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Minerva Urology and Nephrology Jun 2023The identification of variant histology (VH) has been recognized as a critical element in the diagnostic pathway of bladder cancer (BCa), both for prognostic and...
INTRODUCTION
The identification of variant histology (VH) has been recognized as a critical element in the diagnostic pathway of bladder cancer (BCa), both for prognostic and therapeutic implications. However, the current evidence on the oncological outcomes of patients harboring VH BCa mostly derives from studies including muscle-invasive disease. Consequently, the correct management of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and VH is limited and conflicting, and the optimal therapeutic approach remains therefore controversial.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
In this review, we aimed at reporting the current evidence on NMIBC with VH.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Despite a constant increase in VH reporting at transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) specimens as compared to previous decades, we found that the incidence of VH is still sparse among studies. Furthermore, the agreement between TURBT and radical cystectomy (RC) specimens in VH identification is another matter of debate. Currently, most of the included studies report a poor overall concordance, especially for the micropapillary variant. Finally, while squamous and micropapillary variants are those associated with the worst survival outcomes, immediate RC is mostly considered for micropapillary tumors. Conversely, the survival benefit of immediate RC as compared to bladder-sparing approaches (i.e., BCG immunotherapy) for the other types of VH BCa is still an open question owing to the paucity of data available.
CONCLUSIONS
Thus, in these patients, BCG treatment could be proposed considering the need for more intensive oncological surveillance.
Topics: Humans; BCG Vaccine; Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder; Prognosis
PubMed: 36946716
DOI: 10.23736/S2724-6051.23.05091-7 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2023Therapies against breast cancer (BC) frequently involve complications that impair patients' daily function and quality of life, the most common of which are motor... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Therapies against breast cancer (BC) frequently involve complications that impair patients' daily function and quality of life, the most common of which are motor coordination and balance disorders, increasing the risk of falls and injuries. In such cases, physical activity is recommended. Designed following the PRISMA guidelines, this study presents a systematic review of randomised and pilot clinical trials investigating the effect of physical exercises on postural balance in women treated for BC.
METHODS
Scientific databases (PubMed, EBSCO) and the online resources of grey publications were searched for trial reports published between January 2002 and February 2022. The inclusion criteria necessitated full-text, English-language reports from randomised clinical trials (RCTs) or pilot clinical trials (pilot CTs), whose authors used physical exercises to treat women with BC and the experimental and control groups consisted of at least 10 women. The methodological quality of the RCTs and pilot CTs were measured using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS), respectively. Data were extracted on the effect of exercise on the women's static and dynamic balance.
RESULTS
Seven reports, five RCTs and two pilot CTs involving a total of 575 women (aged 18-83 years) were included in the systematic review. Their training protocols utilised a variety of aerobic, strength, endurance, sensorimotor, Pilates exercises, and fitness exercises with elements of soccer. The experimental groups usually worked out in fitness or rehabilitation centres under the supervision of physiotherapists or trainers. Training sessions of 30-150 min were held 2 or 3 times a week for 1.5-24 months. Most trials reported that static and dynamic balance in the experimental groups improved significantly more compared with the control groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Physical exercises are able to improve static and dynamic postural balance in women treated for BC. However, as all evidence in support of this conclusion comes from only two pilot CT and five RCTs whose methodologies varied widely, more high quality research is needed to validate their findings and determine which exercise protocols are the most effective in improving postural control in women with BC.
Topics: Female; Humans; Muscle Strength; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Breast Neoplasms; Postural Balance
PubMed: 36834417
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043722 -
Journal of Cancer Research and... Dec 2022To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of 2-micron laser and conventional trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in the treatment of non-muscle-invasive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy and safety of 2-micron laser versus conventional trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor for non-muscle-invasive bladder tumor: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AIM
To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of 2-micron laser and conventional trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder tumor (NMIBT), providing evidence-based evidence for clinical treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CMB, CNKI, and WanFang databases were searched since their inception until December 2021 for all eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to 2-micron laser and TURBT for treating NMIBT. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted outcome indicators, and assessed the risk of bias according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Binary and continuous variables were calculated by relative risk (RR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI), respectively. RevMan 5.4 and Stata 15.0 software were used for all statistical analysis.
RESULTS
A total of ten RCTs involving 1,163 patients were included: 596 cases in the 2-micron laser group and 567 cases in the TURBT group. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that 2-micron laser has advantages over the TURBT in operative duration (MD = -2.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-8.55, 2.68], P = 0.31), operative blood loss (MD = -19.93, 95%CI [-33.26, -6.60], P = 0.003), length of hospital stay (MD = -0.94, 95%CI [-1.38, -0.50], P < 0.001), post-operative bladder irrigation time (MD = -28.60, 95%CI [-50.60, -6.59], P = 0.01), period of catheterization days (MD = -1.07, 95%CI [-1.73, -0.40], P = 0.002), obturator nerve reflex (RR = -0.06, 95%CI [0.02, 0.15], P < 0.001), bladder perforation (RR = 0.14, 95%CI [0.06, 0.35], P < 0.001), and bladder irritation (RR = 0.30, 95%CI [0.20, 0.46], P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two surgical methods in post-operative urethral stricture and short-term recurrence of NMIBT.
CONCLUSION
Compared with TURBT, 2-micron laser may be safer and more effective for NMIBT management. However, these conclusions need to be validated through more high-quality RCTs because of the quality limitations and publication bias of the included studies.
Topics: Humans; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Lasers; Urethra; Treatment Outcome; Length of Stay
PubMed: 36647947
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_608_22 -
Journal of Cancer Research and... Dec 2022This meta-analysis investigated the efficacies of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) plus intravesical chemotherapy (IVC) versus IVC alone in patients with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
This meta-analysis investigated the efficacies of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) plus intravesical chemotherapy (IVC) versus IVC alone in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), and preoperative IAC versus preoperative intravenous chemotherapy (IV) in patients with bladder cancer. We also assessed the adverse reactions (ARs) of IAC. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for English articles published before April 2021. The qualities of cohort studies and randomized controlled trials were analyzed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, respectively. Effect outcomes were computed by random-effects and fixed-effects models. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata 16.0 and RevMan v5.3.0. A total of seven articles were included. The analysis revealed that IAC plus IVC significantly prolonged recurrence-free survival (RFS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.40-0.76, I = 0%) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.37-0.97, I = 0%) compared with IVC alone in NMIBC patients after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), but had no effect on overall survival (OS), tumor recurrence interval, or tumor-specific death rate. Preoperative IAC had no significant OS benefit compared with preoperative IV in bladder cancer patients. Regarding ARs, patients treated with IAC were significantly more likely to develop grade 1-2 ARs, including nausea/vomiting (odds ratio [OR] = 26.38, 95% CI = 1.88-370.79, I = 78%), neutropenia (OR = 10.15, 95% CI = 3.01-34.24, I = 0%), hypoleukemia (OR = 5.49, 95% CI = 1.38-21.82, I = 26%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (OR = 12.28, 95% CI = 2.24-67.43, I = 0%), but there was no significant difference between grade 1-2 ARs and grade 3-4 ARs in terms of increased creatinine in patients treated with IAC. Therefore, administration of IAC plus IVC after TURBT improved RFS and PFS compared with IAC alone in patients with NMIBC. IAC was associated with mild ARs and was well tolerated by most patients.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Infusions, Intra-Arterial; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
PubMed: 36647946
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_2187_21 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Dec 2022Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in men and the fifth leading cause of death from cancer. The possibility of sarcopenia being a prognostic factor... (Review)
Review
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in men and the fifth leading cause of death from cancer. The possibility of sarcopenia being a prognostic factor in advanced PCa patients has recently become a subject of interest. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia in advanced prostate carcinoma. A systematic review was conducted in Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science (March, 2021). The quality of studies was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. Meta-analyses for overall, cancer-specific, and progression-free survival were performed. Nine studies (n = 1659) were included. Sarcopenia was borderline associated with a shorter overall survival (HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.44, P = 0.04, I2 = 43%) but was significantly associated with progression-free survival (HR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.06, P < 0.01; k = 3; n = 588). Available evidence supports sarcopenia as an important prognostic factor of progression-free survival in patients with advanced PCa. However, sarcopenia has a weak association with a shorter overall survival. The evidence on the role of sarcopenia in prostate-cancer-specific survival is insufficient and supports the need for further research. Patient summary: The literature was reviewed to determine whether the loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) affects the survival in patients with advanced PCa. Patients with advanced PCa and sarcopenia were found to have a shorter progression-free survival (the length of time during and after treatment of a cancer that the patient lives with the disease but it does not get worse), but sarcopenia did not have much influence on the overall survival and cancer-specific survival (the length of time from either the date of diagnosis or the start of treatment to the date of death due to the cancer).
PubMed: 36614862
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010057 -
Journal of Pediatric Surgery Jul 2023Resection of pediatric chest wall tumors can result in large defects requiring reconstruction for function and cosmesis. Multiple reconstructive methods have been... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Resection of pediatric chest wall tumors can result in large defects requiring reconstruction for function and cosmesis. Multiple reconstructive methods have been described. We performed a systematic review of the literature to describe commonly used approaches and outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed for English-language publications describing chest wall tumor resection and reconstruction using implantable materials in patients ≤21 years, excluding soft tissue resection only, sternal resection, and reconstruction by primary repair or muscle flaps alone. Data were collected on diagnoses, reconstructive method, and outcomes. Rigid chest wall reconstruction was compared to mesh reconstruction.
RESULTS
There were 55 articles with 188 patients included. The median age was 12 years. Most tumors were malignant (n = 172, 91.5%), most commonly Ewing's sarcoma (n = 65, 34.6%), followed by unspecified sarcomas (n = 34, 18.1%), Askin's tumor (n = 16, 8.5%; a subset of Ewing's sarcoma) and osteosarcoma (n = 16, 8.5%). A median of 3 ribs were resected (range 1-12). Non-rigid meshes were most common (n = 138, 73.4%), followed by rigid prostheses (n = 50, 26.6%). There were 19 post-operative complications (16.8%) and 22.2% of patients developed scoliosis. There were no significant differences in complications (20.5% rigid vs. 10.6% non-rigid, p = 0.18) or scoliosis (22.7% vs. 14.0%, p = 0.23) by reconstruction method, but complications after rigid reconstruction were more likely to require surgery (90.0% vs. 53.9%, p = 0.09). The median follow-up duration was 24 months.
CONCLUSIONS
In this review of the literature, there were no significant differences in overall post-operative complications or scoliosis development by reconstruction method, yet complications after rigid reconstruction were more likely to require surgical intervention.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level IV.
Topics: Humans; Child; Sarcoma, Ewing; Thoracic Wall; Scoliosis; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Bone Neoplasms; Thoracic Neoplasms; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 36585305
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.11.008 -
European Urology Focus May 2023The ablative effect of intravesical therapy is known for decades. However, the clinical feasibility and efficacy of chemoablation for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
CONTEXT
The ablative effect of intravesical therapy is known for decades. However, the clinical feasibility and efficacy of chemoablation for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) have not become accepted.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the treatment outcomes of chemoablation for NMIBC and to compare its safety with that of the standard treatment, transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) followed by intravesical therapy.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Multiple databases were queried in July 2022 for studies investigating the complete response (CR) rates and adverse events in NMIBC patients treated with chemoablation using mitomycin C (MMC), gemcitabine, epirubicin, or bacillus Calmette-Guérin.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Overall, 23 studies comprising 1199 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. Among these studies, 20 assessed the efficacy of chemoablation and three compared the treatment outcomes of MMC chemoablation versus standard treatment. Among patients treated with weekly administration of any agent, the pooled CR rates at initial assessment were 50.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.9-55.9) for the marker lesion and 47.5% (95% CI: 36.5-58.7) for well-selected NMIBC (ie, small tumors and/or a small number of tumors). Novel regimens for chemoablation such as MMC-gel (70.6%, 95% CI: 60.1-79.3) and an intensive MMC regimen (64.7%, 95% CI: 56.2-72.3) provided better CR rates in well-selected NMIBC patients. Comparable CR rates were noted irrespective of tumor multiplicity, whereas tumor size <5 mm was associated with a higher CR rate than tumor size ≥5 mm (odds ratio: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.17-0.79). The novel intensive MMC regimen resulted in lower rates of dysuria and urinary frequency than standard treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the lack of long-term outcomes, chemoablation appears to be a promising treatment option for well-selected NMIBC patients and can potentially help avoid unnecessary TURBT, specifically in some elderly patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC. Further well-designed studies with larger cohorts are necessary to address the differential tolerability and long-term anticancer efficacy of this resurging approach.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Bladder instillation therapy has a potential ablative effect for well-selected non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. This can lead to the omission of an unnecessary surgical treatment.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Mitomycin; Gemcitabine; Administration, Intravesical
PubMed: 36517409
DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2022.12.003 -
Urologia Internationalis 2023Low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) can be assessed by cross-sectional imaging. LSMM is associated with several clinically relevant factors in various disorders with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) can be assessed by cross-sectional imaging. LSMM is associated with several clinically relevant factors in various disorders with predictive and prognostic implications.
METHODS
Our aim was to establish the effect of computed tomography (CT)-defined LSMM on mortality in renal cell cancer (RCC) and urothelial carcinoma (UC) undergoing palliative treatment. The MEDLINE library, Cochrane, and SCOPUS databases were screened for the associations between CT-defined LSMM up to May 2022. In total, 11 studies were suitable for the analysis.
RESULTS
The included studies comprised 481 patients with RCC and 394 patients with UC. The pooled hazard ratio for the association between LSMM and overall survival was 1.64 (95% CI: 0.90-2.99), p = 0.10 in univariable analysis and 1.55 (95% CI: 0.91-2.63), p = 0.10 in multivariable analysis for RCC. For UC, the pooled hazard ratio was 2.75 (95% CI: 1.77-4.28), p < 0.00001 in univariable, and 2.77 (95% CI: 1.91-4.02), p < 0.00001 in multivariable analysis. For progression-free survival, it was 2.02 (95% CI: 1.24-3.27), p = 0.004 for RCC and 2.43 (95% CI: 1.59-3.74), p < 0.0001 for UC (univariable analysis).
CONCLUSIONS
CT-defined LSMM predicts OS and PFS in RCC and UC in the palliative setting. The effect was higher in UC. Therefore, LSMM assessment should be included as a relevant prognostic biomarker in clinical routine.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Prognosis; Kidney Neoplasms; Muscle, Skeletal
PubMed: 36455534
DOI: 10.1159/000527277 -
Nursing Open Apr 2023To determine the effective exercise methods for different complications of breast cancer patients after surgery. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIM
To determine the effective exercise methods for different complications of breast cancer patients after surgery.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
A comprehensive electronic search was carried out with no time limit until May 2020. Studies must have been randomized controlled trials of patients after breast cancer surgery, without limit to the way of exercise. Literature quality was evaluated by the modified Jadad scale. The meta-analysis was conducted with CMA2.0 software.
RESULTS
Aerobic exercise reduced the intensity of the pain (MD = -1.043), improved shoulder flexion (MD = 3.398) and internal rotation range (MD = 3.868), lessened upper limb dysfunction (MD = -5.231) and improved muscle strength during flexion (MD = 1.076) and abduction (MD = 0.991). Shoulder elbow movement improved the range of shoulder external rotation (MD = 2.691) and reduced the incidence of arm lymphedema (RR = 0.343). Anti-resistance exercise also lessened upper limb dysfunction (MD = - 4.094).
Topics: Humans; Female; Exercise Therapy; Breast Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Exercise; Upper Extremity
PubMed: 36451034
DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1518 -
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and... Feb 2023The loss of skeletal muscle mass and function is defined as sarcopenia, which might develop in elderly patients with cancers. It has been indicated as a potential... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The loss of skeletal muscle mass and function is defined as sarcopenia, which might develop in elderly patients with cancers. It has been indicated as a potential negative factor in the survival of patients with malignant tumours. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the associations between sarcopenia and survival outcomes or postoperative complications in patients with oesophageal cancer (EC). Web of Science, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases were searched until 10 May 2022, using keywords: sarcopenia, oesophageal cancer, and prognosis. Studies investigating the prognostic value of sarcopenia on EC survival were included. Forest plots and summary effect models were used to show the result of this meta-analysis. The quality of included studies was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). A total of 1436 studies were identified from the initial search of four databases, and 41 studies were included for the final quantitative analysis. This meta-analysis revealed a significant association between sarcopenia and overall survival (OS) [hazard ratios (HR):1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.54-1.83, P = 0.004, I = 41.7%] or disease-free survival (DFS) 1.97 (HR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.44-2.69, P = 0.007, I = 61.9%) of EC patients. Subgroup analysis showed that sarcopenia remained a consistent negative predictor of survival when stratified by different treatment methods, populations, or sarcopenia measurements. Sarcopenia was also a risk factor for postoperative complications with a pooled odds ratio of 1.47 (95% CI: 1.21-1.77, P = 0.094, I = 32.7%). The NOS scores of all included studies were ≥6, and the quality of the evidence was relatively high. The results from the study suggested that sarcopenia was significantly associated with both survival outcomes and postoperative complications in EC patients. Sarcopenia should be appropriately diagnosed and treated for improving short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with EC.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Prognosis; Sarcopenia; Esophageal Neoplasms; Proportional Hazards Models; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 36415154
DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13126