Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Serenoa repens + selenium and lycopene (Profluss) versus S. repens alone for the treatment of category IIIa chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 102 patients with IIIa CP/CPPS were enrolled and randomized into two groups each to receive Profluss or S. repens alone for 8 weeks. Evaluation was based on results of the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), IPSS, maximum peak flow rate (MPFR), and PSA measurements at baseline and at weeks 4, 8 and 8 after the end of treatment. The primary endpoint was a >50% reduction in NIH-CPSI score. Secondary endpoints evaluated were MPFR, IPSS, PSA and white blood cell count. RESULTS: No patients withdrew from the study. The mean NIH-CPSI score decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in both groups; we observed a decrease in the total score from 27.45 to 13.27 in group 1 (-51.64%) and from 27.76 to 20.62 in group 2 (-26.06%). IPSS improved significantly (p < 0.001) in both arms, but more in group 1. PSA and white blood cell count decreased significantly (p < 0.007) only in group 1. The MPFR improved more in group 1 (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Profluss is a triple therapy that is safe and well tolerated. It ameliorates symptoms associated with IIIa CP/CPPS.
Abstract: A 58-yr-old woman was referred to our hospital for hematuria and a painless, rapidly growing abdominal mass. Computed tomography showed a rounded mass, 23x19cm in diameter, spread over the left retroperitoneal space. A thrombus was observed occupying the left renal vein until the vena cava. Total left nephrectomy with excision of the retroperitoneal mass was carried out. A cavotomy highlighted the intraluminal thrombus, which was easily detached with a forced Valsalva maneuver. The pathologic examination demonstrated a well-differentiated liposarcoma of the renal capsule with fat thrombus in the vena cava. At 24 mo follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence.
Abstract: Prostate cancer (caP) is a major public health problem. Many groups have attempted to identify prognostic risk factors to early detect caP and to identify who will need active treatment. Since the introduction of prostate specific antigen (PSA), diagnosis of caP has increased even as mortality for prostatic cancer has declined. Using current recommended guidelines, the PSA test suffers from both of limited specificity and sensitivity. With the aim to improve early detection of prostatic cancer the volume adjusted PSA, PSA isoforms and PSA kinetics have been investigated. Recently, technological advances in molecular assays have led to the discovery of new markers with high specificity. Further, proteomic array profiling and DNA methylation assays could provide for more accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Current evidence suggests that no single marker is likely to achieve the desired level of diagnostic and prognostic accuracy: future research should focus on validation of already existing biomarkers and the discovery of new markers to identify men with aggressive prostate cancer and to predict outcomes after therapies.
Abstract: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a 25 kDa protein with roles in iron trafficking as well as in carcinogenesis and progression of several human neoplasias. Although the renal proximal tubule represents a major source of NGAL synthesis under various injurious stimuli to the kidney, NGAL expression has been rarely evaluated in renal tumors up to now. In view of this, in the present study we analyzed the expression of this protein in renal tumors of different histotype and grade so as to evaluate whether a role for NGAL might be also proposed in the carcinogenesis of these neoplasms. NGAL immunoexpression was analyzed in 30 surgically resected renal tumors [18 clear cell, 5 papillary and 3 chromophobe renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), 2 urothelial carcinomas and 2 oncocytomas] and in the peritoneal metastasis of a clear cell RCC. A variable NGAL immunoexpression was found in 28/30 cases. High NGAL expression was significantly associated with the papillary and chromphobe histotypes (P=0.016) and with a higher histological grade of clear cell and papillary RCC (P=0.004). Moreover, NGAL expression was retained in the peritoneal metastasis of clear cell RCC. Our findings demonstrate that NGAL is expressed in several histotypes of renal tumors. Its highest expression in the papillary and chromophobe histotypes might be related to a higher need in iron uptake, which could be exploited in anti-cancer therapies with iron chelators against these neoplasias. Further studies are required to investigate the potential diagnostic utility of NGAL in the early diagnosis of metastatic progression of RCC.
Abstract: Study Type - Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical and functional outcomes in bilateral and unilateral nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (nsLRP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and May 2009, 457 nsLRP were performed at our clinic. In all, 250 patients underwent a bilateral nsLRP and 207 patients underwent an unilateral nsLRP. One surgeon performed all the operations. All patients presented at biopsy a localized prostate cancer. Demographic data and perioperative and postoperative measurements and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The operative times for bilateral nsLRP and unilateral nsLRP were 165 ± 45 min and 130 ± 25 min, respectively. The mean intra-operative blood loss was 450 ± 300 mL and 270 ± 160 mL in the bilateral and unilateral nsLRP groups with a transfusion rate of 3% and 1%, respectively (P= 0.013). Conversion to open surgery was never deemed necessary. Postoperatively, the mean Gleason Score after nsLRP and distribution of tumour stages was similar in the two groups, and the frequency of positive margins in both groups did not present any statistically significant difference. At 12 months, a complete continence was reported in 97% of patients who underwent a bilateral nsLRP and in 88% of patients of the unilateral nsLRP group. At that time, 69% in the bilateral nsLRP and 43% in the unilateral nsLRP groups reported the ability to engage in sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: The bilateral laparoscopic intrafascial nerve-sparing technique results in superior functional outcomes with regard to urinary continence and sexual potency, when compared with unilateral nsLRP, reporting similar oncological outcomes.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a very aggressive necrotizing fasciitis involving subcutaneous fat and skin of scrotal and perineal regions. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is a well-known method used to treat complex wounds. The authors for the first time enhance a multimodal strategy to treat the FG using VAC, reducing the number of surgical debridements, allowing a one-step surgical reconstruction with locoregional fasciocutaneous flap. METHODS: Six patients with the diagnosis of FG were reviewed retrospectively at our institution. All patients were affected by very extensive FG. The FG Severity Index (FGSI) was used to evaluate the prognosis of the case at admission. Following the acute phase (24-48 h), VAC was used to achieve wound cleaning and prepare the area to a single-stage reconstruction with superomedial thigh flap. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was also used before final reconstruction. RESULTS: The average FGSI was 10.5, ranging from 8 to 12. All patients survived and were completely healed at the mean follow-up time of 9 months (range 3-30 months). CONCLUSIONS: VAC therapy is effective to clean and prepare the wounds, cutting off the fasciitis process and reducing the hospital stay and patient discomfort. Multidisciplinary treatment is mandatory during this devastating infection.
Abstract: Microcystic urothelial carcinoma is a rare variant of transitional cell carcinoma with an indefinite prognostic significance. Herein, we report for the first time the acquisition of microcystic histology in the penile metastasis of a high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder. The patient died of disseminated disease six months later. The immunohistochemical evaluation of mucin expression in the primitive and metastatic tumor suggests that the microcystic histotype may descend from the primitive urothelial carcinoma through a process of dedifferentiation and subsequent redifferentiation. In conclusion, the acquisition of microcystic histology seems to be associated with an aggressive clinical course of the urothelial carcinoma, as already suggested by other authors. Future studies investigating mucin expression in microcystic urothelial carcinoma may help to define the histogenesis of this tumor.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transurethral ethanol ablation of the prostate (TEAP) for patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and high-risk comorbidities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients (mean age 77.3 years) with symptomatic BPH or persistent urinary retention were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. All patients were affected by comorbidities (cardiovascular, respiratory, hematologic, neoplastic, dysmetabolic diseases, or coagulation disorders). Baseline evaluation was achieved by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) score, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and the maximum peak flow rate with evaluation of post-voiding residual urine volume (PVR). Treatment was performed by injecting dehydrated ethanol at a rate correlated to prostate volume into the prostate. The primary end-point for response was >/=80% improvement of the maximum peak flow rate and significant reduction of the PVR; secondary end-points included symptom improvement (>/=40% reduction in IPSS and QoL scores). Statistical analysis was carried out with Pearson's Chi-square test and the non-parametric Wilcoxon test with an assigned statistical significance at P < 0.05. RESULTS: During the active follow-up period, we observed a statistically significant decrease of the baseline at the end of the study in the total IPSS score and in the QoL score. The mean peak flow rate improved from 6.0 +/- 2.40 ml/min to 15.2 +/- 0.14 ml/min (P < 0.001), while the PVR decreased from a baseline value of 290.6 +/- 14.14 ml to 4.2 +/- 14.10 ml (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that TEAP is a safe minimally invasive treatment, which significantly improves voiding dysfunctions in patients with symptomatic BPH.
Abstract: PURPOSE: To prospectively compare contrast material-enhanced ultrasonography (US) with computed tomography (CT) in the classification of complex cystic renal masses with the Bosniak system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethics committee approval and written informed consent were obtained. Forty patients (17 women, 23 men; age range, 31-77 years) with 44 complex cystic renal masses detected with conventional US were prospectively examined by using second-harmonic US with a second-generation contrast agent and multiphasic helical CT. Thirty-six patients had one lesion, and four patients had two lesions. Surgical resection in nine patients and imaging follow-up in 31 patients were used to determine the outcome. RESULTS: On contrast-enhanced US images, masses were classified as Bosniak category II (n = 18), IIF (ie, lesions were classified as category II and follow-up was needed) (n = 16), III (n = 7), or IV (n = 3) lesions. On CT images, masses were classified as Bosniak category II (n = 24), IIF (n = 10), III (n = 7), or IV (n = 3) lesions. Interobserver agreement was high (kappa = 0.86, P < .001) for classification with US. Complete concordance between the readers was found for classification with CT. Complete concordance between contrast-enhanced US and CT was observed in the differentiation of surgical and nonsurgical complex cysts. Complete concordance among the three readers in the assessment of vascularity with contrast-enhanced US was found. Interobserver agreement in the evaluation of enhancement on CT images was high (kappa = 0.88, P < .001). Concordance between contrast-enhanced US and CT in the evaluation of vascularization was high (kappa = 0.77, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The study data suggest that contrast-enhanced second-harmonic US is appropriate for renal cyst classification with the Bosniak system.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer among men and the seventh among women. At diagnosis, at least 25% of bladder cancer tumors are locally or systemically advanced. Systemic chemotherapy is the only current modality for advanced or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Recently, a phase III randomized study has demonstrated that the regimen with gemcitabine (GMC) and cisplatin (CDDP) had a survival advantage similar to the standard M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin), with a better safety profile. AIM: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the tumor response rate, the median time to progression, the median survival and toxicity in a 21-day schedule with GMC and CDDP in patients with advanced/metastatic bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From September 1998 to December 2000, 27 patients with advanced/metastatic transitional cell carcinoma were enrolled. All patients received 1,200 mg/m(2) GMC administered as a 30-min intravenous infusion on days 1 and 8, and 75 mg/m(2) CDDP as a 1-hour infusion on day 2. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. The patients had a median age of 59.8 years (range 39-75) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were valuable for toxic effects, length of survival and tumor response. The statistical analysis was performed in May 2004. Mean and median follow-up were 20.23 and 13.2 months (range 2-68), respectively. The overall remission rate (complete response + partial response) was 48% (95% CI 28.4-67.6%). The median time to progression was 9 months (range 2-56). The median duration of survival for all patients was 13.2 months (range 2-68+), with 1-year and 23-month survival rates of 60 and 20%, respectively. There was no grade 4 toxicity or treatment-related death. Grade 3 anemia was observed in 4 patients (16%) and grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred in 6 patients (24%). No grade 3-4 nausea/vomiting or neutropenia was observed. CONCLUSION: GMC and CDDP is an active schedule with a good safety profile in a 21-day regimen. It may be a valid alternative to the standard 28-day regimen due to its high tumor response and survival with a low incidence of toxicity, especially in pretreated and metastatic patients.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is the usual treatment for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. Osteoporosis is a common complication of ADT. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of neridronate, a relatively new bisphosphonate to prevent bone loss during androgen ablation. METHODS: Sixty patients with prostate cancer and osteoporosis were enrolled and randomly assigned to 2 different treatment regimes: group A (30 patients) treated with maximum androgenic blockage (MAB), and group B (30 patients) treated with bicalutamide 150 mg. Each group was divided in 2 subgroups A1-A2 and B1-B2. All patients received calcium and cholecalciferol supplements (500 mg of elemental calcium and 400 IU cholecalciferol) daily. The A2 and B2 subgroups were also treated with neridronate (25 mg intramuscular monthly). Lumbar and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), both at baseline and after one year of treatment. Deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and bone-alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP) were determined at the beginning, midstudy and at the end. RESULTS: Patients treated only with calcium and cholecalciferol (A1, B1 subgroups) showed a marked bone loss after 6, and 12 months, with increased levels of DPD and BALP, compared to baseline values. Patients treated with neridronate (A2 et B2 subgroups) showed unchanged levels of these markers. After one year of treatment, lumbar and total hip BMD decreased significantly in patients treated only with calcium and cholecalciferol (A1 subgroup: -4.9% and -1.9% respectively). BMD did not change significantly at any site in patients treated also with neridronate (A2 subgroup: +1% and +0.8% respectively). Lumbar and total hip BMD did not change significantly (-1.5% and -1% respectively) in B1 subgroup. In B2 subgroup an important increase in lumbar spine and the total hip BMD was shown (+2.5% and 1.6% respectively). No relevant side effects were recorded during our study. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, neridronate is an effective and safe treatment in preventing bone loss in men receiving ADT for prostate cancer.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Transurethral resection of the prostate is considered the standard technique for patients with moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Pathologically BPH is characterized by an increased proliferation of stromal and acinar cells, sustained by increased vascularization (neoangiogenesis). Recent studies have also shown that finasteride reduces angiogenesis and prostatic bleeding associated with BPH. Reducing the volume as a final step in reducing neoangiogenesis could thus represent a fundamental advance in limiting intra- and postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 60 patients undergoing TURP between January 2001 and January 2002. Of the patients, 30 received pretreatment with finasteride while 30 did not undergo any pretreatment (control group). In all the patients we evaluated the degree of peri-surgical bleeding, intended as a reduction in hemoglobin values in the 24 h following surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the group of patients pretreated with finasteride, blood loss, evaluated as a reduction in hemoglobin values, was minimal, and none of the patients required blood transfusion. The average hemoglobin loss in the 24 h following surgery was 0.9%. In the control group (average age 67 years), 4 patients (12%) required blood transfusion. The loss of hemoglobin was 2.36%. Finasteride, therefore, seems to play a fundamental role in the pretreatment of TURP patients, since by reducing dihydrotestosterone synthesis, it interacts with endothelial growth factors, thus reducing angiogenesis and preventing bleeding.
Abstract: Ureteral stenting is a routine procedure in endourology. To increase the success rate in difficult cases, it may be helpful to use the rendezvous technique, a combined antegrade and retrograde approach. We performed 16 urological rendezvous in 11 patients with ureteral strictures or urologic lesions. The combined approach was successful in all patients, without morbidity or mortality. In our experience the rendezvous technique increased the success rate of antegrade ureteral stenting from 78.6 to 88.09% (p > 0.05). This procedure is a valid option in case of failure of conventional ureteral stenting.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance (MR) pyelography in patients affected by hydronephrosis due to ureteric stones, in order to identify a pyonephrotic condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the last 3 years, 315 patients, who had originally been investigated by ultrasonography, were evaluated with MR pyelography in order to define the etiology of obstruction. In 67 patients hydronephrosis was referred as caused by lithiasis. RESULTS: MR pyelography not only confirmed urinary tract dilatation in all patients, but also identified grade and site of obstruction, both in acute dilatation (25 patients) and in chronic obstructions (42 patients). In 7 patients, MR pyelography documented pyonephrosis that was obviously confirmed by nephrostomic drainage. CONCLUSION: MR pyelography, made with ultrafast breath-hold sequences, has a great value in identifying hydronephrosis in patients with ureteric stones. Furthermore, it provides the chance to identify pyonephrosis requiring an immediate drainage of the kidney before major complications develop.
Abstract: PURPOSE: To determine whether magnetic resonance urography (MRU), obtained before helical computed tomography (CT) in patients with acute renal colic, can help delimit the obstructed area to be subsequently examined by a targeted CT scan, thus reducing the dose of radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (51) with symptoms of acute renal colic underwent MRU and a total urinary tract helical CT. CT images from the 5 cm below the level of ureteral obstruction as demonstrated by MRU were selected out. Combined interpretation of MRU and selected CT images constituted protocol A. Protocol B consisted of the entire unenhanced helical CT of the urinary tract. The two protocols were compared regarding the following points: 1) sensitivity in diagnosing the presence of obstructing urinary stones, and 2) the delivered radiation dose. RESULTS: Protocol A and protocol B had, respectively, 98% and 100% sensitivity in demonstrating ureteral stone as a cause of renal colic. Estimated average dose calculated from phantom study was 0.52 mSv for protocol A and 2.83 mSv for protocol B. Therefore, the effective radiation dose was 5.4 times lower in protocol A compared to protocol B. CONCLUSION: Combined MRU and short helical CT has a high sensitivity in detecting ureteral calculi with a reduced radiation dose.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the capacity of contrast-enhanced second-harmonic sonography to detect a pseudocapsule in renal masses compared with conventional gray-scale sonography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Thirty-two patients with 40 renal masses suspicious for renal cancer (mean diameter, 3.1 cm) were prospectively studied with contrast-enhanced second-harmonic sonography during IV administration of a second-generation sonographic contrast agent. The sonographic criteria for the presence of a pseudocapsule were a peritumoral hypoanechoic halo on conventional gray-scale imaging and a rim of perilesional enhancement, increasing in the tardive phase of the examination, on contrast-enhanced second-harmonic imaging. Multiphasic helical CT or dynamic MRI or both were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Final diagnoses of the 40 renal masses were as follows: hemorrhagic cysts, five; angiomyolipomas, four; lymphomas, four; metastasis from lung cancer, one; and renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), 26. Histologic diagnosis of RCC was surgically obtained in all patients. Nephron-sparing surgery was performed in 12 of 26 RCCs, and radical nephrectomy was performed in the remaining 14. At pathologic examination, pseudocapsule was found in 14 (53.8%) of 26 RCCs. On conventional sonography, the presence of a pseudocapsule was detected in 3 of 14 RCCs (sensitivity, 21%). Sonographic contrast-enhanced harmonic imaging revealed the presence of pseudocapsule in 12 of 14 RCCs (sensitivity, 85.7%). In the remaining 12 RCCs with either absent or extensive neoplastic infiltration of pseudocapsule seen at pathologic evaluation, pseudocapsule was not visible on either conventional or contrast-enhanced second-harmonic sonography. The pseudocapsule was not visible in any of the 14 noncancerous renal masses on either conventional or contrast-enhanced sonography. CONCLUSION: Sonographic contrast-specific imaging with a second-generation contrast agent is effective in improving the sonographic visualization of tumoral pseudocapsule. This finding could be useful both in the sonographic diagnosis and in the choice of conservative surgery for renal cell carcinoma. The potential role of second-harmonic contrast-enhanced sonography in the management of renal cell carcinoma should be investigated in larger series and compared with the findings of state-of-the-art MRI and CT.
Abstract: Ectopia of the vas deferens (EVD) combined with agenesis of the seminal vesicle, is a rare congenital abnormality. We describe a case of EVD with agenesis of the ipsilateral seminal vesicle, presenting with pneumaturia and frequent urinary tract infection.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To determine the endocrine effects, efficacy and tolerability of the 3-month formulation of goserelin acetate ('Zoladex' 10.8-mg depot; 'Zoladex' is a trade mark of the AstraZeneca group of companies) in the treatment of patients with advanced prostate cancer. METHODS: Between February 1996 and October 1997, this open, multicentre study enrolled 120 patients with locally advanced (T3/4) or metastatic (N+ or M1) disease, or an increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level after radical prostatectomy. Patients received goserelin acetate 10.8-mg depot every 12 weeks until clinical progression or interruption for adverse events or other reasons. RESULTS: The mean testosterone concentrations were suppressed to the castration range (< or =2 nmol/l) after 4 weeks of treatment and remained suppressed throughout the study. In total, 99/115 (86%) patients had a serum PSA response, and the mean PSA value decreased significantly during treatment (p = 0.006). The mean PSA level at baseline was significantly lower in patients without disease progression compared to those who experienced disease progression (p = 0.0002). Goserelin acetate 10.8-mg depot was well tolerated and there were no injection site reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The goserelin acetate 10.8-mg depot is well tolerated with no injection site reactions. It produces PSA responses and provides reliable suppression of serum testosterone.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of perineal ultrasound versus cystography in patients affected by urinary incontinence (UI). 40 patients affected by UI were evaluated by voiding cystography and by perineal ultrasound through sagittal scans. Bladder floor related to public simphysis, urethro-vesical angle, bladder neck dilatation after an increase of abdominal pressure with or without urine leakage, were checked. The comparison with urinary cystography gave similar results. In our experience perineal ultrasound study of pelvic floor showed, in the evaluation of urinary incontinence, the same accuracy of the urinary cystography. Ultrasound study allows a good visualization of the anatomic structures of the pelvic floor and of the lower urinary tract and a good evaluation of the tissues; it also offers easy performance, low cost, less invasivity and a better compliance.
Abstract: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is currently employed in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer but, despite its recognized effectiveness in preventing recurrences and progression, the immune mechanisms behind its antitumor activity remain to be delineated. In this study we provide evidence that a prolonged increase in the plasma levels of IL-2, but not IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-10, IL-2R or TNF-alpha occured in patients affected by bladder cancer following effective BCG treatment. Conversely, a drop in circulating IL-2 was consistently associated with tumor relapse. The level of IL-2 was elevated even further 15 days after the last BCG administration in patients who did not experience tumor recurrence, suggesting a prolonged T cell-mediated response against antigens other than BCG. Our results indicate that a specific type 1 immune response plays a major role in the anti-cancer activity of BCG. In addition, monitoring IL-2 plasma levels may offer a useful tool for predicting tumor recurrences.
Abstract: One hundred four patients (mean age 70.6 years) with prostatic specific antigen (PSA) values between 4 and 10 ng/ml (average 7.9 ng/ml), and with no suspects for neoplasia by digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) were studied. In all patients PSA density for the entire prostate (PSAD) and PSA density for the transition zone (PSAT) were calculated. TRUS was performed using a 5 MHz probe. Prostate and transition zone volumes were obtained by ellipsoid formula. Aim of the study was to evaluate the PSAT predictivity for prostate cancer compared to the PSAD. Sixteen out of 104 patients (15.4%) had histologically confirmed prostate cancer, and 88 (84.6%) had benign prostatic hyperplasia. When cut-off for PSAD was 0.15 ng/ml/cc, specificity and sensitivity were respectively 75% and 68% with positive and negative predictive values of 54% and 17%; when cut-off for PSAT was 0.34% ng/ml/cc, sensitivity and specificity were respectively 100% and 68% with positive and negative predictive values of 60% and 18%. Our results, according to the literature data, suggest that PSAT seems to have a higher predictivity for prostate cancer than PSAD, providing an optimization for the employ of prostatic biopsy, especially for those patients with PSA values between 4 and 10 ng/ml.
Abstract: The renal fibroma is an extremely rare event that takes its origin from parenchima, from the peri-renal tissues or from the renal capsule. A case of renal fibroma of a rarely met medullary origin is described.
Abstract: Ultrasonography has gained an important role for the diagnosis of acute and chronic scrotal lesions. We report our experience on 6 cases of acute scrotal edema. The etiology of edema was congestive cardiopathy (two patients), glomerulonephrosis (three patients) and lumboaortic lymphnode metastases from bladder transitional cell carcinoma (one patient). Ultrasound scan scrotal appearances were similar in all examined patients, and the only pathologic findings observed were "onion" like appearance and a thickened scrotal wall. Therefore, to define acute scrotal edema etiology, it isn't enough an ultrasound examination, but it's necessary to extend the ultrasound scan assessment to other organs.
Abstract: Ureterocele is a cystic dilatation of the terminal intravesical ureter; the therapeutic options are different and correlated on upper and lower urinary tract anatomy. The goals of treatment include control of infection, protection of ipsilateral and controlateral renal units and maintenance of vesicoureteral continence. The endoscopic approach is still debated; many authors report a higher risk of post-operative vesticoureteral reflux and further surgery. When the intravescical ureterocele is associated with the upper pole of a duplex system a small endoscopic transverse incision as definitive treatment has gained support in more than 90% of cases. We report a case of intravesical ureterocele with a complete duplex system, in a young woman treated by endoscopic incision as "smiling mouth" with good results of 6 months follow-up.
Abstract: The Authors present a case of mixed teratoma of the testis with seminomatous cells, occurred in a teenager. Performed the preoperative oncological staging, the patient was submitted to trans-inguinal left orchifunicolectomy. The presence of cells originated by the three embryonal layers, of stroma distributed in a periepithelial fashion and big cells with clear cytoplasm, permitted to formulate the hystological diagnosis of mixed teratoma, mature and immature, associated with seminomatous cells. The observation of this case offer the opportunity for prognostic and therapeutic considerations.
Abstract: We have recently reported the results of a phase I study on the intravesical perfusion of recombinant interleukin-2 in patients with superficial bladder cancer. The treatment feasible with mild toxic effects, especially compared with the treatment using TUR and instillations of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin. The follow-up of these phase I study patients was continued for another twelve months. During this period, cytoscopy and cytological examination of cells washed from bladder were performed every four months. The results showed that three out of 9 patients relapsed, over a period ranging from 6 to 20 months after treatment. All these data clearly confirm that the intravesical perfusion of rIL-2 is feasible, safe and should be an effective and nontoxic treatment of patients with superficial bladder cancer.
Abstract: The familial trend of prostate carcinoma has been highlighted by a number of important studies in which the authors underlined the increased risk that brothers and sons of patients with this disease might be affected by prostate carcinoma. These studies also underline the importance of two significant risk factors in determining the presence of disease: early onset and number of relatives already affected. In this anamnestic-type survey of two sample groups, one with prostate carcinoma and the other a control group, the authors attempt to make a general confirmation of the assertions made by other authors. Even if based on a relatively small series of patients, the results of this study are fully comparable to those reported by other authors.
