The role of the PCA3 assay in predicting prostate biopsy outcome in a South African setting

OBJECTIVES • To evaluate the investigational role, ideal threshold and indications of the Prostate CAncer gene 3 (PCA3) assay in a South African context. • To better define the universality of the above marker since this is the pioneer study on the continent of Africa. PATIENTS AND METHODS • We prospectively evaluated 105 consecutive South African men referred for a prostate biopsy at two tertiary centres in the capital city, Pretoria. • Sequentially, PSA levels and post DRE urine samples were taken within 24 h before prostate biopsy. • The urine specimen was tested using the PROGENSA TM PCA3 assay and a score was generated as (PCA3 mRNA/PSA mRNA)× 1000. • The performance of this assay in predicting biopsy outcome was assessed, and compared with that of serum PSA. RESULTS • Median patient age was 67 years with a positive biopsy incidence of 42.9%. • The higher the PCA3 score the greater the probability of a positive biopsy ( P = 0.003). • This score performed independently of prostatic volume ( P = 0.3889) or the presence of a concurrent primary malignancy ( P = 0.804). • A threshold of 60 revealed a positive predictive value of 60% with an odds ratio of 4, whereas setting a limit of 35 revealed a positive predictive value of 54% and odds ratio of 3.5. • Using receiver operating characteristics for overall performance comparison, the PSA level (area under the curve 0.844) performed better than the PCA3 score (area under the curve 0.705). CONCLUSION • PCA3 assay has shown consistency and performed in line with previous studies but it did not surpass serum PSA in this population. • A PCA3 assay threshold of 60 performed better than the conventional limit of 35. • This assay may have a potential niche in a certain subset of South African men that includes patients with larger glands, previous negative biopsies and altered baseline PSA levels.IlexSA Medical and Lancet Laboratories (South Africa)

A fatal case of an adrenal gland melanoma with a mysterious primary lesion

Adrenal gland involvement by metastatic melanoma is a common finding in patients with cutaneous or ocular melanomas. We report on the presence of an adrenal gland melanoma in a young female, without a documented primary lesion. A diagnosis of a primary adrenal melanoma was considered and after applying diagnostic criteria, could not be established. An attempt at resection via a nephroadrenalectomy and bilateral pulmonary metastectomies were performed. At 6-month follow up the patient presented with disease progression and demised prior to initiation of chemotherapy, at 22 years of age

Bladder hamartoma : a unique cause of urinary retention in a child with Goldenhar syndrome

The bladder hamartoma is an extremely rare entity. We report on its presence in a 5-year-old boy with Goldenhar syndrome. Most probably, this is the first report of a bladder hamartoma presenting with obstruction of the bladder outlet resulting in urinary retention. The obstructive lesion was resected endoscopically. This proved to be curative for the lesion, since the follow-up voiding cysto-urethrogram revealed only a negligible post-void residual volume. Although urogenital anomalies have a well-known correlation with the Goldenhar syndrome, the existence of the bladder hamartoma found in association with this syndrome, according to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported in the world literature. With this report being only the 11 th described case of bladder hamartoma, we highlight on the management options for this exceptional histological finding. The incidence, screening, treatment decisions and important urogenital associations of the Goldenhar syndrome are also discussed.http://www.sjkdt.org/am2013ay201

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome associated with a urogenital sinus anomaly in a 4-year-old : report of a case

The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a rare entity characterized by congenital aplasia of the vagina and uterus in the presence of normal ovarian function, in conjunction with a 46 XX karyotype. This condition is mostly signalled by primary amenorrhoea around the season of puberty. We report on its diagnosis in a 4-year-old child presenting with urinary incontinence. Also of interest in our index patient is the presence of a pure urogenital sinus anomaly. This extremely rare association has not been previously diagnosed in childhood