Immediate versus deferred chemotherapy after radical cystectomy in patients with pT3-pT4 or N+ M0 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (EORTC 30994): an intergroup, open-label, randomised phase 3 trial.

Background: Patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder have poor survival after cystectomy. The EORTC 30994 trial aimed to compare immediate versus deferred cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy after radical cystectomy in patients with pT3-pT4 or N+ M0 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Methods: This intergroup, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial recruited patients from hospitals across Europe and Canada.

PNET/Ewing's sarcoma of the kidney: imaging findings in two cases.

The CT-imaging findings of primary renal PNET/Ewing's sarcoma in two patients were retrospectively assessed. A large renal mass with heterogenous contrast enhancement and necrotic and hemorrhagic areas were the predominant characteristics. In adolescents or young adults presenting with a large renal mass, PNET/Ewing's sarcoma may be included in the differential diagnosis.

Postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for high-risk prostate cancer: long-term results of a randomised controlled trial (EORTC trial 22911).

Background: We report the long-term results of a trial of immediate postoperative irradiation versus a wait-and-see policy in patients with prostate cancer extending beyond the prostate, to confirm whether previously reported progression-free survival was sustained.

Methods: This randomised, phase 3, controlled trial recruited patients aged 75 years or younger with untreated cT0-3 prostate cancer (WHO performance status 0 or 1) from 37 institutions across Europe. Eligible patients were randomly assigned centrally (1:1) to postoperative irradiation (60 Gy of conventional irradiation to the surgical bed for 6 weeks) or to a wait-and-see policy until biochemical progression (increase in prostate-specific antigen >0·2 μg/L confirmed twice at least 2 weeks apart).

Combined magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in the assessment of high grade prostate carcinoma in patients with elevated PSA: a single-institution experience of 356 patients.

Purpose: To assess the ability of combined whole-prostate magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRI+MRSI) to predict the presence or absence of high grade (Gleason 4+3 or higher) prostate carcinoma in men with elevated PSA.

Materials And Methods: Between March 2002 and September 2007, 356 subjects (mean serum PSA 11.5 ng/ml, range 0.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer: late morbidity and results on biochemical control.

Purpose: To report on late morbidity and biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS) after intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer.

Methods: Between 1998 and 2005 133 patients were treated with IMRT for T(1-4) N0 M0 prostate cancer. The median follow-up time was 36 months.

Patients at high risk of progression after radical prostatectomy: do they all benefit from immediate post-operative irradiation? (EORTC trial 22911).

EORTC trial 22911 demonstrated that immediate postoperative irradiation significantly improved biochemical failure free survival (BPFS) compared to wait-and-see (W and S) until relapse in patients with pT2-3 tumours and pathological risk factors after radical prostatectomy. In this study, we have investigated the heterogeneity of the treatment benefit across defined subgroups of patients. Data from 972 patients were used.

Postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy: a randomised controlled trial (EORTC trial 22911).

Background: Local failure after prostatectomy can arise in patients with cancer extending beyond the capsule. We did a randomised controlled trial to compare radical prostatectomy followed by immediate external irradiation with prostatectomy alone for patients with positive surgical margin or pT3 prostate cancer.

Methods: After undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy, 503 patients were randomly assigned to a wait-and-see policy, and 502 to immediate postoperative radiotherapy (60 Gy conventional irradiation delivered over 6 weeks).

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy as primary treatment for prostate cancer: acute toxicity in 114 patients.

Introduction: Dose escalation improves local control in prostate cancer. At Ghent University Hospital, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is used to increase the dose to the prostate and/or seminal vesicles. We report on acute toxicity in 114 patients who received IMRT for prostate cancer.

Effect of less invasive treatment modalities on handling urolithiasis in Belgium.

Recent developments in technology, such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and endoscopic tools for renoscopy and ureteroscopy, have dramatically changed the way supravesical urolithiasis is treated. In Belgium, all medical acts are recorded by the Belgian State Institute for Sickness and Invalidity Insurance. Data from 1978 until 1991 are given and compared with treatment data of the University Hospital of Ghent.

Evaluation of renal function before and after intravenous injection of non-cholangiographic water soluble contrast media in rats.

In the present study, normal laboratory rats (n = 22), were injected intravenously with water soluble contrast media (CM) or saline. Renal function was monitored before and followed after challenge. Seven animals were injected with saline, the others with 3 different types of contrast media.

Influence of feeding, blood sampling method and type of anaesthesia on renal function parameters in the normal laboratory rat.

With sophisticated experiments it is necessary to handle laboratory animals many times. To determine the effect of minor handling a series of experiments was performed to measure the impact of fasting, anaesthesia, blood collection method and serum creatinine analysis on renal function. Simple clinical methods to measure renal function parameters such as diuresis, urinary osmolality, urinary creatinine excretion and serum creatinine were used.

Contrast media injection in the rat after multiple renal insults. No evidence of additional nephrotoxicity.

Experiments were performed to determine whether water-soluble contrast media (CM) show nephrotoxic properties when injected into rats after multiple renal insults. The latter consisted of combinations of prostaglandin synthesis inhibition (with indomethacin) and/or salt depletion and/or uninephrectomy. Renal function was evaluated by standard clinical methods to measure parameters such as urinary output, urinary osmolality, urinary creatinine excretion and serum creatinine.

Down-staging prostate cancer. Is it possible by androgen depletion and Mitomycin C therapy?

The study was carried out in order to investigate the possibility of tumor reduction in prostate cancer patients. As a reduction of the primary tumor was observed with hormonal treatment and complete response of soft tissue tumor markers with Mitomycin C, this combined treatment was given in seven patients to evaluate if it was able to down-stage those cases which were thought to be incurable (T3N1-2M0/T4N0-2M0). Although the clinical evaluation suggested a significant down-staging, the explorative lymphadenectomy was unable to confirm this.

Absence of functional renal effects of uro-angiographic contrast media on post-ischemic rat kidneys.

Water soluble ionic contrast media (CM) and glucose 5% were administered to Sprague-Dawley rats 36 hours after bilateral warm renal ischemia for 45 min. In all animals (n = 28) the renal ischemia caused a decrease of the absolute urinary creatinine output. Intra-arterial injection of glucose 5% or CM did not produce different patterns of absolute urinary creatinine output.

Toxicity of litholytic ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solutions to the urothelium of the rat and dog.

The toxicity to the urothelium of bipotassium ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (K2-EDTA) buffered with 0.2 M triethanolamine (TEA) at pH 8 and 8.5 was tested in rats and dogs.

Evaluation of renal function before and after intravenous injection of non-cholangiographic water soluble contrast media in rats: preliminary results.

In this preliminary study, water soluble contrast media (CM) were administrated to normal laboratory rats (n = 11) and renal function was monitored before and followed after this challenge. A significant decrease (p less than or equal to 0.001) of the absolute urinary creatinine output, was noted during 3 days after the injection of the CM: the median (M) control value was 0.

[A study of the causes of staghorn calculi].

A thorough metabolic evaluation of all staghorn stone patients seems justified, considering the results obtained by the study of 27 such cases. Pak's ambulatory screening test, slightly modified, was used. This allowed the finding of a hypercalciuria in more than 50% of the cases, a hyperuricosuria in 63% of the cases and a hyperoxaluria in one case out of five.

Evaluation of renal function before and after intravenous injection of uroangiographic water soluble contrast media in men.

Nephrotoxicity due to injection of uro-angiographic water soluble contrast media is a wellknown hazard in patients with renal failure, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, multiple myeloma and old age. Cases of nephrotoxicity in other patient populations are extremely rare. In order to document the influence of water soluble contrast media in patient undergoing intravenous urography diuresis, osmolar changes, creatinine clearance, absolute urinary creatinine excretion and uric acid metabolism were evaluated before and after contrast medium injection.