Influence of preoperative body mass index on prognosis for patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma treated with radical nephroureterectomy.

Purpose: The impact of body mass index (BMI) on patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is controversial. Increasing evidence suggests an age-dependent relationship between obesity and outcomes for some solid organ tumors. Herein, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of preoperative BMI in UTUC patients treated with RNU in Taiwan.

Prostate health index density predicts aggressive pathological outcomes after radical prostatectomy in Taiwanese patients.

Background: There are models to predict pathological outcomes based on established clinical and prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-derived parameters; however, they are not satisfactory. p2PSA and its derived biomarkers have shown promise for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study was to investigate whether p2PSA-derived biomarkers can assist in the prediction of aggressive pathological outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Is intravesical prostatic protrusion a risk factor for hydronephrosis and renal insufficiency in benign prostate hyperplasia patients?

Background: Some patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms hesitate to undergo surgical treatment until acute urinary retention (AUR) occurs. Some of these patients have been found to have hydronephrosis or even renal insufficiency. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for hydronephrosis in patients with AUR who needed to receive transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Clinical analysis of 48-h emergency department visit post outpatient extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for urolithiasis.

Background: Patients suffering from renal or ureteral stones can undergo significant discomfort, even when timely diagnosed and treated. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors and safety of outpatient Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) in the management of patients with renal or ureteral stones.

Methods: In this study, our cohort consisted of 844 outpatients who underwent outpatient ESWL treated between February 2012 and November 2014 at Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

Clinical efficacy of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in men younger than 50 years old with an elevated prostate-specific antigen concentration (>4.0 ng/mL).

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is not commonly found in men younger than 50 years of age. However, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration has been examined more frequently at a younger age in Asia partially due to an increased awareness of prostate cancer. The purpose of our study was to investigate the efficacy and complication of PSA-triggered transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate (TRUSP) biopsies.

Prostate cancer in young adults-Seventeen-year clinical experience of a single center.

Background: In the general population, prostate adenocarcinoma affects predominately older men. If fact, most current guidelines suggest that males over the age of 50 years should undergo prostate cancer screening. However, the clinical behavior and prognosis of prostate cancer in young adults is not well defined.

Does extended prostate needle biopsy improve the concordance of Gleason scores between biopsy and prostatectomy in the Taiwanese population?

Background: Discordance between the Gleason scores of prostate needle biopsies and radical prostatectomy specimens has been reported by several investigators. We conducted this study to determine if increasing the number of prostate needle biopsies in patients with prostate cancer improves the accuracy of Gleason scores in the Taiwanese population.

Methods: Between March 2000 and September 2009, 281 patients underwent radical prostatectomy at Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

Correlation between pretreatment serum biochemical markers and treatment outcome for prostatic cancer with bony metastasis.

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate whether or not pretreatment serum biochemical markers are prognostic factors for prostatic cancer with bony metastasis in patients on hormonal treatment.

Methods: Between 1983 and 1998, 127 patients with prostatic cancer and bony metastasis were included for evaluation. Serum prostate-specific antigen, alkaline phosphatase, calcium (Ca), lactic dehydrogenase, inorganic phosphate, gamma-glutamine transpeptidase, uric acid, albumin (Alb), iron, cholesterol (Cho), triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and hemoglobin (Hb) were checked before treatment.

Pan-urethral wart treated with 5-fluorouracil intraurethral instillation.

We evaluated whether or not intraurethral instillation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) solution can rapidly, safely, and effectively eradicate intraurethral condyloma acuminata in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carrier. A 43-year-old man presented with the major complaint of difficult micturition and blood dribbling from the urethral meatus for more than 6 months. He was an HIV carrier for more than 10 years and had undergone diathermy for perianal warts.

Correlation between serum prostate specific antigen and prostate volume in Taiwanese men with biopsy proven benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Purpose: We studied the correlation between serum prostate specific antigen and the volume of different zones of the prostate in Taiwanese men with biopsy proven benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials And Methods: A total of 233 patients with a mean age of 71.4 years (range 42 to 89), serum prostate specific antigen less than 10 ng/ml and pathologically confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia were enrolled in this study.

Transurethral prostatic resection for acute urinary retention in patients with prostate cancer.

Background: Few studies have focused on clinical findings in prostate cancer patients receiving transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for acute urinary retention (AUR). We compared the clinical findings (preoperative characteristics, operative morbidities, and pathology results) of patients with diagnosed prostate cancer undergoing palliative TURP for AUR with those of patients undergoing TURP for AUR who were diagnosed with prostate cancer postoperatively.

Methods: The charts of 25 patients with prostate cancer undergoing TURP for AUR between 1986 and 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.

Lymphangioma of male exogenital organs.

Lymphangioma manifesting in the genitourinary tract is an uncommon disease. Cystic lymphangioma is a congenital lymphatic hamartoma known as lymphatic malformation. Herein we report 2 cases of lymphangioma of male exogenital organs.

Antiandrogen-associated hepatotoxicity in the management of advanced prostate cancer.

Background: Antiandrogens available for patients with advanced prostate cancer are reported to cause hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study is to investigate the antiandrogen-associated hepatotoxicity in patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Methods: By retrospective charts review, 229 patients (47-89 years old) with advanced prostate cancer treated by total androgen blockade (TAB) with bilateral orchiectomy or LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) analogues plus antiandrogen, or antiandrogen-radiotherapy were enrolled in this study.

Long-term efficacy and safety of sildenafil for patients with erectile dysfunction.

Background: To investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of sildenafil for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: Between March 1999 and February 2001, a total of 3168 patients visited Taipei Veterans General Hospital for prescription of sildenafil. The follow-up period was 1-3 years.

Chyluria--experience of Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

Background: Chyluria is caused by rupturing of lymphatic varices into the pyelocaliceal system. Although Chyluria is rare in western countries, it is not uncommon in Asia. We would like to present the experience of diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of chyluria in Taipei Veterans General Hospital.