Expression and functions of EGF, FGF and TGFbeta-growth-factor family members and their receptors in invasive human transitional-cell-carcinoma cells.

Studies on epidermal-growth-factor-like-, fibroblast- and transforming growth factors suggested their implication in tumorigenesis involving effects on tumour-cell proliferation and migration. In human transitional-cell carcinomas (TCC), enhanced expression of TGF alpha and EGF receptors correlated with an aggressive phenotype. However, little is known about functions of these growth factors in invasive TCCs.

[Treatment of superficial bladder tumors].

Superficial bladder cancer, T1, Ta, TIS transitional cell carcinomas of the TNM classification, represent a spectrum disease with different biological behavior. The main difficulty in the management of these tumors is to predict their potential aggressiveness based on clinicopathological parameters. Their management is based on endoscopy findings and histopathological analysis.

Decreased expression of keratinocyte growth factor receptor in a subset of human transitional cell bladder carcinomas.

Growth factors and growth factor receptors are involved in tumor progression. The fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene encodes distinct isoforms. The isoforms which bind KGF (keratinocyte growth factor or FGF-7) are called KGF-R or FGFR2b.

[Detection of circulating epithelial cells in prostate cancer].

Introduction: The prostate cancer, which is the second cause of cancer, is in constant increase. This is linked to the ageing of population which is in fact a medical and socioeconomic problem. The curative therapeutic attitude of the localized prostate cancer are either wath-full waiting, radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy.

Evaluation of epidermal growth factor receptor, transforming growth factor alpha, epidermal growth factor and c-erbB2 in the progression of invasive bladder cancer.

Introduction: Determination of the risk of invasive bladder tumors progressing is still imprecise due to the heterogeneous biological behavior of this neoplasm. The goals of this study were to evaluate the patterns of expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) system in invasive bladder cancer and to assess its prognostic value.

Methods: This immunohistochemical study was performed using fresh frozen tumor samples and a panel of monoclonal antibodies on a series of 43 invasive bladder cancers treated by cystectomy.

[Prognostic value of a positive single ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy regarding tumor volume and intracapsular nature of prostatic adenocarcinoma].

Objective: Study of the value of a single positive prostatic biopsy in the staging of prostatic carcinoma and the significance of the tumour volume.

Method: The clinical, laboratory and pathological parameters were studied in 27 prostatectomized patients with a single positive prostatic biopsy.

Results: The length of tumour invasion on the biopsy was 2.

Evaluation of local immune response after intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin treatment for superficial bladder cancer.

Objective: To help define the optimal protocol of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder by examining cytokine production and antigen presentation to effector cells after instillations of BCG in patients with bladder TCC.

Patients And Methods: Sixty-four urine samples from 11 patients were tested for the production of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) using a modified commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Urine was collected before and at intervals up to 24 h after the intravesical instillation of BCG.

Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients.

Background: Controversy regarding the relative efficacy of treatments for the relief of the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: This was a 6-month double-blind randomized equivalence study that compared the effects of a plant extract (320 mg Permixon) with those of a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (5 mg finasteride) in 1,098 men with moderate BPH using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) as the primary end-point.

Results: Both Permixon and finasteride decreased the IPSS (-37% and -39%, respectively), improved quality of life (by 38 and 41%), and increased peak urinary flow rate (+25% and +30%, P = 0.

Functions of fibroblast and transforming growth factors in primary organoid-like cultures of normal human urothelium.

Previous studies have indicated that growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, and fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) have important regulatory functions in murine urothelial wound healing and tumorigenesis. Immunocytochemical analyses suggest that these factors are also involved in human urothelium. Yet, little is known about the functional effects of these growth factors on human urothelial cells.

Retroperitoneoscopy: a laparoscopic approach for adrenal and renal surgery.

Objectives: Retroperitoneoscopy has gained acceptance for urologic surgery. We assessed the safety and efficacy of this procedure for renal and adrenal surgery.

Methods: Since December 1994, 20 patients (18 to 75 years old) have undergone laparoscopic adrenalectomy and nephrectomy, including simple nephrectomy in 8, partial nephrectomy in 1, radical nephrectomy in 2, tumorectomy with cyst excision in 1, and adrenalectomy in 8.

[Electrovaporization of the prostate (EVP) for the treatment of prostatic adenoma].

Unlabelled: Electrovaporization of the prostate consists of the use of a high energy section current to destroy hyperplastic prostatic tissue. The authors present the preliminary results obtained with this new technique.

Method: 15 patients presenting indications for transurethral resection of the prostate were included in this prospective study.

[Antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome in the hormonal treatment of metastatic prostatic cancer in hormonal escape].

A fall in the PSA level after stopping antiandrogens has been described at the stage of hormonal escape of prostatic cancer treated by complete androgen inhibition. The authors report a new case. The patient was offtially treated by pulpectomy and nitulamide for N+ prostatic carcinoma (PSA: 165 ng/ml).

[The current approach to the management of benign hypertrophy of the prostate].

Epidemiology. The incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has increased in proportion to the life expectancy and has become the third leading cause of health expenditure in industrialized countries. Eighty per cent of men are treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia during their lifetime.

[Evaluations of protein p53 overexpression in cancer of the bladder: prognostic value].

Management of Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder depends on clinicopathological parameters at initial presentation. These criteria are insufficient predictors because of tumor heteterogeneity. Progress in tumor biology suggest that molecular markers may be used to dismember bladder cancer according to their biological behavior.

Genitourinary tuberculosis: rapid diagnosis using the polymerase chain reaction.

We present the case of a patient with suspected genitourinary tuberculosis in whom confirmation by direct smear examination was negative. Detection of mycobacterial DNA by use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) established the diagnosis, which was confirmed by culture 4 weeks later. Given its very high sensitivity and positivity, PCR may become the method of choice for rapid diagnosis of genitourinary tuberculosis and institution of therapy.

Antitumoral local effect and metastatic risk of focused extracorporeal pyrotherapy on Dunning R-3327 tumors.

We evaluated the effect of focused extracorporeal pyrotherapy on local tumor growth and metastatic potential of the Dunning R-3327 tumor inoculated into male Copenhagen Fisher rats, using the highly metastatic MAT Ly Lu cell line in 64 rats and the slightly metastatic G cell line in 60 rats. Five million cells were inoculated subcutaneously into a lower limb and the tumor volume was determined every 48 h. The local effect, the presence of lung and/or lymph node metastases and the spontaneous survival were evaluated in the treated groups (n = 30 for MAT Ly Lu and n = 29 for G) and in the sham control groups (n = 19 for MAT Ly Lu and n = 13 for G) by autopsy of the animals at successive times after treatment.

[Comparative study of the treatment of prostatic adenoma: laser photocoagulation versus endoscopic resection].

Objective: Resection of the prostate using a Nd YAG laser is designed to destroy benign prostatic hyperplasia responsible for bladder neck obstruction. This technique is currently under investigation.

Patients And Technique: A total of 56 patients, with a minimal follow-up of 6 months and presenting indications for endoscopic resection of the prostate were treated by TULIP [22] or VLAP [34] laser coagulation.

Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit genes in superficial and invasive bladder carcinomas.

Increased serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit (hCG beta) were described previously in patients with bladder cancer. To obtain insight into such production of hCG beta, the expression of hCG beta 7, 8, 5, and 3 genes in bladder carcinomas and normal urothelia was investigated by reverse transcription PCR. Surprisingly, hCG beta mRNAs were detected in both normal urothelial and carcinomatous cells.

Magnetic resonance imaging of penile rupture: aid to diagnosis.

We report on a patient with atypical clinical findings in whom magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the suspicion of penile rupture. The tear appeared as an obvious discontinuity of the low signal intensity of the tunica albuginea and was associated with a hematoma. We conclude that magnetic resonance imaging is useful for confirming the diagnosis of penile rupture when clinical findings are atypical, indicating surgical repair.

Fibroblast growth factors and their specific binding sites in normal urothelium and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the human bladder.

In order to further investigate the involvement of FGF1 and FGF2 in the transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC), we compared the expression of FGF1, FGF2 and their membrane binding sites by biochemical and immunological methods in both human normal urothelium and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Using a specific enzyme immunoassay (EIA), we observed that neoplastic tissue exhibited a lower FGF2 content than normal tissue. FGF1 and FGF2 Western-blot analysis revealed in both types of tissues a major FGF1 form with a low molecular weight (14 kDa) and a single FGF2 form (21 kDa).