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Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common worldwide diagnosed malignancy in male population. The diagnosis, the identification of aggressive disease, and the post-treatment follow-up needs a more comprehensive and holistic approach. Radiomics is the extraction and interpretation of images phenotypes in a quantitative manner. Radiomics may give an advantage through advancements in imaging modalities and through the potential power of artificial intelligence techniques by translating those features into clinical outcome prediction. This article gives an overview on the current evidence of methodology and reviews the available literature on radiomics in PCa patients, highlighting its potential for personalized treatment and future applications.

Background/Objectives: Bladder cancer is a common malignancy with a high rate of recurrence and progression. Recent studies have identified that the urinary microbiome can be a key factor in tumor pathogenesis, progression, and outcomes. This narrative review is designed to summarize current evidence regarding the urobiome and explore its diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Methods: Studies between 2019 and 2024 were identified through the PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases. Case reports and non-English-language articles were excluded. Results: The main findings revealed that specific bacteria, viruses, and taxa are linked to bladder cancer presence, progression, and response to immunotherapy treatment. Urinary microbiota differ by tumor type, sex, smoking status, and occupational exposure to toxins. Conclusions: Urinary microbiome and certain types of viruses present in urine may serve as promising tools to enhance bladder cancer diagnosis and predict treatment response. However, larger longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and establish these findings. Furthermore, integration of the urinary microbiome in clinical practice and public health strategies may reduce disease-related burden.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the field of computer science that aims to build smart devices performing tasks that currently require human intelligence. Through machine learning (ML), the deep learning (DL) model is teaching computers to learn by example, something that human beings are doing naturally. AI is revolutionizing healthcare. Digital pathology is becoming highly assisted by AI to help researchers in analyzing larger data sets and providing faster and more accurate diagnoses of prostate cancer lesions. When applied to diagnostic imaging, AI has shown excellent accuracy in the detection of prostate lesions as well as in the prediction of patient outcomes in terms of survival and treatment response. The enormous quantity of data coming from the prostate tumor genome requires fast, reliable and accurate computing power provided by machine learning algorithms. Radiotherapy is an essential part of the treatment of prostate cancer and it is often difficult to predict its toxicity for the patients. Artificial intelligence could have a future potential role in predicting how a patient will react to the therapy side effects. These technologies could provide doctors with better insights on how to plan radiotherapy treatment. The extension of the capabilities of surgical robots for more autonomous tasks will allow them to use information from the surgical field, recognize issues and implement the proper actions without the need for human intervention.

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains one of the most prevalent malignancies among men worldwide and continues to pose significant therapeutic challenges, especially in its metastatic and castration-resistant forms. Over the past two decades, the treatment paradigm has evolved from monotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to a multifaceted approach integrating chemotherapy, androgen receptor axis-targeted therapies (ARATs), radiopharmaceuticals, and precision medicine. This review explores the molecular underpinnings of PCa, including genetic and epigenetic alterations such as BRCA1/2, TP53, and PTEN mutations, and their role in disease progression and treatment resistance. We detail the evidence supporting the integration of systemic agents like abiraterone, enzalutamide, and darolutamide into both hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant settings. Furthermore, we highlight the expanding role of radioligand therapies, including radium-223 and Lutetium-177-labeled PSMA-617 (Lu-PSMA-617), as well as the growing impact of PARP inhibitors in genomically selected patients. The emergence of theranostic strategies and next-generation sequencing has paved the way for personalized treatment algorithms, moving toward a truly precision oncology model in PCa. This comprehensive review synthesizes current therapeutic strategies, clinical trial evidence, and future directions aimed at optimizing outcomes and quality of life for patients with advanced prostate cancer.

The advancements of technological devices and software are putting mixed reality in the frontline of teaching medical personnel. The Microsoft® HoloLens 2® offers a unique 3D visualization of a hologram in a physical, real environment and allows the urologists to interact with it. This review provides a state-of-the-art analysis of the applications of the HoloLens® in a medical and healthcare context of teaching through simulation designed for medical students, nurses, residents especially in urology. Our objective has been to perform a comprehensively analysis of the studies in PubMed/Medline database from January 2016 to April 2023. The identified articles that researched Microsoft HoloLens, having description of feasibility and teaching outcomes in medicine with an emphasize in urological healthcare, have been included. The qualitative analysis performed identifies an increasing use of HoloLens in a teaching setting that covers a great area of expertise in medical sciences (anatomy, anatomic pathology, biochemistry, pharmacogenomics, clinical skills, emergency medicine and nurse education, imaging), and above these urology applications (urological procedures and technique, skill improvement, perception of complex renal tumors, accuracy of calyx puncture guidance in percutaneous nephrolithotomy and targeted biopsy of the prostate) can mostly benefit from it. The future potential of HoloLens technology in teaching is immense. So far, studies have focused on feasibility, applicability, perception, comparisons with traditional methods, and limitations. Moving forward, research should also prioritize the development of applications specifically for urology. This will require validation of needs and the creation of adequate protocols to standardize future research efforts.

Objective: To investigate the association between testosterone deficiency and depressive and/or anxiety symptoms.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the urology outpatient clinic from Ludus County Hospital. A set of validated questionnaires ((International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (Zung SDS)) were self-administrated. Inclusion criteria: age > 40 years. Exclusion criteria: any relevant psychiatric, cardiovascular, or cancer comorbidity. Statistical analyzes were performed using the statistical software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 23, Chicago, IL, USA).Results: From the total of 55 participants included in the study, 23 (41.8%) had testosterone deficiency. Most were from the 60-69 years decade, 23 participants (41.8%), and the mean age was 59.3 (SD 9.03) years. Eleven (20%) patients had depressive symptoms according to the depression subscale, of these, 7 had mild symptoms and 4 according to Zung SDS. Testosterone deficiency was associated with an increased DASS-21 global score, p=0.021, and depression score, p=0.047.Conclusions: Patients with testosterone deficiency are presenting symptoms of depression. Therefore, these patients need a multi-disciplinary approach that should include a psychological evaluation before making a further management decision.

Introduction: Cystic congenital malformations of the seminal vesicle are unusual. More than half of them are associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis. This disease was first described by Zinner in 1914, and since then, more than 200 cases have been reported. Most of the patients with this congenital disease present few symptoms until the middle-age.Case presentation: A 61-year-old male was referred to the Urology Clinic with intermittent pain and sensibility in his lower left abdomen in the last 12 months accompanied by intermittent bowel obstruction. The digital rectal examination could not assess the prostate due to a rectal stenosis. On computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a cystic tumor with close relations with the bladder wall and prostate, associated with left kidney agenesis was identified. The cystic tumor was surgically removed. The histopathological examination of the tumor revealed a multilocular seminal vesicle cyst, with a muscular wall.Conclusions: Seminal vesicle cysts combined with ipsilateral renal agenesis are rare urological anomalies. Imaging allows a comprehensive investigation of renal and seminal vesicle anomalies. MRI seems to better visualize cysts and differentiate them from ureteroceles, while the histopathological examination contributes to a correct diagnosis. A multidisciplinary team (urologists, radiologists, and morphologists) is necessary for the proper diagnosis of Zinner’s syndrome.

Introduction: The inflammatory response surrounding the tumour has a major importance in the oncologic outcome of bladder cancers. One marker proved to be useful and accessible is NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). The objective of the study was the analysis of NLR as a prognostic factor for recurrence and progression in pT1a and pT1b bladder cancers. Material and Methods: Retrospective study, with 44 T1a/T1b bladder cancer patients. Each patient underwent transurethral resection. NLR was considered altered if higher than 3, average follow-up period was of 18 months. Results: The mean age of the patients included was 73 years (IQR 64 - 77). Most of the patients had NLR<3 (30 patients). In total 29/44 (65.9 %) patients presented recurrence and 15/44 (34.1 %) patients were identified with T2 or higher stage progression during the follow-up period (average 18 months).We found no statistically significant association between NLR>3 and other clinic and pathologic factors. Progression-free survival (PFS) Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a lower PFS in the NLR>3 group, with a p=0.001 value. A total of 64.3% of patients had shown progression in the NLR>3 group and 20% in the NLR<3 group. Mean NLR was 2.67 (IQR 1.88-3.5); 2.50 (IQR 1.89-2.87) in patients that did not present any progression during the follow-up and 3.20 (IQR 1.73-5.80) in those with progression (p=0.09), ROC 0.655. Mean NLR was 2.14 (IQR 1.61-2.77) in patients that did not experience a recurrence during the follow-up and 2.76 (IQR 2.1-4.31) in those with recurrence, ROC 0.671 (p=0.06). Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that stage T1b and NLR represent independent prognostic factors for PFS. Conclusion: High Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio retained a statistically significant value, as an independent prognostic factor for bad prognosis of T1 bladder tumors. NLR represents a biomarker that could support a clinical decision making in case of high-risk on-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma has a propensity to propagate into the renal vein and inferior vena cava. A small percentage has distant metastasis at presentation. Pulmonary, hepatic, cerebral and bone metastases are common, but skeletal muscle involvement is rare.Case presentation: We present the case of a 51-year-old patient complaining of right flank pain, gross hematuria and a painful left laterothoracic mass. Preoperative examination revealed a tumor in the inferior pole of the right kidney, thrombosis of the right renal vein that extended into the inferior vena cava and a left laterothoracic tumor. We decided on a preoperative digital subtraction angiography and selected embolization of the laterothoracic mass. We performed right radical nephrectomy with vena cava thrombus excision and excision of the left laterothoracic tumor. The pathological examination revealed a clear cell renal carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation of the right kidney. Metastases with the above features were noticed in the right adrenal gland and in the skeletal muscle of the chest wall.Conclusions: The surgical resection of large renal tumors with associated thrombus within the inferior vena cava is challenging to any surgeon. The preoperative embolization of the metastatic tumor is helpful in the reduction of pain and intraoperative blood loss.

Introduction: Pelvic floor hernias are encountered especially in elderly women. A combined genital, bladder, and rectal prolapse poses treatment challenges in aged women.Case presentation: We present the case of an 88 year-old patient, complaining of an intravaginal mass protruding for the last 3 months, rectal prolapse that occurred two weeks before admittance, accompanied by stress incontinence of urine and chronic constipation. Examination revealed a uterine prolapse with cystocele and a fourth grade rectal prolapse. We decided on a perianal and transvaginal approach, performing preliminary dilatation and curettage, cervix amputation, anterior colporrhaphy and colpoperineorrhaphy (Manchester procedure) with perineal rectosigmoidectomy using the LigaSure™ device, and coloanal manual anastomosis. Postoperatively the patient had no symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, bowel movement resumed in the fourth postoperative day, and the patient was discharged after seven days. One month after surgery the patient has both urinary and fecal continence, with no relapse in pelvic organ prolapse.Conclusions: Encountering genital, bladder, and rectal prolapse in the same patient is quite rare, and its treatment can be difficult in aged women. Therefore, a less invasive surgical procedure, using the transvaginal approach, and a genital sparing surgery could be the key in cases like this.