A possible protective role for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy in urinary bladder cancer in the era of COVID-19: a brief report

Given the systemic immunogenic effects of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy in patients with bladder cancer and its non-specific immunogenic effects in viral respiratory diseases, we aimed to study severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in bladder cancer patients with a history of BCG therapy. In the present study, all bladder cancer survivors with a history of BCG therapy were identified and included in the study according to the data recovered from the UORC (Uro-Oncology Research Center) registry database. These patients were followed up in terms of acquiring coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Among the studied patients, 102 eligible bladder cancer patients with a history of BCG therapy entered the study. The males constituted the majority of the patients (86.3%), and more than half of the study population (55.9%) were above 65 years old. Among the understudy patients, 12.7% were confirmed for COVID-19. The study results did not show a statistically significant association between the time and number of BCG therapy courses and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although no statistically significant association was observed between receiving BCG therapy and developing COVID-19, the infection rate in patients who had recently received BCG therapy was lower than those who had received therapy more than a year ago.

[Sensitivity and specificity of serum PSA, free to total PSA ratio and transrectal ultrasonography findings in prostate cancer detection]

We conducted this study to evaluate and compare the sensitivity and specificity of various para-clinic parameters in detecting prostate cancer. In this cross-sectional study, 220 patients who underwent prostate biopsies for either high serum PSA level or abnormal digital rectal examination. Sensitivity and specificity of serum PSA, free to total PSA ratio and transrectal ultrasonography findings were calculated. Based on the pathological findings in 220 cases, 25% were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The mean age of patients with prostate cancer was 69.11 +/- 8.6 years. Mean serum PSA level among prostate cancer patients was significantly higher than in other patients [19.5 +/- 17.5 ng/dl vs. 10.5 +/- 8.1 ng/dl] [P=0.003]. The sensitivity and specificity of PSA for detecting prostate cancer, considering cut-off value of 4 ng/dl, was 92% and 2%, respectively. Free to total PSA ratio with cut-off value of 10% revealed 82% sensitivity and 17% specificity. Moreover, hypoechoic lesions detected by transrectal ultrasound had a sensitivity and specificity of 34% and 93%, respectively. Combination of different PSA related parameters with tranrectal ultrasound findings might increase sensitivity and specificity in detecting prostate cancer and reduce unnecessary biopsies

Prevalence of lymph node metastasis in radical prostatectomy; a retrospective and multicenter study in Iran

Lymph node [LN] metastasis is considered an important prognostic factor in patients with prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of LN metastasis among an Iranian population who underwent radical prostatectomy [RP] with pelvic LN dissection [PLND]. In a retrospective review of medical records, 450 RP cases were included and the data on LN metastasis were extracted from surgical pathology reports. Overall, 4.7% of the patients had LN metastasis. The rate of surgical stage T3 [50% vs. 13.5%; P=0.021] and pathological Gleason score [3]7 [82.4% vs. 48.8%; P=0.002] was significantly higher among LN-positive patients. All patients with LN metastasis had a serum prostate specific antigen level >4 ng/ml. The diagnosis of prostate cancer is in an acceptable, but not ideal, stage of the disease; this may be due to screening examinations and tests

Is karyotyping and Y chromosome microdeletion study necessary in men candidate for ICSI?

The sperm count and function may be affected by karyotype abnormalities or microdeletion in Y chromosome. These genetic abnormalities can probably transmit to the children. In this study, we tried to determine the frequency of karyotype abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in severe oligospermic or azoospermic men who fathered sons by ICSI. This study comprised of fathers who had at least a son with ICSI due to severe oligospermia or azoospermia. General examinations were done and blood sample were obtained for karyotype and Y chromosome studies. The total of 60 fathers was evaluated along with their 70 sons. The mean duration of infertility was 8.7 years and the sons were 2.4 years in average at the time of examination. The mean age of neonates at the time of delivery was 33 weeks; 42.9% were delivered prematurely; and 40.5% of them were twins. 8.6% of the sons had hypspadiasis and 7.1% had UDT. Most of the side effects were due to prematurity. In total 6 of fathers had karyotype anomaly without affected father. No case of Y chromosome microdeltion was found in the fathers. Y chromosome microdeletion is not prevalent in fathers with successful ICSI and it is not necessary to be analyzed before ICSI performance. Karyotype anomaly may transmit to the sons. All together ICSI is reliable and safe. Most of the complications are the result of premature delivery