Comparison of Three Different Chemotherapy Regimens Containing Epirubicin in Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer Patients

We compared three different chemotherapy regimens containing epirubicin in hormonerefractory prostate cancer (HRPC) patients. Sixty-nine patients with HRPC were randomized into three groups. The first group (22 patients) received 30 mg/m2/week i.v. epirubicin for 8 weeks. The second group (24 patients) received 30 mg/m2/week i.v. epirubicin for 8 weeks followed by monthly maintenance therapy for 4–6 months. The third group (23 patients) received oral estramustine phosphate (EMP) at a dose of 840 mg/day together with weekly and monthly maintenance epirubicin. The response rates, mean survival times, and toxicity were determined. Within the first 3 months, pain and performance scores were improved by at least one degree in all the groups. One patient in group two and three patients in group three had complete response. Partial response rates were 23% in group 1, 25% in group 2, and 17% in group 3. Stable disease rates were 41% in group 1, 33% in group 2, and 26% in group 3. The progression rates within the first 3 months were 36% in group 1, 38% in group 2, and 44% in group 3. None of the patients developed complications that were significant enough to terminate the treatment. Two patients in group 3 died of cardiotoxicity. The mean survival times were 10.1, 15.8, and 16.1 months in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. It was determined that weekly and maintenance epirubicin treatment protocol, and estramustine treatment protocol in addition to this treatment, was only meaningfully more effective against weekly epirubicin treatment in the statistical sense (0.01 < p < 0.05). However, due to the complications of EMP, which influence the quality of life, we believe that this was usable only when measures were adopted against these effects

Oncological and functional outcomes of open versus laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in T1b tumors: A single-center analysis

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the oncological and functional results of open partial nephrectomy (OPN) and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) at the T1b clinical stage, which constitutes 25% of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) at diagnosis

Malfunctioned and Fractured Penile Prosthesis Caused by Cross Placement: Case Report

Penile prosthesis is a functional option for patients who have erectile dysfunction after failed medical and intracavernosal treatments. Malleable penile prosthesis is a good alternative. Penile prosthesis implantation is a surgical process. Seldomly complications occur. In this study we presented a 61 y old man who has malfunctioned and broken penile prosthesis due to cross implantation

Nation-wide analysis of the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on daily urology practice in Turkey

Mercimek, Mehmet Necmettin/0000-0002-0680-4451; Sen, Volkan/0000-0003-2832-0682; karabay, emre/0000-0003-1654-8524; Irer, Bora/0000-0002-7719-9033; Ceyhan, Erman/0000-0001-8223-6399WOS: 000584084200001PubMed: 32996259Objective To present a nation-wide analysis of the workload of urology departments in Turkey week-by-week during Covid-19 pandemic. Methodology the centres participating in the study were divided into three groups as tertiary referral centres, state hospitals and private practice hospitals. the number of outpatients, inpatients, daily interventions and urological surgeries were recorded prospectively between 9-March-2020 and 31-May-2020. All these variables were recorded for the same time interval of 2019 as well. the weekly change of the workload of urology during pandemic period was evaluated, also the workload of urology and the distributions of certain urological surgeries were compared between the pandemic period and the same time interval of the year 2019. Results A total of 51 centres participated in the study. the number of outpatients, inpatients, urological surgeries and daily interventions were found to be dramatically decreased by the 3rd week of pandemics in state hospitals and tertiary referral centres; however, the daily urological practice were similar in private practice hospitals throughout the pandemic period. When the workload of urology in pandemic period and the same time interval of the year 2019 were compared, a huge decrease was observed in all variables during pandemic period. However, temporary measures like ureteral stenting, nephrostomy placement and percutaneous cystostomy have been found to increase during Covid-19 pandemic compared with normal life. Conclusions Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected the routine daily urological practice likewise other subspecialties and priority was given to emergent and non-deferrable surgeries by urologists in concordance with published clinical guidelines

Assessment of anti-sperm antibodies in couples after testicular sperm extraction

Purpose: Testicular spermatozoa can be retrieved successfully by the testicular sperm extraction (TESE) procedure and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Disruption in the blood-testis barrier can lead to the production of antisperm antibodies (ASA). The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the frequency of ASA formation in couples after TESE procedure. Methods: Thirty-seven couples were included in the study at the Urology Clinic of the Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Training and Research Hospital. History, physical examination, spermiogram, and endocrine profiles were obtained for all male patients. All the male patients in this study had been diagnosed with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and underwent microdissection TESE. Secondary and tertiary cases were also included in the study. Serum samples were obtained from all 74 patients before TESE, and at three and 12 months after TESE. Serum ASA levels were determined. ANOVA was performed for statistical analysis for serum Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), testosterone and testicular volume. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were no differences in the testicular volumes, serum FSH and testosterone levels before and after TESE. None of the patients or their partners developed significant levels of ASA as a result of the TESE procedure. Conclusion: TESE procedure does not cause ASA production in either males or their female partners

Comparison of Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Used in the Treatment of 2-4 cm Kidney Stones in Terms of Pain and Need for Additional Analgesics: A Prospective Randomized Study

Purpose: To compare the effects of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) on postoperative pain and their differences in terms of the postoperative need for analgesics in the treatment of 2-4 cm kidney stones