Long-term outcome of patients with clinical stage I high-risk nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors 15 years after one adjuvant cycle of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To report the long-term results of adjuvant treatment with one cycle of modified bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) in patients with clinical stage I (CS I) nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCT) at high risk of relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a single-arm, phase II clinical trial, 40 patients with CS I NSGCT with vascular invasion and/or >50% embryonal cell carcinoma in the orchiectomy specimen received one cycle of adjuvant BEP (20 mg/m(2) bleomycin as a continuous infusion over 24 h, 120 mg/m(2) etoposide and 40 mg/m(2) cisplatin each on days 1-3). Primary end point was the relapse rate. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 186 months. One patient (2.5%) had a pulmonary relapse 13 months after one BEP and died after three additional cycles of BEP chemotherapy. Three patients (7.5%) presented with a contralateral metachronous testicular tumor, and three (7.5%) developed a secondary malignancy. Three patients (7.5%) reported intermittent tinnitus and one had grade 2 peripheral polyneuropathy (2.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy with one cycle of modified-BEP is a feasible and safe treatment of patients with CS I NSGCT at high risk of relapse. In these patients, it appears to be an alternative to two cycles of BEP and to have a lower relapse rate than retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. If confirmed by other centers, 1 cycle of adjuvant BEP chemotherapy should become a first-line treatment option for this group of patients.

The role of exenterative surgery and urinary diversion in persistent or locally recurrent gynecological malignancy: complications and survival.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment options in patients with persistent or locally recurrent cervical cancer are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the chance of cure and associated morbidity following pelvic exenteration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent pelvic exenteration between January 1992 and December 2006 at the University Hospital of Bern or the Karlsruhe Medical Center were evaluated. Time to recurrence, type of exenteration and urinary diversion, pathological stage, postoperative complications and survival were assessed. RESULTS: Initial therapy prior to diagnosis of persistent or locally recurrent disease included radiation therapy in 51%. Anterior exenteration was performed in 37 (86%) and total exenteration in 6 (14%). Half of the women underwent additional procedures. A continent urinary diversion was constructed in 16 and an ileal conduit in 27 patients. Early postoperative complications were generally minor and only 2 patients required surgical intervention. Four intestinal fistulas were successfully treated conservatively. Late complications were mainly tumor-related. Complication rates associated with the urinary diversion were low and there was no difference in complications between continent and incontinent diversions. The overall disease-specific 5-year survival rate after exenteration was 36.5%. Survival correlated significantly with surgical margin status. CONCLUSION: In patients with persistent or locally recurrent gynecological malignancy of the pelvis, exenteration is a viable option with long-term survival in over one third of patients. Continent urinary diversion did not show higher complication rates than an ileal conduit and should be considered even in irradiated patients. This may be of greater significance in younger patients in whom an intact body image can play an important role in quality of life.

How to avoid clean intermittent catheterization in men with ileal bladder substitution.

PURPOSE: In male patients with ileal bladder substitute we ascertained the likelihood of spontaneous voiding failure, the corrective procedures required and the eventual outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following cystectomy and ileal bladder substitution for urothelial cancer between April 1985 and September 2002 male patients were identified and analyzed from the prospective departmental database. Four patients underwent ileum conduit conversion following urethral recurrence or pouch necrosis and were excluded from study. Funnel-shaped outlets were avoided during bladder substitute surgery after the first 4 patients with this configuration experienced voiding failure and required corrective procedures. Only patients with a minimum 5-year followup were assessed for voiding failure, corrective procedures and final outcomes. RESULTS: Of 354 patients with a median age of 65 years (range 36 to 84) treated with bladder substitute 180 (51%) were alive at 5 years. All 180 of these patients spontaneously voided within 3 months of surgery. During this 5-year observation period 22 (12%) patients experienced voiding problems requiring de-obstructive procedures. Following intervention 177 (98%) patients were spontaneously voiding by 5 years. Of 237 patients 77 (32%) were alive at 10 years. Of these 77 patients followed for another 5 years 10 (13%) had similar voiding problems requiring de-obstructive procedures. Subsequently 74 (96%) were voiding spontaneously by 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Patients often fail to void spontaneously after ileal bladder substitution. However, if a funnel-shaped outlet is avoided and de-obstructive surgery is appropriately implemented, excellent long-term results are seen with spontaneous voiding and clean intermittent catheterization can be avoided.

Prognostic factors in lymph node metastases of prostatic cancer patients: the size of the metastases but not extranodal extension independently predicts survival.

AIMS: To analyse tumour characteristics and the prognostic significance of prostatic cancers with extranodal extension of lymph node metastases (ENE) in 102 node-positive, hormone treatment-naive patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and extended lymphadenectomy. METHODS AND RESULTS: The median number of nodes examined per patient was 21 (range 9-68), and the median follow-up time was 92 months (range 12-191). ENE was observed in 71 patients (70%). They had significantly more, larger and less differentiated nodal metastases, paralleled by significantly larger primary tumours at more advanced stages and with higher Gleason scores than patients without ENE. ENE defined a subgroup with significantly decreased biochemical recurrence-free (P = 0.038) and overall survival (P = 0.037). In multivariate analyses the diameter of the largest metastasis and Gleason score of the primary tumour were independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: ENE in prostatic cancer is an indicator lesion for advanced/aggressive tumours with poor outcome. However, the strong correlation with larger metastases suggests that ENE may result from their size, which was the only independent risk factor in the metastasizing component. Consequently, histopathological reports should specify the true indicator of poor survival in the lymphadenectomy specimens, which is the size of the largest metastasis in each patient.

[Orthotopic ileal neobladder. Postoperative management and results]. / Manejo perioperatorio y resultados en pacientes con neovejiga ileal ortotópica.

Urinary diversion after cystectomy have evolved from simple diversion and protection of the upper tracts to functional and anatomic restoration as close as possible to the natural preoperative state. Over the past 15 years, orthotopic reconstruction has evolved from "experimental surgery" to the "preferred method of urinary diversion" in both sexes. Urologist that perform this technique should have an appropriate experience with pelvic surgery and be able to perform a nerve sparing radical cystectomy. Nevertheless, the postoperative management of these patients is more important than the surgical construction if good longterm results are to be achieved. For this reason, a great knowledge about the neobladder's physiology, postoperative complications and their treatment are needed. We review the most important aspects in the postoperative management of patients with ileal neobladder. We also resume the long term outcomes concerning to continence, sexual function, renal impairment, oncologic safety and quality of life.

Effects of a non-selective COX inhibitor and selective COX-2 inhibitors on contractility of human and porcine ureters in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the treatment of acute renal colic. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of selective COX-2 inhibitors and the non-selective COX inhibitor diclofenac on contractility of human and porcine ureters in vitro and in vivo, respectively. COX-1 and COX-2 receptors were identified in human ureter and kidney. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Human ureter samples were used alongside an in vivo pig model with or without partial ureteral obstruction. COX-1 and COX-2 receptors were located in human ureters by immunohistochemistry. KEY RESULTS: Diclofenac and valdecoxib significantly decreased the amplitude of electrically-stimulated contractions in human ureters in vitro, the maximal effect (Vmax) being 120 and 14%, respectively. Valdecoxib was more potent in proximal specimens of human ureter (EC50=7.3 x 10(-11) M) than in distal specimens (EC50=7.4 x 10(-10) M), and the Vmax was more marked in distal specimens (22.5%) than in proximal specimens (8.0%) in vitro. In the in vivo pig model, parecoxib, when compared to the effect of its solvent, significantly decreased the maximal amplitude of contractions (Amax) in non-obstructed ureters but not in obstructed ureters. Diclofenac had no effect on spontaneous contractions of porcine ureter in vivo. COX-1 and COX-2 receptors were found to be expressed in proximal and distal human ureter and in tubulus epithelia of the kidney. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Selective COX-2 inhibitors decrease the contractility of non-obstructed, but not obstructed, ureters of the pig in vivo, but have a minimal effect on electrically-induced contractions of human ureters in vitro.

Manejo perioperatorio y resultados en pacientes con neovejiga ileal ortotópica / Orthotopic ileal neobladder. Postoperative management and results

La reconstrucción del tracto urinario tras la cistectomía radical ha evolucionado desde la simple derivación urinaria hasta la reconstrucción anatómica y funcional del mismo lo más próxima posible al estado preoperatorio del paciente. En los últimos 20 años, la reconstrucción ortotópica ha pasado de cirugía experimental a ser el método preferido de derivación urinaria en ambos sexos. Los urólogos que realizan este tipo de intervención deben tener experiencia en cirugía pélvica y ser capaces de realizar una cistectomía con preservación nerviosa. Sin embargo, lo más importante en estos enfermos es el manejo postoperatorio, para lo cual se requiere un profundo conocimiento de la fisiología de la neovejiga, sus posibles complicaciones y tratamientos. Revisamos en este artículo los principales aspectos del manejo postoperatorio de los pacientes con neovejiga ileal. También se revisan los resultados de la técnica a largo plazo con respecto a continencia, función sexual, preservación de función renal, control oncológico y calidad de vida de los pacientes (AU)

Urinary diversion after cystectomy have evolved from simple diversion and protection of the upper tracts to functional and anatomic restoration as close as possible to the natural preoperative state. Over the past15 years, orthotopic reconstruction has evolved from “experimental surgery” to the “preferred method of urinary diversion” in both sexes. Urologist that perform this technique should have an appropriate experience with pelvic surgery and be able to perform a nerve sparing radical cystectomy. Nevertheless, the postoperative management of these patients is more important than the surgical construction if good longterm results are to be achieved. For this reason, a great knowledge about the neobladder´s physiology, postoperative complications and their treatment are needed. We review the most important aspects in the postoperative management of patients with ileal neobladder. We also resume the long term outcomes concerning to continence, sexual function, renal impairment, oncologic safety and quality of life (AU)

Is antegrade endopyelotomy really less invasive than open pyeloplasty?

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the invasiveness of antegrade endopyelotomy and open pyeloplasty in two consecutive series of patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 98 patients were treated by open pyeloplasty from 1980 to 1991, and 137 patients by antegrade endopyelotomy from 1991 to 1999. Diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction was made by excretory urogram and/or antegrade pyelography, diuretic renography and retrograde pyelography. Invasiveness was evaluated by the postoperative need for analgesics, the complication rate and the residual long-term symptoms after surgery. RESULTS: The postoperative need for opiate analgesics was significantly higher in patients after open pyeloplasty than after antegrade endopyelotomy. Ten percent of the patients complained of problems with the lumbotomy scar after open pyeloplasty, which was not encountered after endopyelotomy. Complications after open pyeloplasty occurred in 24% and were more severe than the 11% seen after endopyelotomy. The primary success rate after open pyeloplasty was 98 and 89% after antegrade endopyelotomy. The long-term success rate, > or = 24 month postoperatively, was 96% (median follow-up 37 (24-196) months) and 76% (median follow-up 32 (24-73) months), respectively. CONCLUSION: Open pyeloplasty and endopyelotomy both have a high success rate with better patency results after open pyeloplasty. Open pyeloplasty is more invasive and has a higher morbidity. Endopyelotomy is a minimally invasive procedure with faster recovery, fewer and minor complications, significantly less need for peri- and postoperative analgesics, less residual pain due to the access, and no functional and esthetic sequelae of lumbotomy.

Antegrade endopyelotomy for treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in transplanted kidneys.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about the incidence and treatment of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction of renal grafts. We report on three cases treated by endopyelotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Graft function declined in three patients 98, 135, and 144 days after kidney transplantation. Acute rejection was excluded by renal biopsy. Ultrasonography revealed a dilated collecting system, and a percutaneous nephrostomy tube was placed. An antegrade nephrostogram showed UPJ obstruction. Percutaneous antegrade endopyelotomy was performed with the cold-knife technique, and the area was stented for 6 weeks using a 14F/8.2F Smith endopyelotomy stent. RESULTS: No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The endopyelotomies were successful, and the creatinine clearances returned to normal. CONCLUSION: Antegrade endopyelotomy in patients with UPJ obstruction of a renal graft is feasible and effective. Normal kidney function was restored after correction of the obstruction.

[Old and new interventional therapies in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)]. / Alte und neue interventionelle Therapien zur Behandlung der symptomatischen benignen Prostatahyperplasie (BPH).

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a common entity among the aging male population. Its prevalence is increasing with age and is around 80% in the over 80-years old. The androgen-estrogen ratio changes in favor of the estrogens, which leads to a growth of prostatic tissue, presenting histologically as hyperplasia. BPH can cause irritative or obstructive symptoms or both. Nowadays we speak of bladder storage or bladder voiding symptoms, summarised as LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms). LUTS has a structural and a functional component, the structural being caused by the size of the adenoma itself the functional depending on the muscle tone of the bladder neck and the prostatic urethra. To investigate LUTS, we use validated symptom scores, sonography for residual urine and eventually a urodynamic evaluation. There are 3 grades of BPH. The indication for an interventional therapy is relative in BPH II, and absolute in BPH III. Prior to treatment, other diseases mimicking the same symptoms, have to be ruled out and adequatly treated. Electro-resection of the prostate (TUR-P) remains the standard therapy and the benchmark any new technology has to compete with. TUR-P has good short- and longterm results, but can be associated with a considerable perioperative morbidity, and the learning curve for the operator is long. The most promising of the newer techniques is the Holmium-Laser-Enucleation of the prostate (Laser-TUR-P), showing at least identical short- and median-term results, but a lower perioperative morbidity than TUR-P For several minimally-invasive techniques, indications are limited. TUMT TUNA, WIT and laser-coagulation all produce a coagulation necrosis of the prostatic tissue by thermic damage with secondary tissue shrinking. Urodynamic results however, are not comparable to TUR-P or Laser-TUR-P, and significantly more secondary interventions within 2 to 5 years are required. Minimal-invasive techniques present a favorable alternative for younger patients without complications of BPH, and for older patients with relevant comorbidities, and can usually be performed under local anaesthesia. The morbidity is low and further therapies remain possible later, if necessary.

[Radical prostatectomy in the treatment of organ confined prostate cancer]. / Die radikale Prostatektomie zur Therapie des lokalisierten Prostatakarzinoms.

Open radical prostatectomy represents one possible therapeutic option for treating patients with clinically localized prostate cancer Patient selection and the surgical management have undergone important changes during the last years, resulting in lower morbidity and probably in a better tumor control due to a better standardisation of the surgical technique. Long-term functional outcome regarding continence and potency are of increasing importance and influence mainly the quality of life in these patients. Open radical retropubic prostatectomy remains the gold standard in patients with localized prostate cancer, due to its low morbidity and excellent oncological and functional results. The value of laparoscopic and robotic radical prostatectomy is still discussed controversially. Due to the relative high morbidity during the so-called learning curve and the lack of long-term oncological and functional results, these techniques seem to show less favourable results.

[Ganglion curage in prostate cancer]. / Curage ganglionnaire dans le cancer de la prostate.

In clinically Localized prostate cancers, the interest of pelvic Lymphadenectomy is debated. Nevertheless, this intervention provides important information on disease prognosis (number of positive lymph nodes, tumoural volume, and extracapsular perforation of the affected ganglions); information that previously no other technique could provide. However, no consensus exists concerning patients who should benefit from pelvic Lymphadenectomy and on the extent of this intervention. For most surgeons, decision making regarding ganglion curage is based on nomograms. According to these nomograms, patients with a level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) <10 ng/mL and a Gleason score <7 have a very low risk for ganglionic metastases; this is the reason why the benefit of pelvic Lymphadenectomy remains controversial. Besides, most of these nomograms are based upon the results of standard Lymphadenectomy (iliac vein and obturator fossa) with, subsequently, a related risk of imprecision. In addition, potential therapeutic benefit may be expected from extended ganglion curage, despite the fact that this is not clearly documented yet, due to the benign course of the disease. In other tumoural diseases (stomach cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, blade cancer), on the contrary, survival and stage identification depend on the number of removed ganglions, thus on the extent of Lymphadenectomy.

Risks and benefits of hormonal manipulation as monotherapy or adjuvant treatment in localised prostate cancer.

A round table meeting was held to discuss the role of hormonal therapy in localised prostate cancer. The findings of the group were that immediate hormonal therapy does not provide an overall survival advantage in localised and locally advanced prostate cancer. Bicalutamide can prolong disease free survival in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, however it is important to underline that at this time it has not been shown to influence disease specific nor overall survival. It remains also unproven that early treatment is superior to treatment at progression. However, a trend towards decreased survival with bicalutamide was observed in low risk patients such as those with localised disease. In patients receiving bicalutamide, there were increased cardiovascular side-effects, in addition to the high incidence of gynaecomastia. Early hormonal therapy has to be balanced against such side-effects and the inevitable appearance of hormone refractory disease in patients who progress after hormonal therapy. Consequently, patients with localised, low risk disease are not considered appropriate candidates for hormonal therapy used either as mono-therapy or in the adjuvant setting.

[The urologic emergency--what should I not forget?]. / Der urologische Notfall--was darf ich nicht vergessen?

The most frequently encountered urologic emergencies in daily practice include obstructive pyelonephritis, acute scrotal pain, acute urinary retention, urinary lithiasis and priapism. This article gives an overview on the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic assessment and treatment strategies for each of these emergencies.

[The role of pelvic lymphadenectomy in clinically localised prostate cancer]. / Stellenwert der pelvinen Lymphadenektomie beim klinisch lokalisierten Prostatakarzinom.

Lymph node dissection remains the only reliable method for exact staging to date. Extended lymphadenectomy including tissue along the external iliac vein, the obturator fossa, and along the internal iliac vessels should be performed in all patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. There is an increasing amount of data suggesting that removal of all diseased nodes, which contain minimal metastatic disease, may have a positive impact on disease-free and, perhaps, on overall survival. Due to the relatively benign course of the disease, longer follow-up periods are still necessary to make a definitive statement.

[Selection and perioperative management of patients undergoing an orthotopic ileal bladder substitution].

Orthotopic ileal bladder substitution (Studer pouch) has gained much popularity during the last decade, offering the best form of urinary diversion in appropriately selected patients. The superiority of this procedure is well known, with a low complication and high success rate. In the present study the most important details in patient selection, surgical technique, perioperative management with short- and long-term postoperative follow-up are described. Adequate preoperative assessment results in a proper indication for surgery and appropriate patient selection. The cystectomy should be performed with atraumatic dissection and preservation of the urethral autonomic innervation and sphincter apparatus. The bladder substitute is constructed from a terminal ileal segment of proper length formed into a spherical shape. Implantation of the ureters into the reservoir should not be performed using an anti- reflux technique to avoid a high stricture rate. Anastomosis of the bladder substitute to the urethra must be flat and wide open, avoiding a funnel-shaped outlet. In the immediate postoperative period, careful monitoring is necessary to minimize metabolic complications of acidosis and salt loss. To achieve successful voiding rehabilitation, with complete reservoir emptying, good functional reservoir capacity and satisfactory continence, it is necessary to educate the patients as to the physiological functioning of the bladder substitute. Careful lifelong follow up is essential for the successful outcome. Respecting strict patient selection criteria and proper surgical technique are of utmost importance for the successful outcome of the procedure, but only if combined with regular follow-up.