Tumor size and T stage correlate independently with recurrence and progression in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients treated with adjuvant BCG.

We conducted a retrospective study to determine the prognostic significance of age, gender, associated carcinoma in situ, stage, number of tumors, and tumor size for patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Data were evaluated on 144 high-risk patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with BCG immunotherapy after the initial treatment with transurethral resection. According to their response to BCG, patients were divided into groups, and the differences in factors, associated with recurrence and progression, were evaluated. Patients were categorized into two groups: group A, complete responders without recurrence and without progression, and group B, patients with recurrence and with progression. Furthermore, group B was divided into two subgroups: group B1, patients with recurrence, and group B2, patients with progression. Univariate analysis of group B showed that only tumor size of >3 cm diameter (hazard ratio (HR) 11.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) range 5.69-25.3; p < 0.001) is associated with recurrence. After multivariate analysis, the same factor appeared to be prognostic for recurrence as well. In addition, group B2 was statistically correlated with group B1. Univariate analysis proved that tumor stage (Ta or T1) is the unique factor associated with progression (HR 6.4; 95% CI 1.29-31.9; p = 0.02). Tumor stage seems to be associated with disease's progression after the multivariate analysis too. Tumor size and stage may serve as prognostic factors, because of its independent correlation with recurrence and progression for patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors treated with BCG.

Lithotrites and postoperative fever: does lithotrite type matter? Results from the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Global Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the risks of fever from different lithotrites after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) PNL database is a prospective, multi-institutional, international PNL registry. Of 5,803 total patients, 4,968 received preoperative antibiotics, were supplied with complete information and included in this analysis. The lithotrites assessed included no fragmentation, ultrasonic, laser, pneumatic and combination ultrasonic/pneumatic. Risk of fever was estimated using multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for diabetes, steroid use, a history of positive urine culture, the presence of staghorn calculi or preoperative nephrostomy, stone burden and lithotrite. RESULTS: The overall fever rate was 10%. Pneumatic lithotrites were used in 43% of the cohort, followed by ultrasonic (24%), combination ultrasonic/pneumatic (17.3%), no fragmentation (8.4%) and laser (7.3%). Fever rates were no different between patients who underwent no or any fragmentation (p = 0.117), nor among patients when stratified by lithotrite (p = 0.429). On multivariate analysis, fragmentation was not significantly associated with fever [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.17, p = 0.413], while diabetes (OR 1.32, p = 0.048), positive urine culture (OR 2.08, p < 0.001), staghorn calculi (OR 1.80, p < 0.001) and nephrostomy (OR 1.65, p < 0.001) increased fever risk. Fever risk among lithotrites did not differ (p ≥ 0.128). CONCLUSIONS: Risk of post-PNL fever was not significantly different among the various lithotrites used in the CROES PNL study.

Is there a learning curve for photodynamic diagnosis of bladder cancer with hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride?

INTRODUCTION: To assess the learning curve for fluorescence cystoscopy using hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride (HAL) in patients with bladder cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent bladder instillation with HAL. Two senior residents inspected separately the bladder using white light cystoscopy, followed by fluorescence cystoscopy and mapped the lesions. An experienced with photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) urologist also performed both cystoscopies, mapped, resected or cold biopsied suspect lesions under the supervision of another experienced urologist. To evaluate the learning curve, patients were divided into five subgroups, including group 1 (patients 1-10), group 2 (11-20), group 3 (21-30), group 4 (31-40) and group 5 (41-50). The kappa statistics was calculated to assess interobserver agreement between the physicians and the false positive rates of urologists and residents were also compared. RESULTS: Histologically verified tumors were diagnosed in 103 of 142 lesions identified by PDD. The interobserver agreement between urologists and residents was moderate, moderate, good, excellent, and excellent for group 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Both residents had increased false positive rates compared to urologists in all subgroups of patients but this difference did not reach statistical significance. In addition, false positive rate of residents was declining as the number of procedures was increasing. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that 20 cases of HAL PDD are required to achieve a good interobserver agreement between inexperienced and experienced operator, and excellent agreement is achieved after 30 cases. The false positive rate of inexperienced operators was comparable to the experts and showed a gradual decrease.

CD10 is inversely associated with nuclear factor-kappa B and predicts biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The cell surface endopeptidase CD10 (neutral endopeptidase) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) have been independently associated with prostate cancer (PC) progression. We investigated the correlations between these two factors and their prognostic relevance in terms of biochemical (prostate-specific antigen, PSA) relapse after radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized PC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of CD10 and NF-κB in samples from 70 patients who underwent RP for localized PC was correlated with the preoperative PSA level, Gleason score, pathological stage and time to PSA failure. RESULTS: CD10 expression was inversely associated with NF-κB expression (p < 0.001), stage (p = 0.03) and grade (p = 0.003), whereas NF-κB was directly related with stage (p = 0.006) and grade (p = 0.002). The median time to PSA failure was 56 months. CD10 and NF-κB were directly (p < 0.001) and inversely (p < 0.001) correlated with biochemical recurrence-free survival, respectively. CD10 expression (p = 0.022) and stage (p = 0.018) were independently associated with time to biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSION: Low CD10 expression is an adverse prognostic factor for biochemical relapse after RP in localized PC, which is also associated with high NF-κB expression. Decreased CD10 expression which would lead to increased neuropeptide signaling and NF-κB activity may be present in a subset of early PCs.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and garlic consumption: a lesson to learn.

The first case of a kidney haematoma after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) in a patient with nephrolithiasis who was taking aged garlic extraction is reported. Patient was treated conservatively without the need of any intervention. Urologists should be aware that herbal products including garlic, ginkgo, and ginseng have been associated with potential increased bleeding. The present case emphasises the need to specifically seek out a history of herbal use in presurgical patients. It is suggested that herbal medications should be discontinued up to 15 days prior to urologic surgery or SWL to minimise the risk of complications.

Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors alleviate recurrent priapism complicating thalassemia intermedia: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent ischemic priapism still remains a serious and difficult to treat complication of certain hematological disorders. Elucidation of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and application of new effective prophylactic treatments are needed. AIM: To present the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) as a preventive measure against ischemic priapism recurrences complicating thalassemia intermedia. METHODS: We report on the case of a 19-year-old Caucasian man with thalassemia intermedia complicated by recurrent episodes of priapism following therapeutic splenectomy. After failure of conventional measures to control recurrences, a trial of long-term PDE5is use was initiated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PDE5is efficacy based on clinical patient history. RESULTS: Within 2 months of PDE5i preventive strategy, priapism recurrences nearly resolved. At 6 months, prophylaxis was discontinued. At 12 months, the patient reported clear improvement and satisfaction, experiencing rare episodes of priapism and a physiologic erectile function. CONCLUSIONS: PDE5 dysregulation seems to be an underline pathogenetic mechanism of thalassemia intermedia-associated priapism. It appears that PDE5is might have a role in the clinical management of such patients and their preventive efficacy warrants further testing in clinical trials.

Male lower urinary tract symptoms: how do symptoms guide our choice of treatment?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) include voiding, storage, and postmicturition symptoms whereas in addition LUTS and sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent in aging men. The present article investigates how symptoms can guide our initial therapeutic approach to male LUTS and provides the recent data on the current treatment options. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies suggest that not all male LUTS are associated with prostate pathology and that bladder plays a role in the development of LUTS and especially in storage symptoms. In addition to the traditional drug classes including alpha-blockers and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, there is an increasing flow of data on the use of anticholinergics and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Available studies provide high-level evidence on the efficacy and safety of these medical treatments. The upcoming data are beginning to shape new strategies for the initial management of male LUTS. SUMMARY: Male LUTS have a complex nature and there is an overlap of storage and voiding symptoms. Weighing of storage versus voiding symptoms is a decisive factor for the selection of medical treatment. In addition, assessment of specific voiding and prostate parameters and the status of patient's sexual function may guide our choice.

Primary renal epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

BACKGROUND: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is a rare vascular neoplasm with an unpredictable malignant potential that has been described mainly in soft tissue, liver, and lung. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a primary renal EH in a 54-year-old woman who presented with a 3-month history of abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography scan revealed a solitary mass of 4.0 x 3.2 cm in the outer surface of the right kidney. Nephron-sparing surgery was performed. On the basis of the histological and immunohistochemical findings, the diagnosis of EH was made. The patient was free of disease 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although EH may have a histologically benign appearance and can be treated using a nephron-sparing approach, this neoplasm is potentially malignant urging the need for a long-term follow-up in these patients.

Analgesia during extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy: fentanyl citrate versus parecoxib sodium.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Shockwave-induced pain may become an important issue during extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), although the new generation of lithotriptors generally produces less pain than previous models. The aim of the study was to compare the analgesic effect of a cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor (parecoxib sodium) with that of our standard method of analgesia (fentanyl citrate) in patients who needed pain relief when undergoing SWL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients who were undergoing SWL for renal calculi were randomized to receive intravenously either fentanyl citrate (group A, n = 30) or parecoxib sodium (group B, n = 28) when they felt that their pain during the session became intolerable. Lithotripsy was recommenced 10 minutes after administration of analgesia. The severity of pain before and after administration of the analgesic regimens was evaluated using a five-level verbal scale. The effectiveness of each drug was evaluated with respect to degree of pain relief and ensuing tolerance of the procedure to completion, as well as the need for supplementary analgesia (half the standard dose of fentanyl citrate). RESULTS: The patients in the two groups were comparable with regard to age, sex, body mass index, and stone size. There was no statistically significant difference in the maximum energy level achieved as well as in the total number of shock waves given in the two groups. Administration of fentanyl citrate resulted in alleviation of pain and completion of SWL in 27 patients (90%), whereas parecoxib sodium was effective in five patients (17.8%) (P < 0.01). The remaining 23 patients in group B received supplementary analgesia, and 22 completed the lithotripsy session. CONCLUSIONS: Parecoxib sodium was not as effective as fentanyl citrate in alleviating pain during SWL. Its use, however, may lower the dose of opioid-based analgesia in this group of patients.

Value of immediate anastomotic biopsy following biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy.

AIMS: To study the value, in diagnostic terms, of performing transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided anastomotic biopsy immediately following the diagnosis of biochemical failure in patients treated by radical retropubic prostatectomy. METHODS: We report on 50 sessions of TRUS-guided biopsy obtained during post-radical retropubic prostatectomy follow-up, immediately after the diagnosis of biochemical failure. No patient had received either adjuvant or further treatment due to biochemical failure status prior to the biopsy session. In each case, tissue sampling involved cores taken by a standard protocol (random) as well as TRUS-guided biopsy to sonographically suspicious areas. Statistical analysis focused on identifying the statistical importance of various pre- and post-treatment variables in predicting biopsy outcome. RESULTS: 10/50 cases with local evidence of malignancy (1 case harboring both benign and malignant glands) were identified and in another 10/50 cases benign prostatic tissue was diagnosed. The remaining (30) cases have shown fibromuscular tissue only. Statistical analysis of various parameters has demonstrated a significant correlation between local evidence of cancer and the finding of sonographically remarkable areas. CONCLUSION: Performing TRUS-guided anastomotic biopsy close to the onset of biochemical failure can frequently identify but also may easily miss the suspected local presence of prostate tissue. We believe that, with minimal risks of morbidity, there is merit in exploring its possibilities to trace local prostatic tissue, since it may provide useful information for further treatment actions also in an earlier time.

Endobronchial metastasis from prostate cancer.

We report a case of endobronchial metastasis from prostate adenocarcinoma. A patient with a history of prostate cancer under complete androgen blockade presented to the respiratory department complaining of dyspnea and dry coughing. Flexible bronchoscopy showed multiple polypoid lesions in the tracheobronchial tree and the immunohistochemical studies on the biopsy specimen determined the diagnosis. The patient was treated with paclitaxel, estramustine phosphate and carboplatine, and experienced symptoms suppression. To our knowledge, this is the first case of endobronchial metastasis of a patient with androgen refractory prostate cancer without any evidence of extrathoracic metastasis. The current report also emphasises the need for a multidisciplinary approach for cases of endobronchial metastases, with the collaboration of pneumologists, urologists, pathologists and oncologists.

Percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with tumors of advanced stage: treatment dilemmas and impact on clinical course and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome, in respect to safety, survival, and quality of life (QoL), after performance of percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with obstructive nephropathy caused by various types of advanced malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 270 patients with established nephropathy because of advanced pelvic or nonpelvic tumors was evaluated. A decision to obtain percutaneous access was made; primary stenting had either failed or was not feasible because of complicated anatomy. Patients were divided in equal groups by type of malignancy (54 patients each). In addition, each malignancy group was further divided in two equal subgroups by tumor burden (27 patients each). Correlations were made with respect to renal function outcome, overall survival after the procedure, and QoL differences both before and after the procedure. RESULTS: No serious complications, such as severe bleeding or sepsis, were experienced because of the procedure. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in survival among patients with different types of cancer. Only patients with prostate (P < 0.0365) and colorectal (P < 0.0307) cancer with lower tumor burden had significantly longer survival when compared with patients with large tumor burden. Regarding QoL scores, only patients with prostate cancer in the subgroup with low tumor burden demonstrated a positive statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that percutaneous nephrostomy has shown good safety characteristics and beneficial impact on renal function, only patients with specific cancers most likely to respond to ongoing palliative therapy or with cancers that progress slowly by nature may statistically benefit from the procedure. This questions the universal application of this procedure for all types and stages of advanced malignancy.

Bladder stone formation after a tension-free vaginal tape procedure: report on two cases.

We present 2 cases of large bladder stones formed on a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) which was inadvertently passed through the bladder during the continence procedure. The stones together with the intravesical portion of the slings were removed using a suprapubic approach. High clinical suspicion of bladder complications is necessary when evaluating patients with urinary symptoms after a TVT operation.

In vitro biocompatibility between mitomycin-C (MMC) and bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG).

BACKGROUND: Mitomycin-C (MMC) and bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) intravesical instillations are widely and effectively used as adjuvant treatment for superficial bladder cancer. In an attempt to improve the efficacy of intravesical therapy, MMC and BCG have also been used in a sequential or an alternating mode. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro biocompatibility between these agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of MMC on BCG clumping tendency was assessed by estimating the number of colony forming units (CFU) of BCG in suspension, during incubation at 37 degrees C for 3 h, with repeated recordings of the suspension optical density (OD). Preparations containing either BCG plus MMC or BCG plus an equivalent amount of sterile water were cultivated using the non-radiometric system BACTEC MGIT 960. The final concentrations of the agents, following transfer of the preparations into the tubes of the system, were 1.25 mg/ml for BCG and 1 mg/ml for MMC. During the cultivation process, the tubes of the system were automatically checked every 60 min for fluorescence emission, which is an indication of mycobacteria growth. A comparative cultivation of the same preparations on Lowenstein-Jensen solid medium was also performed. RESULTS: The OD of the BCG preparation remained almost unaffected for 3 h and was minimally altered by inclusion of MMC. After 34-38 h of cultivation in the BACTEC MGIT 960 system, all 7 cultures of the BCG+sterile water preparations became positive. In contrast, no BCG+MMC specimen became positive after an incubation period of 42 days. Following re-cultivation of the 7 negative BCG+MMC specimens, 6 remained negative, whereas 1 specimen became positive after an incubation period of 22 days. On Löwenstein-Jensen medium, growth of mycobacteria was noted only in the BCG+sterile water specimens and not in the BCG+MMC specimens. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that, although MMC has no apparent effect on BCG tendency to form clumps in suspension, it may inhibit its growth in vitro. However, this does not necessarily compromise BCG anti-tumour activity. As the in vivo interaction of the drugs may be different, the efficacy of the combined BCG+MMC treatment should be defined in clinical trials.

Previous Bladder Cancer History in Patients with High-Risk, Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Correlates with Recurrence and Progression: Implications of Natural History.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation of previous bladder cancer history with the recurrence and progression of patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with adjuvant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and to evaluate their natural history. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups based on the existence of previous bladder cancer (primary, non-primary). A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the possible differences in the probabilities of recurrence and progression with respect to tumor history, while potential differences due to gender, tumor size (> 3 cm, < 3 cm), stage (pTa, T1), concomitant carcinoma in situ (pTis) and number of tumors (single, multiple) were also assessed. Univariate and multivariate models were employed. In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare recurrence- and progression-free survival between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients were included (144 with primary and 48 with non-primary tumors). The rates of recurrence and progression for patients with primary tumors were 27.8% and 12.5%, respectively. The corresponding percentages for patients with non-primary tumors were 77.1% and 33.3%, respectively. The latter group of patients displayed significantly higher probabilities of recurrence (p=0.000; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.067 to 18.804) and progression (p=0.002; 95% CI, 1.609 to 7.614) in a univariate logistic regression analysis. Previous bladder cancer history remained significant in the multivariate model accounting for history, age, gender, tumor size , number of tumors, stage and concomitant pTis (p=0.000; 95% CI, 4.367 to 21.924 and p=0.002; 95% CI, 1.611 to 8.182 for recurrence and progression respectively). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that the non-primary group hadreduced progression- and recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSION: Previous non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer history correlates significantly with recurrence and progression in patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive disease treated with adjuvant BCG.

Evaluation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, interleukin-18, and cystatin C as molecular markers before and after unilateral shock wave lithotripsy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) on renal tissues using neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C, and interleukin 18 (IL-18) levels in serum and urine and to examine the relationship of these biomarkers with patient and calculus characteristics as well as SWL treatment parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with renal calculi were included in this study. Blood and urine samples were attained from each patient at 4 time points; immediately before SWL, 6 hours after, 3 days after, and 10 days after the SWL. A new generation lithotripter was used for all cases. Serum and urine NGAL concentrations were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits according to manufacture's protocol. The concentration of cystatin C was measured in serum, whereas IL-18 concentration was assessed in urine. RESULTS: There were no statistically significantly differences in the levels of NGAL in serum and urine before and after SWL. The mean levels of cystatin C in serum appeared significantly higher 3 and 10 days after SWL. No statistically significant differences were identified between levels of IL-18 before and after SWL. Patients with diabetes mellitus demonstrated significantly higher baseline cystatin C levels. There was no correlation between calculus characteristics or treatment parameters and the levels of all 3 biomarkers after SWL. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that SWL is associated with minimal acute injury to renal tissues. Our findings support the safety profile of new generation lithotripters, provided orthodox indications and treatment principles are followed.

p53 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression are directly associated with cyclin D1 expression in radical prostatectomy specimens of patients with hormone-naïve prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a potentially curable disease when diagnosed in early stages and subsequently treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). However, a significant proportion of patients tend to relapse early, with the emergence of biochemical failure (BF) as an established precursor of progression to metastatic disease. Several candidate molecular markers have been studied in an effort to enhance the accuracy of existing predictive tools regarding the risk of BF after RP. We studied the immunohistochemical expression of p53, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cyclin D1 in a cohort of 70 patients that underwent RP for early stage, hormone naïve PCa, with the aim of prospectively identifying any possible interrelations as well as correlations with known prognostic parameters such as Gleason score, pathological stage and time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) relapse. We observed a significant (p = 0.003) prognostic role of p53, with high protein expression correlating with shorter time to BF (TTBF) in univariate analysis. Both p53 and COX-2 expression were directly associated with cyclin D1 expression (p = 0.055 and p = 0.050 respectively). High p53 expression was also found to be an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.023). Based on previous data and results provided by this study, p53 expression exerts an independent negative prognostic role in localized prostate cancer and could therefore be evaluated as a useful new molecular marker to be added in the set of known prognostic indicators of the disease. With respect to COX-2 and cyclin D1, further studies are required to elucidate their role in early prediction of PCa relapse after RP.

Expression of neutral endopeptidase, endothelin-1, and nuclear factor kappa B in prostate cancer: interrelations and associations with prostate-specific antigen recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Objective. To study the impact of the neutral endopeptidase (NEP)/neuropeptides (NPs) axis and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) as predictors of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Patients and Methods. 70 patients with early-stage PC were treated with RP and their tumor samples were evaluated for expression of NEP, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and NFκB (p65). Time to PSA recurrence was correlated with the examined parameters and combined with preoperative PSA level, Gleason score, pathological TNM (pT) stage, and surgical margin (SM) assessment. Results and Limitations. Membranous expression of NEP (P < 0.001), cytoplasmic ET-1 (P = 0.002), and cytoplasmic NFκB (P < 0.001) were correlated with time to PSA relapse. NEP was associated with ET-1 (P < 0.001) and NFκB (P < 0.001). ET-1 was also correlated with NFκB (P < 0.001). NEP expression (P = 0.017), pT stage (P = 0.013), and SMs (P = 0.036) were independent predictors of time to PSA recurrence. Conclusions. There seems to be a clinical model of NEP/NPs and NFκB pathways interconnection, with their constituents following inverse patterns of expression in accordance with their biological roles and molecular interrelations.

Translation of benign prostatic hyperplasia guidelines into clinical practice.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to describe the current position of clinical practice guidelines for benign prostatic hyperplasia in daily management and identify the potential barriers that may hinder the implementation of guidelines into clinical practice. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have attempted to compare and grade benign prostatic hyperplasia clinical practice guidelines using appraisal instruments underlining the issues of quality and updates of guidelines. Surveys have evaluated the adoption of guidelines from the urological community and recent studies have made major contributions to our knowledge of the translation of evidence to daily practice. SUMMARY: Numerous clinical practice guidelines (both national and international) for benign prostatic hyperplasia exist. High methodological quality clinical practice guidelines are likely to be the most beneficial to patients and strength of recommendations depends on available evidence. Efforts to implement guidelines are not always successful and a considerable variation especially in diagnostic assessment of benign prostatic hyperplasia has been reported. Difficulties in translation of benign prostatic hyperplasia guidelines into clinical practice are related to lack of knowledge but also to differences in routine practices, beliefs, cost, availability, and reimbursement policy. Bridging the implementation gap represents a challenging task for clinical practice guideline supporters.

Fascin determination in urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder: a marker of invasiveness.

CONTEXT: Invasion and the depth of invasion affect significantly the prognosis in urothelial carcinomas. The histopathologic evaluation of invasion may be problematic in some cases. Application of new immunohistochemical markers may facilitate the assessment of invasion. Fascin, one of these markers, is an actin-bundling protein involved in tumor cell migration. Fascin expression is increased in various carcinomas. Prior to this research, to our knowledge, only one study exists regarding fascin expression in urothelial carcinomas. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the expression of fascin in additional cases of urothelial carcinoma and to verify statistically a relationship between fascin overexpression and invasiveness in these tumors. DESIGN: We examined fascin immunoreactivity in 116 specimens of urothelial carcinomas obtained from 116 patients including 96 men and 20 women. Fifty-eight cases were ranked as low-grade carcinomas, pTa stage, and 58 cases were ranked as high-grade carcinomas--11 were ranked as stage pTa, 21 were ranked as pT1, and 26 were ranked as pT2 carcinomas. Fascin immunoreactivity was assessed semiquantitatively in tumor cells. In each case, we ascribed 3 immunoreactivity scores, one for extent, one for intensity, and a combined immunoreactivity score. RESULTS: The combined immunoreactivity score was significantly higher in invasive carcinomas. In addition, strong staining was observed exclusively in invasive carcinomas. None of the pTa tumors demonstrated intense staining, including those ranked at the higher grade. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to an association between fascin immunostaining and urothelial carcinoma invasiveness and suggest that fascin overexpression may be a marker of aggressive urothelial carcinomas.