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G Nicita

Publications and source records attributed to G Nicita.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

EAU guidelines on renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: To produce a guidelines text, on behalf of the European Association of Urology, providing insights in the issues surrounding renal transplantation. METHOD: A group of international experts in renal transplantation carried out a non-structured literature review on available medical databases and urological literature. RESULT: A guideline text is presented providing an overview of key issues involved in the patients' management such as assessment of donors, pre-transplant evaluation, techniques, management, post-transplant care, etc. CONCLUSION: The current text represents a consensus statement developed by a group of international experts in renal transplantation.

Graft Rejection↗
PubMed2005

Weekly paclitaxel and epirubicin in the treatment of symptomatic hormone-refractory advanced prostate carcinoma: report of a phase II trial.

The efficacy of weekly paclitaxel in androgen-independent prostate cancer and its addictive cytotoxicity with anthracycline derivatives led us to determine the safety and efficacy of a weekly schedule of paclitaxel and epirubicin. Between October 2000 and November 2002, 32 patients were enrolled in this study. Patients characteristics included a median age of 72 years (range 68-77), adequate hepatic, cardiac, renal and bone marrow functions, ECOG performance status of 1-2, and no prior chemotherapy. All patients had received hormonal manipulation and seven patients (22%) had received prior palliative radiation therapy. The regimen consisted of paclitaxel 70 mg/m2 i.v. infusion for 2 h and epirubicin 30 mg/m2 in bolus every week. Treatment was continued for 3 months or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity were observed. During the study, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was monitored and response was defined as a 50% reduction in PSA levels, to be confirmed 4 weeks later. Thirty-one patients were evaluable for toxicity and 21 for objective response. Seventeen patients (57%) had a decline above 50% in PSA level that lasted more than 4 weeks with a median time to PSA progression and a median duration of PSA response of approximately 5.5 months. Ten of the 21 patients with measurable disease (47%) had a confirmed objective response (one complete response and 20 partial responses). Thirteen of 25 symptomatic patients (56 %) had improvement in pain. The median time to disease progression was 7.6 months and the median survival was 12.9. The most prominent grade 3 toxicities were reversible myelosuppression and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and peripheral edema were minimal. No evidence of cardiac toxicity was recorded. Alopecia was frequent, but reversible, in all patients. We conclude that despite the small sample size, this study demonstrates that the combination of weekly paclitaxel and epirubicin is a well-tolerated regimen for androgen-independent prostate cancer. The results imply that a combination of these agents in a weekly schedule may have clinical potential in prostate cancer treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

A new operation for genitourinary prolapse.

PURPOSE: A new method to support female prolapsed pelvic organs is presented, which involves use of nonabsorbable mesh cut in a hammock shape. The approach is transvaginal and the novelties are the way in which the mesh is anchored and its considerable size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mesh is anchored transversally between the 2 arcus tendineus of the endopelvic fascia and in the anteroposterior direction between the bladder and uterine necks. The anteroposterior dimension of the mesh must completely cover the cystocele. From January 1996 to June 1997 this technique was used in 44 patients ranging in age from 43 to 86 years. The patients presented with various degrees of incontinence and combinations of cystocele, uterine or vaginal vault prolapse, rectocele and/or enterocele. Cystocele and incontinence were classified according to the SEAPI QMM scales and the other anatomical defects according to the Beecham classification. Preoperative analysis of all patients included cystography, video urodynamics, and pelvic and abdominal echography. RESULTS: All patients affected by some degree of incontinence were cured. Patients with prolapse without incontinence were completely satisfied with the operation. Uterine prolapse was third degree in 6 of 20 patients and it partially recurred in 3. Cystography in all patients demonstrated excellent repair of the descensus. Sexual life and menses did not change, and no pelvic fibrosis or hydroureteronephrosis occurred. Followup ranges from 9 to 23 months (median 13.9). CONCLUSIONS: This technique has broad application and is simple to perform. Longer followup will prove its merits definitively.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Endoluminal stent placement after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the treatment of post-transplant renal artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with endoluminal stent placement after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of post-transplant renal artery stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 1992 to September 1996, 8 stents were successfully implanted in 7 patients affected by resistant transplant renal artery stenosis. All transplanted kidneys were procured from cadaver donors. The patients were routinely evaluated with duplex sonography and the median interval between transplantation and stenosis detection was 7.4 months (range 0.5 to 17). When serious renal stenosis was diagnosed (greater than 50%), selected angiography and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty were performed. In 8 cases (7 patients) an endoluminal metallic Palmaz stent was placed in the site of the restenosis. One patient received 2 stents repeatedly positioned in different stenosis sites. RESULTS: No major complications occurred. Clinical outcome was positive in 5 patients (71.4%) and Stenosis recurred in 2 (28.5%) (less than 50% and less than 35%, respectively). Median followup after stent placement was 14.8 months (range 1 to 37). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endoluminal stent procedures after resistant transplant renal artery stenosis or for ex novo treatment for severe anastomotic stenoses appears to be promising. Longer followup periods are necessary for true evaluation of this procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Comparison of flow-cytometry and immunohistochemistry with proliferating monoclonal antibody. Cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the study of proliferative kinetics of renal carcinoma].

Tumor Proliferative Fraction (TPF) has been shown to correlate with prognosis in some malignancies. A reliable, accurate method for application in a clinical practice is still being sought. The aim of this study is to compare TPF as determined by Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and Flow Cytometry (FC) in 36 consecutive patients affected by Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). Proliferating cells were identified in paraffined sections using a anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody (PC 10 Dako). Cell suspension for FC were prepared from fresh/frozen samples DNA index and S phase were evaluated using a computerized program (Multicycle, Phoenix). 16 samples (47.1%) were found to be aneuploid by FC (DI range 0.72-2.40). Aneuploid vs diploid tumors had significantly higher mean FC-S phase (p = 0.049) and PCNA LI (p = 0.034). Weak correlation (r-Spearman 0.416 p = 0.01) was found between PCNA LI and grading and near to significativity between PCNA LI and tumor size (r = 0.335 p = 0.0061). When patients are classified according to nuclear grading, is evident that all PCNA G4 are aneuploid and that 62.5% of PCNA G1 are diploid. A week correlation near to significativity is found between PCNA LI and S phase only in the aneuploid tumors. A more reliable measurement of TPF in RCC could be provided by combining the two methods. Further research on larger series is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Magnetic resonance with an endorectal coil and a fast spin echo sequence in the staging of prostatic carcinoma. The correlation with histopathological data].

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the accuracy of endorectal coil Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Fast Spin Echo (FSE) technique in staging prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MRI was performed in 70 patients with biopsy proved prostatic cancer. A total of 33 patients subsequently underwent radical prostatectomy. T2-weighted FSE sequences (TR 3400-4100, TE 120, Echo train length 13) were acquired in all patients. Axial, sagittal and coronal 4-5 mm images were obtained with 13-14 cm field of view and 256 x 256 matrix. Additional T1-weighted spin echo images were acquired in 9 patients. Lesion staging on MR images was performed according to the American Urological System. MR data were compared with the pathologic findings of whole-mount sections of the surgical specimens. RESULTS: Overall accuracy for endorectal coil MR imaging was 60%; ten cases were underestimated and 3 cases were overestimated. The sensitivity and the specificity of endorectal coil MRI in diagnosing capsular penetration were 77% and 81%, respectively. Seminal vesicle invasion was detected with 87% sensitivity and 96% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Endorectal coil MRI provides a more accurate preoperative local staging.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Modulation of human lymphoblastoid interferon activity by melatonin in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A phase II study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous attempts to identify active cytotoxic agents for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have proved disappointing. However, several recent developments in biologic therapy of neoplastic disease have substantially improved the prospects for the treatment of advanced RCC. Melatonin (MLT), a hormone regulated by the pineal gland, has been shown to act on the immune system by causing the release of cytokines from activated T-cell populations. METHODS: A series of 22 patients with documented progressing RCC entered a trial in which the authors studied the effect of a long term regimen (12 months) with human lymphoblastoid interferon (IFN), 3 mega units (MU) intramuscularly 3 times per week, and MLT, 10 mg orally every day. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. There were seven remissions (33%): three complete, involving lung and soft tissue and four partial, with a median duration at the time of this writing of 16 months. Nine patients achieved stable disease, and five progressed. General toxicity was mild. Fever, chills, arthralgias, and myalgias occurred rarely. Leukopenia and hepatic enzyme elevation were modest and always reversible. CONCLUSIONS: Response rate and toxic effects observed during this study warrant additional randomized studies to define the role of MLT's concomitant administration in the clinical response to IFN in metastatic RCC.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Aging on the waiting list: should it be a further criterion for cadaver kidney allocation?

Transplant recipients have been selected from our dialysis patients mainly according to the criteria of the best HLA match and the best clinical condition. We have observed that, in using these criteria, most of the patients who receive transplants in the first 2 years on the waiting list. The other patients remain on the waiting list with progressively less chance of transplantation due to a deterioration of their clinical condition and the related increase in risk factors.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Surgical management of adrenal cortical carcinoma.

The experience with the surgical management of 14 patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma is presented. Four patients were males and 10 females (mean age: 37 years). Seven patients (50%) has proven hormonal activity and 7 (50%) had "non functioning" tumors. The location of carcinoma involved the left adrenal gland in 9 cases, the right in 3 and it was bilateral in 2. The mean diameter of the mass was 10 cm. The most helpful diagnostic tests were shown to be sonography and computed tomography. The surgical procedure was chosen according to the patients condition: this included resection of primary lesion and excision of local lymph nodes and all involved structures. Adjuvant treatment with either mitotane, 5-FU or local irradiation did not result in any benefit with respect to the expected survival. There was a slightly better survival for functioning versus non functioning tumors. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for these tumors. Prognosis is exceedingly poor: only 5 patients (36%) have survived beyond two years after surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Clinical aspects of augmentation enterocystoplasties.

Augmentation enterocystoplasty was performed in 28 patients with tuberculous, interstitial, radiation and chronic bacterial cystitis and hypertonic neurogenic bladder. Better results were observed in tuberculous contracted bladders where the extent of bladder resection and the bowel segment used were not related to the surgical outcome. In the other forms, the ileocecal segment is preferable. In our experience patients with neurogenic bladder did not benefit from the procedure. Radiographic and urodynamic studies are valuable for an accurate follow-up; radioisotope scan is also useful in selected cases. Anatomical and surgical causes of failure are discussed. Pharmacologic treatment is useful in partial surgical failure and provides indications for further bladder neck surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Angiographic aspects of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the female genitalia.

Selective angiography of the hypogastric artery was performed in two patients presenting vaginal metastases from renal cell carcinoma, in order to better define the extent of the metastases. In other case left renal angiography revealed an unsuspected metastasis to the left ovary, fed by a middle perforating capsular artery.

Adenocarcinoma↗