Systematic transperineal ultrasound guided template biopsy of the prostate in patients at high risk.

PURPOSE: A negative biopsy result does not necessarily equate with cancer in specific high risk groups. We describe an alternative systematic biopsy technique for evaluating this subgroup of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1997 to May 1999 a total of 88 men underwent systematic ultrasound guided biopsy using the transperineal template technique. All patients had undergone at least 1 and 75 (85%) had undergone 2 or more previous sets of biopsies. In addition, study inclusion required high risk parameters, including prostate specific antigen (PSA) velocity greater than 0.75 ng./ml., PSA greater than 10 ng./ml. or previous prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia on biopsy, and/or atypical small cell acinar proliferation. RESULTS: Cancer was identified in 38 of the 88 men (43%) in this high risk subgroup undergoing repeat biopsy. A mean of 15.1 previous biopsy cores had been obtained. The most common biopsy grade was 6 (range 4 to 9). Adenocarcinoma was identified in the transition zone area in 29 of 38 cases (76%), including 15 (39%) in which disease was detected in the transition zone only. Persistent PSA acceleration greater than 0.75 ng./ml. was the major indicator for transperineal template biopsy in 83 of the 88 patients (94%). The only significant independent variable predictive of positive biopsy was prostate volume. Mean prostate volume in the positive and negative biopsy groups was 48 and 73 gm., respectively (p <0.001). Complications were rare and self-limiting, consisting primarily of hematuria and urinary retention requiring overnight catheterization in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic transperineal template biopsy of the prostate is a safe and precise repeat biopsy technique in patients who remain at high risk for adenocarcinoma.

Efficacy and safety of valrubicin for the treatment of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin refractory carcinoma in situ of the bladder. The Valrubicin Study Group.

PURPOSE: We assess the efficacy and safety of intravesical valrubicin for the treatment of carcinoma in situ in patients with failure or recurrence after bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and who otherwise would have undergone cystectomy. Total anthracycline recovery in urine samples obtained within 24 hours of valrubicin administration was assessed in a subset of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 patients with recurrent carcinoma in situ after failed multiple prior courses of intravesical therapy, including at least 1 course of BCG, participated in this open label, noncomparative study. Each patient received 6 weekly instillations of 800 mg. intravesical valrubicin. Disease evaluations were made at baseline and 3-month intervals following treatment. Evaluations included cystoscopy with biopsy and urine cytology. Toxicity was noted throughout treatment and followup. No evidence of disease recurrence for 6 months or greater was considered a complete response. RESULTS: Of 90 patients 19 (21%) had a complete response, including 7 who remained disease-free at the last evaluation, with a median followup of 30 months. Additionally, 14 patients who did not meet the strict protocol definition of complete response had superficial Ta disease only. Median time to failure and/or last followup for complete responders was greater than 18 months. Recurrence has been noted in 79 patients to date, including only 2 with clinically advanced disease (stage T2). Of these 79 patients 44 (56%, 4 responders and 40 nonresponders) underwent radical cystectomy. Of the 41 patients with known pathological stage 6 (15%) had stage pT3 or greater at cystectomy. Four patients died of bladder cancer during the median followup of 30 months, none of whom was a complete responder or underwent cystectomy following valrubicin. The main side effects of valrubicin therapy were reversible local bladder symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Valrubicin was effective and well tolerated in patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder refractory to BCG therapy. Delaying cystectomy while attempting salvage therapy with valrubicin does not pose an undue risk to most patients.

Vesicourethral reconstruction in radical retropubic prostatectomy: an alternative technique.

PURPOSE: We review an alternative method of vesicourethral reconstruction in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 91 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated for an alternative technique for vesicourethral reconstruction which incorporates specific principles of direct suture anastomosis and the modified Vest technique. Perioperative and postoperative complications were reviewed. RESULTS: Total continence was reported in 80 of 91 patients (87.9%). Persistent moderate to severe incontinence was present in 1 patient and anastomotic stricture was identified in 7 (7.7%). Prolonged urinary extravasation was rare. CONCLUSIONS: This method of vesicourethral reconstruction appears to offer an efficient, reproducible alternative to direct suture anastomosis with acceptable complication rates.

Contraindications to needle aspiration of a solid renal mass: tumor dissemination by renal needle aspiration.

We report a case of tumor dissemination via needle aspiration of a solid hypovascular renal mass. This case emphasizes how needle aspiration of these masses does not always lead to proper management and may be detrimental to the patient.

The child with solitary hydronephrotic kidney.

The child with solitary hydronephrotic kidney has a prognosis different from that of the child with hydronephrosis and a normal contralateral kidney. We have reviewed a decade of experience with 31 children with solitary hydronephrotic kidney and have identified characteristics that point to either a favorable or unfavorable prognosis in these children.

The growing rabbit with a solitary, partially-obstructed kidney. Analysis of an experimental model with reference to the renal concentrating ability.

The systemic and renal effects of high partial ureteral obstruction were investigated in a new model of experimental hydronephrosis. The test group comprised 12 contralaterally nephrectomized growing male New Zealand rabbits. As compared to the pyelographic findings in 6 unilaterally nephrectomized control animals, the test group could be divided into partially obstructed but non-hydronephrotic and obstructed-hydronephrotic subgroups. Animals of all 3 groups were capable of increasing their weight during the first 2 postoperative months. The mean plasma creatinine concentration remained normal in the obstructed group and even hydronephrosis was compatible with a normal serum creatinine level. As studied during forced hypotonic expansion, the renal response to a vasopressin analogue was significantly different in all 3 animal groups. Reciprocal but less marked differences were noted in the animals' ability to retain water during this test. We conclude that in this experimental model the magnitude of the antidiuretic response is inversely related to the radiologically defined degree of obstruction.