Der Urologe. Ausg. A
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Der Urologe. Ausg. A · Feb 2009
Review[Secondary hormonal ablation in hormone-independent prostate cancer].
After an average of 18-24 months under androgen suppression therapy, almost all patients with prostate cancer show a PSA progress. At this hormone-independent stage, a PSA regress can be achieved by secondary hormonal manipulation in approximately 50% of patients for 6-12 months before they become hormone-refractory. After progress under complete androgen ablation, in 40% of cases a temporary regress can be achieved by discontinuing of the anti-androgen. ⋯ Inhibition of the adrenal testosterone synthesis by oral administration of ketoconazol can further delay disease progression. Transdermal application of estrogens also allows temporary control of tumor activity by modulating the LHRH and testosterone release as well as directly effecting tumor cell apoptosis. Recent therapeutic modalities as for example somatostatin analogues influence the microenvironment of tumor cells and thereby intensify the effect of anti-tumor therapy.
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Since 1990, laparoscopic surgery has undergone a tremendous evolution. As patients and surgeons alike push toward minimally invasive surgery, more and more complex operations have been performed by laparoscopy. However, highly complex and technically demanding procedures--such as radical prostatectomy--have revealed the limits of classical laparoscopic surgery. ⋯ As of April 2008, 120 urological operations had been performed. Because robotic surgery is associated with a specific learning curve, divisions with limited case numbers may refrain from doing this type of surgery. The aim of this article is to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of the initial period of a robotic program in a midsize division.
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Der Urologe. Ausg. A · May 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study[Comparison of the effectiveness between long-term instillation of mitomycin C and short-term prophylaxis with MMC or bacille Calmette-Guérin. Study of patients with non-muscle-invasive urothelial cancer of the urinary bladder].
Adjuvant instillation therapy with chemo- or immunotherapeutic agents is an integral component in the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. There is, however, no general consensus on the choice of medication and the optimal duration of therapy. This multicenter trial compared a long-term treatment regimen with mitomycin C (MMC) with two short-term treatment approaches with MMC or bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for intermediate-/high-risk bladder tumor after transurethral resection. In patients with low-risk bladder tumors, the effectiveness of six weekly MMC instillations was determined and compared with the results of patients not receiving adjuvant treatment. ⋯ Long-term prophylaxis with MMC results in a significantly reduced recurrence rate in intermediate-/high-risk bladder cancer with a comparable toxicity profile in comparison to short-term MMC or short-term BCG. Our study showed no significant decrease of the recurrence rate in low-risk tumors with six adjuvant MMC instillations. This treatment approach thus does not represent an alternative to early instillation.
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The growing interest in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology is mainly due to its many potential applications as a new energy source and as noninvasive therapy. It has been introduced to urological oncology as a transrectal treatment for prostate cancer and as extracorporeal treatment for kidney cancer. Although its application in the kidney is still at the clinical feasibility phase, HIFU technology is currently being used in daily practice in Europe for the treatment of prostate cancer. ⋯ The latest published results suggest that HIFU treatment is a valuable option for well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumors, as well as for local recurrence after external beam radiation. Two different devices for transrectal treatment of prostate cancer are available, which are essentially different in technology, application mode, published results, and side effects. HIFU in locally recurrent cancer after surgery, as well as adjuvant HIFU for local debulking in locally advanced or metastatic disease, shows promising first results for reducing local disease-induced morbidity and for delay of progression.
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Der Urologe. Ausg. A · Apr 2008
Case Reports[Gunshot wound to the kidney: case report and therapeutic management].
Gunshot wounds to the kidney occur with different regional incidence. They are commonly combined with thoracic and abdominal injuries. Gunshot wounds may be caused by low-velocity or high-velocity bullets. ⋯ The patient underwent transabdominal exploration with treatment of the liver and stomach lesions, removal of the bullet and preservation of the left kidney. A percutaneous nephrostomy and drainage of the retroperitoneal region were inserted; antibiotic prophylaxis was given. A 4-week postoperative intravenous pyelogram showed complete integrity of the upper left tract and good renal function.