[Adenoid cystic/basal cell carcinoma of the prostate:case report].

Although most prostate carcinomas belong to the conventional acinar type, unusual variants have been reported. The adenoid cystic/basal cell carcinoma of the prostate is a rare tumor with distinctive histopathologic features. There are quite few publications in the literature concerning the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this neoplasm. METHODS. A 71-year-old man had an increased PSA value (5.11 ng/dL); the prostatic biopsy examination was positive for adenoid cystic/basal cell carcinoma. For this reason we proceeded with radical prostatectomy. The histology examination showed an acinar conventional carcinoma and adenoid cystic/basal cell carcinoma. At eight months the patient did not show any recurrence. CONCLUSIONS. Various histologic and immunohistochemical features are helpful in recognizing the adenoid cystic/basal cell carcinoma of the prostate. Clinically, the only difference from a conventional adenocarcinoma is that the PSA value is usually normal or only slightly increased. This tumor has a biological potential that can result in metastases in some cases; the current treatment consists primarily in the surgical resection. A close, long-term follow-up is strongly recommended.

[T1G3 bladder neoplasms: treatment and results]. / Neoplasie vescicali T1G3: trattamento e risultati.

The high risk of progression found in T1G3 bladder cancer influence the treatment and follow-up of this kind of patients. From January 1983 to December 1992, 803 patients with superficial bladder cancer (first presentation) had observed in the Urology Department at the Spedali Civili in Brescia. In this group, 96 patients were classified as T1G3 and our retrospective study is a critical analysis about their treatment: 13 patients underwent cystectomy as primary treatment and 83 had been cured with a transurethral resection. Of this last group, 26 patients are still without of disease (mean follow-up: 4.2 years), 30 had a recurrence which, in stage and grade, was identical or lower to the initial disease and 27 patients had a progression. Alltogether 36 patients underwent cystectomy: 15 are tumor-free and 21 died. The results of this retrospective study, led us to believe that T1G3 bladder cancer therapy is endoscopic at the beginning. Adjuvant topic chemotherapy treatments improve the recurrence rate tangibily; an early-operated cystectomy permits a good rate of recovery.

[Structure, physiology and physiopathology of the ureter]. / Struttura, fisiologia e fisiopatologia dell'uretere.

The function of the ureter is to transport urine from the renal pelvis toward the bladder and to protect the renal parenchyma from distally generated backflow and back pressure. The ureter manifests peristaltic activity and can adapt its mechanical characteristics to diuresis amount. The changes in ureteral function resulting from obstruction are dependent on the degree and duration of obstruction. Even the rate of urine flow, the mechanical and anatomic properties of the ureter, the nature of disease process and the age of the patient influence the response of the ureter to obstruction. It is the purpose of this report to correlate the anatomic and physiologic properties of the ureter with normal and pathologic clinical situations.

[Ureteral complications in the treatment of gynecologic diseases]. / Complicanze ureterali nel trattamento delle affezioni ginecologiche.

Ureteral injuries are an uncommon complication after gynecological procedures. The Authors consider separately direct lesions during surgery and those following radiotherapy. For both these situations preventive criteria, which permit a lower incidence in ureteral injuries, are considered. Early diagnosis and intraoperative repair are the most important tool for surgical lesions while the exact stage of neoplasm and N.E.D. status are fundamental for lesions resulting from radiation therapy. In our opinion, best treatment of stable lesions is surgery, while endourology is not usually a definitive treatment and has only a temporary and palliative role.

[The ureter in urinary diversion]. / L'uretere derivato.

Ureteral pathology is reviewed in 297 urinary diversions, which were performed consecutively in our Department, in the last 9 years. Either cutaneous or intestinal anastomosis stricture was the most common complication. Our attempts to cure definitely this problem by endourological techniques were unsatisfactory. So the Authors conclude that surgery is usually the best option.

[Controversies concerning the treatment of ureteral complications following kidney transplantation]. / Controversie nel trattamento della patologia dell'uretere trapiantato.

The ureteral complications after renal transplantation are urine leakage, stenosis and vesicoureteral reflux. The treatment is influenced by immunosuppression and difficult surgery (for bleeding and fibrosis). We report 8 cases with ureteral complication after renal transplantation. Stenosis were present in 5 cases: we performed ureterocystoneostomy by Politano-Leadbetter technique in 4 and pyelocystoanastomosis in 1. Vesicoureteral reflux were present in 3 cases: we preformed ureterocystoneostomy by Politano-Leadbetter technique in 2 and endoscopic infiltration with teflon of ureterovesical junction in 1. At present all patients have a normal renal function and absence of urinary tract infection.

[Bladder neck cysts: role of transrectal echography]. / Cisti del collo vescicale: ruolo dell'ecografia transrettale.

High frequency probes for transrectal sonography are well tolerated and permit us to study the cervico-urethral unit carefully. We are allowed to single out some rare causes of obstruction, otherwise difficult to diagnose. Bladder neck obstruction secondary to a cyst is one of these. Our case report is about a young patient with complete retention secondary to bladder cyst discovered by transrectal sonography.

Quantitative experimental evaluation of adriamycin cardiotoxicity in the mouse.

Adriamycin cardiotoxicity was morphologically evaluated in mice treated iv ten times at three dose levels which were equal to fixed fractions of the LD50. Good correlation between the degenerative heart lesions, scored according to a nonparametric scoring system, and the doses was found and allowed calculation of a median cumulative cardiotoxic dose of 36.4 mg/kg of body weight (121.5 mg/m2). The method is suitable for quantitative screening of the potential cardiotoxicity of new anthracycline analogs under standardized conditions.