[Usefulness of renal resistive index in the diagnosis and evolution of the obstructive uropathy. Experimental study]. / Utilidad del indice de resistencia renal en la valoración y evolución de la uropatía obstructiva. Estudio experimental.

OBJECTIVE: The study was focused on determining the effectiveness and reliability of using the renal resistance index as a method of diagnosing and monitoring the evolution of obstructive uropathy treatment. For this purpose, we conducted an experimental study on a homogenous group of animals that all had the same level of obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 15 healthy female pigs were used. The experiment was divided into three phases: phase I consisted of a study prior to unilateral pyeloureteral junction obstruction, performing retrograde ureteropyelography, renal B-mode ultrasound and duplex-Doppler (of both kidneys) at a level of the arcuate arteries. Then, the obstruction was performed on the animals. Phase II commenced by diagnosing the lesion, 6 weeks after the previous phase, by means of the aforementioned diagnostic methods. Finally, the endourological treatment was completed. Animals were monitored (Phase III) 15 weeks after the endopyelotomy, using the same methods as in the study, by assessing the urinary tract (fluoroscopy) and both kidneys by determining the renal resistance index and ratio. RESULTS: All the animals in the study showed signs of urinary obstruction on radiology and renal ultrasound 6 weeks after ureteral ligature. After treatment and follow-up, all animals showed signs of having recovered from the obstructive uropathy. Values of deltaRI during the 3 phases are detailed below. Fase I deltaIR = 0.01, Fase II deltaIR = 0.11, Fase III deltaIR = 0.02. CONCLUSION: RI determination using duplex-Doppler is effective for distinguishing obstructive dilatation using non-invasive techniques. However, this parameter provides very slight differences and it can also be influenced by too many direct and indirect factors (observational, patient age, anaesthesia, haemodynamic parameters, etc.), to supplant the classic diagnostic methods.

[Are there any differences between the characteristics and the behavior of bladder cancer according to the age of presentation? Our experience]. / Existen diferencias en las caracteristicas y en el comportamiento del tumor vesical según edad de presentación? Nuestra experiencia.

INTRODUCTION: Owing to the different results from the series that evaluate the behavior of the bladder cancer according to the age at the moment of the diagnosis, our objective is based on valuing the characteristics and behaviour according to age of appearance. METHODS: A retrospective study of bladder cancer diagnosed in our area during decade 1993-2003, distributed in 3 intervals of age and some characteristics and behaviour are valued. RESULTS: Elderly patients present greater tumors, non differentiated and with greater rate of progression to infiltrated. Moreover the age, the pathological stage and the tumorlike degree appear as independent significant factors in the multivariant study. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the patients greater than 70 years present neoplasms of similar clinical characteristics, although pathologically more aggressive, with greater percentage of progression and worse survival.

[Steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR), multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) and GSTs, SULTs and CYP polymorphism expression in invasive bladder cancer, analysis of their expression and correlation with other prognostic factors]. / Expresion del receptor de esteroides y xenobioticos (SXR) y del gen de multirresistencia drogas (MDR1) y de los polimorfismos de las enzimas Gsts, SULTs y CYP en tumores vesicales profundos, analisis de su expresion y correlación con otros factores pronósticos.

INTRODUCTION: Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor (SXR) has demonstrated its activation by numerous drugs, including cytochrome P450 potent inducers like rifampicina or cotrimazol. The role of SXR is well known, and lies regulating in a positive manner cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) transcription and the multidrug resistance gene (MDR1), it's considered a key in the xenobiotic detoxification mechanism, being involved in all phases of the detoxification process. Enzymes involved in Policyclic Aromatic hidrocarbures (PAH) metabolism and degradation are polymorphic in humans, including glutation S-transferases (GSTs), N-acetiltransferases (NATs), sulfotransferases (SULTs)1A1 and cytochrome p450 (CYP)1B1. OBJECTIVES: The objectives we've planned are: 1. Analyze the expression of the transcription factor SXR and MDR1 in bladder by means of RT-PCR real time, both in normal bladder and in tumoral bladder. 2. Analyze the relation between clinical and pathological factors with the expression of SXR and MDR1. 3. Analyze the expression of the polymorphims CYP1B1, GSTM1 GSTT1 and SULT1A1 and their correlation with different clinic-pathological and molecular factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective way the size of the sample was estimated. In 67 patients from two institutions (Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet (49 HUMS) and Clinica Universitaria de Navarra (18 CUN)), diagnosed of invasive bladder cancer and treated by means of radical cystectomy, were determined the expression of both SXR and MDR1 by means of real time PCR, as well as the polymorphisms CYP1B1, GSTM1 GSTT1 y SULT1A1 by means of RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism). Correlations with other prognostic factors by contingency tables were performed. RESULTS: Average follow up was 23.7 months with a median of 28.26 months. Of the 67 patients studied, 31 patients (46.3) presented disease progression, in form of local recurrence or in distant metastasis or both. With a average time to progression of 12.4 months and a median of 10 months, with a range of 1.1 month to 31.9 month. 36 patients (53.7%) did not have any evidence of disease progression during follow up. The Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor as well as the Multidrug Resistance Gene (MDR1) are expressed in both normal bladder (0.94DeltaCt y 0.94DeltaCt) and tumoral bladder in the cystectomy specimen (1.09 DeltaCt y 0.45 DeltaCt). We've analyzed their expression in a quantitative manner and in a qualitative manner. The expression of SXR correlates with the presence of ca. in situ (p=0.024), vasculo-lymphatic invasion (p=0.05) mean while MDR1 correlates with presence of vasculo-lymphatic invasion (p=0.05) Both factors are correlate between each others (p=0.011). Polymorphisms: CYP1B1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and SULT1A1, are expressed in these patients but their expression doesn't correlates with any prognostic factor CONCLUSIONS: Both SXR and MDR1 are expressed in normal bladder as well as in tumoral bladder. And their expression correlates with different prognostic factors with influence in the survival described in the literature.

[Incidental prostatic cancer: T1a-T1b. Our experience after observation/radical surgery and literature review]. / Cáncer de próstata incidental: T1a-T1b. Nuestra experiencia tras observación/intervención radical y revisión de la literatura.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the progress of T1a and T1b prostate cancer diagnosed in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 40 patients in T1a-T1b clinical stage diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma in our hospital, from 1986 to 1999. A restaging biopsy was performed on the 16 T1a patients after initial diagnosis and control. A radical prostatectomy was performed on the 24 T1b patients. They were all monitored every six months with rectal exam and PSA. We analysed biological and/or clinical progression, time to progression, mortality caused by the tumour and survival. RESULTS: None of the 16 patients with T1a clinical stage presented tumour progression, with a median follow-up of 90 months. 12,5% of the 24 T1b cases presented tumour progression, with a median follow-up of 70 months. Cancer-specific mortality was one patient (4,16 %) in the T1b group. CONCLUSIONS: Observation and follow-up with PSA and rectal exam appears to be a good option for T1a clinical stage, given the good prognosis. Our results show that patients with T1a clinical stage and good prognostic factors could be at a similar risk of suffering from a new prostate cancer as the normal population, although prospective studies are required to validate these results. T1b cases require active treatment and closer monitoring.

[Stage pT0 bladder tumors after radical cystectomy: a review of our series]. / Tumores de vejiga pT0 tras cistectomía radical: análisis de nuestra serie.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the data of progression and survival in 43 patients who underwent cystectomy with stage pT0 according to classification TNM-2002. MATERIALS AND METHODS: between 1988 and 2003 in our center had realized 420 cystectomies, 43 patients (10.2%) had not tumor in the cystectomy specimen. RESULTS: In these 43 cases the initial clinical stage (in the transuretral resection of bladder) was T1 in 10 cases (23,3 %), T2 in 31 cases (72%) and T3 in 2 cases. As far as the degree 24 patients presented G2 (55.8%) and 19 (44.2%) were G3. Median time from the transuretral resection to the cistectomy was of 44 days at a median follow-up of 89.3 months. Progression-free survival in the 43 patients was of 180,6 months, but during the follow-up it appeared progression in 7 patients, with disease free survival at 36 months (3-126), since the date of the cistectomia. During the follow up, 5 patients died. When we analyzed the cancer-specific survival according to tumor stage, for the T2 with an average cancer-specific survival is of 180 months, decreasing to 35 months considerably for T3. Similar it happens with the degree of differentiation, significantly diminishing as it advances the degree, with an average of cancer-specific survival for the G3 at 122.6 months. In the same way it happens with pathological positive lymph nodes in the radical cistectomy, with a cancer-specific survival of 188 months when it is N0 and of 54 months if the adenopathy was positive (N+). CONCLUSION: In our experiencie urothelial carcinoma pT0 present a prolonged free period of disease (medium of 180 months). The associated factors of risk to a smaller free period of disease are high degree of differentiation (G3, 116 months), the infiltration of deep layers in the transuretral resection (T3, 32 months) and the ganglionary affectation (pN+ 45 months).

[Papillary carcinoma after 13 years of correct function of renal graft]. / Carcinoma papilar hallado en injerto renal tras 13 años de correcto funcionamiento.

It is known the greater probability appearance of malignancy injuries in patients with renal graft due to its inmunosupresión. We expose a case in which after thirteen years of correct operation of the renal transplant a tumor is diagnosed of accidental form by means of ultrasonography of graft's control. It was demonstrated by percutaneous biopsy that it was a carcinoma to papilar and later transplanctectomy was made. We raised a reflection about the novo tumors on renal graft given to the high number of patients with funcionante transplant during long years and the little evidence in Literature, proposing a possible registry of such valuing its behavior and comparing it with the well-known ones on native kidneys without inmunosupresión situation.

[The present time in handling of prostate abscesses: with regard to a case]. / Actualidad en manejo de abcesos prostáticos: a propósito de un caso.

The existence of prostate abscess as bad evolution of an acute protatitis is not very frequent due to the correct handling of the urinary infections by means of suitable antibiotics, in spite of the presence of inmunosupresion situations that can favor their appearance. It is our intention to review the performance in these situations because of a case that by means of minimal invasive therapy by transperineal percutaneous puncture obtained complete improvement.

[Development of tissue microarray technology (TMA) for immunohistochemical study of molecular expression profiling in prostate cancer (part 1)]. / Desarrollo de un microarray tisular (TMA) para el estudio inmunohistoquímico del patrón de expresión molecular en el cáncer de próstata (parte 1).

Tissue microarray technology (TMA) is nowadays considered as a powerful tool for the high-throughput analysis of molecular expression pattern of cancer. In this manuscript we show the experience of both groups in the design and building of a TMA for the study of protein expression pattern of prostatecancer as well as a summary of the technical points to analyze the results obtained with this technology. Today, different data generated by the immunostained tissues are studied to achieve a molecular profile in different clinical scenarios.

[Which is the most appropriate diagnostic algorithm for prostate cancer screening?]. / Cuál es el algoritmo diagnóstico más apropiado para el cribado del cáncer de próstata?

Since the use of PSA to detect prostate cancer was generalised in the late 1980's, prostate cancer diagnosis has increased considerably. Although there is now indirect evidence pointing to the beneficial effect of screening, there are no data justifying PSA screening in the general population. There is also a controversy concerning the most appropriate algorithm, should screening be performed. Therefore, our aim was to review the literature and, based on our experience, attempt to define the best algorithm for prostate cancer screening. We have made a search on Medline using the following terms: prostate biopsy, screening, algorithms, radical prostatectomy, PSA and prostate cancer. After analysing the literature, we can confirm that there is no "definitive" algorithm, due to the rapid appearance and use of new technical and biological breakthroughs, although it appears that at this time, without ceasing to include a rectal examination, more value should be given to personal risk factors, including PSA, at ages under 50, with individual monitoring based on these factors. The algorithms applied to a population have first to be validated for the population concerned.

[Endourologic treatment of ureteral strictures. Experimental comparative study]. / Tratamiento endourológico de estenosis ureterales. Estudio experimental comparativo.

OBJECTIVES: To compare efficacy and efficiency of two different endourological therapies for ureteral stricture, and to evaluate pathological reactions of the ureters following both endourological techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten pigs underwent experimental induction of ureteral stricture. Four weeks later, ureteral strictures were demonstrated by imaging techniques. Animals were divided in two groups, according to the received therapy: -Group I. (5 pigs), endoballoon rupture endoureterotomy. -Group II (5 pigs), Acucise balloon endoureterotomy. Ureteral stents were placed for 3 weeks following endoureterotomy. Animals were followed up four weeks after ureteral stents retrieval. RESULTS: In all cases, ureteral stricture was proved four weeks after model induction. In one case from each group, it was needed a second balloon dilatation to achieve complete endoureterotomy. Leading to ureteral restenosis, stent migration occurred in one animal from group I. Success was achieved in 80% of cases from group I, and 100% of cases from group II. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that both endourological therapies are effective. Nevertheless, a higher efficiency was proved with Acucise endoureterotomy. Our pathological evidences do not support Davis's studies on ureteral healing following endoureterotomy.

[Primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Ewing's sarcoma]. / Tumor neuroectodérmico primitivo renal/sarcoma de Ewing.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor is an extraordinarily rare primary tumor in the kidney and can be mistaken for a variety of other round cell tumors. It is important to recognize each of these entities, because each carries unique therapeutic and prognostic implications. However, accurate diagnosis of these tumors is hindered by their significant morphologic overlap and complicated by their rarity. These neplasm are highly aggressive that tend to recurence and to metastatize. Standard therapy combining surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and genetic therapy. We report a case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney in a 50 year old female patient.

[Treatment of hemorrhagic cystitis secondary to cyclophosphamide. Literature review with regard to a case]. / Tratamiento de la cistitis hemorrágica por ciclofosfamida. Revisión de la literatura a propósito de un caso.

There are extreme situations in the clinical treatment of intractable hematuria (fortunately not a common disease nowadays), in which even benign process may represent a serious risk to the life of the patient and where certain aggressive procedures like cystectomy have to be considered. Our objective in this paper is to review the different existing therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of an intense type of hematuria which does not yield to continuous saline serum irrigation. This study is partly based on a recent real clinical case in which, after the administration of cyclophosphamide to a young patient with recurrent and intense hematuria, the excretion was controlled through intravesical alum irrigation of thus avoiding cystectomy, a very aggressive surgical procedure with many after-effects.

[Renal teratoma, case report and review of the literature]. / Teratoma renal, aportación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

We report a case of intrarenal teratoma in a 39-year-old female patient. The clinical course after three years of follow-up has been satisfactory, finding the patient totally asymptomatic. Extragonadal teratoma occurs predominantly along the median line of the body. Intrarenal teratoma is extremely rare; however, it should be distinguished from other cystic lesions.

Intravesical immunoprophylaxis in recurrent superficial bladder cancer (Stage T1): multicenter trial comparing bacille Calmette-Guérin and interferon-alpha.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate and compare recurrence rates, index of recurrence, and disease-free interval in patients with superficial recurrent bladder cancer receiving bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or interferon (IFN) for immunoprophylaxis. METHODS: One hundred twenty-two patients with recurrent superficial Stage pT1, grade 1 to 3 tumors were enrolled in a randomized, prospective, multicenter trial with two treatment arms of endovesical immunoprophylaxis: 150 mg of BCG versus 54 MU of recombinant IFN-alpha-2a. Administration was weekly during the first month, biweekly for 2 months, and monthly for 9 months. Both groups were similar with regard to tumor stage, grade, size, and number. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were evaluable in the BCG group and 49 in the IFN group. Tumors recurred in 34 (69.4%) of 49 patients in the IFN group (890 months of follow-up) and in 24 (39.3%) of 61 in the BCG group (1272 months of follow-up). The total number of recurrences (28 for BCG, 47 for IFN), disease-free interval (mean 19.3 months for BCG, 15.3 months for IFN), and index of recurrence (2.2 for BCG, 5.5 for IFN) were statistically significant (P = 0.001) in favor of BCG. Progression to invasive carcinoma was similar in both study arms. Neither systemic nor local side effects were seen in the IFN group. However, the previously reported toxicity of BCG was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: According to our trial, BCG remains the most efficacious agent for immunoprophylaxis of recurrent superficial bladder tumors.

[Urinary undiversion]. / Desderivacíon urinaria.

As a novel item we present a case of the reconversion of a Bricker-Wallace type external urinary bypass into vesical replacement according to Camey technique type II. 5 years after radical cystectomy and external urinary bypassing due to a malignant infiltrating vesical carcinoma and considering the patient's malignant pathology controlled, we have converted this bypass into a bladder replacement with detubulized ileum. Renal function is preserved by means of a ileo-ileal intussusception mechanism, achieving mictional physiology and maintaining both daytime and nocturnal continence, thanks to the integrity of the external sphincter. The major advances in reconstructive urological surgery in recent years have enabled us to make a fresh study of these patients with bypasses, as in fact many of them are going to be able to be reconstructed.

[Current indications for laparoscopic surgery in urology]. / Indicaciones actuales de cirugía laparoscópica en urología.

More than four years have elapsed since the first laparoscopic pelvian lymphadenectomy for the staging of prostate cancer was performed. The early impact of the procedure involved the broadening and gradual application of laparoscopy to the group of organs and diseases of our specialty, mainly with therapeutical purposes. Urologists are able to reproduce nowadays many of the traditional surgical procedures through these methods. The present paper tries to conduct an update of the different techniques applied up to now on the different structures (genitalia, prostate, bladder, ureter, kidney, adrenals, pelvian nodes and other) and to analyze objectively some specific indications based on the experience gathered by several authors and our own.

[Fecundity following prepubertal orchiopexy in unilateral cryptorchism. Experimental study]. / Fertilidad tras orquidopexia prepuberal en la criptorquidia unilateral. Estudio experimental.

Study of fecundation ability following unilateral experimental cryptorchism as a function of the timing of orchiopexy. Two groups of 45 Wistar rats underwent unilateral mechanical cryptorchism and early and late prepuberal posterior orchyopexy, respectively. A third group of 45 rats underwent a dummy intervention. Mating taking place in subgroups of 15 animals at different ages showed that in the experimental animal, and therefore in any non-dysgenetic test, orchiopexy performed at the prepuberal period allows preservation of fecundation ability.

[Cancer of the prostate: current diagnostic aspects]. / Cáncer de próstata: aspectos actuales del diagnóstico.

Presentation of the initial results from a program for early diagnosis of prostate cancer, implemented a year ago at the Urology Unit of the Miguel Servet Hospital with the collaboration of the Region's specialists. All patients attending the Urology services, regardless the pathology, are evaluated when rectal examination is suspicious or the plasma PSA levels are higher than 4 ng/ml. Assessment is made through transrectal ultrasound scanning, with random or ultrasound-directed prostatic biopsy depending on the findings. A total of 83 prostatic biopsies have been analyzed n patients thus selected, presence of prostatic carcinoma becoming apparent in 52 (62.6%), 19 of which have undergone radical prostatectomy. The association suspected rectal examination/increased PSA has produced the higher percentages of diagnostic precision (80%) clearly improving those of rectal examination and PSA alone. The methods for local and nodular staging are analyzed, considering the systematic use of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy and biopsy of seminal vesicles highly useful for higher diagnostic precision in these patients. The diagnostic relevance of prognostic factors in advanced cancer is analyzed, this analysis being mandatory to evaluate the different therapeutic.

Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for prostatic cancer.

Development of laparoscopic techniques has converted lymphadenectomy into a real alternative to current laparotomy technique. The limitation of diagnostic imaging methods to know ganglion involvement in prostate cancer as well the high incidence of false negatives in frozen intrasurgical biopsies following open-surgery lymphadenectomy has pushed us since november of 1990 to develop laparoscopic lymphadenectomy with staging. This study analyses the diverse diagnostic imaging methods and continues with a precise description of the laparoscopic technique. The authors summarize the results of our series and finish the article with a review of the most controversial aspects as well as the diagnostic value, advantages and disadvantages with respect to open surgery techniques, complications and indications of this technique at the present moment.

[Wilms' tumor in the adult. A new case and review of the literature]. / Tumor de Wilms en el adulto. Un nuevo caso y revisión de la literatura.

The nephroblastoma is a rare tumour in the adult and there are 240 cases reported in the world literature. We offer a new case and then review the literature, analysing the major features of diagnosis, treatment and evolution of this tumour.