Ablative therapy for people with localised prostate cancer : a systematic review and economic evaluation

The research reported in this issue of the journal was funded by the HTA programme as project number 10/136/01. The contractual start date was in April 2012. The draft report began editorial review in October 2013 and was accepted for publication in April 2014. The authors have been wholly responsible for all data collection, analysis and interpretation, and for writing up their work. The HTA editors and publisher have tried to ensure the accuracy of the authors’ report and would like to thank the reviewers for their constructive comments on the draft document. However, they do not accept liability for damages or losses arising from material published in this report. Acknowledgements We thank l the people recruited from the local UCAN for providing valuable consumer insight and advice through their participation as members of the project focus group: - Mark Emberton (Professor of Interventional Oncology), Damian Greene (consultant urologist), Axel Heidenreich (Professor and Director of Department of Urology), Christoph von Klot (specialist in brachytherapy), Roger Kockelbergh (BAUS chairman and Clinical Director of Urology) and Axel Merserburger (Deputy Clinical Director of Urology and Urologic Oncology) for providing their clinical expertise as members of the project advisory group - Edgar Paez (consultant urologist) and Gill Lawrence (Head of Radiotherapy Physics) for providing a list of staff time by grade and specialty involved in EBRT - Debbie Bennett (Radiotherapy Service Manager) for providing estimates for the expected number of uses for EBRT - Ian Pedley (clinical director/clinical oncologist) and Gill Lawrence for providing a list of all resource inputs relevant to brachytherapy - Steve Locks (Consultant Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy) for providing a list of reusable equipment and consumables used during brachytherapy, along with their unit costs - Sue Asterling (urology research nurse) and Mark Kelly (Acting Divisional General Manager – Theatres) for providing a list of all resource inputs relevant to cryotherapy - Lara Kemp for providing secretarial support. The Health Services Research Unit is core funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Gender Differences in COVID-19 Among Liver Transplant Recipients: Results from a Multicenter Brazilian Cohort

Introduction: Existing literature presents varying perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on liver transplant recipients.However, no research has specifically investigated the role of gender differences in the manifestation of COVID-19 among liver transplant recipients. This study aims to examine the effects of COVID-19 on liver transplant recipients, with a focus on gender differences in disease presentation and progression. Methods: Conducted as a multicenter historical cohort study, this research collected patient records through an online questionnaire. Assessing COVID-related mortality was the main objective. Additionally, demographic, clinical, and laboratory data pertaining to disease presentation and progression werecollected. Results: The study included a total of 283 patients, of whom 76 were female and 206 were male. The median follow-up period for males was 99 days (IQR 38-283), while for females, it was 126 days (IQR 44-291). A higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease was observed in males (p=0.002). Females frequently experienced a loss of smell (p=0.021), whereas males commonly exhibited fever (p=0.031). Levels of ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase were significantly elevated in males (p=0.008 and 0.004, respectively). Although there was a trend towards increased mortality in males, it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: This study is the first attempt to investigate gender differences in COVID-19 among liver transplant recipients. Our findings highlight the need for a comprehensive and personalised approach to treating this patient population and underscore the importance of further elucidating the disease presentation in these individuals

Laparoscopic partial cystectomy in bladder cancer: initial experience

PROPOSAL: The authors present their initial experience with a selected group of patients who underwent laparoscopic partial cystectomy for treating bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period from June 1997 to April 2000, 6 patients, aged between 38 and 76 years, having transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, were identified as candidates to partial cystectomy. The procedure employed consisted in laparoscopic partial cystectomy and lymphadenectomy with exclusive intracorporeal suture technique. RESULTS: The proposed procedure was completed in all cases. Mean surgical time was 205 minutes and mean blood loss was 200 mL. There were no significant complications during both intra- and post-operative period. Two patients (33%) presented urinary extravasation of less than 50 mL, with spontaneous resolution. Mean hospitalization period was 4 days (2 to 6). The histological analysis of the resected specimens revealed transitional cell carcinoma, stage pT1G3 in case 1, pT2aG2 in cases 2 to 4, pT2bG2 in case 5 and pT3aG3 in case 6. The resection margins, as well as lymph nodes, were free of neoplasia. One patient developed local and metastatic disease, and was treated with salvage chemotherapy. No other case of local or systemic recurrence was observed with a mean follow-up of 30 months. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial cystectomy can be an alternative surgical method for treating selected cases of patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder