[Effect of cell differentiation in prostatic cancer on basal PSA]. / Influencia de la diferenciación celular del cáncer de próstata sobre el PSA basal.

The effect of cell differentiation on PSA production in patients with prostate cancer has been evaluated. With this intention 70 patients were included and were analyzed for age, T stage, cell differentiation, bone scan involvement and PSA level prior to therapy. In well-differentiated tumours mcan PSA was 31.3 ng/mL, 56.6 in those with moderate differentiation and 31.6 in poorly differentiated ones (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis shows no significant differences between both variables, but and inverse relationship between cell differentiation and PSA production (r = -0.27, p > 0.05) can be seen. The most influential variable on PSA levels was de extent of bone scan involvement. Cell differentiation as confusion variable to interpret PSA values in poorly differentiated tumours deserves further study to know the exact role of this protein as a treatment response criterion in prostate cancer.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic retrograde ureterorenoscopy (URS)]. / Ureterorrenoscopia retrograda (URS) diagnostica y terapeutica.

Presentation of results obtained in 50 procedures of retrograde ureterorenoscopy (URS), and discussion based on the literature and our results, on the current indications for URS with regard to extracorporeal lithofragmentation (ECL) for the treatment of pelvic ureteral lithiasis and the diagnosis and/or treatment of other conditions. Fifty URS were performed in 47 patients between February 1992 and March 1994: 35 were conducted to treat ureteral lithiasis, achieving a 97% success rate and a mean post-surgery hospital stay of 48 hours; and for diagnostic and/or therapeutic reasons. There were no major complications, and a description is made of minors cases. We prefer to use URS in those cases of distal ureteral lithiasis, as compared to ECL, because of its level of efficacy (higher than or equal to ECL), low cost/benefit ratio, low morbidity and shorter hospital stay involved. The paper emphasizes the major diagnostic and therapeutical indications for URS, and finally, it is noted that URS can avoid undertaking other more aggressive urinary by-passes, since it allows to catheterize the ureters where a false intramural route is conducted.