Comparative significance of prostrate specific antigen [PSA] and prostatic acid phosphatase [PAP] in prostatic carcinoma

This randomised control study was conducted at a teaching hospital to study, the comparative rise of serum prostate specific antigen [PSA] and serum prostatic acid phosphatase [PAP] levels is prostatic cancer pate and to observe any relationship between these levels with stage, grade and volume of the tumor. One hundred and thirty seven patients above the age of fifty years were studied in three batches of carcinoma prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia and normal control. Serum PSA and serum PAP levels were estimated alongwith digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasonography and biopsies in group A and B. Results showed correlation in sernm PSA level rise and stage of carcinoma prostate as well as tumor volume. Serum PAP level rise was only in higher graft and bigger tumor volume. No correlation of both with tumor grade. So it is concluded that the role of serum PAP level as tumor marker for prostate cancer cannot be supported. In spite of limitations, serum PSA level is a far better although not ideal tumor marker for carcinoma of the prostate

Upper urinary tract stone disease in children

The urolithiasis has become a significant health problem in our population. Symptoms of urinary calculi in children vary with age. Treatment option should be directed towards renal parenchyma. OBJECTIVE: To find out various modes of presentation. To find out the advantages of to treatment modalities in children with urinary stone disease. SETTING: The study was conducted in urology department Mayo Hospital Lahore. STUDY DESIGN: Forty children below the age of fourteen years with upper urinary tract stone disease were studies in two groups. Group A thirty patients were treated by open surgery and Group B ten patients with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. PERIOD: Oct 1996 to Sep 1997. Results showed 97% success rate in open surgery and 80% in ESWL. CONCLUSIONS; ESWL is a safe, non invasive and effective modality in small sized stones in children. Traditional open surgery may be the preferred treatment for paediatric urolithiasis in a developing country like Pakistan because of poverty, poor long term follow up due to lack of health education and infrequent availability of the facility in government sector