Biological significance of perineural invasion (PNI) in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: In order to better understand the biological significance of perineural invasion (PNI) in prostate cancer, we aimed to analyze in situ the expression of molecules involved in tumor growth or nerve trophicity. METHODS: Tissues from 66 radical prostatectomies performed for prostate cancer (40 with PNI and 26 without PNI) were selected and included in a tissue microarray (TMA): PNI areas (when available), cancer far from nerves, and nerves far from cancer. The expression of the following molecules was analyzed using immunohistochemistry on TMA slides: macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and its receptor CD74, EGF receptor (EGFR), heregulin (HRG) and its receptor ErbB3, and the proliferation marker Ki67. RESULTS: Cancer cells in the PNI areas showed increased proliferation, EGFR and CD74 expression, when compared to cells far from nerves (P = 0.009, 0.0005, and 0.02, respectively). Moreover, cell proliferation and CD74 staining were increased in cancers with PNI features compared to cancers without PNI (P = 0.001), even when adjusting for Gleason score, tumor size, and pathological stage. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cancer cells in the PNI areas could acquired a growth advantage that could be triggered by the growth factor receptors EGFR and CD74.

Percentage of positive biopsy cores at the onset of hormone therapy for prostate cancer: prognostic significance.

INTRODUCTION: The percentage of positive prostate biopsy cores (%PBC) has been shown to be a prognostic factor in localized prostate cancer. We hypothesized that it would predict time to hormonal independence and survival in prostate cancer patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used clinical data from 403 men treated with ADT between 1980 and 1999 and focused on a subgroup of 220 patients treated with GnRH analogue. %PBC was defined as the number of positive biopsy cores multiplied by 100 and divided by the total number of biopsy cores. RESULTS: Median %PBC was 83.3% (16.7-100%). Mean follow-up was 57.4 months. Survival at 5 years in men with 83.3% PBC or less was 62.3, 89.1 and 82.6% for recurrence-free, specific and overall survival, respectively, significantly better than that of men with a %PBC of more than 83.3% (32.2, 74.7 and 67.7%, respectively; p < 0.004). Among the factors available in the pretreatment setting, namely age, clinical stage, PSA, Gleason score, bone scan and %PBC, the latter was independently associated with survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: %PBC may improve the ability to predict time to hormonal resistance and survival in patients treated with ADT for prostate cancer. This finding warrants further investigation.

One preoperative dose randomized against 3-day antibiotic prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of infective events between a single dose and 3-day antibiotic prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive either one preoperative dose consisting of two ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablets 2 h before prostate biopsy, or 3 days of ciprofloxacin treatment. They had a clinical examination at study inclusion, the day of the biopsy and 3 weeks later. The day after the procedure all patients were contacted by telephone to inquire about any significant event. Biological testing and urine cultures were conducted 5 days before and then 5 and 15 days after the biopsy; a self-administered symptom questionnaire was completed by the patient 5 days before and then at 5 and 15 days. RESULTS: The study group included 288 men, of whom 139 were randomized to the single-dose arm and 149 to the 3-day arm. Six patients in each group had an asymptomatic bacteriuria with no leukocyturia. One patient in each group had documented prostatitis, with Escherichia coli identified on urine culture. The strain identified in the patient from the 3-day group was resistant to ciprofloxacin. There was no difference between groups in symptoms at 5 and 21 days after biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Current TRUS-guided prostate biopsy techniques lead to very few clinical infectious complications when accompanied by antibiotic prophylaxis. We found no argument to advocate the use of more than one dose of antibiotic prophylaxis.

[Does the initial or secondary status of T1G3 bladder tumours have a prognostic impact?]. / Le statut initial ou secondaire des tumeurs de vessie T1G3 a-t-il un impact pronostique?

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluated the prognostic value of the initial or secondary status of pT1G3 bladder tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1990 and 2000, 93 patients presented with T1G3 bladder tumour. Seventy-five patients, 54 with initial T1G3 and 21 with secondary T1G3, with no history of invasive bladder tumour, were included in the study. Seventy-two per cent were treated by intravesical BCG. No patient received maintenance therapy. The median follow-up was 53 months (range: 2 to 285 months). RESULTS: On univariate analysis, a significant difference of overall survival was observed in favour of secondary T1G3 tumours compared to initial T1G3 tumours (p < 0.003), while no difference was observed for recurrence, progression and specific survival. This difference was no longer significant on multivariate analysis, but BCG therapy and smoking were significantly correlated with overall and specific mortality. BCG was also correlated with risk of progression. CONCLUSION: Patients with a secondary T1G3 tumour had a better overall survival. This difference was no longer significant when other prognostic factors were taken into account.

[Sensitivity of abdominal radiography without preparation compared with computed tomography in the assessment of residual fragments after percutaneous nephrolithotomy]. / Sensibilité de la radiographie de l'abdomen sans préparation par rapport à la tomodensitométrie dans l'évaluation des fragments résiduels après NLPC.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of possible residual fragments after percutaneous nephrolithotomy is an essential aspect of the management of stone disease. The results of this evaluation determine the therapeutic approach, follow-up and presumed duration of treatment. The imaging modalities most frequently used are non-enhanced spiral computed tomography and plain abdominal x-ray. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of spiral CT to the immediate follow-up of percutaneous nephrolithotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a period of two years, we prospectively included 50 patients in whom plain abdominal x-ray and spiral CT were performed on the first postoperative day after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The diagnosis of residual fragments was based on these examinations by 2 independent radiologists. RESULTS: The sensitivity for the detection of residual fragments was 87% for plain abdominal x-ray compared 100% for computed tomography. 89% of the fragments not diagnosed by plain abdominal x-ray were less than 5 min. CONCLUSION: Plain abdominal x-ray was insufficient for the diagnosis of small residual fragments. Spiral CT is justified to confirm the absence of residual fragments in a patient after percutaneous nephrolithotomy despite the higher cost and irradiation compared to plain abdominal x-ray.

[Consequences of intravesical obstruction on detrusor muscle energy metabolism]. / Conséquences de l'obstruction infravésicale sur le métabolisme énergétique des cellules musculaires du détrusor.

Alteration of the emptying function of the bladder observed during the natural history of benign prostatic hyperplasia may be related to a biochemical disorder, more specifically a disorder of energy metabolism. Under conditions of obstruction, the bladder is no longer able to contract effectively as it is unable to produce a sufficient quantity of energy. This energy dysfunction is induced by anaerobic diversion of glucose metabolism. The key element of this disturbance is the mitochondrion. Morphological studies have demonstrated degeneration of this organelle controlling energy metabolism. This intracellular alteration is also reflected by functional changes. Disturbances of the various mitochondrial energy producing cycles appear to be responsible for detrusor dysfunction. Further investigations are necessary, especially clinical studies to corroborate these experimental findings. A better knowledge of the pathophysiology of vesical functional consequences of BPH would allow the use of new therapeutic categories of drugs.

[Renal adenocarcinoma in a two and a half year old child: Diagnosis, therapeutic management and 10-year followup]. / Adénocarcinome du rein chez une enfant de 2 ans 1/2: diagnostic, prise en charge thérapeutique et suivi à 10 ans.

Renal cell carcinoma is a rare tumour in children and is difficult to diagnose, often leading to inappropriate primary treatment with chemotherapy in Europe. The incidence of renal cell carcinoma is much lower than that of Wilms tumour. These two types can be associated, in which case Wilms tumour is the predominant tumour. However, pure renal cell carcinoma remains an exceptional tumour in children and appears to present an identical natural history and follow-up as in adults. The authors report the case of a two and a half year old child treated by surgery alone with a follow-up of 10 years without recurrence.

[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis]. / Oxygénothérapie hyperbare et cystite hémorragique post-radique.

Radiotherapy alone or in combination with other modalities is used in the treatment of a large number of pelvic tumours of urological or gynaecological origin. Despite constant progress in this field, medium-term and long-term complications remain frequent and often require difficult long-term management. Radiation cystitis is one of the most frequent complications and directly concerns urologists. Among the various treatment options for haemorrhagic cystitis, hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears to give good short-term and medium-term results. It is currently reserved for cases refractory to the standard treatments for radiation cystitis.