[Polypharmacy and medication review in the context of prehabilitation]

Against the background of typical geriatric multimorbidity and with the particular vulnerability of geriatric patients, polypharmacy deserves special attention. In accordance with the guidelines, medication should not only be reviewed regularly, but also on an ad hoc basis and with each hospital stay-and also in the context of prehabilitation. Thus, not only substances that interfere with the currently planned intervention, anesthesia, or risk of bleeding should be considered, but any medication that increases common risks for geriatric patients. These include drugs that cause or increase a tendency to fall, induce delirium, or alter the comedication through potential drug-drug interactions. Measures to minimize the risk include the following: exact documentation of medications, structured and complete transfer of information, patient and family training about any side effects that may occur, a recall system for possible laboratory checks, and compliance with the instructions for taking the medication.

[Quality of life for wearers of a suprapubic or transurethral bladder catheter as lifelong permanent care]

Hintergrund

Die Anlage eines transurethralen Dauerkatheters (DK) oder suprapubischen Harnblasenkatheters (SPK) in lebenslanger Indikation stellt einen Eingriff mit relevanten Komplikationen, Komorbiditäten und möglichen Auswirkungen auf die katheterassoziierte Lebensqualität des Betroffenen dar. Letztere wurde aber bisher noch nicht untersucht.

Methodik

Zur Anwendung kam ein validiertes Assessment zur katheterbezogenen Lebensqualität mit 25 Items in 5 Domänen. Befragt wurden im Rahmen eines Katheterwechsels Patienten mit einem DK oder SPK in lebenslanger Intention, die diesen mindestens 3 Monate trugen.

Ergebnisse

Fragebögen von 357 Patienten, davon 260 Männer und 97 Frauen, 193 mit SPK und 162 mit DK (2 ohne Angabe) lagen vor. Patienten mit DK waren mit 78,9 ± 11,1 Jahren signifikant älter als solche mit SPK mit 74,4 ± 12,6 Jahren (p < 0,001). Der mittlere Gesamtlebensqualitätsscore lag bei 4,1 ± 0,9 Punkten auf einer Skala von 1 (maximal beeinträchtigte Lebensqualität) bis 5 (keine Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität). Es zeigten sich u. a. mit niedrigeren Scores eine vermehrte Angst vor Katheterlecks, Angst vor Uringeruch und Harnwegsinfektionen und vor schmerzhaften Katheterwechseln. Diese Sorgen waren v. a. bei Frauen, solchen mit Harninkontinenz, Trägern eines Katheters ≥ 18 Ch und bei Patienten < 70 Jahren vorhanden. Frauen mit einem SPK wiesen eine schlechtere Bewertung ihrer Lebensqualität als Männer mit SPK auf.

Schlussfolgerung

Die gefundenen Ergebnisse sollten in die Aufklärung zu einer lebenslangen Katheterableitung einfließen bzw. im Kontext möglicher Alternativen wie z. B. einer operativen Desobstruktion oder einer Hilfsmittelversorgung mit dem Patienten bzw. Betreuungspersonen besprochen werden.

Zusatzmaterial online

Die Online-Version dieses Beitrags (10.1007/s00120-021-01642-1) enthält weitere Tabellen mit detaillierten Ergebnissen der Fragen der 5 abgefragten Domänen.

Retroperitoneal Leiomyosarcoma Associated with an Elevated beta-HCG Serum Level Mimicking Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumor

Patient. A 65-year-old man was admitted with a large primary retroperitoneal tumor and an increased β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) serum level. A germ cell tumor was suspected; however, a computed tomography-guided biopsy failed to enable tumor classification. After two courses of chemotherapy, the β-HCG serum level had returned to the normal level and a diagnostic laparotomy with incisional biopsy was performed. The immunohistochemical examination of the specimen identified the tumor as a retroperitoneal pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma.

Discussion. Tumor markers play only a marginal role in the work-up of patients with soft tissue sarcomas. In men with suspected retroperitoneal sarcomas, however, the determination of germ cell tumor markers occasionally enables a preoperative distinguishing of primary retroperitoneal germ cell tumors with considerable consequences for management. In this setting, a retroperitoneal tumor associated with a moderately elevated β-HCG is a diagnostic dilemma, and surgeons should be aware of the pitfall of a β-HCG-producing leiomyosarcoma in the differential diagnosis.

[Prevention of penile cancer. Value of the HPV vaccination and circumcision]

Penile cancer is rare. Penile cancers appear predominantly in non-circumcised men. In addition, the majority of penile cancers are associated with human papillomavirus infection. The present manuscript is concerned with the value of circumcision and HPV vaccination in the prevention of penile cancer.

[Syndrome of persisting mullerian duct with first manifestation in an adult]

INTRODUCTION

We report on a 22-year-old male patient who presented with an intrapelvic tumor.

CASE REPORT

CT and MRI showed a left pelvic abscess, which was drained. After regression of the abscess, we removed the causative tubular structure surgically, revealing a rudimentary genital structure with parts of the Mullerian and Wolffian ducts.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report demonstrates an abscess formation as complication of a previously asymptomatic rudimentary genital structure, which was associated with further abnormalities, such as left testicular agenesia, perineoscrotal hypospadias and transverse testicular ectopia.

[Paraneoplastic hyperthyroidism in a patient with metastasizing teratocarcinoma and excessively high HCG]

Clinically manifest hyperthyroidism is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome in patients with excessive HCG production due to testicular cancer. A 40-year-old patient with right testicular cancer (teratoma, embryonal cell carcinoma), diffuse pulmonary metastases and high serum HCG levels presented with symptomatic hyperthyroidism. The patient received immediately thyrostatic therapy and 4 cycles of PEI chemotherapy (Cisplatin, Etoposide, Ifosfamide). Thyroid function had returned to normal by the beginning of the second course of chemotherapy. After right orchiectomy and resection of residual pulmonary masses which revealed vital tumor cells, two additional courses of chemotherapy were performed. The patient is well and without evidence of disease 11 months after therapy. All patients with testicular cancer and excessive HCG production should be evaluated for biochemical and clinical signs of hyperthyroidism and treated accordingly with antithyroidal medication and immediate cytoreductive chemotherapy.

Early changes of oxalate and calcium urine excretion in those with calcium oxalate stone formation after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent of transient changes of tubular function in idiopathic calcium-oxalate (CaOx) stone-bearing patients after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), calcium and oxalate excretion were measured before and after ESWL.

METHODS

In 22 patients with renal CaOx stones, the plasma values and urine excretion of creatinine, calcium, oxalate, magnesium, and citrate were measured before and on days 1 and 2 after ESWL under conditions of a standardized diet. Overnight urine collection for an 8-hour period was used to measure the urine excretion, and the values were extrapolated to a 24-hour period. For calculation of the urine ion activity, the AP(CaOx) index EQ(s) and the CaOx risk index were used.

RESULTS

After ESWL, hyperoxaluria was noted in 10 patients compared with 2 before ESWL. Hypercalciuria was seen in 11 patients after ESWL compared with 3 before. Combined hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria was found in 7 patients after ESWL compared with 1 before. Both the oxalate/creatinine and calcium/creatinine ratios were significantly increased after ESWL. The AP(CaOx) index EQ(s) and the CaOx risk index were significantly increased after ESWL in patients with increased post-ESWL calcium and/or oxalate excretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased calcium and/or oxalate excretion can be seen in patients with CaOx stones early after ESWL. This increased excretion of lithogenic substances represents an increased risk of fragment apposition after ESWL for the group with a significantly increased AP(CaOx) index EQ(s) and CaOx risk index. Therefore, prophylactic measures in patients at risk early after ESWL might be warranted to prevent possible recurrent stone formation.

Primary renal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - a difficult differential diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

Primary renal lymphoma (PRL) as a clinical entity is not undisputed because the kidneys do not contain lymphatic tissue and the mechanism of development of PRLs is unclear. Most of the few cases reported showed rapid systemic progression and a poor prognosis. Although there are no clearly defined diagnostic criteria for renal lymphomas, abdominal and thoracic computed tomography as well as renal and bone marrow biopsy are recommended. 3 cases of renal lymphoma are reported and their diagnosis and management discussed.

CASE REPORTS

Between 1996 and 2001, 3 male patients with renal lymphoma were diagnosed and treated at our institution. In patient No. 1, because of persisting macroscopic hematuria a bilateral PRL was diagnosed by renal biopsy, without any detectable lesions on CT imaging. Patient No. 2 presented with a large renal mass which, on biopsy, was diagnosed as a lymphoma. Patient No. 3 showed lymphoma on renal biopsy and bone marrow involvement. All 3 patients were treated with systemic chemotherapy which resulted in death of disease in 2 patients and a complete remission in 1 patient after adjuvant radiotherapy and nephrectomy.

CONCLUSION

PRL represents a rare entity which must nevertheless be considered in cases of unusual renal masses or otherwise unexplained renal symptoms. If diagnosed early, cure is possible, and multimodal treatment should be considered.

Measurement of free radicals and NO by chemiluminescence to identify the reperfusion injury in renal transplantation

Oxygen free radicals are generated during the reperfusion of ischaemic organs. Several experimental studies have demonstrated that the damage produced by reperfusion can be prevented by a scavenger of free radicals. Furthermore, a significantly improved 5 year graft survival rate after cadaveric renal transplantation has been reported in patients treated with scavengers of free radicals (Land et al., 1993). Therefore, a question remains to be answered: whether a routine monitoring of the radical-mediated reperfusion injury with renal transplantation is useful, and whether there is a necessity for a generalized protective treatment in transplant patients. In a prospective trial, we evaluated a group of eight patients during and after renal cadaveric transplantation (three men, five women), using the chemiluminometric measurement of serum free radicals and NO. The serum quantities of free radicals and NO were significantly increased after reperfusion of the transplant kidney (p < 0.02). The mean time of noticeably increased levels of serum free radicals was 4.8 +/- 1.2 h after reperfusion. The results thus showed an increased liberation of free radicals in the peripheral blood of transplant recipients as possible evidence of free radicals-mediated reperfusion injury in renal transplantation. The generation of free radicals measured by chemiluminescence allow a controlled therapy to decrease the generation of free radicals with antioxidants during the early transplantation period e.g. in older recipients.

Relationship of comorbidity, age and perioperative complications in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence and distribution of comorbidity and its association with perioperative complications in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RPE).

METHODS

In 431 unselected RPE patients, the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification (ASA-PS), the New York Heart Association classification of cardiac insufficiency (NYHA), the classification of angina pectoris of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS), height, weight, the body mass index (BMI), and the number of concomitant diseases (NCD) were assessed and related to perioperative cardiovascular complications.

RESULTS

In RPE patients less than 70 years old, comorbidity rose nearly continuously with increasing age. However, after reaching an age of 70 years, the proportion of NYHA-0 patients increased (60-64 years, 86%; 65-69 years, 85%; >or=70 years, 87%). Furthermore, the severe comorbidities decreased in patients selected for RPE aged 70 or more years. There was a nonsignificant trend towards higher comorbidity in patients with perioperative cardiovascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that documentation of the distribution of ASA-PS, CCS, NYHA and of concomitant diseases might be helpful to characterize the general health status and the degree of selection of prostate cancer treatment populations especially in series with a high portion of patients aged 70 or more years. Concerning perioperative complications, the individual predictive value of comorbidity seems to be poor in the radical prostatectomy setting.

Morbidity and discomfort of ten-core biopsy of the prostate evaluated by questionnaire

Transition zone biopsies have been found to increase the detection rates of cancer of the prostate in patients with negative digital rectal examination. There are however no data available whether the higher biopsy rate is associated with greater morbidity. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the complication rate of extended sextant biopsy. In this prospective study, 162 consecutive patients who presented for prostatic evaluation were included. After starting prophylactic antibiotic treatment 48 h prior to the procedure, transrectal ultrasound-guided core biopsies were obtained from each lobe: three each from the peripheral zone (apex, mid-zone and base) and two from the transition zone of each prostatic lobe. In all patients a questionnaire was obtained 10-12 days after the procedure. Major complications occurred in 3 patients. In 2 of the 3 cases major macroscopic hematuria was treated by an indwelling catheter for 1 or 2 days and 1 patient developed fever >38.5 degrees C for 1 day. Minor macroscopic hematuria was present in 68.5% of the patients. In 17.9% of these cases, the hematuria lasted for more than 3 days. Hematospermia was observed in 19.8% and minor rectal bleeding occurred in 4.9%. Ten-core biopsies did not lead to an increase in adverse effects or complications when compared to the results of sextant biopsies reported in the literature.

Durable complete remission of metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the bladder with cisplatin and gemcitabine in an 80-year-old man

A patient with a durable, complete, local and pulmonary remission of a metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the bladder treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin is presented. Sarcomatoid carcinoma arising in the bladder is a rare and notoriously aggressive variant of urothelial carcinoma for which an effective systemic treatment has not been reported up to now.

Spontaneous late rupture of orthotopic detubularized ileal neobladders: report of five cases

OBJECTIVES

To report five spontaneous ruptures in 4 patients. Spontaneous late rupture of orthotopic ileal bladder replacements is a rare complication of continent urinary diversion.

METHODS

Four recurrence-free patients aged 36 to 68 years experienced apparently spontaneous rupture of continent orthotopic ileal bladder replacement 3 months to 3 years after curative radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for invasive bladder cancer. Ileal bladder rupture occurred twice in 1 patient with an interval of 9 months.

RESULTS

All 4 patients had had a good result from their diversion procedure and had reported complete day and nighttime continence before the spontaneous rupture. The spontaneous rupture was evidently caused by overdistension of the ileal neobladder in four of five instances. In addition to overdistension, a second factor such as minor blunt abdominal trauma or urethral occlusion was identifiable in two instances. The rupture occurred in the right upper corner of the ileal bladder in four of five instances and led to acute and severe abdominal pain. Cystography was done in three instances, but was diagnostic in only 2 cases. The histologic examination of the excised bladder wall margins revealed nonspecific inflammatory changes in 3 cases. Open surgical drainage and repair was successfully undertaken in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The circumstances of the cases described suggest that late spontaneous rupture of an orthotopic ileal bladder replacement is not related to the surgical technique but rather to factors of patient compliance and medical management.

Application of the Mitrofanoff principle for intermittent self-catheterization in quadriplegic patients

OBJECTIVES

Patients with cervical spinal cord lesions have impaired hand function, which often prohibits clean intermittent self-catheterization (CIC), especially in female patients. Enabling these patients to perform CIC gives them control of their bladder management and can improve their quality of life considerably. We have used an appendicovesicostomy to provide easy access for CIC in such patients.

METHODS

Five patients (4 women, 1 man) with a mean age of 31 years (range 20 to 52) and a mean duration of the cervical cord lesion of 22 months (range 7 to 37) underwent appendicovesicostomy. Three patients were young victims of motor vehicle accidents, 1 patient had a progressive rheumatoid arthritic disorder, and 1 patient had a complex functional paraplegia syndrome and underwent bladder augmentation at the same time.

RESULTS

The surgical procedure with the creation of a catheterizable stoma in the right lower abdominal quadrant was successful in all cases but was complicated by mechanical ileus in the patient with simultaneous bladder augmentation. All patients learned to perform independent CIC with continuing anticholinergic medication. Stomal stenosis did not occur in any of the 5 patients, and urinary tract infections occurred once in 2 patients and repeatedly in 1 patient. Three of 5 patients have been enabled by independent bladder management to achieve occupational rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Appendicovesicostomy is a suitable procedure in patients with cervical spinal cord lesions who are otherwise unable to perform independent CIC. The creation of a catheterizable abdominal stoma enables these patients to gain independent control of their bladder management. However, caution in patient selection is advisable as probably the best results are achieved in highly motivated, younger patients with traumatic cervical cord lesions.

Is transurethral vaporesection of the prostate better than standard transurethral resection?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to undertake an evaluation of the comparative efficacy and morbidity of transurethral vaporesection (TUVRP) and standard transurethral resection (TURP), two resection techniques using loops of different thickness and power settings.

METHODS

In a prospective study, 185 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction and benign prostatic enlargement were randomized to undergo either TUVRP or standard TURP. Inclusion criteria were benign prostatic enlargement, moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms and/or a significant urinary residual (>60 ml), while patients with previous prostatic surgery, prostate cancer or neurogenic bladder disorders were excluded. Prostate size, residual urine, urinary flow rate and symptoms as well as associated bother (using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the American Urological Association Bother Score (AUA-BS)) were assessed preoperatively. Intraoperative blood loss and fluid absorption were evaluated by measuring serum hemoglobin and respiratory alcohol concentration. Patients were followed for 1 year with the evaluation of flow rates, residual urine volumes, symptom scores and complications at 3, 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

A significant difference was seen in the weight of the resected tissue (TURP 30.3 g vs. TUVRP 21.9 g, p<0.003). There were no significant differences in blood loss, intraoperative fluid absorption or procedure time between TUVRP and TURP, although more patients in the TURP group required blood transfusions (13 vs. 7) and mean procedure time was longer for TUVRP (71.0 vs. 65.9 min). The postoperative improvements in IPSS, AUA-BS, residual and Q(max) were significant in both groups (p<0.01 for each) but without difference between the two groups. The rate of complications (urinary tract infections, urethral stricture, reintervention rate) during follow-up was the same in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this prospective randomized comparison of the clinical outcome and morbidity of standard TURP versus TUVRP, there were no significant differences in any of the parameters evaluated except for the weight of the resected tissue.

Is there a relationship between the amount of tissue removed at transurethral resection of the prostate and clinical improvement in benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE

To assess in a prospective trial the influence of the amount of tissue resected at transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic enlargement on the symptom improvement as assessed by symptom scores.

METHODS

Between December 1996 and August 1998 a total of 138 men (mean age 68.2, range 53-89) with symptomatic benign prostatic enlargement who underwent TURP participated in this prospective study. Patients were assessed preoperatively with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the American Urological Association Bother Score (AUA-BS) and the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BPH-II) as well as urinary flow rate measurements (Qmax) and prostate volume (PV) and residual urine determination by ultrasound. The amount of tissue resected was weighed. Patients were followed with reevaluation of Q(max), residual urine and the symptom and bother scores at 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

A close correlation between preoperative PV (mean 49.0 ml, SD 22.0, range 13-140) and the resected tissue weight (RTW, mean 24.7 g, SD 18.0, range 6-128) was seen (r = 0.75, p < 0.001). Age was correlated with preoperative PV (r = 0.23, p < 0.05). While significant mean improvements in Q(max), residual volume and IPSS, AUA-BS and BPH-II were found 3 and 6 months postoperatively, a negative correlation was seen between the RTW and the IPSS, the AUA-BS and the BPH-II 3 months after TURP (r = -0.23, p < 0.024; r = -0.23, p < 0.025; r = -0.20, p = 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was seen between symptom change and the percentage of PV removed or the residual prostatic weight. Classification of the patients into groups depending on preoperative PV (< 30, 31-50, 51-70 and >70 ml) showed a tendency for patients with larger PV to gain more symptom improvement postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Early symptom improvement after TURP will depend on the amount of tissue removed but the relationship is weak and affected by several other confounding factors. Apparently, the symptomatic improvement after TURP is not primarily dependent on the relative completeness of the resection. Patients with larger prostates and larger RTW tend to gain more symptomatic benefit from TURP than do patients with smaller prostates.

Bladder wall thickness in normal adults and men with mild lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic enlargement

There is evidence that increased bladder wall thickness can be a useful parameter in the evaluation of men with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, normal values for bladder wall thickness (BWT) in adults have not been established. BWT was measured by suprapubic ultrasonography. Bladder volume was calculated as the product of the ultrasonographic measurements of bladder height, width and depth, and a correction factor (0.6). Three groups were assessed: men with normal lower urinary tracts (n = 172; mean age, 39.9), women with normal lower urinary tracts (n = 166; mean age, 37.8), and men with mild lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and clinical benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) (n = 150; mean age, 66.4). For the whole group of men and women with normal bladders, mean BWT was 3.35 mm, and BWT appeared normally distributed. There were a weak negative correlation with bladder volume (r = -0.12, P < 0.003) and a weak positive correlation for BWT and age for both men (r = 0.12, P < 0.014) and women (r = 0.17, P < 0.013). Mean BWT was 3.04 mm in healthy women, 3.33 mm in healthy men, and 3.67 mm in men with LUTS and BPE. Sub-dividing normal men into different age groups showed an increasing mean BWT of 3.08 mm (<20 years, n = 27), 3.25 mm (21-40 years, n = 75), 3.42 mm (41-60 years, n = 39), and 3.57 mm (>60 years, n = 31) for those sub-groups. BWT in normal adult women is 3.0 +/- 1 mm and 3.3 +/- 1. 1 mm in normal adult men. A small increase in BWT with age is seen for both genders, and BWT tends to be greater in men than in women. Men with LUTS and BPE show a moderate increase in BWT. Adjustments for bladder volume are for practical purposes negligible, although there is a small decrease in BWT with increasing volume.

Is systematic sextant biopsy suitable for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer?

BACKGROUND

The optimal extent of the prostate biopsy remains controversial. There is a need to avoid detection of insignificant cancer but not to miss significant and curable tumors. In alternative treatments of prostate cancer, repeated sextant biopsies are used to estimate the response. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of a repeated systematic sextant biopsy as the standard biopsy technique in patients with significant tumors which are being considered for curative treatment.

METHODS

Systematic sextant biopsy was performed in vitro in 92 radical prostatectomy specimens. Of these patients, 81 (88.0%) had palpable lesions.

RESULTS

Of the 92 investigated patients, 70 (76.1%) had potentially curable pT2-3pN0 prostate cancers. In these patients, the cancer was detected only in 72.9% of cases by a repeated in vitro biopsy. In the pT2 tumors, there was a detection rate of only 66.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underlines the fact that a considerable number of significant and potentially curable tumors remain undetected by the conventional sextant biopsy. A negative sextant biopsy does not rule out significant prostate cancer.

[Combined anesthesia with epidural catheter. A retrospective analysis of the perioperative course in patients ungoing radical prostatectomy]

Patients requiring radical prostatectomy (rPE), including retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy are often aged and have coexisting cardiopulmonary diseases, increasing the risk of perioperative complications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate our perioperative anaesthesiologic regimen over the last five years, in terms of safety and patients comfort. Records of 433 patients who underwent rPE between 1994 and 1999 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided in those who received: 1. general anaesthesia (GA) alone, 2. a combination of lumbar epidural anaesthesia (LEA) + GA or, 3. thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) + GA. General anaesthesia was performed as balanced anaesthesia, and epidural administered local anaesthetics were bupivacaine 0.25% or ropivacaine 0.2%, 8-12 ml/h. In terms of intra- and postoperative numbers of tachycardiac and hypertensive episodes, a reduced stress response was observed under epidural anaesthesia (EA). Moreover, the weaning duration was shorter under EA and onset of gastrointestinal motility was found earlier ([h] GA: 50.6 +/- 11.1/LEA: 39.3 +/- 13.6/TEA: 33.8 +/- 13.0). Furthermore, a trend to rarer phases of postoperative vomiting and a significant decrease of in hospital stay of about one day ([d] GA: 12.4 +/- 5.8/LEA: 11.1 +/- 3.1/TEA: 11.5 +/- 3.8) was observed. The duration of personnel binding in the OR did not differ significantly between GA and TEA ([min] GA: 222.9 +/- 43.5/LEA: 238.2 +/- 41.8/TEA: 227.0 +/- 46.2), but ICU stay was shortened under TEA. Besides this, TEA reduced the number of pathologic postoperative thorax-x-rays. Senso-motor blockades, decreases of SaO2 and cardiac complications were experienced more frequent under LEA as compared with TEA. Combination of GA and EA, especially TEA, appears to improve perioperative care of patients undergoing rPE, in terms of patients safety and comfort.

Diagnostic significance of prostate-specific antigen velocity at intermediate PSA serum levels in relation to the standard deviation of different test systems

Serial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurements (PSA velocity) as an additional instrument to detect prostatic cancer was introduced in 1992. It has previously been reported that PSA increase per year differed in the last 5 years prior to diagnosis in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (0.18 ng/ml/year), locally confined (0.75 ng/ml/year) and metastasized (4.4 ng/ml/year) cancer of the prostate (CaP) in contrast to healthy men (0.04 ng/ml/year). The ability of PSA velocity to detect organ-confined CaP in patients with intermediate PSA serum values depends therefore on a reliable and reproducible PSA result. The present study comprised 85 men with PSA values between 3 and 8 ng/ml (Abbott IMx). PSA measurements were repeated with Abbott IMx (n = 85 patients) and Hybritech Tandem-E (n = 59 patients) assays. The PSA serum values differed from one examination to the other from 0.02 to 2.74 ng/ml with the Abbott IMx. Standard deviation amounted to 0.35 ng/ml with the Abbott IMx PSA assay. Using the Hybritech Tandem-E assay, mean standard deviation was 1.15 ng/ml and therefore higher than with the Abbott IMx assay. The difference from one test to the other ranged from 0.05 to 4.05 ng/ml with the Hybritech Tandem-E. Using the Abbott IMx assay, 10.6% of all repeat measurements exceeded 1 ng/ml whereas in the Hybritech Tandem-E assay 62.7% of the second measurements differed > 1 ng/ml from the first PSA result. An increase in PSA serum values may therefore be due to intratest variation, physiological day-to-day variation as well as prostatic disease. It is important to notice that the intra-assay variation may be greater than the PSA increase per year in a patient with CaP. Therefore, PSA velocity seems to be of limited value.

Favorable long-term outcome in adult genitourinary low-grade sarcoma

OBJECTIVES

To report our experience treating sarcomas in 20 consecutive patients.

METHODS

Pretreatment and follow-up data were obtained from 20 adult patients consecutively treated between 1992 and 1998 for primary or locally recurrent genitourinary sarcoma.

RESULTS

Eight patients (40%) were classified as having high-grade and 12 (60%) low-grade disease. Except for 3 patients, the primary treatment was surgery alone. The median follow-up was 52 months. The actuarial disease-specific 5-year survival rate was 84% in all patients and was 100% for patients with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) Stages 1-2 and 54% in MSKCC Stages 3-4. The disease-specific survival was significantly better in low-grade tumors (log-rank test, P = 0.0063) and inguinal-scrotal tumors (P = 0.019), tumors 5 cm or less (P = 0.039), and MSKCC Stages 1-2 tumors (P = 0.0035).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study with a high proportion of low-grade, low-stage, and inguinal-scrotal sarcomas demonstrate the favorable prognosis of these subgroups.

Locally recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma: a rare and aggressive genitourinary malignancy

OBJECTIVE

In this study, 22 cases of locally recurrent urological malignant fibrous histiocytoma were reviewed considering therapeutic options, follow-up and prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the available literature on this topic we identified 19 cases of locally recurrent genitourinary malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Three additional cases are discussed, primarily arising from the kidney, the bladder and the paratesticular region.

RESULTS

The prognosis of locally recurrent urological malignant fibrous histiocytoma was found to be extraordinarily poor. Only 2 of 22 patients have survived for longer than 3.5 years. One of them reported herein is still alive 10 years after extensive lymphatic spread accompanying the first local recurrence. In this case, late local recurrence occurred after an 8-year interval free of disease.

CONCLUSION

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is an unusual urological malignancy with a high rate of local recurrence. The latter is frequently accompanied by metastatic disease and unrelenting progression. Despite the poor prognosis early detection of local failure and aggressive salvage therapy might offer the chance of long-term survival in selected cases. Close and life-long follow-up is advisable for patients once treated for recurrent urological malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Unusual semi-spheric perivesical calcification after pelvic radiotherapy

An uncommon case with semi-spheric perivesical calcification after pelvic radiotherapy is reported and the possible pathogenesis of this phenomenon is discussed.

[Lymph node positive prostate carcinoma. A case for radical prostatectomy]

Lymph node positive carcinoma of the prostate (stage pN +/D1) is generally considered to be systemic disease that cannot be cured by radical prostatectomy. Treatment options in these minimally metastasized tumors are the wait and watch strategy, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy alone or in combination. At present, there are no prospective randomized trials available regarding the value of these treatment modalities. In retrospective studies, the results of radical prostatectomy seem to be superior to conservative management. In several studies comparing radical prostatectomy vs. pelvic lymphadenectomy alone, a higher tumor burden in the lymphadenectomy alone groups is present. In general, radical prostatectomy reduces local complications of prostate carcinoma and improves quality of life. In conclusion, patients with single or low volume lymph node metastases as well as patients with low tumor grade or favorable Gleason score and diploid tumors seem to benefit from radical prostatectomy. However, the definitive role for radical prostatectomy has to be stated as uncertain.

Splenunculus mimicking late local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma

We report on a case of a splenunculus found in the renal fossa 14 years after left transperitoneal radical nephrectomy and splenectomy for renal cell carcinoma. The significance of splenunculi in differential diagnosis of space occupying lesions in the left renal bed is discussed.

Late local and pulmonary recurrence of renal cell carcinoma

Locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma and multiple pulmonary metastases were successfully resected in a patient 20 years after nephrectomy.

[Screening in prostate carcinoma]

With an increasing incidence, prostate cancer has become the most common cancer in males in the USA. In Germany, 20,000 new cases of prostate cancer were detected in 1995. Only organ confined prostate cancer is curable. Therefore the main intention of screening is an increasing detection rate of clinically significant tumors in time. Cancer specific mortality and morbidity should be decreased by screening. Whether screening can actually achieve this has to be proven in prospective randomized trials, which have only been started recently. Therefore, valid results cannot be expected before the year 2007. Different trials revealed the combination of digital rectal examination and the measurement of prostate specific antigen to be the most useful tools in screening at present. In conclusion, at present, the recommendation is an urological examination once a year in men from 45-50 (depending on risk) to 70-75 years of age--if the patient agrees to the possible diagnostic and therapeutic consequences.

[What should be done in positive margins after radical prostatectomy?]

In the last years radical retropubic prostatectomy has become the treatment of choice for locally confined prostate cancer (PCa). However, in the literature local recurrence is described in 4-23% of patients with clinical stage T1-2 prostate cancer and in 43% of patients with clinical stage T3 respectively. The problem is further aggravated that postoperatively raised PSA values are detected in 6-8% of patients with locally confined prostate cancer indicating either local residual tumor or systemic disease. Current datas show that wait-and-watch appears to be the best option for patients with locally confined prostate cancer and positive margins. In case of persistent or raising PSA-values following prostatectomy without detectable local recurrence or metastasis mere local therapy cannot be recommended. Primary radiotherapy should be considered in cases with confirmed clinical local recurrence without distant metastasis. Further prospective and randomized trials have to be initiated to identify the patients with positive margins who will benefit from adjuvant treatment.

[Primary renal plasmacytoma. A case report]

We describe a patient with a primary renal plasmacytoma. In the literature available, only six clinical cases have been reported. A 64-year-old patient is presented who had the clinical signs of a renal cell carcinoma. Histological examination after nephrectomy, however, revealed a plasmacytoma. Based on this case, we discuss how one should proceed in this disease. Primary renal plasmacytoma can be tentatively diagnosed preoperatively only in the presence of paraproteinemia or Bence-Jones proteinuria, as it cannot be distinguished from other renal tumors by imaging procedures. Postoperatively, further staging procedures must rule out bone involvement (solitary myeloma or multiple myeloma). Nephrectomy is required in patients with plasmacytoma only if renal complications occur.

[Value of PSA density determination in prostate carcinoma]

The PSA density was calculated in 98 patients with carcinoma of the prostate by using the weight and/or volume of the radical prostatectomy specimen. In 22 of 98 patients, PSA serum levels ranged between 4 and 10 ng/ml. Eleven patients showed PSA serum levels below 4 ng/ml and 65 patients above 10 ng/ml. Sixty-one of the 65 patients with PSA serum levels > 10 ng/ml had PSAD values above 0.15, and we therefore suspected the presence of carcinoma of the prostate according to Benson et al. Twelve of the 22 patients with PSA serum levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml had PSAD values below the cut-off value of 0.15. In addition, all 11 patients with PSA values < 4 ng/ml showed PSAD values < 0.15, a range that can be regarded as almost harmless according to Benson et al. In conclusion, it seems apparent that in patients with PSA serum levels < 10 ng/ml, no important additional information is obtained from the PSAD determination. Routine measurement of PSAD for evaluating the risk of carcinoma of the prostate in individual cases can therefore not be recommended.

Prognostic significance of capsular invasion and capsular penetration in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy

One hundred thirty patients with an observed follow-up of more than 10 years after radical prostatectomy were restaged with regard to local extent of the tumor in relation to the prostate capsule. Of 112 patients with surgically staged negative pelvic lymph nodes, 62 had a tumor-free prostate capsule, 24 had capsular invasion without penetration, and 26 had tumors extending through the capsule of the prostate. Observed overall and disease-free 10-year-survival rates were 79% and 69.4%, respectively, in patients with absence of capsular involvement and 70.8% and 66.7%, respectively, in patients with capsular invasion alone. In patients with capsular penetration, however, the survival rates significantly decreased to 57.7% (P = 0.018) and to 38.5 (P = 0.017), respectively. The overall progression rate was found to be significantly higher in patients with tumors extending through the prostatic capsule (46.2%), as compared to those with absence of capsular involvement (21%; P = 0.014) as well as to those with capsular invasion alone without penetration (25%; P = 0.034). Thus, in contrast to capsular invasion alone, capsular penetration means a poor prognostic indicator, which accounts for a reduced survival expectancy and a higher progression rate following radical prostatectomy. Therefore, tumors with capsular invasion and those with capsular penetration should not be grouped together in the same tumor stage as done in the 1987 edition of the TNM tumor classification system.

Survival and quality of life of patients with stage D1 (T1-3 pN1-2 M0) prostate cancer. Radical prostatectomy plus androgen deprivation versus androgen deprivation alone

A series of 139 patients with histologically proven stage D1 (T1-3 pN1-2 M0) prostate cancer was reviewed in order to determine the influence of radical surgery in addition to hormonal treatment on long-term outcome with respect to survival and quality of life. In all 139 patients a pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. In 87 patients, lymphadenectomy was followed by androgen deprivation alone (group 1). Fifty-two patients underwent additional radical prostatectomy (group 2). The actuarial 10-year nonprogression rates were 14.6% in group 1 and 35.8% in group 2, respectively (p = 0.0016). The overall and disease-specific 10-year survival rates were found to be 29.7 and 32.1%, respectively, for group 1 and 50.8 and 70.7%, respectively, for group 2. Local progression as the main parameter influencing quality of life occurred in 60 of the 87 patients (69%) not subjected to radical prostatectomy. Transurethral resection of the prostate was required in 29 of these patients. In contrast, following radical prostatectomy, only 4 of the 52 patients (8%) had local progression and only 1 patient (2%) needed a dilatation of the vesicourethral anastomosis for relief of infravesical obstruction. Thus, radical prostatectomy plus androgen deprivation for patients with stage D1 prostate cancer appeared to be superior to androgen deprivation alone with respect to survival expectancy and quality of life. Prospective randomized trials, however, have to be undertaken to verify these results.

Malignant neurofibroma of the urinary bladder

We report a case of a large malignant neurofibroma of the urinary bladder occurring in a 33-year-old patient with Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. Urologic manifestations of neurofibromatosis are infrequent; a neurofibroma of the bladder with malignant degeneration is an extreme rarity. To date only 3 cases have been described in the literature.

DNA-ploidy, G2M-fractions and prognosis of stages B and C prostate carcinoma

Paraffin embedded tissue of 49 stage C and 27 stage B prostate adenocarcinomas was investigated by flow cytometry. All patients were treated by radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and followed up for 5-10 years. The tumour was separated from the benign tissue to increase the proportion of tumour cells. Ten stage C and seven stage B carcinomas had to be excluded because of poor fixation. Six of the 39 (15%) stage C and 1/20 (5%) stage B carcinomas were aneuploid. Cell cycle analysis was done with correction for sliced nuclei and background subtraction. The threshold between carcinomas with low and with increased ("tetraploid") G2M-fraction was determined by comparing carcinomas with and without tumour progression. Sixty-seven percent of the patients with non-euploid stage C carcinomas and 11% of those with euploid carcinomas suffered from tumour progression (P < 0.01). The respective values for the stage B carcinomas were 67% and 6% (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate the strong prognostic impact of DNA-ploidy and G2M-fractions for each individual patient.

Radical prostatectomy in patients with incidental prostate carcinoma

Radical prostatectomy was carried out in 30 patients with an incidental carcinoma of the prostate. A tumor stage T1a (A1) was present in 7 cases and a tumor stage T1b (A2) in 23 cases. None of the 30 patients died postoperatively. As intraoperative complication, a rectum perforation occurred in 1 case. In the 23 patients with a T1b tumor, a pT2pN0M0 lesion was found in 10 cases and pT3pN0M0 lesion in 11 cases on pathohistological examination after radical prostatectomy. In 5 out of 30 patients the carcinoma could no longer be detected in the radical prostatectomy specimen. In 1 patient with a T1a tumor, pelvic lymphadenectomy revealed a single lymph node metastasis. Tumor progression did not occur in any of the 7 patients with a T1a tumor after an observation period of 9 months up to 16 years (average 4.6 years). The percentage of progression-free patients in stage T1b was calculated as 81.4% 10 years after surgery. The calculated overall survival time of patients in stage T1b was 76.3% after 10 years and the tumor-related survival was 87.5%.

[Value of transrectal ultrasound in determining the T-stage of prostate cancer]

Accurate preoperative staging of prostate adenocarcinoma is especially important before radical prostatectomy. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the staging accuracy of transrectal ultrasonography in prostatic adenocarcinoma. The results of the preoperative staging evaluation in 126 patients with endorectal ultrasound were compared with the histopathologic findings after radical prostatectomy. Correct staging by transrectal sonography was possible in 82 of 126 patients (65%). For stage pT3 tumors, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 69%, 51% and 82% respectively.

[Immunotherapy of metastatic renal cell cancer]

In the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, cytokines such as interferons, interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor and immune therapy with autologous tumor cells and tumor cell vaccines have been tested on a large scale. A definitive cure of a patient with advanced renal cell cancer treated with cytokines or immune therapy has so far not been reported in the literature. The rates of objective remissions (PR and CR) are disappointing and rarely exceed 20% overall. The combination of interferon-alpha and interleukin-2 administered subcutaneously seems to offer the best results with the lowest morbidity. However since standard treatment protocols do not exist, treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma using these substances should only be performed in prospective trials. Immunotherapy with interferons, interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor, autologous tumor cells or tumor cell vaccines has to be regarded as experimental.

Value of prostate-specific antigen as a tumor marker

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most important tumor marker for prostate cancer. However, the diagnostic limits of PSA have to be taken into consideration because PSA is also secreted by normal prostate tissue and, with benign prostatic hyperplasia, false positives are possible. Although there is a direct correlation between the serum PSA concentration and the clinical stage of the tumor, PSA is not sufficiently reliable to determine the stage of the disease on an individual basis. Low serum PSA concentrations (less than 20 ng/ml) in patients with previously untreated prostate cancer seem to be predictive for a negative bone scan. Serum PSA values also reflect the prognosis of the patient. With respect to monitoring patients after definitive therapy, PSA is a very sensitive tumor marker. However, in a small number of patients PSA-negative tumor recurrences occur.

[Selection criteria for radical prostatectomy with reference to long-term results]

Between July 1969 and May 1991 radical prostatectomies were performed in 410 consecutive patients with prostate cancer at the Department of Urology, University of Würzburg. The calculated survival rates for these 410 patients up to 15 years after surgery are very similar to the life expectancy of the normal male age-matched population. In 127 of the 410 cases radical prostatectomy was carried out more than 10 years ago, so that the data relating to these cases have been definitely observed, not merely statistically evaluated. In order to permit a comparison of our results with those reported in the literature, the TNM classification of 1979 was utilized in this study. This means that only tumors penetrating through the capsule of the prostate were classified as stage pT3. Those tumors that are only infiltrating the apex or the prostatic capsule, are classified as stage pT2. For patients with stage pT1pN0M0 and pT2pN0M0-tumors, 10-year survival rates (90.5% and 70% respectively) were recorded which are even slightly better than those of the normal male age-matched population. For patients with tumors extending through the capsule, the 10-year survival rate was found to be 60%. Forty percent ot these patients with stage pT3pN0M0 disease are alive tumor-free after more than 10 years and can thus be regarded as cured. When lymph node metastases were present (stage pT2-3pN1-2M0), some of the patients appeared to benefit from radical prostatectomy, since 4 out of 11 patients with this stage disease survived for more than 10 years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Value of nuclear DNA ploidy patterns in patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy was performed on prostatic adenocarcinoma specimens from 80 patients. In all these patients a radical retropubic prostatectomy had been performed. The nuclei for DNA ploidy determination were extracted from paraffin-embedded material of whole sections of the prostate from patients treated by radical prostatectomy between 1980 and 1985. DNA ploidy was a strong prognostic indicator independent of tumor grade and tumor stage. DNA ploidy offered additional information on both tumor stage and tumor grade. In stage C disease the likelihood of progression-free survival was 89.5% in diploid tumors and 27.8% in aneuploid tumors after 9 years. In tetraploid tumors all patients progressed after 9 years. The computed survival rates in stage C disease showed that patients with diploid tumors did significantly better than those with aneuploid or tetraploid tumor patterns. These data indicate therefore that DNA ploidy patterns determined by flow cytometric analysis provide important additional prognostic information on prostatic adenocarcinoma treated by radical prostatectomy.