented, we report the first case of superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the ovary.

Case Presentation: A 45-year-old woman with a two-year history of ovarian endometriosis confirmed by ultrasound underwent oophorectomy. On microscopic examination, a focus of malignant stratified epithelium, initially interpreted as transitional cell carcinoma, was identified within the endometriotic cyst wall. Read More

BMC Nephrol 2018 05 30;19(1):123. Epub 2018 May 30.

Ultrasound Learning Center EFSUMB, Klinik Hirslanden, Zürich, Switzerland.

Background: Epithelioid angiomyolipoma is defined as potentially malignant mesenchymal neoplasm, characterized by proliferating epithelioid cells, whereas classic angiomyolipoma, composed of fat, smooth muscle cells and dysmorphic vessels, is defined as a potentially benign. The usual or classic angiomyolipoma is often found incidentally on imaging studies, relatively easily identified due to the presence of fat, in contrast to the epithelioid angiomyolipoma that can pose diagnostic challenges.

Case Presentation: We report a 51-year-old female patient in which an ultrasonography examination showed a solid mass close to the right renal pelvis with hypoechoic and hyperechoic areas. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 May 12;2018. Epub 2018 May 12.

Department of Urology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

The incidence of urothelial carcinoma (UC; formerly transitional cell carcinoma) is higher among renal transplant recipients compared with the general population. Upper urinary tract UC (UUT-UC) of allograft urothelium is a rare event with approximately 40 cases reported in the literature. Herein, we describe the clinical presentation and management of UUT-UC in a transplant ureter 10 years after deceased donor kidney transplantation. Read More

Oncotarget 2018 Apr 10;9(27):19026-19038. Epub 2018 Apr 10.

Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody therapy is used in EGFR expressing cancers including lung, colon, head and neck, and bladder cancers, however results have been modest. Near infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a highly selective tumor treatment that employs an antibody-photo-absorber conjugate which is activated by NIR light. NIR-PIT is in clinical trials in patients with recurrent head and neck cancers using cetuximab-IR700 as the conjugate. Read More

Anticancer Res 2018 05;38(5):3187-3192

Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Background/aim: Renal pelvis cancer with invasion of the renal vein or inferior vena cava (IVC) carries a poor prognosis. The present study investigated whether early-onset lung metastasis in these patients contributes to their poor outcome.

Patients And Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from hospitalized patients with metastatic renal pelvis urothelial cancer. Read More

Dis Markers 2018 30;2018:5823870. Epub 2018 Jan 30.

Department of Urology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany.

Objectives: To assess the performance of urine markers determined in urine samples from the bladder compared to samples collected from the upper urinary tract (UUT) for diagnosis of UUT urothelial carcinoma (UC).

Patients And Methods: The study comprised 758 urine samples either collected from the bladder ( = 373) or UUT ( = 385). All patients underwent urethrocystoscopy and UUT imaging or ureterorenoscopy. Read More

Urol Clin North Am 2018 May;45(2):143-154

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 45 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.

Please note, the synopsis was used from your supplied original manuscript, and not the accompanying abstract, per journal style: This article discusses current staging strategies in muscle-invasive bladder cancer and upper tract urothelial cell carcinoma. Current staging methods can help identify patients with localized or metastatic disease but are subject to limitations which must be considered. Read More

Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2018 May 20;11(5):487-493. Epub 2018 Apr 20.

a Department of Surgery, Division of Urology , Penn State Hershey Surgical Specialties , Hershey , PA , USA.

Introduction: While radical nephroureterectomy remains the gold-standard for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), there is a growing push for organ-sparing therapy in low-risk disease. Herein we review the use of intracavitary topical therapy for treatment of UTUC. Areas covered: A PubMed search was performed for studies pertaining to upper tract urothelial carcinoma, with 236 articles reviewed, and distilled for content pertinent to intracavitary therapy for UTUC. Read More

Memo 2018 8;11(1):43-46. Epub 2018 Mar 8.

1Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Until recently, there were no true innovations in the management of locally advanced (aUC) and metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) in the last three decades. Vinflunine has been approved by the EMA (European Medicines Agency) with only limited improvement compared to best supportive care in second line treatment. In addition, gemcitabine/cisplatin has been established as an alternative to methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC). Read More

Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2017 Jul-Sep;80(3):419-421

Department of internal medicine, AZ Groeninge, Kortrijk.

A 64-year old woman was admitted to the hospital for severe abdominal pain and distension after gardening and chopping wood the day before. She had a medical history of superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder and a laparoscopic nefro-ureterectomy for an invasive TCC of the upper urothelial tract in 2012. Clinical examination showed an acute abdomen. Read More

J Urol 2017 05 7;197(5):1216-1217. Epub 2017 Feb 7.

BMC Vet Res 2018 Mar 12;14(1):84. Epub 2018 Mar 12.

Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.

Background: In veterinary medicine, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography allowed the accurate quantification of liver, splenic and kidney vascularization in healthy dogs and the differentiation between malignant and benign hepatic, renal, and splenic nodules in dogs and cats based on perfusion patterns. The utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in other applications is still under study. The aim of this study was to develop diagnostic criteria by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in 8 client-owned adult dogs affected by urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma with definitive diagnosis made by cytopathologic evaluation after suction biopsy. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Mar 9;2018. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

Urology, Queensland Health, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.

A 77-year-old man presented with watery, bloody diarrhoea, symptomatic anaemia and signs of sepsis. He was well known to our unit with a history of extensive low-grade urothelial carcinoma involving a solitary kidney. CT performed on admission demonstrated a new finding of renocolic fistula. Read More

Int Urol Nephrol 2018 Apr 5;50(4):647-656. Epub 2018 Mar 5.

Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 431, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.

Purpose: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr)-targeted therapy may be used in subgroups of patients with urinary bladder cancer. Here we assessed the role of EGFr in urothelial proliferation and migration in a two- and three-dimensional cell culture system.

Methods: UROtsa cells derived from normal urothelium and malignant T24 cells were cultured in a Type I collagen gel. Read More

Radiol Case Rep 2017 Dec 12;12(4):746-751. Epub 2017 Sep 12.

Department of Histopathology, Southend University Hospital, Essex, UK.

Granulomatous bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection, both localized and disseminated, as a complication of intravesical therapy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is a recognized but highly unusual phenomenon. We report the case of an 89-year-old gentleman with a history of bladder transitional cell carcinoma and subsequent intravesical BCG instillation of the bladder who presented to his general practitioner with a non-tender lump in his left testis. Histopathologic and microbiological evaluation of the subsequent orchidectomy specimen revealed granuloma formation secondary to BCG infection. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2018 Feb 13;19:158-162. Epub 2018 Feb 13.

Department of Internal Medicine, Florida Hospital Orlando, Orlando, FL, USA.

BACKGROUND Plasmacytoid is a rare histological variant of urothelial carcinoma (UC). Since the first reported case of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma (PUC), in 1991, only about 100 cases have since been reported, with most cases involving the bladder. Urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract represent only 5% of urothelial cancers. Read More

Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi 2018 Feb;47(2):123-127

Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.

To study the pathological features, immunophenotypes, differential diagnoses and prognostic parameters of collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney (CDC). Clinical imaging, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and survival data of 10 patients at First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2009 to August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed along with a review of literatures. The clinical symptoms of CDC were not specific, and image examinations showed space-occupying mass lesions. Read More

Vet J 2018 02 12;232:23-26. Epub 2017 Dec 12.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. Electronic address:

Determining the dimensions of transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) of the urinary bladder in dogs is important in assessing tumor progression and the response to treatment. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a standardized two-dimensional (2-D) ultrasound (US) protocol performed by a single experienced operator. Secondary aims were to compare World Health Organization (WHO) and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guidelines, and to compare measurements by two operators following these guidelines. Read More

Med Clin North Am 2018 Mar;102(2):231-249

Center for Urologic Oncology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Q10-1, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Electronic address:

Malignancies of the urinary tract (kidney, ureter, and bladder) are distinct clinical entities. Hematuria is a unifying common presenting symptom for these malignancies. Surgical management of localized disease continues to be the mainstay of treatment, and early detection is important in the prognosis of disease. Read More

Vet Surg 2018 Apr 5;47(3):367-377. Epub 2018 Feb 5.

University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy.

Objective: To describe the complications and outcome after total prostatectomy in dogs with histologically confirmed prostatic carcinoma.

Study Design: Multi-institutional retrospective case series.

Animals: 25 client-owned dogs. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2017 Dec;96(50):e9347

Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation.

Rationale: Solitary extramedullary plasmocytoma may arise in any organ, either as a primary tumor or as part of a systemic myeloma; if it rarely affects bladder, it presents with urinary symptoms. We describe the first case of asymptomatic BP occasionally diagnosed in a patient with ascites.

Patient Concerns: A 74-year-old woman with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis presented with ascites and no urinary or other symptoms. Read More

Skeletal Radiol 2018 Jul 1;47(7):1003-1009. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Department of Radiology, Ospedale Villa Scassi - Sampierdarena, Corso Scassi 1, 16121, Genoa, Italy.

Acrometastasis means tumor seeding distally to the elbow or the knee and is an uncommon event. Foot acrometastases occur in 0.58% of patients with skeletal metastases overall, and only about 10% of these are caused by bladder cancer. Read More

J Biomed Nanotechnol 2017 Feb;13(2):232-42

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is particularly devastating due to its high rate of recurrence and difficulty in retention of treatments within the bladder. Current cystoscopic approaches to detect and stage the tumor are limited by the penetrative depth of the cystoscope light source, and intravesical dyes that highlight tumors for surgical resection are non-specific. To address the needs for improved specificity in tumor detection and follow-up, we report on a novel technology relying on the engineered core of mesoporous silica (MSN) with surface modifications that generate contrast in fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Read More

Prague Med Rep 2017;118(4):119-127

Department of Urology, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) account 80-85% of all primary renal neoplasms and originate from the renal cortex. The patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for renal tumour in our unit between January 2005 and 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups; group 1 includes patients who were treated between January 2005 and December 2009, group 2 those from January 2010 to 2015. Read More

J Urol 2018 07 4;200(1):68-73. Epub 2018 Jan 4.

Department of Urology, The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; The Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Purpose: High risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma has been associated with poor survival outcomes. Limited retrospective data support neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to radical nephroureterectomy. To validate prior findings we evaluated differences in the pathological stage distribution in patients with high risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma based on the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical nephroureterectomy. Read More

World J Urol 2018 Mar 2;36(3):331-340. Epub 2018 Jan 2.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, 49241, Republic of Korea.

Objective: We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of C-11 choline and C-11 acetate positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for lymph node (LN) staging in bladder cancer (BC) patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library database, from the earliest available date of indexing through June 30, 2017, were searched for studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of C-11 choline and C-11 acetate PET/CT for LN staging in BC. We determined the sensitivities and specificities across studies, calculated positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-), and constructed summary receiver operating characteristic curves. Read More

Urol Oncol 2018 04 27;36(4):161.e1-161.e6. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

The Department of Urology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. Electronic address:

Objective: A highly sensitive and specific urine marker for the detection of recurrent urothelial cancer and for screening healthy population or people at risk for urothelial cancer has not been found yet. As urine cytology is not sensitive enough, patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer need lifelong follow-up involving multiple invasive cystoscopies. Our aims of study were to examine the expression of semaphorin 3A in urothelial cancer patients and to evaluate semaphorin 3A as a potential marker for urothelial cancer. Read More

Urol Oncol 2018 03 26;36(3):97-102. Epub 2017 Dec 26.

Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.

Accurate detection and staging is critical to the appropriate management of urothelial cancer (UC). The use of advanced optical techniques during cystoscopy is becoming more widespread to prevent recurrent nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. Standard of care for muscle-invasive UC includes the use of computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, but staging accuracy of these tests remains imperfect. Read More

Infez Med 2017 Dec;25(4):366-370

University of Turin, AOU "Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino", Department of Surgical Sciences, Urology, Turin, Italy.

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy decreases the progression risk of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, but potentially yields a broad spectrum of side effects. We report the case of a 73-year-old man affected by miliary pulmonary BCG infection, whose microbiological diagnosis was probably hindered by empiric fluoroquinolones, focusing on imaging and clinical work-up. Read More

Anticancer Res 2018 01;38(1):541-545

Department of Imaging Methods, Medical School and Teaching Hospital Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Pilsen, Czech Republic.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility to discriminate the blood clot from tumorous tissue in the assessment of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), when CT data are used only from single-phase dual-energy CT (DECT).

Materials And Methods: A total of 18 patients were included into the retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected data (the average age was 67.3 years, range=62-79 years, 12 males, 6 females). Read More

Urol Oncol 2018 04 21;36(4):156.e17-156.e22. Epub 2017 Dec 21.

Department of Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, PA. Electronic address:

Purpose: To investigate the association between sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity on clinical, perioperative, and oncologic outcomes in patients with upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Methods: Retrospective review of our institutional UTUC database was performed to identify all patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy from 2002-2016. Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI) was measured at the L3 vertebral level and standardized according to patient height (cm/m). Read More

J Cancer Res Ther 2017 Oct-Dec;13(6):947-950

Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Background: To study the utility of the laminin immunostain in distinguishing invasive from noninvasive urothelial carcinoma (UC). The distinction is difficult but clinically significant as it can affect the decision to administer intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin or can even lead to cystectomy.

Materials And Methods: Representative sections of the transurethral resection of bladder tumor specimens from 25 cases of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded invasive UCs and 25 cases of noninvasive UCs were selected for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with laminin (Ventana, Oro Valley, AZ, USA). Read More

Urol Oncol 2018 03 23;36(3):88.e11-88.e18. Epub 2017 Nov 23.

Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Electronic address:

Objective: To compare preoperative predictors of nonorgan-confined (NOC) disease in patients with upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) from the United States (US) and China.

Methods: Clinicopathologic data of patients with UTUC treated surgically at tertiary care facilities in the US or China from 1998 to 2015 were, retrospectively, compiled. Patient characteristics, preoperative imaging, cytology, ureteroscopic findings, and serum markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin, and albumin) were evaluated. Read More

Balkan Med J 2018 05 17;35(3):268-271. Epub 2017 Nov 17.

Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Uludağ University School of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey

Background: Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is a rare condition in children, and most cases in this age group are noninvasive and low-grade. However, no follow-up protocol has been defined for this patient group. The objective of this study was to draw attention to bladder tumors in children and focus on the current recommendations for postoperative follow-up along with a case study of four patients. Read More