Radical treatment of organ-localized and locally advanced prostate cancer in Norway--an overview.

In 1998, 28.5% of diagnosed prostate cancer patients in Norway were aged < 71 years and had organ-localized disease and 74.5% of prostate cancer patients aged < 71 years had organ-localized disease.

Clinical research done by the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group during the first 20 years.

In 1981 the Scandinavian Association of Urology initiated the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group (SPCG) as one of eight collaborative groups representing different fields of urology. The task of the SPCG was to promote research, education and information concerning prostate cancer. In particular it became a forum for conducting clinical multicenter studies within the Nordic countries.

Parenteral estrogen versus combined androgen deprivation in the treatment of metastatic prostatic cancer -- Scandinavian Prostatic Cancer Group (SPCG) Study No. 5.

Objective: In the mid-1980s, interest in parenteral estrogen therapy for prostate cancer was renewed when it was found that it influenced liver metabolism only marginally and had very few cardiovascular side-effects. In this study high-dose polyestradiol phosphate (PEP; Estradurin) was compared to combined androgen deprivation (CAD) for the treatment of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The aim of the study was to compare anticancer efficacy and adverse events, especially cardiovascular side-effects.

Does prophylactic breast irradiation prevent antiandrogen-induced gynecomastia? Evaluation of 253 patients in the randomized Scandinavian trial SPCG-7/SFUO-3.

Objectives: To examine the development of antiandrogen-induced gynecomastia and breast tenderness in the first 253 patients in a randomized Scandinavian trial (SPCG-7/SFUO-3) with a 12-month complete follow-up evaluation performed by both doctors and patients.

Methods: In this study, the treating doctor and patient decided whether prophylactic irradiation (RT) of the breast should be given to prevent antiandrogen-induced gynecomastia. At each visit, the doctor evaluated the occurrence of gynecomastia and breast tenderness.

A randomised comparison of bicalutamide ('Casodex') 150 mg versus placebo as immediate therapy either alone or as adjuvant to standard care for early non-metastatic prostate cancer. First report from the Scandinavian Prostatic Cancer Group Study No. 6.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of bicalutamide 150 mg ('Casodex'(1)) as immediate therapy, either alone or as adjuvant to treatment of curative intent, in patients with early (T1b-T4, any N, M0) prostate cancer.

Methods: This randomised, double-blind study was conducted in the Nordic countries as part of the 'Casodex' Early Prostate Cancer programme. Patients received bicalutamide 150 mg (n=607) or placebo (n=611) in addition to standard care.

Bicalutamide as immediate therapy either alone or as adjuvant to standard care of patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer: first analysis of the early prostate cancer program.

Purpose: We determine the efficacy and tolerability of bicalutamide as immediate therapy, either alone or as adjuvant to treatment of curative intent, in patients with clinically localized or locally advanced prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: This international program consists of 3 ongoing, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials (trials 23, 24, and 25). Men with localized or locally advanced (T1-T4, Nx/N0, M0) prostate cancer were randomized to receive 150 mg.

Liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) in symptomatic androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC)--delayed response and flare phenomenon should be considered.

Background: Compared with the native drug, liposomal PEG-coated doxorubicin (Caelyx) enhances tumour activity and reduces toxicity. The formulation may therefore be beneficial in anthracycline-sensitive malignancies, where toxicity represents a major problem, as is the case in androgen-insensitive prostate cancer (AIPC).

Methods: In a multi-centre design 28 patients with advanced AIPC received Caelyx 40 mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion every month.

[Experiences with ritual circumcision in Norway].

Background: We wanted to provide a survey of the extent and practice of locally performed ritual circumcision of boys born to Muslim parents in Norway.

Material And Methods: Newborn boys with Muslim parents in two counties in Norway (Rogaland and Troms) were registered. 56 ritual circumcisions were performed in outpatient departments in the local hospitals during the period under investigation, 11 on newborns, 33 on boys between one and ten, and 12 on boys above ten.

Tamsulosin: 3-year long-term efficacy and safety in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction: analysis of a European, multinational, multicenter, open-label study. European Tamsulosin Study Group.

Objective: This open-label extension study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin (0.4 mg as a modified release formulation) once daily in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) treated for up to 3 years.

Methods: Patients were enrolled from two European, 12-week, placebo-controlled trials.

Treatment of high-grade, high-stage prostate cancer with estramustine phosphate or diethylstilbestrol. A double-blind study. The SPCG-1 Study Group. Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group.

Between 1984 and 1989, 197 patients with T1-4, NX, M1, G2-3 or G3 prostate cancer were randomized to treatment with 560 mg estramustine phosphate (EMP, Estracyt, Emcyt) or 3 mg diethylstilbestrol (DES) per day in a double blind study with stratification on presence or absence of cancer pain at start. A total of 194 patients were evaluated for efficacy of therapy. Time to progression (p = 0.

Epirubicin combined with estramustine phosphate in hormone-resistant prostate cancer: a phase II study.

Twenty-four assessable patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC) were to receive daily doses of oral estramustine phosphate (EMP), 10 mg kg(-1), and intravenous epirubicin (EPR) infusions, 100 mg m(-2), every third week up to a cumulative dose of 500 mg m(-2). Biochemical response [> or = 50% reduction in pretreatment serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after three cycles of > or = 3 weeks' duration] was demonstrated in 13 of 24 patients included (54%). No objective response (WHO criteria) was observed, although seven of nine evaluable patients achieved a > or = 50% serum PSA reduction.

Tamsulosin, the first prostate-selective alpha 1A-adrenoceptor antagonist. Analysis of a multinational, multicentre, open-label study assessing the long-term efficacy and safety in patients with benign prostatic obstruction (symptomatic BPH). European Tamsulosin Study Group.

Objective: This open-label extension study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin (0.4 mg as a modified release formulation) once daily in patients with benign prostatic enlargement, lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic obstruction (symptomatic BPH) for up to 60 weeks.

Methods: Patients were enrolled from two European, 12-week, placebo-controlled trials.

Tamsulosin, a selective alpha 1c-adrenoceptor antagonist: a randomized, controlled trial in patients with benign prostatic 'obstruction' (symptomatic BPH). The European Tamsulosin Study Group.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily (as a modified-release formulation) compared with placebo in patients with benign prostatic enlargement, lower urinary tract symptoms and prostatic 'obstruction' (symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]).

Patients And Methods: Of 313 patients with symptomatic BPH enrolled in a 2-week placebo run-in period, 296 were subsequently randomized to receive either placebo (98 patients) or tamsulosin 0.

[Antibiotic prophylaxis in diagnostic and therapeutic urological interventions].

An enquiry into the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in conjunction with diagnostic or therapeutic urological procedures at hospitals in four Scandinavian countries showed manifest national differences to exist for most procedures. In transurethral resection, for instance, antibiotic cover was used at 79 percent of Finnish hospitals, but at only nine percent of Danish hospitals. Not only were dosage regimens characterized by wide national variation, but also the spectrum of antibiotics used, quinolones being most frequently used in Sweden, but ampicillin and pivampicillin in Denmark.

[Tetracycline sclerotherapy of hydroceles and spermatoceles].

40 patients were treated by aspiration and instillation of a 10% solution of tetracycline. 32 were cured after average 1.45 instillations.

[Meckel's diverticulum. Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment].

Meckel's diverticulum is a rare, but serious cause of acute abdominal pain. The prevalence of Meckel's diverticulum is 2% and lifetime risk of illness in a diverticulum is 4.2%.

Characterization of bladder tumours by multiparameter flow cytometry with special reference to grade II tumours.

Sixty-three human transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder were studied by multiparameter flow cytometry (FCM). The cellular DNA content, the cellular protein content, the fraction of cells in S phase, and the nuclear size were registered and correlated to histological grade (WHO) and histologically determined infiltration through the basement membrane. Aneuploidy was found in the great majority of grade III tumours, but in only 24% of grade II tumours.

Cultivation of human breast carcinoma in soft agar. Experience with 237 fresh tumour specimens.

A total of 237 breast carcinomas have been studied with the Courtenay-Mills (C-M) soft agar method. Cell yields and plating efficiencies (PE) were recorded after various enzyme treatments. The highest cell yields and PEs were obtained with the combination of collagenase 0.

Sarcoma following irradiation for breast cancer. Report of three unusual cases including one malignant mesenchymoma of bone.

Three cases of sarcoma developing after irradiation for breast cancer are reported. A malignant mesenchymoma in the sternum--a combination of osteogenic sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma--is the first documented case of its kind occurring after radiation therapy. Of the other two tumors one was an extraskeletal osteogenic sarcoma in the soft tissues of the thoracic wall and one a rhabdomyosarcoma in the axilla.

Primary breast cancer. Flow cytometric DNA pattern in relation to clinical and histopathologic characteristics.

Cell suspensions of 59 primary operable mammary carcinomas in women were subjected to flow cytometric DNA analyses. The results were correlated to histopathological grading, clinical staging, menopausal status and estrogen receptor status. Thirty-two tumors showed a DNA peak above +25% of murine lymphocyte level and were named distinct aneuploid (AN).

A complete pyelo-uretero-vesical duplication.

A complete pyelo-ureteral duplication with a palpable pelvic mass giving urinary infection and a slight urinary incontinence is reported. An intravenous pyelography demonstrated that the renal calyces on the left side were reduced in number compared to those present on the right side. Renal resection and a pyelo-ureteral resection was performed.