Radical retropubic prostatectomy versus brachytherapy for low-risk prostatic cancer: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the oncological and functional outcomes reported after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) versus brachytherapy (BT) in the treatment of low-risk prostatic cancer (CaP). METHODS: Between May 1999 and October 2002, 200 patients (mean age 65.3 +/- 8.7) were enrolled and randomized into two groups of 100 patients each to undergo RRP (group 1) or BT (group 2). Prior to and following treatment, all patients were evaluated by physical examination, PSA assay and compilation of IPSS, IIEF-5 and EORTC-QLQ-C30/PR25 questionnaires. Oncological results were reported at 5 years, while functional outcomes were reported at 6 months, and 1 and 5 years mean follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 200 patients studied, 174 completed the 5-year follow-up assessment. With regards to oncological outcomes, similar 5-year biochemical disease-free survival rates were reported for RRP (91.0%) or BT (91.7%). At 6 months and 1 year, both techniques produced a significant decrease in quality of life aspects, while group 2 patients reported a significantly higher and longer lasting rate of urinary irritative disorders and better erective function than group 1. No differences in functional outcomes were encountered after 5 years in either group. CONCLUSIONS: RRP and BT are two different options for the treatment of low-risk CaP, which produce different short-term sequelae in terms of urinary disorders and erective functions, but similar biochemical disease-free survival. Further studies with a higher number of patients and a longer follow-up are needed to evaluate their comparative effectiveness on overall disease-specific survival and metastatic disease.

[Conservation of erectile function following brachytherapy for low-risk prostate cancer].

Brachytherapy (BT) is an effective option to treat low-risk prostate cancer (CaP). While oncological results are consistent with those reported following radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), attention may be given to the advantages in terms of functional results that a less invasive approach can ensure. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the conservation of erectile function (EF) in patients who underwent BT with a short and medium term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Between May 1999 and January 2005, 170 patients underwent BT for low-risk CaP (intracapsular prostate cancer, PSA , 10 ng/mL, Gleason score , 6). Among them, 58 patients (average age 65.6) with good preoperative erectile function (IIEF>22) and a minimum follow-up of 5 years were selected. The results were evaluated by comparing the values of pre- and postoperative IIEF questionnaire at 3 months, 1 and 5 years of medium follow-up. RESULTS. At a mean 3-month follow-up, a spontaneous recovery of EF (IIEF> 17), strongly influenced by urinary irritative disorders, was reported by 34/58 patients (58%). At 1 and 5 years, good EF (IIEF >22) was reported by 45/58 (78%) and 39/58 (68%) patients, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. The recovery of EF was good one year after BT (78%). Urinary disorders are a significant limiting factor on this recovery. The deterioration of EF during the follow-up, which was already described in literature, is due not only to ageing but also to a delayed radioactive effect on pelvic structures.

[Brachytherapy in prostate cancer: the use of QuickLink® system within the real-time technique. A new technique is presented].

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION. Brachytherapy with real-time technique allows the ultrasound transperineal implant of needles and the release of I125 seeds in the prostate, with intraoperative dosimetry carried out by a special software. After performing this seed-releasing technique on 160 patients, we present 15 cases treated with strand seeds using the QuickLink®system. MATERIALS AND METHODS. INCLUSION CRITERIA: CaP clinical stage T1-T2, PSA ≤10 ng/ml, prostate volume ≤ 50g, Gleason score ≤3+3=6, Q maximum >13-15 ml/sec., and I-PSS score <10. METHODICAL. In ultrasound-guided transrectal technique the needles are inserted near the prostatic capsule. A 5mm section plan is performed; the computer allows identifying the contours of prostate, rectum, urethra, and the position of needles to be inserted. The total activity is defined, as well as the number and location of the sources to be included; isodoses are calculated, the correct position of seeds and spacers is printed. The strand seeds are prepared on the basis of this scheme, using the QuickLink® system, and placed into the prostate tissue. RESULTS. The QuickLink® system allows reducing the operative time (110 min, range 95-125). The pelvic CT assessing the post-planning has shown a more regular distribution of seeds. The cut-off of D90≥140 Gy was reached in all patients, with doses at urethra and rectum within the prescribed limits. CONCLUSIONS. The brachytherapy real-time with strand seeds QuickLink® combines the flexibility of planning intraoperative real-time with a faster process, and less tendency for the relocation of the seeds.

[Translabial ultrasonography in the diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence in women]. / L'ecografia translabiale nella diagnosi della IUS femminile.

The target of this work is to evaluate the translabial ultrasonography (US) reliability as valid alternative to chain cystography in the pre and post operative assessment of patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). From June 1996 to May 1999, we studied 448 patients ranging in age from 35 to 90 years old with SUI from defect of anatomic support. Patients underwent translabial ultrasonography. The translabial US was performed with the patient in lithotomic position using a linear 7.5 MHz probe. The bladder was slightly filled, and the probe positioned longitudinally at the introitus to evaluate downwards and posterior rotation of bladder neck and urethra in basal conditions as well as during the abdominal strain. The evaluation of the anterior urethral angle of the 448 patients who underwent translabial US showed that, during the abdominal strain, all the patients with SUI had a very significative rotation of the urethral axis compared to continent women. Translabial US is a quick, simple, reliable non-invasive procedure. It may be used routinely for the pre and post-operative evaluation of anti-incontinence surgery.

[Renal changes in malaria]. / Le alterazioni renali in corso di malaria.

The renal complications in course of malaria have notably increased in number during the last years, as well as the cases of malaria in the world. This subject and a case of malaria in the world. This subject and a case of renal complication in course of malaria we could recently observe led us to re-examine the papers in which this problem was debated. Only the Pl. malaria and the Pl. falciparum can cause renal complications, as the first can produce a nephrosic syndrome and the second an acute renal insufficiency functional or organic, or a glomerulonephritis more often acute transitory, which can rarely develop into a nephrosic syndrome or into an acute renal organic insufficiency. Then the various physiopathologic causes of the acute renal insufficiency, of the glomerulonephritis, of the nephrosic syndrome are described, followed by a case description of an acute renal functional insufficiency in course of malaria caused by Pl. falciparum.