Prospective detection of clinically relevant prostate cancer in the prostate specific antigen range 1 to 3 ng./ml. combined with free-to-total ratio 20% or less: the Aarau experience.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the incidence rate and clinical relevance of prostate cancer in a low prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. In a prospective PSA based screening study we investigated the incidence and clinicopathological features of prostate cancer that occurred within PSA range 1 to 3 ng./ml. when the free-to-total ratio was 0.20 or less. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men participating in the Aarau, Switzerland, section of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer between October 1998 and July 2000 were included in the study. As a side study, all men with PSA between 1 and 3 ng./ml. and free-to-total ratio 0.20 or less were invited to undergo further evaluation with ultrasound guided sextant prostate biopsy. RESULTS: Overall, 168 (7.8%) participants fulfilled inclusion criteria. A total of 158 (94%) patients underwent prostate biopsy, and prostate cancer was detected in 17 (10.8%). There were no statistically significant differences between prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia in regard to patient age (60.7 versus 59.8 years), prostate volume (23.9 versus 23.0 cc), PSA (1.98 versus 1.86 ng./ml.), free-to-total ratio (0.161 versus 0.160), PSA density (0.089 versus 0.076 ng./ml.) or PSA transition zone density (0.33 versus 0.24 ng./ml., respectively). Median Gleason score was 5 on prostate biopsy versus 6 on retropubic prostatectomy specimen. Of the 14 patients who underwent surgery there were positive lymph nodes in 1, stage pT3b Gleason 7 disease in 1, and pathologically organ confined Gleason 5 in 2, Gleason 6 in 5 and Gleason 7 in 5. Mean tumor volume was 1.01 cc (range 0.02 to 5.17). There were 2 (14.3%) insignificant (less than 0.2 cc, Gleason grade 3 or less), 1 (7.1%) minimal (less than 0.5cc, Gleason grade 3 or less) and 11 (78.6%) clinically relevant and potentially harmful cancers. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant number of prostate cancer cases diagnosed at PSA as low as 1 to 3 ng./ml. A majority of these tumors are clinically significant. This free-to-total ratio range may be helpful for identifying prostate cancer. The "window of opportunity" for detection of curable cancer may change in populations with higher life expectancy towards lower PSA. Lack of specificity and characterization of tumor aggressiveness remains an unsolved issue for PSA.

Human glandular kallikrein as a tool to improve discrimination of poorly differentiated and non-organ-confined prostate cancer compared with prostate-specific antigen.

OBJECTIVES: Human glandular kallikrein (hK2) possesses 80% structure identity with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and is secreted by identical prostate epithelial cells. Although increasing with pathologic stage, PSA is not clinically sufficient to predict histologic grade and pathologic stage of prostate cancer (PCa) in individual cases. To address this issue, serum hK2 in various PCa grades was investigated. METHODS: Sera from 122 consecutive patients with PCa, graded as well-differentiated (G1, n = 35); moderately differentiated (G2, n = 61), and poorly differentiated (G3, n = 26) PCa, was studied. In patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (n = 42), 24 had organ-confined (pT2a-b) and 18 extracapsular (pT3a or greater) disease. hK2 was measured by an indirect immunofluorometric assay with a functional sensitivity of 0.03 ng/mL. Total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA), and PSA bound to alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT) were also measured. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for evaluation of the best combinations of tumor markers. RESULTS: Median hK2 and tPSA increased twofold from G1 to G2 tumors (hK2 0.07 versus 0.14 ng/mL, P <0.002; tPSA 6.1 versus 12.1 ng/mL, P <0.0002). Between G2 and G3 tumors, hK2 increased threefold (0.14 versus 0.43 ng/mL, P <0.02), and tPSA showed no significant increase (12.1 versus 26.5 ng/mL, P <0.18). The f/t PSA ratio decreased between G1 and G2 cancers (0.15 vs. 010, P <0.001); no difference was found between G2 and G3 tumors (0.10 versus 0.11, P = 0.93). However, the hK2/fPSA ratio distinguished between G1 and G3 tumors and G2 and G3 tumors (0.085 [G1] and 0.11 [G2] versus 0.22 [G3], P <0.0002 and P <0.002, respectively). Using multivariate regression analysis, the fPSA/(tPSA x hK2) ratio differentiated G2 and G3 tumors (P <0.01). In the tPSA range of 3 to 15 ng/mL, hK2, the hK2/fPSA ratio, and the fPSA/(tPSA x hK2) ratio differentiated between the G1/G2 and G3 tumors, and tPSA, the f/t PSA ratio, and PSA-ACT did not. In radical prostatectomy cases, hK2 (0.06 versus 0. 156, P <0.005) and the fPSA/(tPSA x hK2) ratio (2.104 versus 0.828, P <0.005) discriminated between pT2a-b and pT3a or greater PCa. CONCLUSIONS: hK2 significantly improved the identification of poorly differentiated (G3) tumors compared with PSA. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the hK2/fPSA and fPSA/(tPSA x hK2) ratios further improved the detection of PCa grade. This improvement was also seen with the intermediate range of tPSA. hK2 was also helpful in the prediction of organ-confined disease. Thus, hK2 may be a useful tool for more accurate prediction of tumor grade or stage and allow better clinical decision-making.

Enhanced expression of prostate-specific antigen in the transition zone of the prostate. A characterization following prostatectomy for benign hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the serum levels of total prostate-specific antigen (t-PSA), free PSA (f-PSA) and PSA complexed to alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT) result from different expressions in various prostatic zones. METHODS: In a series of 127 consecutive men undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for BPH between May 1995 and February 1996, t-PSA, f-PSA (ProStatus, Wallac) and PSA-ACT were measured before and 3-4 months after surgery. Pre- and postoperative prostate volumes were measured by TRUS. Resected tissue was assumed to be the transition zone (TZ) while postoperative volume was defined as peripheral zone (including the central one) (CPZ). Pre- and postoperative serum PSA was related to pre- and postoperative volume and resected tissue to the difference between pre- and postoperative serum PSA, respectively. The serum PSA per 1 g tissue was calculated. Group I consisted of 96 historically proven BPH with no signs of inflammation, group II of 19 BPH patients with transurethral catheters inserted sometime prior to surgery to relieve urinary retention, and group III of 12 patients with incidental carcinomas. RESULTS: In patients undergoing TURP without prior catheterization (group I) t-PSA (group I) declined from median 3.43 to 0.96 ng/ml after TURP by 72%, even though the prostate volume did so only by 44%, whereas the ratio free-to-total (f/t) PSA remained stable (median 24.9% pre- vs. 26.6% postoperatively). The TZ expressed approximately 2.7-fold more t-PSA than the remaining CPZ: median 0.14 vs. 0.052 ng/ml/g, respectively, and as to f-PSA it did so likewise: median 0.032 vs. 0.012 ng/ml/g, respectively. With transurethral catheterization prior to surgery (group II) the t-PSA density within whole prostate increased 1.4-fold as compared to this density without such catheterization: from median 0.089 (group I) to 0.13 ng/ml/g tissue, respectively (p < 0.007), and within the TZ alone 1.6-fold elevation from median 0.14 to 0.23 ng/ml/g, respectively (p < 0.02) was observed. In incidental carcinoma (group III) a reduced ratio of f/t PSA of 11.7% in the TZ as compared to 22.1% in the CPZ (22.1%) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In BPH both t-PSA and f-PSA are predominantly expressed within the TZ, which could help to improve the specificity of the PSA density in cancer detection by using the sum of the t-PSA densities of the TZ and CPZ: (0.14 ng/ml/g x TZ) + (0.052 ng/ml/g x CPZ). It is the first time that the supposed origin of the incidental carcinoma (from the TZ) is confirmed biochemically by a f/t PSA ratio exclusively reduced in the TZ but not in the CPZ. The post-TURP unchanged free-to-total ratio (26.6%) may be useful for the early detection of cancer in patients followed up after TURP.

In prostatism patients the ratio of human glandular kallikrein to free PSA improves the discrimination between prostate cancer and benign hyperplasia within the diagnostic "gray zone" of total PSA 4 to 10 ng/mL.

OBJECTIVES: Human glandular kallikrein (hK2) possesses approximately 80% structure identity with prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Moreover, messenger ribonucleic acid for hK2 and for PSA is expressed in both benign and malignant prostatic tissue. We investigated whether the hK2 serum measurement may improve the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with total PSA of 4 to 10 ng/mL (diagnostic "gray zone"). METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 90 consecutive male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and total PSA values of 4 to 10 ng/mL. Eighty-one patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate and 6 radical prostatectomy. The patients were divided into two groups: I, patients with PCa (n = 20) and II, patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n = 70). An "in-house" immunofluorometric assay with analytical sensitivity of 0.01 ng/mL and the functional sensitivity of 0.05 ng/mL (at this level the mean coefficient of variation, calculated from the precision profile based on the assays of serum samples, was less than 20%) was used to determine serum hK2 concentrations. Total PSA, free PSA (ProStatus), and PSA complexed to alpha1-antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT) were also measured. Free/total PSA, hK2/total PSA, and hK2/free PSA ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The serum hK2 could be detected in all samples and in 76 (84.4%) of 90 samples (PCa, n = 18; BPH, n = 58) at given functional sensitivity level. For these cases the median concentration of hK2 was 0.135 ng/mL in PCa and 0.09 ng/mL in BPH (P < 0.1). The median hK2/total PSA ratio was 2% for PCa and 1.6% for BPH (P < 0.2). The median free/total PSA ratio was 0.122 for PCa and 0.215 for BPH (P < 0.0008) and the hK2/free PSA ratio was 0.139 for PCa and 0.075 for BPH (P < 0.000003). At a 7.2% cutoff, the specificity of hK2/free PSA ratio was 48.2% at 100% sensitivity and increased to 60.3% at 94.4% sensitivity level (the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.86). In comparison, the free/total PSA ratio at a 25.2% cutoff had a sensitivity of 94.4% and a specificity of 27.6% (area under the curve = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: hK2 was detected in all sera with total PSA values of 4 to 10 ng/mL. Of particular clinical interest is the finding that the hK2/free PSA ratio had a better specificity without loss of sensitivity for PCa than total PSA or the PSA free/total ratio within the range of 4 to 10 ng/mL total PSA. hK2 in combination with free PSA may offer a new diagnostic means for PCa detection.

Free-to-total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio improves the specificity for detecting prostate cancer in patients with prostatism and intermediate PSA levels.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of the free-to-total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio in improving the specificity of PSA measurement for detecting prostate cancer within the diagnostic intermediate range (4-10 ng/mL total PSA) in patients referred for the treatment of urinary symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 333 consecutive patients with obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms. Of these men, 114 had total PSA levels of 4-10 ng/mL; 22 had prostate cancer (group 1) and 71 had benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, group 2). Group 3 consisted of 21 patients with BPH and a chronic indwelling catheter. The concentrations of free and total PSA (ProStatus, Wallac Oy, Turku, Finland) and PSA complexed to alpha-1-antichymotrypsin were measured and the free-to-total PSA ratio calculated. All patients under 70 years of age or with suspicious findings on digital rectal examination or transrectal ultrasonography underwent ultrasound-guided sextant prostate biopsies. Of the 114 patients, 105 (92%) underwent transurethral resection of the prostate and six (5%) radical retropubic prostatectomy. RESULTS: Patients in group 1 had significantly lower median free PSA concentrations (0.78 ng/mL vs 1.13 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and a lower free-to-total PSA ratio (12.1% vs 19.9%, P < 0.001) than those in group 2. The differences were similar between group 1 and group 3 (median free PSA in group 3, 1.06 ng/mL, P = 0.03, and free-to-total PSA ratio 18.7%, P = 0.007). There were no significant differences between patients in groups 2 and 3. The free-to-total PSA ratio had a higher specificity than total PSA at all sensitivity levels, e.g. a threshold free-to-total PSA ratio of 0.20 detected 91% of cancers and spared 48% (group 2) or 46% (group 3) from unnecessary biopsies. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for group 1 vs group 2 was 0.56 (total PSA) and 0.78 (free-to-total PSA ratio) and for group 1 vs group 3 was 0.56 (total PSA) and 0.81 (free-to-total PSA ratio). CONCLUSION: In those patients with extensive symptoms from BPH and requiring surgical treatment, the free-to-total PSA ratio improves the specificity for detecting prostate cancer in the diagnostic 'grey zone' of 4-10 ng/mL total PSA. This improvement occurred in patients with or without a chronic indwelling catheter for urinary retention.

The importance of human glandular kallikrein and its correlation with different prostate specific antigen serum forms in the detection of prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Human glandular kallikrein (hK2), the prostate specific antigen (PSA) close homologue, possesses approximately 80% structure identity with PSA. The identification of PSA was an important step in the detection of prostate carcinoma (PCa). Thus, hK2 measurement in the serum has the potential to become another important diagnostic test for PCa. In the current study, the authors measured the serum concentrations of the hK2 with "in-house" immunofluorometric assays in different patient groups. The correlation between serum hK2 and different PSA forms was investigated. METHODS: The prospectively collected serum samples were obtained preoperatively on admission from 311 consecutive male patients. Sixteen patients did not fulfill inclusion criteria; the remaining patients were divided into four groups (Groups I-III confirmed histologically): Group I: patients with PCa (n = 56); Group II: patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n = 163); Group III: patients with BPH with a chronic in-dwelling catheter (BPH cat) (n = 44); and Group IV-control group (n = 32). The patients in Group IV had urolithiasis, varicocele, or kidney or bladder tumors). An experimental immunofluorometric assay with an analytic sensitivity of 0.01 ng/mL and a functional sensitivity of 0.05 ng/mL was used to determine serum hK2 concentrations. Total PSA, free PSA, and PSA complexed to alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT) also were measured. hK2 concentrations equal to or above the functional sensitivity limit were correlated with each of these PSA serum forms. Free to total PSA, hK2 to total PSA, and hK2 to free PSA ratios were calculated and compared in different patient groups. RESULTS: The hK2 concentrations were equal to or above the functional sensitivity limit in 179 of 311 samples (57.6%). In these samples, hK2 correlated best with free PSA (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.79) and correlated well with total PSA (r = 0.72) and PSA-ACT (r = 0.74). Similar correlations also could be observed when each clinical group was analyzed separately. The median proportion of hK2 in relation to total PSA was 2.1%, 1.8%, and 1.4%, respectively, for PCa, BPH, and BPH cat patients. Both the free to total PSA ratio and the hK2 to free PSA ratio discriminated well between PCa and BPH patients. Within the range of total PSA of 4-10 ng/mL (PCa [n = 11] and BPH [n = 41]) the hK2 to free PSA ratio had a specificity of 63.4% and 90.9% sensitivity (area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve = 0.85) whereas the free to total PSA ratio had a 34.1% specificity at the same sensitivity level (area under ROC curve = 0.74). CONCLUSIONS: The hK2 serum level correlates well with all PSA serum forms in all clearly defined clinical groups. The preliminary finding that the hK2 to free PSA ratio appeared to improve the detection of PCa compared with the free to total PSA ratio in patients with total PSA within a 4-10 ng/mL range is of clinical interest. Combining human serine proteases in the multivariate regression analysis will be a tool to improve cancer detection. Further investigations with more sensitive hK2 assays and in larger patient populations are needed to confirm this finding.

An intra-operative seminal and prostate emission test as a control for nerve-sparing procedures in primary and secondary retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of an intra-operative electrostimulatory test of post-ganglionic nerves for the preservation of ejaculation in primary and secondary retroperitoneal lymph-node dissection (RLND). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1991 and 1994, 21 patients with non-seminomatous testicular cancer of clinical stage A and 15 patients with bulky or clinical stage C disease underwent primary or secondary RLND, respectively. During surgery, post-ganglionic nerves were electrostimulated at 30 Hz and up to 20 V, for 3-10 s. Emissions were recorded simultaneously by suprapubic ultrasonography of the seminal vesicals and bladder neck (in 36 patients) and by endoscopy of the posterior urethra (in 11 patients). RESULTS: A positive intra-operative emission test in 15 pathological stage A (with bilateral nerve-sparing) and six pathological stage B (with contralateral nerve-sparing) patients predicted the post-operative preservation of antegrade ejaculation. In the group undergoing secondary RLND, the test allowed the identification and sparing of the emission-related nerves in four of 15 patients with a residual mass consisting of necrosis/fibrosis, and preserved antegrade ejaculation after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A positive result in the seminal emission test predicted the preservation of antegrade ejaculation after surgery. The test is not necessary in patients with clinical stage A disease, but improves the chances of reducing morbidity. If the residual mass consists of necrosis or fibrosis, then electrostimulation during secondary RLND can help to identify important nerve structures when their origin is unknown initially. However, attempts to retain nerve function must not jeopardize the patient's survival. The test can be an option for clinical stage B disease with initial bilateral RLND, to identify and preserve emission-relevant nerves while the retroperitoneal space is removed radically. The test may also give additional information about the physiology of emission.

Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty: preliminary report.

As a reconstructive laparoscopic procedure, dismembered pyeloplasty was done in 5 patients: the laparoscopic procedure was completed in 4 and converted to an open operation in 1. Within this series operative time decreased from 390 to 190 minutes. The main operating time was devoted to laparoscopic suturing of the anastomosis. Spreading the renal pelvis by either pulling the sutures transcutaneously or with intra-abdominal stay sutures improved visualization and facilitated the anastomosis. Mean postoperative hospitalization was 8 days (range 7 to 10). After a mean followup of 9 months (range 6 to 15) excretory urography and renal scintigraphy revealed significant radiographic improvement and no obstruction in 4 patients. Compared to open pyeloplasty and endo-pyelotomy, laparoscopic pyeloplasty may combine the advantages of open surgery (excision of the stenosis and reduction of the renal pelvis) with those of minimally invasive surgery (minimal postoperative morbidity), provided the operative time can be shortened and the technique simplified.

Incidence of erectile impotence secondary to transurethral resection of benign prostatic hyperplasia, assessed by preoperative and postoperative Snap Gauge tests.

In an attempt to assess the impotence rate secondary to transurethral resection of the prostate more objectively than by merely interviewing patients, potency was evaluated with the Snap-Gauge test. The test was used preoperatively to recruit patients with intact potency. The 98 patients studied underwent transurethral resection of the prostate and were retested during postoperative night 4. Of the 98 patients 64 remained potent while 34 did not. These 34 men were retested 3 months later, and 26 were potent and 8 were impotent. Therefore, 8 of 98 patients (8.3%) became impotent as a consequence of transurethral resection of the prostate. The risk specific to subgroups in cases of small (less than 10 gm. resectable tissue) and larger adenomas is 11.1% and 7.7%, respectively, for men older than 65 years, and 7.1% and 0%, respectively, for men younger than 65 years. A selective indication taking into account patient age and prostatic size might further lower the already low impotence risk of transurethral resection of the prostate.

[Balloon dilatation vs. prostatic transurethral resection in stages I-II prostatic adenoma]. / Ballondilatation vs. TUR-P beim Prostataadenom St. I-II.

Thirty consecutive patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy St. I-II (adenom weight < 25g) were treated either by balloon dilatation (Group I) or transurethral resection (group II). Peak flow, residual urine and voided urine did not improve after balloon dilatation in a follow-up of 9 months. In contrast peak flow enhanced after TUR-P from 10.4 ml/sec. to 21.9 ml/sec. Residual urine reduced from 65 ml to 30. In group I obstructive symptom score (6.1 > 4.5) and irritative symptom score (5.5 > 3.6) decreased after 9 months, TUR-P resulted in a greater reduction of obstructive score (7.4 > 1.6) and irritative score (6.0 > 2.4). This study with selected patients does not support indications for balloon dilatation.

Monitoring of emission as direct intraoperative control for nerve sparing retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy.

An intraoperative test to identify emission relevant lumbar postganglionic nerves during nerve sparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is presented. The neurophysiological course of the ejaculation into the posterior urethra, the emission, is described. A retroperitoneal nerve sparing procedure was done for nonseminomatous testicular tumors bilaterally in 7 patients with pathological stage I disease and unilaterally in 4 with pathological stage IIa disease. While the isolated lumbar nerves were electrostimulated, the seminal vesicles and bladder neck were monitored by suprapubic transvesical sonography. Simultaneously, endoscopy of the posterior urethra was performed and time code was registered. Emission began with bladder neck closure, propulsive contraction of the seminal vesicles in the periphery and opening of the paracollicular region. Then, complete contraction of the seminal vesicles was associated with closure of the prostatic urethra and ended in the separate secretion from the ductuli prostatici and ejaculatorii. Descending from nerve L1 to L3, their importance for emission usually increased. For intraoperative monitoring of emission transvesical sonography alone is sufficient. In 2 patients this method allowed us to identify the relevant nerves within the retroperitoneal residual mass (fibrosis) after chemotherapy.

[Initial experience with surgical uro-laparoscopy]. / Erste Erfahrungen mit der operativen Uro-Laparoskopie.

Preliminary experience with uro-laparoscopy was retrospectively analyzed to determine whether patients profited from the laparoscopic procedure. Between August 1991 und July 1993 we performed 53 operations laparoscopically. Four more began in this way but ended in open surgery. 29 varicocele procedures were carried out. A reduced postoperative morbidity, and hence a benefit, were obvious in 3/29 patients with bilateral varicocele, but probably not in the remaining 26/29 patients affected only on the left side. 13 pelvic lymphadenectomies in patients with prostatic carcinoma T1-3, elevated prostatic acid phosphatase, a PSA > 30 ng/ml and/or a suspected N+ on CT, served to identify 10 pN0 and 3 pN1 patients. Four of the pN0 patients with a T3 tumor were given radiotherapy. Six with a T2 tumor underwent radical prostatectomy, four with margin-negative specimens benefited from laparoscopic lymphadenectomy by securing a curative operation which according to established rules would otherwise have been withheld. Two patients with margin-positive specimens suffered harm from laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, which had led to a needless operation. Another lymphadenectomy performed on one more patient suffering from deep venous thrombosis of the left leg associated with pelvic lymphadenopathy established the benign histology of the enlarged lymph nodes with minimal morbidity. 10 nephrectomies were carried out for benign, clinically relevant lesions of the kidney, which are rare. They produced a clear-cut benefit for all patients as the postoperative morbidity was minimal. We conclude that the present indications for uro-laparoscopic procedures are either disputable or rare.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Observations on the course of ejaculation in the posterior urethra]. / Beobachtungen zum Ablauf der Ejakulation in die hintere Harnröhre.

Nine patients underwent retroperitoneal nerve-sparing lymph node dissection for bilateral nonseminomatous testicular tumours (path. St. I disease). While the isolated lumbar nerves L1, L2, L3 were electrostimulated (30 Hz, 5-20 V), the activity of these seminal vesicles, bladder neck and posterior urethra was recorded by way of suprapubic transvesical sonography and/or endoscopy. Emission started simultaneously on three different levels: contraction of the seminal vesicles in the periphery, bladder neck closure, and opening of the paracollicular space. Contraction of the seminal vesicles extends to the midline; the prostatic urethra closes, starting at the bladder neck. Secretion from the ductuli prostatici (milky) and from the ductucli ejaculatorii (transparent) follow. It was confirmed by the detection of PSA (11,000-21,000 ng/ml) in the ejaculate that prostatic secretion is also present in it. The significance of the postganglionic nerves for emission increased from L1 to L3. In three patients with salvage lymph node dissection the above-mentioned ultrasound monitoring allowed differentiate nerves relevant to emission from those not involved, allowing more comprehensive retroperitoneal resection.

Quantitative determination of urinary marker proteins: a model to detect intrarenal bioeffects after extracorporeal lithotripsy.

To detect the source of relevant acute intrarenal side effects after extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy and its impact on repeat treatment, urinary excretion of highly specific marker proteins was determined before (day-1) and after (days 0, 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21) treatment. Marker proteins included high molecular weight alpha-2-macroglobulin, immunoglobulin G, albumin, alpha-1-microglobulin as well as the enzyme N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. Of 50 patients who underwent 4,000 shock waves to caliceal stones (group 1) 15 were identically retreated after 5 (group 2) or 15 (group 3) days, respectively, to determine the shortest safe interval to repeat extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy. The course of lithotripsy damage was also evaluated in 15 pre-damaged kidneys (group 4). The alpha-2-macroglobulin enhancement found in all groups on day 0 (p less than 0.005 to p less than 0.05) documented intrarenal bleeding from ruptured vessels. Ratios of alpha-2-macroglobulin/albumin greater than 2.00 on days 0 and 1 exclude a glomerular source of gross hematuria (groups 1 to 4). There was only slight acute tubular damage after extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase increase, p less than 0.05 for groups 1 to 4). Retreatment after 5 days did not enhance the amount of proteinuria compared to the same patients from group 1 (statistically significant at p less than 0.45 to p less than 0.10). Group 3 also showed a similar elevation of proteinuria as the identical patients pretreated 15 days previously. Thus, the data seem to suggest that early repeat sessions of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy are as safe as delayed retreatments. The course of proteinuria in group 4 did not suggest enhancement of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy damage in pre-injured kidneys. The urinary marker alpha-2-macroglobulin detects intrarenal vessel ruptures, which are responsible for intrarenal hematomas, as evidenced by animal and human histology. A model is offered to understand and detect the most important parenchymal bioeffects to minimize the risk of injury.

[Check-ups from the urologic viewpoint]. / Check-up--urologische Sicht.

A medical check-up must comprise questions concerning not only the micturition but also the erection. Erectile dysfunction may lead to the detection of a hitherto undiagnosed diabetes or of arteriosclerotic lesions requiring treatment. The physical examination must include a digital rectal examination, in order to find a prostatic carcinoma in an early stage in which the radical operation most often will achieve disease free survival.

The ileal S-pouch for bladder replacement after cystectomy: preliminary report of 7 cases.

In 7 patients with deeply infiltrating bladder cancer an ileal S-pouch was constructed for bladder replacement after radical cysto-vesiculo-prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. The operative technique and early clinical results are described.

Adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy of superficial bladder cancer with monthly doxorubicin or intensive mitomycin. A comparison of two consecutive series.

120 patients with the first occurrence of TNM stage Ta or T1 bladder carcinoma were given adjuvant intravesical treatment in 2 consecutive series. The first 60 received doxorubicin monthly for 6 months, then on the 9th and 12th month following surgery. The second series was given mitomycin weekly for 2 months, then monthly to the end of the first year. Median follow-up is 48 months in the first series and 15 in the second. In the doxorubicin group, 28 patients had recurrences. The recurrence rate is 1.86/100 patient-months. Seventeen of these first relapses occurred within the first year. In the 'intensive' mitomycin series, where 36 patients were observed for 12 months or more, 3 relapsed. The recurrence rate to date is 0.35. The relapse-free survival probability at 12 months is 75% in the first series and 93% in the second. Treatment was stopped due to toxicity in 4 patients in the doxorubicin group and in 10 of the mitomycin group.