Resection of pulmonary metastases following chemotherapy for high stage testicular tumors

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to analyze retrospectively our experience with 19 patients who had metastatic germ cell testicular tumor and had undergone resection of pulmonary metastases following chemotherapy. We wished to determine the necessity of thoracic surgery on these patients. METHODS: Of 103 patients in need of postchemotherapeutic surgery for metastatic germ cell testicular tumors, 19 patients (mean age 31) underwent surgery for thoracic masses following cis-platin based chemotherapy. Resection of pulmonary metastases was performed on patients with normal tumor markers after chemotherapy, who did not achieve complete radiological remission. Histopathological findings, correlation with the pathology of abdominal surgery and probable prognostic factors for disease-free and overall survivals were evaluated. RESULTS: Disease-free and overall survival rates were 14/19 (73%) and 16/19 (84%), respectively, within a median follow-up time of 30 months (15-212 months). Patients with and without viable tumor cells in their thoracic histopathological specimen had 40% and 85% disease-free survival rates, respectively (P < 0.05). Eight patients had both abdominal and thoracic postchemotherapy surgery. Only two (25%) of these patients had the same histopathological features at both sites. CONCLUSIONS: All patients with residual thoracic masses must be considered candidates for surgery, because there are no predictive factors to determine the thoracic pathology without surgery. With the resection of the pulmonary metastases only, surgery can be performed without significant morbidity and is essential to select patients for further chemotherapy, to remove all visible masses and to provide histopathological confirmation. Patients with viable tumor cells in the thoracic surgical specimen have a poor prognosis.     

PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT AFTER TESTICULAR CANCER TREATMENT

Purpose

The high cure rate in testicular cancer has provoked investigations relating to the quality of life in long-term survivors. We determine the psychosocial consequences of the disease especially in regard to sexual and professional performance.

Materials and Methods

Among the testicular cancer patients treated with various treatment modalities 140 rendered free of disease for at least a year were included in this study. General Health Questionnaire 28 and a general survey were used to determine quality of life issues.

Results

Regarding the sexual life of these patients, problems related to libido, erection and ejaculation increased significantly during treatment and subsequently recovered but did not return to baseline after treatment. During treatment the frequency of sexual intercourse and/or masturbation decreased significantly in all patients. Of the single patients 35% thought that medical history would be a concern for the potential spouse. Regarding professional lives, 22.4% thought that they had better performance after treatment compared to before therapy, whereas only 6.1% reported it to be worse. When professional performance was analyzed according to the treatment modalities those who had received radiotherapy did worse. General Health Questionnaire scores indicated that patients with this disease had a positive view of life compared to that of the normal population.

Conclusions

Although we observed a substantial recovery in sexual life after treatment, it was evident that therapy did have a negative effect on sexual functions. There was no effect on occupational performance and perspective of life, which may be related to the fact of having overcome a life threatening disease.     

Simple testicular cyst: A rare cause of scrotal swelling in infancy

A simple testicular cyst is a rare cause of scrotal swelling in infancy. Only 10 cases have been reported in children less than two years of age in the English literature. Pathogenesis of the lesion is unclear. Preoperative diagnosis is possible using ultrasonography (US). Testis-sparing surgery with simple enucleation of the cyst has a favorable outcome. We report two patients with a simple testicular cyst, who were 9 and 8 months of age. The first case was referred with a presumptive diagnosis of hydrocele, and the second infant was admitted with a history of testicular swelling. Ultrasonography provided accurate preoperative diagnosis in both of the cases. The patients were successfully treated with testis-sparing surgery with outstanding long-term results. This unusual lesion of infancy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a scrotal mass.     

Epidemiology of muscular dystrophies in the Mediterranean area

The Mediterranean countries are distinguished with their peculiar genetic pool and diversities. Recessive diseases often present with their own founder mutations. In some instances this is shared with neighboring populations. Dominant disorders in the area are increasingly recognized as health care providing systems and technology improve. Among muscular dystrophies Duchenne and Becker types constitute the major fraction in almost all societies. This is followed by various forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Congenital dystrophies and other related rare types are a matter of recognition. The identification and registry of facio-scapulo-humeral and myotonic dystrophies vary in different states.Key words: Frequency, incidence, muscular dystrophies, Mediterranean area     

Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in a community-based survey of men in Turkey

AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), assess the impact of LUTS on quality of life (QOL) and compare the results with recent reports from other population-based studies. METHODS: A total of 266 men participated in the study. The men were stratified into 10-year age groups between 40 and 79 years. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire that included a Turkish translation of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) with QOL questions, and void into a uroflowmeter to obtain voided urine volume, peak and mean flow rate. RESULTS: While 14.8% of men had no symptoms (IPSS = 0), 24.9% had moderate to severe symptoms (IPSS> 7). Severity of symptoms increased with age (P = 0.0018). There was a strong relationship between bother score and IPSS (rs = 0.79, P = 0.0001). Fifty-five percent of moderately symptomatic and 78% of severely symptomatic men reported poor QOL (QOL score >/= 3). The results of the survey provide a general picture of the symptomatology and urinary flow profiles of elderly men living in Turkey. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of LUTS in the Turkish community is fairly high, it increases with age and has an impact on QOL that is not negligible.     

Persistent sciatic vessels associated with an arteriovenous malformation

The sciatic artery is the major arterial supply to the lower limb bud at an early embryological stage. It primarily originates from the dorsal root of the umbilical artery. After the 22 mm embryological stage, the sciatic artery involutes and the femoral artery system develops as the major inflow source to the lower limb. In the adult, remnants of the sciatic artery persist as the proximal portion of the inferior gluteal artery, the popliteal and peroneal arteries (Williams et al. 1989). It is suggested that either failure in development of the femoral system or failure in regression of the sciatic artery results in persistence of this artery (Arey, 1965). We report a rare example of persistent sciatic artery (PSA) accompanied by arterio-arterial and arteriovenous anastomoses.     

Segmental dilatation of the jejunum

A 6 months old girl with segmental dilatation of the jejunum is described. Clinical findings were intermittent colic, severe pain and bilious vomiting, mimicking intussusception. At laparatomy dilated jejunal segment was encountered and resection performed. Histological examination showed normal ganglion cells with normal bowel structures. Postoperative course was uneventful.     

Heart disease in Friedreich's ataxia: A clinical and echocardiographic study

Twelve patients with Friedreich's ataxia (FA) were evaluated clinically and echocardiographically for evidence of heart disease. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormal findings were discovered in eight (67%) and seven (58%) children, respectively. A high incidence of cardiac involvement is well known in FA cases. Although the patient number in the present study is small, the findings are consistent with those in the literature. The most common pathology was asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH), followed by concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (CLVH) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DC).