Detection rate and factors predictive the presence of prostate cancer in patients undergoing ultrasonography-guided transperineal saturation biopsies of the prostate.

Objectives: To assess the prostate cancer detection rate and predictive factors for prostate cancer after transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided transperineal saturation re-biopsies of the prostate, using a 24-core scheme.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 143 consecutive patients undergoing TRUS-guided transperineal saturation re-biopsy of the prostate using a 24-core scheme. The inclusion criteria were a previous negative biopsy and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of > or =10.

Expanding indication for elective nephron-sparing surgery in renal cell carcinoma.

Nephron-sparing surgery is the reference standard for the management of a small renal masses, especially in patients with a solitary kidney or bilateral renal tumors. The rationale for elective partial nephrectomy is based on the risk of developing kidney failure and the significant percentage of benign lesions on final histopathologic examination. Recent studies have demonstrated comparable survival and recurrence rates with partial and radical nephrectomy for renal tumors of 4 cm or less, and it is well demonstrated that radical nephrectomy is a significant risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease.

A prospective, non-randomized trial comparing robot-assisted laparoscopic and retropubic radical prostatectomy in one European institution.

Objective: To compare the functional results of two contemporary series of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer treated by robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) or retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP).

Patients And Methods: This was a non-randomized prospective comparative study of all patients undergoing RALP or RRP for clinically localized prostate cancer at our institution from February 2006 to April 2007.

Results: We enrolled 105 patients in the RRP and 103 in the RALP group; the two groups were comparable for all clinical and pathological variables, except median age.

Learning curve and preliminary experience with da Vinci-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Objective: To report our initial experience in the treatment of prostate cancer with robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP), evaluating our results in terms of learning curve, postoperative outcomes and positive surgical margins.

Material And Methods: From April 2005 to February 2006, a single surgeon performed 41 RALP using the da Vinci robot (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.

Is robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy less invasive than retropubic radical prostatectomy? Results from a prospective, unrandomized, comparative study.

Objectives: To evaluate whether robotically assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is less invasive than radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), as experimental studies suggest that the acute phase reaction is proportional to surgery-induced tissue damage.

Patients And Methods: Between May and November 2006, all patients undergoing RRP or RALP in our department were prospectively assessed. Blood samples were collected 24 h before (T0), during surgery (T1), at the end of anaesthesia (T2), and 12 (T3) and 24 h after surgery (T4), and assayed for interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1 alpha, C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate.

Surgical outcomes after modified antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy: a prospective analysis of 700 consecutive patients with idiopathic varicocele.

Purpose: We analyzed the surgical outcomes of antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy in a large, prospective, multisurgeon, consecutive series of patients treated for idiopathic varicocele.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively collected data on 697 consecutive patients undergoing antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy between 1997 and 2005. For every patient we evaluated age, side, clinical and Doppler ultrasound grade, and seminal impairment.

Finding of no tumor (pT0) in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Objective: To evaluate features and clinical outcome of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer graded pT0 following radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).

Study Design: Between 1974 and 2001 we performed 1,135 RRPs for cT1-T2 prostate cancer, of which 386 (34%) underwent 3-6 months of neoadjuvant endocrine treatment (NHT) before RRP. Median clinical follow-up was 53.

Short-term outcome after high-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of patients with high-risk prostate cancer.

Objective: To assess the short-term outcome in patients with high-risk prostate cancer treated by transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Patients And Methods: From April 2003 to November 2004, 30 patients with high-risk prostate cancer were enrolled in this prospective study; all had transurethral resection of the prostate before transrectal HIFU treatment, using the Ablatherm device (EDAP, Lyon, France) during the same session, associated with hormonal therapy with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues. After the procedure, all the patients were evaluated every 3 months by physical examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay and a continence questionnaire.

Urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: incidence by definition, risk factors and temporal trend in a large series with a long-term follow-up.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of urinary incontinence and its development over time, to compare the effects of alternative definitions on the incontinence rate and to explore risk factors for incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: Urinary continence was assessed using a questionnaire administered by a third party in 1144 consecutive patients after undergoing RRP at our department from January 1986 to December 2001. Overall, 985 men (86%) were suitable for evaluation (mean age 64.

Familial and hereditary prostate cancer by definition in an italian surgical series: clinical features and outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical impact of different definitions of hereditary prostate cancer (PCa), the relative risk (RR) of relatives of PCa cases and differences in clinical-pathological features and outcome as function of a family history in a surgical series exposed to Mediterranean diet.

Methods: We classified as Sporadic (SPC), Familial (FPC) or Hereditary (HPC) 606 consecutive PCa cases, 65 years old or less at diagnosis, underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 2002 (mean follow-up: 6.4 years).