Practice Patterns of Korean Urologists Regarding Positive Surgical Margins after Radical Prostatectomy: a Survey and Narrative Review

Background@#There is no clear consensus on the optimal treatment with curative intent for patients with positive surgical margins (PSMs) following radical prostatectomy (RP). The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions and treatment patterns of Korean urologists regarding the resection margin after RP. @*Methods@#A preliminary questionnaire was prepared by analyzing various studies on resection margins after RP. Eight experienced urologists finalized the 10-item questionnaire.In July 2019, the final questionnaire was delivered via e-mail to 105 urologists in Korea who specialize in urinary cancers. @*Results@#We received replies from 91 of the 105 urologists (86.7%) in our sample population.Among them, 41 respondents (45.1%) had performed more than 300 RPs and 22 (24.2%) had completed 500 or more RPs. In the question about whether they usually performed an additional biopsy beyond the main specimen, to get information about surgical margin invasion during surgery, the main opinion was that if no residual cancer was suspected, it was not performed (74.7%). For PSMs, the Gleason score of the positive site (49.5%) was judged to be a more important prognostic factor than the margin location (18.7%), multifocality (14.3%), or margin length (17.6%). In cases with PSMs after surgery, the prevailing opinion on follow-up was to measure and monitor prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels rather than to begin immediate treatment (68.1%). Many respondents said that they considered postoperative radiologic examinations when PSA was elevated (72.2%), rather than regularly (24.4%). When patients had PSMs without extracapsular extension (pT2R1) or a negative surgical margin with extracapsular extension (pT3aR0), the response ‘does not make a difference in treatment policy’ prevailed at 65.9%. Even in patients at high risk of PSMs on preoperative radiologic screening, 84.6% of the respondents said that they did not perform neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. Most respondents (75.8%) indicated that they avoided nerve-sparing RP in cases with a high risk of PSMs, but 25.7% said that they had tried nerve-sparing surgery. Additional analyses showed that urologists who had performed 300 or more prostatectomies tended to attempt more nerve-sparing procedures in patients with a high risk of PSMs than less experienced surgeons (36.6% vs. 14.0%; P = 0.012). @*Conclusion@#The most common response was to monitor PSA levels without recommending any additional treatment when PSMs were found after RP. Through this questionnaire, we found that the perceptions and treatment patterns of Korean urologists differed considerably according to RP resection margin status. Refined research and standard practice guidelines are needed.

Second-Line Surgical Management After Midurethral Sling Failure / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

Currently, the midurethral sling (MUS) is widely used as a standard treatment in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Several studies have reported the failure rate of MUS to be approximately 5%–20%. In general, sling failure can be defined as persistent SUI after surgery or a temporary improvement in incontinence followed by recurrence. Failure is also often considered to include cases requiring secondary surgery due to mesh exposure, postoperative voiding difficulty, de novo urgency/urge incontinence, and severe postoperative pain. Because of the lack of large-scale, high-quality research on this topic, no clear guidelines exist for second-line management. To date, transurethral bulking agent injections, tape shortening, repeat MUS, pubovaginal sling (PVS) using autologous fascia, and Burch colposuspension are available options for second-line surgery. Repeat MUS is the most widely used second-line surgical method at present. Bulking agent injections have lower durability and efficacy than other treatments. Tape shortening demonstrates a relatively low success rate, but comparable outcomes if the period from first treatment to relapse is short. In patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency, PVS and retropubic (RP) MUS can be considered first as second-line management because of their higher success rate than other treatments. When revision or reoperation is required due to prior mesh-related complications, PVS or colposuspension, which is performed without a synthetic mesh, is appropriate for second-line surgery. For patients with detrusor underactivity, a readjustable sling can be a better option because of the high risk of postoperative voiding dysfunction in PVS or RP slings.

Second-Line Surgical Management After Midurethral Sling Failure / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

Currently, the midurethral sling (MUS) is widely used as a standard treatment in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Several studies have reported the failure rate of MUS to be approximately 5%–20%. In general, sling failure can be defined as persistent SUI after surgery or a temporary improvement in incontinence followed by recurrence. Failure is also often considered to include cases requiring secondary surgery due to mesh exposure, postoperative voiding difficulty, de novo urgency/urge incontinence, and severe postoperative pain. Because of the lack of large-scale, high-quality research on this topic, no clear guidelines exist for second-line management. To date, transurethral bulking agent injections, tape shortening, repeat MUS, pubovaginal sling (PVS) using autologous fascia, and Burch colposuspension are available options for second-line surgery. Repeat MUS is the most widely used second-line surgical method at present. Bulking agent injections have lower durability and efficacy than other treatments. Tape shortening demonstrates a relatively low success rate, but comparable outcomes if the period from first treatment to relapse is short. In patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency, PVS and retropubic (RP) MUS can be considered first as second-line management because of their higher success rate than other treatments. When revision or reoperation is required due to prior mesh-related complications, PVS or colposuspension, which is performed without a synthetic mesh, is appropriate for second-line surgery. For patients with detrusor underactivity, a readjustable sling can be a better option because of the high risk of postoperative voiding dysfunction in PVS or RP slings.

Changes of Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase Expression by Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin-Subfamily Member 7 Suppression in Renal Cancer Cells

Purpose@#Recent studies have shown that transient receptor potential melastatin-subfamily member 7 (TRPM7) may enhance cancer cell growth, migration and invasion of human renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We investigated how TRPM7 regulated progression of RCC by interacting with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)/tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) pathway. @*Materials and Methods@#We performed a wound healing assay and a transwell migration to examine the migration of RCC cells and transwell invasion assay to assess the invasion of RCC cells. Western blot analysis was used to show the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. @*Results@#The migration and invasion of RCC cells were markedly suppressed by siRNA targeting TRPM7. Lowering of TRPM7 increased MMP-2 expression and induced no change in MMP-9 expression. Strikingly, TRPM7 silencing suppressed the expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. @*Conclusions@#These results suggested that MMP-independent action of TIMPs may take part in the enhancing effect of TRPM7 on the progression of RCC. (Korean J Urol Oncol 2020;18:61-67)

Radical Prostatectomy in Korean Men Aged 75-Years or Older: Safety and Efficacy in Comparison with Patients Aged 65-69 Years

Prostate cancer is the most common type of male cancer worldwide. Although radical prostatectomy (RP) is advised for prostate cancer in patients with a life expectancy of more than 10 years by various guidelines, most elderly men still do not undergo the procedure regardless of increasing life expectancy. This study aimed to determine whether RP is suitable for patients with prostate cancer aged 75 years or older. A retrospective study of patients who underwent RP at 6 institutions between 2005 and 2012 was conducted. Patients were divided into 2 groups at the time of surgery: 65-69 years (younger group) and 75 years or older (older group). We compared clinical characteristics, pathological results, complication rates, and recurrence-free survival between the two groups. Compared with the younger group, the older group had significantly higher preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen level, pre- and postoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status grade, hypertension prevalence, and Gleason score at biopsy and RP. However, except urinary incontinence, there were no statistically significant differences in the peri- and post-operative complications. After median follow-up periods of 36 months (younger group) and 40 months (older group), the biochemical recurrence-free survival rates were not significantly different (P = 0.581). Although the urinary incontinence rate was higher in the older group, RP was a suitable option for selected Korean men aged 75 years or older with limited complication rates and excellent outcomes similar to those for patients aged 65-69 years.

Is the Expression of p53, c-erb-B2 and Ki-67 Influence the Prognosis of the Non-muscle Invasive Urothelial Bladder Cancer?

PURPOSE: The immunohistochemial markers can be used to predict prognosis more accurately for several cancers. In non-muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma, p53, c-erb-B2 and Ki-67 are applicable. We investigated a retrospective analysis of the relation between the markers and clinical prognostic factors of urothelial bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 268 non-muscle invasive urothelial bladder cancer (Ta, T1) patients from one single center were collected. Immunohistochemical evaluation was carried out on 268 (p53, c-erb-B2, Ki-67) cases. Clinical prognostic factors are as follows; number of tumor, tumor invasiveness, tumor grade and recurrence. The sum of all positivity of 3 markers was made as a new factor and evaluation of correlation between this factor and prognostic factors was also done. Statistical analysis was done by chi-squares test and Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: Through chi-square test, there were significant relations between all markers and tumor invasiveness (p<0.001), tumor grade (p<0.001). Number of tumor is significantly related with Ki-67 (p=0.043). Recurrence is related with c-erb-B2 (p=0.010) and Ki-67 (p=0.043). There was also significant correlations between the sum of the markers and prognostic factors-tumor invasiveness (p<0,001), tumor grade (p<0.001) and recurrence (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, evaluated markers were closely related with clinical prognostic factors and may contribute to decision making on risk-assessment and management strategy for non-muscle invasive urothelial bladder cancer.

17Beta-Estradiol Inhibits Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel Expressions in Rat Whole Bladder / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of estrogen on the expression of calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels in an overactive bladder rat model. To this end, mRNA and protein levels of KCa channel subtypes in the bladder of ovariectomized rats were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. METHODS: Ten-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 3 groups: sham-operated control group (n=11), ovariectomy group (n=11), and the group treated with estrogen after ovariectomy (n=12). Rats in the last group were subcutaneously injected with 17β-estradiol (50 µg/kg) every other day for 2 weeks, whereas rats in the other 2 groups received vehicle (soybean oil) alone. Two weeks after treatment, the whole bladder was excised for mRNA and protein measurements. RESULTS: Protein levels of the large-conductance KCa (BK) channels in the ovariectomy group were 1.5 folds higher than those in the sham-operated control group. However, the protein levels of the other KCa channel subtypes did not change significantly upon bilateral ovariectomy. Treatment with 17β-estradiol after ovariectomy restored BK channel protein levels to the control value. In contrast, BK channel mRNA levels were not significantly affected by either ovariectomy alone or 17β-estradiol treatment. The small-conductance KCa type 3 channel (SK3) mRNA and protein levels decreased to 75% of control levels upon 17β-estradiol treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that 17β-estradiol may influence urinary bladder function by modulating BK and SK3 channel expression.

Climacturia (Orgasm-associated Incontinence) Following Radical Prostatectomy

PURPOSE: Climacturia is involuntary loss of urine during orgasm. The mechanism of climacturia in men who undergo radical prostatectomy (RP) is not fully understood, while deficiency in bladder neck coaptation during orgasm may be the cause. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of climacturia after RP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of prostate cancer patients who underwent RP from 2002 to 2013 and was able to have a vaginal intercourse postoperatively. RP was conducted using open or robot-assisted approach. We analysed the symptoms of climacturia, relationship between climacturia and several clinical factors. Also, we tried to find factors to predict the presence of climacturia. RESULTS: Total of 123 patients were analyzed in this study. The median age of the men was 65 year and postoperative follow-up period for the interview was 37 months. Of the total 123 patients, 29 (23.6%) complained of the climacturia. In climacturia group, robot-assisted RP (p=0.018), nerve-sparing (p=0.046) and penile rehabilitation (p=0.012) were significantly less frequent, and more pad were comsumed (p=0.001) compared to non-climacturia group. On multivariable analysis, post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) (OR 6.49, p=0.004) and penile rehabilitation (OR 0.22, p=0.036) were significant factors to predict the presence of climacturia. CONCLUSIONS: Climacturia occurs in more than 20% patients who were potent enough after RP in our study. PPI and penile rehabilitation were positive and negative factor to predict an occurrence of climacturia, respectively. Therefore, in addition to PPI and erectile dysfunction, patients must be informed of this complication before undergoing RP.

Pathological upgrading in prostate cancer patients eligible for active surveillance: Does prostate-specific antigen density matter?

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the role of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density in predicting Gleason score upgrading in prostate cancer patients eligible for active surveillance (T1/T2, biopsy Gleason score< or =6, PSA< or =10 ng/mL, and < or =2 positive biopsy cores). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 and November 2013, among patients who underwent greater than 10-core transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy, 60 patients eligible for active surveillance underwent radical prostatectomy. By use of the modified Gleason criteria, the tumor grade of the surgical specimens was examined and compared with the biopsy results. RESULTS: Tumor upgrading occurred in 24 patients (40.0%). Extracapsular disease and positive surgical margins were found in 6 patients (10.0%) and 8 patients (17.30%), respectively. A statistically significant correlation between PSA density and postoperative upgrading was found (p=0.030); this was in contrast with the other studied parameters, which failed to reach significance, including PSA, prostate volume, number of biopsy cores, and number of positive cores. Tumor upgrading was also highly associated with extracapsular cancer extension (p=0.000). The estimated optimal cutoff value of PSA density was 0.13 ng/mL2, obtained by receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve=0.66; p=0.020; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-0.78). CONCLUSIONS: PSA density is a strong predictor of Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy in patients eligible for active surveillance. Because tumor upgrading increases the potential for postoperative pathological adverse findings and prognosis, PSA density should be considered when treating and consulting patients eligible for active surveillance.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bladder Neck Contracture After Radical Prostatectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of bladder neck contracture (BNC) and its risk factors in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 488 patients with prostatic cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy performed by seven surgeons in seven hospitals, including 365 open radical prostatectomies (ORPs), 99 laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (LRPs), and 24 robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (RARPs). Patients with BNCs were compared with those without BNCs to identify the risk factors for BNC occurrence. RESULTS: Overall, BNCs occurred in 21 of 488 patients (4.3%): 17 patients (4.7%) who underwent ORP, 4 patients (4%) who underwent LRP, and no patients who underwent RARP. In the univariate analysis, men with BNCs had a longer length of time before drain removal (12 days vs. 6.8 days, p<0.001), which reflected urinary leakage through the vesicourethral anastomosis. In the multivariate analysis, the length of time before drain removal was the only predictor of BNC (odds ratio, 1.12; p=0.001). Intraoperative blood loss was higher in patients with BNC, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The most significant factor related to BNC occurrence after radical prostatectomy in our study was the length of time before drain removal, which reflects urinary leakage from the vesicourethral anastomosis. The proper formation of a watertight anastomosis to decrease urinary leakage may help to reduce the occurrence of BNC.

Renal Function Following Curative Surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma: Who Is at Risk for Renal Insufficiency?

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and predictive factors associated with the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients undergoing curative surgery for renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2003 to 2010, we retrospectively investigated 108 patients undergoing partial nephrectomy or radical nephrectomy (RN) for renal tumors with a preoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR)> or =60. The GFR was calculated by use of the four-variable modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula. CKD was defined as an estimated GFR (eGFR) less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Demographic and clinicopathologic parameters were evaluated by using the chi-square and Student t-tests and multivariate regression analysis to determine the variables independently associated with the development of postoperative CKD. RESULTS: Of the 108 patients without preoperative CKD, CKD developed in 43 patients (39.8%). In the analysis of clinical factors between patients with and those without CKD development, gender, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and tumor size were not significant clinical factors. Statistical significance for CKD development was found for age of 60 years or greater (p=0.013), decreased preoperative eGFR (p<0.001), and RN group (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, decreased preoperative eGFR (p=0.001) and RN group (p=0.002) were significant independent predictors. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that decreased preoperative renal function and RN were significant independent predictors of postoperative CKD. In patients who had a relatively decreased preoperative eGFR, especially when estimated by use of the MDRD formula, nephron-sparing surgery should be considered for the treatment of small renal tumors.

Randomized Controlled Study of MONARC(R) vs. Tension-free Vaginal Tape Obturator (TVT-O(R)) in the Treatment of Female Urinary Incontinence: Comparison of 3-Year Cure Rates

PURPOSE: Transobturator approaches to midurethral sling surgery are one of the most commonly performed operations for female stress urinary incontinence throughout the world. However, very few results of randomized clinical trials of transobturator midurethral sling surgery (MONARC vs. TVT-O) for the treatment of female urinary incontinence have been reported. In this study, we compared the 3-year follow-up cure rates of these two procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2006 to June 2008, 74 patients who had undergone MONARC (35 patients) or TVT-O (39 patients) were included in the study and were analyzed prospectively. The mean follow-up duration of both groups was 39.2 months. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations included physical examination, uroflowmetry and postvoid residual measurement, involuntary urine loss with physical activity, and urinary symptoms. Cure of female urinary incontinence was defined as patient report of no loss of urine upon physical activity. The patients' satisfaction after treatment was rated as very satisfied, satisfied, equivocal, and unsatisfied. Very satisfied and satisfied were considered as the satisfied rate. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in preoperative patient characteristics, postoperative complications, or success rate between the two groups. The cure rate of the MONARC and TVT-O groups was 85.7% and 84.6%, respectively. The patient satisfaction (very satisfied, satisfied) rate of the MONARC and TVT-O groups was 82.8% and 82.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The MONARC and TVT-O procedures were equally efficient for the treatment of female urinary incontinence, with maintenance of high cure rates for 3 years. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results.

Cyclooxygenase-2 Overexpression in Chronic Inflammation Associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Is It Related to Apoptosis and Angiogenesis of Prostate Cancer?

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and apoptosis/angiogenesis in inflammatory and noninflammatory benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 64 BPH and 57 PC patients. The BPH histopathologies were classified by the presence of chronic inflammation as follows: noninflammatory BPH (NI-BPH; n=23) and inflammatory BPH (I-BPH; n=41). The association between the expression of COX-2, expression of Bcl-2, the apoptotic index (AI), expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvascular density (MVD) in the prostate was investigated. RESULTS: An overexpression of COX-2, Bcl-2, and VEGF was observed in cases of PC compared with cases of BPH. In PC, the AI was lower and MVD was higher than in BPH. In NI-BPH, I-BPH, and PC, the overexpression of COX-2, Bcl-2, and VEGF gradually increased. The AI was high in I-BPH, but did not differ significantly between the NI-BPH and I-BPH groups or between the NI-BPH and PC groups. MVD was significantly high in PC, but no significant difference was found between NI-BPH and I-BPH. A significant correlation was shown between the overexpression of COX-2 and Bcl-2, and COX-2 and VEGF. However, the AI was not correlated with the overexpression of COX-2 or Bcl-2. MVD was correlated with the overexpression of COX-2 and VEGF. CONCLUSIONS: COX-2 overexpression in PC is correlated with a decrease in apoptosis and an increase in angiogenesis. Chronic inflammation in BPH causes an overexpression of COX-2, which induces the increased expression of Bcl-2 and VEGF. It is likely that chronic inflammation plays a role in the intermediate step of carcinogenesis in the prostate.

The Impact of Overactive Bladder on Health-Related Quality of Life, Sexual Life and Psychological Health in Korea / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) in Korea, to assess the variation in prevalence by sex and age, and to measure the impact of OAB on quality of life. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted between April and June 2010 with a questionnaire regarding the prevalence of OAB, demographics, and the impact of OAB on quality of life. A geographically stratified random sample of men and women aged > or =30 years was selected. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of OAB was 22.9% (male, 19%; female, 26.8%). Of a total of 458 participants with OAB, 37.6% and 19.9% reported moderate or severe impact on their daily life and sexual life (5.6% and 3.5%, respectively, in participants without OAB). Anxiety and depression were reported by 22.7% and 39.3% of participants with OAB, respectively (9.7% and 22.8%, respectively, in participants without OAB). Only 19.7% of participants with OAB had consulted a doctor for their voiding symptoms, but 50.7% of respondents with OAB were willing to visit a hospital for the management of their OAB symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that OAB symptoms are highly prevalent in Korea, and many sufferers appear to have actively sought medical help. OAB has severe effects on daily and sexual life as well as psychological health.

Changes in Sexual Function after the Midurethral Sling Procedure for Stress Urinary Incontinence: Long-term Follow-up / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: It is known that 50% to 68% of women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) have sexual function impairment and avoid sexual intercourse. Reports of sexual function after SUI surgery vary, with reports of both improved function and deteriorated function. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of midurethral sling procedures on the sexual function of women suffering from SUI preoperatively and 36 months postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 75 patients who were diagnosed with SUI and underwent the midurethral procedure, 47 patients who answered the Korean version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) Questionnaire were analyzed prospectively. The retropubic route (RPR) was used in 26 patients, whereas the transobturator route (TOR) was used in 21 patients. Fifteen patients underwent concomitant posterior colporrhaphy. The FSFI was completed before surgery and 36 months after surgery. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 44.9 years (range, 30-59 years) and their mean parity was 2.8 (range, 0-6). There were no significant differences in the individual FSFI domain scores between before surgery and 36 months (36.8+/-4.57) after surgery. There were no significant differences in sexual satisfaction between the patients with concomitant posterior colporrhaphy and patients with the midurethral sling procedure only. There were no significant differences in domain score between the TOR and the RPR, but patients experienced less pain after the RPR than after the TOR. CONCLUSION: There was no significant change in overall sexual function in women undergoing the midurethral sling procedure. Attention must be paid when performing the TOR procedure because it can cause pain during intercourse.

Muscarinic Receptors Distributed in the Lower Urinary Tract

Acetylcholine (Ach) acting on the muscarinic receptors is the major stimulus for the detrusor inducing contraction if the bladder is distended and the bladder volume is at the threshold. There are 5 types muscarinic receptor subtypes cloned (M1-M5). Among them, the M2 subtype distributed dominantly in amount in the detrusor and its role seems to be primarily by blocking stimuli from cAMP-coupled receptors that induce relaxation. In contrast, through M3 receptors on the detrusor the strong contractile stimulus evoked even if its distribution in secondarily common. The excitatory M1 and inhibitory M2 and M4 subtypes are also expresswed prejunctionally. Like detrusor, urothelium also expressed all subtypes of muscarinic receptors, and on stimulation it releases factors affecting bladder afferents and smooth muscle. During inflammation, the expression of muscarinic M5 receptors is increased, particularly in the urothelium, together with a cholinergic-induced production of nitric oxide in the mucosa. This review will be discussed expression and functional effects of muscarinic receptors in the lower urinary tract. Clinical aspects of the different muscarinic receptors and roles in the pathologic conditions included in this discussions.

Clinical Significance of PTEN and Ki-67 Expression in Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a novel tumor suppressor gene located at chromosome 10q23. Ki-67 antigen is a human nuclear protein that is expressed in all active parts of the cell cycle. We evaluated the significance of PTEN and Ki-67 expression in prostate cancer and investigated the relation of this expression with clinico-pathological factors in prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, we did two kinds of immunohistochemical staining for PTEN and Ki-67. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 75 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cancer specimens. Staining on paraffin blocks from prostate carcinomas was compared with that for adjacent normal prostate. Stainings were considered positive if nuclear staining was seen. Positive stainings were analyzed with the patient's clinico-pathological findings. Statistical analysis was performed by using chi-square test with p0.05). PTEN expression was negatively correlated with lymph node or distant metastases (p<0.05). Ki-67 was positively correlated with the serum PSA level, the Gleason score, and metastases (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PTEN and Ki-67 staining correlated well with Gleason score and PSA level in prostate cancer. These could be a possible predictor of prostatic neoplasms.

Comparison of Urethral Length and Anterior Vaginal Wall Thickness between Continent and Incontinent Women / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Few studies are available on the role of female urethral length (UL) and anterior vaginal wall thickness (AVWT) in stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of characterization of female UL and AVWT associated with SUI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2006 and October 2006, a total of 53 women with or without SUI were included in this study. Twenty-three women with SUI and 30 healthy volunteers serving as controls underwent transvaginal ultrasound with use of a 7.5MHz transrectal probe. Measurement comprised UL and three portions of AVWT classified as proximal, middle, and distal according to the location against the urethra. RESULTS: The women's median age was 51.1 (range: 30-73) years. The UL (mm, mean+/-SD) was significantly shorter in women with SUI than in women without SUI (28.7+/-2.8 vs 31.2+/-4.5, respectively, p=0.02). The AVWT of women with SUI (mm, mean+/-SD) was 16.2+/-2.8 in the proximal, 10.7+/-1.9 in the middle, and 9.3+/-2.0 in the distal portion, and those of women without SUI were 16.8+/-3.2, 10.1+/-1.8, and 6.9+/-1.3, respectively. Distal AVWT was significantly thicker in women with SUI than in women without SUI (p=0.01). There were no significant differences in AVWT or UL between pre- and postmenopausal women. A significant positive correlation was found between advancing in age and decrease in UL (p=0.03). Body mass index and parity showed no correlation with UL or any AVWT (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that women with shorter UL and thicker distal AVWT are likely to have SUI. Furthermore, UL was shorter in older women.

Recognitional study about patients and caregivers' understanding of clinical trial

PURPOSE: International guidelines and national laws have been formulated to protect human subjects in research. Recently, many efforts have been tried to contribute to better awareness and knowledge about the link between quality systems and protection to develop better quality procedures in health research. In this study, to improve the understandings about health research, awareness about health research was evaluated with questionnaires for patients and care-givers in our institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 339 persons responded to the questionnaires. 128 persons were patients with mild symptoms and 69 were caregivers. 123 were male and 179 were female. Dominant educational level was college graduates and were 166 and economic status was middle-class (247). Questionnaires was composed of 18 items; 7 demographical characteristics items, 7 understanding of clinical trials items, 4 understandings of IRB (Institutional Review Board) concepts items. RESULTS: 71.7% of responder have informations about clinical trials by TV and 23.9% by newspapers. 22.3% have never heard about clinical trials. Knowledge level about clinical trials was thought to be a middle level and subjects of clinical trials were animals (62.5%), patients (54.9%), normal persons (25.4%), plants (11.8%). Objects to be included in clinical trials were pharmaceuticals (62.2%), cell therapy (58.7%), medical device (30.4%), health promotion foods (14.5%). Answer about 'Intention to be the participant" were no in 56% and yes in 34.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Although mass media contributed to the spread of understandings about clinical trials, 22.3% did not know about health research. To improve the awareness and understandings about health research, television (TV) can be the most effective method and the safety about human subject protection should be certified.

Comparative Analysis of Clinical Parameters in Acute Pyelonephritis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: To compare the variable inflammatory parameters of acute pyelonephritis patients treated with inpatient therapy at 13 hospitals, according to the age and gender distributions. MATERIALS AND MATHODS: A total of 3,544 medical records of patients with confirmed acute pyelonephritis, and admitted to hospital between January 2000 and December 2005, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.2+/-16.2 years old, with a male:female ratio of 1 : 5.1. The average duration of hospital admission was 7.9+/-5.3 days. Underlying diseases were found in 23.0% (749/3,252 patient), largely due to diabetes (35.1%). Radiological abnormal findings were found in 13.7%. The leukocyte count, ratio of segmented form, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein, pyuria, positive blood culture, positive urine culture were 11,014+/-5,778/mm(3), 74.8+/-14.5%, 44.0+/-32.0 mm/hr, 12.4+/-9.3mg/dl, 83.9%, 10.5% and 46.7%, respectively. E. coli grow in 79% of the urine culture positive patients. In a comparison of 3 age groups (61 years), the elderly patients had a greater number of underlying diseases and more pathogens in cultured blood. When divided into males and females, the elderly male patients had more pathogen in cultured urine, but contrary to the male patients, the elderly female patients had elevated leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Also, the old patient group had more resistance to ampicillin when they had E. coli as the uropathogen (p=0.021). Patients with higher ESR required longer hospital admission periods. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that variable clinical parameters of acute pyelonephritis patients treated with inpatient therapy differed according to both gender and age group in Korea. Therefore, these factors should be taken into account in the treatment plan.