Relationship between prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen serum levels and prostatic volume in benign prostate hyperplasia. Pitfall on tumor markers assessment in primary prostatic cancer?

Serum levels of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were measured in 78 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia and compared with both the gland weight and the glandular component of prostatic tissue. Both PAP and PSA were significantly higher where prostate was heavier; however, we could not find a consistent factor which could correlate weight increase to marker levels. PSA tended to be higher when glandular component was more expressed. From the present findings we conclude that in patients with prostate cancer, PAP and PSA serum levels should be investigated considering also the benign components of prostate gland.

Zoladex with or without flutamide in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer: interim analysis of an ongoing PONCAP study. Italian Prostatic Cancer Project (PONCAP).

Since March 1987, 304 evaluable patients with stage C and D prostate cancer have been entered into a prospective trial comparing Zoladex and Zoladex plus flutamide. To date, there has been no significant difference in over-all and progression-free survival between the 2 treatment groups. However, combined treatment produced a higher response rate (particularly in stage D patients) and a more rapid normalization of abnormal prostatic acid phosphatase levels. In addition, more prompt relief of bone pain was evident in the Zoladex plus flutamide group. However, significantly more side-effects were associated with combined treatment. These findings should be considered with caution because they form an interim analysis, and follow-up time is short. The results do suggest, however, that there is no particular advantage in using a combination of Zoladex plus flutamide compared to adding flutamide on failure of treatment with Zoladex alone.

Considerations regarding a case of leiomyoma of the urinary bladder.

In spite of its rarity, leiomyoma of the bladder deserves to be better known as its diagnosis is not always obvious, depending as it does mainly on urography confirmed by anatomo-pathological examination, and particularly because its treatment is simple and the prognosis always favourable, a fact worthy of note in dealing with a tumour of the bladder.

[Cutaneous urostomies: indications, technics, treatments]. / Urostomie cutanee: indicazioni, tecniche, cure.

The authors study the outer urinary derivations; place the indications to perform urostomies on the basis of the possible pathological situations; describe the technical modalities for every outer derivative operation concerning kidneys, ureters, vesica and urethra, respectively. They, at last, consider the eventual complications of such operations, and report about the therapeutical and prophylactic measures to be taken, with particular attention to the urine collecting devices.

Guided dilatation and transurethral resection in one session for treatment of post-prostatectomy obstructive complications.

53 patients presenting with post-prostatectomy obstructive complications above the colliculus seminalis were treated in a single session by means of guided dilatation of the stricture followed by transurethral resection of the stenosing fibrotic tissue. No failures or complications with the guided dilatation technique have been observed. The results obtained after resection in cases of bladder neck stenosis were very encourging. Unsatisfactory results were observed in cases of prostatic urethral stenosis because resection is not a technique sufficient for stable resolution of the obstruction.

Guided dilatation and transurethral resection in one session for the treatment of the postprostatectomy obstructive complications above the verumontanum.

53 patients presenting with post-prostatectomy obstructive complications above the verumontanum were treated in a single session by means of guided dilatation of the stricture followed by transurethral resection of the stenosing fibrotic tissue. The results obtained in cases of vesical neck stenosis were very encouraging. Unsatisfactory results were observed in cases of cervicoprostatic fibrosclerosis where resection was insufficient for resolution of the obstruction. No failures or complications with the guided dilatation technique have been observed.

Ureteric substitution with a tapered ileal loop. An experimental study.

The authors present their experience in replacement of the ureter by a tapered ileal loop over a 24-month period, in a group of 10 dogs. With regard to the morphological and functional behaviour of the neo-ureter, the results on the whole were considered satisfactory. However, some problems such as pyelonephritis, associated with obstruction due to mucosal hyperexcretion, remain unsolved at the present time.