The effect of alpha blocker treatment prior to prostate biopsy on voiding functions, pain scores and health-related quality-of-life outcomes: A prospective randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of alpha-blocker treatment prior to transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) on voiding functions, pain scores and health-related quality-of-life outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2018 to April 2019, a total of 112 patients underwent TRUS-Bx due to elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or abnormal digital rectal examination findings. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on whether they received pharmacological treatment before biopsy. Group 1 consisted of patients with no alpha-blocker treatment prior to biopsy and Group 2 consisted of patients who received Tamsulosin for one week before biopsy continuing for one week after biopsy. Voiding function was evaluated three times using the validated International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry (maximal flow rate (Qmax) and residual volume (PVR)). The Turkish version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item Questionnaire (SF-36) was used to assess health-related quality of life. Pain scores were rated according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) just after the biopsy procedure. RESULTS: Mean IPSS and Qmax on the post-biopsy 7 day were significantly in favor of Group 2 (P<0.001, P=0.004). Although post-biopsy day 7 PVR was similar between the groups, Δ1 PVR was significantly in favor of Group 2 (P=0.004). Mean VAS score was 2.7±2.3 for the Tamsulosin group and 4.2±2.2 for the control group (P=0.001). There was no significant difference between two groups according to baseline and postoperative 1st month SF-36 scores. CONCLUSION: Alpha-blocker therapy prior to TRUS-Bx is effective in preventing voiding dysfunction and biopsy-related pain in patients undergoing TRUS-Bx. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

The relationship between acquired premature ejaculation and metabolic syndrome: a prospective, comparative study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and acquired premature ejaculation (PE). A total of 100 patients with acquired PE and 100 control cases were enrolled in the study. After obtaining a detailed medical history, anthropometric (weight, height and waist circumference) and blood pressure measurements were performed. Ejaculation and erection functions were evaluated by Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), respectively. Self-estimated intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) of the participants was recorded. Fasting blood samples were taken for biochemical and hormonal work-up. The median PEDT scores were 16 (9-22) and 4.5 (2-8) in acquired PE and control groups, respectively (P<0.001). The mean estimated IELT values in PE patients and controls were 36.1±46.5 versus 488.2±313.8 s (P<0.001). MetS was diagnosed in 51 patients (51%) in the PE group and 24 (24%) participants in the control group (P<0.001). A significant negative correlation was observed between the components of MetS and estimated IELT, except for diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the all components of MetS and total PEDT score, except for fasting blood glucose and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) levels. Logistic regression analysis revealed that, except blood pressure and HDL levels, MetS components were significant risk factors for PE after adjusting for age and total testosterone. In conclusion, MetS is associated with acquired PE.

Effects of losartan on experimental varicocele-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis.

To investigate the potential protective effects of losartan on varicocele-induced germ cell apoptosis, 24 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: a sham operation was performed in SHAM group, and experimental left varicocele was created in VAR and VAR + LOS groups. Additionally, in VAR + LOS group, losartan was administered for 30 days starting on the day of surgery. At the end of 30 days, all animals were sacrificed and left orchiectomy was performed. Testicular injury and spermatogenesis were evaluated according to Johnsen scoring system. To assess the nitrosative stress, immunohistochemical staining for endothelial nitric oxide synthase was used and evaluated by H-score and apoptotic index (AI) of germ cells was analysed by TUNEL method. A significant decrease in the mean Johnsen score (JS) was observed in VAR group compared with SHAM (p < .001). The mean H-score and AI were significantly higher in VAR group compared with SHAM (p < .001). After losartan administration, mean JS was significantly increased (p < .001) and mean H-score and AI were significantly decreased compared with VAR group (p < .001 and .01, respectively). Findings of this suggest that losartan acts as a potent protective agent against varicocele-induced germ cell apoptosis.

Comparing the short-term outcomes and complications of monopolar and bipolar transurethral resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancers: a prospective, randomized, controlled study / Comparación de los resultados a corto plazo y complicaciones de la resección transuretral monopolar y bipolar de tumores vesicales no músculo-infiltrantes: estudio prospectivo, randomizado, controlado

OBJECTIVES: To compare perioperative outcomes and complications of plasmakinetic bipolar and monopolar transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: Between March and December 2015, a total of 130 consecutive patients underwent TURBT for NMIBC. Patients were equally randomized into monopolar TURBT (M-TURBT) and bipolar TURBT (B-TURBT) groups. Primary outcome of this study was safety of the procedures including obturator jerk, bladder perforation, clot retention, febrile urinary tract infection and TUR syndrome. The secondary outcome was efficacy of both TURBT procedures, including complete tumor resection, sampling of the deep muscle tissue and sampling of the qualified tissues that without any thermal damage. RESULTS: Complete tumor resection rate was higher in B-TURBT than M-TURBT (89.2% vs 78.5%, respectively), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.152). No significant differences were found between the muscle tissue sampling rates (64.6% vs 72.3%, p = 0.345) and the numbers of patients with thermal tissue damage (7 patients vs 3 patients, p = 0.194). Obturator jerk was detected in 21.5% of the patients in M-TURBT group and 4.6% of the patients in B-TURBT group, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.013). Bladder perforation was significantly higher in M-TURBT group than B-TURBT (21.5 % vs 6.1%, p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar TURBT had significantly lower obturator jerk and bladder perforation than monopolar. B- TURBT is a reasonable treatment modality in patients with NMIBC

OBJETIVO: Comparar los resultados perioperatorios y las complicaciones de la resección transuretral bipolar plasmaquinética y monopolar de tumores vesicales en pacientes con carcinoma vesical no musculo-infiltrante (CVNMI). MÉTODOS: Entre marzo y diciembre del 2015, un total de 130 pacientes consecutivos fueron sometidos a RTU de tumor vesical por CVNMI. Los pacientes fueron randomizados por igual en los grupos de RTU monopolar (RTU-M) y RTU bipolar (RTU-B). El objetivo primario del estudio era evaluar la seguridad de la operación incluyendo la contractura del obturador, perforación vesical, retención por coágulos, infección urinaria febril y síndrome post RTU. El objetivo secundario era evaluar la eficacia de ambos procedimientos de RTU, incluyendo la resección completa del tumor, obtención de tejido muscular profundo y de los tejidos cualificados sin lesión térmica. RESULTADOS: La tasa de resección completa del tumor fue superior en el grupo de RTU-B frente al de RTU-M (89,2% vs 78,5%, respectivamente), pero la diferencia no fue significativa (p = 0,152). No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las tasas de obtención de la capa muscular en las muestras (64,6% vs 72,3%, p = 0,345) ni en el número de pacientes con lesión térmica tisular (7 pacientes frente a 3 pacientes, p = 0,194). Se detectó contractura del obturador en el 21,5% de los pacientes en el grupo de RTU-M y 4,6% de los pacientes del grupo de RTU-B, y esta diferencia era estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,013). La perforación vesical fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de RTU-M frente al de RTU-B (21,5% vs 6,1%, p = 0,039). CONCLUSIONES: La RTU bipolar de tumor vesical tiene una incidencia de contractura del obturador y perforación significativamente menores que la de la monopolar. La RTU-B del tumor vesical es una modalidad de tratamiento razonable en pacientes con CVNMI

La eficacia y toxicidad de la quimioterapia con gemcitabina y cisplatino en el carcinoma urotelial de vejiga avanzado/metastásico / The Efficacy and Toxicity of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Chemotherapy in Advanced/Metastatic Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma

Objetivo: Se han introducido muchos agentes nuevos como una alternativa a la terapia MVAC estándar con eficacia mejorada y un menor perfil de toxicidad en el carcinoma de vejiga avanzado. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la tasa de respuesta y los efectos secundarios tóxicos de gemcitabina-cisplatino (GC) en pacientes con carcinoma de vejiga avanzado/metastásico. Métodos: Entre enero de 2001 y abril de 2006 58 pacientes con carcinoma de células transicionales (CCT) avanzado/metastásico histológicamente confirmado se inscribieron en el estudio. Todos los pacientes recibieron 1.000mg/m2 de gemcitabina administrada mediante infusión intravenosa de 30-60 minutos los días 1, 8 y 15 y 70mg/m2 de cisplatino como una infusión de 60 minutos el día 2. Todas las toxicidades fueron clasificadas según la escala de la OMS y la del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer. Resultados: El número medio de ciclos fue de 4,1. La neutropenia y la trombocitopenia fueron efectos secundarios clínicamente significativos relacionados con el tratamiento. La toxicidad hematológica incluyó principalmente la neutropenia de grado 3-4 en el 56% de los pacientes, la trombocitopenia de grado 3-4 en el 59% y la anemia de grado 3-4 en el 33%. Solo hubo una muerte por sepsis neutropénica. La respuesta completa y respuesta parcial se obtuvieron en 13 (22,4%) y 17 (29,3%) pacientes, respectivamente; 17 (29,3%) de los pacientes tenían enfermedad estable y se observó progresión en 11 pacientes (18,9%). La mediana de supervivencia para todo el grupo fue de 14,7 meses (2-67). Conclusiones: La terapia con GC es un tratamiento eficaz debido a su alta respuesta tumoral y la supervivencia a largo plazo, con una baja incidencia de toxicidad en pacientes avanzados o metastásicos (AU)

Objective: Many new agents have been introduced as an alternative to standard MVAC therapy with improved efficiacy and lower toxicity profile in advanced bladder carcinoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the response rate and toxic side effects of gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) in patients with advanced/metastatic bladder carcinoma. Methods: Between January 2001 and April 2006, 58 patients with histologically confirmed advanced/metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) were enrolled in the study. All patients received 1,000mg/m2 gemcitabine administered via intravenous infusion of 30-60 minutes on days 1, 8 and 15, and 70mg/m2 cisplatin as an infusion of 60-min on day 2. All toxicities were graded using the WHO scale and the National Cancer Institute scale. Results: The average number of cycles was 4.1. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were clinically significant treatment-related side-effects. Hematologic toxicity included mainly grade 3-4 neutropenia in 56%, grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 59%, and grade 3- 4 anemia in 33% of patients. There was only one death from neutropenic sepsis. Complete response and partial response were obtained in 13 (22.4%) and 17 (29.3%) of patients, respectively, 17 (29.3%) of patients were found to have stable disease, and progression was observed in 11 patients (18.9%). Median survival for the whole group was 14.7 months (2-67). Conclusions: GC therapy is an effective regimen owing to its high tumor response and long survival with a low incidence of toxicity in advanced or metastatic patients (AU)

[The efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy in advanced/metastatic bladder urothelial carcinoma]. / La eficacia y toxicidad de la quimioterapia con gemcitabina y cisplatino en el carcinoma urotelial de vejiga avanzado/metastásico.

OBJECTIVE: Many new agents have been introduced as an alternative to standard MVAC therapy with improved efficacy and lower toxicity profile in advanced bladder carcinoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the response rate and toxic side effects of gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) in patients with advanced/metastatic bladder carcinoma. METHODS: Between January 2001 and April 2006, 58 patients with histologically confirmed advanced/metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) were enrolled in the study. All patients received 1,000 mg/m(2) gemcitabine administered via intravenous infusion of 30-60 minutes on days 1, 8 and 15, and 70 mg/m(2) cisplatin as an infusion of 60-min on day 2. All toxicities were graded using the WHO scale and the National Cancer Institute scale. RESULTS: The average number of cycles was 4.1. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were clinically significant treatment-related side-effects. Hematologic toxicity included mainly grade 3-4 neutropenia in 56%, grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 59%, and grade 3- 4 anemia in 33% of patients. There was only one death from neutropenic sepsis. Complete response and partial response were obtained in 13 (22.4%) and 17 (29.3%) of patients, respectively, 17 (29.3%) of patients were found to have stable disease, and progression was observed in 11 patients (18.9%). Median survival for the whole group was 14.7 months (2-67). CONCLUSIONS: GC therapy is an effective regimen owing to its high tumor response and long survival with a low incidence of toxicity in advanced or metastatic patients.

Recurrence and progression of T1G3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of recurrence and progression in patients with stage T1, grade-3 carcinoma of the bladder treated with endovesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) after complete transurethral resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From May 1995 to June 2002, 937 patients with superficial bladder cancer underwent transurethral resection. 46 patients (4.9%) had T1G3 tumors. All patients received endovesical BCG therapy 2-3 weeks after transurethral resection, given in 6 sessions as weekly instillations of 120 ml Pasteur strain BCG in 50 ml saline. Success was defined by normal cytology and cystoscopy, and normal bladder biopsies. Recurrent tumors were resected and a second or third cycle of therapy was given according to pathological status. Progressive tumors were managed by radical cystectomy, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy depending on the nature of the tumor or clinical status of the patient. RESULTS: During follow-up 60.7% of the patients (28 of 46) remained tumor free after only 1 BCG cycle and 73.9% (34 of 46) after the third BCG cycle, and the bladder was preserved in all. Muscle-invasive progression was noted in 10 (21.7%) patients at the end of the BCG cycles. Radical cystectomy was done in 10 patients. The tumor-free survival rate of all patients including those who underwent cystectomy is 84.8% (39 of 46) with a median follow-up of 61 (range 39-118) months. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant immunotherapy with BCG after complete transurethral resection of the bladder tumor represents a highly effective treatment for bladder preservation in stage pT1, grade-3 carcinoma of the bladder. pT1G3 tumors with early high-grade recurrence after failed immunotherapy should be regarded as candidates for early radical cystectomy.

A case report: Leukaemic infiltration and hyperplasia of the prostate.

Leukaemic infiltration of prostate with hyperplasia is a rare manifestation and is usually found in known cases of leukaemia, but it may be the first sign of an undiagnosed leukaemia. In this report, a rare case of leukaemic infiltration of the prostate in a 64-year-old man is represented.

A case report: Prostatic carcinoma with metastasis to the testicle.

Secondary testicular tumours are rare. We present a 54 years old patient with testicular metastasis from carcinoma of the prostate with a 7 years history of hormonotherapy and chemotherapy for advanced carcinoma.

A case report: adrenal ganglioneuroblastoma in a 59-year old man.

Ganglioneuroblastoma is a common type of tumor in children, but is rarely seen in adults. We present here a case of adrenal ganglioneuroblastoma in a 59-year old man.

A case report: renal metastasis of prostate cancer.

In this report, a rare case of renal metastasis of prostate cancer in a 55-year-old man is presented.

Prospective randomized comparison of intravesical BCG therapy with standard dose versus low doses in superficial bladder cancer.

In this study, we evaluated low dose intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy following transurethral resection (TUR) in 80 patients with superficial bladder cancer. The patients were divided into two groups. Of the Connaught BCG strain 81 mg was given to 40 patients in Group 1 and 54 mg to the remainder of 40 patients in Group 2. BCG was introduced once a week for 6 weeks. Tumour recurrence was seen in 6 patients in Group 1 and in 10 patients in Group 2. Recurrence rates per month were 0.71 and 1.49, respectively. There was no significant difference in complication rates. These data suggest that while the standard dose (81 mg) intravesical therapy of BCG is more effective than the low dose, there was no significant difference in side effects between the two groups.

Efficacy of transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate with respect to standard transurethral resection.

Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP) has been introduced as an alternative to standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with lesser morbidity. However, the efficacy of this new technique has not been well known. To compare the results of standard TURP and TVP, 76 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BFH) were divided into two groups in a randomized clinical trial. Preoperative assessment included AUA Symptom score, maximum flow rates (Qmax), digital rectal examination, serum prostate specific antigen, and transrectal ultrasonography, with biopsy if the patient was randomized to vaporization. Transrectal temperature measurements and the hemoglobin concentration of the irrigation fluid were investigated in all the patients during the procedure. Although the transrectal temperature was higher in the TVP group (0.53-1.27 degrees C; mean 0.83 degrees C), no associated complication were determined. However, blood loss was significantly lesser than with TURP (340 mL v 60 mL). Two patients in the TURP group required blood transfusions, and one had sphincteric incontinence, whereas one postoperative retention, one reoperation with bladder perforation, and one sphincteric incontinence were seen in the TVP group. On the other hand, 12-month follow-up demonstrated that the uroflow rates improved in a similar manner. The Qmax increased in the TURP and TVP groups from 8.8 and 8.3 mL/sec to 19.6 and 17.2 mL/sec, respectively. The mean AUA Symptom Score decreased from 13.7 to 7.9 and 6.1 at 6 and 12 months, respectively. In the TVP group and from 14.6 to 7.3 and 7.0 at 6 and 12 months, respectively, in the TURP group. There were significant differences in the mean catheterization time (P < 0.0001) and hospital stay (P < 0.0001) in favor of TVP. Our results suggest that TVP is a safe and effective alternative treatment for symptomatic BPH.