[Tumor markers for bladder cancer: up-to-date study by the Kiel Tumor Bank]. / Tumormarker beim Blasenkarzinom : Der aktuelle Stand am Beispiel der "Kieler Blasentumorbank".

INTRODUCTION: The number of noninvasive diagnostic tests for bladder cancer has increased tremendously over the last years with a large number of experimental and commercial tests. Comparative analyses of tests for diagnosis, follow-up, and recurrence detection of bladder cancer were performed retrospectively as well as prospectively, unicentrically, and multicentrically. METHODS: An analysis of multicentric studies with large patient numbers compared with our own Kiel Tumor Bank data is presented. The Kiel Tumor Bank data looked prospectively at 106 consecutive bladder tumor patients from the year 2006. Special focus was put on urine cytology as a reference test, as well as the commercial NMP 22 Bladder Chek. RESULTS: The analysis of the NMP 22 Bladder Chek showed an overall sensitivity of 69% for all tumor grades and stages, with a specificity of 76%. Comparison to multicentric data with an overall sensitivity of 75% for all tumor grades and stages, with a specificity of 73%, showed results similar to those in the literature. Urine cytology showed a comparable overall sensitivity of 73% for all tumor grades and stages, with a specificity of 80%. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of noninvasive tests for bladder cancer follow-up with reasonable sensitivity and specificity can currently be used. Because of limited numbers of prospective randomized multicentric studies, no single particular marker for bladder cancer screening can be recommended at this point in time.

Estrogen receptors in the human male prostatic urethra and prostate in prostatic cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Estrogen receptors (ERs) in the prostate and prostatic urethra were examined in 33 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in 11 with prostate cancer (PC). The Abbot monoclonal ER-ICA assay was used for immunohistochemical investigation. In the BPH group, ERs were revealed in the prostatic stroma in eight cases and in the glandular epithelium in one. In four cases ERs were seen in the prostatic stroma and in the glandular epithelium. In the prostatic urethra, ERs were found in 19 cases located in the urothelium, lamina propria and/or periurethral glands. In the PC group, ERs were demonstrated in the prostatic stroma and/or prostatic urethra in 6 out of 11 cases. In both BPH and PC patients, immunoreactivity was weak and confined to few cells, indicating low ER content in the prostate as well as in the prostatic urethra. Dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) analysis was used for detection and quanticization of cytosolic and nuclear ERs. In the BPH group, ERs were detected once in the prostate and prostatic urethra in the nuclear and cytosol, and additionally in the prostatic urethra in the cytosol fraction in three cases. In all cases, ER content was low, ranging from 10-15 fmol/mg protein. In the PC group, ERs were detected in the prostatic urethra and/or prostate in the cytosol fraction from two patients. The contents were low, ranging from 10-13 fmol/mg protein. We conclude that in human BPH and PC, ERs can be present in the prostate and prostatic urethra. In the prostate, ERs are mainly located in the stroma, but in BPH specimens they can also be found in the glandular epithelium. Biochemically, the use of the DCC analysis is of limited value, since ER content in the human prostate and prostatic urethra is at the limit of detection with this method.

Transcutaneous nitroglycerine in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a placebo controlled clinical trial.

Transcutaneous nitroglycerine has previously been reported to be effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. We present our results with the drug in a randomised, placebo controlled, double-blind crossover study. The effect of the drug has been evaluated both under laboratory conditions and in a home study. Eighteen men were included in the study. No effect of nitroglycerine could be demonstrated under laboratory conditions by application of the Rigiscan Monitor. In the home study there was no statistical significant effect of transcutaneous nitroglycerine compared to placebo (P= 0.2813).

[Prophylactic contralateral orchiopexy in patients with testicular torsion]. / Profylaktisk kontralateral orkiopeksi ved torsio testis.

The aim of the study was to examine the recommendations for prophylactic contralateral orchiopexy in patients presenting with unilateral testicular torsion in Denmark. A questionnaire was mailed to the 61 surgical departments treating acute urological patients. Prophylactic contralateral orchiopexy was performed in 60 of the 61 departments. Twenty-eight departments routinely performed a combined ipsilateral and contralateral operation. In 20 departments the contralateral procedure was performed immediately in the case of a vital ipsilateral testis, but delayed a median of five (3-12) weeks in the case of a necrotic testis. In seven departments the contralateral orchiopexy was routinely performed a median of 10 (2-12) weeks after the ipsilateral operation, and in the remaining five departments the time of the contralateral procedure was determined by the surgeon. In conclusion prophylactic contralateral orchiopexy was widely used in patients with unilateral testicular torsion, but the timing of the procedure varied.

Effect of a full bladder on urine production in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the reduction in urine production in healthy humans upon bladder distension and to identify the factors responsible for this reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve healthy females were investigated twice in a cross-over designed experiment: once with the urinary bladder empty at the start and once pre-filled to 60% of the maximum bladder capacity. Glomerular filtration rate, effective renal plasma flow, urine content of catecholamines, blood pressure, pulse rate, plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) and plasma concentration of renine and electrolytes were analysed together with serum osmolality. RESULTS: Three subjects failed to reach maximum bladder capacity during the "full bladder" test and were excluded. The urine production in the "full-bladder" test was significantly lower than the "empty-bladder" test (p = 0.024). In the "full-bladder" test a significant increase in mean blood pressure was found (p=0.01). No further significant changes were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Acute bladder distension causes a reduction in urine production or a "pooling of urine" in the upper urinary tract in healthy humans. The mechanism is unknown.

Chronic prostatic pain. A new treatment option with finasteride?

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia are difficult entities to treat. We have treated four patients successfully with finasteride Proscar, MSD.

The expression of receptors for estrogen and epithelial growth factor in the male rabbit prostate and prostatic urethra following castration.

In the lower urinary tract of the male rabbit, estrogen receptors (ERs) are restricted to the urethra and the prostatic stroma. At present, the function of ERs in these tissues is not known. Epithelial growth factor (EGF) stimulates proliferation of epidermal and epithelial tissues, and several animal studies have indicated that EGF is regulated by estrogen. On this background, we have studied the effect of castration on the expression of ERs and EGF receptors in the rabbit prostatic urethra and prostate. Twelve male rabbits were studied fourteen days after castration, and eight normal rabbits were included as controls. In the control group, ERs were found in the urothelial lining and lamina propria of the prostatic urethra, and in the prostatic stroma. EGF receptors were demonstrated in the epithelial lining of the prostatic urethra and the glandular epithelium of the prostate. Following castration, the expression of ERs, assessed as the increase in the number of positively stained specimens, increased significantly in the lamina propria of the prostatic urethra and the prostatic stroma. EGF receptor expression increased significantly in the epithelial lining of the prostatic urethra. In the prostate, the increase was not significant. The results give no support to the view that ERs play role in the regulation of EGF receptors in the rabbit prostatic urethra nor the prostate.

[Validation of the patient-administered Danish Prostate Symptom Score Schedule]. / Validering af det patientadministrerede Danske Prostate Symptom Scoringsskema.

The DAN-PSS-1 system, a self-administered quality-of-life questionnaire comprising 12 questions related to voiding problems and the perceived bother of each individual symptom, was compared to other extensively used score systems and furthermore included in different clinical situations so as to validate the system. The system was internally consistent (alpha cr = 0.73), the median test-retest reliability of answers to each question was 83.5% (range 0-99.7%). A high degree of construct validity demonstrated in the correlation with the Madsen-Iversen score system (rs = 0.51) and with the patients' answers to questions about how bothersome their symptoms were (rs = 0.71). The discriminant validity of the DAN-PSS-1 was excellent with an area under the ROC curve of 0.94. Finally, the DAN-PSS-1 was sensitive to changes following intervention, with scores decreasing 100% after transurethral prostatectomy and 65% after four months of treatment with an alpha-blocker. The DAN-PSS-1 is reliable, valid and responsive, and therefore can be recommended for assessing the severity of symptoms among patients presenting with lower urinary tract complaints suggestive of BPH and during follow-up.

[Examination of patients with monosymptomatic dipstick hematuria. A questionnaire study in Danish departments of surgery]. / Udredning af patienter med monosymptomatisk stixhaematuri. Spørgeskemaundersøgelse på danske kirurgiske afdelinger.

Routine procedures for urological investigations, treatment and follow-up of patients with monosymptomatic dipstick haematuria were studied by a questionnaire. This consisted of 13 questions and was filled in by the chief urologist in 45 (80%) of all surgical departments in Denmark. Dipstick testing was used by 98% of all departments, but only in 31% of these were the personnel reading the tests especially trained in the procedure. Cystourethroscopy and excretory urography were used in respectively 98% and 93% of the departments, although many different evaluation schedules were employed. Thirty-eight departments confirmed the initial dipstick result, of these 21 (55%) omitted further investigations in case of a negative result. Persistent monosymptomatic haematuria resulted in repeated urological examination in 36 departments (80%). The paper discusses the use of dipstick testing versus urine microscopy and gives recommendations for the investigation and follow-up of patients with monosymptomatic dipstick haematuria.

[Usefulness of urine dipsticks in the diagnosis of microscopic hematuria]. / Urinstix' anvendelighed til diagnostik af mikroskopisk haematuri.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of urine dipstick for diagnosing microscopic haematuria. We prospectively reanalyzed 122 consecutive urine samples, that had been read positive for blood by dipstick testing in two hospital departments, with repeated dipstick testing and fractionated microscopy at the laboratory. Out of these 53/122 (43%) were negative at the new dipstick analysis and 67/122 (55%) were negative by urine microscopy. We further examined urine samples from 31 healthy employees at the laboratory. Urine was collected before and after accurate instruction in the procedure for midstream urine sample. A complete correlation between dipstick analysis and microscopy was found. Samples from 8/31 (25%) persons showed microscopic haematuria before instructions and 6/31 (19%) after. It is concluded that instruction in correct dipstick reading and urine sampling could reduce the number of patients with microscopic haematuria by approximately 50%.

Placebo effects in the pharmacological treatment of uncomplicated benign prostatic hyperplasia. The ALFECH Study Group.

In order to establish accurately the exact effect of any drug therapy for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) it is important to define the effect of placebo treatment. This effect was assessed by throughly analyzing the placebo arm, which included 101 patients, from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the selective alpha-blocker alfuzosin and comparing the data with those of a variety of independent studies which followed a placebo group of patients with clinical BPH. Following 16 weeks of placebo treatment a decrease of 24% (p < 0.05) in Madsen-Iversen score and an increase of 14% (p < 0.05) in peak flow rate was demonstrated. The percentages of patients who reported worsening, improvement or no change in symptoms were 9.2%, 73.6% and 17.2% respectively. The maximal effect of placebo, approximately 40% reduction in symptom scores, is likely to be achieved within the first four to six months. After this, the placebo effect stabilizes and gradually wears off but is still present following 12 months of treatment. The duration of the placebo effect and the time until it has totally worn off, if ever, remains to be studied in long-term, placebo-controlled trials, including an untreated cohort. The present study emphasizes the importance of properly designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in evaluating any pharmacological intervention in clinical BPH.

Residual urine in 75-year-old men and women. A normative population study.

The prevalence of residual urine in elderly people in the community is poorly documented. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and range of residual urine in elderly people in the community. As part of a major epidemiologic study (The Glostrup Population Study), 140 75-year-old men and women were included in this study (92 men, 48 women). All were selected at random from the Central Person Register by age and residence. All had a single sonographic measurement of residual urine with a prevoid volume of 150 ml or more. More than 10 ml of residual urine was found in 91 of the 92 men (median 90 ml; range 10-1502 ml), and in 44 of the 48 women (median 45 ml; range 0-180 ml). Our figures correspond to those previously reported in selected patient populations. It must be emphasized, however, that our findings are merely descriptive, as the clinical significance of a single residual urine determination is questionable.

Symptomatic outcome of transurethral prostatectomy, alpha-blockade and placebo in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Evaluation of treatment with the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) system. The ALFECH Study Group.

To assess the symptomatic outcome following transurethral prostatectomy (TURP), alpha-blockade and placebo treatment in uncomplicated benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 260 patients were evaluated with the recently formulated Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) system: 205 were randomized to either the selective alpha-blocker alfuzosin or placebo and 55 underwent TURP. Following TURP, the DAN-PSS-1 score was reduced by 80% after 6-10 weeks (visit 2) and by 100% after 12-16 weeks (visit 3). In the alfuzosin group the corresponding reductions were 40% and 65% (p < 0.02 vs. placebo). In the placebo group the reduction was 25% at visit 2, with no further fall demonstrated thereafter. During alfuzosin treatment the bother score (impact of symptoms on quality of life) fell more than the symptom score. During placebo treatment there was no reduction in symptom score. We conclude that the DAN-PSS-1 questionnaire sensitively identifies clinically important responses to treatment of BPH.

Sexual function in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia.

This study evaluated the sexual function in an unselected population referred to hospital for treatment of clinical BPH. 401 patients filled in the DAN-PSS questionnaire including 3 questions concerning sexuality (erection, ejaculation volume and pain/discomfort during eja culation). The patients were divided into four age groups (< 50; 50-59; 60-69 and > 69 years). The answers were analyzed for severity of symptoms and the related bothersomeness. The proportion of patients with erectile dysfunction increased with increasing age, and the related bother was much higher in the young males. Fiftyfour percent noticed that the amount of semen had decreased, and a correlation between increasing age and smaller ejaculation volume was observed. However, the related botherfactor was low. There was an age independent occurrence of about 15% of patients experiencing pain/discomfort during ejaculation and the bother factor is high. This study shows that the questions concerning sexuality in the DAN-PSS score system are formulated in a way that most patients can understand, and are willing to fill in the form.

Aspirin, a silent risk factor in urology.

Aspirin is a widely used drug for its analgetic, antiinflamatory and antipyretic effects as well as for prophylactic effect in cardiovascular diseases. However, an increased number of operative hemorrhagic complications in patients on daily aspirin have been reported, an adverse effect highly relevant in urology. In this review the normal hemostatic mechanism and the chief pharmacological effect of aspirin on hemostasis is described. The literature is reviewed for hemorrhagic complications to aspirin in urology. Few reports indicate that aspirin increases bleeding and need for transfusion following prostatectomy, but no placebo-controlled clinical trials with large patient groups have been carried out. Following prostate biopsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy aspirin-induced hemorrhagic complications have been reported. Cessation of aspirin ingestion one week prior to invasive urologic procedures and correction of bleeding complications with desmopressin, platelet concentration or fresh whole blood is described.

Validation of the self-administered Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) system for use in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1), a self-administered quality-of-life questionnaire comprising 12 questions related to voiding problems and the perceived bother of each individual symptom. METHODS: Using published results from several comparisons of other symptom scoring systems with DAN-PSS-1, the test-retest reliability, internal consistency, construct and content validity, and responsiveness of the DAN-PSS-1 system were assessed. RESULTS: The system was internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73), the median test-retest reliability of answers to each question was 83.5% (range 0-99.7%) and the questionnaire was well understood by the patients. The DAN-PSS-1 system demonstrated a high degree of construct validity, correlating with the extensively used Madsen-Iversen score system (Spearman's correlation coefficient, rs = 0.51) and with the patients' answers to questions about how bothersome their symptoms were (rs = 0.71). The DAN-PSS-1 system discriminated clearly between patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and control subjects (an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.94). Finally, the DAN-PSS-1 was sensitive to changes following intervention, with scores decreasing from a median of 20 to zero 4 months after patients underwent transurethral prostatectomy and from a median of 11.5 to 7.5 (65%) after patients had received 4 months treatment with an alpha-blocker. CONCLUSIONS: The DAN-PSS-1 system is reliable, valid and responsive, and therefore can be recommended for assessing the severity of symptoms among patients presenting with lower urinary tract complaints suggestive of BPH and in the follow-up after intervention.

Prostatic cyst. An unusual but important finding in male urogenital dysfunction.

Prostatic cysts are one of the uncommon congenital disorders, and only a few cases have been reported. This lesion actually includes two different entities on the embryological development basis, the enlarged prostatic utricle and the cystic remnants of the müllerian ducts. We report two patients with prostatic cysts, probably two prostatic utricle cysts. In both cases the cyst caused significant urogenital dysfunction. The patients were cured by endoscopic unroofing of the cysts. We discuss the embryogenesis, diagnosis and treatment by reviewing the literature.

Estrogen receptors in the human male bladder, prostatic urethra, and prostate. An immunohistochemical and biochemical study.

The distribution and quantity of estrogen receptors (ERs) in the human male bladder, prostatic urethra and the prostate were studied in eight males with recurrent papillomas of the bladder or monosymptomatic hematuria (median age 61 years), 14 men undergoing transurethral resection due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (median age 70 years), and nine men undergoing cystectomy due to malignant tumour of the bladder (median age 70 years). In the first group of patients, biopsies for immunohistochemical examination were obtained from the bladder vault, bottom, both side-walls, the trigone area, and the mid-portion of the prostatic urethra, and in the second group from three locations of the prostatic urethra (bladder neck, mid-portion and veramontanum). In the third group, tissue specimens were taken from the vault of the bladder, prostatic urethra, and the prostate, for immunohistochemical as well as biochemical analysis. In the first group, ERs were found in three out of eight specimens of the prostatic urethra, and in one of these, ERs were confined to periurethral glands. ERs could not be demonstrated in any of the bladder-biopsies. In the second group, ERs were not found in the bladder neck, but were seen in four preparations from the veramontanum and in two from the midportion of the urethra. ERs were located in the urothelium and periurethral glands. In the third group, ERs were seen immunohistochemically in the prostatic urethra (two cases) and the prostatic stromal tissue (two cases). ERs could be demonstrated in the bladder neither by immunohistochemistry nor biochemically.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Acute epididymitis in boys]. / Akut epididymitis hos drenge.

Acute scrotum in children frequently causes diagnostic difficulties. Instantaneous treatment is essential especially in cases of torsion of the testis. Acute epididymitis (AE) is relatively frequent also in prepubertal boys but is probably underdiagnosed. Two cases and a review of AE and the differential diagnoses towards other acute scrotal diseases are presented. It is stressed that immediate diagnosis and treatment is important, and that referral to hospital is mandatory.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis treated with methylprednisolon pulse and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

The conventional treatment of patients with ureteric obstruction due to retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF) is surgery in combination with long-term corticosteroids. This report describes 11 cases of RF with ureteric obstruction treated with methyl-prednisolon pulse therapy (MPPT) in combination with azathioprine or penicillamine following initial insertion of ureteral stents. The medial treatment suggested was successful in 7 patients, but only moderately effective in the last 4 patients. This principle of non-operative management of RF has not been previously reported.