4D perfusion CT of prostate cancer for image-guided radiotherapy planning: A proof of concept study.

Purpose: Advanced forms of prostate cancer (PCa) radiotherapy with either external beam therapy or brachytherapy delivery techniques aim for a focal boost and thus require accurate lesion localization and lesion segmentation for subsequent treatment planning. This study prospectively evaluated dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) for the detection of prostate cancer lesions in the peripheral zone (PZ) using qualitative and quantitative image analysis compared to multiparametric magnet resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate.

Methods: With local ethics committee approval, 14 patients (mean age, 67 years; range, 57-78 years; PSA, mean 8.

Transperineal template-guided biopsy for diagnosis of prostate cancer in patients with at least two prior negative biopsies.

Objective: To evaluate the prostate cancer (PCa) detection rate, PCa location, PCa significance and complications of a standardized 24-core template-guided transperineal biopsy (TPB) approach in patients with at least two negative transrectal biopsies.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 50 men who had at least two negative transrectal ultrasound-guided extended biopsies in the past 24 months, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 20 ng/mL, a prostate volume < 100 mL, and life expectancy of at least 90 % at 10 years. All patients underwent a standardized 24-core template-guided TPB biopsy.

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and detrusor overactivity (DO) in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Patients And Methods: Our prospective urodynamics database was queried. Inclusion criteria were CRPC and an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥ 20.

Evaluation of ABO blood group as a prognostic marker in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Objective: To evaluate ABO blood group as a prognostic marker in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included 556 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for RCC at a single institution. The associations of ABO blood group with clinical and pathological variables were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and chi-squared tests.

A prospective evaluation of pain associated with stone passage, stents, and stent removal using a visual analog scale.

Objective: To investigate the perception of colicky pain due to ureteral stones and double-J (DJ)-associated discomfort and to evaluate the role of clinical parameters that might influence the perception of pain.

Materials And Methods: From November 2011 to May 2012, 124 consecutive patients with colicky pain due to ureteral stones and ureteroscopic stone extraction underwent DJ stent placement. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain at ureteral colic, during indwelling DJ stent, and at DJ stent removal.

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer following solid organ transplantation.

Background: Solid organ recipients have a substantial risk of developing bladder cancer, with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) being the most frequent diagnosis. Theoretically, adjuvant bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy is contraindicated, but limited data indicate its feasibility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BCG following solid organ transplantation.

The protease activated receptor 1 gene variation IVSn -14 A>T is associated with distant metastasis and cancer specific survival in renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: PAR-1 mediates angiogenesis and impacts the process of tumor growth and disease progression. We evaluated the associations of the gene variations PAR-1 IVSn -14 A>T (rs168753), -506 Ins/Del (rs11267092) and -1426 C>T (rs32934) with renal cell carcinoma pathology and cancer specific survival.

Materials And Methods: DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood leukocytes of 236 consecutive patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Validation of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) as an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival in patients with localised renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Objective: To validate high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) serum levels as an independent marker for disease-free survival (DFS) in clinically localised clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Patients And Methods: In all, 403 consecutive patients with clinically localised (T1-3N0M0) ccRCC treated by radical or partial nephrectomy were enrolled. Preoperative serum levels of hs-CRP were evaluated as both a continuous and categorical variables.

MNS16A tandem repeat minisatellite of human telomerase gene and prostate cancer susceptibility.

Telomere dysfunction is an early event in the development of prostate cancer and telomerase (TERT) activity is detectable in the majority of prostate cancers. Genetic variation in TERT and its regulatory elements may influence prostate carcinogenesis. MNS16A, a functional polymorphic tandem repeat minisatellite of TERT, has been studied in several malignancies.

High-risk human papilloma virus infection of the foreskin in asymptomatic boys.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and genotypes of high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the foreskin in asymptomatic boys before first sexual intercourse.

Materials And Methods: We collected 50 consecutive foreskin specimens after radical circumcision. Indication for surgery was phimosis.

The CASP8 -652 6N insertion/deletion promoter polymorphism is associated with renal cell carcinoma risk and metastasis.

Purpose: Caspase-8 is a key regulator of apoptosis. Its cancer cell antigen induced cell death activity is strongly impacted by the insertion/deletion promoter polymorphism CASP8 -652 6N ins/del (rs3834129). We studied the association of this polymorphism with renal cell carcinoma risk and pathology.

Lower urinary tract symptoms and depression.

Unlabelled: Study Type--Symptom prevalence (cohort) Level of Evidence 2b. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Depression plays an important role in pathogenesis of BPH. Our study shows that prostatic symptoms can be helpful in the screening for depression.

The value of transurethral bladder biopsy after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation therapy for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: a retrospective, single center study and cumulative analysis of the literature.

Purpose: We evaluated the need of routine transurethral biopsies after an induction course of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin for high grade nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 180 patients with high grade nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer who underwent a 6-week induction course of bacillus Calmette-Guérin. Cystoscopic findings, urinary cytology and pathological results of transurethral biopsy were evaluated.

Sex hormone-binding globulin is an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Purpose: We studied the association of serum sex hormone levels with clinicopathological variables and biochemical recurrence in men with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively studied preoperative serum sex hormone-binding globulin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and free and total testosterone in 372 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Biochemical recurrence was analyzed in 285 patients and defined as prostate specific antigen 0.

Multidetector computed tomography virtual cystoscopy: an effective diagnostic tool in patients with hematuria.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and the potential use of multidetector computed tomography virtual cystoscopy (MDCT-VC) in patients with gross hematuria.

Methods: A total of 32 patients underwent MDCT-VC, cystoscopy, and a cytologic examination. The slice thickness of MDCT was 1 mm.

Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in Austrian males: update 2009.

Introduction: The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a representative sample of Austrian males aged 15-89 years was assessed in 2009. The results were compared with the findings of a similar study conducted in 1995.

Materials And Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey on LUTS was conducted in 2009 in Austria.

Lower serum total testosterone is associated with lymph node metastases in a radical prostatectomy cohort study.

Background: Data on testosterone levels of patients with prostate cancer of different grade and stage are inconsistent. We retrospectively investigated serum total testosterone of a radical prostatectomy cohort to further shed light on this problem.

Patients And Methods: The preoperative level of serum total testosterone of 217 patients (mean age: 65±5.

Age-specific PCA3 score reference values for diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Purpose: We evaluated the impact of age on PCA3 score and the utility of age-specific reference values in predicting initial prostate biopsy (pBx) outcomes.

Patients And Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included 205 men who underwent an initial 14-core TRUS-guided pBx due to PSA > 3.0 ng/ml or suspicious digital-rectal examination (DRE).

Insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene is linked with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To study the putative significance of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Recent evidence has suggested that a 287-base pair insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism (rs4646994) of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) might be associated with cancer risk and progression.

Methods: The present case-control study accrued 383 subjects, including 210 with RCC and 173 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals without evidence or a history of cancer.

Are there symptom-specific testosterone thresholds in aging men?

Objective: • To study the association between specific clinical symptoms (e.g. low libido and erectile dysfunction) and testosterone levels and age in order to define symptom-specific testosterone thresholds.

The association between leukocytes and sperm quality is concentration dependent.

Background: To evaluate the association between leukocytes (polymorphonuclear granulocytes -PMNL) and semen parameters at different leukocyte concentrations.

Methods: This was a retrospective clinical study at a university hospital andrology clinic. Semen samples from infertile men were analyzed for sperm morphology and motility according to seminal leukocytes (PMNL) concentration (category A: >0 to <0.

Renal cell carcinoma Fuhrman grade and histological subtype correlate with complete polymorphic deletion of glutathione S-transferase M1 gene.

Purpose: We outlined the putative significance of GST in renal cell carcinoma biology by investigating the influence of its deletion polymorphisms on renal cell carcinoma progression.

Materials And Methods: Genomic DNA was purified from peripheral blood leukocytes. GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were polymerase chain reaction amplified and gene fragments were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Androgen deficiency symptoms in testicular cancer survivors are associated with sexual problems but not with serum testosterone or therapy.

Objectives: To investigate the association between androgen deficiency symptoms and sexual function, serum testosterone, and therapy in testicular cancer survivors (TCS).

Methods: A total of 83 patients treated for testicular cancer were investigated. All patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function-15 and the Aging Males Symptoms scale.

Common genetic polymorphisms of AURKA and prostate cancer risk.

Purpose: AURKA is a centrosome-associated serine/threonine kinase involved in mitotic chromosomal segregation. The AURKA gene is located on chromosome 20q13, also known as HPC20 prostate cancer susceptibility locus. Therefore, we investigated in this Caucasian case-control study two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the AURKA gene, rs8173 located in the 3'-untranslated region (G1891C) and rs2273535 in exon 5 (Phe31Ile), and their association with prostate cancer risk.

Radical prostatectomies in Austria, 1997-2004.

Background: The introduction of PSA testing in Austria led to a steep increase of the incidence of prostate cancer. We want to present the course of the number of newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer in Austria since 1997, and set these numbers in relation to the total of radical prostatectomies (with resection of lymph nodes) in the same time period. All numbers were retrieved from health statistics of Statistics Austria.