RESUMEN
This study investigated whether Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts could improve sexual function in premenopausal women. Forty-one premenopausal women participated in this placebo-controlled, double-blind, and crossover clinical study with administration of either three ginseng capsules (1 g per capsule) or placebo daily. After 8 weeks of medication of KRG or placebo, medication was changed for the subjects to placebo or KRG after 2 weeks of washout period. The efficacy of KRG extracts was measured by using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results. Twenty-three women completed the study. Total FSFI scores increased after KRG treatment (from 20.13 ± 2.87 to 23.98 ± 4.10, p = 0.015) and placebo treatment (from 20.06 ± 2.64 to 23.78 ± 3.28, p = 0.003). However, this change was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.702). KRG treatment significantly improved sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction domains; however, there was no treatment effect compared with placebo. There was a case of gastric discomfort after taking KRG extracts. Oral administration of KRG extracts improved sexual function in premenopausal women; however, there were no statistical significant changes compared to placebo. It implies that KRG extracts have a substantial placebo effect in premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction.
RESUMEN
We present the case of an 81-year-old patient with testicular metastasis from prostate carcinoma. After the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer, he had an 8-year course of hormonal therapy and showed no clinical evidence of metastasis to other organs. Asymptomatic metastasis of prostate carcinoma to the testis is a rare clinical condition. We diagnosed his condition, based on histopathology following a subcapsular orchiectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate.
Asunto(s)
Adenocarcinoma/patología , Neoplasias de la Próstata/patología , Neoplasias Testiculares/secundario , Adenocarcinoma/cirugía , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Humanos , Masculino , Metástasis de la Neoplasia , Orquiectomía , Neoplasias de la Próstata/cirugía , Neoplasias Testiculares/cirugía , Resección Transuretral de la PróstataRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: We investigated the factors that predict chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) and the prognostic significance of CIA after long-term follow-up. METHODS: We reviewed data from 241 premenopausal patients with breast cancer who underwent adjuvant CMF or FAC chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery between January 1995 and December 2000. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 109.8 (range, 16.6-193.1) months. The age of CIA patients was older than non-CIA patients (median, 44 (range, 28-53) years and 36 (range, 25-49) years, respectively; P < 0.001). The addition of tamoxifen to the chemotherapy increased the incidence of CIA from 48% to 63.6% (P = 0.015). The 10-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was higher in the CIA group compared with the non-CIA group in hormonal receptor-positive patients (78.4% vs. 67%, respectively; P = 0.022), and the 10-year overall survival (OS) rate also was higher in the CIA group compared with the non-CIA group (90.8% vs. 79.7%, respectively; P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: The most important predictors of CIA are age and the addition of tamoxifen to the chemotherapy. CIA is likely to have an influence on DFS and OS in premenopausal patients with breast cancer with a positive hormone receptor, and it might be used as a surrogate marker for effective chemotherapy in these young Asian patients.
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Amenorrea/inducido químicamente , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efectos adversos , Neoplasias de la Mama/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma Ductal de Mama/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma Lobular/tratamiento farmacológico , Tamoxifeno/efectos adversos , Adulto , Amenorrea/tratamiento farmacológico , Antineoplásicos Hormonales/efectos adversos , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Carcinoma Ductal de Mama/patología , Carcinoma Lobular/patología , Ciclofosfamida/efectos adversos , Doxorrubicina/efectos adversos , Femenino , Fluorouracilo/efectos adversos , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Metotrexato/efectos adversos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/tratamiento farmacológico , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/patología , Premenopausia , Tasa de Supervivencia , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Many menopausal women experience climacteric symptoms including impairment of sexual function. Recent reports have suggested that Korean red ginseng (KRG) has a relaxing effect on the clitoral cavernosal muscle and vaginal smooth muscle in rats. AIM: We assessed whether KRG extracts would improve sexual function in menopausal women. METHODS: Thirty-two menopausal women participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical study with administration of either three capsules of ginseng (1 g per capsule) or placebo daily. After completing the KRG or placebo arm, the participants were crossed over to the other arm after a 2-week washout period. The efficacy and safety of the KRG extracts were measured by using questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Global Assessment Questionnaire (GAQ). RESULTS: Twenty-eight women completed the study. They were, on average, 51.2 + or - 4.1 years old, and their mean menopausal state was for a duration of 37.4 + or - 2.9 months. Few carryover effects were noted in either study arm. The ginseng extract significantly improved scores on the FSFI from 3.10 + or - 0.87 to 3.50 + or - 0.72 in the sexual arousal domain (P = 0.006). The GAQ was more significantly affected by ginseng extracts than by placebo (P = 0.046). There were no severe adverse events in the KRG group, although two cases of vaginal bleeding occurred during KRG treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of KRG extracts improved sexual arousal in menopausal women. Red ginseng extracts might be used as an alternative medicine in menopausal women to improve their sexual life.
Asunto(s)
Climaterio/efectos de los fármacos , Panax , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Disfunciones Sexuales Psicológicas/tratamiento farmacológico , Nivel de Alerta/efectos de los fármacos , Estudios Cruzados , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Humanos , Libido/efectos de los fármacos , Menstruación/efectos de los fármacos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Extractos Vegetales/efectos adversos , Conducta Sexual/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Mercury intoxication is rare. Most often it is associated with occupational exposure or suicide attempts. We present the case of a 72-year-old patient who received a subcutaneous injection of metallic mercury into his penis for the purpose of penile aesthetic augmentation. Total phallectomy and perineal urethrostomy was performed, followed by chelation therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of penile subcutaneous mercury injection for aesthetic augmentation.