Symptoms and noninvasive test parameters that clinically differentiate detrusor underactivity from bladder outlet obstruction without a pressure-flow-based diagnosis in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

AIM: To examine the symptoms and noninvasive test parameters that clinically differentiate detrusor underactivity (DU) from bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) without using a pressure-flow study (PFS) in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. METHODS: We examined 909 men who underwent PFS and also had the following data: International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), free uroflowmetry, postvoid residual (PVR), and prostate volume (PV). Using these data, significant symptoms and noninvasive test parameters that clinically differentiate DU from BOO were examined. RESULTS: Significant parameters between DU patients and BOO patients were older age, smaller PV, and lower urgency symptom score (IPSS Q4). Optimal cutoff values were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves (≥74 years old, PV ≤ 34.8, and IPSS Q4 ≤ 1) and patients were categorized on the basis of the number of significant factors. The probability of DU or BOO in patients with three significant factors were 77% and 34%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Three factors (older age, smaller PV, and fewer urgency symptom) were the predictive factors to differentiate DU from BOO, which might be useful for estimating the probability of DU in clinical practice without a PFS.

A Prediction Model of Detrusor Underactivity Based on Symptoms and Noninvasive Test Parameters in Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: An Analysis of a Large Group of Patients undergoing Pressure-Flow Studies.

PURPOSE: We sought to identify the symptoms and noninvasive test parameters associated with detrusor underactivity and develop a prediction model of detrusor underactivity. We analyzed clinical data on male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms who underwent pressure-flow studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included in analysis were 909 men who met study criteria and whose data included the International Prostate Symptom Score, free uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine volume and prostate volume. Using these data we examined the significant symptoms and noninvasive test parameters associated with detrusor underactivity and developed a prediction model of detrusor underactivity. RESULTS: Of the 909 patients 454 (50%) were classified with detrusor underactivity. On logistic regression analysis older patient age, smaller prostate volume, a lower urgency symptom score, a higher weak stream symptom score and a lower maximum flow rate were selected as independent predictors of detrusor underactivity. The prediction model of detrusor underactivity consisting of these 5 factors showed satisfactory performance (C statistic 0.724). CONCLUSIONS: We developed a prediction model of detrusor underactivity in male patients with nonneurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms. The model was based on 5 predictive factors, namely older age, smaller prostate volume, 2 symptoms (less urgency and a weak stream) and a lower maximum flow rate. The model helps estimate the probability of detrusor underactivity in clinical practice without an invasive pressure-flow study.

Serum Prognostic Factors of Androgen-deprivation Therapy Among Japanese Men With De Novo Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To date, several serum prognostic factors have been reported in metastatic prostate cancer. In this study, we examined the prognostic value of these serum markers in Japanese men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 104 patients with metastatic prostate cancer who were treated with primary androgen-deprivation therapy from 2001 to 2013. Clinicopathological factors including several serum markers were investigated for association with progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 48.1 months, median PFS and OS were 24.0 months and 67.4 months, respectively. When adjusted by age, prostate-specific antigen at diagnosis, Gleason score, and clinical stage, serum lactate dehydrogenase value was significantly associated with PFS [hazard ratio (HR)=1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.15-1.74; p=0.0004] and OS (HR=1.46, 95% CI=1.13-1.82; p=0.0014), in addition to alkaline phosphatase value for OS (HR=1.04; 95% CI=1.00-1.07; p=0.015). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the prognostic significance of alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase values in Japanese men with de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Clinical factors affecting perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

The present study investigated clinical factors affecting perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The study included 625 Japanese cases treated with RARP between 2009 and 2017. The association between clinical factors (age, overweight status, prostate volume, clinical T-stage, nerve sparing, lympho-node dissection, and the number of experienced cases) and perioperative outcomes (operation time, estimated blood loss, catheterization duration, and perioperative complication) were analyzed. Results revealed that overweight status, prostate volume, lymph-node dissection, and the number of experienced cases were associated with operation time. For estimated blood loss, the identified risk factors were overweight status, prostate volume, nerve sparing, lymph-node dissection, and the number of experienced cases. Lymph-node dissection and the number of experienced cases were also associated with catheterization duration. Additionally, only lymph-node dissection was associated with increased perioperative complication. Taken together, the present study identified several clinical factors affecting perioperative outcomes in RARP. This information may help surgeons to estimate perioperative outcomes as well as to inform patients.

Metyrapone-responsive ectopic ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma with a vicious cycle via a glucocorticoid-driven positive-feedback mechanism.

In ectopic ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma, combined ACTH-driven hypercortisolemia and hypercatecholaminemia are serious conditions, which can be fatal if not diagnosed and managed appropriately, especially when glucocorticoid-driven positive feedback is suggested with a high ACTH/cortisol ratio. A 46-year-old man presented with headache, rapid weight loss, hyperhidrosis, severe hypertension and hyperglycemia without typical Cushingoid appearance. Endocrinological examinations demonstrated elevated plasma and urine catecholamines, serum cortisol and plasma ACTH. Moreover, his ACTH/cortisol ratio and catecholamine levels were extremely high, suggesting catecholamine-dominant ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma. Computed tomography revealed a large right adrenal tumor. 18F-FDG positron emission tomography showed uptake in the area of the adrenal tumor, while 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy showed no accumulation. His plasma ACTH level paradoxically became elevated after a dexamethasone suppression test. After metyrapone administration, not only serum cortisol but also plasma ACTH levels were exponentially decreased almost in parallel, suggesting a glucocorticoid-driven positive-feedback regulation in this rapidly exacerbated ectopic ACTH-producing pheochromocytoma. Interestingly enough, plasma catecholamine levels were also decreased by metyrapone, although they remained extremely high. He became severely dehydrated due to hypoadrenalism requiring hydrocortisone supplementation. His clinical signs and symptoms were improved, and right adrenalectomy was performed uneventfully, resulting in complete remission of pheochromocytoma and Cushing's syndrome. A glucocorticoid-driven positive-feedback regulation in this ectopic ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma created a vicious cycle with rapid exacerbation of both hypercortisolemia and hypercatecholaminemia with extremely elevated plasma ACTH level. Metyrapone was clinically effective to stop this vicious cycle; nonetheless, great care must be taken to avoid hypoadrenalism especially when hypercatecholaminemia remained.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Nocturia in an Outpatient Clinic.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the prevalence of and risk factors in patients with nocturia at a general medical clinic in Naha, Japan. METHODS: We enrolled patients who had been regularly followed-up at a general medical clinic in Naha. Patients were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire regarding medical history and the frequency of nocturnal voids in the last month with anonymity. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to evaluate the risk factors for clinically significant nocturia. RESULTS: In total, 357 patients (men, 192; women, 165; mean age, 60 years) were eligible for analysis. The prevalence rate of clinically significant nocturia in patients was 33.8%. Univariate, as well as multivariate, analysis revealed that age, gender, and hypertension were significant risk factors for nocturia. CONCLUSION: Clinically significant nocturia is common among patients seen at a general medical clinic. Age and gender are the most definitive risk factors for nocturia. Hypertension may also be related to nocturia. Thus, it is important to evaluate not only urological problems but other medical problems in patients with nocturia.

[Sexual function after permanent seed implant prostate brachytherapy].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of permanent seed implant prostate brachytherapy (BT) on sexual function (SF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2003 to July 2005, 56 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) without any hormone therapy, while 353 patients had undergone BT without any adjuvant hormone therapy in a single institute. Out of these 353 patients in the BT group, 305 patients received neoadjuvant hormone therapy (BT NHT + group), while 48 did not (BT NHT - group). SF was prospectively evaluated using the UCLA Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI). Potency was defined as the UCLA-PCI Q26 point of > or = 3. RESULT: The preimplant UCLA-PCI scores of SF for BT NHT - and BT NHT + groups were 50.9 and 13.4, respectively. The SF score of the NHT - group post operatively decreased to 38.9 within 6 months, but was maintained at the same level after that. With the recovery of the androgen, SF score of the NHT + group improved after BT: however, it did not reach up to that of the NHT - group. In the univariate analysis, patient's age was the only predictive factor for SF after BT. Thirty-four out of 48 patients in the BT NHT - group and 23 out of 56 patients in the RRP group showed adequate potency before surgery. Their 5-year potency preservation rate was 73.6% in the BT NHT - group and 4.3% in the RRP group. CONCLUSION: SF slightly decreased immediately after BT but was usually maintained during the course observation for 5 years. The 5-year SF preservation rate after BT was 73.6%.

[Two cases of bowel perforation in patients with metastatic renal cancer treated with a molecularly targeted drug].

(Case 1) An 82-year-old man started immunotherapy with interferon because of lung metastasis 5 years after he had undergone radical nephrectomy. Three years later, he developed multiple metastases, and was started on sorafenib (400 mg/day) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) orally. As his cancer-related pain worsened with time, he was administered 30 Gy radiation therapy for bone metastasis of L4. He was then admitted to our hospital for pain control because of ineffective radiation therapy. One day, he suddenly had abdominal pain and vomiting, and was diagnosed as bowel perforation based on computed tomography. He was managed conservatively by nasogastric suction and antibiotic course. (Case 2) A 62-year-old man diagnosed as metastatic renal cell cancer began immunotherapy soon after undergoing radical nephrectomy in Dec., 2006. Although he was started on oral sorafenib (800 mg/day) in July, 2008, metastatic foci enlarged after 18 months. He was then changed to sunitinib (50 mg/day). Sunitinib had immediate and long-lasting effect on the cancer for about 10 months, but he was then admitted to our hospital for pleural effusion. While under treatment for thoracic cavity drainage, he experienced upper abdominal pain and was diagnosis as bowel perforation based on computed tomography. He underwent emergency laparotomy. Molecular target drugs such as sorafenib and sunitinib have serious adverse effects. Bowel perforation is rare, but among those adverse effects. It should be remembered that caution is required for long-term use or combined radiation therapy and NSAIDs with molecular target drug.

[PSA bounce after brachytherapy with permanent seed implantation for prostate cancer].

PURPOSE: To evaluate prostate specific antigen (PSA) bounce that may occur as a time PSA rise phenomenon during follow up period after brachytherapy (BT) with permanent seed implantation for prostate cancer. (Materials and methods) Seven hundred and forty-six patients had undergone BT from November 2003 to April 2007 in a single institute, and of 130 patients who did not receive hormone therapy and had minimal 3-year follow up are analyzed. PSA bounce was defined as a rise of at least 0.4 ng/ml with spontaneous return to pre-bounce level or lower. RESULT: Among the 130 patients, 40 patients (30.8%) developed PSA bounce, and median time to PSA bounce was 18 months after the BT. With univariate analysis, younger patients (P = 0.027) and larger prostate (P = 0.030) had statistically significant correlation with PSA bounce. With multivariate analysis, younger patients were identified as only independent factor for predicting PSA bounce. Eight patients out of 130 patients (6.2%) triggered the Phoenix definition (nadir + 2 ng/ml) of PSA failure, however, clinical failure was seen only in 3 patients, and other 5 patients were considered as PSA bounce. CONCLUSION: PSA bounce is likely to occur in younger patients within 3 years after BT. It is clinically important to distinguish PSA bounce from PSA failure during following period after BT.

[A case of advanced malignant melanoma with multiple metastases to the liver and the gastrointestinal tract].

We reported a case of advanced malignant melanoma with multiple metastases to the liver and the gastrointestinal tract. A 69-year-old man was found to have multiple liver tumors and was referred to our hospital. He had a history of chronic hepatitis C, but HCV-RNA was negative and AFP and PIVKA-II were not elevated. Metastatic liver tumors were suggested by abdominal dynamic CT and ultrasonography. Multiple small blackish spots were detected in the gastrointestinal tract. Malignant melanoma was diagnosed by biopsy from the liver tumor and the gastrointestinal tract and remarkable elevation of 5-S-CD 436.4 nmol/l. A blackish, slightly elevated lesion was detected in the oral cavity and was thought to be primary site. The patient chose palliative therapy and died 69 days after his first visit to his local doctor.