Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40783898›Full record

SynthesisInternational urology and nephrology2026

Implant-associated malignancies in the genitourinary system: a comprehensive review of evidence and gaps.

Shannon Francis, Jagmeet Arora, Jamasb Sayadi, Cindy Vu, Nada Raafat Khattab, Harshini Malapati, Thomas Johnstone, Jeong Hyun Ha, Yeonji Jang, Ekene Enemchukwu and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International urology and nephrology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Shannon FrancisStanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. shanfran@stanford.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2624-4121
Jagmeet AroraSchool of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
Jamasb SayadiDepartment of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Cindy VuSchool of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
Nada Raafat KhattabStony Book University Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
Harshini MalapatiStony Book University Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
Thomas JohnstoneStanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
Jeong Hyun HaInterdisciplinary Program of Medical Informatics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Yeonji JangDepartment of Ophthalmology, Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center and Eulji University, Uijeongbu, South Korea.
Ekene EnemchukwuDepartment of Urology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Gordon LeeDepartment of Plastic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA. microsurgeondrlee@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0093-9160

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe relationship between foreign material implantation and cancer development has been investigated since the 1940s, yet many questions remain regarding the mechanisms and risks associated with these interactions. This scoping review examines the potential oncogenic effects of foreign material implantation within the genitourinary system (GUS), focusing on neoplasms linked to chronic mucosal irritation from medical devices.

methodsA systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase screened 15,925 studies for malignancies linked to implants (final search July 2023). Inclusion criteria involved clinical studies, cohort studies, case control studies, case reports and case series of human subjects with a history of genitourinary foreign devices or prosthesis implantation and de novo malignancies at the site of implantation or metastases of any tumor that were found adjacent to or near the prosthesis. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, practice guidelines, narrative reviews, and studies with non-human subjects or benign masses were excluded. There were no date or language restrictions.

resultsTwenty-six case reports and series (46 cases) and 21 cohort studies were identified. GU implants identified included transurethral and suprapubic catheters, transvaginal mesh, midurethral slings, and ureteral stents. The mean duration of implant exposure before malignancy diagnosis was 16.8 years. Chronic irritation from indwelling catheters was frequently linked to malignancies, including squamous cell carcinoma (54.5%) and transitional cell carcinoma (38.6%), with the bladder as the most common tumor site (68.2%). However, materials used in catheters were rarely documented, underscoring a critical gap in reporting. Smoking, a significant bladder cancer risk factor, was often undocumented, complicating risk attribution.

conclusionOur findings underscore the need for robust data on implant material and smoking history to refine our understanding of carcinogenesis. Clinicians should maintain vigilance for malignancy in patients with prolonged implant exposure, particularly in high-risk populations like those with spinal cord injuries. This review highlights the importance of balancing implant benefits with risks and provides guidance for future research and clinical practice.

Indexed as

Prostheses and ImplantsUrogenital NeoplasmsHumansCatheter-associated carcinomaChronic mucosal irritationImplant material reportingImplant-related malignancyIndwelling catheterProsthesis-related neoplasiaSpinal cord injurySquamous cell carcinomaTransitional cell carcinomaUrologic oncology

Identifiers

PMID40783898
PMCPMC12935859

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.