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Biomedical subjects

M K Terris

Publications and source records attributed to M K Terris.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Is there a difference in outcome after radical prostatectomy between patients with biopsy Gleason sums 4, 5, and 6? Results from the SEARCH database.

PURPOSE: Fewer patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer today have biopsy Gleason sums <6 compared to several years ago. Several tables and nomograms for predicting disease recurrence after definitive therapy provide little or no discrimination between biopsy Gleason sums 4, 5, and 6. We sought to examine the significance of biopsy Gleason sum for predicting biochemical failure following radical prostatectomy (RP) for men with biopsy Gleason sums of 4, 5, and 6. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined data from 988 men treated with RP between 1988 and 2002 who had biopsy Gleason sums of 4-6. Clinical and pathological variables as well as outcome information were compared between men with biopsy Gleason sums of 4-6. The log-rank and Cox proportional hazards analysis were used to determine whether biopsy Gleason sum provided unique prognostic information for men with low biopsy Gleason sums undergoing RP. RESULTS: There was statistically significant, but overall weak correlation between biopsy Gleason sum and Gleason sum of the RP specimen (Spearman's r=0.277, P<0.001). As biopsy Gleason sum increased from 4 to 5 to 6, there was a steady rise (HR=1.31 for each one point increase in Gleason sum, Cox's model) in the risk of PSA failure (P=0.025, log-rank). On multivariate analysis comparing biopsy Gleason sum, preoperative PSA, clinical stage, year of surgery, percent of biopsy cores positive, and age for their ability to predict time to biochemical recurrence, only PSA (HR 2.09, CI 1.56-2.80, P<0.001) and biopsy Gleason sum (HR 1.33, CI 1.05-1.70, P=0.019) were significant independent predictors of PSA failure. CONCLUSIONS: Despite weak correlation between biopsy and pathologic Gleason sum among men with biopsy Gleason sum 4-6 tumors, grade was a significant independent predictor of PSA failure following RP. In the range of 4-6, biopsy Gleason sum acted as a continuous variable for predicting PSA failure. The routine use of Gleason sums 4 and 5 to grade prostate needle biopsy specimens should not be abandoned.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography studies in the diagnosis and staging of clinically advanced prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET) studies in evaluating patients with advanced prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: FDG-PET scans were taken in 30 patients with advanced prostate cancer 1 h after an injection with 555 MBq of FDG. Patients were scanned from the base of the skull to the inguinal region (including the pelvis). They were also assessed by computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis, and bone scintigraphy, to evaluate them for metastases. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had locally extensive prostate cancer and 17 had metastatic disease. Twenty of the 30 patients were positive for radioisotope uptake in the prostate or extraprostatically. The patients with PET-detected prostate cancer were untreated (seven), treated hormonally while they had rising PSA levels (eight), or treated hormonally with a detectable but stable PSA (five). The remaining 10 patients were negative for FDG uptake in the prostate or any metastatic sites; these 10 patients were receiving hormone therapy, with undetectable PSA levels. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET imaging is not a useful test in evaluating advanced prostate cancer in patients being treated and who have an undetectable PSA level. Staging of advanced prostate cancer may be enhanced by FDG-PET imaging in patients who are untreated, who have had an incomplete response to therapy, or who have a rising PSA level despite treatment.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Dietary supplementation with cranberry concentrate tablets may increase the risk of nephrolithiasis.

OBJECTIVES: Cranberry juice has been recommended for patients with recurrent urinary tract infections. However, cranberry juice has a moderately high concentration of oxalate, a common component of kidney stones, and should be limited in patients with a history of nephrolithiasis. Cranberry concentrate tablets are currently available at nutrition stores and are sold as promoters of urinary tract health. After one of our patients with a distant history of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis developed recurrent stones following self-administration of cranberry concentrate tablets, we sought to investigate the potential lithogenic properties of cranberry supplements. METHODS: Five healthy volunteers on a normal diet provided 24-hour urine collection for pH, volume, creatinine, oxalate, calcium, phosphate, uric acid, sodium, citrate, magnesium, and potassium. Cranberry tablets were administered to these volunteers at the manufacturer's recommended dosage for 7 days. On the seventh day, a second 24-hour urine collection was obtained. RESULTS: The urinary oxalate levels in the volunteers significantly increased (P = 0.01) by an average of 43.4% while receiving cranberry tablets. The excretion of potential lithogenic ions calcium, phosphate, and sodium also increased. However, inhibitors of stone formation, magnesium and potassium, rose as well. CONCLUSIONS: Cranberry concentrate tablets are marketed for urinary tract ailments. Physicians and manufacturers of cranberry products should make an effort to educate patients at risk for nephrolithiasis against ingestion of these dietary supplements.

Adult↗

Progressive decrease in bone density over 10 years of androgen deprivation therapy in patients with prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Several reports suggest an increased incidence of osteoporosis and concomitant fractures in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer. We sought to estimate the longitudinal effects of ADT on loss of bone density in this cross-sectional study. METHODS: Hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD) studies were performed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry on 36 patients with prostate cancer. The year 0 cohort (n = 8) consisted of patients who had not yet begun planned ADT. These men were compared to patients receiving ADT who underwent BMD evaluation at year 2 (n = 6), year 4 (n = 7), year 6 (n = 5), year 8 (n = 5), and year 10 (n = 5) of therapy. All BMD values for the patients with prostate cancer were compared to age-matched control subjects. RESULTS: Hip BMD was significantly lower in patients on ADT (mean BMD 0.802 g/cm(2)) compared with those not on ADT (mean BMD 0.935 g/cm(2)). Patients at year 0 had hip and spine BMD similar to age-matched control subjects. There was a significant trend for decreased hip BMD with increasing years of ADT (r = 0.46, P = 0.00008). This relationship was more dramatic when hip BMD at each time point was compared to age-matched control subjects (r = 0.55, P = 0.5 x 10(-16)). This bone loss was evident even up to year 10. BMD loss was more dramatic in patients who had undergone surgical castration than those receiving medical ADT (P = 0.08). Patients on intermittent ADT had similar BMD loss as patients on continuous ADT at year 2 and year 4 but demonstrated less bone loss at year 6 (P = 0.07) despite equivalently low testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: There is diminished BMD with increasing duration of ADT. Continuous ADT and surgical castration may be more deleterious than medical therapy, particularly when the medical therapy is given in an intermittent fashion.

Aged↗

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography studies in diagnosis and staging of clinically organ-confined prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the value of 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) studies in the evaluation of patients with organ-confined prostate cancer. This imaging method has previously found little usefulness in localized prostate tumors because of excretion of the isotope into the urine, masking any lower urinary tract lesions. We evaluated this imaging modality using hydration, furosemide, and bladder emptying before the procedure to evacuate the nonspecific isotope in the urine. METHODS: FDG PET scans were performed on 24 patients diagnosed with clinically organ-confined prostate cancer. No patient had received any prior treatments for the cancer. FDG PET scans were performed 1 hour after injection of 15 mCi of F-18 deoxyglucose. Patients were scanned from the base of the skull through the inguinal region (including the pelvis). Additional signal attenuation-corrected images of the inguinal region were acquired 30 minutes after intravenous injection of 40 mg of furosemide. The final diagnosis was made by histologic examination, correlative imaging studies, and/or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: FDG PET studies were negative in 23 of the 24 organ-confined prostate cancers and the study was only faintly positive in 1 tumor (4.0% sensitivity). CONCLUSIONS: FDG PET is not a useful test in the evaluation of clinically organ-confined prostate cancer.

Aged↗

External beam radiotherapy for synchronous rectal and prostatic tumors.

Two patients were diagnosed with large rectal tumors and localized prostate cancer. The prostate-specific antigen level at diagnosis was 7.9 ng/mL and 9.0 ng/mL in the 2 patients. Knowledge of the presence of both tumors and their close proximity allowed creation of a modified three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plan to treat both tumors. The patients had no evidence of rectal tumor recurrence and their prostate-specific antigen level was 0.5 ng/mL and 0.7 ng/mL at 1 and 2 years after therapy, respectively. We conclude that efficient, effective pelvic irradiation can be designed for synchronous rectal and prostate malignancies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Results of a screening program for prostate cancer in patients scheduled for abdominoperineal resection for colorectal pathologic findings.

OBJECTIVES: Because of the difficulty of accessing the prostate for tissue sampling after surgical removal of the rectum and obliteration of the anus, we started an early detection program for prostate cancer in all men scheduled for abdominoperineal resection. METHODS: Twenty consecutive men were screened for prostatic adenocarcinoma before planned abdominoperineal resection for colorectal pathologic findings. Patients were 48 to 77 years old (mean 66.9). Screening included serum prostate-specific antigen determination and digital rectal examination. Those patients with suspicious findings underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided sextant biopsies of the prostate. RESULTS: One patient was excluded because of a prior history of prostate cancer. Six (31.6%) of the remaining 19 patients demonstrated elevated prostate-specific antigen levels (greater than 4.0 ng/mL); two of these patients also had an abnormal digital rectal examination. Transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsies in these 6 patients revealed prostatic adenocarcinoma in 3 patients (50% of those undergoing biopsies or 15.8% of those screened). The 13 patients who did not undergo prostate biopsies had prostate-specific antigen levels from 0.4 to 2.4 ng/mL (mean 0.9) and normal prostate glands according to the digital rectal examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for prostate cancer in men 50 years old or older with 10 years or longer life expectancy before they undergo abdominoperineal resection detects a significant number of prostatic malignancies and should be encouraged.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Critical evaluation of the current indications for transition zone biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: Two primary indications for the performance of anteriorly directed transition zone (TZ) biopsies are (a) an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and an enlarged, non-nodular prostate and (b) prior negative sextant biopsies of the prostate. These indications are, however, based on a study population evaluated early in the PSA era (1989 to 1992). The current analysis targeted a more contemporary series of patients (1995 to 2000) presenting with these two indications for TZ biopsies, who underwent ultrasound scanning and biopsies by the same examiner and with the same equipment as in the earlier series. METHODS: We evaluated 390 men, 274 (70.3%) of whom underwent sextant plus TZ biopsies for elevated PSA levels and an enlarged, non-nodular prostate; 116 (28.7%) underwent this biopsy strategy because of an elevated or rising PSA in whom prior sextant biopsies had not revealed cancer. RESULTS: Of the 274 patients who underwent initial sextant biopsies plus anterior biopsies for an enlarged, non-nodular prostate, 49 (17.9%) were found to have adenocarcinoma and in only 4 (1.5%) did only the TZ biopsies reveal cancer. Of the 116 patients who underwent TZ biopsies after prior negative sextant biopsies, 36 (31.0%) were found to have prostate cancer and in 11 (9.5%) only the TZ biopsies demonstrated cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The cancer detection rate for sextant plus TZ biopsies in this contemporary series of patients presenting with enlarged, non-nodular prostates was substantially lower than the rate in earlier reports (1.5% compared with 36.9%), despite the consistency in the equipment and examining physician. This may have been due to the stage migration of prostate cancer, which has been observed as a result of the widespread use of PSA measurement for early detection. Sextant plus TZ biopsies are more productive in patients with prior negative biopsies who have a persistent clinical suspicion for prostate cancer on the basis of an elevated and/or rising PSA level.

Aged↗

Organ and species specificity in the stimulation of transitional epithelial cell growth by fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVES: Culture of transitional epithelium for urinary tract reconstruction has been problematic due, in part, to the dependence of urothelial cells on a basal layer of bladder fibroblasts for growth. In vitro studies on the effect of bladder, ureter, and intestinal fibroblast cocultures and conditioned media upon urothelial cell growth were conducted to better characterize the dependence of urothelial cells of fibroblasts. METHODS: Primary cultures of human and porcine bladder, ureter, and intestinal fibroblasts and bladder and ureter urothelial cells were established. The urothelial cells were incubated with fibroblasts in a coculture system and growth compared to that of individual fibroblast and urothelial cultures. Urothelium-specific medium was exposed to the fibroblast cultures for 6, 12, and 24 h. Urothelial cell growth in each of the fibroblast-conditioned media was evaluated. RESULTS: Coculture of human urothelial cells with human bladder and ureter fibroblasts yielded increased cell growth when compared to the cells in individual culture. This improvement was greatest for the bladder fibroblasts in coculture with bladder epithelial cells. The media exposed to bladder and ureter fibroblasts for 24 h significantly increased bladder and ureter urothelial growth compared to fresh medium. Coculture with intestinal fibroblasts and exposure to intestinal fibroblast conditioned media did not significantly stimulate urothelial cell growth. Similarly, coculture and conditioned media studies of porcine urothelial cells with porcine bladder and ureter fibroblasts (but not intestinal fibroblasts) yielded increased cell growth when compared to the cells in individual culture, particularly with bladder fibroblasts. However, human urothelial cells were not stimulated by porcine bladder and ureter fibroblast conditioned media, nor were porcine urothelial cells stimulated by human bladder and ureter fibroblast conditioned media. CONCLUSIONS: The ability of urinary fibroblasts to stimulate urothelial cell proliferation resides in an unidentified soluble factor secreted into the medium, independent of the presence of the fibroblasts. This factor is relatively organ and species-specific.

Animals↗

Effectiveness of denuding the intestinal mucosa by submucosal injection in the porcine model.

PURPOSE: Lack of mucosal regrowth on denuded bowel segments is considered a prerequisite for successful grafting of cultured urothelial cells for bladder augmentation. This study was designed to establish a technique for clean and complete de-epithelialization of the intestinal mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A segment of the small bowel was isolated in six microminipigs. The isolated segment was detubularized and the submucosa injected with HEPES-buffered saline, elevating the mucosa from the underlying tissue and allowing removal with ease. One portion was resected and, along with a portion of the removed mucosa and a sample of the full-thickness bowel, submitted for histologic evaluation. Another portion of the bowel segment remained denuded while the final denuded segment was covered with polyglactin mesh. After 3 days, 1 week, and 3 weeks, specimens from each of the bowel segments were collected for histologic assessment. Immunoperoxidase labeling was performed to confirm the presence or absence of mucosal regrowth. RESULTS: All intestinal segments showed no mucosal regrowth at the 3-day, 1-week, and 3-week incubation periods. Minimal reaction between the denuded bowel segment and the mesh was evident in all of the pigs. CONCLUSIONS: In the porcine model, intestinal mucosa can be removed completely using submucosal injection. This technique may be useful in future clinical studies involving bladder augmentation using denuded bowel.

Animals↗

Prostate cancer detection in veterans with a history of Agent Orange exposure.

PURPOSE: Agent Orange, a chemical that was widely used in the Vietnam War as a defoliant, is widely accepted as a health hazard but its potential causative role in prostate cancer has been controversial. We evaluated the rate of prostate cancer in veterans referred for prostate biopsy who reported a history of Agent Orange exposure compared to the rate in veterans who denied such exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 400 consecutive veterans referred for prostate needle biopsy in a 30-month period completed a survey regarding Agent Orange exposure. Of these 400 patients 32 (8%) reported previous exposure to Agent Orange. From the remaining 368 patients who denied Agent Orange exposure 3 consecutive age matched controls were selected per each patient reporting exposure for a total of 96 age matched controls. Prostate specific antigen, prostate cancer, cancer grade and length of cancer in the biopsy cores were compared in Agent Orange exposed patients and unexposed controls. To determine whether the patient population referred for biopsy was skewed by proportionally more exposed and referred than unexposed patients those referred for biopsy were compared to the overall adult male veteran population followed at the outpatient clinics at our facility. RESULTS: Of the 32 Agent Orange exposed patients 13 (41%) had prostate cancer, while 33 of the 96 controls (34.4%) had cancer. There was no correlation of Agent Orange exposure with cancer (r = 0.06). There was also no statistically significant difference in the 2 groups in regard to PSA (p = 0.90), cancer (p = 0.15), proportion of well differentiated cancers (p = 0.41) or length of cancer in the biopsy cores (p = 0.34). Compared with the total adult male veteran population followed on an outpatient basis at our facility an average of 1.07% of those with a history of Agent Orange exposure were referred for prostate biopsy yearly versus 1.33% of unexposed patients. CONCLUSIONS: Agent Orange may have a role in the causation of some types of cancer but we identified no significant relationship of prostate cancer with Agent Orange exposure in patients referred for prostate biopsy.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Effect of circumcision on prostatic bacterial colonization and subsequent bacterial seeding following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare the prevalence of prostatic bacterial growth between circumcised and uncircumcised males and determine whether the lack of circumcision results in a change in the incidence of bacterial seeding following prostate needle biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six men (21 circumcised and 25 uncircumcised) undergoing ultrasound and biopsy to rule out prostate cancer were evaluated with questionnaires regarding previous history of urinary tract infection (UTI), any symptoms suggestive of UTI, and obstructive voiding symptoms. None of the patients received preprocedure antibiotics. Preprocedure and postprocedure urine samples, prostate biopsy core, and postprocedure blood samples were obtained for culture. After the cultures were obtained, patients received oral antibiotics. RESULTS: Patient characteristics between circumcised and uncircumcised patients were similar in terms of age, prostate-specific antigen level, voiding symptoms, history of UTI, prostate biopsy technique, and incidence of prostate cancer. The prevalence of preprocedure bacteriuria was slightly higher in the uncircumcised men (14 [56%] of 25 patients) vs. the circumcised men (8/21 [38%] patients), although this was not statistically significant (r = .2, p = .1). The prevalence of postprocedure bacteriuria was significantly higher (p = .04) in the uncircumcised men (12/25 [48%] patients) vs. the circumcised men (4/21 [19%] patients). No correlation was found between circumcision status and incidence of bacterial colonization in the prostate tissue. A statistically significant difference (p = .003) was found between the lack of circumcision and postprocedure bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: Circumcision status does not effect the prevalence of bacterial growth in the urine and the prostate tissue. Uncircumcised men have a higher incidence of bacteriuria and bacteremia following prostate needle biopsies.

Aged↗

Effect of contrast material on transitional cell carcinoma viability.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of contrast material on the viability of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cells and the ability of such cells to attach to a recipient bed, because seeding of TCC into the upper urinary tract is a possibility during retrograde pyelography or percutaneous procedures. METHODS: Primary cultures of TCC cells were established and placed in either quarter, half, or full-strength contrast for 10 minutes or one-quarter strength contrast for 10, 30, and 60 minutes. Cells were then removed from the contrast agent, resuspended in urothelium-specific media, and incubated for 5 days, after which the cells were counted. RESULTS: A pronounced decrease in cell viability was observed with increasing exposure time and contrast material concentration. Cells incubated for 10, 30, and 60 minutes with contrast yielded an average of 79%, 60%, and 12% of the control group growth, respectively (P <0.001). Likewise, plates incubated with quarter, half, and full-strength contrast yielded 79%, 27%, and 10% of the control group growth, respectively (P <0.001). The difference in the response of low-grade superficial and high-grade invasive bladder tumors was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: TCC cells that have been exposed to dilute contrast material for a short period are able to attach and grow on an adequate recipient bed. However, increasing the contrast concentration and/or the exposure time appears to decrease the viability and adherence of the TCC cells.

Aged↗

Prostate cancer detection, characterization, and clinical outcomes in men aged 70 years and older referred for transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic findings and treatment options chosen in men aged 70 years and older referred for prostate biopsy. METHODS: Age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), biopsy pathology, clinical stage, treatment pursued, and treatment outcome were analyzed in 210 men age 70 years and older referred for transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsies. All patients were followed for a mean of 46.9 months (range 28 to 63). RESULTS: Cancer was found in 120 (56.8%) of the patients. The cancer detection rate was significantly higher (81.0%) in patients aged 80 years and older than those younger than 80 years. Cancer patients aged 80 years and older had a higher rate of poorly differentiated cancer (64.7%) compared with the 70 to 74-year-olds (33.3%) and 75 to 79-year-olds (32.1%). The patients aged 80 years and older also had a larger proportion of high-stage cancer. The patients younger than 80 years had a significantly higher incidence of stable/falling PSA with treatment compared with the older patients. Of the 210 patients, 41 (19.4%) died within 5 years of the diagnostic procedure; 3 died of prostate cancer. The death rate was not significantly different among the three age groups evaluated. None of the patients aged 80 years and older died of prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged 80 years and older who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are less likely to respond well to treatment and usually die of unrelated causes. Aggressive diagnosis, staging, and treatment in octogenarians should be guided by the patients' symptoms, overall health, and personal preferences.

Age Distribution↗

Positron emission tomography detection of osseous metastases of renal cell carcinoma not identified on bone scan.

The clinical utility of positron emission tomography (PET) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not been determined. We describe a case in which metastatic RCC undetected by traditional staging methods was accurately staged by PET. A 77-year-old man presented with a 20-lb weight loss and bilateral renal masses. Plain radiographs, bone scintigraphy, and alkaline phosphatase were normal. PET imaging confirmed the right renal mass and revealed several metastatic bone lesions, confirmed by biopsy. The patient died 7 months after diagnosis. This case illustrates the potential superiority of PET in evaluating skeletal metastases of RCC.

Aged↗

Risks and complications of transrectal ultrasound.

Transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsies of the prostate are routinely performed to diagnose and stage prostate cancer. This diagnostic technique is a safe method to diagnose prostate cancer with few major complications but frequent minor complications.

Biopsy, Needle↗