[Evaluation of sexuality and erectile function of candidates for radical prostatectomy]. / Evaluation de la sexualité et de la fonction erectile des patients candidats a une prostatectomie radicale.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate sexuality and erectile function of candidates for radical prostatectomy in order to assess the place of nerve-sparing surgery in the preoperative discussion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From June 2004 to January 2005, 75 consecutive patients, candidates for radical prostatectomy, were prospectively evaluated. Their erectile function and sexuality were evaluated after announcing the diagnosis. Patients completed the IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function), EQS (Erection Quality Scale) and the sexual satisfaction score (SSS). The mean age of the patients was 65 years and 50% were younger than 65. RESULTS: Erectile dysfunction according to the IIEF-5 scale was observed in 64% of cases (43% of patients younger than 65 and 84% of patients over 65). Erectile dysfunction was considered to be severe in 5% of young patients versus 34% of patients over 65. The majority of patients (69%) had a sexual activity more than twice a month. Only 31% of patients under 65 and 8% of older patients considered their erections to be very satisfactory according to the EQS. Despite this high frequency of erectile dysfunction in men over the age of 65, sexual satisfaction was not influenced by erectile dysfunction. In contrast, patients younger than 65, erectile dysfunction clearly altered the SST sexual satisfaction score. CONCLUSION: Erectile dysfunction was present in a large proportion of candidates for radical prostatectomy. The presence of erectile dysfunction in patients over the age of 65 did not modify their sexual satisfaction score. A detailed clinical interview concerning sexuality should be conducted to select patients likely to benefit from nerve-sparing surgery. Nerve-sparing surgery would be beneficial in young patients in whom sexual satisfaction is dependent on erectile function. In the older men, erectile dysfunction can be present without affecting sexual satisfaction.

[Value of new prostate cancer markers: alpha methylacyl CoA racemase (P504S) and p63]. / Intérêt des nouveaux marqueurs histologiques du cancer de prostate: alpha méthylacyl CoA racemase (P504S) et p63.

The diagnosis of prostate cancer is based on histological examination of prostatic biopsies using histological criteria identified on standard stains. In certain lesions mimicking prostate cancer, the pathologist must perform immunohistochemical studies looking for loss of basal cells and antibodies directed against cytokeratin CK 903 (34bE12) or CK5/6, which sometimes give inconclusive results leading to a diagnosis of suspicious site. The discovery of overexpression of alpha-méthylacyl CoA racemase in prostate cancer using a microarray technique has allowed the development and marketing of an antibody (P504S /AMACR) which, in combination with a new basal cell marker (p63), is a very valuable tool for the pathologist in the management of suspicious sites and cancers less than 1 mm in diameter detected on prostatic biopsies.

[Superficial grade G2 tumors of the bladder: recurrence, progression, prognosis]. / Tumeurs superficielles de vessie de grade G2: récidive, progression, pronostic.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to describe the course of a series of grade 2 noninvasive urothelial carcinomas and to determine their prognosis by establishing recurrence, progression and mortality rates The initial histological and endoscopic characteristics were analysed in order to identify risk factors for recurrence and progression towards detrusor invasion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on 75 patients with initially grade 2 superficial bladder tumours. Tumours were initially multifocal in 47% of cases and were classified as follows: 52 pTa tumours (69%) and 23 pT1 tumours (31%). The mean follow-up was 58 months. RESULTS: After the initial endoscopic resection, 26 patients (3.9%) received adjuvant therapy by intravesical instillations. The overall recurrence and progression rates in this series were 67% and 7%, respectively. Twelve patients (16%) underwent cystectomy. The specific mortality rate was 2.6%. Among the initial prognostic criteria, only the multifocal nature was identified as a risk factor for recurrence and progression towards detrusor invasion. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the uncertain prognosis of grade 2 superficial bladder tumours. These tumours have a high recurrence risk with a cystectomy rate of 16%. These tumours require surveillance identical to that of high-grade tumours, at least half-yearly for the first 3 years then annually thereafter.

Diagnostic utility of a p63/alpha-methyl coenzyme A racemase (p504s) cocktail in ambiguous lesions of the prostate upon needle biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential utility of a new combined immunostaining technique for diagnosing prostate cancer from histological analysis of needle biopsy specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue was immunostained with a combination of antibodies against a basal cell marker (p63), and an enzyme commonly overexpressed in prostate cancer (p504s), on 63 small prostate cancer foci (<1 mm) and 109 cases of ambiguous lesions observed in needle biopsies. RESULTS: After p63/p504s immunostaining, 93% of the ambiguous lesions (102/109) were classified. The final diagnoses retained were: 92 prostate cancers, seven atypical small acinar proliferations suspected of being malignant but undiagnosed, 21 prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, five atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, and 36 atrophic benign mimickers of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Combining p504s as a positive marker for prostate cancer and p63 as a negative marker might improve diagnostic performance, sensitivity and specificity, and lead to fewer false-negative results. This simple immunostaining procedure should reduce the percentage of residual ambiguous lesions and the need for additional biopsies.

Major complex pelvic arteriovenous malformation in a patient with Down syndrome.

Pelvic arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are rare, and the treatment of this condition presents an interesting challenge. We report the first case of a major AVM in a patient with Down syndrome which was revealed by a massive hematuria. Arteriography showed a bilateral complex iliac artery malformation. The first proximal embolization (unilateral) did not prevent bladder hemorrhage, and the second distal (bilateral) immobilization produced bladder necrosis. However, the patient died despite an emergency cystectomy.

After cystectomy, is it justified to perform a bladder replacement for patients with lymph node positive bladder cancer?

PURPOSE: After cystectomy for bladder cancer, when pelvic lymph nodes are positive, bladder replacement remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients who underwent neobladder replacement despite bladder cancer metastasis to the regional lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1981 to 1997, a total of 504 consecutive cystectomies for bladder cancer were performed at our institution. For 150 patients, pelvic lymphadenectomy were positive, nevertheless 71 patients underwent a neobladder replacement (50 N1 and 21 N2). The distribution of patients by clinical stage, according to the TNM 97 classification, was 4 T1, 14 T2, 32 T3 and 21 T4. No patient showed signs of metastasis on diagnosis. RESULTS: Five-year disease specific survival rate of the entire group (71 patients) was 46%. With a mean follow-up of 8.3 years (3.2-20 years), 25 patients (35%) were alive and free of disease (72% with day continence), five patients were alive with recurrence (three bone metastasis, one chest metastasis and one with local recurrence), 41 patients died, (three non-cystectomy related). Of the 46 patients who recurred, a total of eight patients had local recurrence. For five patients, a severe dysfunction of the plasty appeared: two needed definitive bladder drainage until they died, one patient became totally incontinent, one patient needed a conversion of the plasty to Bricker ileal conduit. For the remaining patient the tumor involvement provoked recto-plasty-cutaneous fistula. All these five patients died in the 6 months after the plasty dysfunction appeared. CONCLUSIONS: Although prognosis in bladder cancer metastasis to the regional lymph nodes has been reported to be poor, this study demonstrates that after cystectomy, it is justified to propose a neobladder replacement to well selected patients. Local recurrence only occurred in 11% of patients and there was no damage to enteroplasty function for nearly half of the patients, and considering benefit to the quality of life, orthotopic bladder substitution should be considered as the preferential diversion in this patient population.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of Peyronie's disease: experience with standard lithotriptor (siemens-multiline).

OBJECTIVES: To assess in a prospective study whether extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) using a standard radioscopic location lithotriptor is effective in the treatment of Peyronie's disease. METHODS: Fifty-four patients were included in this prospective study. Before and after treatment, the angulation was calculated by auto-photography. Pain severity was assessed by a visual analog pain scale. A self-evaluation questionnaire (International Index of Erectile Function) was used. All patients had symptoms (35 had pain during erection and 51 angulation greater than 20 degrees ). The mean disease duration was 16 months. The mean angulation before treatment was 48 degrees (range 10 degrees to 100 degrees ). Twenty-four patients had erectile dysfunction (questionnaire score less than 18). The Multiline Siemens lithotriptor was used. The plaque was located by palpation, and 1 mL of contrast agent was injected. Scopic visualization was used. Each patient received a minimum of one session of ESWT (3000 shock waves, 7 kJ) applied to a flaccid penis. RESULTS: All patients completed the protocol. The tolerance and safety were excellent. Of the 35 patients with pain on erection, 31 (91%) noticed relief immediately after ESWT (mean reduction 2.9 on the visual analog pain scale) (P <0.00001). For 29 patients (53.7%), an improvement in angulation (greater than 10 degrees ) was observed, with a mean reduction of 31 degrees (P <0.001). For patients with erectile dysfunction, only 6 (25%) had an increased questionnaire score (greater than 4). Twenty-five patients thought the plaque was smoother. CONCLUSIONS: ESWT with a standard lithotriptor (without the mobile arm) in Peyronie's disease is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment for pain on erection and significantly improves the penile angle.