Prostate cancer mortality rates in Peru and its geographical regions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the mortality rates for prostate cancer according to geographical areas in Peru between 2005 and 2014.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information was extracted from the Deceased Registry of the Peruvian Ministry of Health. We analysed age-standardised mortality rates (world population) per 100 000 men. Spatial autocorrelation was determined according to the Moran Index. In addition, we used Cluster Map to explore relations between regions.

RESULTS

Mortality rates increased from 20.9 (2005-2009) to 24.1 (2010-2014) per 100 000 men, an increase of 15.2%. According to regions, during the period 2010-2014, the coast had the highest mortality rate (28.9 per 100 000), whilst the rainforest had the lowest (7.43 per 100 000). In addition, there was an increase in mortality in the coast and a decline in the rainforest over the period 2005-2014. The provinces with the highest mortality were Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Callao, Lima, Ica, and Arequipa. Moreover, these provinces (except Arequipa) showed increasing trends during the years under study. The provinces with the lowest observed prostate cancer mortality rates were Loreto, Ucayali, and Madre de Dios. This study showed positive spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I: 0.30, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Mortality rates from prostate cancer in Peru continue to increase. These rates are higher in the coastal region compared to those in the highlands or rainforest.

Epidemiology and natural history of penile cancer

An extensive literature search was performed using the key words squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, phimosis, circumcision, chronic balanitis, cigarette smoking, genital warts and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. All selected studies were classified according to the level of evidence (LE). The final grades of recommendation were assigned after discussion by the full panel of the International Consultation on Penile Cancer in November 2008. The factors positively associated with invasive penile cancers include the presence of phimosis (LE 3a), tobacco smoking (LE 3a-4), chewing tobacco (LE 3a), injury to the penis (LE 3a), balanitis (LE 3a), genital warts (LE 3a), and high-risk HPV infection (LE 3a-4).

[Characteristics of metastatic prostate cancer occurring in patients under 50 years of age]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the clinical features, diagnostic approach, and treatment of metastatic prostate cancer in young adult patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review was made of the clinical histories of patients under 50 years of age diagnosed with prostate cancer at the urology department of the National Institute for Neoplastic Diseases from 1952 to 2005. Demographic characteristics and data on history, symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, and disease course were collected. Data were statistically analyzed and compared to information obtained from a literature search.

RESULTS

There were 69 patients aged less than 50 years who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, 60% of whom had metastatic tumors. Mean patient age was 45.5 years, with a lower range of 29. All patients reported bone pain, associated to other signs and symptoms such as spinal cord compression (19.5%), lower limb edema (17%), peripheral adenopathies (36.5%), and abdominal tumor (2.4%). All patients had bone metastases, of which 14.6% were in solid organs (lung and liver), 48.7% in retroperitoneum, and 7.3% in mediastinum. Initially, three patients were diagnosed a lymphoproliferative syndrome, one patient a retroperitoneal tumor of unknown etiology, and four patients a metastasis from an unknown primary tumor. Mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 795 ng/mL (3-6500). All pathologies were reported as poorly differentiated or undifferentiated. Mean survival was 16.1 months (1-84), and all patients died due to disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced prostate cancer is an uncommon condition in young adults. Its clinical presentation is atypical, as metastases may mimic other diseases. The course of disease is indolent, and prognosis is poor. In patients with risk factors, PSA testing should be started before 50 years of age.

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma: a rare variant of renal angiomyolipoma

OBJECTIVE

We present a case of primary renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma, its association with tuberous sclerosis and review the literature.

METHODS

We present the case of a 12 year-old male with past medical history of tuberous sclerosis, characterized by developmental delay, tonic and clonic seizures, and cutaneous abnormalities. He presented with macroscopic hematuria and abdominal pain. CT scan of the abdomen showed the presence of a left renal tumor. He underwent left radical nephrectomy. Pathologic study of the specimen showed primary renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma, corroborated by immunohistochemistry staining. Review of the literature was performed for this rare variant and its malignant potential.

RESULTS

The presence of this epithelial variant is rare and must be taken into account because of its malignant potential and, thus, with different prognosis and follow up, compared to classical angiomyolipoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal angiomyolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor, representing a challenge for clinical and pathological diagnosis. Despite the big size they can reach, as well as bilaterality, multiplicity of lesions and/or lymphatic regional involvement, its malignant potential has not been established. Nevertheless, the epithelioid variant has been described recently, a rare entity with aggressive behavior, difficult histological characterization and poor prognosis.

Leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein: case report and review of the literature

Leiomyosarcomas of vascular origin is a rare and aggressive pathology, its presentation on the renal vein is infrequent, of which 29 cases have been reported world-wide. We describe a case of a 76 year-old woman, who presented with intermittent left flank pain, irradiated to the lumbar region of 6 months duration. A left radical nephrectomy with en-bloc resection of a para-aortic tumor was performed. Microscopic examination of the specimen reported a moderately differentiated leiomyosarcoma, originated in the wall of the renal vein. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The tumor recurred in the liver. After 24 months from the primary surgery, the patient is alive with evidence of multiple metastatic spread to the liver. She is now under palliative care.

Cancer of the penis

BACKGROUND

Cancer of the penis is an uncommon malignancy in developed countries, but the incidence is as high as 17% of all male cancers in some undeveloped countries. The surgical management of this disease has improved due to better knowledge of risk for metastasis and newer imaging technologies to assess the regional lymph nodes.

METHODS

We review the literature on incidence, etiology, pathology, clinical presentation, staging, and management of penile cancer. We present our institutional experience with 160 patients who underwent extended ilioinguinal lymph node dissection, as well as with 7 patients who underwent a modified lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

Better understanding of pathologic features allow for stratification of patients into low, intermediate, or high risk for lymph node involvement. Lymphatic mapping to this stratification improves selection of patients who might benefit from lymph node dissection after excision of the primary lesion. Our experience with lymph node dissection yielded a high incidence of positive lymph nodes when lymphadenopathy was present. The recent use of a modified lymph node dissection has minimized morbidity. Current chemotherapy agents are ineffective in this disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathologic features of the primary lesion and the incorporation of lymphatic mapping have improved the selection of patients who might benefit from lymph node dissection. The use of a modified lymph node dissection in selected patients has decreased morbidity. Effective chemotherapy agents are needed in the management of advanced penile cancer.

Leiomyosarcoma of the penis

The third case of leiomyosarcoma of the foreskin is reported. A review of the literature indicates that this lesion, which is similar to cutaneous leiomyosarcoma that is seen elsewhere in the body, has a low grade of malignancy. This finding is in contrast to leiomyosarcoma of the penis, which arises in deep structures and tends to metastasize. Circumcision appears to be the most effective treatment for leiomyosarcoma of the foreskin.