Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE: To examine public and media response to the United States Preventive Services Task Force's (USPSTF) draft (October 2011) and finalized (May 2012) recommendations against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing using Twitter, a popular social network with over 200 million active users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a mixed methods design to analyze posts on Twitter, called "tweets." Using the search term "prostate cancer," we archived tweets in the 24 hour periods following the release of the USPSTF draft and finalized recommendations. We recorded tweet rate per hour and developed a coding system to assess type of user and sentiment expressed in tweets and linked articles. RESULTS: After the draft and finalized recommendations, 2042 and 5357 tweets focused on the USPSTF report, respectively. Tweet rate nearly doubled within two hours of both announcements. Fewer than 10% of tweets expressed an opinion about screening, and the majority of these were pro-screening during both periods. In contrast, anti-screening articles were tweeted more frequently in both draft and finalized study periods. From the draft to the finalized recommendations, the proportion of anti-screening tweets and anti-screening article links increased (p= 0.03 and p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There was increased Twitter activity surrounding the USPSTF draft and finalized recommendations. The percentage of anti-screening tweets and articles appeared to increase, perhaps due to the interval public comment period. Despite this, most tweets did not express an opinion, suggesting a missed opportunity in this important arena for advocacy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between baseline factors, post-treatment factors, and long-term satisfaction after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: Between January 2000 and March 2009, 1425 men who underwent RP by a single surgeon were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved, prospective, longitudinal outcomes study. Baseline characteristics and post-treatment functional and oncologic outcomes were captured through 2013. Patient survey responses from 875 (61.4%) of these men were used to evaluate satisfaction with treatment outcome and treatment decision. RESULTS: Overall, 88.2% and 91.0% men were satisfied to very satisfied with treatment outcome and treatment decision, respectively. Baseline sexual function was associated with satisfaction with both treatment outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.93) and treatment decision (aOR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.08-2.01). Among post-treatment factors, higher University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Sexual Function (aOR = 2.95; 95% CI, 2.06-4.22), University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Urinary Function (aOR = 2.38; 95% CI, 1.66-3.40), and lower urinary tract symptom scores (aOR = 1.91; 95% CI, 1.19-3.06) were predictors of satisfaction with outcome. Bother due to incontinence and sexual dysfunction, and perception of cure were independent predictors of both satisfaction with treatment outcome and treatment decision. CONCLUSION: Nearly 90% of men are satisfied with both their treatment outcome and treatment decision after open RP. Improving long-term satisfaction after RP requires efforts to provide realistic expectations and improve functional outcomes.

Retroperitoneal schwannoma is a rare tumor that is often misdiagnosed as malignancy due to a concerning appearance on cross-sectional imaging. Pathology and immunohistochemistry form the gold standard for diagnosis; as such, local excision is the treatment of choice for this disease. We present two cases of juxta-adrenal ancient schwannoma that were treated with adrenalectomy and discuss the current literature regarding this entity.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) are among the most common medical issues for aging men. Population-based studies suggest that 13.8% of men in their 40s and more than 40% of men over age 60 have BPH. When LUTS are refractory to medical therapy and bothersome enough to warrant surgical intervention, transurethral resection of the prostate and open simple prostatectomy have been the historical reference-standard procedures for decades. Both procedures are highly effective and offer durable improvements in urinary functional outcomes. However, they also have the potential for considerable perioperative complications and morbidity. In an effort to limit surgical morbidity, a variety of minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat BPH have been introduced. Herein we present a comprehensive, evidence-based review of the efficacy and safety profile of modern minimally invasive treatments for large-gland BPH.