Hepatitis C virus coinfection independently increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in HIV-positive patients.

Patients infected with HIV are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease despite successful antiretroviral therapy. Likewise, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with extrahepatic complications, including cardiovascular disease. However the risk of cardiovascular disease has not been formally examined in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. A retrospective study was carried out to assess the influence of HCV coinfection on the risk of cardiovascular events in a large cohort of HIV-infected patients recruited since year 2004. A composite event of cardiovascular disease was used as an endpoint, including myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke or death due to any of them. A total of 1136 patients (567 HIV-monoinfected, 70 HCV-monoinfected and 499 HIV/HCV-coinfected) were analysed. Mean age was 42.7 years, 79% were males, and 46% were former injection drug users. Over a mean follow-up of 79.4 ± 21 months, 3 patients died due to cardiovascular disease, whereas 29 suffered a first episode of coronary ischaemia or stroke. HIV/HCV-coinfected patients had a greater incidence of cardiovascular disease events and/or death than HIV-monoinfected individuals (4% vs 1.2%, P = 0.004) and HCV-monoinfected persons (4% vs 1.4%, P = 0.5). After adjusting for demographics, virological parameters and classical cardiovascular disease risk factors (smoking, hypertension, diabetes, high LDL cholesterol), both HIV/HCV coinfection (HR 2.91; CI 95%: 1.19-7.12; P = 0.02) and hypertension (HR 3.65; CI 95%: 1.34-9.94; P = 0.01) were independently associated with cardiovascular disease events and/or death in HIV-infected patients. Chronic hepatitis C and hypertension are independently associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in HIV-infected patients. Therefore, treatment of chronic hepatitis C should be prioritized in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients regardless of any liver fibrosis staging.

Changes in liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients following different outcomes with peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy.

There is scarce information about the impact of antiviral treatment on subsequent progression of liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C who experience different outcomes following peginterferon-ribavirin therapy. We conducted a retrospective study of a cohort of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with longitudinal assessment of liver fibrosis using elastometry. Patients were split out into four groups according to the prior peginterferon-ribavirin response: sustained virological response (SVR), relapse (R), partial response (PR) and null response (NR). A group of untreated, coinfected patients was taken as control. Significant liver fibrosis progression (sLFP) was defined as a shift from baseline Metavir estimates ≤ F2 to F3-F4, or by >30% increase in liver stiffness in patients with baseline F3-F4. Conversely, significant liver fibrosis regression (sLFR) was defined as a shift from baseline Metavir estimates F3-F4 to ≤ F2, or by >30% reduction in liver stiffness in patients that kept on F3-F4. A total of 498 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients were examined. They were classified as follows: 138 (27.7%) SVR, 40 (8%) R, 61 (12.2%) PR, 71 (14.3%) NR and 188 (37.8%) naive. After a mean follow-up of 53.3 months, sLFP occurred less frequently in patients with SVR (7.2%) compared with R (25%; P = 0.002), PR (23%; P = 0.002), NR (29.6%; P < 0.001) and naïve (19.7%; P = 0.002). Conversely, sLFR was 26.1% in SVR compared with 10% in R (P = 0.03), 14.8% in PR (P = 0.06), 16.9% in NR (P = 0.07) and 10.6% in naïve (P < 0.001). Sustained clearance of serum HCV-RNA following a course of antiviral treatment is the major determinant of liver fibrosis regression in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

[Surgical treatment of penile lymphedema associated with hidradenitis suppurativa]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de linfedema peneano secundario a hidrosadenitis supurativa.

Penoscrotal lymphedema is a rare disease in the developed countries, although it is relatively frequent in tropical countries. The most common cause is filariasis, although in our practice usually is associate to neoplasic and inflammatory processes, surgery, radiotherapy, hidroelectrolitic disbalances and idiopathic. We present a 22 years old patient with penoscrotal lymphedema due to hidradenitis suppurativa. After unsuccessful medical treatment, was performed a total excision of the penile skin and subcutaneous tissue to Buck's fascia. Split thickness skin grafts were used to cover the defect. Even medical management of penoscrotal lymphedema is not effective for most patients, surgery is a safe and effective procedure that gives excellent functional and cosmetic results.

[Local relapse and single site of metastatic involvement of renal tumour. Prognostic factors and survival]. / Recidiva local y afectación metastásica única de tumor renal. Factores pronósticos y supervivencia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics and survival in patients surgically treated for renal tumours that had local recurrence or metastasis to a single site. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 321 nephrectomies, evaluating the clinical and pathological variables in patients having local recurrence or metastasis to a single site, and who were treated surgically. Study and comparison of survival in the different groups. RESULTS: The only factor found to have an independent influence on local recurrence is pathological stage. Local recurrence and the presence of metastasis to a single site have similar survival rates, both being statistically worse than in patients without metastasis at diagnosis, but better than in those having metastasis at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of local recurrence has the same prognosis as a single excisable metastatic site, the prognosis being better than those initially with metastasis subjected to nephrectomy before receiving systemic treatment.

[Evaluation and prognostic of cystic renal tumors]. / Valoración y pronóstico de los tumores renales quísticos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics of cystic renal tumors in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 239 nephrectomies is performed comparing the clinical and pathological variables of cystic tumors with those of solid renal tumors. Survival outcomes are analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: Our experience shows that cystic renal tumors behave like solid renal tumors, with no differences in survival shown. The variables studied show statistically significant differences in histological grade and number of tumors, with cystic tumors having a lower histological grade and being more often multiple in number. CONCLUSIONS: The behavior of cystic renal tumors is no different than that of solid renal tumors.

[Usefulness of PET in the diagnosis and response to treatment of extragonadal germinal tumor with atypical presentation]. / Utilidad del PET en el diagnóstico y respuesta al tratamiento en un tumor germinal extragonadal de presentación atípica.

Primary tumors of extragonadal origin are rare, with fewer than 1000 cases described in the literature. Although the exact incidence of EGTs is unknown, clinical data suggest that roughly 3% to 5% of all germ cell tumors. We expose a case report of EGT with unusually clinic presentation. We present our diagnostic and therapeutic experience in this injuries.

[Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid manifested initially as asymptomatic primary renal neoplasm]. / Masa renal asintomática como primera manifestación de carcinoma folicular de tiroides.

Metastases in the kidney are rare, evenmore if primary source is thyroid. We report the tenth case of metastases in the kidney from thyroid, and it is the first to be follicular type and absolutely asymptom. Sonography and computerized tomography with suspicion of renal tumour are showed in a asymtom female 75 years old. Left partial nephrectomy was perfomed, initially it has been pathologically diagnosed as renal clear cells tumour, however the definitive pathologic report showed follicular tumour of thyroid. Local and systemic stage was discovered with complementary techniques. Sources of metastases in kidney and diagnoses techniques are discussed.

[Clinical features, diagnosis, and prognosis of renal carcinoma]. / Clínica, diagnóstico y pronóstico del carcinoma renal.

Significant conceptual changes have taken place in renal tumoral diseases over the last few years. As a result of the authors' broad institutional experience, this overall revision describes the most up-to-date clinical and diagnostic aspects of this condition. Emphasis is made on molecular staging and two variables that guide the prognosis of the disease, a decisive feature to establish treatment and to contribute to change current survival rates.

[Treatment of renal carcinoma]. / Tratamiento del carcinoma renal.

The standard therapy for renal carcinoma is radical surgery. When dealing with single, under 4 cm tumors and in the case of renal tumors in single-kidney patients, the choice therapy is nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy. Response rates in metastatic renal carcinoma using the various immune therapy approaches available range from 15 to 35%, responses being short-lasting.

[Prognosis factors in pT3 renal carcinoma]. / Factores pronóstico en carcinoma renal pT3.

OBJECTIVES: To identify independent predictors of progression and global survival in patients affected by pT3 renal cell carcinoma. To make risk groups by risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 117 patients with pT3 renal cell carcinoma. 88 was M0 and 29 M1. Most frequent clinical feature: asintomatic patients. 80 males (69%) and 37 females (31%). Mean age 59 (24-82). Median follow up 34 months (mean 44 +/- 39 months). RESULTS: Pathological stage (TNM 1997) was pT3a in 52 patients (43.6%), pT3b 63 patients (53.6%) and pT3c 2 patients. HISTOLOGY: clear cell carcinoma 106 patients (90.6%), papillary 5 patients (4.3%) an dchromophobe 4 patients (3.4%). Nuclear grading according Fuhrman's classification: G1 13 patients, G2 45 patients, G3 32 and G4 12 patients. Size > 4 cm (p = 0.005/p = 0.0019), grade 3-4 (p = 0.006/p = 0.0007), N+ (p = 0.034/p = 0.009) and M+ (p = 0.035/p = 0.042) were independent prognosis factors for progression and global survival of the pT3 renal cell carcinoma. Patients M0 with 0 or 1 risk factor have better global survival tanh patients M0 with 3 or 4 risk factors and patients M1. CONCLUSIONS: Size, grade, N+ and M+ were independent prognosis factors for progression and global survival of the pT3 renal cell carcinoma. Tera are no differencies in global survival between patients M0 with 2 or 3 risk factors and patients M1.

[Solitary lung metastasis after radical prostatectomy]. / Metástasis pulmonar solitaria tras prostatectomía radical.

Prostate carcinoma is diagnosed in earlier phases of its evolution, but this carcinoma may have an unpredictible evolution. Radical treatment (surgery and radiotherapy) is the best treatment in clinically localized tumors. The biochemical failure over 5 years from the surgery is 20-50% of the patients; the biochemical failure over 10 years from the surgery is less frequent because of prognostic factors from the biologic nature of the tumor. We report a case with biochemical and clinical failure over 10 years from the surgery.

[Incidentally detected renal cancer. Prognostic factors]. / Tumores renales incidentales. Factores pronósticos.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and pathological characteristics of incidental renal tumors treated in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review is conducted of 318 nephrectomies comparing the clinico-pathological variables of renal tumors diagnosed incidentally with those of symptomatic renal tumors. The factors influencing disease-free survival are analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: In our experience, although incidental renal tumors presented better survival than symptomatic ones owing to their better pathological state and tumor grade, incidental diagnosis was not an independent influencing factor in the multivariate study. Only when patients were studied who did not present metastases on diagnosis did incidental diagnosis become an influencing factor very close to statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Incidental diagnosis is not an independent prognostic factor.

[Mutations of the androgen receptor gene in patients with clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate]. / Mutaciones del gen del receptor de andrógenos en pacientes con adenocarcinoma de próstata clínicamente localizado.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to detect mutations in the human androgen receptor gene in radical prostatectomy specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The genomic sequence was realized in 67 radical prostatectomy specimens. The mean age was 64 years old. The PSA median was 15 ng/ml. TNM 1997: 34.3% were T1 and 65.7% T2. Genomic sequence: 1. Radical prostatectomy specimens desparaffitation. 2. Extraction of the DNA 3. DNA amplification. 4. Automatic genome sequence. 5. Comparison with Gene-Bank. RESULTS: 16.7% of the specimens were mutated. The most frequent mutation was the punctual mutation. The exon most frequent mutated was exon 1.

[Primary bladder adenocarcinoma: our experience in the last 10 years]. / Adenocarcinoma vesical primario: nuestra experiencia en los últimos diez años.

Adenocarcinoma of the bladder is an uncommon neoplasm corresponding as usual to a metastases and with a lower frequency to a primary vesical tumour. We present the primary adenocarcinoma treated in our hospital in the last 10 years. The moment at the diagnosis is related to the prognosis because of its tendency to muscle infiltration. The most accepted treatment is the radical cistectomy and if recurrence occurs complementary proceedings must be consider.

[Prognostic value of P53, Ki67, and Rb protein in infiltrating bladder tumors]. / Valor pronóstico de la p53, Ki67 y la proteína Rb en los tumores vesicales infiltrantes.

OBJECTIVES: To determinate whether increased expression of the p53 and Ki67 and the of the tumour suppressor gene retinoblastoma (prot Rb), in an immunohistochemistry study, were associated with relapse in invasive bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 47 patients with invasive bladder cancer. 42 men and 5 women. Mean age 63 years old. Relapse in 19 patients (40%). Mean time until recurrence 8.5 months. p53 and Ki67 were study in 47 patients and prot Rb in 40 patients. RESULTS: p53: Mean expression 41%. There were significant differences in the increased expression of p53 between patients with and without relapse (p = 0.03). A statistically significant association was then observed between patients with p53 > 20% (vs p53 < 20%) and adverse outcome of the disease (p = 0.04). Ki67 and prot Rb: There were no significant differences in relapse and progression free survival between Ki67 > 40% (vs Ki67 < 40%) and prot Rb < 10% (vs prot Rb > 10%). p53 expression showed a statistically significant correlation with Ki67 and prot Rb. CONCLUSION: p53 is a good prognostic marker for the relapse and progression free survival in invasive bladder cancer.

[Female incontinence: urodynamic evaluation]. / Incontinencia femenina: evaluación urodinámica.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional studies in women with stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: Emphasis is placed on comprehensive understanding of stress urinary incontinence in women as well as Urodynamic techniques and findings which apply to women with this condition. RESULTS: Although prospective randomized controlled trials to evaluate the clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness and effect on quality of life of a pre-operative Urodynamic assessment are necessary, to date only Urodynamic Investigation (Non-invasive uroflowmetry, filling cystometrogram, valsalva leak point pressure, pressure-flow studies and urethral profile) provide enough information for treatment decisions and prognosis in cases of female urinary incontinence.

[Future perspective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C]. / Perspectivas futuras en el tratamiento de la hepatitis crónica C.

The main lines of research into new drugs and treatment strategies against type C viral hepatitis are described. This disease is a major public health problem, with more than 700,000 people affected by the illness in Spain and with a high degree of prevalence amongst prison inmates. Limitations on current treatment for viral hepatitis C have led to research into new drugs in the form of two main product lines, some of which are soon to be available on the market: NS3/4ª serine-protease inhibitors (telaprevir, boceprevir, danoprevir and vaniprevir) and the NS5B RNA polymerase inhibitors (RG-7128, RG-7227, Filibuvir, ANA-598). The latter are in a somewhat earlier stage of development. It is expected that these new drugs will have to be used alongside the current standard treatment of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin and under these conditions of use the new drugs have already shown greater effectiveness than the current standard treatment. Despite this encouraging perspective, the new medicines have limitations such as the development of resistances, toxicity, and the little knowledge available of their effectiveness on viral genotypes that are different from 1. That being said, their appearance opens up new possibilities in the treatment of this disease.