Testicular microlithiasis: prevalence and risk of concurrent and interval development of testicular tumor in a referred population.

AIMS: To identify prevalence of testicular microlithiasis on ultrasound in a referred population and risk of concurrent and interval testicular tumor development. METHODS: Retrospective review of our radiology database revealed 4363 scrotal ultrasounds were performed over a six-year period. Ultrasound findings were correlated with our hospital pathological database. The association of intratesticular microlithiasis and confirmed testicular cancers were assessed by means of a Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Testicular microlithiasis was identified in 32 of the 4259 patients (0.75% of screened population). In the same time period 83 testicular tumors were identified on initial scanning (2.00% of screened population). Three patients with tumor had coexisting microlithiasis (9.4% incidence), whilst a further two had interval development of tumor. The follow-up of the microlithiasis patients ranged from 3 to 72 months (mean 33.9 months, median 40 months). CONCLUSIONS: Interval development of testicular tumor is a documented phenomenon. As the incidence in detection of microlithiasis increases secondary to advances in ultrasound technology, follow-up becomes financially prohibitive. We advocate regular self-examination as the primary follow-up of otherwise well patients with testicular microlithiasis.

The development and audit of a nurse-led urology/oncology clinic.

People with cancer in the UK should have access to a full spectrum of services. The role of the clinical nurse specialist is an important part of this development. In the specialty of urology/oncology, this role is still a relatively new development although the incidence of urological malignancy readily compares with other site-specific cancers.

Management of urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of a urology oncology nurse specialist in the practice environment to assist with both pre and postoperative education needs of men undergoing genitourinary surgery for cancer was evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to improve the preoperative process and teaching for men planning surgery for genitourinary cancers, including the delivery of pathology results. A secondary aim was to decrease the incidence of postoperative incontinence. METHODS: Male patients undergoing a radical prostatectomy were recruited. Patients who underwent surgery were evaluated both before and after the urology oncology nurse specialist role was established. Followup was via phone call interview and International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire. RESULTS: Men who received the personalized education from the urology oncology nurse specialist had a higher return of continence postoperatively, as well as higher satisfaction scores with the outcome of their surgery, including higher quality of life scores. CONCLUSION: The urology oncology nurse specialist role had a significant impact on the postoperative incontinence rate and provided a missing patient education piece that improved the overall patient satisfaction rate with oncology-related care.