The Journal of urology
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The Journal of urology · Nov 2002
Neoadjuvant therapy before radical prostatectomy for clinical T3/T4 carcinoma of the prostate: 5-year followup, Phase II Southwest Oncology Group Study 9109.
Several investigators have examined the role of hormonal therapy before definitive local therapy for locally advanced prostate cancer to improve outcome. We evaluated the resectability rate and clinical response rate to 16 weeks of total androgen blockage therapy for clinically locally prostate cancer before radical prostatectomy, and progression-free survival in this multi-institutional study. ⋯ Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy followed by radical prostatectomy is reasonable and appropriate for clinical stage T3 prostate cancer. A progression-free and overall 5-year survival of 70% and 90%, respectively, compares favorably to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group neoadjuvant trial outcomes for this stage of prostate cancer.
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The Journal of urology · Nov 2002
Immunoneutralization of nerve growth factor in lumbosacral spinal cord reduces bladder hyperreflexia in spinal cord injured rats.
We investigated the effects of intrathecal application of nerve growth factor (NGF) antibodies (Ab) on bladder hyperreflexia in chronic spinalized rats. ⋯ Increased levels of NGF in the bladder, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia were associated with bladder hyperreflexia after spinal cord injury. Immuno-neutralization of NGF in the spinal cord suppressed NGF levels in the L6 to S1 dorsal root ganglia, which contain bladder afferent neurons, and also suppressed bladder hyperreflexia. Thus, suppression of NGF levels in afferent pathways could be useful for treating bladder hyperreflexia associated with spinal cord injury.
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Estrogen may protect against kidney stone formation since nephrolithiasis is more common in men than in women. Moreover, the incidence of stones rises after menopause in women. We examined the contribution of estrogen to kidney stone risk by comparing outpatient evaluations in the 2 genders, and in estrogen treated and untreated postmenopausal women. ⋯ The lower risk of stone formation in women may be due to the lower urinary saturation of stone forming salts. Estrogen treatment may decrease the risk of stone recurrence in postmenopausal women by lowering urinary calcium and calcium oxalate saturation.