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Biomedical subjects

Yan Kit Fong

Publications and source records attributed to Yan Kit Fong.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Progression delay in men with mild symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction: a comparative study of phytotherapy and watchful waiting.

To determine the effect of phytotherapy (Serona repens) on the clinical progression in men with mild symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). A total of 189 patients with mild symptoms of BOO, recruited from four different European clinics, were included in the analysis. Age, prostate specific antigen (PSA), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and total prostate and transitional zone volume were recorded. Clinical progression was defined as change from the mild-IPSS group into the moderate or severe group or the occurrence of urinary retention and need of surgery. Cumulative progression rate was 1, 7, 9 and 16% at 6, 12, 18 and 24 month, respectively, for the active group (Serona repens) as compared to 6, 13, 15 and 24% for the watchful waiting group. (P=0.03) significant improvements in the Qmax, IPSS and QOL were seen in the group receiving Serona repens. Serona repens significantly reduced the clinical progression rates in men with mild symptoms of BOO. It also led to improvements in urinary symptoms, QOL scores and urinary flow rates.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Are repeat biopsies required in men with PSA levels < or =4 ng/ml? A Multiinstitutional Prospective European Study.

OBJECTIVES: Pathological and biochemical features of prostate cancers detected on repeat biopsies in men with total PSA level between 2.0 and 4 ng/ml were evaluated and compared to those cancers detected on first biopsy. METHODS: 315 men with PSA level between 2.0 and 4 ng/ml underwent transrectal ultrasound guided sextant biopsy and two additional transition zone biopsies (Octant Biopsy). All subjects whose biopsy samples were negative for prostate cancer underwent a repeat biopsy after 6 weeks. Those with clinically localized cancers were offered surgery or radiation therapy. Pathological and clinical features of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer on initial and repeat biopsy were compared. RESULTS: Cancer detection rates on first and second biopsy were 24% (75/315) and 13% (29/224), respectively. Overall, of patients with clinically localized disease (83% of cancers detected), 87% underwent radical prostatectomy, 11% opted for radiation therapy and 2% opted for watchful waiting. Cancers found in the first biopsy group were more multifocal (p = 0.01) while cancers found on second biopsy were more located in the apical-dorsal region (p = 0.003). No significant differences were noted with respect to extracapsular extension, seminal vesical invasion, positive margins, final pathological stage, Gleason score, percentage Gleason grade 4/5, serum PSA and patient age between first and second biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: With an octant biopsy regime, biochemical and pathological features of cancers detected on initial and repeat biopsy in the PSA range 2.0 to 4 ng/ml are comparable in terms of PSA, grade, stage and cancer volume suggesting identical cancer characteristics, thus advocating for a repeat prostate biopsy in case of a negative finding on initial biopsy.

Aged↗

Natural history and clinical predictors of clinical progression in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is increasing with the aging population worldwide. Knowledge of the natural history of BPH is crucial for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of its progression. This review examines the evidence of the natural history of BPH, highlighting the group of patients with mild symptoms and the risk factors for progression. RECENT FINDINGS: Several community and clinical studies have demonstrated the progressive nature of BPH. Different surrogate endpoints, which include symptom score, peak urinary flow rate, prostate volume, and the occurrence of acute urinary retention and need for surgery, have been described. Prostatic specific antigen and prostate volume are the two most common predictors of clinical progression and are helpful to the clinician for identifying high-risk patients. SUMMARY: With further understanding of the natural history and the predictors of progression of BPH, management can be better tailored according to risk stratification and the results of clinical trials of effectiveness can be better interpreted.

Disease Progression↗

Role of phytotherapy in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Serenoa repens extract is a popular phytotherapeutic agent in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, the agent is generally well accepted for its easy availability and good tolerability. This paper reviews the evidence of its efficacy in comparison with placebo, 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and alpha-1 adrenoreceptor antagonist. RECENT FINDINGS: Serenoa repens extract is comparable with 5-alpha reductase (finasteride) and alpha-1 antagonist in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in terms of symptom score and peak urinary flow rate improvement, but has a lower incidence of associated sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, long-term usage (36 months) of Serenoa repens decreases the progression rate of the condition as compared with watchful waiting. In addition, the efficacies of Serenoa repens are proven in several placebo-controlled trials. SUMMARY: Serenoa repens has proven its role in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia and will remain as a viable first-line treatment option.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

The Vienna nomogram: validation of a novel biopsy strategy defining the optimal number of cores based on patient age and total prostate volume.

PURPOSE: We conducted a trial in patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels from 2 to 10 ng/ml to validate a newly developed nomogram that defines the optimal number of biopsy cores required for prostate cancer (PCa) detection based on patient age and total prostate volume (Vienna nomogram). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 502 patients underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy using the Vienna nomogram. These results were compared with those of a previous group of 1,051 patients who had standard octant biopsies followed by systematic repeat biopsies after 6 to 8 weeks if the initial biopsy result was negative for PCa. RESULTS: The overall PCa detection rate using the Vienna nomogram was 36.7% compared with 22% on first and 10% on repeat biopsy in the control group. The PCa detection rate using the Vienna nomogram was superior (p=0.002) to the octant biopsy technique, and comparable to a combination of first and repeat biopsy in the control group. Multivariate analysis of the Vienna nomogram showed that only PSA and the number of cores were independent predictors of PCa detection (chi-square = 49, p <0.001). Total prostate volume, transition zone volume and age were not independent predictors of PCa detection. CONCLUSIONS: The Vienna nomogram offers an easy tool to select the optimal number of prostate biopsy cores based on patient age and total prostate volume in PSA range 2 to 10 ng/ml. Cancer detection is significantly improved (66.4%) compared to the control group. The bias factor of larger prostate volume is eliminated by using the Vienna nomogram. Moreover, the Vienna nomogram is advantageous not only in terms of the improved PCa detection rate but also economically makes systematic repeat biopsies unnecessary.

Adult↗

Dutasteride: a novel dual inhibitor of 5alpha-reductase for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Dutasteride is a new dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitor for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It differs from finasteride as it inhibits both isoenzymes of 5alpha-reductase and results in near-complete suppression of serum dihydro-testosterone. Similar to finasteride, it reduces serum prostatic specific antigen by approximately 50% at 6months and total prostate volume by 25% in 2years. Randomised, placebo-controlled trials conducted over 2years have shown the efficacy of dutasteride in symptomatic relief, improvements in quality of life and peak urinary flow rate, and reduction of acute urinary retention events and the need for surgery. The main side effects are erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, gynaecomastia and ejaculation disorders. However, long-term usage for > 4years did not reveal increased new onset of sexual side effects. In addition, the combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin is well-tolerated and has the added advantage of rapid symptomatic relief. Finally, dutasteride has been shown to possess tumour regression properties invitro and its role in chemoprevention of prostate cancer will be confirmed in the ongoing Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) trial.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗

Can Power Doppler enhanced transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy improve prostate cancer detection on first and repeat prostate biopsy?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of Power Doppler enhanced transrectal ultrasound (PD-TRUS) and its guided prostate biopsies in men with prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels between 2.5 and 10 ng/ml and to evaluate its impact on prostate cancer (PCa) detection in men undergoing first and repeat biopsies. METHODS: A total of 136 consecutive referred men with serum total PSA (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA) levels between 2.5 and 10 ng/ml (mean age 64 +/- 9 years, range 45-82) and a normal digital rectal examination were included. 101 underwent a first biopsy whereas 35 had repeat biopsy. Gray-scale transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and PD-TRUS (B&K Medical, Denmark) were performed in lithotomy position before and during the biopsy procedure. Vascularity accumulation and perfusion characteristics were recorded and graded as normal or abnormal in the peripheral zone of the prostate. A Vienna-nomogram based biopsy regime was performed in all patients on first biopsy and a special biopsy regime on repeat biopsy plus additional biopsies from abnormal sites on PD-TRUS. RESULTS: Overall PCa detection rate was 34.7% and 25.7% and abnormal accumulation on PD-TRUS was identified in 42.3% and 48.6% on first and repeat biopsy, respectively. The PCa detection rate, on first and repeat biopsy in patients with and without PD-TRUS accumulation were 67.4% versus 10.3% (p < 0.001) and 47.05% versus 5.6% (p = 0.0049), respectively. PD-TRUS directed biopsies were positive in 5.7% and 11.1% on first and repeat biopsy whereas PCa detection using the routine prostate biopsy regime was 94.3% and 88.9% on first and repeat biopsy. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of PD-TRUS signal alone for PCa detection on first biopsy was 82.8%, 78.8%, 87.9% and 89.7%, respectively, and 88.8%, 68.0%, 47.0% and 94.4% on repeat biopsy, respectively. In comparison, the results PD-TRUS guided biopsies were 53.8%, 59.1%, 16.7%, and 89.5%, on first biopsy, respectively, and 20.0%, 13.3%, 23.5%, 11.1% on repeat biopsy, respectively. CONCLUSION: Negative PD-TRUS signal is able to exclude most of the patients without PCa in the PSA range of 2.5-10 ng/ml. As an additional tool at TRUS biopsy PD-TRUS has a high negative predictive value and may help to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Longitudinal study of men with mild symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction treated with watchful waiting for four years.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk of clinical progressions in men with mild lower urinary tract symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction and identify the predictors for progression in this group of men. METHODS: A total of 397 men who presented to the urology clinics with mild symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction (International Prostate Symptom Score less than 8) were analyzed in this longitudinal study conducted during a 4-year period. They began with the watchful waiting protocol and were followed up every 3 months for 48 months. Age, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), divided into obstructive symptom score and irritative symptom score, serum prostate-specific antigen level, total prostate volume, transitional zone volume, urinary flow rates, and postvoid residual urine volume were documented. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of clinical progression, defined as worsening of the IPSS with migration to the moderate symptom group (IPSS 8 to 18) or severe symptom group (IPSS 19 to 35) and an increase in IPSS of more than 2 points, was 6%, 13%, 15%, 24%, 28%, and 31% at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively. Nineteen patients (4.9%) developed acute urinary retention within the 48-month follow-up period. Of these 19 patients, only 2 (0.6%) required transurethral resection of the prostate. The variables of importance for disease progression in the artificial neural network analysis were, in order of statistical significance, prostate-specific antigen level, obstructive symptom score, and transitional zone volume. CONCLUSIONS: The risk for men with mild symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction to progress clinically and develop complications such as acute retention of urine is moderate. Prostate-specific antigen, obstructive symptom score, and transitional zone volume were identified as important risk factors.

Aged↗

Functional voiding disorders: actual aspects in diagnosis and treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This is a review of the recent advances in the diagnosis and therapy of dysfunctional voiding. We aim to point out the fact that there are many modalities which are effective in the treatment of dysfunctional voiding but that the standard therapy is still not agreed upon. RECENT FINDINGS: Fifteen recent articles are reviewed. The two most interesting reviews are (1) the diagnosis of dysfunctional voiding and vesicoureteral reflux with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and (2) the use of a scoring system to monitor the outcome of therapy and family compliance to the therapy. SUMMARY: Periodic, critical, and objective reviews on this subject should help the attending physicians arrive at sound management plans.

Child↗

Lower pole ratio: a new and accurate predictor of lower pole stone clearance after shockwave lithotripsy?

BACKGROUND: Lower pole spatial anatomy is an important determinant of success after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. In the present study, we determine whether there is a significant relationship between lower pole ratio (infundibular length : infundibular width) on preoperative intravenous urograms and stone fragment clearances after shockwave lithotripsy. METHODS: A total of 42 patients with isolated lower pole stones were retrospectively reviewed. Anatomical factors, such as infundibular length, width and infundibulopelvic angle were measured and the lower pole ratio was calculated on pretreatment intravenous urogram. Stone fragment clearance was assessed at three months with a plain abdominal X-ray. RESULTS: The overall three-month stone-free rate was 62%. Mean stone size +/- SD was 10 +/- 4.8 mm, mean infundibular length was 21.7 +/- 6.9 mm, mean infundibular width was 6.1 +/- 2.3 mm, mean infundibulopelvic angle was 62.1 +/- 30.1 degrees and mean lower pole ratio was 4.3 +/- 2.8. Stone-free status after shockwave lithotripsy was significantly related to infundibular length and width as well as to lower pole ratio, but not to infundibulo-pelvic angle. Infundibular length less than 30 mm, width greater than 5 mm and lower pole ratio less than 3.5 were noted to have an improved three-month stone-free rate (P = 0.049, 0.01 and <0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Caliceal anatomy is an important consideration for lower pole stone clearance after shockwave lithotripsy. The present study suggests that a lower pole ratio of less than 3.5, which considers both infundibular length and width, is a promising predictor for stone-free status.

Adult↗

Preventing progression in men with mild symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a potential role for phytotherapy.

Prevalence of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is increasing with the aging population worldwide. Throughout the 20th century, men with minimally symptomatic BPH were generally advised to defer treatment. Treatment deferral or watchful waiting has always appeared reasonable because mild lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction are not bothersome and are often regarded as part of the aging process, progression is usually slow, and symptoms often regress spontaneously. This review examines the evidence of the natural history of BPH, highlighting the group of patients with mild symptoms, the risk factors for progression, and the potential role of phytotherapy in this group of men.

Journal Article↗