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Biomedical subjects

Sisto Perdonà

Publications and source records attributed to Sisto Perdonà.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis and overactive bladder syndrome.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) on the quality of life (QoL) in female patients with or without multiple sclerosis (MS) and their correlation with findings from urodynamics (UDS). We enrolled 107 female patients with clinically definite MS and urinary symptoms of OAB. One-hundred female patients with similar OAB symptoms were used as a control group. Data on OAB symptoms, onset and progression, and results of any previous investigation were obtained, and any urinary complications were documented. A complete UDS investigation was performed. Health status assessment was obtained using the Kings Health Questionnaire. Results showed that urinary symptoms had a greater impact on the QoL in patients with MS. Nevertheless, the perception of the severity of these symptoms was minor in the MS group compared to the control group. No significant correlations were found between the dysfunctions as detected by UDS and the OAB symptoms in both groups. Recurrent urinary tract infections represented the main complication in the study population. In conclusion, OAB symptoms have a major impact on the QoL in patients with MS, even if their perception of QoL impairment remains limited. Optimal management in these subjects should include a complete UDS assessment.

Disability Evaluation↗

Gyrus bipolar versus standard monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate: a randomized prospective trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare bipolar plasmakinetic (PK) with standard monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: A total of 70 patients were prospectively randomized into two groups: 35 patients underwent PK TURP with the Gyrus device, and 35 patients underwent standard monopolar TURP. We evaluated the time to catheter removal and hospital discharge, operating time, blood loss, postoperative irrigation, complications, urinary flow rates, symptom relief, and postvoid residual volumes. RESULTS: At baseline, the study groups were comparable in age, prostate volume, mean prostate-specific antigen value, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality-of-life score, flow rate, and postvoid residual volume. The mean catheterization time was 72 and 100 hours in the PK and standard groups, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (P <0.05), as was the difference in the time to hospital discharge. No difference was found in the mean resection time, amount of resected tissue, or variations in hemoglobin and sodium levels. The improvement in flow rate, postvoid residual volume, International Prostate Symptom Score, and quality-of-life score was comparable between the two groups at 12 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, PK TURP showed comparable perioperative results to those obtained with standard TURP, but with more favorable postoperative outcomes. The resection time and blood loss were similar between the two groups, but the need for continuous bladder irrigation after surgery and time to catheter removal and hospital discharge were significantly shorter in the PK group.

Humans↗

The use of tamsulosin in the medical treatment of ureteral calculi: where do we stand?

It has recently been demonstrated that specific adrenoceptors subtypes (alpha(1A)/alpha(1D)) are prevalent in the distal part of the ureter, a finding supporting the interesting results obtained by different groups with the use of tamsulosin in the treatment of distal ureteral calculi. We performed a prospective randomized study to evaluate the effects of the addition of tamsulosin on our standard pharmacological therapy for the treatment of selected ureteral stones. A total of 64 patients referred to our department for the management of symptomatic ureteral calculi were considered. Patients were randomly divided into two treatment groups: group A (n=32) who received diclofenac (100 mg/daily) plus aescin (80 mg/daily) and group B (n=32) who received the same therapy plus tamsulosin (0.4 mg/daily) for a maximum of 2 weeks. No significant differences were found between the groups for age, gender distribution and mean stone size measured in the single largest dimension at presentation. The stone expulsion rate was 60% (19/32 patients) for group A and 88% for (28/32) for group B with a mean expulsion time of 7.4+/-2.2 (range 3.5-12) and 4.8+/-2.7 days (range 1.8-10.5), respectively. Group B showed a significant advantage in terms of both expulsion rate (P=0.01) and expulsion time (P=0.005). Different analgesics from those used in the standard treatment regimen were required in ten patients in group A (31%) but only three patients in group B (9%). This difference was significant (P=0.003). Hospitalization for recurrent colic was needed in 21% of patients in group A (7/32) and in 9% in group B (3/32) (P=0.01). Only two patients in each group (6%) experienced minor side effects associated with the expulsive therapy. Our data confirm the efficacy of tamsulosin in the treatment of distal ureteral stones up to 1 cm. This selective alpha-blocker should therefore be included in the pharmacological regimen of patients when a conservative approach is considered in the treatment of ureteral lithiasis.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Does the size of ureteral stent impact urinary symptoms and quality of life? A prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of stent diameter on patients' symptoms and quality of life (QoL) by using dedicated questionnaires. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 34 patients with unilateral ureteral obstruction due to urinary stone undergoing to ureteral stenting (17 pts with 4.8 F and 17 pts with 6 F) before treatment of stone disease. Twenty-one patients with lower urinary symptoms from other causes were used as a control group. Two questionnaires, one on QoL and another on stent specific symptoms, were administered to patients one week after stent positioning and 4 week after removal. RESULTS: There was a significant association between stent state and answers on pain and discomfort on QoL questionnaire. A high percentage of patients reported anxiety and depression associated with the stent. Similar significant association was found between stent state and urinary symptoms and pain. No differences in QoL and urinary symptoms and pain were detected using stents with different size. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral stents are invariably associated with urinary symptoms and impaired QoL. We did not find any difference between stent with different size, whereas there was a tendency for stent with smaller diameter to dislodge more often.

Adult↗

Dynamic sentinel node biopsy in clinically node-negative penile cancer versus radical inguinal lymphadenectomy: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reliability and morbidity of dynamic sentinel node biopsy compared with radical inguinal lymphadenectomy (RIL) in the treatment of selected patients with squamous cell penile carcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively considered patients with clinically node-negative Stage pT2-pT3 penile cancer. From 1994 to 2000, 48 patients (group 1, mean age 63 years) underwent penectomy and, after 4 weeks, prophylactic bilateral RIL. From 2001 to 2004, 22 patients (group 2, mean age 67 years) underwent penectomy and dynamic sentinel node biopsy. After 4 weeks, bilateral RIL was performed. RESULTS: In group 1, nodal disease was found in 39.6% of the patients. Early complications occurred in 21 patients (47.5%), with the most common being seroma formation. Late complications occurred in 18 patients (37.5%), with the most common being leg edema. In group 2, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy revealed no sentinel nodes in 1 patient, unilateral sentinel nodes in 7, and bilateral nodes in 14. A total of 35 sentinel nodes were seen in 42 inguinal regions (mean 0.83), including 27 (77.2%) identified with the probe and blue dye and 8 (22.8%) located with the probe only. Metastases were noted in 8 (36.4%) of 22 patients, bilaterally in 4 of them. Early minor complications occurred in 3 patients (13.6%). The technique had an 89% negative predictive value and 90% sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have shown that dynamic sentinel node biopsy is a minimally invasive technique that is easy to perform, with similar results to those of RIL, but lower morbidity. This procedure offers the possibility of less-extensive surgery for clinically node-negative penile carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Efficacy of tamoxifen and radiotherapy for prevention and treatment of gynaecomastia and breast pain caused by bicalutamide in prostate cancer: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Gynaecomastia and breast pain are frequent adverse events with bicalutamide monotherapy, and might cause some patients to withdraw from treatment. We aimed to compare tamoxifen with radiotherapy for prevention and treatment of gynaecomastia, breast pain, or both during bicalutamide monotherapy for prostate cancer. METHODS: 51 patients were randomly assigned to 150 mg bicalutamide per day, 50 patients to 150 mg bicalutamide per day and to 10 mg tamoxifen per day for 24 weeks, and 50 patients to 150 mg bicalutamide per day and radiotherapy (one 12-Gy fraction on the day of starting bicalutamide). 35 of the 51 patients allocated bicalutamide alone developed gynaecomastia or breast pain and were subsequently randomly allocated to tamoxifen (n=17) or radiotherapy (n=18) soon after symptoms started (median 180 days, range 160-195). Gynaecomastia and breast pain were assessed once a month. Severity of gynaecomastia was scored on the basis of the largest diameter. Breast pain was scored as none, mild, moderate, or severe. The primary outcome was frequency of gynaecomastia or breast pain; secondary outcomes were safety and tolerability, relapse-free survival, as assessed by concentration of prostate specific antigen, and quality of life. Analyses were by intention to treat. RESULTS: 35 of 51 patients assigned bicalutamide alone developed gynaecomastia, compared with four of 50 assigned bicalutamide and tamoxifen (odds ratio [OR] 0.1 [95% CI 0.08-0.12], p=0.0009), and with 17 of 50 assigned bicalutamide and radiotherapy (0.51 [0.47-0.54], p=0.008). Breast pain was seen in 29 of 51 patients allocated bicalutamide alone, compared with three allocated bicalutamide and tamoxifen (0.1 [0.07-0.11], p=0.009), and with 15 allocated bicalutamide and radiotherapy (0.43 [0.40-0.45], p=0.02) In 35 patients assigned bicalutamide alone who subsequently developed gynaecomastia, breast pain, or both, tamoxifen significantly reduced the frequency of gynaecomastia (0.2 [0.18-0.22], p=0.02). INTERPRETATION: Antioestrogen treatment with tamoxifen could help patients with prostate cancer to tolerate the hypergonadotropic effects of bicalutamide monotherapy.

Aged↗

Management of gynaecomastia in patients with prostate cancer: a systematic review.

Patients with prostate cancer are increasingly being offered treatment with non-steroidal antiandrogen monotherapy, which offers potential quality-of-life benefits compared with other treatment. Non-steroidal antiandrogens directly antagonise androgen action in breast tissue, and indirectly increase the oestrogen concentration. Thus, the most troublesome side-effects of monotherapy with these drugs are gynaecomastia and breast pain. Patients younger than 60 years of age, who might not have symptoms of prostate cancer, are probably more concerned about their body image and the development of enlarged breasts than are those older than 60 years. Clinicians who seek a treatment for prostate cancer need information on simple and well-tolerated options for the management of gynaecomastia and breast pain. In this review, management options for gynaecomastia caused by hormonal manipulation in patients with prostate cancer are discussed.

Androgen Antagonists↗

How to decrease pain during transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy: a look at the literature.

PURPOSE: There is growing interest among urologists on the need for decreasing pain during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic MEDLINE search of clinical trials of any kind of anesthesia, analgesia or sedation during TRUS guided prostate biopsy published since 2000. We critically analyzed the impact of pain and discomfort associated with the procedure, the described methods for evaluating it and the different techniques that have been described. RESULTS: There is strong evidence in the current literature that patient tolerance and comfort during TRUS guided prostate biopsy can be improved by anesthesia/analgesia. What remains is the need to urge all urologists to introduce it in clinical practice as a routine part of the procedure, whatever the biopsy scheme. CONCLUSIONS: Of the various options periprostatic anesthetic infiltration has been shown to be safe, easy to perform and highly effective. It should be considered the gold standard at the moment, even if the optimal technique remains to be established. Further studies addressing this issue are warranted.

Anesthetics↗

Gynecomastia and breast pain induced by adjuvant therapy with bicalutamide after radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer: the role of tamoxifen and radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: We investigated the role of tamoxifen and radiotherapy (RT) for the prevention and treatment of gynecomastia and breast pain during adjuvant bicalutamide monotherapy after radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with prostate cancer. Also, we evaluated their effects on patient hormonal status, quality of life (QOL), sexual function and prostate specific antigen relapse-free survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective trial. From January 2002 to February 2004, 102 patients who had undergone RP for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer were recruited and randomized into 3 groups, namely group 1-those receiving only 150 mg bicalutamide as adjuvant hormonal therapy, group 2-those receiving bicalutamide and 10 mg tamoxifen, and group 3-those receiving bicalutamide and RT. Patients in group 1 in whom gynecomastia or breast pain developed were subsequently randomized to receive tamoxifen or RT soon after symptoms started. Gynecomastia, breast pain, prostate specific antigen, QOL, sexual function and hormonal levels were assessed. Minimum followup was 12 months. RESULTS: Of group 1 patients 67% had gynecomastia compared with 8% in group 2 and 34% in group 3. Breast pain was more frequent in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (58% vs 7% and 30%, respectively). Differences were significant between groups 1 and 2 (OR 0.12 p <0.001), and groups 1 and 3 (OR 0.52 p < 0.01). In patients in group 1 who had gynecomastia or breast pain a significant decrease in symptoms was achieved in those receiving tamoxifen (p <0.05). Treatments were well tolerated in the 3 groups. No differences in QOL between groups 2 and 3 were found. At a median followup of 26 months we observed 12 biochemical relapses. CONCLUSIONS: Gynecomastia and breast pain induced by bicalutamide monotherapy after RP can be prevented and treated. Tamoxifen has been shown to be more effective and safe than RT in this setting. QOL and sexual function are not negatively influenced by these 2 treatment options.

Aged↗

Renal cell carcinoma with solitary toe metastasis.

Solitary metastases to the small bones and/or to the soft tissue of the hands and feet (acrometastases) are rare. We report a case of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with big toe metastasis revealed before the primary tumor became apparent. The best treatment for a single metastasis is always surgical excision, regardless of the lesion being synchronous or metachronous. The biological behavior of metastatic RCC is unpredictable and only early diagnosis and treatment may favorably affect patient survival. Thus, metastatic RCC should be included in the differential diagnosis of all enlarging cutaneous nodules, wherever they develop.

Aged↗

Weekly docetaxel and vinorelbine (VIN-DOX) as first line treatment in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The current study investigated the clinical benefit, the impact on biochemical and objective response and tolerability of weekly docetaxel with vinorelbine (VIN-DOX) in symptomatic patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). METHODS: Patients were treated with docetaxel 25 mg/m2 and vinorelbine 20 mg/m2, intravenously for 6 consecutive weeks followed by a 2 week rest repeatedly until disease progression. Clinical benefit evaluations, based on Karnofsky performance status (KPS) and pain measure, were assessed weekly during therapy. A clinical benefit response was defined as a sustained (> or =4 weeks) improvements in one of these parameters. Changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, tumoral response and toxicity also were evaluated. RESULTS: 19 men (median age 68 years), were treated. Overall, 42% of patients achieved a KPS significant change and positive pain response; 47% achieved a 50% or greater reduction in PSA. The objective response rate was observed in 2 of 9 patients with measurable disease (22%). The most important toxicity was neutropenia (Grade 3 = 32%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of weekly VIN-DOX appears to be feasible. VIN-DOX was found to be associated with improvement in clinical benefit response and biochemical response and well tolerated as first line treatment in HRPC.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Comparing two different ballistic intracorporeal lithotripters in the management of ureteral stones.

INTRODUCTION: During the 1990s, two different in situ 'ballistic' lithotripters were introduced into clinical practice. The Swiss Lithoclast (SLC) was the first to be clinically tested. After a few years, a very similar device, the electrokinetic lithotripter (EKL), was described and has recently become available to us. In this paper we compare the clinical efficacy and features of these two ballistic lithotripters in the ureteroscopic treatment of ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with ureteral stones were randomized into two equal groups to undergo fragmentation using the SLC or the EKL via semirigid ureteroscope. In both groups the stones were in the mid- or lower ureter. The following parameters were evaluated: total procedure duration, complete fragmentation rate, time to complete fragmentation, proximal migration rate, complications and need for further procedures. RESULTS: Although not statistically significant, a trend towards a higher fragmentation rate, a shorter time to fragmentation and a slightly higher proximal migration rate emerged in the SLC group. No difference was found in the stone-free rate in the two groups (94.7 vs. 89.4%). Only 2 cases of minor ureteric injury were observed in each group. CONCLUSIONS: As previously described by others, the SLC and EKL are both attractive cost-effective options in the treatment of ureteral stones. Ten years after its introduction, the SLC still remains probably the best choice for most urologists.

Adult↗

[Questionnaire based evaluation of prostate biopsy complication comparing different bioptic schemes].

OBJECTIVES: The systematic parasagittal sextant biopsy technique under transrectal ultrasound guidance, routinely performed to diagnose and stage prostate cancer, has been shown to outperform directed or random biopsies, revolutioning our ability to detect carcinoma of the prostate. Different biopsy schemes have been proposed with similar positive percentage of cancer detection. The present study evaluate from the patient's perspective the complications with the use of two different systematic biopsy protocols with 14 and 8 cores. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and February 2000, 177 consecutive patients, mean age 64.1 +/- 7.7 years, referred for normal screening digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) level 4-10 ng/ml, were submitted to a transrectal US examination followed by lesion directed and 14 scheme systematic biopsies to detect prostate cancer. Biopsies were obtained from conventional sextant biopsies (6 core) and 3 alternate sites which included: the right and left extreme lateral peripheral zone between anterior tissue and posterior gland base (2 core); the right and left transition zone, immediately adjacent to the urethra anterior and posterior (4 core) and the right and left central gland in the mid zone typical of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (2 core). All specimens were separated for specific location identification. Cancer was identified in 61 patients (34.46%). Traditional sextant biopsies showed 23 patients (37.7%) with positive core to detect cancer, while a sextant regimen incorporating lateral peripheral zone biopsies and transitional zone detected 19 cancer (31.1%). The combination of lateral peripheral and transitional zone alone detected cancer in 59 patients. No cancer was detected in central gland. The lateral peripheral zone was the most frequently positive site biopsy followed by the transitional zone. According the results of our study from April 2000 we started to consider a novel scheme to reduce number of biopsies maintaining the same sensitivity. A subsequent group of 121 patients, mean age 61 +/- 4.6 years, enrolled from April 2000 to May 2001, underwent a transrectal US examination followed by lesion directed and 8 scheme systematic biopsies. None of the patients had previously undergone prostate biopsy. In all patients a visual analog score (VAS) questionnaire about pain and complications was obtained 7 days after the procedure. RESULTS: Of the 149 patients who completed the questionnaire 9.9% found the procedure moderately to extremely painful afterwards, with a VAS > 5, the commonest of these complications being pain and voiding difficulties with a mean value of 15.8%, systemic symptoms as fever or sweats with a mean value of 7.65% of cases. Between the two groups submitted to 14 or 8 scheme biopsies, we detect a statistically significant difference for urethral bleeding (7.3% vs 4.9% p value 0.05) and rectal bleeding (10.3% vs 3.7% p value 0.04), systemic symptoms 10.3% vs 5.0% p value 0.05) and painful voiding afterwards (5.8% vs 2.4% p value 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guided transrectal biopsy of the prostate is a well tolerated and effective method for obtaining multiple biopsy specimens from the prostate with low incidence of serious complications. The absolute value of referred complications with VAS < 5 results high, but the rate of major complications results low. The 8 biopsy scheme, including sampling in peripherial zone at midgland and transition zone periuretrally toward the base, should be considered in a initial biopsy scheme to reduce number of biopsy and enhancing sensitivity, with a significant less degree of complication rate compared to a extensive 14 biopsy scheme.

Aged↗