Changes in rectal volume and prostate localization due to placement of a rectum-emptying tube.

PURPOSE: Rectal volume variation has a crucial effect on prostate localization during external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer. This study investigated the effect of rectal volume reduction by a rectum-emptying tube (RET) on prostate immobilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 21 patients who underwent proton beam treatment for prostate cancer. Sigmoid-shaped flexible plastic RETs were used to drain gases from the rectum. Computed tomography (CT) was performed before and after RET placement at the treatment planning stage and at the beginning of treatment. Prostate displacement and changes in rectal volume were measured on the CT images. The feasibility of RET placement was evaluated during and after the procedure. RESULTS: All 21 patients tolerated the procedure. The rectal volume was significantly lower with a RET than without a RET. The differences in rectal volume between the treatment planning stage and the beginning of treatment were significantly lower with a RET than without. RET placement significantly decreased prostate displacement in the anteroposterior and superoinferior directions but not in the left-right direction. CONCLUSION: RET placement reduced both rectal volume and variation in rectal volume. The procedure reduced displacement of the prostate. RET placement thus appears to be an effective technique for immobilizing the prostate.

[Clinical characteristics of prostatic adenocarcinoma with ductal features].

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and prognosis of prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2002 to December 2005, we performed 122 radical prostatectomies and pelvic lymph node dissections. We further analyzed 64 cases after excluding 56 cases that had received neoadjuvant hormone therapy and two cases for which we were only able to perform limited follow-up examinations. We reviewed all of the surgical specimens and reclassified them according to the 2004 WHO classification system. We differentiated prostatic cases of ductal adenocarcinoma that were larger than 5 mm in diameter from cases of acinar adenocarcinomas. We then examined these two groups for the pathological stages of the neoplasms and the incidence of postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure. Postoperative PSA failure was defined as a PSA value more than 0.2 ng/ml. RESULTS: We found eight cases (12%) of prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma among the 64 cases treated with radical prostatectomies. The mean age (+/- SD) of these patients was 65.3 (+/- 4.3) years old, and the mean PSA level (+/- SD) was 12.4 (+/- 5.4) ng/ml. Seven of the cases (11%) were mixed-type ductal adenocarcinomas, which contained acinar and ductal components. In addition, one case was identified as pure ductal adenocarcinoma. Seminal vesicle invasion was detected in four cases and lymph nodes metastases were identified in one case. During the follow-up period, four of the eight cases of ductal adenocarcinoma (50%) and twelve of the 56 cases of acinar adenocarcinoma (21%) showed postoperative PSA failure. The median follow-up period was 24 months (range: 12 to 48 months). CONCLUSIONS: We identified eight cases of ducal adenocarcinoma (12% of the examined cases), which suggests this disease is not as rare as previously reported. Compared to the cases of acinar adenocarcinoma, the cases of ductal adenocarcinoma were at a more advanced pathological stage and resulted in a higher rate of postoperative PSA failure. Therefore, we believe that patients that show even a limited degree of ductal adenocarcinoma should receive aggressive therapy.

Urothelial carcinoma (clear cell variant) diagnosed with useful immunohistochemistry stain.

The case is reported of urothelial carcinoma (clear cell variant) that was diagnosed with useful immunohistochemistry stain. A 70-year-old man, who had undergone left radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma in August 2003 and partial lobectomy for pulmonary metastasis in May 2005, complained of hematuria in June 2005. On evaluation, a papillary pedunculated tumor was detected in the left wall of the urinary bladder. A transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TUR-Bt) was performed in July 2005. The pathological diagnosis was difficult due to diffuse clear cell appearance. Immunohistochemistry stain showed urothelial carcinoma, not metastasis of the renal cell carcinoma. Finally it was diagnosed as urothelial carcinoma clear cell variant. Urothelial carcinoma has many variants that show a variety of appearances and characteristics. These should be well known before medical therapy is initiated.

[A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the urinary bladder that was difficult to differentiate from sarcoma].

On September 25th, 2003, a 39-year-old man complained of asymptomatic gross hematuria. He was admitted to a nearby hospital and evaluated. Cystoscopy revealed a non-papillary broad base tumor in the anterior wall of the bladder. On October 2nd, a TUR-Bt was performed. The pathological diagnosis was difficult to determine because mitosis and nuclear pleomorphism were apparent. He next came to our hospital for further evaluation. We diagnosed his condition as an inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder because fibroblasts and inflammatory cells had increased; however, we did not see abnormal nuclear mitosis or severe pleomorphism. Although we did not perform a complete TUR-Bt, the mass regressed spontaneously and did not reoccur. The presence of mitosis and mild nuclear pleomorphisms make certain cases difficult to diagnose as inflammatory pseudotumors. Inflammatory pseudotumors are generally considered benign, and some cases regress spontaneously. It is important that we are able to identify and characterize these pseudotumors in order to avoid more invasive surgeries whenever possible.

[Primary clear cell carcinoma of the ureter: a case report].

In September 2003, a 58-year-old woman complained of bladder irritation and urinary frequency. She was admitted to a nearby hospital, and an evaluation was performed. Urine cytology revealed a class V, and a tumor was detected in the lower left ureter with mild hydroneprhosis of the left kidney. We performed a left ureteronephrectomy with partial cystectomy in April 2004. The pathological diagnosis was clear cell carcinoma with small foci of conventional urothelial carcinoma of the left ureter (pT3pN0, G3 > G2, INFgamma). And now she lives well without recurrence in August 2005. This is the first case report of clear cell carcinoma of the ureter in Japan.