ABSTRACT
Recent epidemiologic studies have suggested that a risk factor for the development of carcinoma of the prostate may be previous vasectomy. As a majority of prostate cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. are detected by an elevation in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), an elevation in PSA due to vasectomy may underpin this association. There have been no published reports on the relationship between PSA before and after vasectomy. To study this relationship, this study was undertaken to determine the effects of vasectomy on PSA. Twenty-five men undergoing vasectomy were studied with serial PSA determinations prior to and following vasectomy. Analysis of data suggests that PSA is not affected by previous vasectomy and that other causes for an increased detection in this cohort may be operational.
Subject(s)
Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood , Prostatic Neoplasms/blood , Vasectomy , Adult , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Military Personnel , Prostatic Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not patients with refractory interstitial cystitis who had failed conservative therapy might benefit from intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy. METHOD: Five patients with refractory interstitial cystitis who had failed conservative therapy underwent six weekly treatments with intravesical BCG. All 5 patients were evaluated before therapy and quarterly thereafter by water cystometry and symptom questionnaire. RESULTS: The average number of medications used daily per patient decreased from 3.2 to 1.2 after therapy. Average volumes of both first desire to void and cystometric capacity doubled after BCG. Improvement in cystometric capacity, average daytime urinary frequency, nocturia, and global pain/discomfort were statistically significant (P = 0.0277, P = 0.0131, P = 0.0199, and P = 0.0317, respectively). Three patients experienced near total relief of their symptoms with six to twelve months' follow-up (average follow-up equals 33.6 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Although the mechanism of action of BCG in interstitial cystitis is unknown, we recommend a double-blind placebo controlled trial to confirm these results and determine an optimal dosage and treatment schedule.
