Testosterone Therapy after Radiation Therapy for Low, Intermediate and High Risk Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: Limited literature exists regarding the safety of testosterone therapy in men treated for prostate cancer. We present multi-institutional data on testosterone therapy in hypogonadal men with prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of hypogonadal men treated with testosterone therapy after radiation therapy for prostate cancer at 4 institutions.

Testosterone replacement for hypogonadism after treatment of early prostate cancer with brachytherapy.

Background: Controversy and a notable paucity of published clinical data best characterize the current knowledge of testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) for hypogonadism after treatment for early, localized prostate cancer. The objective of this study was to assess the risk of biochemical failure with TRT after treatment of early prostate cancer with permanent transperineal brachytherapy with or without external beam therapy in patients with low serum levels of testosterone and clinical symptoms of hypogonadism.

Methods: Patients who underwent prostate brachytherapy from 1996 to 2004 and received subsequent TRT for symptomatic hypogonadism were reviewed to detail cancer characteristics and treatment as well as pre- and post-TRT serum testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values.

Use of a multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization assay to diagnose bladder cancer in patients with hematuria.

Purpose: We evaluated the multitarget UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization assay for the diagnosis of bladder cancer in patients with hematuria and no history of bladder cancer.

Materials And Methods: A multicenter, blinded trial was performed to compare the sensitivity of the fluorescence in situ hybridization assay to that of voided cytology in patients with gross or microscopic hematuria. Confirmation of hematuria was required.

A phase II clinical trial of oral bropirimine in combination with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin for carcinoma in situ of the bladder: a Southwest Oncology Group Study.

Objectives: To estimate the probability of response when intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is given in combination with oral bropirimine for bladder carcinoma in situ, and to evaluate toxicity when the 2 agents are combined.

Methods: A total of 51 patients with histologic evidence of carcinoma in situ and no prior treatment with BCG or bropirimine were enrolled in a cooperative group multicenter phase II trial. Initial treatment included Tice BCG 50 mg weekly for 6 weeks and oral bropirimine 3.

Urinary and rectal complications of contemporary permanent transperineal brachytherapy for prostate carcinoma with or without external beam radiation therapy.

Background: Prostate brachytherapy is increasingly used to treat prostate carcinoma, alone or combined (combination therapy) with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). This report cites the frequency and nature of urinary and rectal complications requiring unplanned interventions after contemporary brachytherapy with or without EBRT.

Methods: A total of 177 consecutive patients underwent either brachytherapy (100 patients [56.

Surgical factors influence bladder cancer outcomes: a cooperative group report.

Purpose: A randomized, cooperative group trial (Southwest Oncology Group 8710, Intergroup 0080) reported that neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved the survival of patients with locally advanced bladder cancer who were treated with radical cystectomy. We evaluated whether surgical factors from patients enrolled onto the study predicted bladder cancer outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Surgical and tumor factors were recorded from surgical and pathologic reports from 268 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who received radical cystectomy.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus cystectomy compared with cystectomy alone for locally advanced bladder cancer.

Background: Despite aggressive local therapy, patients with locally advanced bladder cancer are at significant risk for metastases. We evaluated the ability of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to improve the outcome in patients with locally advanced bladder cancer who were treated with radical cystectomy.

Methods: Patients were enrolled if they had muscle-invasive bladder cancer (stage T2 to T4a) and were to be treated with radical cystectomy.

Genetic fieldwork for hereditary prostate cancer studies.

The success of a genetic family study depends on the recruitment of a sufficient number of unaffected family members. We present our experiences from interviews performed in two family studies, a genetic family study of prostate cancer (PC) and a medical, anthropological, qualitative study. In the genetic family study, 949 PC patients were contacted, and 29% responded.

Clinical evaluation of a multi-target fluorescent in situ hybridization assay for detection of bladder cancer.

Purpose: The UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization assay (UroVysion Bladder Cancer Recurrence Kit, Vysis, Inc., Downers Grove, Illinois) is a multi-target assay that detects aneuploidy of chromosomes 3, 7 and 17, and loss of the 9p21 band in exfoliated cells in urine from patients with transitional cell carcinoma. We performed 2 multicenter trials.