小剂量结核菌素与羟基喜树碱交替膀胱灌注预防膀胱癌术后复发的临床观察

目的 探讨羟基喜树碱（HCPT）、小剂量结核菌素（BCG）交替膀胱灌注预防膀胱癌术后复发的效果.方法 选择312例膀胱癌术后患者,随机分为HCPT和小剂量BCG交替膀胱灌注组（A组）、HCPT膀胱灌注组（B组）各156例.A组：术后第7d用HCPT 10mg＋生理盐水20 mL膀胱灌注,第14d用BCG 10mg＋生理盐水40mL膀胱灌注;之后每隔3d交替灌注1次,至术后第56d;术后第63d开始,每隔1周交替灌注1次,各灌注8次;术后第183d开始,每隔15d交替灌注1次,各灌注8次;术后第438d开始,每隔1个月交替灌注1次至术后2年.B组：自术后第7d起,用HCPT 10mg＋生理盐水20mL膀胱灌注,每周灌注1次,至术后第56d;术后第70d开始,每隔2周灌注1次,共8次;术后第198d开始,每隔1个月灌注1次,共8次;术后第468d开始,每隔2个月灌注1次至术后2年.各种药物灌注剂量同首次灌注.分别观察两组0～18、19 ～24、25 ～60个月的肿瘤复发率及毒副反应.结果 随访60个月,A组复发率分别为0（0～18个月）、3.21％（19 ～24个月）、18.67％（25～60个月）,B组分别为11.54％、7.10％、20.13％,两组0～18个月的复发率比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;两组均出现非细菌性膀胱炎、血尿、低热、血象异常等毒副反应,但两组比较差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 HCPT和小剂量BCG交替膀胱灌注预防膀胱癌术后复发效果较好,毒副反应较轻且发生率低.     

Should Bladder Biopsies be Performed Routinely after Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Treatment for High-Risk Superficial Transitional Cell Cancer of the Bladder?

OBJECTIVE: After endoscopic resection of high-grade superficial urothelial neoplasms (Ta, T1 or Tis), adjuvant bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy is performed routinely to avoid recurrence and/or progression. Vesical biopsies often are performed to assess the efficacy of treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of these biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During this retrospective bi-centre study, 130 patients who had undergone vesical high-grade tumour resection were included. There were 40 Ta associated with Tis in three cases, 87 T1 associated with Tis in 13 cases, and three isolated Tis. After BCG treatment, the following parameters were studied: cytoscopic findings, urine cytology and the histologic results of systematised biopsies. RESULTS: Urine cytology was positive (high-grade) for 26 patients and negative (normal or low-grade) for 104 patients. For the 26 patients with positive cytology, vesical flexible cystoscopy findings were considered suspicious in 18 patients and normal in eight patients. As for the 104 patients who presented negative cytology, cystoscopic findings were considered negative in 76 patients and suspicious in 28 patients. In the present study, the sensitivity of cytology and cystoscopy in the detection of recurrence after BCG treatment was 56% and 87.5%, respectively; specificity was 56% and 81.6%, respectively. When the two examinations were combined, sensitivity was 100%, and specificity was 76%. CONCLUSIONS: After BCG therapy, the association of negative flexible cystoscopy findings and normal urine cytology made it possible to avoid routine biopsies. Patients could therefore avoid the morbidity of this procedure.     

Immunocytochemical analysis of prostate stem cell antigen as adjunct marker for detection of urothelial transitional cell carcinoma in voided urine specimens

PURPOSE: Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), a homologue of the Ly-6/Thy-1 family of cell surface antigens, has been shown to be increased in a majority of human transitional cell carcinomas. We tested the possibility of using PSCA as an adjunct marker for urine cytology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunocytochemical analysis was performed on 44 archived voided urine samples obtained from 3 groups of patients based on initial voided urine cytological results and subsequent followup biopsy findings. Group 1 (14 of 44 patients) had positive findings on cytology and histology, group 2 (16 of 44) had negative cytology but positive histology, and group 3 (14 of 44) had negative findings on cytology and histology. Cytological slides prepared from 10 fresh voided urine samples were also analyzed. Papanicoloau stained archived urine slides were de-stained and re-stained immunocytochemically with a monoclonal antibody against PSCA. Immunofluorescence followed by laser scanning cytometer analysis was also performed on archived slides from 2 representative cases. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity were 46.7% and 100% for cytology alone, respectively, and 80% and 85.7% for PSCA alone, respectively. PSCA immunostaining was positive in 92.8% group 1, 68.8% group 2 and only 14.3% group 3 samples. The difference in positive PSCA findings in groups 2 and 3 were statistically significant at p <0.01 by chi-square test. Whereas some superficial umbrella cells showed slight staining by immunocytochemistry, it was feasible to distinguish the expression levels between tumor and normal superficial umbrella cells quantitatively using immunofluorescence coupled with laser scan cytometry analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Immunocytochemical analysis of PSCA on archived voided urine samples may provide a simple and quantitative adjunct marker for cytological diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma.     

Monitoring endoscopic treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma by postoperative urinary cytology

Transurethral resection was the only modality of treatment in 39 patients with long-standing, recurrent, superficial bladder carcinoma. Postoperative urinary cytology was performed within 3 days of each endoscopy. Tumor recurrence was defined by the presence of a positive biopsy or visible papillary tumors on followup cystoscopic examination. Tumor recurred in 38 patients (97.4 per cent) and 1 patient (2.6 per cent) has remained free of disease 74 months following transient positive postoperative cytology. Among the 38 recurrences 15 (39.5 per cent) were positive, 3 (7.9 per cent) suspicious and 20 (52.6 per cent) negative at the postoperative cytological examination. The interval to recurrence did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. The failure of a negative postoperative cytology study to predict a durable response to treatment by transurethral resection reflects the polychronotopic nature of superficial bladder tumors in this select patient population and suggests the need for adjuvant therapy.     

The sensitivity and clinical implications of periodical bladder biopsy following transurethral resection of superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma

The role of the periodical bladder biopsy after transurethral resection (TUR-Bt) of superficial bladder cancer (sBT) was evaluated. Sixty-four patients (85 TURs) with sBT who underwent TUR-Bt between 1993 and 1998 were divided into 14 (22 TURs) who had carcinoma in situ (CIS) at the first TUR (group A), and 50 (64 TURs) who had papillary tumors without concomitant CIS (group B). Post-TUR intravesical instillation was performed with bacillus Calmette-Guerin for the majority of group A, and mitomycin C for the majority of group B. The first biopsy was performed at 3 months postoperatively, and the second biopsy was done at 8 to 12 months postoperatively. The mean observation time was 4 years and 6 months. Residual cancer was detected in 7 out of 34 biopsies (20.6%) in group A, and 19 out of 94 (20.2%) in group B. Every residual lesion in group A was CIS with negative cytology. In group B, with exclusion of 11 recurrent papillary tumors, the detection rate was only 8/83 (9.6%). In both groups, even in the cases with no sign of disease in biopsies, the recurrence immediately after the termination of the biopsy protocol was common. The progression of the cancer was more frequent in group A (4 patients), than in group B (2 patients) (p < 0.01, log-rank test), and no case in group B showed local progression. The periodical biopsy may have a certain, but limited advantage over conventional examinations. A less invasive and more sensitive method in awaited.     

Evaluation of prostate aspiration biopsy for cytological detection of prostate cancer

The aspiration biopsy of the prostate for cytological detection was evaluated in 143 patients with clinically suspected prostate cancer and compared with the pathological diagnosis by needle biopsy performed simultaneously. Histopathological evaluation was possible in 136 cases. Sufficient cells for cytological diagnosis were obtained in 92.3% of pathologically diagnosed cases. Only 3 specimens for cytology (4.3%) of the prostate cancer before treatment were insufficient for cytology. Compared with pathological diagnosis by needle biopsy, false positive and negative rates were observed in 4.8% and 25.0% respectively. The accuracy rate of cytological diagnosis was higher the higher the degree of anaplasia in the pathological findings. In 20 clinically well-controlled patients the cytological results were negative in all of the well differentiated adenocarcinomas, whereas positive in poorly differentiated ones without exception. The cytological findings were still positive in all of the 4 cases with progressive cancer in spite of the anticancer therapy. Besides these results, because of no complication in the 182 aspiration biopsies, this may be a useful method for detection of prostate cancer, especially for screening of the cancer and judgment of efficacy during treatment.     

Cytologic diagnostic value of voided urine in 60 cases of primary transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter

Exfoliative urinary cytology was performed on 60 cases of histologically proven TCC (Transitional cells carcinoma) of the renal pelvis and ureter. There were 39 cases of TCC of the renal pelvis. Urine cytology was positive in 27 cases (69.2%); suspicious in 5 cases (12.8%) and negative in 7 cases (17.9%). Significant correlation was found in the frequency of diagnosis and the histological grade of carcinoma. The cytological positive rate in G1 carcinoma was 40%; 71% in G2; 100% in G3. It is considered that the location of tumor in the renal pelvis predominates the urinary cytological positive rate. Urine cytology was positive in 3 cases (33.3%) out of 9 cases of the carcinoma seated in the inferior renal calix, whereas 19 cases (86.4%) from 22 cases in other sites of the renal pelvis (P less than 0.05). The positive rate of urine cytology for 21 cases of TCC of the ureter was 42.9%. The results showed that the secondary ureteric obstruction was an influence on the cytological positive rate.     

Prognostic value of peritoneal lavage cytology in gastric cancer

The microscopic detection of free peritoneal tumour cells in peritoneal lavage fluid in gastric cancer patients is a useful predictor of peritoneal recurrence and poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to verify the prognostic significance of intraoperative peritoneal lavage cytology and its value as a predictor of peritoneal recurrence. We evaluated the presence of free peritoneal tumour cells with extemporary cytological examination in a series of 170 peritoneal washing samples from patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer over the period from January 1992 to June 2001. Twenty-eight patients (16%) had positive extemporary lavage cytology and there were no false-negatives as compared with the final examination. All patients with positive cytology presented serosal infiltration (T3/T4). Positive peritoneal lavage cytology was a predictor of poor prognosis and peritoneal recurrence: the 24 month survival rate was 17% for positive and 60% for negative cases (P = 0.003); in positive cases 71% of recurrences were located in the peritoneum. Intraoperative cytological examination of peritoneal washings can detect the presence of free malignant cells in the peritoneal cavity and can be used to select patients who may benefit from intraperitoneal chemotherapy.     

The diagnostic value of flow cytometric DNA analysis in bladder cancer--comparison with conventional cytology]

The aim of this research was to assess the clinical value of flow cytometry (FCM) compared with conventional cytology in the detection and diagnosis of bladder cancer. The practical application of FCM combined with cytology was also investigated. Seventy patients with bladder cancer and 50 without neoplastic disease of the urinary tract were studied. The exfoliated cells used for FCM-DNA analysis and cytology by the Papanicolaou technique were obtained from voided urine and subsequent bladder irrigation specimens. The false negative rates for urine cytology, irrigation cytology, urine FCM, and irrigation FCM were 36%, 38%, 14% and 13%, respectively. Corresponding false positive rates were 2%, 0%, 14%, and 18%. When the above-mentioned examinations were paired, the combination of urine cytology and urine FCM appeared to be the most acceptable way to secure a correct diagnosis. Using this combination, the false negative and false positive rates were 4%, and 16%, respectively. When three or four examinations were combined, the false negative fate could not be improved despite the fact that the false positive rate worsened. It is noteworthy that FCM-DNA analysis seems to be less reliable in patients who have inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract or a history of intravesical chemotherapy.     

The usefulness of ureterorenoscopic examination in evaluation of upper tract disease

AIM: The objective of the present study was to clarify the indications, usefulness and limitations of ureterorenoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1998 to June 2004, 72 consecutive patients (48 men and 24 women) with a mean age of 66 years (range, 27-83 years) underwent ureterorenoscopy to diagnose upper urinary tract tumors (UUT). Median follow-up was 24 months (range, 1-73 months). Patients were divided into four subgroups by voided urine cytology and preoperative radiographic findings. Group A (n=11, 15.3%), positive voided urine cytology and positive preoperative radiographic findings; group B (n=5, 6.9%), positive cytology and negative radiographic findings; group C (n=48, 66.7%), negative cytology and positive radiographic findings and group D (n=8, 11.1%), frank hematuria originating from the UUT but negative cytology and negative radiographic findings. We compared the findings of ureterorenoscopic examination and biopsy with the results of retrograde pyelography and cytology of upper tract urine. For each examination, the following diagnostic indices were assessed: sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive-value (PPV) and negative-predictive-value (NPV) and accuracy. Statistical analysis was performed using McNemar's test. RESULTS: For ureterorenoscopy, sensitivity was 94%, specificity 59%, PPV 72%, NPV 92% and accuracy 76%. For biopsy, sensitivity was 77%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, NPV 80% and accuracy 88%. Accuracy of ureterorenoscopy tended to be superior to that of retrograde pyelography. Ureterorenoscopy was most useful in the group which consisted of 48 patients (66.7%) with negative voided urine cytology and positive preoperative radiographic findings. This group was the only group in which accuracy of ureterorenoscopic biopsy was superior to that of urine cytology, significantly (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Results indicated that ureterorenoscopy is most suitable and gives superior accuracy in patients with positive radiographic findings and negative voiding cytology. Ureterorenoscopic biopsy of the upper urinary tract would provide useful information when considering therapeutic strategies, such as nephron-sparing management.     

Use of flow cytometry in the diagnosis of bladder tumor

Bladder irrigation specimens from 42 patients, in which 10 cases were benign tumor or bladder inflammation and 32 cases transitional cell carcinoma, were analysed by flow cytometry (FCM). Compared with routine cytological examination, their positive rates were 87.4% and 62.5% respectively. The difference was statistically significant. FCM is more sensitive and specific than the conventional cytology in detection of bladder tumor.     

The significance of urine cytology three consecutive days after transurethral resection as a predictor of superficial bladder cancer recurrence

To determine whether there was any correlation between recurrence of superficial bladder cancer and the results of urinary cytology examined for 3 consecutive days after transurethral resection of the bladder cancer (TURBT), we retrospectively studied 64 patients with newly diagnosed Ta/T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder who had previously undergone TURBT. Urine cytology samples were reported as negative (class I, II) or positive (class III, IV, V). We used the Kaplan-Meier method to calculate the non-recurrence rate, and Cox-proportional hazard models to determine the prognostic significance of clinical and pathological findings. If any sample among the three consecutive cytology examinations was positive, we defined the case as positive. After a mean follow up of 19.5 months, 22 cases (34.4%) demonstrated recurrence probabilities of 24.1% and 42.3%, at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Of the positive cytology group (n = 33), 15 patients (45.5%) had recurrent tumor, while in the negative group (n = 31), only 7 cases (22.6%) developed recurrence. Multivarite analysis demonstrated that tumor size (p = 0.0022, Hazard ratio 8.9316), result of urine cytology for three consecutive days after TUR (p = 0.0051, Hazard ratio 4.5728), and age (p = 0.0124, Hazard ratio 3.7652) were associated with tumor recurrence. We suggest that positive results on urinary cytology for three consecutive days after TUR are indicative for tumor recurrence.     

Screening methods in the detection of bladder cancer: comparison of nuclear matrix protein-22, bladder tumor antigen and cytological examinations]

We evaluated the utility of urinary parameters (Nuclear Matrix Protein-22: NMP-22, Bladder Tumor Antigen: BTA, and cytological examinations) for the diagnosis or post-therapeutic monitoring of bladder cancer. Thirty one tumor-bearing cases including 19 fresh cases and 40 tumor-free cases, were subjects of this study. Using identical voided urine samples, NMP-22, BTA and urinary cytology were examined. The mean values of NMP-22 (cut-off value is 12 U/ml) was 100.5 +/- 26.5 U/ml in the tumor-bearing group and 21.9 +/- 7.8 U/ml in the tumor-free group (p < 0.05): Sensitivity was 74.2%, and specificity was 67.5%. Sensitivity of BTA was 58.1%, and specificity was 97.5%. Only five cases were judged positive by urinary cytology: 16.1% in sensitivity and 100% in specificity. Thus, NMP-22 and BTA were more sensitive than urinary cytology. In conclusion, the new urinary parameters, NMP-22 and BTA, would be less invasive and useful as tumor markers of bladder cancer. NMP-22 seems suitable for screening before the diagnosis and BTA for the post-therapeutic follow-up study.     

Feasibility of Masood’s cytological index for screening breast lesions in low resource setting

Fine needle aspiration cytology has long been an accepted diagnostic modality in combination with physical examination and mammography to investigate breast lesions. In the present era, more proficient methods such as stereotactic mammographically guided breast biopsy is the preferred choice, however, in low resource setting, FNAC still remains the most cost effective and sampling modality to diagnose breast cancer. With the intention to evaluate the efficacy and limitations of FNAC in evaluation of breast lesions in low resource setting, we employed the Masood's cytological staging system to stratify the breast lesions and correlate them with histopathology wherever possible. All breast lesions aspirates were analyzed and classified according to the Masood's cytological scoring system and correlated with histopathological findings wherever adequate material was available. A total of 776 patients were studied of which 23 aspirates were unsatisfactory, 120 aspirates were categorized as inflammatory breast disease. Six hundred and thirty‐three cases were classified according to Masood's cytological system. Nonproliferative breast diseases (Group I) encompassed maximum cases with 55% followed by carcinoma in situ and invasive cancers (Group IV) with 39% and proliferative breast disease without atypia (Group II) and with atypia (Group III) which had equal number of cases constituting 2.4% each. Cyto‐histopathological correlation done in 102 cases revealed 100% concordance in group IV and 75% concordance in group III while it could not be performed in Group I and II as no histopathological specimen was available in those patients. Masood Cytological grading for breast aspirates is a reliable and an easily reproducible system which can be used to formulate appropriate treatment protocols in cases presenting with breast lesions.     

Bladder preservation by chemoradiotherapy in combination with radical TUR-Bt in muscle invasive bladder cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate bladder preservation protocol by radical TUR-Bt and subsequent concurrent chemoradiotherapy in muscle invasive bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (T2-T4NOM0) were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy after transurethral resection of the tumor as much as possible beyond muscle layers. Chemotherapy was consisted of systemic administration of methoterexete (30 mg/m2 day 1 and day 22) and intraarterial infusion of cisplatin (70 mg/m2, day 2 and day 23). The response was evaluated by TUR, urine cytology, CT and/or MRI 4 to 6 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: Among 24 evaluable cases, pathological complete response was achieved in 13 cases (50%) and residual tumors were noted in 11 cases (pT1 in 9 and pT2 in 2). During follow-up period up to 69.8 months, invasive recurrence was observed in 2 cases, superficial recurrence was noted in 5 patients and distant metastasis without evidence of local recurrence was noted in 4 cases. Overall bladder preservation rate was 92%. CONCLUSIONS: The bladder preservation by radical TUR-Bt and chemoradiotherapy is a safe and effective treatment option for muscle invasive bladder cancer.     

Clinical statistics of the bladder tumor--transurethral resection cases

Two hundred and thirty one patients who underwent transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TUR-Bt) at our hospital during the past 15 years were analyzed. There were 176 males and 55 females, and the average age at the initial TUR-Bt was 62 years old. Histopathologically, 225 cases were of transitional cell carcinoma, 4 cases of papilloma and 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Grading and staging of 225 transitional cell carcinoma cases revealed grades 1, 2 and 3 in 32, 132 and 21 cases, and stages Ta, T1, T2, T3 and T2-4M1 in 48, 135, 20, 17 and 11 cases, respectively. The frequency of TUR-Bt varied from 1 to 10 times. Among the 231 cases TUR-Bt was done once, twice and three times in 149 (64.5%) and 41 (17.8%), and 22 (9.6%) cases, respectively and the total number of TUR-Bt was 400 times. The duration of the TUR-Bt operation was from 5 min. to 160 min. (mean: 32.4 min.) and the resected weight of tumor between 0.5 g and 85 g (mean: 5.4 g). As a complication of TUR-Bt, TUR-fulguration was necessary to control postoperative bleeding in 7 cases (1.7%), and blood transfusion was required in 13 cases (3.3%) during TUR-Bt. Postoperatively blood transfusion was required in 8 cases (2%), intraperitoneal perforation in 2 cases (0.5%), extraperitoneal perforation in 6 cases (1.5%) and hyponatremia in 1 case (0.3%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The efficacy of urinary cytology in the detection of urothelial tumours

Summary The sensitivity and specificity of urinary cytology in the detection of urothelial tumours using voided urine and applying simple smear preparation and staining techniques have been assessed. Of the 2704 patients under investigation 207 had urothelial tumours. The first urine analysis was positive in 66% of the patients with urothelial carcinoma; an additional 23% of the patients showed positive cytology in repeat smears, resulting in a sensitivity of 89%. The efficacy of urinary cytology depends on the tumour type: for grade 2 tumours, 79% were cytologically positive, 92% of grade 3 and 98% of the grade 4 tumours. The diagnostic efficacy in cases of carcinoma-in-situ, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was comparable with that of grade 4 carcinomas. Grade 0–1 tumours did not result in positive cytology. In eleven cases of lithiasis and in two cases of cyclophosphamide therapy the cytological diagnosis was positive but no neoplasm could be established histologically; these represent true false positive diagnoses. Thus, the false positive rate, 13 out of 165, was 7.88% and the false negative rate, 61 out of 207, was 29.4% when grades 0–1 were included, but 8.75% (14 out of 160) when grades 0–1 were excluded.     

Fluorescence in situ hybridization for detecting transitional cell carcinoma: implications for clinical practice

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity of genetic studies using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for detecting both new and recurrent cases of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in a routine clinical practice setting, as bladder cancer has a significant risk of recurrence and progression to invasive disease and thus sensitive surveillance testing is very important. PATIENTS AND METHODS: FISH was performed using the UroVysion kit (Vysis Inc., Downers Grove, IL, USA) Consecutive patients were assessed using FISH, both to evaluate those with a history of TCC or with suspicious symptoms, and the FISH results were compared with concurrent biopsy and cytological assessments. RESULTS: In all, 521 consecutive FISH tests from 300 patients were evaluated; 47% had a history of bladder cancer and 53% had suspicious symptoms. Of the 521 FISH tests, 24% were positive; concurrent cytology was available for 84% of the FISH tests, with a concordance rate of 78% (6% were positive for both and 72% were negative by both tests). For the discordant cases, FISH was positive and cytology negative in 21% of cases, and cytology was positive with a negative FISH for 1%. In all, 99 FISH tests had concurrent biopsy data. Of the 44 cases histologically positive for TCC, 32 were FISH-positive, resulting in an overall sensitivity (95% confidence interval) of 73 (60-88)%. FISH detected 95% of cases with high-grade carcinoma, while only seven of these 17 were positive by concurrent cytological assessment. FISH detected 56% and cytology detected 32% of low-grade lesions. FISH detected all nine new cases with positive histology. Overall, the specificity of FISH was 65 (53-78)%. Of 112 patients with previous TCC, 28 had a recurrence; 22 of these had positive FISH results. CONCLUSION: FISH analysis has a high sensitivity for detecting new cases of TCC, as well as recurrences. From the present data FISH is considerably more sensitive and only slightly less specific than cytology in diagnosing TCC. Therefore, we recommend FISH as a useful initial diagnostic tool in patients suspected of both new and recurrent TCC.     

A comparative study of cytological and histological studies of the thyroid gland

We compare the results of fine-needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid gland with postoperative histological findings in 533 patients with thyroidectomy operated on between 1987 and 1994. The classification of the cytological preparations followed the proposal of Weiss and Pilz [35] with the groups 0-IV. In group 0 the most frequent findings were cystic changes in multinodular goitre or malpuncture, respectively. The groups I and II contained cases with multinodular goitre, thyroiditis and follicular adenomas, but 4 carcinomas too. The group III comprised particularly follicular adenomas and carcinomas (8 cases). Both cases in group IV were carcinomas. In group III (cytologic group with suspicious findings) there were 65 cases with false positive results of the cytologic investigation resulting in a specificity of 86.4%. 4 out of 14 thyroid carcinomas could not be detected by cytologic preparations corresponding to a sensitivity of 71.4% for carcinomas. The false negative rate for thyroid carcinomas in group II was caused by regression areas in the center of the tumors (3 cases) as well as one microcarcinoma. Preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid gland reduces the number of patients operated on for multinodular goitre or cold nodules especially in cases suspicious of carcinoma.     

Clinical outcome of chemoradiotherapy for T1G3 bladder cancer

Abstract:   The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcome of a bladder-sparing approach using chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for T1G3 bladder cancer.   Between May 2000 and August 2007, 11 patients with T1G3 bladder cancer and who were negative for macroscopic residual tumor were treated by CRT after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-Bt). Pelvic irradiation was given at a dose of 40 Gy in 4 weeks. Intra-arterial administration of cisplatin and systemic administration of methotrexate were carried out in the first and third weeks of radiotherapy. One month after CRT, response was evaluated by restaging TUR-Bt. For persistent tumor after CRT or tumor recurrence, patients received additional treatment. Median follow-up was 21.2 months. Complete response was achieved in 10 of 11 patients (90.9%). Local recurrence for the entire group of 11 patients was 22.1% at both 2 and 5 years. Tumor progression was 0% at 5 years. Disease-specific survival rates were 100% at 5 years. All of survivors retained functioning bladders. Bladder preservation by CRT is a curative treatment option for T1G3 bladder cancer and a reasonable alternative to intravesical treatment or early cystectomy.