Significance of S100A8, S100A9 and calprotectin levels in bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Members of the S100 protein family, S100A8, S100A9 and their heterodimer complex known as calprotectin are thought to be involved not only in inflammatory pathways but also in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Therefore, they have been widely studied in various types of cancer; however, there is limited knowledge about their role in bladder cancer. In this study, our aim was to determine the levels of S100A8 and S100A9 in the sera, and calprotectin levels in the sera and urines of bladder cancer patients and compare it to urinary BTA, a tumor marker that can be used in the diagnosis of bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was comprised of two major groups: 52 healthy controls and 82 patients with bladder cancer. The patient group was also divided into subgroups according to tumor stage and grade. Urine BTA levels, serum S100A8 and S100A9 levels, and serum and urine calprotectin levels in healthy controls and patients were determined using commercially available ELISA kits. RESULTS: While serum S100A8 and S100A9 levels did not differ between the controls and patients significantly, serum and urine calprotectin levels and urine BTA levels were significantly elevated in patients compared to controls. Serum calprotectin or urine BTA levels did not differ significantly among the patient subgroups. However, urine calprotectin levels were significantly elevated in muscle-invasive tumors (T2-4) compared to lower stages (Ta and T1). CONCLUSIONS: Urine calprotectin levels can be used in the diagnosis and staging of bladder cancer as a marker for muscle invasion.

Urologic health condition of spinal cord-injured patients living in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the urologic health condition of spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients living in Turkey, and to analyze the relationship between the prevalence of urologic health condition parameters and the patient's characteristics. METHODS: Telephone call survey was conducted with a structured questionnaire among all members of Turkish Society of Spinal Cord Injured Patients. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 300 patients. Mean age was 42 years with a male/female ratio of 2.3, while the most common cause of injury was transport (35.3%). Although 70% were aware of potential kidney and bladder problems after injury >60% of the patients were not under regular urologic follow-up. Secondary health problems experienced as being most important was urination problems (50%). Of the patients 72.7% (83% in females vs 68% in males) had urinary incontinence (UI) during last 3 months, and 64.3% used clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) (68% in males vs. 56% in females), while 73%, 57% and 26% of incontinent patients used diaper/pad, medication and condom catheter, respectively, and the use of CIC decreased with time. Surgical procedures on urinary tract were performed in 22.6% of the patients; stone surgeries were the most frequent ones. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the UI rate was high among SCI patients, and more common in females with fairly good proportion of patients using incontinence medication. Main bladder management method was CIC and more prevalent in males, although the use of CIC decreased with time. Urinary stone surgery was the leading surgical procedure.