PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Joseph A Smith

Publications and source records attributed to Joseph A Smith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Toxicity following high-dose salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity in patients treated with salvage radiotherapy (SRT) at doses of 70.2 Gy after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients treated with SRT after RRP between January 1999 and December 2005. Of the 62 patients identified, 30 were included for analysis. GI and GU toxicity was assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI), respectively. RESULTS: The median AUASI score of the 17 patients with scores before SRT was 4, of the 24 with scores after SRT was 6, and of the 15 with scores before and after SRT the median increase was 3. Of the 29 patients with GI toxicity data, nine (31%) had diarrhoea after SRT (three after <70.2 Gy and six after 70.2 Gy). In all cases, the diarrhoea was mild (grade 1). Of all patients, 12 (41%) had proctitis after SRT (four after <70.2 Gy and eight after 70.2 Gy); the proctitis was grade 1 in four and grade 2 in eight, with no cases of grade 3 proctitis. There was no statistically significant difference in the median change in AUASI scores and GI toxicity incidence between patients receiving <70.2 or 70.2 Gy of SRT. CONCLUSION: High-dose SRT (70.2 Gy) is generally well tolerated with acceptable low-grade GI toxicity and minimal changes in AUASI scores.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Sperm banking: use and outcomes in patients treated for testicular cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency that sperm banking was used by men being treated for testicular cancer at our institution, and to characterize the differences between men choosing to bank sperm or not, and outcomes in terms of after-treatment pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire addressing sperm banking and fertility was administered to men treated for testicular cancer at our institution between 1994 and 2004; the results were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Overall, 31 of 129 (24%) respondents had banked sperm. Of these, two had used their banked sperm to father a child, and 12 had had children naturally. Men who banked sperm were a mean of 10.3 years younger (P < 0.001) and less likely to have children at the time of diagnosis (P < 0.025) than men choosing not to bank sperm. The cost of banking sperm was reported to include a mean fee of US dollars 358 (median 300, range 0-1000), and a mean annual maintenance fee of US dollars 243.86 (median 300, range 0-1200). CONCLUSIONS: Only a minority of men in this study chose to bank sperm (24%). Among those who did, the use of banked sperm was low (<10%), and many men could have children without using banked sperm. Given the relatively high costs of sperm banking and the low rate of sample use, patients should be counselled on the costs and benefits of sperm banking before treatment for testicular cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Morbidity and efficacy of genitofemoral nerve grafts with radical retropubic prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To review our experience with genitofemoral nerve grafting after radical prostatectomy, to determine both morbidity and efficacy. METHODS: We identified patients who underwent genitofemoral nerve grafting between 2001 and 2003 at our hospital. Morbidity was recorded prospectively in the charts, and a validated questionnaire (International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF-5) was used to determine erectile function. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients received 32 genitofemoral nerve grafts. Five patients (19%) received bilateral grafts. In 3, a single nerve was harvested for a bilateral graft. Mean graft length was 5 cm, and mean follow-up was 14 months. Two patients (7%) reported persistent, minor numbness or tingling of the ipsilateral thigh or hemiscrotum. No other morbidity was noted. Overall, 56% of the patients were able to sustain an erection with enough firmness for penetration at the time of follow-up. Of those patients who reported no preoperative erectile dysfunction, 69% were able to have sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: Harvesting and interposition of genitofemoral nerve grafts in the neurovascular bundle adds very minimal morbidity to radical prostatectomy. The results reported in our patients are at least comparable to those achieved with sural nerve grafting. Whether these results are a consequence of an effective unilateral nerve-sparing dissection or the nerve grafting itself is uncertain.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Assessing urinary diversion experience in urologic residency programs-are we adequately training the next generation?

PURPOSE: Operative experience is important in developing surgical skills and technical competency. There is also emerging evidence directly linking increased surgical volume to patient outcomes. Accordingly, resident training should provide the framework for mastery of complex operations. We evaluated the current urological residency experience in performing adult urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-Residency Review for Urology Operative Log Reports were reviewed from 2000 to 2004 with an emphasis on urinary diversion experience. Resident logs were analyzed specifically for all procedures that included CPT codes for continent and incontinent diversions. The logs were compared by year of training and type of urinary diversion. RESULTS: Overall, the total number of urinary diversions performed by graduating residents from 4-year programs has increased from 2,259 (2000 to 2001) to 4,017 (2003 to 2004). In addition, the mean and median number of urinary diversion cases among residents completing training have remained relatively constant. For graduating urology residents in 2003 to 2004, the mean (median) number of continent urinary diversion and incontinent urinary diversion cases were only 6.7 (3.0) and 9.5 (4), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Current Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education data suggest the average urology resident has limited exposure to urinary diversion in general, and even less experience with more complex continent urinary diversion. These results suggest that many urology residency programs may not have sufficient volume to provide residents with a broad experience in urinary diversion, and alternative strategies to ensure proper training should be explored.

Internship and Residency↗
PubMed2006

Intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements for robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy versus radical retropubic prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare intraoperative blood loss, perioperative hematocrit, and transfusion requirements in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) versus robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) by a single surgeon. METHODS: During a 14-month period, 279 patients with localized carcinoma of the prostate were prospectively enrolled in this comparative study. The decision of which surgical approach to use was by patient choice. Of the 279 patients, 176 underwent RALP and 103 underwent RRP. The serum hematocrit was obtained preoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively in all patients. The intraoperative blood loss was recorded, and transfusion requirements were noted. RESULTS: Patients in the RALP group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss compared with the RRP group (mean 191 mL versus 664 mL, P < 0.001). Additionally, the difference in the discharge hematocrit (36.8% versus 32.8%, P < 0.001) and the mean perioperative change in hematocrit (8.0% decrease versus 10.7% decrease, P < 0.001) were significant between the RALP and RRP groups, respectively. Three patients in the RRP group (2.9%) and one in the RALP group (0.5%) required transfusion of blood products (P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have shown that RALP is associated with less intraoperative bleeding than RRP, and patients undergoing RALP have a greater serum hematocrit at hospital discharge. The lack of a statistically significant difference in blood transfusion was partially attributable to the low transfusion rate in both groups in this series.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗
PubMed2006

Significance of atypical and suspicious small acinar proliferations, and high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia on prostate biopsy: implications for cancer detection and biopsy strategy.

PURPOSE: We reviewed our results from a urological pathology reference laboratory with respect to the incidence of HGPIN, and atypical and suspicious lesions in the spectrum of ASAP. Subsequent CaP findings on repeat biopsy with relevant clinical implications were assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of 42,667 prostate biopsies was performed. We defined atypical and suspicious as variants of ASAP with suspicious being more worrisome for CaP. Findings were correlated with the location of CaP on repeat prostate biopsy. RESULTS: The rate of subsequent CaP detection was significantly higher for an initial diagnosis of suspicious findings (51% or 54 of 107 cases) than for atypical findings (34% or 39 of 116) or HGPIN (22% or 79 of 358, p < 0.001). CaP was found on the same side of the prostate in 61 of 78 (78%), 30 of 39 (77%) and 41 of 54 patients (76%) with initial HGPIN, atypical and suspicious biopsies, respectively. There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in the likelihood of future CaP at the same site or the same side of the prostate. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a suspicious biopsy were significantly more likely to have CaP on future biopsy than those with atypical findings or HGPIN, suggesting that there may be divisions with prognostic significance in the larger category of ASAP. To our knowledge the reproducibility of recognizing such divisions remains to be established. Neither atypical nor suspicious lesions were more likely than HGPIN to predict CaP at the same site or side of the prostate as the original diagnosis. Repeat biopsy may be indicated in any patient with HGPIN, or atypical or suspicious lesions and this biopsy should not be limited to the site or side of the original pathological findings.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Baseline factors as predictors of clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men treated with placebo.

PURPOSE: We analyzed data from the placebo arm of the MTOPS trial to determine clinical predictors of BPH progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3,047 patients with LUTS were randomized to either placebo, doxazosin (4 to 8 mg), finasteride (5 mg), or a combination of doxazosin and finasteride. Average length of followup was 4.5 years. The primary outcome was time to overall clinical progression of BPH, defined as either a confirmed 4-point or greater increase in AUA SS, acute urinary retention, incontinence, renal insufficiency, or recurrent urinary tract infection. We analyzed BPH progression event data from the 737 men who were randomized to placebo. RESULTS: The rate of overall clinical progression of BPH events in the placebo group was 4.5 per 100 person-years, for a cumulative incidence (among men who had at least 4 years of followup data) of 17%. The risk of BPH progression was significantly greater in patients on placebo with a baseline TPV of 31 ml or greater vs less than 31 ml (p <0.0001), a baseline PSA of 1.6 ng/dl or greater vs PSA less than 1.6 ng/dl (p = 0.0009), a baseline Qmax of less than 10.6 ml per second vs 10.6 ml per second or greater (p = 0.011), a baseline PVR of 39 ml or greater vs less than 39 ml (p = 0.0008) and baseline age 62 years or older vs younger than 62 years (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Among men in the placebo arm, baseline TPV, PSA, Qmax, PVR and age were important predictors of the risk of clinical progression of BPH.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed2006

Patterns of initial transitional cell recurrence in patients after cystectomy.

PURPOSE: We characterized initial relapse patterns in patients who underwent cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 1995 and December 2001 a total of 417 patients underwent radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma. Of the 399 patients treated with orthotopic diversion or incontinent cutaneous diversion, recurrent TCC developed in 86 (21.6%). We retrospectively examined this population to determine if any perioperative variables influenced the first site of disease recurrence. RESULTS: Of the 86 patients in whom metastatic disease developed after cystectomy, the mean followup was 22.1 months. Mean time to disease recurrence was 15.1 months. Recurrence was most commonly initially in the pelvis (30.2%). Other common sites of first recurrence included the viscera (26.7%), the retroperitoneum (16.3%) and the skeletal system (16.3%). The site of first recurrence did not correlate significantly with gender, age, diversion type, pathological stage, nodal status, prostatic involvement or the presence of a positive surgical margin. Lymphovascular invasion was more prevalent in the pelvic recurrence group (62%) than in the retroperitoneal (36%), visceral (22%) or skeletal metastases (29%) groups (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: While the pelvis is the most common site of disease recurrence following radical cystectomy, TCC of the bladder recurs in an unpredictable pattern and aggressive surveillance is indicated. Patients with local pelvic recurrence had a higher percentage of lymphovascular invasion on cystectomy than the other recurrence site groups.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Positive influence of robotically assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy on the collaborative-care pathway for open radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To define changes in the clinical pathway for open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and to determine their impact on patient care under the indirect influence of minimally invasive prostatectomy after implementing robotically assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) at our institution and modifying the collaborative-care pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the Vanderbilt Prostate Database since the initiation of RALP in May 2003, evaluating those patients who had open RRP. Data were analysed in three consecutive 5-month blocks to determine incremental changes in protocol and outcomes, including complications and re-admissions. RESULTS: Between May 2003 and August 2004, 196 patients had RALP and 183 had RRP. After May 2003, there was a progressive reduction for open RRP in the length of stay from 1.6 to 1.3 days. Analysis also showed an elimination of patient-controlled analgesia, a rapid diet advancement, and drain removal at the surgeon's discretion. There were no major complications after surgery, and three minor complications (1.6%). The rate of re-admission after open RRP was low throughout the study period (seven patients, 3.8%), and did not increase progressively. CONCLUSIONS: The management after open RRP was modified substantially after implementing RALP, with the two clinical pathways now similar. Despite these modifications in the treatment of patients having open RRP there was no increase in morbidity or compromise in patient outcome. Indeed, this study shows the feasibility and safety of a 1-day length of stay for open RRP.

Feasibility Studies↗
PubMed2006

Tumour volume is an independent predictor of prostate-specific antigen recurrence in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer.

UNLABELLED: Authors from the USA sought to establish the relationship between tumour volume, pathological stage and outcomes after radical prostatectomy. In a large series of patients they found that tumour volume was correlated directly with pathological stage, and that it was independently correlated with PSA recurrence. The authors suggested that tumour volume had a potential use for prognostication in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Two papers, one from the USA and one from Germany, advise a re-staging TUR in patients with superficial bladder cancer who are at high risk of early tumour progression. In a large series of patients they found that residual tumour after initial resection was commoner than might be expected, and that the second resection indicated the way to earlier radical treatment and a better prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between tumour volume (TV), pathological stage and outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP), as TV is theoretically an important variable in prostate cancer pathology, but to date it has not been routinely reported and its independent prognostic significance is not well defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 431 consecutive patients undergoing RP for clinically localized cancer, from January 2000 to January 2002, who had a pathological examination of totally submitted whole-mount processed RP specimens. In addition to Gleason grade, tumour stage and margin assessment by standard techniques, TV was determined by digital planimetry. The total TV or index TV, for cases with obvious discrete separate tumours, were correlated with pathological stage and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence. RESULTS: The mean (range) follow-up was 25.4 (6-51) months, and the mean TV for all patients was 3.28 (0.4-38.8) mL. There was a direct correlation between TV and pathological stage (P < 0.001). The TV for organ-confined and extraprostatic disease was 2.09 and 6.02 mL, respectively (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, TV was an independent predictor of PSA recurrence (P = 0.04). The mean TV for patients with PSA recurrence vs no recurrence was 6.8 and 2.6 mL, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TV correlates directly with pathological stage in RP specimens; furthermore, it is independently correlated with PSA recurrence. TV has potential use for prognostication in patients undergoing RP, and may be combined with other well established clinical variables to aid in predicting outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: do minimally invasive approaches offer significant advantages?

Radical prostatectomy has maintained a cardinal role in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) has been introduced as a less invasive surgical approach. Available data on RALP versus open approaches were reviewed for surgical and cancer related outcomes. RALP is consistently associated with decreased blood loss and limited postoperative pain and hospital stay. Surgical margins seem similar between most reported series of RALP or open radical prostatectomy. Most intrainstitutional comparisons demonstrate better postoperative continence and potency with RALP, but there is still debate about whether results are superior to radical retropubic prostatectomy in the hands of a highly experienced surgeon. RALP provides outcomes at least comparable, and, in some measures, superior to open surgery. Refinements of instrumentation may provide even better results in the future.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Safely reducing length of stay after open radical retropubic prostatectomy under the guidance of a clinical care pathway.

BACKGROUND: Collaborative care pathways have proven to be a safe and effective method of decreasing length of hospital stay (LOS) and costs after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). In the current study, the authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of a pathway transitioning from a 3-day to a 2-day LOS. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective chart review of 994 patients who underwent RRP at the study institution between July 1994 and December 2001. A total of 561 patients were managed on a 3-day LOS pathway, 172 were managed during the transition period from 3 to 2 days, and 261 were managed on a 2-day LOS pathway. Statistical analysis was performed comparing preoperative variables and complications among the three groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in comparisons of preoperative and demographic variables including age, race, medical comorbidities, preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, clinical stage of disease at presentation, and biopsy Gleason score. Forty-nine of the 561 patients (8.7%) remained longer than their targeted 3-day LOS, whereas 14 of 261 patients (5.4%) were hospitalized for longer than their targeted 2-day LOS, a difference that approached statistical significance (P = 0.058). During the transition period, 99 of 172 patients (57.6%) were discharged on postoperative Day 2 and 73 patients (42.4%) were discharged on postoperative Day 3. Complication rates were found to be significantly lower (P = 0.013) in the 2-day LOS group (2.3%) compared with the 3-day LOS group (7.0%) and the transition group (8.1%). The rate of readmission remained constant at 3% during this time period. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, greater than 90% of patients were discharged within 2-3 days of surgery with acceptable complication rates, suggesting that in a consistent patient population, the transition from a 3-day LOS to a 2-day LOS can be done successfully without compromising patient safety. Evaluation currently is ongoing with regard to a 1-day LOS.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Noninfarct vascular dementia and Alzheimer dementia spectrum.

Vascular dementia is an overarching superordinate category of which multiinfarct vascular dementia is only one subtype. To contribute to the definition of vascular dementia, method involved investigation of mental status, oral language and comprehension in 81 consecutive vascular patients comprising two vascular samples: cerebral infarct sample (n=43) and cerebral noninfarct sample (n=38). To determine baseline, method also involved investigation of 36 demographically equivalent normal elderly. Results indicate both vascular samples performed significantly worse than normal elderly. Results further indicate there were no robust, reliable, significant differences between cerebral infarct and cerebral noninfarct patients. The lack of significant differences between cerebral infarct and cerebral noninfarct vascular samples brings into focus the ambiguous transition between diffuse, generalized disease and the multifocality underlying the vascular dementia-Alzheimer dementia spectrum. Cross-cutting infarct and noninfarct vascular populations were vascular factors of arteriosclerosis, abnormal blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, abnormal electrocardiogram, peripheral vascular disease, and other variables implicated in the distal causality of both infarct and noninfarct vascular dementias. Results indicate cerebral infarction is not the only path to the final common phenotype of vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is reconceptualized so as to include noninfarct vascular dementia: vascular dementia caused by underlying vascular factors other than cerebral infarction. It is suggested that one form of the subtype of noninfarct vascular dementia is Alzheimer-type vascular dementia.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Society of Urologic Oncology position statement: redefining the management of hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma.

Because patients with hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma are a very diverse group, management of these patients represents a unique challenge. Despite much research, to the authors' knowledge few studies published to date have provided definitive treatment answers. The Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) convened a multidisciplinary panel of urologists, oncologists, and radiation oncologists to develop a treatment algorithm for patients with hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma. The resulting treatment outline was based on a review of the literature review and on the expert opinions of the panelists. The current article provided a logical progression of treatment choices that included hormonal manipulations, chemotherapeutic options, and adjunctive therapies. Future clinical trials and therapies were also discussed by the authors. Management strategies should be targeted toward the individual patient. Although significant progress has been made in understanding and treating hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma, earlier interventions would be ideal and better therapeutic approaches to prolong survival are necessary.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

Metastatic testicular seminoma to the prostate.

Prostatic involvement by seminoma is extremely rare. Four case studies have reported primary seminoma of the prostate. Three previous reports have been published of primary testicular seminoma with metastasis to the prostate. We report a fourth case with 10 years of follow-up and describe the initial management with orchiectomy and platinum-based chemotherapy, local pelvic tumor recurrence, subsequent salvage chemotherapy, and finally cystoprostatectomy with ileal neobladder. The patient was disease free at last follow-up 4 years after surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Performance-enhancing supplement use in patients with testicular cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To identify supplement use among patients diagnosed with testicular cancer. The incidence of testicular cancer has increased, as has supplement use, including those designed specifically for exercise performance enhancement. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to patients with testicular germ cell cancer treated at our institution between 1990 and 2004. This survey addressed the use of supplements before, during, and after the diagnosis of cancer. RESULTS: Of the 129 patients who completed the questionnaire, 26 (20.1%) used some form of supplements, most of which were ingested for exercise performance enhancement. The most common supplement taken was protein/amino acids (12.4%) followed by creatine (9.3%) and androstenedione (1.6%). The mean duration of supplement use was 17.0 months. The mean age of the patients who had used supplements was 27.6 years (median 26, range 17 to 47) compared with 35.7 years (median 34, range 14 to 76) for patients who had not used supplements. Of the 57 patients diagnosed before 2000, 9 (16%) reported supplement use and 3 (5%) reported creatine use. Of the 72 patients diagnosed during or after 2000, 17 (24%) reported supplement use and 9 (13%) reported creatine use. CONCLUSIONS: Supplement use is common and increasing among patients with testicular cancer. The use of exercise performance-enhancing supplements was as great as 20%. Given the increasing incidence of testicular cancer, coupled with the widespread use of these performance-enhancing supplements in this at-risk group, additional study is required to determine what association, if any, exists between the use of these substances and the development of testicular cancer.

Adolescent↗