PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES FOLLOWING CRYOSURGICAL ABLATION OF THE PROSTATE IN PATIENTS WITH CLINICALLY LOCALIZED PROSTATE CARCINOMA

Purpose

Cryosurgical ablation of the prostate is a novel therapeutic modality that induces cell lysis in the prostate by direct application of low temperatures. We have been conducting an ongoing prospective pilot study of the use of cryosurgical prostate ablation in treating patients with nonmetastatic prostate adenocarcinoma since January 1993. Results in 145 consecutive patients with mean 36 months and minimum 12 months of followup are presented.

Materials and Methods

Accrual was open to patients with clinical stages T1a to T3c prostate adenocarcinoma. Pelvic lymph node dissections were recommended but not required for patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) greater than 15 ng./ml. before study entry. PSA changes, random prostate biopsy findings and morbidities after cryosurgical prostate ablation were recorded for each patient.

Results

Overall actuarial rates at 42 months for maintaining PSA less than 0.3 and less than 1.0 were 59% and 66%, respectively. The overall actuarial progression-free rate at 60 months was 56%. Among 160 biopsies performed 16% showed some evidence of residual carcinoma. Overall crude rates of maintaining either a negative biopsy or PSA less than 0.3 at 6 and 24 months after cryosurgical prostate ablation were 87% and 73%, respectively. Significantly higher morbidities were seen in previously radiated patients undergoing cryosurgical prostate ablation compared to those with no prior radiation. Among nonradiated patients 85% experienced no significant morbidity after cryosurgical prostate ablation.

Conclusions

Although preliminary, short-term outcomes after cryosurgical prostate ablation appear to be comparable to identical outcomes reported for external beam radiotherapy. Based on these results cryosurgical prostate ablation appears to be an effective therapeutic alternative for treating patients with localized prostate adenocarcinoma.     

LONG-TERM OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH pTxN+ ADENOCARCINOMA OF PROSTATE TREATED WITH RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY AND EARLY ANDROGEN ABLATION

Purpose

We assessed retrospectively the outcome after bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical prostatectomy for pathological pTxN+ adenocarcinoma of the prostate when treated with or without adjuvant androgen ablation therapy.

Materials and Methods

A total of 790 men treated with radical prostatectomy for prostatic adenocarcinoma were found to have pTxN+ disease and treated further with or without androgen ablation therapy. Mean patient age was 64 years (range 40 to 79). Mean followup was 6.5 years, (range up to 25). Clinical stages were T2 or less in 60% of the cases, T3 in 38% and N+ in 2%. Gleason scores were 6 or less in 31% and 7 or greater in 69%. Deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy was diploid in 43%, tetraploid in 39% and aneuploid in 18%. Of the patients 96 (12%) received no androgen ablation therapy, with the remainder getting ablation therapy within 90 days of radical prostatectomy.

Results

Of the patients 186 (24%) died, with 109 (14%) dying of prostatic anedocarcinoma. Overall (and cause specific) survival probabilities at 5, 10 and 15 years were 87 (91), 69 (79) and 39% (60%), respectively. Patients with diploid tumors had better cause specific survival than those with nondiploid tumors (p = 0.009). Patients with diploid tumors were less likely to have progression biochemically, locally or systematically than those with nondiploid tumors (p = 0.038). Androgen ablation therapy had no effect on cause specific survival in nondiploid patients. Diploid patients treated with androgen ablation therapy for up to 10 years had no improvement in disease specific survival compared to those with no androgen ablation therapy. However, cancer death was significantly reduced after 10 years (p <0.002). The local control rate of pTxN+ cases that receive radical prostatectomy and androgen ablation therapy at 15 years is virtually identical to that of stage pT2c cases at our institution (79 +/− 3.0 versus 80% +/− 3.5%, respectively). There were no deaths secondary to radical prostatectomy, and complications were within the experience of that seen in patients with localized disease.

Conclusions

Radical prostatectomy with androgen ablation therapy is a viable option for patients with pTxN+ disease, particularly in view of excellent local control rates and low morbidity. Patients with diploid tumors have a more favorable outcome than those with nondiploid tumors when treated with androgen ablation therapy.     

HOLMIUM LASER VERSUS TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE: A RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE TRIAL WITH 1-YEAR FOLLOWUP

PURPOSE: The high-powered holmium:YAG laser can be used for incision, ablation and resection of the prostate. The technique of holmium laser resection of the prostate is compared to transurethral prostatic resection for surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia in this prospective randomized study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 urodynamically obstructed cases were randomized to holmium laser or transurethral prostatic resection. All eligible patients were assessed preoperatively and at 3 weeks, and 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively with an American Urological Association symptom score, peak urinary flow rate, and questionnaires concerning sexual function and continence. Preoperative pressure flow study, ultrasound prostate volume assessment and post-void residual volume measurement were repeated at the 6-month visit. All complications were noted. RESULTS: Holmium laser and transurethral resections resulted in significant improvements in symptom score, quality of life score, peak urinary flow rate and post-void residual urine measurements. Operating time was significantly longer in the holmium group but nursing contact time, catheter time and hospital stay were significantly less compared to the transurethral prostatic resection group. Urodynamic results were equivalent at 6 months. There were fewer side effects in the holmium group. Effects on continence, potency and symptoms were similar with 1-year followup. CONCLUSIONS: Holmium and transurethral resections of the prostate appear to be equivalent in surgical management of bladder outflow obstruction due to benign prostate hyperplasia. Perioperative morbidity was less in the holmium group.     

TRANSURETHRAL PROSTATIC RESECTION OR LASER THERAPY FOR MEN WITH ACUTE URINARY RETENTION: THE CLASP RANDOMIZED TRIAL

PURPOSE: Transurethral resection of the prostate is the standard operation for acute urinary retention, although laser prostatectomy is reportedly effective and safe. The ClasP (conservative management, laser, transurethral resection of the prostate) study compared transurethral prostatic resection and noncontact neodymium (Nd):YAG visual laser assisted prostatectomy for treatment of acute urinary retention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a multicenter randomized controlled trial, analyses were by intention to treat and followup was at 7.5 months after randomization. Primary outcomes were treatment failure, and included International Prostate Symptom Score, International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life score, residual urine and flow rate. Secondary outcomes included complications, and duration of catheterization and hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 148 men were randomized to transurethral prostatic resection (74) and laser (74). There were fewer treatment failures after prostatic resection (p = 0.008) and fewer men after resection required secondary surgery for poor results (1 versus 7, p = 0.029). Maximum flow rates after transurethral prostatic resection were better than after laser (mean difference 4.4 ml. per second). Comparison of symptom and quality of life scores demonstrated that any clinically significant advantage for laser could be ruled out. Patients stayed a mean of 2 extra days in the hospital after resection. The duration of catheterization was greater after laser but significantly fewer major treatment complications were found with laser therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral prostatic resection was more effective, resulted in fewer failures than laser treatment and remains the procedure of choice for men with acute urinary retention.     

射频热毁损治疗肝癌前后血液中AFPmRNA变化及意义

目的探讨肝癌射频热毁损(RFA)治疗前后血液中AFP-mRNA变化及其意义。方法应用RT-PCR检测技术对术前术后48小时,72小时,1周及术后2周肝癌患者周围静脉血液中AFPmRNA,并观察变化。结果183例术前血液中AFPmRNA阴性的肝癌患者中有62例术后72小时转为阳性,但术后1周时复转阴性;而129例术前血液中AFPmRNA阳性的肝癌患者112例术后2w转为阴性;其中17例术后2周仍为阳性,术后证实有病灶残留。结论射频热毁损治疗肝癌可引起血液AFPmRNA一过性升高;血液AFPmRNA可成为判断RFA术后复发或残留的客观性指标之一。     

THE TIDE IS STEMMED. A METHOD OF CATHETER TRACTION FOR THE CONTROL OF VENOUS HAEMORRHAGE FOLLOWING TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF PROSTATE

Local pressure for the control of venous haemorrhage during the performance of surgery is the primary method of control of bleeding when ligation is technically impossible. A method of catheter traction for the control of profuse bladder neck venous haemorrhage is described.     

PREDICTING EXTRACAPSULAR EXTENSION OF PROSTATE CANCER IN MEN TREATED WITH RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: RESULTS FROM THE POPULATION BASED PROSTATE CANCER OUTCOMES STUDY

PURPOSE: We investigated whether clinical information routinely available in community practice could predict extracapsular extension of clinically localized prostate cancer in men undergoing radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined prostate cancer outcomes in a population based sample of 3,826 patients with primary prostate cancer in 6 regions of the United States covered by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. Stratified and weighted logistic regression was used to identify predictors of and probabilities for extracapsular extension of clinically localized tumors treated with radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: Nearly 47% of men undergoing radical prostatectomy had extraprostatic extension. The strongest predictors were elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) greater than 20 versus less than 4 ng./ml. (odds ratio 5.88, 95% confidence interval 2.90 to 11.15), Gleason score greater than 8 versus less than 6 (1.73, 1.04 to 2.87) and age greater than 70 versus less than 50 years (1.91, 0.98 to 3.70). Ethnicity and region were not associated with increased risk of extraprostatic extension. A nomogram developed from our model predicts extracapsular extension ranging from 24% in men younger than 50 years with PSA less than 4 ng./ml. and a Gleason score of less than 7 to 85% in those 70 years old or older with PSA greater than 20 ng./ml. and a Gleason score of 8 or more. If prostatectomy were limited to patients with less than 60% probability of extraprostatic extension based on the nomogram, 95% of those with organ confined cancers would undergo definitive surgery and 18% of those with extracapsular extension would be spared the morbidity of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In a population based analysis of prostate cancer practice patterns PSA, Gleason score and age are clinically useful predictors of extracapsular extension. Although extracapsular extension may be an imperfect predictor of cancer outcomes, our nomogram provides more realistic probabilities for extracapsular extension than those based on institutional series.     

老年急性胆源性胰腺炎的内镜治疗

目的探讨老年病人急性胆源性胰腺炎患者早期行内镜下逆行胰胆管造影检查和治疗的临床疗效及安全性。方法 87例急性胆源性胰腺炎住院患者,其中老年病人23例(老年组),其余64例为对照组,观察两组的疗效和安全性。结果 23例老年病人均顺利实行了ERCP操作,病情均得到不同程度的改善,同对照组相比没有明显增加并发症率。结论内镜下逆行胰管造影对于治疗老年病人急性胆源性胰腺炎具有微创、安全、有效,是治疗老年病人胆源性胰腺炎的一种有效的方法。     

ASSESSMENT OF SEXTANT BIOPSY OF THE PROSTATE FOR DETECTING CANCER PRIOR TO THERAPY IN PATIENTS CLINICALLY DIAGNOSED AS BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

Pathological results and perioperative morbidity were compared in 199 patients who had undergone prostatectomy and/or biopsy in order to determine the extent to which systematic biopsy is effective for detecting prostate cancer prior to therapy in patients clinically diagnosed as having benign prostatic hyperplasia. Seventeen (8.5%) cancers were detected in 199 patients following surgery and/or biopsy. Digitally-guided biopsy as a means of detecting prostate cancer was found to be just as effective as ultrasound-guided biopsy. Seven (12.5%) cancers were detected in 56 patients who had undergone biopsy and transurethral resection. Preprostatec to my biopsy detected only two of three patients with stage TIb disease. All four stage TIa and one stage TIb failed to be diagnosed. Of 90 patients who had biopsy prior to surgery other than TURP, seven (7.8%) cancers were found. Four of these were advanced. The incidence of postoperative fever > 38.0 °C and duration of postoperative pyuria did not differ significantly between groups with or without biopsy. Preoperative biopsy did not contribute to perioperative morbidity. Tumors detected by systematic biopsy are usually large and clinically significant. Positive biopsy results are often diagnostic, but the pathological features of a tumor together with clinical parameters should be considered to reduce the chance of overdiagnosing an insignificant tumor. Sextant biopsy would be most applicable to patients scheduled for any type of therapy other than TURP especially in those with markedly elevated serum PSA levels. This procedure may be beneficial particularly for younger patients with long life expectancy who will benefit from definitive therapy.     

COSTING TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE AND DIAGNOSIS RELATED GROUP IN AUSTRALIA COMPARED WITH UNITED STATES COSTS

The cost of a transurethral resection of the prostate is of considerable concern to the community. More of these procedures are being performed as the number of patients in the aged population increases. The costs of wages and salaries, purchase of equipment and depreciation, stationery, linen, investigations (pathology) and pharmaceuticals are compared with the bed charges (as charged to a private patient), the cost per inpatient day and the cost per inpatient treated, which is calculated from the operating fund budget expenditure of The Bendigo Hospital. The cost per diagnosis related group (DRG) 336 (defined as: transurethral prostatectomy, age greater than 69 and/or complication/co-morbidity; mean length of stay 7.0 relative weight = 0.9869) and DRG 337 (defined as: transurethral prostatectomy, age less than 70 without complication/co-morbidity; mean length of stay 5.8; relative weight = 0.7788) are compared with the figures for a similar procedure in 1987 in a United States hospital and extrapolated, by the use of the Consumer Price Index, to 1992 levels. The findings demonstrate that transurethral resection of the prostate as costed in this hospital compares very favourably with that in a US hospital, and favourably from the point of view of health care costs.     

SECOND PRIMARY MALIGNANCIES IN T1-3N0 PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS TREATED WITH RADIATION THERAPY WITH 10-YEAR FOLLOWUP

Purpose

The risk of patients with prostate cancer to have second primary malignancies is unclear. Population and autopsy based studies have shown no increased risk, which is at variance with several institutional analyses. A retrospective review was performed with comparison to expected cancer data from the Connecticut Tumor Registry.

Materials and Methods

Records of a cohort of prostate cancer patients treated with staging pelvic lymphadenectomy and definitive radiotherapy between November 1, 1974 and July 7, 1987 were reviewed. Median potential followup from date of diagnosis was 10.9 years.

Results

Of the 164 patients 150 (91.5%) had followup to death or to August 1995, with data available in part on 4 of the remaining patients. In 43 patients 51 second primary malignancies developed. Increased frequency of lymphomas, and kidney, bladder and rectal lesions (all p <0.001) was observed concurrently with diagnosis of prostate cancer, although this may be due to bias since full staging for the prostate cancer may have led to their diagnosis. An increased frequency of renal lesions in the 1 to 4-year followup period (p = 0.032) also was observed. Two sarcomas and a leukemia were putatively radiation induced but their frequency was not significantly different from the comparison baseline.

Conclusions

Much of the apparent increase in second primary malignancies associated with prostate cancer noted by some authors may be attributed to bias in the staging process. Renal cancers may occur more frequently in patients with prostate cancer but the distribution of these lesions is inconsistent with a field defect mechanism of cancer induction.     

监测AFP变化在原发性肝癌冷冻治疗中的价值初探

目的：探讨监测AFP变化在肝癌冷冻治疗中的价值。方法：分析本院1995年5月-1998年5月术前AFP阳性的原发性肝癌患者62例,其中冷冻治疗24例,观察冷冻治疗前后血清AFP的动态变化。结果：原发性肝癌患者,冷冻治疗术后3d变化不明显,术后半月AFP值基本正常。结论：AFP值的变化在肝癌冷冻治疗中有一定特征,检测AFP值变化可以对肝癌冷冻治疗的疗效和预后作出判断。     

() INDIUM-CAPROMAB PENDETIDE IN THE EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH RESIDUAL OR RECURRENT PROSTATE CANCER AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

Purpose

Standard diagnostic methods are limited for detecting distant metastases in patients with prostate cancer in whom the only evidence of disease after radical prostatectomy is a detectable prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. We evaluated the role of immunoscintigraphy with the radiolabeled monoclonal antibody,¹¹¹ indium (¹¹¹) In)-capromab pendetide, to differentiate between local and distant recurrence in this patient population.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 183 men who had undergone radical prostatectomy in whom PSA later increased. Gamma camera images were acquired twice after infusion of a single dose of¹¹¹ In-capromab pendetide.

Results

Immunoscintigraphy revealed disease in 108 of 181 patients (60%) with interpretable scans. The antibody was localized most frequently to the prostatic fossa (34% of the cases), abdominal lymph nodes (23%) and pelvic lymph nodes (22%). Of the 181 men the scan localized the antibody outside the prostatic fossa in 42%. Half of the positive localizations in the fossa were confirmed by biopsy.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that immunoscintigraphy with¹¹¹ In-capromab pendetide can assist in determining the extent of disease in patients who have increasing PSA after prostatectomy.