Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate Misdiagnosed as High-Grade Urothelial Cancer - A Case Report of a Diagnostic Pitfall.

Purpose: Basal cell carcinoma of the prostate is rare. Usually, it is diagnosed in elderly men with nocturia, urgency, lower urinary tract obstruction and normal PSA. Case Presentation: We report on a case of a 56-years-old patient who presented at the emergency ward with weight loss, nausea and vomiting. The diagnostic evaluation showed acute renal failure due to a bladder tumor. After admission to the urology ward and subsequent contrast-enhanced CT urography and contrast-enhanced chest CT, a non-metastatic bladder tumor that infiltrated the right side of the bladder and seminal vesicles was found. High-grade muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma was diagnosed from TURBT specimens, followed by radical cystoprostatectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and formation of ureterocutaneostomy sec. Bricker. The histopathological examination of the resection specimen surprisingly revealed the presence of prostatic basal cell carcinoma pT4N0M0 and not urothelial cancer. Due to renal failure, the patient required hemodialysis. The recommendation of the multidisciplinary oncological meeting was to follow up with the patient by the surgeon-urologist. On imaging six months after surgery, it was suspicious for recurrence. Patient was considered for adjuvant oncological treatment. Conclusion: Although rare, basal cell carcinoma of the prostate should be considered in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms, hematuria and normal PSA. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor is indicated in patients presenting with hematuria and bladder tumor. In evaluation of such cases rare histological types should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Detrimental Effect of Various Preparations of the Human Amniotic Membrane Homogenate on the 2D and 3D Bladder Cancer In vitro Models.

Despite being among the ten most common cancers with high recurrence rates worldwide, there have been no major breakthroughs in the standard treatment options for bladder cancer in recent years. The use of a human amniotic membrane (hAM) to treat cancer is one of the promising ideas that have emerged in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of hAM homogenate on 2D and 3D cancer models. We evaluated the effects of hAM homogenates on the human muscle invasive bladder cancer urothelial (T24) cells, papillary cancer urothelial (RT4) cells and normal porcine urothelial (NPU) cells as well as on human mammary gland non-tumorigenic (MCF10a) cells and low-metastatic breast cancer (MCF7) cells. After 24 h, we observed a gradual detachment of cancerous cells from the culture surface, while the hAM homogenate did not affect the normal cells. The most pronounced effect hAM homogenate had on bladder cancer cells; however, the potency of their detachment was dependent on the treatment protocol and the preparation of hAM homogenate. We demonstrated that hAM homogenate significantly decreased the adhesion, growth, and proliferation of human bladder invasive and papillary cancer urothelial cells and did not affect normal urothelial cells even in 7-day treatment. By using light and electron microscopy we showed that hAM homogenate disrupted the architecture of 2D and 3D bladder cancer models. The information provided by our study highlights the detrimental effect of hAM homogenate on bladder cancer cells and strengthens the idea of the potential clinical application of hAM for bladder cancer treatment.

Current and innovative approaches in the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: the role of transurethral resection of bladder tumor and organoids.

Background Bladder cancer is the 7th most common cancer in men. About 75% of all bladder cancer are non-muscle invasive (NMIBC). The golden standard for definite diagnosis and first-line treatment of NMIBC is transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURB). Historically, the monopolar current was used first, today bipolar current is preferred by most urologists. Following TURB, depending on the tumour grade, additional intravesical chemo- or/and immunotherapy is indicated, in order to prevent recurrence and need for surgical resection. Development of new technologies, molecular and cell biology, enabled scientists to develop organoids - systems of human cells that are cultivated in the laboratory and have characteristics of the tissue from which they were harvested. In the field of urologic cancers, the organoids are used mainly for studying the course of different diseases, however, in the field of bladder cancer the data are scarce. Conclusions Different currents - monopolar and bipolar, have different effect on urothelium, that is important for oncological results and pathohistological interpretation. Specimens of bladder cancer can be used for preparation of organoids that are further used for studying carcinogenesis. Bladder organoids are step towards personalised medicine, especially for testing effectiveness of chemo-/immunotherapeutics.

Intra-Abdominal Testicular Torsion as a Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain in Patient with Silver-Russell Syndrome: First Case of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgical Exploration with Orchidectomy.

Introduction and Background: Silver-Russell syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, occurring in ∼1/50,000 to 1/100,000 births. Anomalies of the urogenital tract such as hypospadias and cryptorchidism can be present. Testicular torsion is a urologic emergency that is most common in prepubertal boys. In patients with cryptorchidism, it can present with abdominal pain and nonspecific symptoms and can mimic other intra-abdominal emergency conditions. Case presentation: A 21-year-old man presented in emergency room at our hospital with acute right lower abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography excluded acute appendicitis, atypical mass on the right side of the bladder was identified. Later, he reported history of inguinal exploration caused by undescended right testis in infancy where testis was not found, and Silver-Russell syndrome. Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scan revealed an atypical mass on the right side of the bladder, suspicious for torsion of undescended testis, or tumor. Tumor markers for testicular cancer were negative. The patient underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic orchidectomy for torsion of undescended intra-abdominal testis. Histopathologic examination excluded malignancy. Conclusion: Testicular torsion should be considered as the cause of acute abdominal pain in patients with undescended testis and rare genetic disorders. Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgical exploration has the advantage of better exposure and visibility and should be considered in such cases.

Small gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the duodenum causing a life-threatening bleeding - A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (DGISTs) are mesenchymal tumors. Main presenting symptoms are gastrointestinal bleeding and non-specific abdominal pain. Surgical treatment is golden standard for treatment of DGISTs. Tumour location and size determine the surgical strategy. Recurrence rate depends on tumour location and completeness on removal. PRESENTATION OF CASE: 75 years old male fell ill with hematemesis, hemohesia and dizziness. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) did not reveal the source of bleeding. Upon admission, a second EGD was performed due to loss of consciousness and anaemia, which revealed only approximate source of bleeding in the third portion of the duodenum. The exact bleeding spot could not be reached and bleeding could not be controlled endoscopically. Patient was transferred to the operating room for an emergency explorative laparotomy. After extensive mobilisation of the duodenum a 2 × 2 cm intraluminal tumour with central bleeding ulceration was found in D3. The diseased part of the duodenum was excised and the duodenotomy was closed with interrupted sutures. Final pathohistological report confirmed gastrointestinal stromal tumour, pT1. Postoperative period was uneventful. DISCUSSION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours are most common in males aged 60-65 years. Surgical treatment is a golden standard. Surgical approach depends upon tumor location and size. In case of major bleeding surgical procedure is lifesaving and diagnostics for staging purposes are omitted. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are a potential source of life-threatening bleeding. In such cases an emergency operation is often indicated with aim to remove the tumour en bloc and achieve hemostasis as soon as possible.

Cowper's Syringocele in Adolescent Male: Case Report.

Background: Cowper's syringocele is a rare condition, uncommon in the adult population. It is more common in the pediatric population. Patients could be asymptomatic or present with irritative and/or obstructive symptoms. Ultrasonography (US) of perineal region, pelvis MRI, or urethrography are the most often used diagnostic modalities. Surgical treatment is indicated in all symptomatic patients. Endoscopic approach is preferred over open surgery. Unroofing of syringocele with cold knife or holmium yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) laser is effective treatment. Case Presentation: A 17-year-old Caucasian male presented at our emergency department with irritative symptoms. US of perineal region showed cystic formation near urethra. Pelvis MRI showed Cowper's gland syringocele. Endoscopic unroofing with holmium YAG laser was performed. Six months postoperatively the patient was asymptomatic and satisfied with the treatment. Conclusion: Cowper's syringocele is a rare condition. Urologist should consider this condition in pediatric and adolescent patients with irritative and/or obstructive symptoms. Pelvis MRI and perineum US are the main diagnostic tools. Surgical treatment is effective. Endoscopic approach is preferred. Open surgery is indicated in complicated cases and in cases when endoscopic treatment fails.

Inguinal hernia containing urinary bladder-A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Inguinal bladder hernia is rare condition found in about 1-5% of inguinal hernias. The condition is usually diagnosed intraoperatively. Patients rarely have symptoms regarding urinary tract. The best management is surgical, open surgical technique is preferred over laparoscopic. Possible urinary tract damage during surgery should be recognized and resolved. CASE PRESENTATION: The following paper presents case of inguinal bladder hernia in 82-year old Caucasian male. Patient presented at our emergency department with incarcerated left inguinal hernia. Preoperative ultrasound has shown small bowel loop inside hernia sac. The condition was diagnosed intraoperatively - the whole bladder was found inside hernia sac. During surgery minor damage of the bladder was caused and repaired. Hernia defect was repaired using Bassini hernioplasty. DISCUSSION: Elderly male more often present with inguinal bladder hernia. Sometimes urinary malignancy may be cause for inguinal bladder hernia. In cases where inguinal bladder is found inside hernia sac, urologist should be consulted to exclude urological pathology. Surgical treatment is indicated in all symptomatic patients. Patients with small, asymptomatic inguinal bladder hernias could be treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: Physicians seeing patients with inguinal hernia should be aware that patient may have inguinal bladder hernia, especially in patients presenting with newly developed symptoms of lower urinary tract.

Testosterone and hemoglobin in hemodialysis male and female patients.

It has been speculated that testosterone stimulates erythropoiesis. We hypothesized that hemoglobin levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients are associated with serum testosterone concentrations. Testosterone, hemoglobin, and other biochemical parameters were measured in a representative sample of 98 chronic HD patients (50 male, 48 female; age 30-90 years, mean 65±13.9 years). We investigated relations among serum testosterone concentration, hemoglobin, ferritin, albumin, body mass index, lean body mass, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), calcium (Ca), P, intact parathyroid hormone, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, Karnofsky performance status, and blood pressure (BP) before and after HD. A statistically significant positive correlation between testosterone and hemoglobin was found in all patients (r=0.25, P<0.01), men (r=0.34, P<0.02), but not in women (r=0.27, P=0.07). Multiple regression analysis for all patients has shown statistically significant association between hemoglobin and testosterone (P<0.001), hsCRP (P<0.005), lean body mass (P<0.05), post-HD systolic (P<0.04), and diastolic BP (P<0.005). Multiple regression analysis in men has shown an association between hemoglobin and testosterone (P<0.04) and post-HD diastolic BP (P<0.04) and in women association between hemoglobin and testosterone (P<0.04), Ca (P<0.03), and post-HD diastolic BP (P<0.03). We found an association between serum testosterone concentration and hemoglobin in male and female HD patients.