Concordance in the perception of couples recovering from primary surgical treatment of prostate cancer.

Although prostate cancer affects men, research shows effects on both members of the couple. We analyzed concordance in couples recovering from primary surgical treatment of prostate cancer when surveyed on psychological domains including emotional status, relationship, self-image, partnership quality and support. Retrospective Sexual Surveys were utilized to survey physiological changes as well as psychological effects. In total, 28 heterosexual couples (56 people) were enrolled. Patients were treated between February 2002 and March 2007 with a median follow-up of 26 (range: 4-59) months. When polled on psychological aspects that may have been affected by treatment, overall concordance was 75.0%. Partnership had the highest concordance (92.2%) with treatment satisfaction questions following in second (90.7%). Subcategories focused on self-image (77.5%), relationship (67.3%), support (66.4%) and emotional status (55.6%), were less concordant. Although couples report relationships as strong and team-like, misconception between partners is widespread. Further research with regards to the effect of such disparities in couples might provide additional insight into improving recovery.

WITHDRAWN: Can the conventional sextant prostate biopsy reliably diagnose unilateral prostate cancer in low-risk, localized, prostate cancer?

The authors hereby retract the e-publication dated 13 May 2008 and entitled, 'Can the conventional sextant prostate biopsy reliably diagnose unilateral prostate cancer in low-risk, localized, prostate cancer?' The authors are submitting a revised version with the same title. This article's statistics were performed for predicting bilateral prostate cancer outcomes. The article was written to help predict unilateral prostate cancer. Although the statistical numbers are correct, they are backwards. We apologize that the statistics indicate a contrary outcome (eg predicting bilateral cancer instead of unilateral disease).

Short Term Clinical Outcome after Laparoscopic Cryoablation of the Renal Tumor < or = 3.5 cm.

Between September 2000 and September 2006, 26 patients underwent primary laparoscopic cryosurgical procedures (28) for an organ-confined renal tumor(s). In one case, cryosurgery was done sequentially on both kidneys. All patients had been carefully selected based on the following criteria: tumor size < or = 3.5 cm, the absence of local and systemic spread on cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the ability to tolerate general anesthesia. A pure laparoscopic approach was employed using third generation cryotechnology (Galil Medical Inc., Plymouth Meeting, USA). Patients were followed by serial CT or MRI scan, creatinine level, and physical examination at least every six months after cryotherapy. The mean patient age was 64 years (range: 44-79) and the mean follow-up was 20.9 +/- 17.2 months. The median tumor size was 2.0 cm (range: 1-3.5 cm). Only one patient required a blood transfusion and one patient developed a transient ileus. The median length of stay was 2.0 days (range: 0-9 days). The median change in creatinine was 0.1 mg/dl (range:-0.4 to 1.8). No patient was converted to open surgery. No evidence of recurrence or progression was found in all patients, and overall survival rate was 100%. Laparoscopic renal cryoablation of the small renal tumor is a safe procedure with minimal complications. Although there were no recurrences with short term follow-up, further long term study is needed to verify its efficacy.