Preliminary results of the implementation of robotic radical prostatectomy in a major ambulatory surgery regimen.

OBJECTIVE: To report our initial experience with robotic radical prostatectomy as an outpatient procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent RRP as MAS (Major Ambulatory Surgery) at our center between March 2021 and May 2022. We collected baseline patient characteristics, intraoperative outcomes and postoperative data (need for unplanned medical care and complications at one month after surgery). Oncologic characteristics at disease diagnosis (PSA, staging, ISUP, MRI) and postoperative pathologic outcomes were collected. RESULTS: We identified a total of 35 patients with an average age of 60,8 ± 6,88 years and a BMI of 27 ± 2,9 Kg/m2. All patients had a low anesthetic risk and 25.71% had undergone previous abdominal surgery. The surgical time was 151,66 ± 42,15 min and the average blood loss was 301,2 ± 184,38 mL. Two patients (5.7%) were admitted for one night and 7 patients (20%) consulted the emergency department in the following month, of which 3 (8.57%) were readmitted. We recorded one intraoperative complication, seven mild postoperative complications (Clavien I-II) and one severe complication (Clavien IIIb). The severe complication occurred on the eighth postoperative day and was not related to the procedure being ambulatory. CONCLUSION: The absence of serious complications in the immediate postoperative period supports RRP in MAS as a safe technique for selected patients.

Resultados preliminares de la implementación de la prostatectomía radical robótica en régimen de cirugía mayor ambulatoria / Preliminary results of the implementation of robotic radical prostatectomy in a major ambulatory surgery regimen

Objetivo Reportar nuestra experiencia inicial de prostatectomía radical robótica (PRR) en régimen ambulatorio. Material y métodos Análisis retrospectivo de los pacientes intervenidos de PRR en cirugía mayor ambulatoria (CMA) en nuestro centro entre marzo de 2021 y mayo de 2022. Recopilamos las características basales de los pacientes, los resultados intraoperatorios y los datos del postoperatorio (necesidad de asistencia médica no planificada y complicaciones al mes de la cirugía). Se recogieron las características oncológicas al diagnóstico de la enfermedad (PSA, estadificación, ISUP, RMN) y el resultado anatomopatológico tras la intervención. Resultados Identificamos un total de 35 pacientes, con una edad promedio de 60,8 ±6,88 años y un IMC de 27 ±2,9kg/m2. Todos presentaban un riesgo anestésico bajo y un 25,71% tenían alguna cirugía abdominal previa. El tiempo quirúrgico fue de 151,66 ±42,15 minutos y el sangrado promedio fue de 301,2 ±184,38mililitros. Dos pacientes (5,7%) ingresaron la primera noche de la cirugía y 7 pacientes (20%) consultaron en urgencias en el mes siguiente, de los cuales 3 (8,57%) reingresaron. Registramos una complicación intraoperatoria, 7 complicaciones postoperatorias leves (ClavienI-II) y una complicación grave (ClavienIIIb). La complicación grave transcurrió al octavo día postoperatorio y no tuvo relación con la ambulatorización del procedimiento. Conclusión La ausencia de complicaciones graves en el postoperatorio inmediato avala la PRR en régimen de CMA como una técnica segura dirigida a pacientes seleccionados (AU)

Objective To report our initial experience with robotic radical prostatectomy (RRP) as an outpatient procedure. Material and methods Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent RRP as major ambulatory surgery (MAS) at our center between March 2021 and May 2022. We collected baseline patient characteristics, intraoperative outcomes and postoperative data (need for unplanned medical care and complications at one month after surgery). Oncologic characteristics at disease diagnosis (PSA, staging, ISUP, MRI) and postoperative pathologic outcomes were collected. Results We identified a total of 35 patients with an average age of 60,8 ±6,88years and a BMI of 27 ±2,9kg/m2. All patients had a low anesthetic risk and 25.71% had undergone previous abdominal surgery. The surgical time was 151,66 ±42,15minutes and the average blood loss was 301,2 ±184,38milliliters. Two patients (5.7%) were admitted for one night and 7 patients (20%) consulted the emergency department in the following month, of which 3 (8.57%) were readmitted. We recorded one intraoperative complication, 7 mild postoperative complications (ClavienI-II) and one severe complication (ClavienIIIb). The severe complication occurred on the eighth postoperative day and was not related to the procedure being ambulatory. Conclusion The absence of serious complications in the immediate postoperative period supports RRP in MAS as a safe technique for selected patients (AU)

Necrotic-like BV-2 microglial cell death due to methylmercury exposure.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a dangerous environmental contaminant with strong bioaccumulation in the food chain and neurotoxic properties. In the nervous system, MeHg may cause neurodevelopment impairment and potentially interfere with immune response, compromising proper control of neuroinflammation and aggravating neurodegeneration. Human populations are exposed to environmental contamination with MeHg, especially in areas with strong mining or industrial activity, raising public health concerns. Taking this into consideration, this work aims to clarify pathways leading to acute toxic effects caused by MeHg exposure in microglial cells. BV-2 mouse microglial cells were incubated with MeHg at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 µM) for 1 h prior to continuous Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 µg/ml) exposure for 6 or 24 h. After cell exposure, reactive oxygen species (ROS), IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, nitric oxide (NO) release, metabolic activity, propidium iodide (PI) uptake, caspase-3 and -9 activities and phagocytic activity were assessed. MeHg 10 µM decreased ROS formation, the production and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS immunoreactivity, the release of NO in BV-2 cells. Furthermore, MeHg 10 µM decreased the metabolic activity of BV-2 and increased the number of PI-positive cells (necrotic-like cell death) when compared to the respective control group. Besides, MeHg did not interfere with caspase activity or the phagocytic profile of cells. The short-term effects of a high concentration of MeHg on BV-2 microglial cells lead to impaired production of several pro-inflammatory mediators, as well as a higher microglial cell death via necrosis, compromising their neuroinflammatory response. Clarifying the mechanisms underlying MeHg-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration in brain cells is relevant to better understand acute and long-term chronic neuroinflammatory responses following MeHg exposure.

Proteomics and plant biology: contributions to date and a look towards the next decade.

INTRODUCTION: This review presents the view of the author, that is opinionable and even speculative, on the field of proteomics, its application to plant biology knowledge, and translation to biotechnology. Written in a more academic than scientific style, it is based on past original and review articles by the author´s group, and those published by leading scientists in the last two years. AREAS COVERED: Starting with a general definition and references to historical milestones, it covers sections devoted to the different platforms employed, the plant biology discourse in the protein language, challenges and future prospects, ending with the author opinion. EXPERT OPINION: In 25 years, five proteomics platform generations have appeared. We are now moving from proteomics to Systems Biology. While feasible with model organisms, proteomics of orphan species remains challenging. Proteomics, even in its simplest approach, sheds light on plant biological processes, central dogma, and molecular bases of phenotypes of interest, and it can be translated to areas such as food traceability and allergen detection. Proteomics should be validated and optimized to each experimental system, objectives, and hypothesis. It has limitations, artifacts, and biases. We should not blindly accept proteomics data and just create a list of proteins, networks, and avoid speculative biological interpretations. From the hundred to thousand proteins identified and quantified, it is important to obtain a focus and validate some of them, otherwise it is merely. We are starting to have the protein pieces, so let, from now, build the proteomics and biological puzzle.

Computational assessment of the retinal vascular tortuosity integrating domain-related information.

The retinal vascular tortuosity presents a valuable potential as a clinical biomarker of many relevant vascular and systemic diseases. Commonly, the existent approaches face the tortuosity quantification by means of fully mathematical representations of the vessel segments. However, the specialists, based on their diagnostic experience, commonly analyze additional domain-related information that is not represented in these mathematical metrics of reference. In this work, we propose a novel computational tortuosity metric that outperforms the mathematical metrics of reference also incorporating anatomical properties of the fundus image such as the distinction between arteries and veins, the distance to the optic disc, the distance to the fovea, and the vessel caliber. The evaluation of its prognostic performance shows that the integration of the anatomical factors provides an accurate tortuosity assessment that is more adjusted to the specialists' perception.

Robust segmentation of retinal layers in optical coherence tomography images based on a multistage active contour model.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) constitutes an imaging technique that is increasing its popularity in the ophthalmology field, since it offers a more complete set of information about the main retinal structures. Hence, it offers detailed information about the eye fundus morphology, allowing the identification of many intraretinal pathological signs. For that reason, over the recent years, Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems have spread to work with this image modality and analyze its information. A crucial step for the analysis of the retinal tissues implies the identification and delimitation of the different retinal layers. In this context, we present in this work a fully automatic method for the identification of the main retinal layers that delimits the retinal region. Thus, an active contour-based model was completely adapted and optimized to segment these main retinal boundaries. This fully automatic method uses the information of the horizontal placement of these retinal layers and their relative location over the analyzed images to restrict the search space, considering the presence of shadows that are normally generated by pathological or non-pathological artifacts. The validation process was done using the groundtruth of an expert ophthalmologist analyzing healthy as well as unhealthy patients with different degrees of diabetic retinopathy (without macular edema, with macular edema and with lesions in the photoreceptor layers). Quantitative results are in line with the state of the art of this domain, providing accurate segmentations of the retinal layers even when significative pathological alterations are present in the eye fundus. Therefore, the proposed method is robust enough to be used in complex environments, making it feasible for the ophthalmologists in their routine clinical practice.

Variability studies of allochthonous stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) plantations in Chile through nut protein profiling.

Stone pine (Pinus pinea) is characterized by low differentiation of growth parameters, high phenotypic plasticity and low genetic variability; detecting its diversity in introduced Chilean populations is therefore relevant for conservation and breeding programs. Here, variability among allochthonous Stone pine populations in Chile was explored using electrophoresis-based proteomic analysis of pine nuts. Cones from 30 populations distributed along a climatic gradient in Chile were surveyed and sampled, and proteins were extracted from seed flour using the TCA-acetone precipitation protocol. Extracts were subjected to SDS-PAGE and 2-DE for protein resolution, gel images captured, and spot or bands intensity quantified and subjected to statistical analysis (ANOVA, unsupervised Hierarchical Analysis Clustering and PLS regression). Protein yield ranged among populations from 161.7 (North populations) to 298.7 (South populations) mg/g dry weight. A total of 50 bands were resolved by SDS-PAGE in the 6.5-200 kDa Mr. range, of which 17 showed quantitative or qualitative differences, with 12 proteins identified. Pine nut extracts from the most distant populations were analyzed by 2-DE and a total of 129 differential spots were observed, out of which 13 were proposed as putative protein markers of variability. Out of the 129 spots, 118 proteins were identified after MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis. Identified proteins were classified into two principal categories: reserve and stress related. We provide the first protein map of P. pinea nuts. The use of a proteomic approach was useful to detect variability of Stone pine across three Chilean macrozones, with correlations between protein profiles and geoclimatic parameters, suggesting a new approach to study the variability of this species. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study presents the first protein map of Stone pine nuts, relevant for the advancement of protein characterization in pine nuts. Putative protein markers are proposed, evidencing that a proteomic approach may be useful to detect variability of Stone pine across Chilean macrozones, suggesting a new approach to study the variability of this species, which may also be extrapolated to other forest fruit species.

Hydra: A web-based system for cardiovascular analysis, diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification is a highly complex process involving an extensive set of clinical trials to support the clinical decision-making process. There are many clinical conditions (e.g. diabetes, obesity, stress, etc.) that can lead to the early diagnosis or establishment of cardiovascular disease. In order to determine all these clinical conditions, a complete set of clinical patient analyses is typically performed, including a physical examination, blood analysis, electrocardiogram, blood pressure (BP) analysis, etc. This article presents a web-based system, called Hydra, which integrates a full and detailed set of services and functionalities for clinical decision support in order to help and improve the work of clinicians in cardiovascular patient diagnosis, risk assessment, treatment and monitoring over time. METHODS: Hydra integrates a number of different services: a service for inputting all the information gathered by specialists (physical examination, habits, BP, blood analysis, electrocardiogram, etc.); a tool to automatically determine the CV risk stratification, including well-known standard risk stratification tables; and, finally, various tools to incorporate, analyze and graphically present the records of the ambulatory BP monitoring that provides BP analysis over a given period of time (24 or 48 hours). In addition, the platform presents a set of reports derived from all the information gathered from the patient in order to support physicians in their clinical decisions. RESULTS: Hydra was tested and validated in a real domain. In particular, internal medicine specialists at the Hypertension Unit of the Santiago de Compostela University Hospital (CHUS) validated the platform and used it in different clinical studies to demonstrate its utility. It was observed that the platform increased productivity and accuracy in the assessment of patient data yielding a cost reduction in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: This paper proposes a complete platform that includes different services for cardiovascular clinical decision support. It was also run as a web-based application to facilitate its use by clinicians, who can access the platform from any remote computer with Internet access. Hydra also includes different automated methods to facilitate the physicians' work and avoid potential errors in the analysis of patient data.

Association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA double-strand break repair genes and prostate cancer aggressiveness in the Spanish population.

BACKGROUND: Novel predictors of prognosis and treatment response for prostate cancer (PCa) are required to better individualize treatment. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in four genes directly (XRCC5 (X-ray repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cells 5) and XRCC6 (X-ray repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cells 6)) or indirectly (PARP1 and major vault protein (MVP)) involved in non-homologous end joining were examined in 494 Spanish PCa patients. METHODS: A total of 22 SNPs were genotyped in a Biotrove OpenArray NT Cycler. Clinical tumor stage, diagnostic PSA serum levels and Gleason score at diagnosis were obtained for all participants. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined using the web-based environment SNPator. RESULTS: (XRCC6) rs2267437 appeared as a risk factor for developing more aggressive PCa tumors. Those patients carrying the GG genotype were at higher risk of developing bigger tumors (odds ratio (OR)=2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-3.29, P=0.004), present higher diagnostic PSA levels (OR=2.12, 95% CI 1.19-3.78, P=0.011), higher Gleason score (OR=1.65, 95% CI 1.01-2.68, P=0.044) and D'Amico higher risk tumors (OR=2.38, 95% CI 1.24-4.58, P=0.009) than those patients carrying the CC/CG genotypes. Those patients carrying the (MVP) rs3815824 TT genotype were at higher risk of presenting higher diagnostic PSA levels (OR=4.74, 95% CI 1.40-16.07, P=0.013) than those patients carrying the CC genotype. When both SNPs were analyzed in combination, those patients carrying the risk genotypes were at higher risk of developing D'Amico higher risk tumors (OR=3.33, 95% CI 1.56-7.17, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that for the first time, genetic variants at XRCC6 and MVP genes are associated with risk of more aggressive disease, and would be taken into account when assessing the malignancy of PCa.

Automatic classification of the interferential tear film lipid layer using colour texture analysis.

The tear film lipid layer is heterogeneous among the population. Its classification depends on its thickness and can be done using the interference pattern categories proposed by Guillon. This papers presents an exhaustive study about the characterisation of the interference phenomena as a texture pattern, using different feature extraction methods in different colour spaces. These methods are first analysed individually and then combined to achieve the best results possible. The principal component analysis (PCA) technique has also been tested to reduce the dimensionality of the feature vectors. The proposed methodologies have been tested on a dataset composed of 105 images from healthy subjects, with a classification rate of over 95% in some cases.

Statistical comparison of classifiers applied to the interferential tear film lipid layer automatic classification.

The tear film lipid layer is heterogeneous among the population. Its classification depends on its thickness and can be done using the interference pattern categories proposed by Guillon. The interference phenomena can be characterised as a colour texture pattern, which can be automatically classified into one of these categories. From a photography of the eye, a region of interest is detected and its low-level features are extracted, generating a feature vector that describes it, to be finally classified in one of the target categories. This paper presents an exhaustive study about the problem at hand using different texture analysis methods in three colour spaces and different machine learning algorithms. All these methods and classifiers have been tested on a dataset composed of 105 images from healthy subjects and the results have been statistically analysed. As a result, the manual process done by experts can be automated with the benefits of being faster and unaffected by subjective factors, with maximum accuracy over 95%.

[Adult spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea. Report of two cases and review of the literature]. / Otolicuorrea espontánea en el adulto. Presentación de dos casos y revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea is a relatively rare entity and can be easily missed in adults. Every adult older than 50 years with a negative history of otologic disease who has recurrent serous otitis media should be evaluated for this pathology. Meningitis is the most serious complication, so there is no doubt that the condition needs immediate attention and correction. OBJECTIVE: We present two patients who were diagnosed with spontaneous CSF otorrhea and make a review of what is reported about this topic. CONCLUSION: Surgical repair is mandatory to seal these nontraumatic CSF leaks. There are two main surgical approaches, the middle fossa craniotomy and the transmastoid approach. A multilayered closure technique in which autologous and artificial materials are combined is considered to result in the highest rate of success.

Sirius: a web-based system for retinal image analysis.

PURPOSE: Retinal image analysis can lead to early detection of several pathologies such as hypertension or diabetes. Screening processes require the evaluation of a high amount of visual data and, usually, the collaboration between different experts and different health care centers. These usual routines demand new fast and automatic solutions to deal with these situations. This work introduces Sirius (System for the Integration of Retinal Images Understanding Services), a web-based system for image analysis in the retinal imaging field. METHODS: Sirius provides a framework for ophthalmologists or other experts in the field to collaboratively work using retinal image-based applications in a distributed, fast and reliable environment. Sirius consists of three main components: the web client that users interact with, the web application server that processes all client requests and the service module that performs the image processing tasks. In this work, we present a service for the analysis of retinal microcirculation using a semi-automatic methodology for the computation of the arteriolar-to-venular ratio (AVR). RESULTS: Sirius has been evaluated in different real environments, involving health care systems, to test its performance. First, the AVR service was validated in terms of precision and efficiency and then, the framework was evaluated in different real scenarios of medical centers. CONCLUSIONS: Sirius is a web-based application providing a fast and reliable work environment for retinal experts. The system allows the sharing of images and processed results between remote computers and provides automated methods to diminish inter-expert variability in the analysis of the images.

Generation of polyclonal antibodies against recombinant human glucocerebrosidase produced in escherichia coli

Deficiency of the lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GCR) enzyme results in Gaucher's disease, the most common inherited storage disorder. Treatment consists of enzyme replacement therapy by the administration of recombinant GCR produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The production of anti-GCR antibodies has already been described with placenta-derived human GCR that requires successive chromatographic procedures. Here, we report a practical and efficient method to obtain anti-GCR polyclonal antibodies against recombinant GCR produced in Escherichia coli and further purified by a single step through nickel affinity chromatography. The purified GCR was used to immunize BALB/c mice and the induction of anti-GCR antibodies was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The specificity of the antiserum was also evaluated by western blot analysis against recombinant GCR produced by COS-7 cells or against endogenous GCR of human cell lines. GCR was strongly recognized by the produced antibodies, either as cell-associated or as secreted forms. The detected molecular masses of 59-66 kDa are in accordance to the expected size for glycosylated GCR. The GCR produced in E. coli would facilitate the production of polyclonal (shown here) and monoclonal antibodies and their use in the characterization of new biosimilar recombinant GCRs coming in the near future.

EuPA achieves visibility - an activity report on the first three years.

Plans for the European Proteomics Association (EuPA) were conceived and established during 2004 and 2005, and culminated in the formal inception of the organisation during the 4th HUPO World Congress held in Munich in 2005. The mission from the outset has been three-tiered and is to: i) strengthen the national Proteomics organizations in their efforts; ii) to co-ordinate and provide educational programs, and iii) to advance the networking of scientists through meetings, workshops and student exchange. Linked to the mission were objectives to emphasise the benefits and contributions of Proteomics to biological and industrial researchers, the general public and science policy makers in Europe. In addition, the EuPA set out to promote scientific exchange for all applications and technology development related to Proteomics, and coordinate joint activities of national Proteomics societies at the European level. To achieve these tasks an organisational structure was conceived whereby four Activity Committees (Conferences/Communications, Education, EuPA-HUPO-Interactions and Funding) were implemented and a General Council consisting of all member countries. The remarkable rise and progress the EuPA has achieved in this small time frame is reported here.

[Radical prostatectomy. A review of our series between 1997-2003]. / Prostatectomía radical. Revisión de nuestra serie en el periodo 1997-2003.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complications and results of our series of 398 radical retropubic prostatectomies as an elective treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and June 2003, a total of 398 radical retropubic prostatectomies have been performed. Mean age was 63.8 years (45.8-78.2), mean PSA at diagnosis 9.32 ng/ml (0.9-129.7). Mean surgical time was 141.6 minutes (70-280), and mean hospitalization was 6.75 days (2-37). RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 65.18 months. We report as peroperatory complications: rectal injury 1.8%, lymphatic leakage 0.3%, urinary fistula 5%. As delay complications: uretrovesical junction stenosis 6%. We observed 49.1% of patients with positive surgical margins. We don't report any peroperatory death. The overall survival rate is 98.5%, the cancer specific survival rate is 99.75%, and the recurrence-free survival rate is 84.97%. CONCLUSIONS: Radical retropubic prostatectomy is an excellent treatment form for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. A strict selection of patients candidates is important to obtain good results.

Prostatectomía radical. Revisión de nuestra serie en el periodo 1997-2003 / Radical prostactectomy. A review of our serie between 1997-2003

Objetivos: Analizar los resultados y complicaciones de nuestra serie de 398 casos de prostatectomía radical retropúbica como tratamiento electivo del cáncer de próstata órgano confinado. Material y metodos: Entre enero de 1997 y junio de 2003 hemos realizado un total de 398 prostatectomías radicales. La edad media fue de 63,8 años (45,8-78,2), con una media de PSA al diagnóstico de 9,32 ng/ml (0,9-129,7). La media del tiempo quirúrgico es de 141,6 minutos (70-280), y la media de días de ingreso hospitalario de 6,75 días (2-37).Resultados: El seguimiento medio de nuestra serie ha sido de 65,18 meses. Como complicaciones peroperatorias destacamos: lesión rectal 1,8%, linforrea 0,3%, fístula urinaria 5%. Como complicaciones tardías: estenosis anastomosis uretrovesical 6%.Hemos objetivado un porcentaje de márgenes positivos del 49,1%. No hemos tenido ningún exitusperoperatorio. La supervivencia global de la serie es del 98,5%, la supervivencia cáncer específica del 99,75%, y la supervivencia libre de enfermedad del 84,97%.Conclusiones: La prostatectomía radical es una excelente opción de tratamiento en pacientes con cáncer de próstata órgano confinado. Es indispensable para obtener buenos resultados una correcta selección de los pacientes candidatos a tratamiento quirúrgico (AU)

Objetive: To evaluate the complications and results of our series of 398 radical retropubic prostatectomies as an elective treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. Patients and methods: Between january 1997 and june 2003, a total of 398 radical retropubic prostatectomies have been performed. Mean age was 63.8 years (45.8-78.2), mean PSA at diagnosis 9.32 ng/ml (0.9-129.7). Mean surgical time was 141.6 minutes (70-280), and mean hospitalization was 6.75 days (2-37). Results: Mean follow-up was 65.18 months. We report as peroperatory complications: rectal injury 1.8%, lymphatic leakage 0.3%, urinary fistula 5%. As delay complications: uretrovesical junction stenosis 6%. We observed 49.1% of patients with positive surgical margins. We don´t report any peroperatory death. The overall survival rate is 98.5%, the cancer specific survival rate is 99.75%, and the recurrence-free survival rate is 84.97%. Conclusions: Radical retropubic prostatectomy is an excellent treatment form for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. A strict selection of patients candidates is important to obtain good results (AU)

[Retrospective study of 130 patients with organconfined prostate cancer treated with brachytherapy]. / Estudio retrospectivo de 130 pacientes con cáncer prostático organoconfinado tratados con braquiterapia prostática.

INTRODUCTION: The prostate brachytherapy with I 125 seeds has an indication in patients with organconfined prostate cancer. Our objective is to describe the population treated in our institution with permanent I125 seeds implants, the dosimetric characteristics of the technique and the preliminary results of our group-study in terms of evolution and toxicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May 2000 and March 2003, 130 patients with permanent implants of I125 seeds were treated. Beforehand we did prostate volumetric with transrectum prostate echography in order to assess the configuration of the implant, number of seeds and their place in the prostate with the objective to get a fine coverage of PTV (planet target volume). Stage distribution: 75.72% T1c; 24.28% T2a; Gleason<6, 94%. The PSA pretreatment average was 6.38 ng/ml. The average prostate volume was 30 cc. The 16.67% of the patients included had hormonal treatment previously to get the implants. The average age was 64 years. The characteristic techniques of the implants were: the average width of the needle as 24 (14-35) and the average of the seeds 76 (46-111). Finally the average activity was 0.39 mCi/seed, which means average total implant activity of 80 mCi. RESULTS: We analyzed 130 patients with average follow up 6 months. A 1 to 2 year surveillance was carried out on 98.9% and the global free disease surveillance (biochemic relapse) of 98.9% at the year and of the 87.8% at the end of the 2 years. The relapse in the low risk patients was 98.8% after the first year and 88.7% at the end of 2 year. On the contrary in the middle risk was of 100% and 83% respectively, although the amount of patients in significantly less. As a relevant acute secondary effects we found slight rectitys or GI (RTOG scale) in 1.4 and that needs synthomatic medication or GII (RTOG scale) in 0.8%. We found slide hematuria or GI (RTOG scale) in the 53% and other measures or GII (RTOG scale) in the 2.64% was needed. Finally we had to set a urinary prove for acute retention in 4.3%. CONCLUSION: The prostate brachyterapy is a complex procedure that needs a multidisciplinary team participation in order to be able to carry out. It avoids a long term hospitalization and allows for the patient to have daily activity within a short period of time. Despite the fact of the brief follow-up, the results over biochemical relapse and toxicity were similar to the ones in the literature. Tolerance to the implant was good. It would necessary a longer follow-up in order to be able to come to long term conclusions.