Protocol description and initial experience in kidney graft perfusion using infrared thermography.

PURPOSE: Protocol description for renal perfusion study using thermographic technology and description of the thermographic and clinical behavior of the transplanted kidneys before and after unclamping. METHODS: Infrared thermographic images of renal grafts are obtained before kidney reperfusion, 10 min after and just before closing the surgical wound. Thermographic data is evaluated together with the type of graft and donor, cold ischemia time, hypovascularized areas determined by the surgeon during surgical intervention, alterations in vascular flow in postoperative echo-Doppler, time at the beginning of graft function and serum creatinine monitoring during postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: 17 grafts were studied. The mean temperature of the grafts before reperfusion, 10 min after and at the end of the surgery were 18.7 °C (SD 6.27), 32.36 °C (SD1.47) and 32.07 °C (SD1.78) respectively. 4 grafts presented hypoperfused areas after reperfusion. These areas presented a lower temperature compared to the well perfused parenchyma surface using thermographic images. CONCLUSION: The study of the usefulness and applicability of thermography can allow the development of tools that provide additional objective information on organ perfusion in real time and non-invasive manner. Our protocol and initial results can contribute to provide new evidence. Further analyses should be developed to shed light on the role of this technology.

Androgen deprivation therapy in localized prostate cancer. Current status and future trends.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) has been recognized as an androgen-sensitive disease since the investigations from Huggins and Hodges in 1941. Thanks to these findings, they received the Nobel Prize in 1966. This was the beginning of the development of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as treatment for patients with PCa. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current indications of ADT in localized PCa. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We conducted a comprehensive English and Spanish language literature research, focused on the main indications for ADT in localized PCa. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Nowadays, the indications for ADT as monotherapy in localized PCa have been limited to specific situations, to patients unwilling or unable to receive any form of local treatment if they have a PSA-DT < 12 months, and either a PSA > 50 ng/mL, a poorly differentiated tumor, or troublesome local disease-related symptoms. ADT can be used in combination with local treatment in different scenarios. Although neoadjuvant treatment with ADT prior to surgery with curative intent has no clear oncological impact, as a future sight, PCa is a heterogeneous disease, and there could be a group of patients with high-risk localized disease that could benefit. CONCLUSIONS: We need to optimize the treatment with ADT in localized PCa, selecting the patients accordingly to their disease characteristics. Given that the therapeutic armamentarium evolves day by day, there is a need for the development of new clinical trials, as well as a molecular studies of patients to identify those who might benefit from an early multimodal treatment.

Biomarkers and intermediate-high risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a multivariate analysis of three different cellular pathways with pronostic implications.

PURPOSE: To determine the presence of a group of mutations, and establish the prognostic value for recurrence and progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study. Intermediate-to-high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) was evaluated. Data from genetic analyses were included in a database along with clinicopathological variables of interest. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients. Twenty-five (33.8%) recurred and 3 (4.1%) progressed. Median time to recurrence: 8 months (5.7-12.7). Median time to progression: 14 months (P75: 12). Mutation distribution: KRAS codon 12: one patient (1.4%), BAT25: five patients (6.8%), BAT-26: four patients (5.4%), and D2S123: 6 patients (8.1%). Arg72Pro polymorphism: 50 patients (67.6%) exhibited homozygous mutations, 23 (31.1%) were heterozygous, and 1 patient (1.4%) did not present the mutation. We found an association between presence of MSI at BAT26 and female sex (p < 0.05) and tumor stage and the TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was significantly associated with presence of MSI at D2S123, with a HR of 5.44 for patients presenting the mutation (95% CI 1.83-16.16). On multivariate analysis, we found a statistically significant increase in risk of recurrence among patients with MSI at D2S123 (HR 5.15; p < 0.05) and more than 2 previous transurethral bladder resections (TURBs) (HR 5.07; p < 0.05) adjusted for tumor stage and grade. Harrell's concordance index revealed an accuracy of 0.74 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: An association was found between presence BAT26 MSI and female sex, Arg72Pro polymorphism with tumor stage and D2S123 and more than 2 TUR procedures were associated with RFS adjusted to tumor stage and grade.

Oncologic outcomes in 408 consecutive patient cohort treated with da Vinci robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. / Resultados oncológicos de un programa de prostatectomía radical asistida por robot «da Vinci¼ en una cohorte de 408 pacientes consecutivos.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the general characteristics and oncological results in a cohort of 408 cases submitted to da Vinci Standard 4-armed robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), performed between October 2006 and February 2015 at Clínico San Carlos hospital. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 20.0 program. Qualitative variables are presented with their frequency distribution and quantitative variables with their mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range. The χ2 test was used to analyze the association of qualitative variables. The disease-free survival outcome variable was evaluated with a Kaplan-Meier curve analysis, and the differences were contrasted with the Breslow test. A Cox regression model was adjusted. Among the results, we highlight the follow-up of 47 months (32-68.75m), recurrence-free survival of 90 months (95% CI, 86-94), median time to recurrence of 23 months (10.5-37 m), recurrence 16'6% (68/408), biochemical recurrence (62/498, 15'2%) and 22% of complications, mostly Clavien I-II. The results are summarized in Tables 1 to 7 and Figure 1. CONCLUSIONS: 1) RARP is a safe technique with an acceptable percentage of complications, mostly minor (Clavien grades iandii), 2) We found a higher probability of remaining recurrence-free in the lower grades of the ISUP classification and a higher probability of recurrence in high-risk cases, and 3) The multivariate model showed that the ISUP grade was significantly related to survival and the ISUP and PSM classification grades were independent prognostic variables.

The role of clean intermittent catheterization in the treatment for detrusor underactivity. / El cateterismo vesical intermitente en la insuficiencia contráctil del detrusor.

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) on the lower urinary tract function in patients with urinary retention (UR) due to detrusor underactivity (DU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal study was carried out on 49 patients (28 men, 21 women) of mean age 55years, who underwent CIC for UR secondary to DU. The mean CIC frequency was 3.15 times/day. Patients' clinical data were collected, and they underwent urodynamic study before and after CIC, with a mean interval of 4years. Fisher's exact test was used for the analysis of categorical variables and Student's t test for parametric variables. The level of significance was set at 0.05 for a two-tailed test. RESULTS: The second urodynamic study showed a significantly increased bladder compliance, the Bladder Outlet Obstruction Index (BOOI) and the Bladder Contractility Index (BCI) also increased but without reaching statistical significance. There was a significantly higher percentage of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and acontractile detrusor cases among the group of patients whose BCI improved after CIC, with significantly lower CIC time. CONCLUSIONS: CIC improved bladder compliance in the patients of our series. The BCI improved in BPH patients and in patients with acontractile detrusor.

Other radiological lesions of the Lower Urinary Tract in patients after isolated pelvic radiotherapy and combined with surgery. / Otras lesiones radiológicas del tracto urinario inferior (TUI) en pacientes sometidos a radioterapia pélvica en monoterapia y combinada con cirugía.

INTRODUCTION: The cystographic study of patients who have undergone radiotherapy (RT) and pelvic surgeries is uncommon in the literature, not described in patients without complications, and mostly related to urinary fistulae. OBJECTIVE: The study of the lower urinary tract (LUT) by cystography in these patients, with a description of some other types of radiation lesions. METHODS: 127 cystographies have been performed (88 men and 39 women) in consecutive patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) (48 monotherapy and 79 cases combined with surgery), with a mean age of 69.6 years, and a mean time from radiation of 215 months (17 years). A General Electric X ray equipment has been used. We studied: behavior of the bladder neck at rest and during micturition, assessment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), bladder morphology (BM), urethral strictures (UE) and fistulas (F). RESULTS: We observed: Filling phase bladder neck incompetence (BNI) (37.8%), bladder smooth morphology (60.6%), coughing urinary incontinence (UI) (26.4%), basal cystocele (64.7%) and Valsalva cystocele (96.6%), a normal opening bladder neck (96,1%), reduction of the urethral diameter during voiding (41.3%), and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) (13.2%). Five cases of filling BNI, were all related to prostate cancer (PC) (one of them with colon cancer as well). There were six cases of fistulae (4.14%), five of them women. Forty two patients (28.96%) had reduced urethral lumen, thirty five of them affecting the posterior urethra (83%), five (11.9%) the anterior and, finally, two cases of mixed lesion (5%). 95% were patients with PC without concurrent interventions (67%). Significant differences were found regarding the gender and the background of pelvic surgery. The filling BNI (p=0.007), the irregular bladder morphology (p=0.004) and the reduction of the urethral lumen (p<0.001) have been found to be more common in male patients, while the coughing UI was more common in women (p=0.007). The study shows that BNI (p=0.046), VUR (p=0.02) and the IU due to cough (p=0.03) were more frequent in operated patients, while reduced urethral lumen was less common (p<0.01). Patients with VUR present more time from radiotherapy, but not in other cystography variables. There was a relationship between RT and the BNI, stress urinary incontinence, anterior urethral stricture and VUR. The risk factor was increased by surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder neck incompetence, stress UI, anterior urethral stricture and VUR have been related to radiotherapy. Surgery increased the risk factor in operated patients.

[Evaluation of testicular growth after varicocele treatment in early childhood and adolescence based on the technique used (Palomo, Ivanissevich and embolization)]. / Valoración del crecimiento testicular tras el tratamiento del varicocele en la infancia y adolescencia en función de la técnica empleada (Palomo, Ivanissevich y embolización).

OBJECTIVES: To analyze, depending on the technique employed, recurrence, symptomatic improvement and testicular growth following treatment of testicular varicocele. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive retrospective study of 69 pediatric and adolescent males diagnosed with varicocele treated in our center by open technique according Ivanissevich technique (IT), Palomo (PT) and percutaneous embolization (PE) between 2000-2014. Variables analyzed were age, symptoms, differential testicular volume (RV), employed technique, recurrence, symptomatic improvement and RV after treatment. Association between qualitative variables was evaluated (chi-square test or Fisher's exact test). RESULTS: 69 patients with a median age of 14 years (7-19) were studied. PE was performed in 37 patients (53,6%), PT in 23 (33,3%) and IT in 9 (13%). Recurrence occurred in 16 patients (23,2%), 80% of them had been treated with PE. Eleven patients had pain (15.9%), there was improvement in 100% of patients treated with PE, but none of those treated by PT or IT improved. At diagnosis, 37 patients (53.6%) had decreased testicular volume (left testicular hypotrophy), in 28 cases the RV was >20%. After treatment, the RV was normalized in 11 cases (39,2%). CONCLUSIONS: The choice of therapeutic technique in pediatric varicocele should be based on patient characteristics, symptoms, experience center for embolization and previous recurrence. Regardless of the chosen technique, 39,2% of testicular hypotrophy with VD >20% present at diagnosis normalized after treatment.

OBJETIVOS: Analizar en función de la técnica empleada para tratamiento de varicocele, la recurrencia, alivio sintomático y crecimiento testicular en pacientes pediátricos y adolescentes. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de 69 pacientes pediátricos y adolescentes diagnosticados de varicocele tratados en nuestro centro mediante abordaje abierto según técnica de Ivanissevich (TI), Palomo (TP) y embolización percutánea (EP) entre 2000-2014. Las variables fueron edad, síntomas, volumen testicular diferencial (VD), técnica empleada, recurrencia, mejoría sintomática y VD tras el tratamiento. Se evaluó la asociación entre variables cualitativas (test de Chi cuadrado o prueba exacta de Fisher). RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 69 pacientes con mediana de edad de 14 años (7-19). Se realizó EP a 37 pacientes (53,6%), TP a 23 (33,3%) y TI a 9 (13%). Presentaron recurrencia 16 (23,2%), de ellos el 80% habían sido tratados mediante EP. Once pacientes tenían dolor al diagnóstico (15,9%), tras el tratamiento 100% de los tratados mediante EP presentaron alivio, mientras que en ninguno de los tratados mediante TI o TP mejoró el dolor. Al diagnóstico 37 pacientes (53,6%) presentaron hipotrofia testicular izquierda, en 28 casos el VD fue >20%. Tras el tratamiento, el VD se normalizó en 11 casos (39,2%). CONCLUSIONES: La elección de la técnica terapéutica de varicocele en pacientes pediátricos y adolescentes debería depender de las características del paciente, presencia de síntomas, experiencia del centro y recurrencia previa. Independientemente de la técnica elegida el 39,2% de hipotrofias testiculares con DV >20% al diagnóstico alcanzaron la normalización del volumen testicular tras el tratamiento.

Comparative analysis of the incidence of bladder cancer in the communities of Andalusia, Catalonia and Madrid in 2011.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of bladder cancer (BC) in the autonomous communities that include the largest number of cases in the national hospital BC registry (Andalusia, Catalonia and Madrid) and report the clinical, pathological and diagnostic differences and similarities of BC in these regions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational epidemiological study was performed in 2011 in 12 public hospitals with reference population areas according to the National Health System (Spain). Demographic and clinical variables were collected from new cases and relapses, with histopathologic confirmation of BC. The raw incidence rate was calculated using the number of diagnosed cases in all the participating centers compared with the aggregate total population assigned to each center. The raw rates by age and sex were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics (2011) by weighting the assigned population with the distribution by age and sex. RESULTS: The 3 autonomous communities recorded 51% of the 4285 cases included in the national registration, with relapses corresponding to 42.8% of these cases. The raw annual incidence rate for new episodes was 22.6 (95% CI: 20.7; 24.6) in Andalusia, 23.5 (95% CI: 20.9; 26.0) in Catalonia and 22.0 (95% CI: 19.9; 24.1) in Madrid. CONCLUSIONS: Except for the larger proportion of smokers and lower tumor grade of lesions in Andalusia, the 3 autonomous communities studied are similar in terms of clinical characteristics, comorbidities, patient symptoms and diagnostic processes for BC.

Bladder cancer in Spain 2011: population based study.

PURPOSE: We estimate the annual incidence of bladder cancer in Spain and describe the clinical profile of patients with bladder cancer enrolled in a population based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the structure of the Spanish National Health System as a basis, in 2011 the AEU (Spanish Association of Urology) conducted this study with a representative sample from 26 public hospitals and a reference population of 10,146,534 inhabitants, comprising 21.5% of the Spanish population. RESULTS: A total of 4,285 episodes of bladder cancer were diagnosed, of which 2,476 (57.8%) were new cases and 1,809 (42.2%) were cases of recurrence, representing an estimated 11,539 new diagnoses annually in Spain. The incidence of bladder cancer in Spain, age adjusted to the standard European population, was 20.08 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI 13.9, 26.3). Of patients diagnosed with a first episode of bladder cancer 84.3% were male, generally older than 59 years (81.7%) with a mean ± SD age of 70.5 ± 11.4 years. Of these patients 87.5% presented with some type of clinical symptom, with macroscopic hematuria (90.8%) being the most commonly detected. The majority of primary tumors were nonmuscle invasive (76.7%) but included a high proportion of high grade tumors (43.7%). According to the ISUP (International Society of Urologic Pathology)/WHO (2004) classification 51.1% was papillary high grade carcinoma. Carcinoma in situ was found in 2.2% of primary and 5.8% of recurrent cases. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of bladder cancer in Spain, age adjusted to the standard European population, confirms that Spain has one of the highest incidences in Europe. Most primary nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer corresponded to high risk patients but with a low detected incidence of carcinoma in situ.

[Urodynamic aspects of feminine urinary incontinence treated with slings]. / Aspectos urodinámicos de la incontinencia urinaria femenina tratada con cabestrillos.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of feminine stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with slings aims to supplement the function of the damaged ligaments, favoring the correct transmission of the tensions. Our objective is to determine which preoperative variables could predict the outcome of surgical treatment of SUI and to study the urodynamic changes produced by the surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 139 women (age X =61.7; σ=10.88) operated on due to SUI were studied retrospectively. In 118 cases (84.8%), sling techniques (TVT, TOT, TVT-Safyre, REEMEX) were used. Clinical evaluation and complete preoperative video -urodynamics were made pre-operatively and at 3 months of surgery. A statistical study (Fisher's test, Wilcoxon, Friedman, Student's T and Pearson's χ(2)) and analysis of multivariant logistic regression analysis by step elimination method were performed. RESULTS: Post-operatively, the SUI (p=0.000) and bladder hyperactivity syndrome decreased. The success percentages (urodynamic absence of SUI) for each technique were: TVT-Safyre (75%), TOT (73%), TVT (60%) and REEMEX (57%), without significant differences. Age (ROC cut-off: 61 years) was a prognostic factor of success (p=0.024). Preoperative maximum flow (Qmax) (16 ml/s) constituted the only urodynamic parameter with a predictive value for success (p=0.026). An open bladder neck was a risk factor for persistence of postoperative SUI (RR=2.78). A significant decrease of the postsurgical Qmax (p=0.017) was verified, without increase of the post micturation residue or of the Wmax. An increase of the postsurgical urethral resistance (UR) was also observed (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The pre-operative Qmax is the most important urodynamic prognostic parameter in feminine SUI surgery, its normality being associated to a greater probability of cure of the incontinence. In the cases of decreased preoperative flow, use of slings that increase urethral resistance more (REEMEX) is not recommended. Hyperactivity of the preoperative detrusor does not significantly modify the results of surgery of the SUI.

[Periurethral injections of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: description of the technique and bibliographic review]. / Inyecciones periuretrales de copolímero de dextranómero/ácido hialurónico como tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo en la mujer: descripción de la técnica y revision de la literatura.

OBJECTIVES: The system enables a non endoscopic, outpatient treatment of the female stress urinary incontinence. The article intends to familiarize the readers with the procedure. METHODS: We describe the technique, graphically, with all steps, and perform a bibliographic review. RESULTS: In accordance to the main clinical studies reviewed, the periurethral injection of dextranomer/ hyaluronic acid copolymer has an efficacy of near 75%, with a simple, reproducible technique with rare adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with this type of periurethral injections may be valid as a minimally invasive treatment of the female stress urinary incontinence, because of its efficacy, tolerability and reproducibility.

[Prostate cancer in the Community of Madrid in the year 2000. III. Study of tumor extent]. / El cáncer de próstata en la Comunidad de Madrid en el año 2000. III--Estudio de extensión tumoral.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a potential relationship between two variables, risk of metastasis and use of imaging techniques, in an extension study in prostate cancer patients diagnosed in the Autonomous Community of Madrid in 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1,127 patients with available data on the tumour extension study were analysed. Performance and non performance of bone scans and CTs were correlated to risk variables for developing metastasis as described in the literature (PSA, Gleason and stage) and to therapy administered. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with risk variables for metastasis when bone scans were performed was between 7% to 14% greater than in patients with no variables. No differences were seen for CTs based on risk variables. With matching risk variables, more imaging techniques were used in patients receiving radiotherapy that in those managed with prostatectomy. CONCLUSION: Based on current recommendations imaging techniques were used in excess in the extension study in patients with no risk variables for metastasis. Conduct of a further study in the Autonomous Community seems advisable to confirm the likelihood of implementing such recommendations considering our prevalence of metastatic disease.

[Prostate cancer in the Community of Madrid in the year 2000. IV. Treatment]. / El cáncer de próstata en la Comunidad de Madrid en el año 2000. IV Tratamiento.

OBJECTIVE: To know the therapeutic options used in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in the Autonomous Community of Madrid in 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 1,745 patients referred by hospitals taking part in the study. Data on treatment used was available for 1,104 (63%) patients. Treatment modality was correlated to clinical stage and patient age. RESULTS: Most frequent choice was hormone therapy (35%) followed by radical prostatectomy (34%) and radiotherapy (25%). Prostatectomy was most commonly used in patients with localised (42.3%) disease while hormone therapy was preferred for locally advanced (45.6%) or disseminated (94%) disease. There are significant differences in therapeutic indications between the various Health areas participating in the survey. Median age of patients with localised and locally advanced disease was lower in patients managed with prostatectomy (65 and 64 years, respectively) than in those managed with radiotherapy (70 and 69 years, respectively). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic modality indicated by urologists in the Madrid Autonomous Community for managing patients with prostate cancer generally meets with literature recommendations.

[The prostate cancer in the community of Madrid in 2000 I.- Incidence]. / El cáncer de próstata en la Comunidad de Madrid en el año 2000. I--Incidencia.

OBJECTIVE: To know the incidence in the year 2000 of prostate cancer in the Autonomous Community of Madrid and its breakdown by Health Areas. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Study of histologically confirmed prostate cancer case reports and retrospective data acquisition for 2000 in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, both from Public and Private Health Care hospitals. RESULTS: Gross incidence of prostate cancer in the Autonomous Community of Madrid was 100.4 cases per 100,000 males. The incidence adjusted for the Spanish, European and Worldwide population was 120.1, 103.5 and 68.6 cases per 100,000 males, respectively. Mean age at diagnosis was 70 +/- 7.8 (40-94) years, median of 70 years. The age group with higher incidence was 70 to 79 years. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of prostate cancer in the Autonomous Community of Madrid is lower than that in the US but higher than in most countries or regions in the EU. The different way of using PSA testing in the Health Areas of the Autonomous Community may explain the differences seen in terms of incidence by Area.

[The prostate cancer in the community of Madrid in 2000. II Presentation and diagnosis]. / El cáncer de próstata en la Comunidad de Madrid en el año 2000. II--Presentación y diagnóstico.

OBJECTIVE: To know the presentation form, diagnostic method and clinical stage at the time of diagnosis in subjects with prostate cancer (PC) in the Autonomous Community of Madrid in 2000. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data from 1745 patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer obtained from 15 Hospitals participating in the study was analysed. The variables studied were: associated disease, reason for visiting the hospital, digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA, diagnostic method, graded Gleason score, tests performed in the tumoral extension study and tumour staging. The qualitative variables are given in percentages of the overall number and the quantitative variables are expressed as the median, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values and 25%, 50% (median) and 75% percentiles. RESULTS: 67% cases had an associated disease. In most (75%) patients the reason for visiting the hospital was prostatic syndrome. DRE revealed that 42.7% has no tumour. At the time of diagnosis half the patients had PSA levels lower than or equal to 11 ng/ml. Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy was used for diagnosis in 93% subjects. The most commonly reported Gleason scores were 6 (31.3%) and 7 (28.7%). In 75% subjects the disease was considered to be clinically limited to the prostate, in 12.5% locally advanced and in 12.5% metastatic. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients came to the hospital because of symptoms not related to PC. Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy is confirmed as the choice technique for PC diagnosis. When a comparison is made to historical series in our Autonomous Community a pattern of earlier diagnosis can be seen.

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy MVAC in the treatment of infiltrating bladder carcinoma]. / Quimioterapia neoadyuvante MVAC en el tratamiento del carcinoma vesical infiltrante.

INTRODUCTION: Aiming to preserve the bladder in patients with infiltrative carcinoma of the bladder and to offer patients improved quality of life with no detriment for survival, a therapeutical protocol was set up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 1988 and January 1997 63 patients with stage T2 and T3a infiltrative carcinoma of the bladder, with no metastasis or node extension detectable with imaging techniques were treated in our unit. 45 of these patients met all protocol criteria and were given 3 neoadjuvant chemotherapy courses with MVAC (methotrexate, vincristine, adriamycin, cisplatin). INCLUSION CRITERIA: age under 75 years, Karnofsky greater than 50%, leucocytes greater than 2,500 cell/mL and platelet greater than 100,000/mL. Following chemotherapy, re-assessment was performed through lab tests, chest X-rays, abdomino-pelvic CT, bone scanning, cystoscopy, multiple randomized biopsies, tumoral bed scar resection and resection of relapsed urothelioma. Patients with complete remission were given radiotherapy. Those showing stabilisation of progression were proposed to undergo cystectomy. Fisher's test or chi 2 test were used for the comparison of qualitative variables. The survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The curves comparison was done with Breslow's exact test. A Cox's proportional risk method allowed to calculate the relative risks together with their 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: 53.7% patients included in this protocol showed complete remission, 41.5% stable disease and 4.9% progression. 62.2% of patients were given radiotherapy versus 17.8% who underwent cystectomy. 20% received other therapies after rejecting both cystectomy or radiotherapy. Median follow-up was 43.38 months. Overall median survival was 96 months. The accumulate probability of survival at 4 years was 79%. 50% patients with complete clinical response relapsed during follow-up. Tumoral stage of those who relapsed was lower than the initial one in 63.7% cases, remained the same in 18.2%, and higher in 18.2%. With regards to grading, 66.7% patients had lower grading at relapse if tumour was initially grade 2. For those with initial tumour grade 3, only 20% had a lower grade. CONCLUSION: 64.4% patients retained their bladder. In 26.7% there was demonstrable metastatic disease. No differences were seen in the distribution or survival time based on the different treatment given after chemotherapy (p = 0.22). Patients with complete remission after chemotherapy have greater actuarial survival which is statistically significant (p = 0.04).

[Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the prognosis of bladder carcinoma. Experience of 5 years]. / Receptor del factor de crecimiento epidérmico (EGFR) en el pronóstico del carcinoma vesical. Experiencia a 5 años.

METHODS: From November 1992 to November 1993, a prospective study was conducted on 20 controls and 61 patients with bladder carcinoma. EGFR expression was determined by radioimmunoassay and the correlation of the results of histological analysis and the clinical course was analyzed. The follow-up period was from November 1992 to July 1998. The association between qualitative variables and the x2 or Fisher exact test was compared using the hypothesis of the proportional ordinal trend for the ordinal variables, and the quantitative variables were analyzed using Student's t test and/or variance analysis (ANOVA). Survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and comparison was performed using the Breslow exact test. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was utilized. The SPSS software for Windows 7.0 was used for the analysis. RESULTS: The EGFR values were higher for patients with bladder carcinoma than in controls (14.48 vs 2.54 fmol/mg of protein). EGFR values were higher in patients with superficial bladder tumor than in those with infiltrating tumors (27.03 fmol/mg vs. 10.05 fmol/mg of protein; p = 0.000). Poorly differentiated tumors showed higher values of EGFR (6.73, 14.48 and 17.07 fmol/mg of protein for grades I, II and III, respectively; p < 0.05). The EGFR values were higher in patients that died from cancer during follow-up (64.8) than in those who died from other causes (47.5) and those who are alive and on follow-up (42). An increase in EGFR values did not carry a risk of death from cancer (p = 0.1269; ns). Analysis of the grade of tumor differentiation showed that for the more aggressive tumor grade, a positive EGFR was a sign of reduced survival. Survival in patients with superficial and infiltrating tumor did not appear to change significantly according to the EGFR value. EGFR determination was not useful in predicting recurrence and increased EGFR values did not correlate with a higher risk of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The normal pattern of EGFR could not be established. 2) EGFR was not useful in identifying subgroups at risk of death. 3) Knowledge about these proteins synthesized by oncogenes offers new possibilities in the treatment of cancer.

[P185 (Neu) oncoprotein in the prognosis of bladder carcinoma. Experience of 5 years]. / Oncoproteína P185 (Neu) en el pronóstico del carcinoma vesical. Experiencia a 5 años.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of p185 oncogene in the biological characterization of transitional cell carcinoma and in the prediction of recurrence, and to analyze survival at 5 years mean follow-up. METHODS: A prospective clinical cohort study was conducted on 81 patients. Tissue specimens were obtained between November 1992 and November 1993. The study comprised two groups: nontumoral bladder tissue specimens from 20 patients (group I) and tissue specimens from 61 patients with bladder carcinoma (group II). p185 expression was determined by enzyme immunoanalysis (EIA). A statistical analysis of the results was performed. RESULTS: p185 oncoprotein levels were higher in patients with recurrence (1098.97 HNU/mg protein vs. 924.54 HNU/mg). Although higher levels of p185 were found in the patients that had died vs those who are alive, the differences were not statistically significant for overall survival or stratification by tumor grade or infiltration (p = 0.556; ns). CONCLUSIONS: Determination of p185 oncoprotein was found to be useful in the prediction of tumor recurrence at 5 years mean follow-up.

[Usefulness of PSA-complex in the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma]. / Utilidad del PSA-complex en el diagnóstico del carcinoma de próstata.

OBJECTIVE: Since its discovery as a marker for prostate cancer, there have been many attempts to enhance the diagnostic efficacy of the prostate specific antigen (PSA). Among these are the studies that analyze the behavior of different forms of serum PSA bound to different antiproteases, such as alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, which forms the complexed PSA (PSA-c). This study analyzed the utility of PSA-c to enhance specificity without altering sensitivity in comparison to total PSA (PSA-t). METHODS: From September 1998 to March 1999, blood samples were obtained from 96 patients that had undergone a prostate biopsy due to a suspicion of prostate cancer. PSA-c, PSA-t (Technicon Immunol system, Bayer) and PSA-c/PSA-t ratio were analyzed in these patients. RESULTS: ROC curves were plotted and the optimal cutoffs were found for which the specificity was higher for PSA-c (44.6% [CI 95%, 32-57]) versus PSA-t (35.4% [CI 95%, 25-49]) and the PSA-c/PSA-t ratio (38.5% [CI 95%, 27-51]) while maintaining a similar sensitivity index (90%). PSA-c showed similar results for other values of sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: PSA-c was found to improve specificity in comparison to PSA-t and PSA-c/PSA-t ratio. PSA-c determination could avoid unnecessary biopsies without altering sensitivity; i.e., the same number of prostate cancers will be detected.