Bone mass behavior after 1 year of different treatment strategies in prostate cancer patients subjected to androgen deprivation therapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mass changes after 1 year of four different types of pharmacological intervention. Ninety-seven prostate cancer patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy, and severe osteopenia or osteoporosis were retrospectively studied. Patients were divided in four groups. Group 1: 28 patients treated with denosumab, Group 2: 24 patients treated with alendronate, Group 3: 24 patients with no antiresorptive treatment and Group 4: 21 patients previously treated with alendronate and switched to denosumab. Dual X-ray absorptiometry was performed at baseline and after 1 year. Bone mass changes at the L2-L4 lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip were evaluated. No differences were found at baseline. After 1 year, men receiving denosumab or alendronate (Group 1 and 2) showed a significant bone mass increase at the lumbar spine (+2.4 and +5.0 %, respectively), while no significant changes were observed in Group 3 and 4. At the femoral neck, Group 1 and 2 patients showed a significant bone mass increase (+3.7 and +3.6 %, respectively), while no significant changes were observed in Group 3 and 4. At the total hip, we observed a significant bone mass increase in Group 1 (+2.9 %) and a significant bone mass loss in Group 3 patients (-1.9 %). No significant changes were observed in Group 2 and 4. Denosumab increased significantly bone mass in all three dual X-ray absorptiometry standard sites, while alendronate did not at total hip. No benefit was observed in men previously treated with alendronate who switched to denosumab treatment.

[Early diagnosis by opportunistic screening in cancer of the prostate. Results of a 1-year protocol. Comparison with historical data]. / Diagnóstico precoz por cribado oportunístico en cáncer de próstata. Resultados de un año de protocolo. Comparación con datos históricos.

RATIONALE: The high prevalence of Prostate Cancer (PC) and long survival of patients with advanced disease, added to the high cost of palliative treatment (hormone therapy), versus the existence of curative therapies at earlier stages, fully justify the campaigns for early diagnosis. The objective of the study was to increase the number of cases diagnosed at local stages, using an opportunistic screening methodology. METHODS: All male patients between 50-70 years of age, seen over one year in Urology and primary care in CAP-Barceloneta because of urinary symptomatology, were included in a screening program. This cohort were performed total PSA determination and digital rectal examination. When digital rectal examination was suspicious and/or PSA values higher than 4 ng/ml, they underwent echo-guided prostate biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 595 male were seen; 43.9% met the inclusion criteria; 39.4% were rated as suspicious, neoplasia being confirmed in 51% of these. Prevalence of PC in this cohort was 20.1%, half of them in local stage. CONCLUSIONS: Populational screening in PC has proven to be ineffective from a health care standpoint, as opposed to opportunistic screening. Overdiagnosis was not significant, although there were more cases diagnosed in organ-confined stages, this is, eligible for curative therapy; thus, hormone therapy and the resulting morbidity were significantly decreased; quality of life of patients under curative treatment was improved; there was a large reduction of health care costs and, although it will have to be further confirmed in large multicentre series, we believe survival was improved.

[The endobronchial metastases of a prostatic neoplasm with normal radiology]. / Metástasis endobronquiales de neoplasia prostática con radiología normal.

Prostatic cancer is the most frequent neoplasm in man, usually it is revealed in the course of study of unknown origin bone metastasis. Pulmonary involvement is normally detected through clinical symptoms or an chest X-ray altered showing intraparenchymatous nodules or a carcinomatous lymphangitis pattern. We present a case of a patient with prostatic cancer and bone metastasis in whom during the extension study we detected endobronchial metastasis. Endobronchial involvement is exceptional in prostatic cancer; through bibliographical review we have only found 12 similar cases published.

[Germinal tumor of the testis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]. / Tumor germinal de testículo y síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida.

Over the last few years a number of testicular tumours in seropositive patients or patients with AIDS-diagnostic factors have been described in the literature with no clear relationship having been established between both conditions. Most authors believe management should not differ from that being given to non-immunodeficient patients. The paper presents one case of non-seminomatous germinal tumour in a 41-year old homosexual patient, HIV positive, with unfavourable evolution in spite of the treatment received.