[Familial prostate cancer and genetic predisposition]. / Familiäres Prostatakarzinom und genetische Prädisposition.

BACKGROUND: Twenty percent of all prostate cancer patients have a positive family history (at least 1 first-degree relative with prostate cancer) and a part of these patients have a genetic predisposition. OBJECTIVES: A literature search and analysis of studies investigating incidence, diagnosis, and clinical course of familial compared to sporadic prostate cancer as well as genetic predisposition was performed using PubMed and Embase. RESULTS: Risk of prostate cancer depends on number, degree of relationship, and age of onset of affected men in the family. The incidence of familial prostate cancer is higher and the age of diagnosis lower compared to sporadic cases. The clinical course of the disease is comparable, but in individuals with a germline mutation, more intensive therapy is needed due to a more aggressive disease. CONCLUSIONS: Crucial for risk assessment is a detailed family history, including creation of a pedigree with cancer family history if necessary. In high-risk families, genetic counselling and annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening beginning at the age of 40 should be performed. Verification of a germline mutation requires more intensive therapy due to more aggressive disease.

[Internet use after prostate cancer : Search for information and trust in disease-related information in long-term survivors]. / Internetnutzung nach Prostatakrebs : Informationssuche und Vertrauen in erkrankungsrelevante Informationen bei Langzeitüberlebenden.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The internet provides numerous sources of information about prostate cancer (PCa). The present study investigated internet use among long-term PCa survivors, trust in online PCa-related information, and associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the German national research project Familial Prostate Cancer long-term PCa survivors were asked about their internet use in 2017. Associations with sociodemographic (age at survey, children, intimate relationship, education) and disease-related parameters (time since diagnosis, PCa family history, progress) were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: In all, 4636 long-term PCa survivors were included in the analysis (mean age 76.9 years; standard deviation 6.6 years). Mean follow-up was 14.0 years. Of long-term PCa survivors, 62.1% were using the internet. Among non-users 23.5% expressed strong concerns, among users only 2.8%. Furthermore, 47.2% of internet users sought information about PCa, 18.0% of them indicated difficulties while searching for information. More than half of the users found the online information inappropriate. Lower age, shorter time since diagnosis, progress, and a more frequent internet use were associated with search for information. Only one-third fully trusted online information. Trust in online information was associated with high age, higher educational level, and frequent search for online information. Many survivors stressed that they were primarily trusting their treating urologist. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of long-term PCa survivors are using the internet. A significant proportion expressed difficulties finding proper and reliable information. Urologists should be familiar with online resources on PCa in order to offer advice to patients and to recommend adequate information on the internet.

[Sexual medicine in daily practice : Germany-wide questionnaire of urologists]. / Sexualmedizin im ärztlichen Alltag : Bundesweite Umfrage unter Ärzten in der Urologie.

BACKGROUND: Sexual-related problems are very prevalent. Physicians of different disciplines are frequently contacted by men with those problems. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the situation of sexual medicine in daily practice and to evaluate German urologists' need for further training in this field with a focus on gender-specific differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A five-page questionnaire included questions about sexual medicine in daily practice. A focus was set on physicians dealing with sexual medicine in daily practice and their need for further training in this field. In April/Mai 2015, questionnaires were sent per mail to 5955 urologists, urology residents and andrologists throughout Germany. The questionnaire was developed based on previously published studies and a pretest was performed to evaluate comprehensibility. A χ2 test was performed to determine significant gender-specific differences; for this propose response options were dichotomised. P values ≤0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The response rate was 16.0%, representing 955 questionnaires. A total of 50 questionnaires from non-urologists were excluded, so 905 questionnaires were analysed. The mean age was 47.7 ± 10.4 years, 78.9% were male, 97.0% had studied in Germany, 86.7% were specialists and 37.7% had further qualification in andrology. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the need for further training in sexual medicine, especially for female physicians. This study underlines the demand for advanced qualification in sexual medicine.

Education in sexual medicine - a nationwide study among German urologists/andrologists and urology residents.

Although sexual-related problems are very prevalent, inadequate training for physicians has been reported. The aim was to investigate the educational situation in sexual medicine, including sexual dysfunctions, gender dysphoria and paraphilia, among German physicians in urology and andrology. Additional, barriers when addressing sexual health issues and confidence in taking care of patients with sexual-related problems were evaluated. A questionnaire was sent to 5955 urologists, urology residents and andrologists throughout Germany. The results of this study emphasise the need for continuing education and training in sexual medicine including sexual dysfunctions (83.9%), gender dysphoria (58.2%) and paraphilia (56.6%). Physicians, especially when working in urology, need basic skills in order to feel confident (89.0% in taking care of patients with sexual dysfunctions, 25.8% with gender dysphoria and 22.9% with paraphilia) and be able to reduce several barriers when addressing sexual health issues. The main reported barriers were lack of time (61.0%), inadequate financial compensation (42.5%), lack of necessity (29.9%) and the assumption of patients feeling uncomfortable (20.9%). It is within the competence of urologists and andrologists to correctly assess the situation and to refer patients to multidisciplinary support, such as psychologists, psychosomatics or couple therapists.

[Self-concept and erectile dysfunction in 45-year-old men : Results of a corollary study of the PROBASE trial]. / Selbstbild und erektile Dysfunktion 45-jähriger Männer : Ergebnisse eines Begleitprojekts der PROBASE-Studie.

BACKGROUND: Self-concept consists of self-perceptions and is influenced by the life course of the person. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated associations between self-concept and erectile dysfunction (ED) in 45-year-old German men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five-year-old, heterosexual men who had participated in the PROBASE-study were included. Erectile Function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6). The presence of ED was defined by IIEF-6 score ≤ 25. Self-concept was assessed using the facets "body image" (three items from the Dresden Body Image Inventory, DKB-35), "perception of masculinity" (three items from the Male Role Norms Scale, MRNS), "perceived social pressure with regard to sexual performance" (four newly constructed items), and "sexual self-esteem" (three newly constructed items). Scores for these facets of self-concept can range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate a more positive body image, higher sexual self-esteem, a more modern understanding of masculinity, and greater perceived social pressure. Differences in self-concept between men with ED and without ED were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney-U-test. Furthermore, Cohen's d effect sizes (ES d) were calculated. RESULTS: The responses of 3143 men were analyzed. Men with ED (16.2 %) have significantly lower scores regarding body image (mean 3.6 ± 0.6 vs 3.8 ± 0.5; p < 0.001; ES d = -0.5), perception of masculinity (mean 3.4 ± 0.7 vs 3.7 ± 0.6; p < 0.001; ES d = -0.4), and sexual self-esteem (mean 3.6 ± 0.6 vs 3.9 ± 0.5; p < 0.001, ES d = -0.4) than men without ED. Furthermore, they had significantly higher scores for perceived social pressure (mean 2.1 ± 0.7 vs 1.5 ± 0.5; p < 0.001; ES d = 1.2). CONCLUSIONS: Self-concept and ED are associated in 45-year-old men. Men with ED have a more negative body image, a more traditional understanding of masculinity, more negative sexual self-esteem, and greater perceived social pressure with regard to sexual performance than men without ED.

[Patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: Stage migration and changes in tumor characteristics from 1998-2012]. / Patienten mit Prostatakrebs nach radikaler Prostatektomie : Stadienmigration und Veränderung von Tumoreigenschaften in den Jahren 1998-2012.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to verify the described inverse stage migration after radical prostatectomy by a tertiary care center in 2011 in a national collective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 10,323 patients with prostate cancer (PCa), who had radical prostatectomy between 1998 and 2012, were analyzed regarding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and age at diagnosis, T stage, and Gleason score. A trend over time was determined by using the Jonckheere-Terpstra test. RESULTS: Median age at surgery was 65 years (1998: 63.7; 2012: 66.5). The proportion of low-risk tumors decreased from 39% in 2005 to 25% in 2012, while the intermediate-risk tumors showed a continuous increase since 1998 from 35 to 52% in 2012. The proportion of patients with a Gleason score ≤ 6 decreased from 60% in 1998 to 25 % in 2012. The Gleason score groups 7a and 7b, however, increased from 12 to 46, % and 12 to 19%, respectively. The proportion of tumors with a Gleason score of 8-10 decreased from 16 to 10%. The proportion of organ-confined prostate cancer increased from 1998 to 2007 continuously from 57 to 73%. Since 2007 the proportion dropped to 64%. CONCLUSIONS: In this national population a trend towards inverse stage migration can be noted. Both the increase in Gleason score ≥ 6 and intermediate-risk tumors can be explained by the modification of the Gleason score. The tendency towards higher age and nonorgan-confined cancers at surgery could be dependent of the growing recognition of radical prostatectomy as a treatment for locally advanced prostate cancer, on the one hand, and the increase of alternative treatments for low-risk cancers, on the other hand.

[Sexuality of couples 5 years after radical prostatectomy. Sexuality of patients and their partners 1 year postoperatively in sexually active couples]. / Paarsexualität 5 Jahre nach radikaler Prostatektomie. Sexualität von Patient und Partnerin bei 1 Jahr postoperativ sexuell aktiven Paaren.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy (RPx) does affect the sexual life of patients and their partners. In our study, we evaluated sexual life over the long-term of 60 months following nerve-sparing (ns) RPx in couples who successfully performed sexual intercourse (SI) 12 months after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A total of 36 patients and their female partners who had SI prior to and 12 months after nsRPx were included in this study. Sixty months following nsRPx, couples were asked about frequency of SI, satisfaction of sexual life, usage of medical aid for erections, and sexual function [patients: IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function), partners: FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index)]. RESULTS: Thirty couples (83.3%) were available for follow-up. A total of 70% of couples performed SI 60 months after nsRPx. In contrast to couples who did not have SI 60 months after nsRPx, couples who successfully had SI were more satisfied, had SI more often, had higher IIEF-5 scores, and higher frequency of bilateral ns surgery. In 80% of those patients, no medical aid except PDE-5 inhibitors were used. The partners of those patients were more satisfied with their sexual life, compared to the patients themselves. Couples, in whom the patient had IIEF-5 scores ≥19 were more satisfied, had SI more often, and the partners had higher FSFI scores, compared to couples with patients' IIEF-5 scores <19. CONCLUSION: Couples who had successfully performed SI within 12 months following nsRPx continue to have satisfying SI in the long-term. Those couples are more satisfied with their sexual life and have SI more often prior to and 12 months after nsRPx.

[Sexuality after radical prostatectomy: Evaluation of erectile function and patient counseling regarding their sex life]. / Sexualität nach radikaler Prostatektomie : Erhebung der erektilen Funktion und Beratung von Patienten bezüglich ihres Sexuallebens.

BACKGROUND: Patient counseling by using the IIEF to assess erectile function (EF) before and after radical prostatectomy (RPX) is only possible under limited circumstances. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the Erection Hardness Score (EHS) could be used in addition to the IIEF for the assessment of EF and patient preference regarding counseling for their sex life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EF was evaluated in 307 patients 3-60 months after RPX using the IIEF-EF and EHS. Questionnaires assessed sexual activity/intercourse as well as satisfaction with sex life irrespective of EF (10-point Likert scale). Patients were further asked concerning development of new sexual methods independent of erection firm enough for penetration and further wishes regarding counseling for their sex life. RESULTS: Of 272 patients, 82.0% underwent bilateral nerve-sparing prostatectomy, 30.5% (n=83; mean age: 68.1 years) had sexual intercourse and 41.9% (n=114) were sexually active. EH Scores 1-2 and 4 coincided with compatible IIEF-EF Scores 1-21, and ≥ 26, respectively. Of the patients with an EHS of 3, 55.9% had an IIEF-EF score that was notably lower. Of patients with sexual intercourse, 65.8% were satisfied with their sex life; 53.2% of sexually active patients were satisfied without sexual intercourse. Alternative methods were manual/oral stimulation, cuddling, and the use of vibrators. Patients request individually tailored, realistic counseling. CONCLUSION: The advantage of the EHS compared to the IIEF is that the erectile function can be assessed irrespective of sexual intercourse and sexual partner. Counseling should assist patients towards the attainment of a satisfying sex life-even without an erection.

[Familial prostate cancer research: meaningfulness of hereditary criteria in view of demographic change]. / Familiäre Prostatakarzinomforschung : Sinnhaftigkeit von Hereditätskriterien im Hinblick auf den demographischen Wandel.

BACKGROUND: In view of demographic changes and previous research results, it is debatable whether hereditary criteria should be further applied when it comes to determining the status of prostate carcinoma (PC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30,455 patients in the national research program "Familial Prostate Carcinoma" were divided into four groups based on birth year: I: 1920-1929 (n = 3.968), II: 1930-1939 (n = 14.110), III: 1940-1949 (n = 10.137), IV: 1950-1959 (n = 2.169). In all, 9.316 PC patients with a positive family history were analyzed with respect to their relatives (first degree). RESULTS: The average number of siblings (group I: 3.3; IV: 2.2), brothers (I: 2.1; IV: 1.3), children (I: 2.2; IV: 1.7), and sons (I: 1.1; IV: 0.9) have decreased. The number of patients without a brother/son (I: 9.6/32.8%; IV: 27.6/37.5%) has increased. In the same period of time, the number of patients with two brothers/sons (I: 34.5/6.3%; IV: 14.8/2.2 %) has decreased. The number of fathers > 65 years has risen from 66.8% (I) to 71.1% (IV). CONCLUSION: Hereditary criteria are less and less suited in order to determine the status of PC patients. However, positive family history remains one of the most crucial risk factors of prostate carcinoma and, therefore, detailed data ascertainment should be urged.

[Secondary malignancies in urinary diversions]. / Sekundärmalignome in Harnableitungen.

In contrast to ureterosigmoidostomy no reliable clinical data exist for tumor risk in different forms of urinary diversion using isolated intestinal segments.In 44 German urological departments, operation frequencies, indications, patient age, and operation dates of the different forms of urinary diversion, operated between 1970 and 2007, could be registered. The secondary tumors up to 2009 were registered as well and related to the numbers of the different forms of urinary diversions resulting in tumor prevalences.In 17,758 urinary diversions 32 secondary tumors occurred. The tumor risk in ureterosigmoidostomy (22-fold) and cystoplasty (13-fold) is significantly higher than in other continent forms of urinary diversion such as neobladders or pouches (p<0.0001). The difference between ureterosigmoidostomy and cystoplasty is not significant, nor is the difference between ileocecal pouches (0.14%) and ileal neobladders (0.05%) (p=0.46). The tumor risk in ileocecal (1.26%) and colonic neobladders (1.43%) is significantly higher (p=0.0001) than in ileal neobladders (0.5%). Of the 16 tumors that occurred following ureterosigmoidostomy, 16 (94%) developed directly at the ureterocolonic borderline in contrast to only 50% following urinary diversions via isolated intestinal segments.From postoperative year 5 regular endoscopic controls of ureterosigmoidostomies, cystoplasties, and orthotopic (ileo-)colonic neobladders are necessary. In ileocecal pouches, regular endoscopy is necessary at least in the presence of symptoms or should be performed routinely at greater intervals. Following neobladders or conduits, only urethroscopies for urethral recurrence are necessary.

[Ten years national research project "familial prostate cancer": problems in identifying risk families]. / Zehn Jahre nationales Forschungsprojekt "Familiäres Prostatakarzinom" : Probleme der Identifikation von Risikofamilien.

BACKGROUND: The German national research project"familial prostate cancer" has been recruiting prostate cancer patients nationwide since 1999. In 2009, a comprehensive data analysis of the 25,065 families recruited was performed. Of these, 77.4% were identified as sporadic, 20.0% as familial and 2.6% as hereditary cases of prostate cancer. However, obtaining comprehensive, validated information about all relatives often fails. RESULTS: The high average age of the patients, the lower life expectancy in further generations and the low number of first-degree male relatives hampers the classification of sporadic, familial and hereditary cases. Consequently we describe here that in our database the identification of 100 hereditary cases requires a recruitment of more than 5,000 patients with their families. For 100 sporadic patients with 2 first-degree male relatives without a case history 1,250 patients are needed.

[Sexual intercourse following radical nerve-sparing prostatectomy: discrepancies between patients and their female partners]. / Geschlechtsverkehr nach radikaler nerverhaltender Prostatektomie : Diskrepanz zwischen Patient und Partnerin.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of sexual intercourse (SI) in couples whose men had undergone nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. METHOD: From February 2007 to March 2008, 25 patients and their partners were asked preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively about their real and desired frequency of SI and about their satisfaction with their sex lives. RESULTS: When questioned 6 and 12 months postoperatively, patients reported higher frequencies of sexual intercourse than their female partners did (6 months: mean 4.9 vs 4.2 and 12 months: mean 4.1 vs 3.7). At both dates the frequency of SI desired by the men was on average 7.4 vs 5.5 and 5.1 by the female partners. The women appeared to be more satisfied with their sex lives than the patients (6 months: 71 vs 56% and 12 months: 67 vs 57%). CONCLUSION: Patients and their partners differ in their appraisals of sex life and SI. Therefore it is important to consider perceptions of both partners in preoperation discussions.

[Male breast cancer: a challenge for urologists]. / Das Mammakarzinom beim Mann : Eine Herausforderung für den Urologen.

Male breast cancer (male BC) accounts for <1% of all cancers in men, showing an increasing incidence with a peak in the sixth decade. Overall, men experience a worse prognosis than women, probably due to an advanced stage together with the higher age at diagnosis of male patients. Major risk factors for developing male BC include clinical disorders involving hormonal imbalances (excess of estrogen or a deficiency of testosterone as seen in patients with Klinefelter syndrome) and a positive family history for breast cancer. About 90% of male BC are invasive ductal carcinomas. Standard treatment for localized cancer is surgical removal. Adjuvant radiation and systemic therapy are the same as in women with breast cancer. Male BC expresses hormone receptors in about 90% of cases; therefore, tamoxifen is a therapeutic option. A future challenge for the urologist or andrologist is to diagnose the disease at an early stage to improve prognosis.

[Association of a positive family history with histopathology and clinical course in early-onset prostate cancer]. / Assoziation von familiärem Status mit Histologie und klinischem Verlauf beim frühen Prostatakarzinom.

BACKGROUND: In a large number of studies a positive family history is documented as one of the main risk factors for the development of prostate cancer. In a US population an association between early-onset prostate cancer among familial patients and a more differentiated tumour was shown. The aim of this study was to compare clinical parameters between sporadic and familial or hereditary patients with an age at diagnosis < or =55 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical data of prostate cancer patients with an age at diagnosis < or =55 years and who were recruited between July 1999 and the end of June 2004 to the database "familial prostate cancer in Germany" were analysed. The following data were documented for all patients: PSA at diagnosis, histopathological stage, grading, Gleason score and progression-free survival. RESULTS: The clinical data of 685 patients could be completed: 222 (32.4%) had one first-degree relative with prostate cancer, 48 of whom (7.0%) were hereditary; 463 (67.6%) were sporadic. The median age at diagnosis in the hereditary patients was 51.6 (41-55) years, in the familial patients 51.1 (35-55) years and in the sporadic patients 52.0 (38-55) years. The median follow-up was 24 months in hereditary, 36 months in familial and 35 months in sporadic patients. An initial curative therapy with radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy/brachytherapy was planned in 657/685 (95.9%) of the patients. There were no clear differences regarding PSA at diagnosis, the postoperative parameters (organ-confined disease, lymph node involvement, Gleason score, grading) and the progression-free survival in sporadic and familial or hereditary patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an age at diagnosis < or =55 years have a positive family history more often than all prostate cancer patients in Germany. No association could be shown between pathohistological stage or clinical course and a positive family history in patients with an age at diagnosis < or =55 years.

[Prospective evaluation of prostate cancer screening in men with a family history of the disease]. / Prospektive Evaluierung der Prostatakarzinomfrüherkennung bei Männern mit familiärer Disposition.

BACKGROUND: Family history is one of the strongest risk factors for prostate cancer. In this prospective study we evaluated the results of prostate cancer screening performed in healthy brothers of prostate cancer patients. The detection rate of prostate cancer and the positive predictive value of the examinations were determined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population comprised 513 healthy men who were 38-75 years of age (median 62.0 years). Of these men, 268 having only one affected brother with prostate cancer were assigned to the sporadic group, and 245 probands having 2-10 affected relatives were assigned to the familial group. An abnormal PSA and/or a pathological digital rectal examination (DRE) was noted in 17.5% of familial (43/245) and 15.8% of sporadic probands (35/268). A biopsy of the prostate was performed in 60.5% of familial (26/43) and 71.4% of sporadic (25/35) men with pathological findings. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was found in 15 of 26 familial (57.7%) and 16 of 25 sporadic (64.0%) probands by prostate biopsy. The overall detection rate was 6.0% (31/513). CONCLUSION: Due to an increased prevalence the detection rate of prostate cancer and the positive predictive value of PSA and/or DRE are higher in men with a family history as expected in an unselected population. Our data suggest that in predisposed men prostate cancer screening should be recommended early. Furthermore an early indication for prostate biopsy is necessary. This recommendation should also be applied if only one first-degree relative has prostate cancer.

[Structured quality report of urologic clinics according to section 137 SGB V. Useful information for the patient, marketing tool of the hospitals, leverage wielded by the health insurance companies, or junk data?]. / Strukturierte Qualitätsberichte urologischer Hauptabteilungen gemäss 137 SGB V. Entscheidungshilfe für den Patienten, Marketing-Instrument der Kliniken, Druckmittel der Krankenkassen oder Datenmüll?

In 2005, German hospitals were legally obliged to publish a structured quality report on their data of 2004 including the top 10 diagnosis-related groups, top 10 diagnoses, and top 10 procedures for every specialty. The aim was to increase the transparency for patients, doctors, and health insurance companies. Comparing the quality reports of 248 departments of urology revealed very uniform distributions of diagnoses and diagnosis-related groups. There was a large variety of top 10 procedures, resulting from different interpretations of the coding system, leading to diminished accuracy. The quality reports provide coding specialists with important data, but for patients and nonspecialized doctors, this system is not helpful in improving transparency.

[Translational research in renal cell cancer. Illustrated by the example of the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway]. / Translation molekularer Zusammenhänge in die klinische Anwendung. Dargestellt am Beispiel des Vascular-Endothelial-Growth-Factor- (VEGF-)Pathway.

For patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC), therapeutic options after cytokine failure are rather limited. There is a considerable need to identify new substances for systemic therapy. Due to upregulation after the loss of a functional von Hippel Lindau gene product, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway is a promising target for a molecular based therapy. Over the last few years, therapeutic agents have been developed which inhibit this pathway at various levels. Here, we provide an overview of the molecular background and currently used drugs which have entered clinical trials in the setting of metastatic RCC disease. Until now, the results from early clinical trials are very promising, however, the best schedule, dosage, potential combination regimens, as well as long time efficacy, are still to be determined.

[Management of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy. Urologists' assessment vs patient survey responses]. / Versorgung der erektilen Dysfunktion nach radikaler Prostatektomie in Deutschland. Einschätzung durch den Urologen vs. Patientenbefragung.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this national study was to evaluate ED management after RPX (without any postoperative adjuvant therapy or tumor relapse) from the patient's view compared to the urologist's view. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In May 2003 we queried 1063 urologists and 801 patients following radical prostatectomy without adjuvant therapy. They were asked about preserved potency without erectile aid, existing wish for ED therapy, recommended or tested erectile aid (oral, transurethral, intracorporal, vacuum constriction device[VCD], penile implant) as well as the long-term use. Return rate: patients 80.1%, urologists 26.7%. RESULTS: According to the urologists' view 9.1% of their affected patients were potent postoperatively without a device, but according to the polled patients only 4.7%. The wish to be treated for erectile dysfunction existed in the urologists' opinion in 46.1% of their patients, while they considered that 44.8% had no wish for treatment. On the other hand, 59.3% of the patients would like to be treated and only 28.5% did not want any kind of treatment. Regarding the long-term use of therapy for ED, the urologists thought that 26.1% of their patients did not receive therapy for the problem, and 69.7% of the patients stated they received no long-term therapy. Only 30.3% of the patients confirmed long-term therapy, while the urologists thought that 73.9% of the patients used an erectile aid. Definite therapy in the urologists' opinion involved: oral medication in 38.4%, MUSE in 3.6%, (SKAT) in 37.3%, VCD in 20.4%, and a prosthesis in 0.3%. Indeed 19.8% of the patients used oral medication, 1.7% MUSE, 26.7% SKAT, 50.9% VCD, and 0.9% penile implant. Considering the satisfaction of patients, urologists thought that 46.2% of the patients were satisfied with their treatment of ED, but only 28.9% of the patients were actually satisfied themselves. CONCLUSIONS: The comparison of patients' and urologists' views shows a clearly different description of the ED situation after RPX. The proportion of patients with a wish for treatment and the proportion of dissatisfied patients are much higher from the patients' view. This demonstrates an undertreatment of ED patients after RPX, which should also be taken into account under the current changes in the German health care system.

[Radical prostatectomy for men aged <56 years with prostate cancer. Cost of illness analysis]. / Radikale Prostatektomie bei Männern unter 56 Jahren mit Prostatakarzinom. Eine Krankheitskostenanalyse.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor in men; 10% of the patients are younger than 56 years at the time of diagnosis and are usually still working. The aim of this study was to evaluate the costs of the disease within the first 3 years from diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients (aged <56 years) after radical prostatectomy with curative intent were asked for their social status, professional training and job before and after radical prostatectomy, disablement, length of hospital stay, rehabilitation, early retirement, part-time retirement, retraining program, job-creating measures, and working conditions after radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: Of the 200 patients queried, 177 (88.5%) answered the questionnaire. Prior to the radical prostatectomy 163 patients were employed. They were off work for a mean time of 104.4 days, 83.4% of them received inpatient rehabilitation treatment after surgery, 121 (74.2%) regained full fitness for work, 9 (5.5%) retired on grounds of age, 21 (12.9%) had an early retirement because of the disease, and 12 (7.4%) became unemployed. Within the first 3 years after diagnosis, the following mean costs had to be paid: 465.79 by the patient, 6569.76 by the employer, 16,356.96 by the health insurance, 13,304.88 by the pension scheme, and 3912.57 by the employment office. CONCLUSION: The main costs in patients with prostate cancer and radical prostatectomy have to been paid by the health insurance scheme and the pension scheme; 74.3% of the patients regained full fitness for work. The time until reintegration into work was correlated to the extent of physical labor.

Mutation screening and association study of RNASEL as a prostate cancer susceptibility gene.

To date, germline mutations have been found in three candidate genes for hereditary prostate cancer: ELAC2 at 17p11, RNASEL at 1q25 and MSR1 at 8p22. RNASEL, encoding the 2',5'-oligoadenylate-dependant RNase L, seems to have rare mutations in different ethnicities, such as M1I in Afro-Americans, E265X in men of European descent and 471delAAAG in Ashkenazi Jews. In order to evaluate the relevance of RNASEL in the German population, we sequenced its open reading frame to determine the spectrum and frequency of germline mutations. The screen included 303 affected men from 136 Caucasian families, of which 45 met the criteria for hereditary prostate cancer. Variants were analysed using a family-based association test, and genotyped in an additional 227 sporadic prostate cancer patients and 207 controls. We identified only two sib pairs (1.4% of our families) cosegregating conspicuous RNASEL variants with prostate cancer: the nonsense mutation E265X, and a new amino-acid substitution (R400P) of unknown functional relevance. Both alleles were also found at low frequencies (1.4 and 0.5%, respectively) in controls. No significant association of polymorphisms (I97L, R462Q and D541E) was observed, neither in case-control analyses nor by family-based association tests. In contrast to previous reports, our study does not suggest that common variants (i.e. R462Q) modify disease risk. Our results are not consistent with a high penetrance of deleterious RNASEL mutations. Due to the low frequency of germline mutations present in our sample, RNASEL does not have a significant impact on prostate cancer susceptibility in the German population.