59 research outputs found

    Analysis of the genetic phylogeny of multifocal prostate cancer identifies multiple independent clonal expansions in neoplastic and morphologically normal prostate tissue.

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    Genome-wide DNA sequencing was used to decrypt the phylogeny of multiple samples from distinct areas of cancer and morphologically normal tissue taken from the prostates of three men. Mutations were present at high levels in morphologically normal tissue distant from the cancer, reflecting clonal expansions, and the underlying mutational processes at work in morphologically normal tissue were also at work in cancer. Our observations demonstrate the existence of ongoing abnormal mutational processes, consistent with field effects, underlying carcinogenesis. This mechanism gives rise to extensive branching evolution and cancer clone mixing, as exemplified by the coexistence of multiple cancer lineages harboring distinct ERG fusions within a single cancer nodule. Subsets of mutations were shared either by morphologically normal and malignant tissues or between different ERG lineages, indicating earlier or separate clonal cell expansions. Our observations inform on the origin of multifocal disease and have implications for prostate cancer therapy in individual cases

    A review of the positive and negative effects of cardiovascular drugs on sexual function: a proposed table for use in clinical practice

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    Several antihypertensive drugs, such as diuretics and β-blockers, can negatively affect sexual function, leading to diminished quality of life and often to noncompliance with the therapy. Other drug classes, however, such as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are able to improve patients’ sexual function. Sufficient knowledge about the effects of these widely used antihypertensive drugs will make it possible for cardiologists and general practitioners to spare and even improve patients’ sexual health by switching to different classes of cardiac medication. Nevertheless, previous data (part I) indicate that most cardiologists lack knowledge about the effects cardiovascular agents can have on sexual function and will thus not be able to provide the necessary holistic patient care with regard to prescribing these drugs. To be able to improve healthcare on this point, we aimed to provide a practical overview, for use by cardiologists as well as other healthcare professionals, dealing with sexual dysfunction in their clinical practices. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature was performed. The eight most widely used classes of antihypertensive drugs have been categorised in a clear table, marking whether they have a positive, negative or no effect on sexual function

    Fournier’s Gangrene in  a Patient with Obesity and B-lymphoma

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    We present a  case of Fournier’s gangrene disease in  a young obese patient with coexistent B-lymphoma. It remains controversial if obesity constitutes a  predisposing factor for an individual to develop necrotizing fasciitis. On the other hand, only few cases of patients with coexistence of B-lymphoma and Fournier’s gangrene disease have been reported.  A 30-years-old obese man was admitted to emergency department with fever (38.7 °C), pain, erythema and swelling extended from the left scrotum to the left lower abdominal quadrant. He was confused, with low urinary excretion and septic shock’s signs. The clinical findings were characteristics of Fournier’s gangrene disease. Furthermore during physical examination a  massive, painless and motionless mass in  the left breast was revealed. The patient required urgent surgical debridement of the affected area and pus drainage. Biopsies of the breast mass were received by excision. Pus and blood cultures yielded Staphylococci coagulase(–), Klebsiella and Proteus sp. Intravenous antibiotic treatment with Meropeneme and Clindamycine started immediately. Repeated debridement was often performed. Pathology examination of the massive tissue revealed a  diffuse B-lymphoma of large cells (Germinal center B-cell like-GCB). The patient was discharged from the hospital 35 days later.  Afterwards, he was treated with chemotherapeutic agents for malignant lymphoma at the oncological department. The aim of this case’s presentation is to mention that young obese patients with Fournier’s gangrene disease should be particularly investigated due to the possible occurrence of another not obvious predisposing factor, such as a  malignant disease

    Learning curves in laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostate surgery: a systematic search and review

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    Purpose: To perform a systematic search and review of the available literature on the learning curves (LCs) in laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostate surgery. Methods: Medline was systematically searched from 1946 to January 2021 to detect all studies in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, reporting on the LC in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP), robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (RSP). Results: In total, 47 studies were included for qualitative synthesis evaluating a single technique (LRP, RARP, LSP, RSP; 45 studies) or two techniques (LRP and RARP; 2 studies). All studies evaluated outcomes on real patients. RARP was the most widely investigated technique (30 studies), followed by LRP (17 studies), LSP (1 study), and RSP (1 study). In LRP, the reported LC based on operative time; estimated blood loss; length of hospital stay; positive surgical margin; biochemical recurrence; overall complication rate; and urinary continence rate ranged 40–250, 80–250, 58–200, 50–350, 110–350, 55–250, 70–350 cases, respectively. In RARP, the corresponding ranges were 16–300, 20–300, 25–200, 50–400, 40–100, 20–250, 30–200, while LC for potency rates was 80–90 cases. Conclusions: The definition of LC for laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostate surgery is not well defined with various metrics used among studies. Nevertheless, LCs appear to be steep and continuous. Implementation of training programs/standardization of the techniques is necessary to improve outcomes. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

    Shockwave Lithotripsy Complications According to Modified Clavien-Dindo Grading System. A Systematic Review and Meta-regression Analysis in a Sample of 115 Randomized Controlled Trials

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    Context: Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) shows clear associated benefits for urolithiasis patients. Objective: To identify and classify SWL complications according to modified Clavien-Dindo grading system while assessing the effect of different patient characteristics, stone parameters, types of lithotripters, and lithotripsy techniques. Evidence acquisition: Literature was reviewed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Evidence synthesis: We analyzed the results of 115 randomized trials including 17 827 patients, of whom 16.06%, 2.07%, 2.23%, 1.32%, 0.85%, 0.16%, and 0% suffered from Clavien I, II, III, IIIa, IIIb, IV, and V complications, respectively. In total, 18.43% of patients suffered from Clavien I–II and 2.48% from Clavien III–IV complications. In studies with >100 treated patients, Clavien I, III, and IV complication rates and need for auxiliary procedure rates were lower than in studies with smaller sample size. Electrohydraulic lithotripters led to a higher rate of Clavien IIIb and IV complications than electromagnetic lithotripters. Clavien I–II complications were increased by 14.3% in patients with multiple and complicated stones. Hematuria was increased by 8.29% in patients who underwent intravenous urography preoperatively and had longer duration of SWL. Pain occurrence was increased by 14.79% in patients with more than one stone at the time of SWL and by 3.21% in those who were managed with a piezoelectric lithotripter. Conclusions: SWL should not be considered an uneventful procedure, as in 2.5% of cases an intervention or Clavien III–V complication will be observed. Low-volume centers, treatment of multiple or complex stones, a long-lasting SWL session, and electrohydraulic lithotripters are associated with higher rates of complications. Patient summary: We analyze the occurrence of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) complications in 17 000 patients. In centers with larger caseloads, complications were less common. The type of lithotripter is associated with complications. An increased number of treated stones, complex stones, and increased SWL duration were associated with a higher incidence of pain and hematuria. © 202
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