Perinatal and childhood factors and risk of prostate cancer in adulthood: MCC-Spain case-control study.

BACKGROUND: In utero and early-life exposures are suspected to modulate the risk of prostate cancer. This study examines the influence of certain perinatal and childhood-related factors on prostate cancer risk overall and by Gleason score at biopsy. METHODS: MCC-Spain is a multicase-control study where 1088 histologically-confirmed incident prostate cancer cases (aged 42-85years) and 1345 population-based controls (aged 38-85years), frequency matched by age and province of recruitment, were recruited in 7 Spanish provinces. Self-reported perinatal and childhood-related characteristics were directly surveyed by trained staff. The association with prostate cancer risk, globally and according to Gleason score at biopsy, was evaluated using logistic and multinomial regression mixed models, adjusting for age, family history of prostate cancer, educational level and body mass index one year before the interview, and including the province as a random effect term. RESULTS: Most perinatal factors were not related to prostate cancer risk, with the exception of middle-high socioeconomic level at birth (OR for high grade tumors=1.36; 95%CI=1.09-1.68). Regarding puberty, risk rose by 6% for each year of delayed onset (OR=1.06; 95%CI=1.01-1.10; p trend=0.016), with a clear excess of risk in men who reached puberty after age 15 (OR:1.35; 95%CI=1.08-1.68). A borderline significant positive association with prepubertal height was also observed (p trend=0.094). CONCLUSION: Some exposures experienced in utero and during adolescence, when the prostate is still maturing, might be relevant for prostate cancer risk in adulthood.

Quality of life in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH: change over time in real-life practice according to treatment--the QUALIPROST study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate change in quality of life (QoL) and symptoms in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) in conditions of current clinical practice. METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal, multicenter open-label study was carried out in urology outpatient clinics. Patients were ≥40 years of age with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) score ≥ 8. QoL and symptoms were measured at baseline and 6 months using the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BII) and the IPSS. RESULTS: 1713 patients were included for analysis. Mean (SD) IPSS and BII scores at baseline were 16.8 (5.4) and 6.8 (2.6), respectively. 8.9 % (n = 153) of study participants did not receive treatment (watchful waiting, WW), 70.3 % (n = 1204) were prescribed monotherapy (alpha-adrenergic blockers [AB]; phytotherapy [PT, of which 95.2 % was the hexanic extract of Serenoa repens, HESr]; or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors [5ARI]), and 20.8 % (n = 356) received combined treatment (AB + 5ARI; AB + HESr; others). At 6 months, improvements in QoL were similar across the different medical treatment (MT) groups, both for monotherapy (AB: mean improvement [SD] of 2.4 points [2.4]; PT: 1.9 [2.4]; 5ARI: 2.5 [2.3]) and combined therapy (AB + 5ARI: 3.1 [2.9]; AB + PT: 3.1 [2.5]). There were no clinically significant differences between MT groups and all showed significant improvement over WW (p < 0.05). HESr showed similar efficacy to AB and 5ARI both as monotherapy and in combination with AB. Results on the IPSS were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in QoL and symptoms were equivalent across the medical treatments most widely used in real-life practice to manage patients with moderate or severe LUTS. HESr showed an equivalent efficacy to AB and 5ARI with fewer side effects.

[Surgical treatment for renal cancer metastases]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de las metástasis del cáncer renal.

Complete removal of metastatic lesions can contribute to improve clinical prognosis of renal cancer. Nowadays, it is accepted that surgical extirpation of solitary metastases for patients with renal cancer is the only potential for long-term survival. Provided that the metastases could be technical and functionally resected. This review addresses the current evidence about resecable renal cancer metastases at lung, liver, bone, kidney and other organs. The criteria to consider a patient as candidate for resection of metastases are: control of primary tumor, surgical extirpation feasibility and lack of systemic disease. In patients with synchronous metastases, the surgical extirpation should be performed at the same time than nephrectomy. The clinical prognosis is worse when metastases are asynchronous. After the introduction of novel anti-angiogenic agents, surgery is also justified in patients with good responses. Although, this approach remains in the field of investigation.

[Learning laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with the Leipzig program. Analysis of the training module program]. / El aprendizaje de la prostatectomía radical laparoscópica según el modelo de Leipzig. Análisis de un programa tutelado progresivo.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In most cases the learning curve of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is not completed during the residency. This is why International Fellowship programs are becoming more popular. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of the fellowship program of the German group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe the evolution of our last fellow in the modular training program developed by the Leipzig group. We also evaluate the efficiency of this program by analyzing the results of 30 procedures performed by the fellow as first surgeon. In addition we have reviewed the literature and compared those outcomes with previous series of the clinic and other training programs. RESULTS: The training programme was completed in four months. After this time, the fellow performed 30 procedures without any assistance from a tutor. 46.67% of these procedures were nerve sparing. The time average was 2 hours and 27 minutes. The programme includes lymphadenectomy in 20 patients. Two patients had positive margins, all anastomosis were tight except for one. Urethral catheter was removed on the fifth day and there were no other intraopertive or early postoperative complications. Results may be compared to previous results of other residents of the department and also of other groups where a long-term tutor program was performed. CONCLUSION: The learning process of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy should follow a long-term tutorized model. Until the definitive expansion/development of this technique, the Leipzig Fellowship program is a complete and effective formation schedule.

[Prevalence of urinary incontinence and hyperactive bladder in the Spanish population: results of the EPICC study]. / Prevalencia de incontinencia urinaria y vejiga hiperactiva en la población española: resultados del estudio EPICC.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing interest on Urinary Incontinence (UI) in our country, nocturnal enuresis and Overactive Bladder (OAB), there are no epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of these health problems in the different affected groups of the general population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is an epidemiologic, observational, multicentre and national study. Data were collected by means of personal interviews in 5 representative areas from Spain and in 4 groups of population: 1) working women (25- 64-years-old); 2) working men (50- 64-years-old); 3) children attending primary school (6- 11-years-old); and 4) elderly institutionalized subjects (over 65-years-old) with no mental impairment. The Interview addressed to adult population included two parts: 1) socio-demographic variables and clinical history; and 2) data about OAB and UI symptoms. The Interview addressed to children included socio-demographic variables and questions about liquid intake and urine control. RESULTS: Percentage of answer to interview in the different groups varied between 79.7% and 98%. Prevalence of isolate OAB and UI in working women were 2.69% and 4.01% respectively; in men were 3.55% and 0.56%; in elderly were 9.14% and 15.16%. In total, 9.94% (95%CI = 8.9-11.04) of the women under study suffer one or both health problems; this percentage was 5.14% (95% CI= 3.89-6.63) in men and 53.71% (95% CI= 50.56-56.85) in elderly. Prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children was 7.82% (95% CI= 6.62-9.17). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of OAB and/or UI in Spain is near 10% of women between 25 and 64 years, is around 5% in men between 50 and 64 years and it is over 50% in persons over 65 years; prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children between 6 and 11 years is around 8%.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las metástasis del cáncer renal / Surgical treatment for renal cancer metastases

La extirpación completa de lesiones metastásicas pueden contribuir a mejorar el pronóstico clínico del cáncer renal. Hoy en día, se acepta que la extirpación quirúrgica de las metástasis solitarias para los pacientes con cáncer renal es la única posibilidad de supervivencia a largo plazo. Siempre que las metástasis puedan ser técnica y funcionalmente resecadas. Esta revisión se refiere a la evidencia actual sobre metástasis resecables del cáncer renal a nivel de pulmón, hígado, hueso, riñón y otros órganos. Los criterios para considerar a un paciente como candidato a la resección de metástasis son: control de tumor primario, extirpación quirúrgica de viabilidad y la falta de enfermedad sistémica. En pacientes con metástasis sincrónicas, la extirpación quirúrgica debe realizarse al mismo tiempo que la nefrectomía. El pronóstico clínico es peor cuando las metástasis son asíncronas. Tras la introducción de las nuevos agentes anti-angiogénicos, también se justifica la cirugía en pacientes con buena respuesta. Si bien, este enfoque sigue estando en el ámbito de la investigación (AU)

Complete removal of metastatic lesions can contribute to improve clinical prognosis of renal cáncer. Nowadays, it is accepted that surgical extirpation of solitary metastases for patients with renal cancer is the only potential for long-term survival. Provided that the metastases could be technical and functionally resected. This review addresses the current evidence about resecable renal cancer metastases at lung, liver, bone, kidney and other organs. The criteria to consider a patient as candidate for resection of metastases are: control of primary tumor, surgical extirpation feasibility and lack of systemic disease. In patients with synchronous metastases, the surgical extirpation should be performed at the same time than nephrectomy. The clinical prognosis is worse when metastases are asynchronous. After the introduction of novel anti-angiogenic agents, surgery is also justified in patients with good responses. Although, this approach remains in the field of investigation (AU)

El aprendizaje de la Prostatectomía Radical Laparoscópica según el modelo de Leipzig. Análisis de un programa tutelado progresivo / Learning laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with the Leipzig program. Analysis of the training module program

Introducción y objetivo: En la mayoría de los casos el aprendizaje de la prostatectomía radical laparoscópica no se completa durante la residencia. Ante esta problemática internacional surgen las becas o “fellow ships” de los centros de excelencia europeos y norteamericanos. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar la eficiencia de la beca de formación propuesta por el grupo alemán. Material y método: Describimos la evolución de un becario durante el entrenamiento progresivo, tutorizado por módulos descrito por el grupo de Leipzig, evaluamos la eficiencia del modelo describiendo los resultados de las primeras 30 prostatectomías radicales del becario como cirujano autónomo, comparamos los resultados con la serie histórica del centro, con la curva de aprendizaje de residentes del mismo centro y de otros centros. Resultados: El becario cumplimentó el entrenamiento por módulos en 7 meses posteriormente se le asignaron 30 prostatectomías radicales sin la obligatoriedad de ser ayudado por un cirujano experto. En el 46,67% de los pacientes se aplicó una técnica intrafascial. El tiempo quirúrgico medio fue de 2h y 27 minutos, incluida la linfadenectomía (realizada en 20/30 pacientes). Dos pacientes presentaron márgenes positivos, todas las anastomosis, menos un paciente, fueron estancas. La sonda se retiró al quinto día (mediana). No se detectaron complicaciones intraoperatorias ni en el posoperatorio tardío. Los resultados de éstas, se superponen a la de los residentes del mismo centro y a la de otros urólogos que siguen un entrenamiento tutelado de larga duración. Conclusiones: El aprendizaje de la prostatectomía radical laparoscópica debe seguir un modelo tutorizado progresivo de larga duración. Hasta la expansión definitiva de la técnica, el programa de formación tipo “fellow” que imparte el grupo de Leipzig es un modelo de formación completo y efectivo (AU)

Introduction and objective: In most cases the learning curve of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is not completed during the residency. This is why International Fellowship programs are becoming more popular. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of the fellowship program of the German group. Material and methods: We describe the evolution of our last fellow in the modular training program developed by the Leipzig group. We also evaluate the efficiency of this program by analyzing the results of 30 procedures performed by the fellow as first surgeon. In addition we have reviewed the literature and compared those outcomes with previous series of the clinic and other training programs. Results: The training programme was completed in four months. After this time, the fellow performed 30 procedures without any assistance from a tutor. 46,67% of these procedures were nerve sparing. The time average was 2 hours and 27minutes. The programme includes lymphadenectomy in 20 patients. Two patients had positive margins, all anastomosis were tight except for one. Urethral catheter was removed on the fifth day and there were no other intraoperative or early postoperative complications. Results may be compared to previous results of other residents of the department and also of other groups where a long term tutor program was performed. Conclusion: The learning process of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy should follow a long term tutorized model. Until the definitive expansion/development of this technique, the Leipzig Fellowship program is a complete and effective formation schedule (AU)

Prevalencia de incontinencia urinaria y vejiga hiperactiva en la población española: Resultados del estudio EPICC / Prevalence of urinary incontinence and oberactive bladder in spanish population: results from EPICC study

Introducción: A pesar del creciente interés que despiertan en nuestro país la Incontinencia Urinaria (IU), la enuresis nocturna y la Vejiga Hiperactiva (VH), no existe ningún estudio epidemiológico que evalúe la prevalencia de estas patologías en los diferentes grupos sobre los que se asientan, de la población general de España. Material y Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico, observacional, multicéntrico y de ámbito nacional. Se recogieron datos, a través de encuestas en 5 áreas representativas de todo el ámbito nacional y en cuatro grupos de la población: 1) Mujeres, laboralmente activas (entre 25 y 64 años); 2) Varones, laboralmente activos (entre 50 y 64 años); 3) Niños en enseñanza primaria (entre 6 y11 años); y 4) Personas mayores de 65 años institucionalizadas con nivel cognitivo conservado. La encuesta a población adulta y ancianos incluía dos partes: 1) variables socio-demográficas y antecedentes de la historia clínica; y 2) sobre síntomas de VH e IU. La encuesta a niños incluía variables socio-demográficas y sobre ingesta de líquidos y control de la orina. Resultados: El porcentaje de respuesta en los diferentes grupos del estudio osciló entre el 79,7% y el 98%. La prevalencia de VH y de IU aisladas en mujeres laboralmente activas fue de 2,69% y 4,01% respectivamente; en varones fue de 3,55%y 0,56%; en personas de más de 65 años fue de 9,14% y 15,16%. En conjunto el 9,94% (95% IC= 8,9–11,04) de las mujeres estudiadas padecían una o las dos patologías, porcentaje que fue de 5,14% (95% IC= 3,89–6,63) para varones y de 53,71% (95% IC= 50,56–56,85) para personas de más de 65 años. La prevalencia de enuresis nocturna en niños fue de7,82% (95% IC= 6,62–9,17). Introducción: A pesar del creciente interés que despiertan en nuestro país la Incontinencia Urinaria (IU), la enuresis nocturna y la Vejiga Hiperactiva (VH), no existe ningún estudio epidemiológico que evalúe la prevalencia de estas patologías en los diferentes grupos sobre los que se asientan, de la población general de España. Material y Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico, observacional, multicéntrico y de ámbito nacional. Se recogieron datos, a través de encuestas en 5 áreas representativas de todo el ámbito nacional y en cuatro grupos de la población: 1) Mujeres, laboralmente activas (entre 25 y 64 años); 2) Varones, laboralmente activos (entre 50 y 64 años); 3) Niños en enseñanza primaria (entre 6 y 11 años); y 4) Personas mayores de 65 años institucionalizadas con nivel cognitivo conservado. La encuesta a población adulta y ancianos incluía dos partes: 1) variables socio-demográficas y antecedentes de la historia clínica; y 2) sobre síntomas de VH e IU. La encuesta a niños incluía variables socio-demográficas y sobre ingesta de líquidos y control de la orina. Resultados: El porcentaje de respuesta en los diferentes grupos del estudio osciló entre el 79,7% y el 98%. La prevalencia de VH y de IU aisladas en mujeres laboralmente activas fue de 2,69% y 4,01% respectivamente; en varones fue de 3,55%y 0,56%; en personas de más de 65 años fue de 9,14% y 15,16%. En conjunto el 9,94% (95% IC= 8,9–11,04) de las mujeres estudiadas padecían una o las dos patologías, porcentaje que fue de 5,14% (95% IC= 3,89–6,63) para varones y de53,71% (95% IC= 50,56–56,85) para personas de más de 65 años. La prevalencia de enuresis nocturna en niños fue de7,82% (95% IC= 6,62–9,17) (AU)

Background: Despite the growing interest on Urinary Incontinence (UI) in our country, nocturnal enuresis and Overactive Bladder (OAB), there are no epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of these health problems in the different affected groups of the general population. Patients and methods: This is an epidemiologic, observational, multicentre and national study. Data were collected by means of personal interviews in 5 representative areas from Spain and in 4 groups of population: 1) working women (25-64 years old); 2) working men (50-64 years old); 3) children attending primary school (6-11 years old); and 4) elderly institutionalized subjects (over 65 years old) with no mental impairment. The Interview addressed to adult population included two parts: 1) socio-demographic variables and clinical history; and 2) data about OAB and UI symptoms. The Interview addressed to children included socio-demographic variables and questions about liquid intake and urine control. Results: Percentage of answer to interview in the different groups varied between 79.7% and 98%. Prevalence of isolate OAB and UI in working women were 2.69% and 4.01% respectively; in men were 3.55% and 0.56%; in elderly were 9.14%and 15.16%. In total, 9.94% (95%CI = 8.9–11.04) of the women under study suffer one or both health problems; this percentage was 5.14% (95% CI= 3.89–6.63) in men and 53.71% (95% CI= 50.56–56.85) in elderly. Prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children was 7.82% (95% CI= 6.62–9.17). Conclusions: Prevalence of OAB and/or UI in Spain is near 10% of women between 25 and 64 years, is around 5% in men between 50 and 64 years and it is over 50% in persons over 65 years; prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children between6 and 11 years is around 8% (AU)

New tined lead electrode in sacral neuromodulation: experience from a multicentre European study.

The use of a new tined lead electrode for sacral neuromodulation (SNS) was evaluated in a European study including 127 patients with chronic voiding dysfunction. The tined lead can be implanted during the first stage of the SNS procedure, which makes a longer test period possible before implanting the pulse generator in a second stage. Implantation of the tined lead was performed under local anaesthesia in 89% of patients. Screening lasted on average 30 days. Screening with the tined lead was considered successful by the physicians in 77% of patients (n=72). In 74% of first stage patients (n=70), at least 50% improvement in the main symptoms versus baseline was obtained. This was sustained for up to 6 weeks. All of these patients received the pulse generator in a second stage. The outcome of this study supports the use of the tined lead electrode as a screening tool in SNS therapy.

Prognostic value of DNA ploidy and nuclear morphometry in prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prognostic value of flow cytometry and nuclear morphometry in prostate cancer after androgen deprivation treatment. METHODS: A total of 127 patients with a prostate cancer diagnosis who had undergone androgen suppression were retrospectively studied. The DNA content by flow cytometry and nuclear morphometry was studied from biopsy specimens. In the patients with Stage M0, two multivariate analyses by the Cox proportional regression model were performed to determine whether the experimental variables (DNA content and nuclear area) added independent information to the classic prognostic factors (Gleason score and stage). Using the statistical analysis results, risk groups were created. RESULTS: T and M categories, Gleason score, DNA ploidy, and mean nuclear area proved to have prognostic value in the univariate analysis. For the group of patients free of metastasis (M0), it was possible to create low, intermediate, and high-risk groups using stage and Gleason score with statistically significant differences in survival. Multivariate analysis, combining the classic and experimental variables, selected Gleason score and DNA content as prognostic independent factors. Also, risk groups with statistically significant differences in survival were created. However, the net result of combining both kinds of factors was at least as valuable as the combination of stage and Gleason score in predicting survival. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of DNA ploidy and mean nuclear area do not add enough independent information to improve the predictive value to justify their use in this group of patients treated with hormonal therapy.