Biomedical subjects

P Barré

Publications and source records attributed to P Barré.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Decreased expression of keratinocyte beta1 integrins in chronically sun-exposed skin in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces changes in the skin structure which are mostly found in the superficial dermis and at the dermal-epidermal junction. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts contribute both to the synthesis and to the degradation of the molecules important for the integrity of this skin site. While several studies have reported on alterations of dermal components and of the functions of fibroblasts in vivo and in vitro after UV exposure, recent data suggested that keratinocytes could be the main skin cell type involved in the photoageing process. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we analysed the expression of two keratinocyte molecules namely, beta1 integrin (a proliferation marker) and involucrin (a differentiation marker) in sun-exposed and sun-protected facial skin of 16 healthy patients undergoing facial lifting. METHODS: Methods included histology, immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: Sun-exposed skin displayed the characteristic morphological and molecular features of dermal photoageing, compared with sun-protected skin, including dermal elastosis, diminished fibrillin and type VII collagen expression. Analysis of the epidermis in sun-exposed vs. sun-protected skin showed no histological differences, but dramatic changes in the expression of beta1 integrin and involucrin. In sun-exposed skin, expression of beta1 integrin protein by epidermal basal cells was reduced, paralleling a downregulation of beta1 integrin mRNA, whereas involucrin protein expression was greatly enhanced in the superficial epidermal cell layers. Interestingly, the ratio between involucrin and beta1 integrin protein expression was consistently increased in sun-exposed skin sites. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively these results demonstrate that epidermal homeostasis is impaired by chronic UV exposure, and define beta1 integrin expression as a molecular marker of the epidermal photoageing process.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Electrovaporization of the prostate with the Gyrus device.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and the safety of a new transurethral endoscopic device using bipolar electrocautery, the Gyrus system. This system permits rapid prostate tissue removal by endoscopic vaporization with little bleeding and no pad return using saline irrigation and therefore eliminating TURP syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients (mean age 70; range 49-90 years) with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) without suspected cancer, confirmed by digital rectal examination and PSA tests, were treated between October 1998 and February 1999 with the Gyrus and evaluated at 1 and 3 months postoperatively by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum urinary flow rate. RESULTS: No postoperative bleeding necessitating catheterization for postoperative retention occurred. The duration of the procedure was < or = 30 minutes in 12 patients, 30 to 60 minutes in 27 patients, and >60 minutes in 3 patients. The mean time of postoperative continuous bladder irrigation was 1.2 days (0.5-3 days). The mean catheterization time was 1.4 days (range 0.5-5 days). Urethral stricture requiring treatment occurred in two patients. Dysuria was reported by four patients (mild two, severe two). The postoperative hospitalization was a mean of 2.2 days. The mean peak flow rate increased from 7.9 to 19.7 mL/sec at 3 months, and the IPSS decreased from 16 to 9 at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results with a bipolar electrode for electrovaporization of the prostate using the Gyrus suggest that it is a useful and safe endoscopic device. It appears to be an effective treatment for BPH; however, long-term results (i.e., 1-year follow-up) should be evaluated. This pilot series permits a comparative study with TURP to assess the benefits for patients and the health care system.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Evaluation of tension-free vaginal tape procedure. Its safety and efficacy in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence during the learning phase.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate preliminary results of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT), a new surgical procedure, performed during the learning phase for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-hundred consecutive patients underwent surgery, between June 1998 and December 1999, by six different senior surgeons. Indications were socially annoying urinary stress incontinence which persisted after complete physical therapy education. Preoperative examination included a urodynamic evaluation program. Surgical procedure was performed according to Ulmsten technique under local, regional or general anaesthesia. Results were evaluated by self-evaluation questionnaire and the patients were followed for at least 1 year. RESULTS: Perioperative complications were: 14 bladder injuries and one urethral perforation without sequelae (except prolonged bladder drainage up to 3 days). Postoperative complications were: 13 retentions including 3 persistent after 1 month. During the learning phase (50 first patients) bladder injuries, retention and dysuria were more frequent. Progressively, local anesthesia was abandoned while most of the 50 remaining patients had TVT performed under epidural anesthesia. Functional results were divided into 3 groups according to preoperative urethral closure pressure (UCP) and eventual concomitant prolapse repair (PR): (1) UCP >25 cm H2O no PR (59 patients): 39 were totally dry without any instability, 13 dry with de novo (4) or persistent (7) instability and 5 were moderately improved. (2) UCP <25 cm H2O no PR (25 patients): 11 were dry without instability, 5 dry with instability, 6 were improved and 4 failed. (3) PR (15 patients): 9 were dry, 4 were improved and 2 failed. For 2 patients a bladder erosion due to the tape occurred (7 and 11 months) after the TVT procedure. CONCLUSIONS: During the learning phase, bladder perforation (22%) and retention (20%) were much more frequent than previously reported. Nevertheless, our results confirm that TVT appears to be an efficient procedure: 97% of patients were cured or improved when UCP >25 cm H2O, 85% when UCP <25 cm H2O and 87% when a PR was associated.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Comparative mortality of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Comparisons of mortality rates in patients on hemodialysis versus those on peritoneal dialysis have been inconsistent. We hypothesized that comorbidity has an important effect on differential survival in these two groups of patients. METHODS: Eight hundred twenty-two consecutive patients at 11 Canadian institutions with irreversible renal failure had an extensive assessment of comorbid illness collected prospectively, immediately prior to starting dialysis therapy. The cohort was assembled between March 1993 and November 1994; vital status was ascertained as of January 1, 1998. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 24 months. Thirty-four percent of patients at baseline, 50% at three months, and 51% at six months used peritoneal dialysis. Values for a previously validated comorbidity score were higher for patients on hemodialysis at baseline (4.0 vs. 3.1, P < 0.001), three months (3.7 vs. 3.2, P = 0.001), and six months (3.6 vs. 3.2, P = 0.005). The overall mortality was 41%. The unadjusted peritoneal dialysis/hemodialysis mortality hazard ratios were 0.65 (95% CI, 0. 51 to 0.83, P = 0.0005), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.66 to 1.06, P = NS), and 0. 83 (95% CI, 0.64 to 1.08, P = NS) based on the modality of dialysis in use at baseline, three months, and six months, respectively. When adjusted for age, sex, diabetes, cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, malignancy, and acuity of renal failure, the corresponding hazard ratios were 0.79 (95% CI, 0. 62 to 1.01, P = NS), 1.00 (95% CI, 0.78 to 1.28, P = NS), and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.73 to 1.24, P = NS). Adjustment for a previously validated comorbidity score resulted in hazard ratios of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.58 to 0.94, P = 0.01), 0.94 (95% CI, 0.74 to 1.19, P = NS), and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.68 to 1.13, P = NS) at baseline, three months, and six months. There was no survival advantage for either modality in any of the major subgroups defined by age, sex, or diabetic status. CONCLUSIONS: The apparent survival advantage of peritoneal dialysis in Canada is due to lower comorbidity and a lower burden of acute onset end-stage renal disease at the inception of dialysis therapy. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, as practiced in Canada in the 1990s, are associated with similar overall survival rates.

Canada↗

PubMed2000

Comparative hospitalization of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Most comparisons of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) have used mortality as an outcome. Relatively few studies have directly compared the hospitalization rates, an outcome of perhaps equal importance, of patients using these different dialysis modalities. METHODS: Eight hundred twenty-two consecutive patients at 11 Canadian institutions with irreversible renal failure had an extensive assessment of comorbid illness and initial mode of dialysis collected prospectively immediately prior to starting dialysis therapy. The cohort was assembled between March 1993 and November 1994. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Admission data were used to compare hospitalization rates in HD and PD. RESULTS: Thirty-four percent of patients at baseline and 50% at three months used PD. Twenty-five percent of HD and 32% of PD patients switched dialysis modality at least once after their first treatment (P = NS). Nine percent of HD patients and 30% of PD patients switched modality after three months (P < 0. 001). Total comorbidity was higher in HD patients at baseline (P < 0. 001) and at three months (P = 0.001). The overall hospitalization rate was 40.2 days per 1000 patient days after baseline and 38.0 days per 1000 patient days after three months. When an adjustment was made for baseline comorbid conditions, patients on PD had a lower rate of hospitalization in intention-to-treat analysis according to the type of dialysis in use at baseline (RR 0.85, 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.87, P < 0.001), but a higher rate according to the type of dialysis in use three months after study entry (RR 1.31, 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.34, P < 0.001). In analyses based on the amount of time actually spent on each treatment modality, PD was associated with a higher rate of hospitalization when analyzed according to the type of dialysis in use at baseline (RR 1.10, 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.13, P < 0.001) and according to the type of dialysis in use three months after study entry (RR 1.26, 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.30, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions regarding comparative hospitalization rates are heavily dependent on the analytic starting point and on whether intention-to-treat or treatment-received analyses are used. When early treatment switches are accounted for, HD is associated with a lower rate of hospitalization than PD, but the effect is modest.

Canada↗

PubMed2000

Prognostic value of MIB-1 antibody labeling index to predict response to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy in a high-risk selected population of patients with stage T1 grade G3 bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: Proliferation rate is an important determinant of bladder tumor progression. However, this factor has not yet been correlated to bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy response in a selected high-risk population of patients with stage T1 grade G3 bladder cancer. To assess the predictive value of the proliferation rate, an immunoreactivity test with monoclonal antibodies MIB-1 was carried out. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of an MIB-1 labeling index by selecting a group of responsive patients prior to intravesical therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After complete transurethral resection, 35 patients with T1G3 bladder carcinoma received 6 weekly installations of BCG (intravesical Pasteur strain: 75 mg in 50 ml course of BCG therapy). After treatment a cystoscopy and randomized biopsies of the bladder mucosa were carried out and all recurrences were systematically resected. All tissue samples were fixed in Bouin's solution, embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin-safran. Pathologists had sufficient material to perform immunomarking in 25 patients using peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique, with antiprotein monoclonal antibody MIB-1 (Immunotech, Marseilles, France) to study MIB-1 expression before BCG therapy. Consensus was obtained from three independent pathologists for all sections. The results were expressed in a percentage of marked nuclei. Ten percent increment thresholds were established from 10 to 60%. Contingency tables were established, chi2 (p1) and Fisher exact test (p2) were performed for each threshold of 10%. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 57.3 months (range 25-144). Of the 25 patients, 8 (32%) did not respond to BCG therapy, 17 (68%) responded positively. With a 20% threshold, there was a statistical difference (p1 = 0.03, p2 = 0.04) between responder (R) and nonresponder (NR) patients. All the 7 patients with less than 20% of nuclear activity positively responded to BCG. At this threshold level, sensitivity was high but specificity low (positive predictive value = 0.44). If we consider other reactivity thresholds there were no statistical differences between R and NR patients (10%) threshold p1 = 0.13, p2 = 0.19; 30% p1 and p2 = 0.20; 40% p1 = 0.82, p2 = 0.61; 50% p1 = 0.57, p2 = 0.55). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the proliferation rate, assessed by MIB-1 immunoreactivity in Bouin's solution-fixed primary tissue, could be a useful predictive marker of outcome in T1G3 bladder carcinoma. With a 20% reactivity cut-off, a negative MIB-1 immunomarking appears to predict a positive response to BCG instillations. However, on the other hand, MIB-1 is of limited clinical use because the low specificity of this test cannot predict failure and then select candidates for cystectomies.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2000

[Extra-corporeal lithotripsy in the treatment of Peyronie's disease. Use of a standard lithotriptor (Multiline Siemens) on "young" (less then 6 months old) plaques].

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of La Peyronie disease is still controversial. ESWL has been recently proposed to treat symptomatic plaques. The results, although discordant and often based on subjective assessment criteria, appear to show a certain degree of efficacy on so-called young plaques, i.e. during the acute phase of the disease. This study was designed to evaluate the results obtained with a classical lithotriptor (Siemens Multiline) on plaques present for less than 6 months. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 26 patients were included in this prospective study. All presented a painful plaque on erection. The plaque was palpated under general anaesthesia and 0.5 to 2 ml of contrast agent were injected to allow radiological visualization. All patients received 3000 impacts at a power of 7 kilojoules in 1 session and all were reviewed 1 month and 3 months after the ESWL session. RESULTS: Treatment was perfectly tolerated. Among the 26 patients treated: 19 patients (73%) reported a very marked reduction of pain on erection and 8 (31%) reported a reduction of curvature on erection, but this reduction was demonstrated objectively (by tracing or photographs) for only 3 patients (11%). Seven patients (27%) experienced softening of the plaque. Six (37%) of the patients suffering from erectile dysfunction reported improvement of the quality of erection, as reflected by the HEF score. CONCLUSION: A standard lithotriptor can be used to treat La Peyronie plaques. ESWL appears to have a marked analgesic effect, but its efficacy on correction of curvature of the penis was not demonstrated in this study.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Study of survival after cystectomy for bladder cancer. Report of 504 cases].

OBJECTIVES: Cystectomy is the reference treatment for invasive bladder cancer and superficial tumours with a high risk of recurrence. However, the long-term results of this treatment remain controversial. Progress in anaesthesia-intensive care and surgical techniques appear to have improved the prognosis of this disease over the last two decades. The availability of numerous adjuvant therapies (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) and the development of alternative conservative management therefore require a re-evaluation of the long-term results of cystectomy for bladder cancer performed over the last 20 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The case files of 504 consecutive patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer in our department from 1981 to 1997 were reviewed. The operative and postoperative morbidity and actuarial survival by stage were studied. Histological prognostic factors and the influence of adjuvant therapies were also studied. RESULTS: According to the TNM 97 classification, 55% of tumours (on the cystectomy specimen) were intravesical (< T3), and 70% of patients had negative lymph nodes (N0). The perioperative mortality was 1.56%. The overall survival at 2 years, 5 years and 10 years for the total patient population was 83.1%, 52.3% and 46.6%, respectively. The 5-year survival of tumours confined to the bladder (< T3) was 79.4% versus 27.5% when the tumour extended beyond the bladder (> T3). The lymph node status considerably influenced survival. N0, N1 and N2-3 patients had 5-year survival rates of 64%, 48% and 14%, respectively. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy did not appear to improve survival. CONCLUSIONS: Survival after cystectomy for bladder cancer essentially depends on pathological stage and lymph node status. Patients with a localized tumour have a 5-year survival greater than 80%. Prospective studies are required to determine the real benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy, as its value has not yet been formally demonstrated.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Isolated ureteral metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Apropos of a case].

A ureteric tumour was discovered in a patient presenting with an episode of renal colic and a history of prostatectomy for prostatic adenocarcinoma. Segmental ureterectomy was performed. Histological examination showed a metastasis from prostatic adenocarcinoma. This is a rare site of secondaries: less than 40 cases have been reported in the literature, essentially based on autopsy series. Metastatic spread occurs via lymphatics or the blood stream, and the secondary tumour develops from the adventitia before invading the ureteric wall. Although this diagnosis may be suggested by the clinical features and imaging, it can only be confirmed by histology. After ureterectomy, treatment can combine all of the recognized treatment modalities against prostatic adenocarcinoma: endocrine therapy and adjuvant radiotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1999

[Erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy: value of preoperative programming of intracavernous injections].

OBJECTIVES: Vasoactive drugs used for self-administered intracavernous injections are currently the reference treatments for erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy. The acceptability of and compliance with this treatment often limit their use. This study analysed these two parameters as a function of the type of andrological management decided before radical prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1996 to January 1997, 45 sexually active patients, aged 52 to 69 years, requiring radical prostatectomy without preservation of the nervi erigentes, for localized prostate cancer, were included in this prospective study. Before the operation all 45 patients were informed about the high risk of erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy. Fifteen patients (group 1) did not receive any particular advice concerning the management of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy, but were possibly referred for an andrology consultation depending on their complaints. Fifteen patients (group 2) were systematically referred for an andrology consultation three months after radical prostatectomy for information about the available treatment options. For 15 patients (group 3), the andrology consultation (3 months after the operation) had been planned before radical prostatectomy to perform a test injection of prostaglandin E1. The injections, started before the operation in this group 3, therefore constituted an integral part of the global management of prostate cancer. All these patients were followed for at least 1 year in the urology department. RESULTS: Only 7 of the 15 patients of group 1 consulted an andrologist. Five of these patients received a test intracavernous injection versus 14 in group 2 and 15 in group 3. The 5 patients of group 1 who received an intracavernous injection accepted this modality as treatment versus 8 in group 2 and 12 in group 3. After one year, 4, 5 and 9 patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, continued intracavernous injections. CONCLUSION: The management of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy must start with the decision to operate. Systematic encouragement to use intracavernous injections after radical prostatectomy helps to improve access to this treatment for impotence. The acceptability, and especially the compliance, appear to be better in patients in whom intracavernous injections were integrated into the global management of their prostate cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

[Study of the Ki-67 antibody immunolabeling of renal adenocarcinomas with or without renal vein thrombosis].

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the proliferation index (immunolabelling by monoclonal antibody Ki67 - MIB-1) of renal cell carcinomas as a function of the presence or absence of renal vein thrombus. Analysis of the numbers of Ki67-positive nuclei can be used to assess the degree of aggressiveness of the cell populations of these various carcinomas (tumour without thrombus, tumour with thrombus and neoplastic thrombus). METHODS: Twenty three renal cell carcinomas with renal vein thrombus were matched for Furhman grade (1st degree), tumour volume (2nd degree) and the patient's age (3rd degree) with 23 renal cell carcinomas not presenting any vascular embolus on histology. Monoclonal antibody MIB-1 immunolabelling was performed on 69 paraffin-embedded specimens: 23 tumours with thrombosis, the 23 corresponding neoplastic thrombi and 23 tumours without vascular embolus. RESULTS: A correlation between Furhman grade and the percentage of immunolabelled nuclei was observed (mean: 2.67% for low-grade tumours and 14.34% for high-grade tumours). No labelling difference was observed between the two populations of primary tumours (with thrombus/without embolus). Primary tumours presented significantly weaker Ki67 labelling than their corresponding neoplastic thrombus (mean of 2.47% versus 10.3%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study shows that there is no difference of the proliferation index between tumours with neoplastic venous thrombus and those with no histological vascular embolus. However, a difference of proliferation index was observed between the primary tumour and its corresponding thrombus, which presented a statistically higher immunolabelling. This finding suggests that the thrombus possesses more dividing cells than the primary tumour, i.e. has a shorter doubling time.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Age-related functional and structural changes in human dermo-epidermal junction components.

Cultured normal human keratinocytes obtained from 14 facial skin biopsies of donors aged 9-79 y were used to study the influence of donor age on the integrin receptors, cell adhesive properties in vitro, and type VII collagen synthesis. Immuno-spectrofluorimetric quantitation of integrins showed a decrease in the beta1- and beta4-subunits in low (0.08 mM) and high (1.8 mM) calcium conditions with aging. Calcium ions decreased the fluorescence intensity by relocating integrins at cell boundaries. Measurements of adhering cells showed that adhesion to bovine serum albumin-, type IV collagen- or laminin 1-coated plastic surfaces initially increased until donor age reached 30 y and then decreased. Specific adhesion to type IV collagen and laminin 1 did not vary with age, but the increase in adhesion to type IV collagen produced by manganese ions increased with age, suggesting an age-dependent feature of beta1 integrin. Synthesis of type VII collagen, increased or not by TGFbeta1 (10 ng per ml), did not vary with the donor age. Global normalized principal component analysis showed that variables related to integrins were strongly correlated, as were those of adhesion. Pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy of freshly isolated keratinocytes showed that certain hemidesmosomes from aged cells had little or no reaction with anti-beta4-chain antibody. Post-embedding type IV collagen immunostaining and image analysis showed less type IV collagen in adult dermo-epidermal junctions. These findings indicate that there are structural and functional changes in the dermo-epidermal junction components with aging, probably giving a less effective epidermal anchoring system.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Urethral recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Predictive value of preoperative latero-montanal biopsies and urethral frozen sections during prostatocystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The management of the male urethra after cystectomy for bladder cancer continues to be a dilemma. Patients who undergo a cystectomy require either urinary diversion or bladder substitution. Therefore, the use of the urethra to ensure voiding is important. On the other hand, the probable risk of urethral carcinoma recurrence is generally estimated at approximately 10%. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of preoperative urethral biopsies, and of frozen sections during cystoprostatectomy, in patients with invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: From 1982 to 1986, 118 male patients underwent a cystoprostatectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. All patients underwent endoscopic latero-montanal biopsies 2 weeks preoperatively and urethral frozen cut section during radical prostatocystectomy. RESULTS: Carcinoma was observed in 12 patients on both examinations. All patients underwent en bloc urethrectomy during cystectomy. In the remaining 106 patients, the frozen cut margin was negative (including 9 with positive latero-montanal biopsies), and these patients had the urethra preserved. After a 10-year minimum follow-up, no recurrence was observed in these patients with negative frozen cut-section. No significant risk factors for urethral recurrence were found. Latero-montanal biopsies did not reveal a positive specificity, and this procedure was later abandoned in our institution (in 1986). CONCLUSIONS: The urethral frozen section was the only guideline used for simultaneously performing the urethrectomy. All male patients with negative frozen cut sections should be considered candidates for bladder substitution. A prophylactic urethrectomy is only indicated in patients with carcinoma (minimum carcinoma in situ) in the frozen urethral margin section during cystectomy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Low-dose BCG instillations in the treatment of stage T1 grade 3 bladder tumours: recurrence, progression and success.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects and results of low-dose bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy on a selective high-risk population of stage T1, grade 3 (G3) bladder tumours. Recurrence and progression were also analysed. Thirty-five consecutive patients presenting with T1 G3 tumours were treated with intravesical BCG. All patients underwent complete transurethral tumour resection. A course of BCG 75 mg Pasteur strain was begun 4 weeks after the first resection of the diagnosed tumour and continued for a 6-week period. At the end of treatment, a complete urological evaluation was routinely carried out: urine cytology test, cystoscopy with bladder biopsies randomly performed, and any recurrences were resected. In cases of abnormal cytology and/or recurrence an additional course of BCG was initiated, followed by the same tests. Follow-up examination and cystoscopy or fibroscopy were conducted every 3 months for 1 year, semiannually and annually thereafter. Median follow-up was 45 months (range 10-120); 7 patients (20%) did not respond to BCG instillations. Of these patients, 5 underwent cystectomy and in 2 patients the bladder was left in place in spite of recurrence because of age (+80 years). Twenty-eight patients (80%) responded positively, 24 after one single course of BCG, and 4 patients after two courses. During follow-up, recurrence was observed in 8 cases: stage T1 G3 in 4 patients, T1 CIS (carcinoma in situ) in 2 patients, Ta G2 and Ta G1 in 2 patients. Three of these patients were treated by cystectomy and the remaining patients with transurethral resection alone or combined with additional courses of BCG. Overall, 25 patients (71%) were considered free of tumour occurrence after low-dose BCG therapy. Ten patients underwent cystectomy (29%) or remained in occurrence and 2 patients died of the disease. These results can be closely compared to the results of other trials conducted on stage T1 G3 and BCG treatment, using a different dosage and BCG protocol therapy. BCG is an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent for T1 G3 carcinoma of the bladder responders. The identification of these responders before beginning instillations still remains a challenge.

Administration, Intravesical↗

PubMed1998

Correlation between p53 over expression and response to bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy in a high risk select population of patients with T1G3 bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine if p53 status, assessed before intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy, can predict clinical outcome in a high risk population of patients with stage T1, grade G3 bladder cancer and if it can be used to select patients responsive to therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After complete transurethral resection 35 patients with T1G3 bladder carcinoma received 6 weekly instillations of BCG and nonresponsive patients received a second course. After treatment cystoscopy and randomized biopsies of the bladder mucosa were performed. Pathologists had sufficient material to perform immunomarking in 25 cases using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique with antiprotein monoclonal antibody p53. The results were expressed in percentage of marked nuclei. We established 5% increment thresholds from 0 to 60%. Contingent tables were established, and chi-square and Fisher's exact test were performed for each 5% threshold. RESULTS: Median followup was 51.3 months (range 25 to 144). Of the 25 patients 8 (32%) did not respond to BCG therapy and 17 (68%) did. Immunomarkings were not statistically different between BCG responsive and nonresponsive patients for 0, 5, 10, 20, 35, 40, 45, 55 and 65 thresholds. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were 0.91 and 0.83, 0.40 and 0.20, 0.58 and 0.29, 0.96 and 0.81, 0.80 and 0.88, 0.67 and 0.73, 0.91 and 0.83, 0.80 and 0.38, 0.69 and 0.32, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the percentage of p53 immunomarked cell cannot currently be used to predict clinical response to BCG therapy and, therefore, p53 over expression is not a viable indicator of T1G3 recurrence when using this treatment.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Prediction of early death in end-stage renal disease patients starting dialysis.

Demand for dialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease is growing, as is the comorbidity of dialysis patients. Accurate prediction of those destined to die quickly despite dialysis could be useful to patients, providers, and society in making decisions about starting dialysis. To determine whether age and comorbidity accurately predict death within 6 months of first dialysis for end-stage renal disease, a prospective cohort study of 822 patients starting dialysis at one of 11 Canadian centers was performed. Patient characteristics were recorded at first dialysis. Follow-up continued until death or study end (at least 6 months after enrollment). One hundred thirteen of 822 (13.7%) patients died within 6 months. Although an existing scoring system predicted prognosis, adverse scores greater than 9 were found in only 9.7% of those who died; only 52% of those who scored higher than 9 died within 6 months. No score cutoff point combined high true-positive and low false-positive rates for predicting early death. Age, severity of heart failure or peripheral vascular disease, arrhythmias, malnutrition, malignancy, or myeloma were independent prognostic factors identified in multivariate models. However, the best fit discriminant and logistic models were also unable to accurately predict death within 6 months. Clinicians were very accurate in assigning patients to prognostic groups up to a 50% risk of death by 6 months, above which they tended to overestimate risk. However, clinicians were only marginally better than the predictive models in determining whether a given high-risk patient would die. The inability of a scoring system or clinical intuition to accurately predict death soon after starting dialysis for end-stage renal disease suggests that limiting access to dialysis on the basis of likely short survival may be inappropriate in Canada.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Ureteroileal implantation in orthotopic neobladder with the Le Duc-Camey mucosal-through technique: risk of stenosis and long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: We determined the postoperative risk of nonneoplastic ureteroileal implantation stenosis using the Le Duc-Camey technique, and assessed the extent to which followup is mandatory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 1980 and October 1989, after a cystoprostatectomy, 158 consecutive men underwent lower urinary tract reconstruction by means of a U-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder. Of these cases 109 were tubularized and 49 were detubularized. The 313 ureteral implantations were performed according to the Le Duc-Camey mucosal-through technique. Followup studies in all patients consisted of excretory urography or renal sonography carried out before discharge home, at least every 6 months during the first year after surgery and once a year thereafter. Followup was more than 2 years for 123 patients. The study was conducted retrospectively. RESULTS: The rate of anastomotic stenosis was 4.9% among 123 patients who were followed a minimum of 2 years. No obstructions were detected after 2 years. The rates of ureteral reimplantation and nephrectomy for chronic kidney obstruction were 3.7% and 2%, respectively. All strictures were located at the anastomosed site, and retrograde catheterization was uncertain. Surgical reimplantation through an elective extraperitoneal approach was easy to perform and effective. CONCLUSIONS: The anastomotic stenosis rate after Le Duc-Camey ureteroileal implantation in orthotopic U-shaped neobladder was 4.9%. During the first year after surgery, the difference between true stenosis and temporary edema was not easy to assess. The U-shaped neobladder allows for the implantation of a minimally dissected iliac ureter, which could be a factor in minimizing the risk of obstruction.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Value of nephron preservation in conservative surgery of renal tumors].

The increasing use of abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography results in the increasingly early diagnosis of subclinical renal tumours. These asymptomatic tumours can sometimes be treated conservatively. This technique raises the problem of the multifocal nature of renal tumours In order to assess the real benefit of nephron-sparing surgery in relation to the risk of recurrence, this study evaluates the repercussions of exclusive tumour resection on the nephron number. From 1990 to 1995, 28 patients underwent partial nephrectomy for suspected renal cell carcinoma. Computed tomography was use to estimate the volume and therefore the weight of the kidney and the tumour: weight (g) = volume (mL) = length x width x height/2. The mean age of the patients was 59.1 years. The contralateral kidney was normal in 20 patients (group 1) and the tumour affected a solitary kidney in 8 patients (group 2). The initial serum creatinine level was normal (between 78 and 96) in all patients. The mean weight of the tumour was 16.1 g (13.6 g for group 1 and 22.3 g for group 2), and corresponded to 3.84% of the total kidney weight in group 1 and 9.73% in group 2. 1,400,000 nephrons were preserved in group 1 versus 900,000 nephrons in group 2, equivalent to a glomerular filtration rate of 89 mL/min and 58 mL/min, respectively. Partial nephrectomy therefore constitutes a real nephron-sparing technique. It allows sparing of a sufficient number of nephrons to ensure normal renal function and, most importantly, allows the possibility of subsequent partial surgery in view of the potential risk of multifocal tumours.

Adult↗