Radical cystectomy and lower urinary tract reconstruction after cardiac allograft transplantation

Treatment of bladder cancer in cardiac transplant patients

We report a patient who presented with superficial bladder tumors 8 years after cardiac transplantation. He was managed conservatively with intra-vesical therapy for 5 years and ultimately underwent a successful radical cystoprostatectomy and urethrectomy 13 years after cardiac transplantation. This illustrates that cardiac transplant patients with superficial tumors may be managed with conservative therapies, but close vigilance is necessary to identify the opportune time for extirpative surgery.

Delta-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photosensitization of prostate cell lines: implication for photodynamic therapy of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) is currently being investigated for the treatment of prostate diseases. In this study, we evaluate 1) the in vitro production of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) (the active photosensitizing agent of ALA-mediated PDT) by two different prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP and PC-3) and a benign, modified, prostatic cell line (TP-2), and 2) the extent of PDT-induced cell injury, as determined by electron microscopy (EM) and cell survival.

METHODS

The cell lines were assigned into four treatment groups: group 1, control, no ALA and no light irradiation; group 2, dark control, ALA only; group 3, light control, radiation only; and group 4, PDT, ALA followed by irradiation (630 nm, 3 joules/cm2). The experiments were performed in triplicate. ALA concentration was 50 microg/ml of media in all instances.

RESULTS

Following incubation with ALA, PPIX production was significantly increased in the three cell lines studied, and more notably in the PC-3 cell line. Compared to controls, EM and cell survival studies demonstrated significant mitochondrial damage and decreased survival, respectively, in the cells treated with PDT. This was also more evident in the PC-3 cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that prostate cells differ in their response to ALA-mediated PDT. This response appears to depend on the intracellular production of PPIX and the cell type, i.e., on the functional and structural characteristics of the cell mitochondria. In addition, our results suggest that PDT might be effective at killing prostate cancer cells.

The incidence, morbidity, and mortality of surgical procedures after orthotopic heart transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The authors present their experience with patients having undergone orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) in whom surgical conditions subsequently developed that required operative intervention. The incidence, morbidity, and mortality of these procedures are reported.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Several studies have evaluated the management options of biliary tract disease after OHT. Multiple reports of patients having undergone OHT who subsequently underwent peripheral vascular reconstructions, plastic reconstructive, and thoracic procedures also have been published.

METHODS

A chart review of 349 patients who underwent OHT between 1985 and 1996 was conducted to identify surgical procedures that were required in the post-transplant period. Their outcomes are reported.

RESULTS

Of 349 patients who underwent OHT, conditions requiring 94 surgical procedures developed in 54 patients (15%). Biliary tract disease developed in 17 patients (5%) who required cholecystectomy, 2 of the 5 patients with acute cholecystitis died. Eight patients (2%) underwent orthopedic procedures with no operative mortality. Flap advancements for sternal wound infections were performed in five patients and four deaths occurred. Seventeen thoracic procedures were performed in 11 patients with an overall mortality of 45%. Twenty-one vascular procedures were performed on 17 patients with 1 delayed death due to a malignancy. Seven patients underwent procedures of the colon and rectum with no mortality. Seven patients underwent repair of inguinal or incisional hernias with no mortality. Various infections occurred with one resultant death after operative intervention. Six procedures were performed for diseases of the small intestine with no resultant mortalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients having undergone OHT and chronic immunosuppression are at increased risk of having complications develop from infection. Acute cholecystitis and sternal wound infection caused an inordinate risk of complications and death. Malignancies developed in four patients who required surgical intervention. A heightened awareness of coexisting peripheral vascular disease in patients transplanted for ischemic cardiomyopathy should exist. Close screening before surgery and surveillance after surgery to identify risk factors for infection and vascular disease and to screen for malignancies are essential.

Invasive bladder cancer following cardiac transplantation

Iatrogenic immunosuppression following renal transplantation has been associated with the development and progression of multiple neoplasms, including transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). We present the first report of invasive TCC of the bladder managed with radical cystectomy in a cardiac transplant recipient. The short survival of this patient, despite organ-confined disease at the time of cystectomy, illustrates the necessity of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of malignancy following organ transplantation.