Assay standardization bias: different prostate cancer detection rates and clinical outcomes resulting from different assays for free and total prostate-specific antigen.

OBJECTIVES: Numerous commercial assays are available for measuring total and free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in serum. These assays can be referenced to different laboratory standards, and interassay variability occurs. Patients and physicians might be affected by the variability between PSA assays that results from the use of different PSA standards. METHODS: We prospectively compared the free and total PSA measurements obtained using two commercially available PSA assays in 103 participants from a prostate cancer screening program in Caracas, Venezuela. We recommended biopsy to men with a total PSA level of 3 to 10 ng/mL and a free/total PSA ratio of 20% or less with either assay. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, and concordance index between the two assays to assess the effects of interassay variability on the cancer detection rate and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Although the total PSA results were similar between the assays, the free PSA level was significantly greater with one assay. Therefore, the free/total PSA ratio was discordant between the two assays, resulting in different biopsy recommendations and cancer detection rates. CONCLUSIONS: Using a free/total PSA ratio of 20% or less as the threshold for biopsy, the differences in assay sensitivity and specificity for detecting prostate cancer are significant. Commercially available assays for PSA and its derivatives are not necessarily interchangeable, and these differences might lead to different clinical outcomes. When using free and total PSA measurements to make clinical decisions, patients and physicians should be aware of the potential standardization bias and which assay is being used.

Endoscopic lymphadenectomy for penile carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Groin dissection remains the gold standard for the treatment of penile carcinoma that has metastasized to the inguinal lymph nodes. However, it is associated with wound-related complications. Modified groin dissection offers a less-radical approach without compromising oncologic outcomes. We present our technique for endoscopic lymphadenectomy for penile carcinoma (ELPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients with clinical stage T(2) N(0-3)M(0) penile carcinoma underwent ELPC. Preoperative Doppler ultrasound mapping of the inguinal lymph nodes and the saphenous vein was performed. RESULTS: Fourteen lymphadenectomies, including superficial with or without deep inguinal and pelvic-node dissection, were completed in eight patients. The median operative time was 91 minutes (range 50-150 minutes), and the mean number of nodes removed was 9 (range 4-15). No perioperative complications occurred. Lymphoceles developed in three groins (23%). No wound-related complications were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The ELPC is a safe and feasible technique that appears to diminish the wound-related complications associated with the standard open approach.

Laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula.

PURPOSE: Vesicovaginal fistula may be a complication of urogynecologic surgery. We describe the technique of laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula as performed at our 2 institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since August 1998 laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula was performed in 15 select patients who had clear indications to undergo surgical treatment through an abdominal approach. Hysterectomy had previously been performed in 14 patients (93%). Conservative treatment was initially attempted for more than 2 months in all cases. Four patients had undergone a previous surgical fistula closure attempt with unsuccessful results. Our technique involved cystoscopy, catheterization of the vesicovaginal fistula, laparoscopic cystotomy, opening and excision of the fistulous tract, dissection of the bladder from the vagina, cystotomy closure and colpotomy with interposition of a flap of healthy tissue. Demographic as well as perioperative and outcome data were recorded. RESULTS: Average patient age was 38 years. None of the cases required open conversion. Mean operative time was 170 minutes (range 140 to 240). Mean hospital stay was 3 days (range 2 to 5). The mean duration of bladder catheterization was 10.4 days (range 9 to 15) At a mean followup of 26.2 months (range 3 to 60) 14 patients (93%) were cured. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula is a feasible and efficacious minimally invasive approach for the management of this entity.

Laparoscopic retropubic simple prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: Open retropubic simple prostatectomy is occasionally performed for symptomatic, large volume benign prostatic hyperplasia. We describe the technique of laparoscopic simple retropubic prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since August 2001 at our 2 institutions laparoscopic simple retropubic prostatectomy has been performed in 17 patients with symptomatic significant prostatomegaly on transrectal ultrasonography (60 gm or greater, mean 93). Essential aspects of our 5 port technique are transverse cystotomy just proximal to the prostatovesical junction, subcapsular plane development, prostatic adenomectomy, prostatic fossa trigonization and prostatic capsule suture repair. Demographic, perioperative and outcome data were recorded. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 156 minutes (range 85 to 380), blood loss was 516 ml (range 100 to 2,500), hospital stay was 48 hours (range 15 to 110), and Foley catheter duration was 6.3 days (range 3 to 7). Mean specimen weight on pathological examination was 72 gm (range 32 to 120). Five patients (29%) required blood transfusion. Complications occurred in 3 patients (19%), that is intraoperative hemorrhage, catheter clot obstruction and duodenal ulcer bleeding in 1 each. All patients reported complete continence during a followup period of 1 month to 2 years. Considerable improvement from baseline was noted in American Urological Association score (preoperative vs postoperative 24.5 vs 9.9) and the maximum urine flow rate (preoperative vs postoperative 7 vs 22.8 cc per minute). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic simple retropubic prostatectomy for large benign prostate hyperplasia is feasible. Our initial experience is presented.

Tumor de células germinales de testículos: 2º primario en testículo contralateral: a propósito de un caso / Testicular germ cell tumors: 2º primary in contralateral testis: to proposite of a case

Se analiza el caso de un paciente de 29 años, con diagnóstico de teratoma maligno de testículo izquierdo, en 1988; quien, siete años después desarrolla un tumor mixto (a predominio de carcinoma embrionario) en el testículo contralateral, siendo tratado con quimioterapia y resección de masa abdominal, encontrando en tumor retroperitonal, teratoma con transformación maligna. Se revisa la literatura. Los tumores de células germinales de testículos, constituyen el 95 por ciento de los cánceres testiculares en pacientes entre 15 y 35 años. Estos pacientes constituyen una población de riesgo para el desarrollo de 2º neoplasias particularmente en el testículo contralateral

Tumores avanzados de testículo: experiencia con quimioterapia / Advanced testicular tumors: experience with drug theraphy

21 pacientes con tumores de testículo avanzados han sido tratados con quimioterapia en el Instituto Oncológico Luis Razetti e Instituto Médico. La Floresta desde 1984. 19 pacientes han sido evaluables para respuesta. 15 pacientes presentaron por lo menos uno de los siguientes factores de mal pronóstico: Masa abdominal mayor de 10 cms, lesión mediastinal, heliar o pulmonar con diámetro mayor de 2 cms. Enfermedad visceral (excluyendo los pulmones) en hígado, tracto gastrointestinal, huesos y Sistema Nervioso Central. Tumores Extragonadales. 4 pacientes no presentaron factores de mal pronóstico. Los pacientes con factores de mal pronóstico fueron tratados con los regímenes VBD-VP-16 (vimblastina, bleomicina, cisplatino en alta dosis y VP-16) y desde Septiempre de 1986 con el régimen BEP (bleomicina, etoposido, cisplatina a dosis convencionales). Dos pacientes con seminoma fueron tratados con la combinación VAB-6. De 19 pacientes evaluables, 10(52.6) obtuvieron una respuesta completa: cuatro (21%) con quimioterapia y seis (31.5%) con quimioterapia y resección de las masas residuales. Seis pacientes presentaron respuesta imcompleta y uno de los pacientes no respondió al tratamiento. La toxicidad hematológica fue severa con dos muertes toxicas relacionadas al régimen VBD-VP-16. Después de un seguimiento medio de 20 meses (9 a 45 meses) once pacientes (58.7%) se encuentran libres de enfermedad. El tratamiento con quimioterapia desde 1984 ha mejorado las perspectivas en nuestros pacientes con tumores de testículo comparado a nuestras series recientemente revisadas