Onco-TESE: obtención de espermatozoides tras orquiectomía radical por tumor testicular y azoospermia / ONCO-TESE: Obtaining spermatozoa after radical orchiectomy for testicular tumour and azoospermia

Objetivo: Existe la posibilidad de diagnosticar una azoospermia en caso de tumor testicular en pacientes que desean preservar su fertilidad. Nuestro objetivo es presentar una técnica de obtención de espermatozoides del testículo con tumor ex-vivo con el fin de preservar la fertilidad en estos pacientes. Material y métodos: Paciente de 34 años, remitido por azoospermia. A la exploración física presenta nódulo en polo inferior del testículo izquierdo. En la ecografía escrotal, el testículo presentaba microcalcificaciones dispersas y una masa hipoecoica de 1 cm en el polo inferior. Los marcadores tumorales fueron negativos y el TC no evidenció enfermedad a distancia. Se realizó orquiectomía radical izquierda más colocación de prótesis testicular. Posteriormente se practicó cirugía de banco con extracción de túbulos seminíferos en el polo superior. Resultados: De las muestras remitidas se identificaron 4 espermatozoides móviles progresivos y uno no progresivo por campo, realizando criopreservación de 2 muestras. El informe anatomopatológico informó de la presencia de un seminoma de 1,3 × 1 cm con márgenes libres y sin invasión de la rete testis (estadio I). Se realizó una técnica de reproducción asistida tipo ICSI a su pareja con los espermatozoides congelados con el resultado de embarazo, y posterior nacimiento de un niño vivo y sano. Conclusión: Proponemos que la realización de esta técnica es el método de elección para la obtención de espermatozoides en pacientes que presenten conjuntamente una azoospermia con tumor testicular y que deseen preservar su fertilidad

Objective: There is the possibility of diagnosing azoospermia in cases of testicular tumours in patients who wish to preserve fertility. Our objective is to present a technique for obtaining spermatozoa from testicles with ex vivo tumours in order to preserve fertility in these patients. Material and methods: A 34-year-old patient was referred for azoospermia. The physical examination revealed a node in the lower pole of the left testicle. In the scrotal ultrasound, the testicle presented disperse microcalcifications and a 1-cm hypoechoic mass in the lower pole. The tumour markers were negative, and the CT showed no distant disease. Left radical orchiectomy was performed, along with the placement of a testis prosthesis. Bench surgery was then performed, with extraction of the seminiferous tubules in the upper pole. Results: Of the submitted samples, 4 progressive and 1 nonprogressive motile spermatozoa were identified per field. Two samples were cryopreserved. The pathological report indicated the presence of a seminoma measuring 1.3 × 1 cm, with free margins and with no invasion of the rete testis (stage I). An assisted reproduction technique (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) was performed on the patient's partner with the frozen spermatozoa, which resulted in pregnancy and the subsequent birth of a healthy child. Conclusion: We propose this technique as the method of choice for obtaining spermatozoa from patients who simultaneously present azoospermia and testicular tumours and who wish to preserve their fertility

ONCO-TESE: Obtaining spermatozoa after radical orchiectomy for testicular tumour and azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: There is the possibility of diagnosing azoospermia in cases of testicular tumours in patients who wish to preserve fertility. Our objective is to present a technique for obtaining spermatozoa from testicles with ex vivo tumours in order to preserve fertility in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 34-year-old patient was referred for azoospermia. The physical examination revealed a node in the lower pole of the left testicle. In the scrotal ultrasound, the testicle presented disperse microcalcifications and a 1-cm hypoechoic mass in the lower pole. The tumour markers were negative, and the CT showed no distant disease. Left radical orchiectomy was performed, along with the placement of a testis prosthesis. Bench surgery was then performed, with extraction of the seminiferous tubules in the upper pole. RESULTS: Of the submitted samples, 4 progressive and 1 nonprogressive motile spermatozoa were identified per field. Two samples were cryopreserved. The pathological report indicated the presence of a seminoma measuring 1.3 × 1 cm, with free margins and with no invasion of the rete testis (stage I). An assisted reproduction technique (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) was performed on the patient's partner with the frozen spermatozoa, which resulted in pregnancy and the subsequent birth of a healthy child. CONCLUSION: We propose this technique as the method of choice for obtaining spermatozoa from patients who simultaneously present azoospermia and testicular tumours and who wish to preserve their fertility.

Afectación vesical metastásica del cáncer de mama / Metastatic urinary bladder involvement in breast cancer

OBJETIVO: Aportar a la literatura tres casos poco habituales de tumor primario de mama con metástasis a vejiga. MÉTODO: Presentación de los tres casos clínicos y revisión de la literatura. RESULTADO: Se trataba de tres mujeres con una edad media de 49,3 años, diagnosticadas de carcinoma mamario lobulillar infiltrante. Dos de ellas presentaron hematuria tras el diagnóstico de cáncer de mama. La tercera se diagnostica como hallazgo incidental tras TAC de control. Al diagnóstico de las metástasis vesicales ya presentaban implantes en otros órganos. El tratamiento en los tres casos fue paliativo. Las pacientes fallecieron por enfermedad cáncer específica. CONCLUSIONES: La presencia de metástasis vesicales por cáncer de mama son infrecuentes. La aparición de síntomas del tracto urinario en estas pacientes requiere de un estudio diagnóstico con el fin de descartar dichas metástasis

OBJECTIVE: To contribute to the literature with three unusual cases of primary breast tumor with metastasis to the urinary bladder. METHODS: Presentation of the three clinical cases and bibliographic review. RESULTS: Three women, with an average age of 49.3 years, were diagnosed with invasive lobular breast carcinoma. Two of them suffered from hematuria after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The third patient was diagnosed incidentally after a routine CT scan. Upon diagnosis of the bladder metastases, they already had metastasis in other locations. The treatment of the three cases was palliative. The cause of death was due to additional pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of bladder metastases due to breast cancer is infrequent. The appearance of urinary tract symptoms in these patients requires a diagnostic study in order to rule out metastases

Microdeleciones del gen AZF: serie de casos y revisión de la literatura / AZF gene microdeletions: Case series and literature review

Objetivo: Aproximadamente un 10% de los pacientes con azoospermia no obstructiva y un 5% de pacientes con oligozoospermia severa presentan microdeleciones en las regiones azoospermic factor (AZF) del cromosoma Y. El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar las características clínicas y patológicas de estos pacientes y compararlos con la literatura previa. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 11 pacientes con diagnóstico de azoospermia u oligozoospermia y presencia de microdeleciones AZFa, AZFb, AZFc o sus combinaciones. Resultados: La microdeleción en la región AZFc apareció en un 45% de pacientes, AZFa en el 33% y un 10% presentaron mutación en las 3 regiones analizadas (AZFa, b y c). El 91% de los pacientes con estas microdeleciones presentaron azoospermia con un volumen testicular disminuido en el 62,5%. Conclusión: Las microdeleciones de la región AZF se asocian a azoospermia y una baja expectativa de recuperación de espermatozoides en la biopsia testicular, sin alterar significativamente la función hormonal

Objective: Aproximately 10% of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and 5% with non-obstructive severe oligozoospermia carry AZF region microdeletions (AZoospermic Factor) in the Y chromosome. The aim of this study is to analize the clinical and pathological findings in this group of patients and compare them with the previous evidence. Material and methods: Retrospective study of 11 patients with diagnosis of azoospermia or oligozoospermia and the presence of AZFa, AZFb, AZFc microdeletions or any combination of them. Results: Microdeletions of AZFc region were found in 45% of cases, AZFa in 33% and a 10% showed a deletion of the three regions (a,b and c). 91% of them demonstrated azoospermia with low testicular volume in 62,5% cases. Conclusion: Microdeletions of AZF regions are associated with azoospermia and a low expectation of sperm retrieval in testicular biopsy. On the other hand, they seem not related with significative modifications on the hormone profile

AZF gene microdeletions: case series and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Aproximately 10% of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and 5% with non-obstructive severe oligozoospermia carry AZF region microdeletions (AZoospermic Factor) in the Y chromosome. The aim of this study is to analize the clinical and pathological findings in this group of patients and compare them with the previous evidence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 11 patients with diagnosis of azoospermia or oligozoospermia and the presence of AZFa, AZFb, AZFc microdeletions or any combination of them. RESULTS: Microdeletions of AZFc region were found in 45% of cases, AZFa in 33% and a 10% showed a deletion of the three regions (a,b and c). 91% of them demonstrated azoospermia with low testicular volume in 62,5% cases. CONCLUSION: Microdeletions of AZF regions are associated with azoospermia and a low expectation of sperm retrieval in testicular biopsy. On the other hand, they seem not related with significative modifications on the hormone profile.

Step-gate polysilicon nanowires field effect transistor compatible with CMOS technology for label-free DNA biosensor.

Currently, detection of DNA hybridization using fluorescence-based detection technique requires expensive optical systems and complex bioinformatics tools. Hence, the development of new low cost devices that enable direct and highly sensitive detection stimulates a lot of research efforts. Particularly, devices based on silicon nanowires are emerging as ultrasensitive electrical sensors for the direct detection of biological species thanks to their high surface to volume ratio. In this study, we propose innovative devices using step-gate polycrystalline silicon nanowire FET (poly-Si NW FETs), achieved with simple and low cost fabrication process, and used as ultrasensitive electronic sensor for DNA hybridization. The poly-SiNWs are synthesized using the sidewall spacer formation technique. The detailed fabrication procedure for a step-gate NWFET sensor is described in this paper. No-complementary and complementary DNA sequences were clearly discriminated and detection limit to 1 fM range is observed. This first result using this nano-device is promising for the development of low cost and ultrasensitive polysilicon nanowires based DNA sensors compatible with the CMOS technology.

Utilidad de los nuevos esquemas de agrupación de los grados de Fuhrman en la práctica clínica para el tumor renal de células claras / Usefulness of New Schemes to Group Fuhrman Grades in Clinical Practice for Clear Cell Renal Tumour

Objetivo: Evaluar si la re-clasificación de los carcinomas renales de células claras (CRCC) en dos o tres grados de Fuhrman (GF) frente a la clasificación clásica mantiene su valor pronóstico. Material y métodos: Estudio sobre una cohorte de 383 CRCC tratados con nefrectomía radical/parcial (1990-2009). Se analizaron datos demográficos, evolución y supervivencia de los pacientes. Un uropatólogo reasignó los grados de Fuhrman de forma ciega al informe original. Para estudiar si se mantenía el valor pronóstico con las distintas clasificaciones se realizaron tres análisis de regresión múltiple de Cox, categorizando la variable grado en 4 categorías (I-II-III-IV), en tres (I+II-III-IV) y en dos (I+II-III+IV). Las variables explicativas fueron: edad, sexo, tamaño tumoral, estadio y grado. Las variables respuesta fueron: tiempo de supervivencia libre de progresión (recidiva locorregional /metástasis) y de supervivencia cáncer-específica. Resultados: La mediana de supervivencia global fue de 125 meses (IC 95%: 92-159). En los tres análisis multivariantes el grado de Fuhrman demostró valor predictivo independiente (p=0,0001) frente al estadio para la supervivencia libre de progresión y supervivencia cáncer-específica. El valor pronóstico se mantuvo en las nuevas clasificaciones. En la de tres categorías el paso del grado I+II al III presentó un RR: 2,31(p=0,0001) y del grado III al IV un RR: 2,47(p=0,0001) y en la de dos categorías se observó un RR: 2,8 (p=0,001) al pasar del grado I+II al III+IV. Conclusiones: La categorización en dos o tres grupos del grado de Fuhrman mantiene la capacidad predictiva sobre la supervivencia libre de progresión y cáncer-específica. Los grados III y IV presentan evoluciones distintas, por lo que la clasificación en tres categorías parece más adecuada para describir la evolución de estos pacientes (AU)

Objective: To evaluate if re-grading renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) in two or three-tiered grading schemes versus the traditional Fuhrman classification maintains the same prognostic value. Material and methods: A study of a cohort of 383 treated CRCC with radical or partial nephrectomy between 1990-2009 was made. We analyzed the demographic data, evolution and survival of these patients. An uropathologist reassigned the Fuhrman grades blindly to the first classification. In order to study if the prognostic value was maintained with the different classification, three Cox multivariate regression analysis were performed, classifying the variable of grade into four categories: (I-II-III-IV), into three (I+II-III-IV) and into two (I+II-III+IV). The explanatory variables were: age, gender, tumor size, study stage and grade. The response variables were progression-free survival (local-regional recurrence/metastasis) and cancer specific survival time. Results: The median overall survival was 125 months (95% CI: 92-159). In the three multivariate analyses carried out, the Fuhrman classification showed independent predictive value (p=:0.0001) compared to progression-free survival and cancer specific survival. The predictive power was maintained in the new classifications. In the three categories, the changing from grade I+II to III meant RR: 2.31 (p=0.0001) and from grade III to IV RR: 2.47 (p=0.0001) and in two-tiered classification an RR: 2.8 (p=0.001) was found when changing from I+II to III+IV. Conclusions: Our results show that categorizing the Fuhrman grade into three or two-tiered grading schemes provide the same predictive accuracy on progressive free survival and cancer specific survival. Grades III and IV have different outcomes so that the three-tiered classification seems to be more appropriate to described the course of these patients (AU)

[Usefulness of new schemes to group Fuhrman grades in clinical practice for clear cell renal tumour]. / Utilidad de los nuevos esquemas de agrupación de los grados de Fuhrman en la práctica clínica para el tumor renal de células claras.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if re-grading renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) in two or three-tiered grading schemes versus the traditional Fuhrman classification maintains the same prognostic value. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study of a cohort of 383 treated CRCC with radical or partial nephrectomy between 1990-2009 was made. We analyzed the demographic data, evolution and survival of these patients. An uropathologist reassigned the Fuhrman grades blindly to the first classification. In order to study if the prognostic value was maintained with the different classification, three Cox multivariate regression analysis were performed, classifying the variable of grade into four categories: (I-II-III-IV), into three (I+II-III-IV) and into two (I+II-III+IV). The explanatory variables were: age, gender, tumor size, study stage and grade. The response variables were progression-free survival (local-regional recurrence/metastasis) and cancer specific survival time. RESULTS: The median overall survival was 125 months (95% CI: 92-159). In the three multivariate analyses carried out, the Fuhrman classification showed independent predictive value (p=:0.0001) compared to progression-free survival and cancer specific survival. The predictive power was maintained in the new classifications. In the three categories, the changing from grade I+II to III meant RR: 2.31 (p=0.0001) and from grade III to IV RR: 2.47 (p=0.0001) and in two-tiered classification an RR: 2.8 (p=0.001) was found when changing from I+II to III+IV. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that categorizing the Fuhrman grade into three or two-tiered grading schemes provide the same predictive accuracy on progressive free survival and cancer specific survival. Grades III and IV have different outcomes so that the three-tiered classification seems to be more appropriate to described the course of these patients.