Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) management is moving towards patient-tailored strategies. Advances in molecular and genetic profiling of tumor tissues, integrated with clinical risk assessments, provide deeper insights into disease aggressiveness. This study aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the pivotal genomic tests supporting PCa treatment decisions, analyzing—through real-world data—trends in their use and the growth of supporting literature evidence. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the extensive PearlDiver™ Mariner database, which contains de-identified patient records, in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were employed to identify patients diagnosed with PCa during the study period—2011 to 2021. We determined the utilization of primary tissue-based genetic tests (Oncocyte DX^®, Prolaris^®, Decipher^®, and ProMark^®) across all patients diagnosed with PCa. Subsequently, within the overall PCa cohort, patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) and received genetic testing postoperatively were identified. The yearly distribution of these tests and the corresponding trends were illustrated with graphs. Results: During the study period, 1,561,203 patients with a PCa diagnosis were recorded. Of these, 20,748 underwent tissue-based genetic testing following diagnosis, representing 1.3% of the total cohort. An increasing trend was observed in the use of all genetic tests. Linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant increase over time in the use of individual tests (all p-values < 0.05). Among the patients who underwent RP, 3076 received genetic analysis following surgery, representing 1.27% of this group. Conclusions: Our analysis indicates a growing trend in the utilization of tissue-based genomic testing for PCa. Nevertheless, they are utilized in less than 2% of PCa patients, whether at initial diagnosis or after surgical treatment. Although it is anticipated that their use may increase as more scientific evidence becomes available, their role requires further elucidation.

Varicocele treatment in infertility still remains controversial. It is clear, in fact, that in many patients, varicocele has no impact on fertility. Recent scientific evidence demonstrated that varicocele treatment is beneficial in improving semen parameters and pregnancy rate when an appropriate selection of patients is made. The purpose of treating varicocele in adults is mainly to improve current fertility status. On the other hand, the goal of treatment in adolescents is to prevent testicular injury and maintain testicular function for future fertility. Hence, the key to the success of varicocele treatment seems to be a correct indication. The aim of this study is to review and summarize current evidence in managing varicocele treatment focusing on the controversies regarding surgical indications in adolescent and adult patients, and in other specific situations such as azoospermia, bilateral or subclinical varicocele, and prior to ART.

Background: To conduct a comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis of RCTs that compare outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intra- or extracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD or ECUD) and the standard open approach (oRC). Methods: A systematic review identified RCTs including patients aged >18 years with non-metastatic bladder cancer treated with RARC (ICUD or ECUD) vs. oRC and reporting peri- and post-operative outcomes and quality of life (QoL) assessment. Standard and network metanalyses were performed. Results: Data from 1024 patients included in eight RCTs were analyzed. The standard meta-analysis found that RARC had longer OT, lower EBL, and a lower transfusion rate compared to oRC (all p < 0.001). No significant differences in terms of LOS between the ICUD vs. ECUD vs. ORC were recorded. RARC patients demonstrated better scores in fatigue, insomnia, pain, physical functioning, and role functioning—according to QoL assessment—compared to ORC at early follow-up, despite no difference at baselines. Finally, at network metanalysis, ICUD (OR = 0.74, p < 0.001) but not ECUD (OR = 0.92, p < 0.08) yielded a lower rate of high-grade 90-day complications compared to ORC despite longer OT (MD = 89.56, p = 0.0351). Conclusions: RARC represents a safe and feasible option to reduce perioperative bleeding with no definitive impact on LOS compared to ORC. Interestingly, ICUD may reduce the burden of 90-day complications to a greater extent than ECUD. Nonetheless, surgeons should be aware of the extended OT and steep learning curve of ICUD. Finally, RARC may provide some short-term benefits in terms of QoL, but more research is needed to determine its long-term effects.

Recently, researchers have proposed perilesional sampling during prostate biopsies to avoid systematic biopsies of patients at risk of prostate cancer. The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of perilesional sampling to avoid systematic biopsies of patients undergoing fusion biopsies. A prospective cohort of patients undergoing transrectal MRI transrectal fusion biopsies were consecutively enrolled. All the patients underwent systematic biopsies (SB), targeted biopsies (TB) and perilesional biopsies within 10 mm from the lesion (PB). The detection rates of different strategies were determined. A total of 262 patients were enrolled. The median age of those enrolled was 70 years. The mean BMI was 27 kg/m², and the mean and prostate volume was 52 mL. A PIRADS score ≥ 4 was recorded in 163/262 (40%) patients. Overall, the detection rates of cancer were 43.5% (114/262) and 35% (92/262) for csPCa. The use of the target + peri-target strategy resulted in a detection of 32.8% (86/262) of cancer cases and of 29% (76/262) of csPCa cases (Grade Group > 2). Using the target plus peri-target approach resulted in us missing 18/262 (7%) of the csPCa cases, avoiding the diagnosis of 8/262 (3%) of nsPCa cases. A biopsy strategy including lesional and perilesional sampling could avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies. However, the risk of missing significant cancers is present. Future studies should assess the cost–benefit relationship of different strategies.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a sutureless off-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (sl-oc RAPN), particularly its impact on renal function. A multicenter study was conducted from April 2021 to June 2022. Patients diagnosed with a renal mass of >2 cm and a PADUA score of ≤6 consecutively underwent an sl-oc RAPN procedure. Tumor features, patients characteristics, and intraoperative outcomes were assessed. An evaluation of renal function was performed preoperatively, and again at 1 and 3 months after surgery by measuring the creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. The renal function of the two separate kidneys was assessed by a sequential renal scintigraphy performed before and at least 30 days after surgery. A total of 21 patients underwent an sl-oc RAPN. The median age was 64 years (IQR 52/70), the median tumor diameter was 40 mm (IQR 29/45), and the median PADUA score was 4 (3.5/5). The intraoperative outcomes included operative time (OT), 90 (IQR 74/100) min; estimated blood loss (EBL), 150 (IQR 50/300) mL; and perioperative complications, CD > 3 1(5%); only two patients presented positive surgical margins in their final histology (2/21, 10%). Compared to the preoperative value, a decrease in renal function was highlighted with a statistically significant median decrease of 10 mL/min (p < 0.01). The renal scintigraphy showed an overall decrease in renal function compared to the preoperative value, with a range in the operated kidney that varied from 0 to 15 mL/s and from 0% to 40%, with a median value of 4 mL/s and 12%. sl-oc RAPN is a safe procedure, with a minimal impact on kidney function alteration. This technique has proven effective in preserving renal function and maintaining optimal oncological outcomes with limited complications.

(1) Background: Prostate Cancer (PCa) may be incidentally diagnosed during the microscopic evaluation of resected tissue from BPH surgeries, characterizing the clinical condition known as incidental PCa (iPCa). This study aims to assess the prevalence of iPCa following BPH surgery to evaluate the associated surgical procedures and to scrutinize preoperative and postoperative management. (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the PearlDiver™ Mariner database, containing patient records compiled between 2011 and 2021. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were employed to identify the population and outcomes. Our primary objective was to assess the prevalence of iPCa, categorized by the type of procedures, and to evaluate the subsequent treatment strategies. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of prostate biopsy (PB) and prostate MRI on iPCa detection. (3) Results: The overall cohort, accounting for 231,626 patients who underwent BPH surgery, exhibited a 2.2% prevalence rate of iPCa. The highest rate was observed for TURP (2.32%), while the lowest was recorded for RASP (1.18%). Preoperative MRI and PB demonstrated opposing trends over the years. Of the 5090 patients identified with iPCa, nearly 68% did not receive active treatment. The most common treatments were RT and ADT; 34.6% underwent RT, 31.75% received ADT, and 21.75% were treated with RT+ADT. RP was administered to approximately 9% of patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed age and openSP as additional risk factors for iPCa. Conversely, PB and MRI before surgery were linked to a decreased risk. (4) Conclusions: The contemporary prevalence of iPCa after BPH surgery is <3%. The increase in the use of prostate MRI mirrors a decline in the PB biopsy prior to BPH surgery but without resulting in an increased detection rate of iPCa. In contemporary routine clinical practice, iPCa is mostly managed in a different way when compared to biopsy-detected PCa.