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Biomedical subjects

W Meinhardt

Publications and source records attributed to W Meinhardt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Penis conserving treatment for T1 and T2 penile carcinoma: clinical implications of a local recurrence.

PURPOSE: We evaluated our experience with primary tumor treatment for T1 and T2 penile squamous cell carcinoma and discussed the clinical implications of a local recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary tumor treatment and clinical course of 257 patients with T1 or T2 penile carcinoma were evaluated. Primary tumor treatment consisted of penis preservation in 157 and (partial) amputation in 100 patients. Median followup was 106 months (range 16 to 541). RESULTS: The 5-year local recurrence-free estimate after penis preservation was similar for T1 and T2 tumors (log rank test p = 0.1) and overall 63% (CI: 54%-72%) compared to 88% (CI: 81%-95%) for partial amputation (log rank test p = 0.0003). In case of a local recurrence after penis preserving treatment, local control could be achieved in 94% (51 of 54) of cases. Of patients with T1 tumors treated with penis preservation, regional recurrence developed in 33% (7 of 21) of patients with local recurrence compared to only 6% (3 of 47) of patients without local recurrences (Fisher's exact test p = 0.005). Of the patients with T2 tumors treated with penis preservation, regional recurrence developed in 27% (9 of 33) of patients with local recurrence compared to 27% (12 of 45) of patients without local recurrence (chi-square test p = 0.96). Of 10 patients with a local recurrence after partial amputation of the penis, 9 died of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of local recurrence increases with penis preservation but can be treated accurately in most cases. Local recurrences can signify lymphatic regional spread. A local recurrence after penile amputation carries a poor prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Clinical outcomes after sexuality preserving cystectomy and neobladder (prostate sparing cystectomy) in 44 patients.

PURPOSE: We describe the functional outcome on erectile function, continence and voiding, and local and distant cancer recurrence rates in 44 patients after sexuality preserving cystectomy and neobladder (prostate sparing cystectomy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 44 males underwent cystectomy with preservation of the prostate, seminal vesicles and vasa deferentia, after which a Studer type neobladder was anastomosed to the prostate. Oncological outcome (disease specific survival, distant and local recurrence rates) and functional results (continence, voiding, erectile function) were determined. RESULTS: At a median followup of 42 months, 13 (30%) patients died of cancer. All 13 experienced widespread disease, which was combined with a pelvic recurrence (pelvic recurrence rate 6.9%) in 3. The 3-year survival according to pathological stage was 86% for pT 2N0 or lower, 63% pT3N0 and 39% for node positive tumors (anyT Npos). Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 1 patient 5 years after treatment, and recurrent carcinoma in situ in the prostatic urethra in another patient. Complete daytime and nighttime continence was achieved in 95.3% and 74.4%, respectively. Incontinence during day and night could be managed by 1 pad per day/night in 4.7% and 20.9%, respectively, while 4.7% needed more than 1 pad per night. Erectile function could be determined in 40 patients, and potency was maintained in 77.5%, impaired in 12.5% and absent in 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Functional results with regard to erectile function and urinary continence after prostate sparing cystectomy are good. Oncological results have been promising, but need to be confirmed after longer followup and in larger trials.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMed2005

Neoadjuvant methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin for histologically proven lymph node positive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: We gained insight into the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent surgery in patients with bladder cancer with tumor positive lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients with histologically proven positive lymph nodes (by lymph node dissection or aspiration cytology) were treated with chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy surgery in case of partial or complete response. We evaluated response in the primary tumor and lymph nodes, long-term clinical outcome, and clinicopathological features potentially predictive of survival. RESULTS: Complete response, partial response and stable/progressive disease were attained in 29%, 57% and 14%, and resulted in a 5-year survival of 42%, 19% and 0%, respectively. Objective response (HR 4.1), especially complete response (HR 8.0), was independently associated with survival. The prognostic values of lymph node status and bladder tumor status after methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin were evaluated separately. A tumor negative bladder combined with tumor negative nodes were associated with improved survival (HR 4.4) as was a tumor negative lymph node region in the presence of residual bladder disease (HR 2.8). All patients with post-chemotherapy tumor positive nodes died within 2 years. In resected specimens residual disease was found in 4 of 15 clinically complete responders while no tumor could be detected in 3 of 29 clinically assessed as partial responders. CONCLUSIONS: Response to chemotherapy is associated with improved survival, and our data suggest that lymph node status after methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin is more important than local tumor status in this aspect. In the absence of reliable noninvasive methods, post-chemotherapy surgery in this series was the most adequate method of response evaluation and in limited partial responders led to long-term progression-free survival.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2004

Acquired smooth-muscle hamartoma of the scrotum: a histological simulator?

BACKGROUND: In three cases of chronic scrotal lymphedema, histological and immunohistochemical changes were observed that were strikingly similar to an exceedingly rare lesion reported previously under the name of acquired smooth-muscle hamartoma (ASMH) of the scrotum. The clinical context indicated that the cases were reactive rather than hamartomatous in nature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The histological and immunohistochemical findings of the three cases were compared to macroscopically normal scrotal specimens obtained during sex reassignment surgery in seven male-to-female transsexuals. RESULTS: Compared to the seven controls, the three cases of chronic scrotal edema revealed a marked increase of dartos smooth-muscle tissue and of connective tissue of the scrotal skin and underlying soft tissues. Still, even the normal amount of scrotal smooth-muscle tissue may easily be misinterpreted as smooth-muscle hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic scrotal lymphedema may induce hyperplasia of the dartos muscle, resulting in a histological appearance previously described as ASMH. This indicates that ASMH may not always represent a later onset of abnormality similar to congenital smooth-muscle hamartoma but, rather, may constitute a histological simulator.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Sexuality preserving cystectomy and neobladder (SPCN): functional results of a neobladder anastomosed to the prostate.

OBJECTIVES: In order to preserve the sexual functions in patients in need of a cystectomy, a feasibility study has been performed. METHODS: In 24 male patients the seminal vesicles and the prostate were left in situ and a Studer type neobladder was anastomosed to the lateral edge of the prostate. RESULTS: Storage and voiding strongly resembled the patterns reported in neobladder patients with the anastomosis directly to the urethra. Four of the 24 males needed to perform clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC). All but one patients had daytime continence. Three patients needed a pad at night. Five patients had erectile dysfunction, of whom two responded well to sildenafil treatment, one had good rigiscan measured nightly erectile function and one had poor erections prior to the operation. Half of the patients had antegrade ejaculation, two patients reported sometimes antegrade and sometimes retrograde ejaculation. CONCLUSION: This feasibility trial showed that in the majority of our patients the remaining prostate does not interfere with micturition and the sexual functions were preserved.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The role of initial immunotherapy as selection for nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and the primary tumor in situ.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective pilot study in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer and the primary in situ to assess the feasibility of immunotherapy prior to nephrectomy and to evaluate the rationale for a future randomized trial to define the role of response to upfront immunotherapy as selection for cytoreductive surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with synchronous multiple metastases were treated with the primary tumor in place and were evaluated with regard to age, sex, sites of extrarenal disease, morbidity, response, nephrectomy rate, time to progression and overall survival. Immunotherapy consisted of 2 courses low-dose IL-2 4MIU/m(2), subcutaneous GM-CSF 2.5 microg/kg and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) 5MU flat on day 1-13 and 22-34. Patients with either partial remission (PR) or stable disease (SD) underwent nephrectomy followed by a third and fourth course. RESULTS: No response was seen in the primary tumors. With regard to extrarenal sites SD was noted in nine cases, PR in two and progressive disease (PD) in five. Eleven patients underwent nephrectomy. No surgical complete response (CR) could be achieved. All patients with PD died after a median overall survival of 3 months versus 11.5 months (range 4-22) in those who underwent nephrectomy. Four patients are still alive at 10, 12, 18 and 19 months. Median duration of response was 6 months (range 2-10). One patient with SD following nephrectomy developed CR after two additional cycles, which is currently maintained for >10 months. CONCLUSIONS: Absence of progression at metastatic sites following immunotherapy may be used as a selection for nephrectomy in this selected group. Non-responding patients can be spared from surgery. A randomized study is needed to assess the timing of nephrectomy in combination with immunotherapy with regard to morbidity, overall survival and quality of life.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Dynamic sentinel node biopsy for penile cancer: reliability of a staging technique.

PURPOSE: We determine the value of dynamic sentinel node biopsy for staging squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 patients with clinically node negative penile cancer were prospectively entered in this study. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed after intradermal injection of 99mtechnetium nanocolloid around the primary tumor. The sentinel node was intraoperatively identified with the aid of intradermal administered patent blue dye and a gamma ray detection probe. Histopathological examination of sentinel nodes included serial sectioning and immunohistochemical staining. Regional lymph node dissection was performed only if metastasis was found in a sentinel node. Median followup was 36 months (range 5 to 95). RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy visualized 217 sentinel nodes in 159 inguinal regions of 88 patients. A total of 208 sentinel nodes were intraoperatively identified in 149 inguinal regions of 88 patients. Sentinel node metastasis was found in 19 inguinal regions of 18 patients. Four of 8 patients with unilateral clinical stage N1 disease had a tumor positive sentinel node on the opposite site. Regional recurrence after excision of a tumor negative sentinel node or after nonvisualization was seen in 5 patients, resulting in a false-negative rate of 22% (5 of 23). The 3-year disease specific survival was 98% and 71% for patients with a tumor negative or tumor positive sentinel node, respectively (p = 0.0018). CONCLUSIONS: Occult lymph node metastases in penile cancer can be detected with a sensitivity of about 80% by dynamic sentinel node biopsy, including preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, vital dye and a gamma ray detection probe.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Penile lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel node identification.

Lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel node (SN) identification has been extensively validated in breast cancer and melanoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the findings of lymphoscintigraphy for SN identification in carcinoma of the penis. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 74 consecutive patients (mean age 62.2 years, range 28-87 years) with clinically lymph node-negative squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (stage T2 or greater). Following local anaesthesia by xylocaine 10% spray, technetium-99m nanocolloid (mean dose 64.8 MBq, range 40-131 MBq) in a volume of 0.3-0.4 ml was injected intradermally around the tumour. Shortly after injection, a 20-min dynamic study was performed with a dual-head gamma camera; subsequently, static anterior and lateral images were obtained at 30 min and 2 h using simultaneous cobalt-57 flood source transmission scanning. 57Co-assisted skin marking defined SN location for gamma probe/blue dye-guided biopsy, which was performed the next day. The SN visualization rate was 97% (72/74). Lymphatic drainage was bilateral in 81% of the cases (58/72), exclusively to the left groin in 13% (9/72) and only to the right groin in 6%. Bilateral lymph node drainage was synchronous in 38% (22/58) and asynchronous in 62% (in 18 patients the initial route was the left groin, and in the other 18, the right groin). Visualization before 30 min occurred in 66 patients (93%), in 64 of them (88%) already during the dynamic study. A total of 173 SNs were visualized (85 in the right groin, 88 in the left groin). Pitfalls were caused by inguinal skin contamination during injection (four patients) and intracavernous administration (one patient). At surgery, a total of 161 SNs were identified and removed. Sixteen patients (22%) had a tumour-positive SN and underwent standard regional lymph node dissection subsequently. During follow-up (median 28 months, range 3-74 months), two patients with a negative SN developed lymph node metastases in the mapped basin. It is concluded that penile lymphoscintigraphy is a valid and well-tolerated method for lymphatic mapping and SN identification. Although bilateral early inguinal drainage is the most frequent pattern, late imaging is recommended principally in patients with initial unilateral drainage in order to exclude delayed lymph node filling in the contralateral groin. SN identification may lead to a more accurate staging and avoid extensive lymph node dissection in the majority of patients with penile carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Laser therapy for carcinoma in situ of the penis.

PURPOSE: Carcinoma in situ of the penis, also referred to as Bowen's disease or erythroplasia of Queyrat, may lead to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. We assessed the results of laser therapy for carcinoma in situ of the penis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1986 to 2000 we treated 19 patients with carcinoma in situ of the penis with the neodymium:YAG or carbon dioxide laser. Treatment was assessed retrospectively. No patient was lost to followup. RESULTS: No complications developed and cosmesis was excellent. After 2 to 4 months 3 patients (16%) received repeat treatment because of incomplete disappearance of the lesion. Mean followup was 32 months. True carcinoma in situ recurrent in 5 patients (26%) at an average followup of 25 months (range 6 to 75), while 1 had infiltrating carcinoma. All patients with carcinoma in situ underwent repeat laser treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience laser therapy is appropriate initial treatment for carcinoma in situ of the penis with excellent cosmetic and functional results. This therapy is also suited for recurrence without the need for more mutilating therapy. However, the high incidence of recurrence indicates the need for careful followup and patient self-examination.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Sexuality preserving cystectomy and neobladder: initial results.

PURPOSE: Standard cystectomy for bladder cancer in males and females includes removal of organs that are vital to normal sexual function. We report the initial results of modified cystectomy in males and females meant to preserve all sexual function, called sexuality preserving cystectomy and neobladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sexuality preserving cystectomy and neobladder consists of pelvic lymph node dissection followed by cystectomy alone with preservation of the vasa deferentia, prostate and seminal vesicles in males, and all internal genitalia in females. An ileal neobladder is anastomosed to the margins of the prostate in males and urethra in females. Indications for this type of surgery are bladder cancer stages T1-T3 with absent tumor growth in the bladder neck in males and females, absent tumor in the prostatic urethra in males and absent invasive tumor in the trigone in females. Further requirements are patient motivation for the preservation of sexual function, no prostate cancer and no cervical/uterine abnormalities. Preoperative evaluation in males involves prostate specific antigen measurement and transrectal ultrasound with sextant prostate biopsies, while females undergo gynecological examination with a cervical smear and transvaginal ultrasound. Voiding and sexual function are assessed by a structured interview with preoperative urodynamics. Erectile function is evaluated by RigiScan (UroHealth Systems, Inc., Laguna Niguel, California) nocturnal penile erection measurement. A short course of 20 Gy. external radiation therapy to the bladder is given shortly before surgery. No patient has been lost to followup, which involves repeat RigiScan examination and regular endoscopy. All patients were entered in a prospective clinical trial approved by the medical ethics committee. RESULTS: From 1995 to 1998, 10 males and 3 females 38 to 71 years old (mean age 55) were enrolled in this protocol. Bladder cancer was stage T carcinoma in situ N0M0 in 1 case, Ta multiple grade 3 N0M0 in 1, T1 multiple grade 3 N0M0 in 4, T2 grade 3 N0M0 in 5, T2 grade 3 N1M0 in 1 and T3 grade 3 N1M0 in 1. Mean followup was 3.5 years (range 3 to 6). Two patients died of widespread metastasis without local recurrence. In 1 case prostate cancer developed 5 years after sexuality preserving cystectomy and neobladder, which was treated with external radiation therapy. Erection was normal in 7 men with antegrade ejaculation in 5 and vaginal lubrication was reported to be normal in all women. Daytime continence was achieved in 9 of the 10 males and 2 of the 3 females, while nighttime continence was achieved in 7 and 2, respectively. One woman and 3 men perform intermittent catheterization because of post-void residual urine after voiding. Postoperatively a vaginal fistula and ureteral stenosis developed in 1 case each. CONCLUSIONS: Sexuality preserving cystectomy and neobladder achieves maximal tissue conservation, resulting in preserved normal sexual function and satisfactory urinary tract reconstruction. Using strict criteria oncological results have not been jeopardized to date.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Surveillance can be the standard of care for stage I nonseminomatous testicular tumors and even high risk patients.

PURPOSE: We investigate the results of a surveillance program for stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors to validate a surveillance policy, and furthermore improve it by analyzing diagnostic instruments and identifying prognostic factors for relapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1982 to 1994, 90 patients with stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors entered a surveillance protocol after orchiectomy. Patients with relapse were treated with cisplatin based chemotherapy. A statistical analysis of possible prognostic factors for relapse was performed. RESULTS: Relapse occurred in 23 (26%) patients. Disease specific survival was 98.9%, and 1 patient died of tumor. Most relapses were located in retroperitoneal lymph nodes only (78%). Tumor markers were the most important indicators of relapse. However, in 22% of patients with relapse abdominal x-ray of lymphangiographic contrast showed the first sign of relapse. Computerized tomography located all but 1 relapse. Vascular invasion (p = 0.0001), tumor size (p = 0.0341) and presence of immature teratoma (p = 0.0154) were significantly predictive of relapse with the multivariate analysis, percentage embryonal carcinoma only by univariate analysis (p = 0.032). The relapse rate was highest (52%) when vascular invasion was present. CONCLUSIONS: With surveillance for stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, excellent treatment results can be achieved that are comparable to primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Tumor markers and computerized tomography are highly reliable for detecting relapse. Lymphangiography is still of staging value. Pathological factors may influence the choice of adjuvant treatment. However, relapse risks of 50% to 60% are maximally achieved with presently available prognostic factors, and so sparing morbidity of adjuvant treatment by a surveillance protocol remains a feasible option even in these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Information needs of men with prostate cancer and their partners].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the need for information of men with prostate cancer and their spouses. DESIGN: Descriptive. METHOD: In February and March 1998 three questionnaires, especially developed for this study, were administered to 40 men treated for prostate cancer and 24 spouses in the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The questionnaires concerned need for information and knowledge of prostate cancer. RESULTS: In general, patients and spouses indicated to want as much information as possible about prostate cancer and its treatment. Such needs decreased with increasing age. The need for medical-technical information was found to be higher than the need for psychosocial information. Spouses had significantly more need for information than patients, especially psychosocial information. This difference was partly related to age. The patients' needs for information were largely satisfied, while spouses indicated that their needs were often not met. General knowledge of prostate cancer of both patients and spouses was sufficient. CONCLUSION: Men with prostate cancer and their spouses had a substantial need for especially medical-technical information. Their needs decreased with increasing age. The need of spouses was higher than that of patients. Patients' needs were largely satisfied, whereas those of spouses were not always met. Psychosocial information in particular was inadequate.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Use of balloon catheters for ureteral occlusion in urinary leakage.

PURPOSE: Urinary fistula after treatment for cancer constitutes a therapeutic dilemma, especially in patients who have had various other treatments. We report on 7 patients with urinary leakage, treated conservatively with ureteric occlusion by way of percutaneous transrenal balloon catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The indication for ureteral occlusion was persisting urinary leakage despite diversion by nephrostomy and drainage with atransurethral catheter. All patients had had previous treatment because of pelvic malignancy. Small Foley balloon catheters and angioplasty catheters were used. These devices were inserted percutaneously in an antegrade fashion. RESULTS: In all but 2 of the patients the leakage ceased with the aid of these devices. Insufficient ureteral occlusion necessitated unilateral uretero-cutaneostomy in 1 patient. In another patient a vesico vaginal fistula was closed surgically. The maximum duration of occlusion was 169 (mean 94, range 45-169) days, without any evidence of ureteric pressure necrosis. Despite good overall results many adjustments and replacements of catheters were necessary because of recurrent urinary leakage caused by inadequate obstruction and/or leakage of the occluding catheters. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that long-term ureteral occlusion with percutaneous transrenal balloon catheters appears to be safe and does not result in pressure necrosis. Using this approach, urinary fistula can heal in some patients without the need for open surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Detection of occult metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis using a dynamic sentinel node procedure.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the so-called dynamic sentinel node procedure in patients with penile cancer. This new staging technique consists of excisional biopsy of the first lymph node onto which a tumor drains the so-called sentinel node, based on individual mapping of lymphatic drainage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1994 to 1998, 55 consecutive patients with stage T2 or greater bilateral or unilateral node negative squamous cell carcinoma of the penis were prospectively entered in this study. Tumor stage was T2N0 in 42, T2N1 in 4 and T3N0 in 9 cases. To locate the sentinel node each patient underwent lymphoscintigraphy with 99mtechnetium nanocolloid injected intradermally around the tumor. The following day the sentinel node was identified intraoperatively using patent blue dye injected intradermally around the tumor and a gamma detection probe. Regional lymph node dissection was restricted to patients with a tumor positive sentinel node only. RESULTS: Scintigraphy revealed 125 sentinel nodes in 107 inguinal regions, including no sentinel node in 2 patients, 1 or more unilateral nodes in 10 and bilateral drainage in 43. At surgery 108 sentinel nodes were removed. In 8 patients with 2 or more sentinel nodes on lymphoscintigraphy only 1 was noted intraoperatively and in 9 an additional sentinel node was removed, which was not identified by scintigraphy. All nodes were identified with the gamma detection probe. In 1 patient a wound abscess developed. Regional lymph node dissection was performed in 11 patients with sentinel node metastasis. Median followup was 22 months (range 4.1 to 61). In 1 patient lymph node metastasis was noted at followup despite prior excision of a tumor-free sentinel node. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic sentinel node procedure is a promising staging technique to detect early metastatic dissemination of penile cancer based on individual mapping of lymphatic drainage, and enables identification of patients with clinically node negative disease requiring regional lymph node dissection.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Total prostatectomy--a good option for residual prostate carcinoma after I-125 implantation of external radiotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of salvage prostatectomy after previous radiation therapy for locally confined prostate cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective. METHOD: Data were collected from the records of all patients with prostate cancer who underwent salvage prostatectomy after I-125 implantation or external radiation therapy in the Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1991-1997. Indications for surgery were: locally confined histologically proven residual cancer, good life expectancy, fit for surgery. Standard preoperative workup was done together with a tumour marker measurement, transrectal ultrasound with biopsy of the prostate and a bonescan. Per- an postoperative complications, pathology result and postoperative PSA were assessed. Progression free survival, overall survival and cancer specific survival were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: 10 patients with a mean age of 67.2 years (range: 57-79) and a median follow up of 78 months (range: 0-89) underwent a total prostatectomy after I-125 implantation (7 patients) or external radiation therapy (3 patients). One patient died after the operation from acute tubular necrosis. One patient developed an internal hernia, requiring surgery. Four patients needed pads during the daytime for stress incontinence for urine. The 5-year progression free survival was 72% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 44-100), the overall survival was 90% (95% CI: 73-100) and the cancer specific survival was 90% (95% CI: 73-100). No local recurrences were detected. CONCLUSION: The local control and the 5-year survival were good in this selected patient group.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Comparative tolerability and efficacy of treatments for impotence.

Modern pharmacological treatment of impotence is determined by the presenting symptoms. Since this involves symptomatology with a heterogenous aetiology, many different drugs are involved in the treatment of impotence. Drugs used for libido and arousal problems include testosterone, yohimbine, trazodone and apomorphine. Since patient self-assessment is the only parameter that can be used to measure the result of treatment and positive results are seldom affirmed, no positive benefit of these agents can be assumed at present. Oral medications for erectile dysfunction include yohimbine, trazodone, apomorphine, phentolamine, arginine and sildenafil. Of these drugs, sildenafil has been the most systematically studied for effectiveness, but long term safety data await the results of post-marketing surveillance. Of the ejaculation disorder therapies, treatments for premature ejaculation are the best studied. Favourable results have been obtained with clomipramine, paroxetine and fluoxetine. The safety of these medications has been assessed through their long term use in psychiatry. Intracavernous self-injections for erectile disorders are performed using a variety of drugs and drug mixtures. Only alprostadil and the combination of papaverine with phentolamine are widely used. Alprostadil is very well tolerated; however, penile pain is a serious problem in a significant proportion of patients. Papaverine in combination with phentolamine is effective, but penile fibrosis and priapism occur more often than with the use of alprostadil. Several new developments in this area are currently under way. Alternative routes for medication for erectile dysfunction include ointments and patches to the penile skin and the glans. Only transurethral alprostadil, 'MUSE' (medicated urethral system for erection) has been shown to be effective in large trials. Long term safety still has to be demonstrated, but the 1-year safety profile is encouraging. In general, the end points of impotence treatment studies are very diverse so efficacy data can only be assessed in comparative studies. However, long term comparison studies have not been performed. Safety demands must be set very high for this type of treatment since the disorders being treated present no threat to the patient's health.

Aphrodisiacs↗
PubMed1998

[Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection for clinical staging of prostate cancer: encouraging preliminary results].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of the first 72 laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissections in patients with prostate cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective study of records. SETTING: Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHOD: A retrospective study of records provided data on 72 patients with prostate cancer staged by laparoscopic lymph node dissection in the period 1993-1997. Per- and postoperative complications, operation time, number of removed lymph nodes, pathology result and duration of hospital stay were assessed. A comparison was made between the first series of 36 patients and the second series. RESULTS: In 9 patients the laparoscopic approach was converted to a laparotomy. This occurred six times in the first series of 36 patients and three times in the second series. The postoperative course was complicated six times in the first and four times in the second series. With increasing experience the mean operation time decreased from 140 min to 114 min in the second series (p < 0.0001). The mean number of nodes removed was equal in both series (7.5). Lymph node metastases were found in 20 patients (28%). Hospital stay was 2.9 days in the first series and 2.2 days in the second series (not significant). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection is a minimally invasive method for staging patients with prostate cancer. This staging procedure is of great benefit in patients scheduled for treatment with curative intent because of its accuracy and low morbidity. With increasing experience operation time, hospital stay and number of complications decrease.

Aged↗