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Biomedical subjects

J N Wettlaufer

Publications and source records attributed to J N Wettlaufer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The role of cystoscopy before radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of pre-operative cystoscopy in men undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred men undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate were evaluated for coexisting bladder pathology from a retrospective review of their charts and records. RESULTS: Four of 100 men undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer were found to have synchronous bladder tumours. Two of these had superficial low-grade transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), one had a poorly differentiated invasive TCC and the last was found to have an inverted papilloma during radical retropubic prostatectomy. The patient with invasive disease died before the initiation of definitive therapy. The other three men are free of disease 2 years after diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION: Because of the low cost and minimal morbidity of pre-operative flexible cystoscopy, we recommend that this procedure be performed on the operating table before prostatectomy. In patients with gross or microscopic haematuria, a significant history of smoking, a prior history of urothelial malignancy or symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction, cystoscopy would be best performed before surgery in an out-patient setting.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunohistochemical localization of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins 2 and 3 in prostate tissue: clinical correlations.

PURPOSE: The insulin-like growth factor system has recently been shown to have important mitogenic effects in the prostate. The system consists of 2 ligands: insulin-like growth factor types 1 and 2, which are potent mitogens for prostate cell growth, and 6 insulin-like growth factor binding proteins that modify the activity of these growth factors. Recently, changes in serum levels of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins 2 and 3 have been identified in prostate cancer patients but in vivo studies of these changes have not been previously reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical staining for insulin-like growth factor binding proteins 2 and 3 in areas of benign disease, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and cancer from specimens obtained from 24 patients who underwent prostatectomy to determine changes in the quantity of these proteins with progression from the benign through the premalignant and into the malignant states. Quantification of the differences noted in the amount of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins 2 and 3 found in each of the 3 tissue types was then correlated with serum and tissue prostate specific antigen levels, pathological stage and grade of the tumors. RESULTS: Our data indicate that as human prostate tissue progresses from the benign to the malignant state, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 immunoreactivity in the prostatic luminal epithelial cells increases and that of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 decreases. Quantification of the differences noted in binding proteins 2 and 3 among all 3 tissue types was statistically significant. However, no correlation was noted between the stage or grade of prostate carcinoma and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 or 3 immuno-staining intensity. Additionally, no significant correlation was found between serum or tissue levels of prostate specific antigen and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 or 3 immunoreactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that significant changes in the insulin-like growth factor system occur with malignant transformation in the prostate. It is hoped that this system may eventually result in a better serum or tissue (from prostate biopsy) marker of malignant transformation, and/or represent a target for early therapeutic intervention to alter the growth and development of prostate cancer.

Humans↗

Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy in the management of prostate cancer: a surgical and radiation therapy review.

Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) prior to radical prostatectomy is an old concept that has recently been revisited. First described in the 1940s as a method to downstage inoperable prostate cancer prior to perineal prostatectomy. NHT fell out of favor for several reasons: the side effects of estrogen therapy, the finality of orchiectomy, improved staging methods, and newer treatment strategies for prostate cancer, including external beam and interstitial radiation therapy. Contemporary interest in NHT has resurfaced primarily due to the introduction of well-tolerated reversible androgen blockade. High cause-specific survival rates following radical prostatectomy for organ confined disease are possible, yet the disturbingly high incidence of positive margins in current radical prostatectomy series led to interest in offering NHT to patients prior to radical prostatectomy to impact on the positive margin rate. Initial nonrandomized studies showed that NHT provided a substantial decrease in prostate size and PSA level in addition to reducing positive margin rate by an uncertain mechanism. Subsequently, controlled randomized studies have been performed, the majority of which have confirmed decreased margin positivity. NHT has been incorporated successfully into external beam radiotherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer as well. Significantly improved disease control is possible when hormones are combined with radiation therapy. The favorable outcome of this radiation therapy approach has led to the approval of flutamide (Eulexin) for this indication when combined with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue or orchiectomy. Whether these initial results will ultimately affect recurrence and survival data is unknown. This article provides a comprehensive review of the world literature on NHT: from an historical prospective to the current state of the art for both radical prostatectomy and external beam radiation therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

Testicular cancer in blacks. A multicenter experience.

BACKGROUND: The rarity of testis tumor in black patients has made the study of a large series difficult. Much of the epidemiologic and clinical information regarding this neoplasm in this population is in dispute, including data on incidence, prognosis, histologic distribution, age and stage at presentation, and side distribution. METHODS: A retrospective review of 66 blacks with testicular tumors from seven military medical centers was performed. RESULTS: Similar results were found for blacks with testis tumor to those of the general testis cancer population regarding prognosis, side distribution, and age of onset for nonseminoma and interstitial tumors. There is a slight increase in the expected number of interstitial tumors in blacks, but the distribution between seminoma and nonseminoma is similar to the general population. The mean age of presentation for seminoma in blacks was younger than that of the general testis cancer population. For testis tumor treated at the same institution, there was an increased delay of diagnosis in blacks compared with whites. The number of new cases of testicular cancer between 1979 and 1991 at one major center was increased for whites but not for blacks. The availability of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy has resulted in an improved prognosis for blacks, as has already been demonstrated for white populations. CONCLUSIONS: Testis tumor in blacks behaves similarly to testis tumor in the general population except that in blacks there are more interstitial tumors and the mean age of presentation for seminoma is younger. Further, there is an increased delay in diagnosis for blacks compared with whites, but the incidence of this tumor in this population does not appear to be increasing. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has significantly improved survival in this population.

Adult↗

Granulocytic sarcoma presenting as a diffuse renal mass before hematological manifestations of acute myelogenous leukemia.

Granulocytic sarcoma is a rare tumor composed of granulocytic precursor cells. The most common sites of involvement include the bones, soft tissue, lymph nodes and skin. Granulocytic sarcoma usually develops as a delayed manifestation of the disease process in patients with known acute myelogenous leukemia. To our knowledge we report the first case of renal granulocytic sarcoma presenting as the first sign of acute myelogenous leukemia. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse nonspecific global tumor infiltration of the kidney and ureter. Renal granulocytic sarcoma was diagnosed on open renal biopsy and acute myelogenous leukemia on bone marrow biopsy. There has been partial response to combination chemotherapy. Renal granulocytic sarcoma may diffusely involve the kidney as the only manifestation of acute myelogenous leukemia and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of the many disease entities with global renal involvement since initial treatment is combination chemotherapy.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Planned delayed nephrectomy after ethanol embolization of renal carcinoma.

Planned delayed nephrectomy after preoperative ethanol infarction was done in 6 patients with renal carcinoma. Three patients had intracaval extension of tumor, 2 had renal vein but no vena caval extension and 1 had no renal vein or vena caval involvement. Nephrectomy was delayed 22 to 44 days after embolization. In the patients with inferior vena caval extension shrinkage of tumor thrombus after embolization allowed for easier surgical resection. Furthermore, delay of nephrectomy after preoperative infarction was of value in improving the clinical status of high risk patients.

Adult↗

Transureteroureterostomy and terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy in advanced pelvic malignancies.

Transureteroureterostomy was combined with terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy, without complications, in 8 patients with advanced pelvic malignancy and a poor prognosis. Urinary diversion was palliative in all patients and followed pelvic exenteration in 4, debulking of pelvic tumor in 2 and radical cystectomy in 1, while 1 had inoperable bladder cancer. All patients had at least unilateral hydroureteronephrosis preoperatively. In each case a postoperative excretory urogram revealed significant improvement of the hydroureteronephrosis and the serum creatinine improved or stabilized. No patient had ureteral stomal stenosis or retraction. Mean survival was 5 months, with the longest survival being 1 year. Transureteroureterostomy in conjunction with terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy is an effective technique of urinary diversion in selected patients with a poor prognosis and advanced pelvic malignancy, decreasing operative time while avoiding the morbidity associated with a ureterointestinal operation or nephrostomy.

Adult↗

Continent ileocolonic urinary reservoirs for filling and lining the post-exenteration pelvis.

Pelvic exenteration has a high complication rate due, in large part, to the extensive raw surfaces and dead space it creates. Numerous techniques have been used to control this space and line these surfaces, but none, to date, has proven to be a reliable solution. We investigated the use of continent ileocolonic urinary reservoirs as a new "flap" to fill and line the pelvis in 17 patients, and found that our historical complication rate of 44% for pelvic exenteration was reduced to 18%. These reservoirs appear to be an improved method of managing the post-exenteration pelvis.

Adult↗

Bladder leiomyosarcoma following cyclophosphamide therapy for lupus nephritis.

We report 2 cases of leiomyosarcoma of the bladder that occurred after long-term cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for lupus nephritis and rheumatoid arthritis. One patient had a tumor at the end of an 11-year course of chemotherapy and 1 approximately 7 years after completing a 7-year course of chemotherapy. Patient 1 underwent left partial cystectomy and patient 2 underwent cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion. In patient 1 the tumor was a typical leiomyosarcoma and patient 2 had a myxoid variant. Both patients were free of disease at 4 months and 3 years, respectively. Whereas previous reports of the carcinogenic effects of cyclophosphamide have been questioned, since the induced tumors occurred in patients being treated for other neoplasms (lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders), the disease in both of our patients followed cyclophosphamide therapy for nonneoplastic disorders.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Small bowel intussusception: an unusual complication of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

Modified bilateral retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is used widely in the staging and treatment of patients with nonseminomatous germ cell testis tumors. Complications are uncommon and include vascular injury, infertility and small bowel obstruction from fibrous adhesions. Small bowel intussusception following retroperitoneal lymph node dissection has not been reported previously. We report 2 cases of small bowel intussusception after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and discuss the etiology and possible preventive measures.

Adult↗

Ventral bladder hernia following Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure for stress urinary incontinence.

Ventral herniation of the bladder occurred in 2 patients following Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedures for stress incontinence. Symptoms included suprapubic pain, urgency, incontinence, and a ventral abdominal hernia. The diagnosis was easily established by cystography in both patients. Possible etiologic factors included postoperative wound infection in 1 patient and possibly suspension of the anterior bladder to the pubis in the other.

Aged↗

Encrustation and stone formation: complication of indwelling ureteral stents.

Severe encrustation and stone formation on indwelling ureteral stents in 2 patients with a lithogenic history are reported. In both cases this complication occurred in the presence of sterile urine and treatment required pyelolithotomy in one and renal pelvic irrigation with urologic G solution in the other. Analyses of these stones revealed struvite and apatite, respectively. Dissolution of encrustations and stones via renal pelvic irrigation is suggested as a viable alternative to surgical intervention for this problem. A review of the literature shows a correlation between chronic stone formers and stent encrustation, rather than from bacteriuria alone. Long-term antibiotic suppression, more frequent followup with abdominal roentgenograms, and shorter periods of internal stenting are suggested for patients with a lithogenic history.

Adult↗

Clinical effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue in metastatic carcinoma of prostate.

Leuprolide is a new, potent analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone which, after an initial transient stimulation, causes a profound suppression of serum gonadotropins and testosterone. One hundred eighteen patients with advanced carcinoma of the prostate have undergone treatment with leuprolide in a multi-institutional trial. Minimal evidence of objective response was seen in patients who had failed prior endocrine therapy with orchiectomy or estrogens. In patients without previous hormonal treatment, leuprolide induced an objective disease response (72%) comparable to alternative primary endocrine therapy. Considering the lack of significant side effects seen with long-term GnRH agonists, compounds such as leuprolide may prove to be the preferred initial endocrine therapy for selected patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Vincristine, cisplatin, and bleomycin with surgery in the management of advanced metastatic nonseminomatous testis tumors.

Most effective treatment regimens for advanced nonseminomatous testis tumors (NSTT) employ vinblastine (V), cisplatin (CDDP), and bleomycin (B) and adjunctive surgery. The toxicity of many of these multidrug programs, primarily from vinblastine-induced myelosuppression has resulted in significant patient morbidity and even death. Since 1978, the authors of this report have used vincristine (VCR), CDDP, and B with adjunctive surgery in patients with advanced NSTT. In the first 29 patients treated with VCR, CDDP, and B and adjunctive surgery, a complete clinical remission (CR) was achieved in 27 (93%) with 3 (11%) recurrences; 24 (83%) remain in CR 18 to 46 months (mean and median of 31 months). Twenty-six (90%) patients had either maximal abdominal tumor (Stage B3) or maximal pulmonary and/or abdominal disease (Stage C). Twenty patients had adjunctive surgery. No patient developed serious chemotoxicity. This treatment regimen is less toxic and equally effective as V, CDDP, and B combinations.

Adolescent↗

Stage D1 adenocarcinoma of prostate.

The natural history of Stage D1 adenocarcinoma of the prostate remains unclear. In a series of 50 patients with positive pelvic lymph nodes at the time of staging lymphadenectomy, metastatic disease developed in 43 per cent of the patients treated for cure within the period of time of follow-up. Several series from the literature confirm those findings. Positive pelvic lymph nodes most probably represent systemic disease, and the patients are incurable by current surgical and radiotherapeutic modalities.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Acid phosphatase: its influence on the management of carcinoma of the prostate.

Of 343 patients who underwent pelvic lymph node dissection during treatment for carcinoma of the prostate 25 had persistently elevated serum enzymatic acid phosphatase levels preoperatively: 15 (60 per cent) had metastases to the pelvic lymph nodes and 10 (40 per cent) had negative nodes. Bone metastases occurred in 10 of 12 (83 per cent) and 5 of 7 patients (71 per cent), respectively, who were followed for a minimum of 2 years. Of the 318 patients with normal serum enzymatic phosphatase levels 70 (22 per cent) had positive nodes. A persistently elevated serum enzymatic acid phosphatase level in patients with proved carcinoma of the prostate, with elimination of infrequent causes of enzyme elevation, indicates metastases and has significant implications regarding staging and, thus, therapy of this disease.

Acid Phosphatase↗