BJU international
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Study Type--Aetiology (case series) Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The factors taken into consideration when determining when and where to void are poorly understood. Studies on bladder sensations, obtained during cystometry of from voiding diaries, are proving difficult to transfer to everyday experiences. There is therefore a need to explore what does influence when and where to void. This study, using focus groups, highlights the fact that many voids are driven by behavioural factors not by sensations of desire or need to void. It is further noted that a key factor in the final decision to void is an awareness of bladder volume. The concepts of 'cognitive voiding' informed by 'bladder awareness' are introduced and, if correct, will influence the way studies are devised and interpreted to explore lower urinary tract dysfunction and pharmacotherapy. OBJECTIVE • To investigate the inter-relationship between conscious decision-making processes and bladder sensation in determining the need, time and place to void ⋯ • The decision to void is primarily a cognitive process influenced by multiple elements of which bladder awareness is only one. • Mechanisms generating awareness may be intensified or lost reflecting possible different pathological states. The importance of these observations in relation to current views of normal and abnormal voiding is discussed.
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Study Type--Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Despite a lack of randomised controlled trials, most men with locally advanced prostate cancer are recommended to undergo external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), often combined with long-term androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). Many of these men are not offered radical prostatectomy (RP) by their treating urologist. Additionally, it is know that EBRT with long-term ADT does provide good cancer control (88% at 10 years). We have previously published intermediate-term follow-up of a large series of men treatment with RP for cT3 prostate cancer. We report long-term follow-up of a large series of men treated with RP as primary treatment for cT3 prostate cancer. Our study shows that with long-term follow-up RP provides excellent oncological outcomes even at 20 years. While most men do require a multimodal treatment approach, many men can be managed successfully with RP alone. ⋯ • RP affords accurate pathological staging and may be associated with durable cancer control for cT3 prostate cancer, with 20 years of follow-up presented here. • RP as part of a multimodal treatment strategy therefore remains a viable treatment option for patients with cT3 tumours.