Prognostic nomogram for disease-free survival in patients with renal adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a postoperative prognostic nomogram for disease-free survival in patients with renal adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 224 patients with organ-confined or locally advanced renal adenocarcinoma were treated with radical or partial nephrectomy. The variables included in the model were age, histological type, pathological stage, Fuhrman grade and DNA ploidy. Tumor recurrence was defined as any clinical evidence of recurrence. The probability of progression-free survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimate, and multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox regression. The nomogram was created using the data obtained from the Cox regression. RESULTS: Tumor recurrence was detected in 89 patients (39.74%). The median progression-free time in these patients was 9.55 months (range 0-133). Of these patients, 70.9% relapsed during the first 2 years, and only 15 patients (6.9%) were alive but ill at the end of the study. The probability of progression-free survival at 5 and 10 years was 66.64 and 61.97%, respectively. We performed a statistical validation of the model with accurate predictions that were discriminated with a confidence interval of 0.75 (comparing the predicted and actual probability). According to the nomogram obtained, patients with low-grade, diploid, organ-confined tumors would be candidates for follow-up not exceeding 5 years due to the low probability of recurrence (<40 points). CONCLUSION: The nomogram we developed is clinically relevant and can provide prognostic information for both patients and researchers. In addition, it can be used by researchers during the monitoring protocols that categorize patients based on their relative risk of disease progression.

In vivo aneuploidization during the expansion of renal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A correlation has been observed between DNA ploidy and other prognostic parameters such as tumor stage and grade. The present study evaluates tumor aneuploidization during renal adenocarcinoma expansion and growth. METHODS: A total of 252 renal tumors were analyzed between 1969 and 2001. Evaluated variables were age, TNM, Fuhrman classification, histology, size and DNA. A tumor was homogeneous when all the samples were diploid or aneuploid, and a heterogeneous tumor was the coexistence of aneuploid and diploid samples, or all-aneuploid with different aneuploid clones. RESULTS: A total of 224 tumors were included (coefficient of variation <8). The DNA study classified 129 (57.6%) as diploid and 95 (42.4%) as aneuploid. The percentage of aneuploid tumors increased significantly with the pathological stage. Both aneuploid patterns were also significantly more frequent in advanced pathological stages. Tumors with multiple aneuploid clones (n = 17) were significantly more frequent in tumors measuring `4 cm. Both aneuploid patterns showed no differences in survival (p = 0.83), indicating that the heterogeneous pattern probably represents an intermediate step between diploid and homogeneous aneuploid tumor status. CONCLUSIONS: The aneuploid pattern is more common in more advanced stages of the disease, with no clear correlation to primary tumor size. This suggests gradual aneuploidization with tumor expansion and growth.

[Urological findings in spinal cord ischemia]. / Manifestaciones urológicas de los accidentes vásculo-medulares.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord ischemia is a circulatory disorder of acute or subacute establishment and neurological clinic of medullar section, usually incomplete. We describe clinical and anatomical characteristics, as well as diagnostic methods and therapeuthic used in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since 1987 to 2007, 65 patients were diagnosed of spinal cord ischemia in our hospital. Clinical interview, neurological examination and image study were performed. Urodynamic study was performed after medullar shock phase, including cystometry, pressure flow study and external urinary sphincter electromyography. We have reviewed treatment applied in these patients. RESULTS: 65 patients (27 women and 38 men), median age 63 years (15-87). 28 patients (43%) presented high lesion (upper to T7), 32 (49%) middle (T7-L2) and 4 (6%) low lesion (below L2). Flaccid paraplegia and acute urinary retention were the most frequent clinical findings at the begining. Aetiology was determined mainly by Magnetic Resonance. Urodynamic study revealed: 9 patients (47.4%) with high spinal cord lesion and detrusor overactivity (with or without dyssynergia), and 6 (31.5%) with arreflexia; 11 patients (47.8%) with middle spinal cord lesion and detrusor overactivity and 7 patients with arreflexia (30.4%); one patient with low spinal cord lesion and detrusor overactivity, and another one with arreflexia (33%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a good correlation among lesion level and clinical findings in traumatic spinal cord injuries, but this is not the same in spinal cord ischemia. Probably, incomplete and patched lesions in vascular spinal cord injuries could explain this lack of correlation. Therefore, it is mandatory to performe an exhaustive neurological and urological evaluation of these patients in order to select the best treatment and prevent upper urinary tract damage in the future.

[PSA and hK2 in the diagnosis of prostate cancer]. / PSA y hK2 en el diagnóstico de cancer de próstata.

Serum markers for prostate carcinoma are widely applied for the purpose of early detection of cancer and the differentiation between benign and malignant disease, for the pre-treatment staging of detected prostatic cancers, and for the monitoring of prostate cancer after curative or palliative therapies. Since its discovery in 1979, serum PSA has been the most powerful marker of prostate cancer, but, when used alone, PSA is not sufficiently sensitive or specific to consider it an ideal tool for the early detection or staging of prostate cancer. To optimize the use of PSA, the concepts of PSA velocity, PSA density, and age-related PSA values were developed. Moreover, the molecular forms of PSA, especially the percentage of free PSA, seem to be useful tools for the detection of prostate cancer in men with slightly elevated total PSA. Human kallikrein 2 (hK2), a serine protease closely related to PSA that also is expressed predominantly in the prostate, is a new complementary marker to PSA for early detection of prostate cancer. In this review, we examine PSA testing and its effectiveness in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Further, we also evaluate recent literature regarding the use of hk2.

[Pneumoscrotum secondary to bilateral tension pneumothorax]. / Neumoescroto secundario a un neumotórax a tensión bilateral.

We present a case of pneumoscrotum due to bilateral tension pneumothorax. Although the pneumoescrotum is an uncommon and light disease it can be a symptom of a life threatening pathology. The treatment of the pnemoescrotum is ethiological. It is necessary to treat the specific disease responsible of the pneumoescrotum.

[Radiofrequency interstitial tumor ablation (RITA) for the treatment of localised prostate cancer]. / Ablación mediante radiofrecuencia intersticial (RITA) en el tratamiento del cáncer de próstata órgano-confinado.

Radiofrequency ablation produces an irreversible destruction of prostate tissue since it reaches temperatures of 110 degrees C that leads the tumour into coagulative necrosis and, based on preliminary studies, it has shown to be a safe therapeutical alternative for localised prostate cancer. It is a non-invasive technique with scarce complications which is especially attractive for those patients whose co-morbidity precludes them from having any others procedures that require general anaesthesia or that make them to be admitted. Another valuable aspect of this treatment modality is that treatment times are short (less than 10 minutes), and controlled lesions can be predictably generated, as well as it is a feasible technique by most urologists since it requires only basic imaging experience and it could be also repeated at any time if needed. However, despite these promising results, long term follow-up are needed before conclusions about the efficacy of RITA can be drawn and, therefore, before setting its role in localised prostate cancer treatment.

[Cryosurgery in the management of prostate cancer]. / Criocirugía en el tratamiento del cáncer de próstata.

This article reviews the current status of the prostatic cryosurgery in the management of patients with prostate cancer. Recent advances in cryoablative technology have allowed to treat these patients successfully with decreased morbidity. Using transrectal high-resolution ultrasound imaging, prostate cryotherapy is delivered with multiple ultrathin (17-gauge) cryo-needles, via percutaneous transperineal approach. The extent of freezing can be precisely controlled and monitored with thermic devices, tissue destruction is monitored with real-time visualization of the prostate and surrounding structures, and urethral warming is used to avoid urethral sloughing. However, the results with the second and third-generation cryosurgical equipment will have to be confirmed by means of prospective and randomized trials, because up to now we only have data based on retrospective analyses, which are very heterogeneous. The ability of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to predict long-term outcome after cryotherapy for localized prostate cancer is not well known because experience with this treatment modality is still limited; however, it seems that a PSA value of 0.5 ng/ml or less after 6 months or longer after cryotherapy would be associated with a high probability (greater than 95%) of negative post-treatment biopsy. Cryosurgery could also be an option of treatment for men with recurrent local disease who have undergone radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy. We have to keep in mind possible complications (incontinence, impotency, urethrorectal fistula or bladder outlet obstruction. The favorable side effect profile and preliminary oncologic and funtional results could suggest that cryosurgery will have a role in the minimally invasive management of selected patients with prostate cancer.

[Photodynamic therapy in localised prostate cancer]. / Terapia fotodinámica en el cáncer de próstata localizado.

Photodynamic therapy is based on the administration of an energy source in form of light of a specific wavelength, on a previously photosensitized tissue by a chemical compound, in the presence of oxygen, so that the great deal of free radicals and oxygen derivatives generated (hydroxyl compounds) produces necrosis of the treated tissue. Technique improvement during the last years has allowed its recent development as a therapeutic method for localised prostate cancer. At present, several clinical trials are ongoing in patients with organ-confined prostate cancer both as a first line and salvage treatment. There is no risk either of cancer dissemination in surrounding tissues or accumulative pharmaco-toxicity. Therefore, the technique can be repeated as often as needed and can be administered on a previously irradiated tissue. The literature review shows that photodynamic treatment will become a therapeutic option for patients with prostate cancer in the very near future.

[Indications, results and techniques of permanent prostate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer]. / Braquiterapia de baja tasa en el tratamiento del cáncer de próstata localizado.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Prostate brachytherapy is a first-line therapeutic approach for localized prostate cancer in selected patients. We present our experience in brachytherapy and a thorough review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the literature and evaluation of patient's selection was done. Furthermore the implantation technique, oncological results according to the different risk groups and acute and chronic complications were also analyzed. RESULTS: The biochemical relapse-free 10 year survival rate was 87-96% in low risk tumours and 63-86% in intermediate risk tumours. A total of 3-24% underwent urinary retention that required TURP in 0-8,7%. Other complications were urinary incontinence in 0-6,7%, proctitis in 0-15,5%, erectile dysfunction in 6,3-30%, rectal ulcer/fistula in 0-5,4%. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate brachytherapy is a safe and effective treatment in low and intermediate risk patients with prostate cancer.

[Spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage: our experience at last 10 years]. / Hemorragia retroperitoneal espontánea: nuestra experiencia en los ultimos 10 años.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Etiology, clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment of spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage were analyzed. METHODS: We report 27 cases with diagnosis of spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage treated in our hospital between January 1996 and December 2005. The imaging techniques were abdominal ultrasonography, abdominal CT scan and MRI. RESULTS: The most common cause of retroperitoneal hemorrhage was renal angiomyolipoma rupture in 7 patients. Continuous flank or abdominal pain were the primary symptoms. Abdominal ultrasonography showed hematoma in 81.8% patients, but the actual etiologic diagnosis was ascertained in only 40.9% of them. Retroperitoneal hemorrhage was demonstrated by means of abdominal CT scan in all cases and bleeding origin was established in 92.6% of cases. Ten patients underwent urgent surgery while conservative treatment was attempted in the remaining 17. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, in cases of spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage, CT scan is the best imaging method to establish the diagnosis and the management of such entity although it will need to be individualized for every case because it depends on the hemodinamic situation and etiologic diagnosis.

[Retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma with contiguous organs infiltration]. / Histiocitoma fibroso maligno retroperitoneal con infiltración de organos vecinos.

Retroperitoneal tumours are extremely rare neoplasms, most of them malignant. We described the case of a 48-year-old man with a large retroperitoneal mass detected during the study of a constitutional syndrome. The mass was treated surgerically and pathological diagnosis was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Literature is reviewed and clinical features, histological findings, radiological techniques and therapeutic management are analyzed.

[Gene therapy: is possible a vaccine for prostate cancer?]. / Terapia génica en el cáncer de próstata. Es posible una vacuna?

BACKGROUND: New approaches for prostate cancer are needed due to limitations of current therapies for the treatment in advanced stages of the disease. In fact, there is no effective treatment for these patients. Development in molecular biology research on prostate cancer has improved the knowledge of common alterations encoded in DNA sequence, which may be useful as targets for prostate cancer approach. In this review we give an overview of current gene therapy concepts, the most common gene alterations in prostate cancer and the gene therapy treatment strategies.

[Conservative approach in major renal trauma]. / Manejo conservador de los traumatismos renales de alto grado.

INTRODUCTION: Genitourinary trauma amount to an 8-10% of abdominal trauma with the kidney being the most affected organ in 50% of cases, especially the left one. The choice of treatment will depend on the kind of lesion found in the affected renal unit and on the patient's clinical conditions. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are twofold: to determine the applicability of conservative treatment in major renal trauma and to assess the evaluation and emergence of possible complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analysed 309 cases of renal trauma dealt with in our department between January 1984 and January 2006, analyzing such variables as the etiology of the trauma, associated lesions in other organs, the therapeutic approach adopted as well as the presence of complications, both in the long and short run. RESULTS: Out of a total of 309 renal trauma analyzed, a 94.1% (291 cases) were blunt renal trauma. The distribution by grade was: Grade I, 213 cases (69%); Grade II, 39 cases (12.6%); Grade III/IV, 32 cases (10.3%); Grade V, 25 cases (8%). We have given a conservative approach in the 84.6% of the grade III/IV cases (24 cases). 4 grade III nephrectomies were carried out in the Emergency Room because of haemodynamic instability, other 4 grade IV nephrectomies were done for the same reason, one of which was a partial nephrectomy, 48-72 hours after the trauma. The treatment for grade V was nephrectomy in 67%. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience and in the light of the results obtained, we consider the conservative approach adequate for major renal trauma as long as the patient is haemodynamically stable.

[Prostate biopsy strategies. A review of the literature]. / Estrategias para la biopsia de próstata. revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: In 1987 transrectal ultrasound was described like the technique for guiding prostate biopsy. Since that time different options of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy were described. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We did a reviewed of the different techniques and cores distribution in the prostate biopsy, also we describes the patient preparation and the most important complications. RESULTS: The majority of the reviewed showed an increase in the sensibility rates with the extended transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies. These improvements generally are due to the most lateral zones. CONCLUSION: Until now, due to a great experience and a low complications rate, the transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy strategy should be extended respect the classical sextant biopsy with cores from the most lateral zones of the prostate.

[Analysis of the spanish urologists adherence to the recomendations of the guidelines on diagnostic and treatment of urinary incontinence]. / Análisis de la adherencia de los urólogos españoles a las recomendaciones de diagnóstico y tratamiento de las guías de práctica clínica sobre incontinencia urinaria.

OBJECTIVE: [corrected] Data regarding the degree of adherence to urinary incontinence guidelines are not available. The aim of this study was to know how the spanish urologist diagnos and treat urinary incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an opinion poll from 202 urologist underwent in 20 representative meetings of the Spain. The poll consisted of 2 questions about diagnostic and 2 about treatment of urinary incontinence. The anwsers were grouped by ideas. The focal group method dinamized by "structured brain storming" was used. We evaluate the adherence to the incontinence guide lines analizing the agreement between the recommendations and the real practice. We average acording all obtained responses. RESULTS: The adherence were: history 88%, physical examination 78%, blood test 47%, urunalysis 72% and urine culture 67%. The adherence for urodynamic investigation was 23%. The use of symptom and quality of life cuestionares was minority (14% y 26%). The adherence to the right questions about the type of incontinece was very high. An average of 2.7 questions to reach correct diagnoses was needed. A 85% of urologist treat urge compenent of mixed incontinence firstly and 11% the stress component. The 27% considered the availability of drug as the main reason for such prioritization. The adherence of treating urge incontinence with antimuscarics was 98% and of life style interventions 50%. For treating stress urinary incontinence, the adherence to pelvic floor muscle training was 81% and to surgery 53%. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish urologist adherence to incontinence urinary guidelines is far from the ideal. Although this study may have bias, the outcome can be considered as representative of the situation. It is desirable that, in the process of guidelines creation, specific parameters to assess the degree of adherence be designed.

[Prognostic factors for disease progression in patients with renal cell carcinoma]. / Análisis de los factores pronósticos de progresión tumoral en el adenocarcinoma renal.

INTRODUCTION: More than 40% of patients with renal cell carcinoma present with disease progression after surgery. The objective of the current study was to identify a clinically useful set of prognostic factors that would correlate significantly with the capacity of progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors studied 252 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent radical nephrectomy. Followup ranged from 12-246 months (median 36 months). Several morphologic parameters of the tumors were considered. DNA content was analyzed by flow cytometry and tumor size was determined from the surgical specimen. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify significant independent prognostic factors for disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 224 out of 252 were available for suitable histograms. Of the 224 patients, 95 (42.4%) were aneuploid tumors, 106 (47.2%) were organ-confined renal cell carcinoma and 87 (39.74%) presented disease progression. At 5 and 10 years of followup, disease free survival was found to be 66.31% and 62.23%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that DNA ploidy, Furhman grade and stage (TNM) had a statistically significant predictive value for disease progression. Survival univariate analysis found a worse probability of survival for aneuploid tumors, grade III-IV tumors, non organ-confined tumors and conventional and undiferentiated tumors. Using multivariate survival analyses, Furhman grade, stage (TNM) and DNA ploidy were the only independent prognostic factors. So, the probability of death for aneuploid tumor was 1.7 times higher than for diploid tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Stage, DNA content and Furhman grade were the only significant independent predictors of disease progression. Tumoral size and histological type did not provide more additional information.

[Urethral diverticulum. Our casuistic and the literatura review]. / Divertículos uretrales. Revisión de nuestra casuística y de la literatura.

PURPOSE: The possible etiopathogenic factors, symptoms, diagnostic methods, surgical management and complications of the urethral diverticula are reviewed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the clinical charts with urethral diverticula diagnosis during the period 1986-2006 was carried out. RESULTS: In the last 20 years a total of 19 patients have been treated for this pathology: 15 females and 4 males. Five of the females started with a sensation of vaginal mass; the rest were diagnosed of micturitional (irritative) syndrome, urinary incontinence or urinary infection. In the case of males, 3 of them had a palpable tumour in the penis. The most used diagnostic method was retrograde and voiding cystourethrography; urethrography with double-occlusion balloon catheter was used in 5 cases and urethroscopy in 4 patients; other techniques of image diagnosis like magnetic resonance imaging were necessary for the most complex cases. The treatment was the excision of the diverticulum, except for one of the females who rejected the treatment. The evolution in all treated women was successful, according to follow up 2 years after the treatment. In males, two of them had complex recurrent diverticula. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral diverticula are nosologic entities of difficult diagnosis, due to their low prevalence and their unspecific clinic, therefore diagnosis is sometimes incidental. The etiopathogenity is acquired in most cases and its surgical treatment is more challenging in males than in females probably linked to the fact that diverticula appear in urethras with previous surgery, endourologic manipulation or associated injuries.

[Yield diagnosis of the peripheral cores in 10 needle extended prostate biopsy]. / Rentabilidad diagnóstica de los cilindros de los cuernos laterales en las biopsias prostáticas ampliadas a 10 muestras.

OBJECTIVE: To value if the increase in the number of cylinders in the prostate's biopsy raise the diagnostic performance of this test. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In March 2005 we initiate this prospective study with patients who are subject to a first prostate Biopsy by a PSA between 4 and 10 ng/ml and negative rectal touch. Transrectal, echodirected prostatic biopsies with ten punctures are carried out according to the following programme as follows: 6 Biopsies according to classic sextant technique, to what we add 4 cylinders from the most lateral zones of the prostate (lateral horns). The variables are analyzed: Age, Total PSA, Free PSA/Total PSA, prostatic volume and PSA density. RESULTS: We value 90 patients consecutively. Prostatic adenocarcinoma was diagnosed to 37 of the 90 patients, which means that the diagnostic rate of the extended Biopsy reached a 41%. Nevertheless, the rate for the classic sextant Biopsy was 32.3%. These differences are statistically significant (Mcnemar test 0.008); besides, this supposes a 27% increase in the diagnostic rentability. The "extra" cylinders in the lateral horns detected 8 tumours which were not detected in the cylinders of the the sextant, and 5 of them presented a Gleason higher or equal to 6. CONCLUSIONS: In our centre we think that the Biopsy extended to 10 cylinders is an adequate strategy for potential prostatic adenocarcinoma patients who are going to be subject to their first Biopsy. Realizing the clinic relevance of the tumours diagnosed thanks to "extra" cylinders, we do not think that this modality implies an over-diagnosis and consequently an overtreatment of the prostate cancer.

[Traumatic testicular dislocation]. / Dislocación testicular postraumática.

Testicular dislocation is an uncommon injury after blunt scrotal trauma (with only 150 cases reported) that must be properly diagnosed and treat in order to avoid a testicular atrophy. We presented a case report of traumatic dislocation of right testicle after a motorcycle accident. This type of testicular injury should be included in the whole evaluation of every polytrauma patient and usually requires a surgical treatment. The aim of this report is to clarify some aspects of the management of such rare entity.

[Conservative surgery of bilateral renal angiomyolipoma during pregnancy]. / Cirugía conservadora del angiomiolipoma renal bilateral durante el embarazo.

The existence of bilateral renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is fairly infrequent, especially when not associated with such syndromes as tuberous sclerosis or linfangioleimiomatosis. Here we present the case of a 40-year-old woman who was accidentally diagnosed at week 33rd of gestation by an ultrasound, of bilateral renal AML and that could be treated with kidney sparing conservative treatment. We have also done a review of the literature focusing on its management and its relationship with pregnancy.