Clinical relevance of genetic instability in prostatic cells obtained by prostatic massage in early prostate cancer.

We investigated whether genetic lesions such as loss of heterozygosity (LOH) are detected in prostatic cells obtained by prostatic massage during early diagnosis of prostate cancer (CaP) and discussed their clinical relevance. Blood and first urine voided after prostatic massage were collected in 99 patients with total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) between 4 and 10 ng ml(-1), prior to prostate biopsies. Presence of prostatic cells was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis of PSA mRNA. Genomic DNA was analysed for LOH on six chromosomal regions. One or more allelic deletions were found in prostatic fluid from 57 patients analysed, of whom 33 (58%) had CaP. Sensitivity and specificity of LOH detection and PSA free to total ratio <15% for positive biopsy were respectively 86.7 and 44% (P=0.002) for LOH, and 55 and 74% (P=0.006) for PSA ratio <15%. Analysis of LOH obtained from prostatic tumours revealed similar patterns compared to prostatic fluid cells in 86% of cases, confirming its accuracy. The presence of LOH of urinary prostatic cells obtained after prostatic massage is significantly associated with CaP on biopsy and may potentially help to identify a set of patients who are candidates for further prostate biopsies.

Evaluation of the transurethral ethanol ablation of the prostate (TEAP) for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): a European multi-center evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: We prospectively conducted a European multi-center study to assess the safety and efficacy of injecting dehydrated ethanol using a specialized injection system for the treatment of BPH. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic BPH were enrolled and evaluated to undergo transurethral ethanol ablation of the prostate for their BPH condition. Procedures were performed using the ProstaJect device. Treatment dosages were based on prostate volume, prostatic urethral length and median lobe involvement. Follow-up evaluations were done at four days and one, three, six and 12 months. RESULTS: One-hundred fifteen symptomatic patients underwent the transurethral ethanol ablation procedure and ninety-four patients have been followed and evaluated for the entire 12-month post-treatment period. The average prostate volume was 45.9 g, and average ethanol injected was 14 ml. Post-operatively, 98% of patients voided spontaneously four days following treatment. Significant reduction in reported lower urinary tract symptoms was evidenced at the one-month follow-up visit and maintained through 12 months follow-up, with International Prostate Symptom (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QoL) scores decreased by more than 50%. Peak flow rates (Q(max)) improved by 35% by the three-month evaluation and these results were sustained through to 12-months follow-up. The average prostate volume reduction was 16%. Adverse events included discomfort or irritative voiding symptoms in 26% of patients, hematuria in 16%, with retrograde ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction reported in less than 3% of patients. The majority of these events required no intervention. Two patients experienced serious adverse events (bladder necrosis) and underwent open surgery that included a urinary diversion and a ureteral implantataion. During the one year follow- up, 7% of patients required a trans-urethral resection of prostate (TURP). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary multi-center data, representing the largest reported cohort to date, suggests that TEAP may be considered an effective minimally invasive treatment option for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH. Analyses of safety lead to a procedure modification for needle placement more distal from the bladder neck. Objective reduction in symptoms was not correlated in prostate volume reduction suggesting a non-purely mechanical effect.

The rectal administration of lidocaine gel and tolerance of transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy of the prostate: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the rectal administration of lidocaine gel on the tolerance of systematic sextant transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostatic biopsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January to September 1997, patients undergoing initial biopsy mapping of the prostate (with six systematic TRUS-guided transrectal biopsies) were randomized using a pre-established randomization list into two groups. In group 1, 15 mL of 2% lidocaine gel (Astra, Södertälje, Sweden) was administered intrarectally 15 min before the biopsies. In group 2 (placebo), 15 mL of trans-sonic hydrophilic gel (Rivadis Laboratory, Thouars, France) was administered transrectally under the same conditions. Patients were randomized and the gel administered by a nurse; neither the patients nor the urologists were aware of which product was administered. At the end of the procedure, patients were asked to score the severity of discomfort of the biopsies, using a self-administered rating scale. RESULTS: In all, 109 patients were included, in either group 1 (56 patients) or group 2 (53 patients). Slight pain or no pain was experienced by the vast majority of patients in both groups. Moderate to severe pain was experienced in 12.5% of patients in group 1 and 11.3% of patients in group 2. There was no difference in patient tolerance between the groups (P=0.39). Only minor complications occurred and complication rates were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: The rectal administration of lidocaine has no impact on the tolerance to prostatic biopsy.

An in vitro comparison of urease-induced encrustation of JJ stents in human urine.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of a comparative study of in vitro encrustation of five different types of JJ stents in human urine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of five JJ stents (polyurethane, silicone, Percuflex, C-Flex and hydrogel-coated C-Flex) were immersed for 24 h at 37 degrees C in fresh human urine supplemented with urease, and the surface photographed and dried. The crystals formed on the stents were dissolved in hydrochloric acid and the calcium and magnesium concentrations determined. RESULTS: Large crystals were deposited on the surface of the hydrogel-coated C-Flex stent and significantly higher levels of calcium and magnesium salts were obtained after acidic dissolution. There were no differences in crystal deposition among the remaining stents. CONCLUSION: Hydrogel-coated stents have an higher risk of becoming encrusted in vitro than do uncoated stents made of the same substrate polymer or made of different materials. These results emphasize the need for the regular follow-up of patients with hydrophilic stents in place.

Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients.

BACKGROUND: Controversy regarding the relative efficacy of treatments for the relief of the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: This was a 6-month double-blind randomized equivalence study that compared the effects of a plant extract (320 mg Permixon) with those of a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (5 mg finasteride) in 1,098 men with moderate BPH using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) as the primary end-point. RESULTS: Both Permixon and finasteride decreased the IPSS (-37% and -39%, respectively), improved quality of life (by 38 and 41%), and increased peak urinary flow rate (+25% and +30%, P = 0.035), with no statistical difference in the percent of responders with a 3 ml/sec improvement. Finasteride markedly decreased prostate volume (-18%) and serum PSA levels (-41%); Permixon improved symptoms with little effect on volume (-6%) and no change in PSA levels. Permixon fared better than finasteride in a sexual function questionnaire and gave rise to less complaints of decreased libido and impotence. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatments relieve the symptoms of BPH in about two-thirds of patients but, unlike finasteride, Permixon has little effect on so-called androgen-dependent parameters. This suggests that other pathways might also be involved in the symptomatology of BPH.

[Non-surgical instrumental treatment of benign hypertrophy of the prostate]. / Traitement instrumental non chirurgical de l'hypertrophie bénigne de la prostate.

Although surgery remains the treatment of reference for symptomatic benign hypertrophy of the prostate, the requirement for locoregional anaesthesia, the risk of complications and the major financial burden for the health care system have led to research into alternative therapies. Basically two categories have been developed, thermal and mechanical. The sensitivity of the hypertrophic prostate tissue to heat depends both on histology and blood flow. It is generally accepted that temperatures < 60 degrees C do not cause definitive tissue damage, that those > or = 60 degrees C lead to necrose of the coagulated tissue and > or = 100 degrees C cells are vaporized producing tissue debris. Currently, thermoablation (temperature > 60 degrees C) is the only thermal alternative which gives results within a range comparable with classical surgery. The more simple techniques (microwaves, focalized ultrasounds, interstitial radiofrequency waves, lateral or interstitial laser) have the disadvantage of aggravating symptomatology in certain patients, limiting indications. More sophisticated techniques (contact radiofrequency, contact laser) still need improvement to reach the level of surgery. Mechanical alternatives include resorbable and non-resorbable stents and dilatation. Stents are a particularly promising route but have the inconvenience of being difficult to implant and sometimes leading to complications (infection, incrustation, calcification). Dilatation procedures have been tried for many years using various methods of control, but results have been disappointing to date. Surgery thus remains the reference treatment for benign hypertrophy of the prostate, but ongoing research emphasizes the need for successful alternatives.

[A clinical and endoscopic study of the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy using focused transrectal ultrasound]. / Etude clinique et endoscopique du traitement de l'hypertrophie bénigne de la prostate par ultrasons focalisés par voie transrectale.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and endoscopic effects of transrectal focal ultrasound (Sonablate) on benign prostatic hypertrophy. METHOD: This was a phase II study, performed in 13 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Patients were evaluated before treatment, and 45 days and 90 days after treatment by means of a symptom score (1-PSS), uroflowmetry, estimation of prostatic volume by transrectal ultrasonography, and urethroprostatic endoscopy. A transducer with a focal length of 3.5 cm was used in 12 patients. One patient was treated with a transducer with a focal length of 3 cm. We used an acoustic energy level at the focal point of 1,680 W/cm2 for the last two patients. RESULTS: With a follow-up of 3 months, the symptom score was only moderately improved (decreasing from 20 +/- 7 to 14 +/- 9, p < 0.03), with no improvement of uroflowmetry and tissue destruction was not demonstrated on endoscopy in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic applications of focal ultrasound thermotherapy are potentially very vast, but, up until now, have only rarely exceeded the experimental stage. Our data emphasize that future developments are essential before this technology can be included in therapeutic alternatives for benign prostatic hypertrophy.