T-helper 1 immunoreaction influences survival in muscle-invasive bladder cancer: proof of concept.

OBJECTIVE: To define immunoscore in bladder cancer studying T helper 1 (Th1) immunoreaction. To define a cancer-specific survival model based on Th1 cells infiltration. METHODS: A total of 252 patients underwent primary transurethral resection of bladder tumour at our Institution. A retrospective review of a selected cohort with pT1 and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) lesions was performed. Pathology blocks were marked with CD3 and CD8 antibodies. Immune cells density in stromal reaction (SR) was measured on five distinct high-power field (HPF) by two dedicated uro-pathologist blinded for patients' evolution. STATISTICS: Student test or non-parametric Wilcoxon test as appropriate to compare means between two groups. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve to define markers threshold. Cox model to assess survival's predictors. RESULTS: Ten pT1 and 20 MIBC consecutive cases were analysed. Median follow-up was 33.4 months. Immunohistological analysis for pT1 lesions featured limited SR. For MIBC, the mean density of lymphocytes in the SR was of 105/HPF (CD3) and 86/HPF (CD8). Survivors harboured higher lymphocytes densities versus non survivors (CD3: p = 0.0319; CD8: p = 0.0279). CD3 (p = 0.034) and CD8 (p = 0.034) lymphocytes densities were independently associated with cancer-specific survival on Cox model analyses. The retrospective design and small size of cohorts are the study limitations. CONCLUSIONS: High CD3 and CD8 lymphocytes SR densities are associated with better cancer-specific survival for MIBC. Th1 reaction against the tumour seems to be protective for bladder cancer. Further evaluation is warranted.

Current status of natural orifice trans-endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) in urologic surgery.

Laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) represent novel approaches in urological surgery. To perform a review of the literature in order describe the current status of LESS and NOTES in Urology. References for this manuscript were obtained by performing a review of the available literature in PubMed from 01-01-02 to 15-05-09. Search terms included single port, single site, NOTES, LESS and single incision. A total of 412 manuscripts were initially identified. Out of these, 64 manuscripts were selected based in their urological content. The manuscript features subheadings for experimental and clinical studies, as NOTES-LESS is a new surgical technique and its future evolution will probably rely in initial verified feasibility. A subheading for reviews presents information regarding common language and consensus for the techniques. The issue of complications published in clinical series and the future needs of NOTES-LESS, are also presented.

Current status of natural orifice trans-endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) in urologic surgery

Laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) represent novel approaches in urological surgery. To perform a review of the literature in order describe the current status of LESS and NOTES in Urology. References for this manuscript were obtained by performing a review of the available literature in PubMed from 01-01-02 to 15-05-09. Search terms included single port, single site, NOTES, LESS and single incision. A total of 412 manuscripts were initially identified. Out of these, 64 manuscripts were selected based in their urological content. The manuscript features subheadings for experimental and clinical studies, as NOTES-LESS is a new surgical technique and its future evolution will probably rely in initial verified feasibility. A subheading for reviews presents information regarding common language and consensus for the techniques. The issue of complications published in clinical series and the future needs of NOTES-LESS, are also presented.

Health and quality of life in urology: issues in general urology and urological oncology.

OBJECTIVES: Frequently, the term "quality of life" has been used to justify personal and professional decisions in all fields of medicine. Nowadays, quality of life studies are based on development and validation of sensitive measures of patient outcomes, incorporating functional status and perceived health status. Thus, quality of life has become an outcome as important as survival and effectiveness. METHODS: A systematic review using Pubmed and Medline was performed, searching for papers concerning health related quality of life and urology. The most relevant articles where questionnaires and interviews were described and validated were listed. RESULTS: Based on psychometric properties, a search between 1970 and 2007 identified a total of 25 recommendable articles with generic inventories and specific modules that have been developed, validated and used in clinical practice or research. Historical aspects, quality of life concepts, validation of questionnaires and structured interviews, and most used instruments in generic health-related quality of life, general urology and urological oncology have been discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A brief review of historic background of health related quality of life and urology was performed.

Salud y calidad de vida en Urologia: Aspectos en Urologia General y Oncológica / Health and quality of life in Urology: issues in General Urology and Urological Oncology

OBJETIVO: Con frecuencia, el término "calidad de vida" había sido utilizado para justificar decisiones personales y profesionales en todos los campos de la medicina. Hoy en día, el estudio de la calidad de vida se basa en el desarrollo y la validación de mediciones sensibles de los resultados de los pacientes incorporando el estado funcional con la percepción del estado de salud. Así, la calidad de vida (CV) se ha convertido en un resultado tan importante como la supervivencia y la eficacia.MÉTODOS: Una revisión sistemática usando Pubmed y Medline fue realizada, buscando artículos referentes a calidad de vida relacionados con la salud y la urología. Los artículos más relevantes donde los cuestionarios y las entrevistas fueron descritos y validados han sido listados y revisados.RESULTADOS: Una búsqueda entre 1970 y 2007 identificó un total de 25 artículos relacionados recomendables. De acuerdo con propiedades de la psicometría, los cuestionarios genéricos y los módulos específicos que se han desarrollado, validado y utilizado en la práctica e investigación clínica. Los aspectos históricos, definiciones relacionadas con la calidad de vida, validación de cuestionarios y estructuración de entrevistas, han sido utilizados en instrumentos que relacionan la calidad de vida a la salud general, urología general y la oncología urológica.CONCLUSIONES: Se realizo una revisión bibliográfica acerca de los aspectos históricos sobre calidad de vida y el estado de salud y como se interrelacionan en el área de la urología, verificándose su importancia actual en la práctica médica (AU)

OBJECTIVES: Frequently, the term "quality of life" has been used to justify personal and professional decisions in all fields of medicine. Nowadays, quality of life studies are based on development and validation aproofsensitive measures of patient outcomes, incorporating functional status and perceived health status. Thus, quality of life has become an outcome as important as survival and effectiveness.METHODS: A systematic review using Pubmed and Medline was performed, searching for papers concerning health related quality of life and urology. The most relevant articles where questionnaires and interviews were described and validated were listed.RESULTS: Based on psychometric proprieties, a search between 1970 and 2007 identified a total of 25 recommendable articles with generic inventories and specific modules that have been developed, validated and used in clinical practice or research. Historical aspects, quality of life concepts, validation of questionnaires and structured interviews, and most used instruments in generic health-related quality of life, general urology and urological oncology have been discussed.CONCLUSIONS: A brief review of historic background of health related quality of life and urology was performed (AU)

[Laparoscopic management of symptomatic urachal anomalies]. / Manejo laparoscópico de las anomalías sintomáticas del uraco.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired urachal anomalies are a rare pathology. Gold-standard treatment for this clinical situation remains the resection of the urachus in its entire tract with or without partial resection of the bladder. Our aim is to up-date authors's experience in the minimally invasive surgical treatment of acquired urachal disease. METHODS: From 2001 to 2007, 14 patients were operated for acquired urachal disease at our institution. A three portal technique previously described by the authors was employed. The diagnosis of acquired uracal disease was confirmed in all cases and the resection of the urachus in its entire tract performed in cephalocaudal direction onto the bladder. Operative and demographic data was prospectively collected and analysis retrospectively performed. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 63 minutes (45,110), minimal blood loss, and no conversions to open surgery or perioperative complications were verified. The majority of the patients were discharged in the first 24 hours. At a follow-up of 22 months no recurrences of urachal pathology recurrences have been verified. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy plays a significant role in the management of symptomatic urachus anomalies. It allows objective confirmation of clinical diagnosis and adequate resection of the urachus in a safe and efficient fashion, while providing the well-known advantages of minimally acces surgery. Preoperative evaluation work-up has minimal impact of therapeutical decision.

Manejo laparoscópico de las anomalías sintomáticas del uraco / Laparoscopic management of symptomatic urachal anomalies

Introducción: Las anomalías uracales son una patología poco frecuente, el tratamiento aceptado consiste en la resección del uraco en todo su trayecto con o sin resección parcial de la vejiga. Nuestro objetivo es actualizar nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento de anomalías sintomáticas del uraco mediante cirugía de mínimo acceso. Pacientes y Métodos: Entre los años 2001 y 2007 se operaron 14 pacientes con anomalías adquiridas sintomáticas del uraco en nuestra institución. Se utilizó una técnica de tres portales previamente descrita por los autores, mediante la cual se realiza abordaje de la cavidad abdominal, confirmación del diagnóstico clínico inicial y resección del uraco en todo su trayecto en sentido cráneo caudal hasta la vejiga. Los datos demográficos y operatorios fueron recolectados de manera prospectiva y el análisis se realizó retrospectivamente. Resultados: El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 63 minutos (45, 110) con sangrado mínimo, sin casos de conversión ysin complicaciones asociadas a la técnica. La gran mayoría de los pacientes egresó durante las primeras 24 horas. En un tiempo promedio de seguimiento de 22 meses no se han reportado recurrencias de la patología uracal. Conclusión: La laparoscopia juega un importante papel en el manejo de las anomalías sintomáticas del uraco, ya que permite confirmar el diagnóstico clínico y realizar la resección del uraco de manera segura y eficaz, aportando las ya conocidas ventajas de la cirugía de mínimo acceso. Los estudios de evaluación preoperatoria son de poca utilidad en la confirmación de esta patología (AU)

Introduction: Acquired urachal anomalies are a rare pathology. Gold-standard treatment for this clinical situation remains the resection of the urachus in its entire tract with or without partial resection of the bladder. Our aim is to up-date authors´s experience in the minimally invasive surgical treatment of acquired urachal disease. Methods: From 2001 to 2007, 14 patients were operated for acquired urachal disease at our institution. A three portal technique previously described by the authors was employed. The diagnosis of acquired uracal disease was confirmed in all cases and the resection of the urachus in its entire tract performed in cephalo caudal direction onto the bladder. Operative and demographic data was prospectively collected and analysis retrospectively performed. Results: Mean operative time was 63 minutes (45,110), minimal blood loss, and no conversions to open surgery or perioperative complications were verified. The majority of the patients were discharged in the first 24 hours. At a follow-up of 22months no recurrences of urachal pathology recurrences have been verified. Conclusions: Laparoscopy plays a significant role in the management of symptomatic urachus anomalies. It allows objective confirmation of clinical diagnosis and adequate resection of the urachus in a safe and efficient fashion, while providing the well-known advantages of minimally acces surgery. Preoperative evaluation work-up has minimal impact of therapeutical decision (AU)

A 16-year clinical experience with intermittent androgen deprivation for prostate cancer: oncological results.

OBJECTIVE: To present oncological results with intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) in a single center. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2008, 566 patients with prostate cancer (PC) were selected for a non-randomized study of IAD. Two hundred and eighteen patients had biochemical recurrence (BCR) after local treatment for PC and 348 patients had micro- or macro-metastatic disease. On-treatment period (ONTP) consisted of three-monthly injections of gonadatropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist combined with daily oral androgen receptor antagonist. Off-treatment period (OFTP) was indicated when prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was <4 ng/ml. Criteria for resumption of hormonal therapy were PSA >20 ng/ml or clinical symptoms. Cancer specific survival curves were computed according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 81 months (12-230). Median age was 74.7 years (52-92). Median Gleason score at diagnosis was 7 (3-9). Median initial PSA was 17 ng/ml (0.4-433). Cycle duration decreased progressively from 23 months for the 1st cycle to 10 months at 12th cycle. The number of patients who became hormone resistant was 182 (32%). Median cancer specific survival probability for the series is 12 (10.8-infinity) years. No previous treatment group showed a higher cancer specific survival probability (log rank test, CI 95%, P = 0.003) versus BCR group. Multivariate analysis of cancer specific survival demonstrates age, initial Gleason score and initial PSA level as significant factors affecting mortality (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent androgen deprivation is an acceptable treatment in different stages of PC. Duration of cycle decreased progressively during therapy. Age, Gleason score and PSA are factors predicting mortality.