Técnicas minimamente invasivas para o tratamento da hiperplasia prostática benigna

A hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) ocorre em até 80% dos homens acima de 70 anos. A prevalência da HPB aumenta com a idade, desde aproximadamente 25% dos homens com menos de 50 anos até 90% na oitava década de vida. Opções de tratamento para os sintomas de trato urinário inferior (STUI) secundários à HPB, por muito tempo, foram restritos a terapia medicamentosa e, na falência desta, tratamento cirúrgico. No entanto, as cirurgias prostáticas são associadas a riscos com sangramento, necessidade de transfusão, além da quase onipresente disfunção ejaculatória pós-operatória. Diversas técnicas novas e minimamente invasivas para tratamento da HPB surgiram nos últimos anos. Comum a todos esses métodos são um perfil de segurança favorável, porém com taxas de sucesso e de melhora clínica variáveis, mas frequentemente inferiores às encontradas nas técnicas cirúrgicas clássicas. Os pacientes que mais se beneficiam dessas técnicas novas são aqueles que não desejam passar por cirurgia; que possuem alto risco cirúrgico, além dos que desejam evitar a ejaculação retrógrada quase sempre presente após cirurgia aberta ou ressecção endoscópica da próstata. Dispositivos mecânicos como o TIND (Temporary implantable nitinol device, ou dispositivo temporário implantável de nitinol) e Urolift parecem oferecer resultados satisfatórios com um perfil de segurança amplamente favorável. A persistência da melhora dos sintomas é ainda questionável, uma vez que esses métodos ainda não contam com um seguimento superior a 5 anos. Também deve ser ressaltado que esses métodos podem ter sua performance limitada em próstatas excepcionalmente grandes. Em especial, o Urolift não deve ser indicado em pacientes com um lobo mediano proeminente ou com próstatas de peso estimado superior a 100 gramas. De forma semelhante, novas técnicas para ablação tecidual, como a ablação com energia convectiva de vapor de água, parecem oferecer resultados promissores e seguros, porém também com seguimento limitado. A embolização de artérias prostáticas é um outro procedimento seguro e uma opção para pacientes que não estejam aptos, pelo alto risco, a passar por cirurgias convencionais, com resultados de curto e médio prazo satisfatórios, porém também desconhecidos ao longo prazo.Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) occurs in up to 80% of men older than 70 years. The prevalence of BPH increases with age, from approximately 25% of men at 50 years of age to 50 to 90% of individuals in their 8th decade of life. Treatment options for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to BPH have been long restricted to drug therapy and, after failure of the former, surgical treatment. However, prostate surgery is associated with risks such as bleeding, necessity of transfusion and ejaculatory dysfunction. Several novel and minimally invasive methods for treatment of BPH have arisen in the past years. Common to all of these techniques are a more favorable safety profile and varying rates of success and clinical improvement, however frequently inferior to standard surgical techniques. Patients who will benefit the most from these procedures are those who would not wish to undergo surgery, those at prohibitively high risk for surgery, and those wishing to avoid ejaculatory dysfunction secondary to trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or open resection. Mechanical devices such as Temporary implantable nitinol device and Urolift appear to provide satisfying results with a favorable safety profile. Persistence of improvement is still questionable since follow-up longer than 5 years is not available for these methods. Of note, these methods may be of limited performance for larger prostates, in special, Urolift for those with a large median lobe or a prostate larger than 100 grams. Similarly, novel techniques for tissue ablation, including convective water vapor energy, appear to offer promising and safe results, yet with limited follow-up. Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is another safe procedure and an option for patients who are not suited for surgery, with satisfying short and medium-term follow-up but unknown results at long-term

Análise dos fatores de risco para o diagnóstico do carcinoma incidental da próstata em pacientes com hiperplasia prostática benigna

PURPOSE: To determine the occurence of incidental carcinoma of the prostate, its characteristics, and the risk factors for this diagnosis in a group of patients surgically treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: The study comprised a retrospective analysis of 218 patients. After surgical treatment, patients with the finding of incidental carcinoma of the prostate were compared to those without this finding. The preoperative variables analyzed were patient age, digital rectal examination, PSA, PSA density, prostate volume, and preoperative prostate biopsy. We also determined the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of digital rectal examination and PSA for the finding of incidental carcinoma of the prostate at surgical specimen analysis. RESULTS: Thirteen (6.2%) out of the 218 patients presented incidental carcinoma of the prostate. Eight (61.5%) of these tumors were classified as T1a and 5 (38.5%) as T1b. Only advanced age (P = 0.003) and the presence of a suspect digital rectal examination (P = 0. 016) were statistically related to the findings of the surgical specimen analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the diagnosis of incidental carcinoma were 23.0%, 96.6%, 30.0%, and 95.2% for a suspect digital rectal examination and 85.0%, 34.1%, 7.5%, and 97.2% for a PSA greater than 4.0 ng/mL. The accuracy for these methods was 92.2% and 37.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age and the presence of a suspect digital rectal examination represent the most important risk factors for the diagnosis of an incidental carcinoma of the prostate. However, the low positive predictive values reflect the weak correlations among these variables.OBJETIVO: Determinar a ocorrência do carcinoma incidental da próstata, suas características e fatores de risco para o diagnóstico em um grupo de pacientes tratados cirurgicamente para hiperplasia prostática benigna. MÉTODOS: O estudo compreendeu a análise retrospectiva de 218 pacientes. Após o tratamento cirúrgico, os pacientes com achado de carcinoma incidental da próstata foram comparados com os pacientes sem este achado. As variáveis pré-operatórias analisadas foram idade, toque retal, PSA, densidade do PSA, volume prostático e biópsia prostática pré-operatória. Também foram determinados a sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e valor preditivo negativo do toque retal e do PSA para o diagnóstico do carcinoma incidental da próstata. RESULTADOS: Treze (6.2%) dos 218 pacientes apresentaram carcinoma incidental da próstata. Oito (61.5%) deles foram classificados com T1a e 5 (38.5%) como T1b. Apenas a idade avançada (p=0.003) e a presença de um toque retal suspeito (p=0.016) se relacionaram estatisticamente com este achado na peça cirúrgica. A sensibilidade, especificidade, valore preditivo positivo e negativo para o diagnóstico de carcinoma incidental da próstata foram de 23.0%, 96.6%, 30.0%, 95.2% para a presença de um toque retal suspeito e 85.0%, 34.1%, 7.5% e 97.2% para um valor de PSA maior que 4.0 ng/ml respectivamente. A exatidãos dois métodos foi de 92.2% e 37.1% respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: A idade avançada e a presença de um toque retal suspeito representam os fatores de risco mais importantes para o diagnóstico de carcinoma incidental da próstata

Correção de fistula reto-uretral pela técnica de York-Mason

OBJECTIVE: Recto-urethral fistula formation following radical prostatectomy is an uncommon but potentially devastating event. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the treatment of these fistulas. We present here our experiences treating recto-urethral fistulas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 8 cases of rectourethral fistula treated at our institution in the last seven years. Seven of the patients underwent repair of the fistula using the modified York-Mason procedure. RESULTS: The causes of the fistula were radical retropubic prostatectomy in five patients, perineal debridement of Fournier's gangrene in one, transvesical prostatectomy in one and transurethral resection of the prostate in the other patient. The most common clinical manifestation was fecaluria, present in 87.5% of the cases. The mean time elapsed between diagnosis and correction of the fistula was 29.6 (7-63) months. One spontaneous closure occurred after five months of delayed catheterization. Urinary and retrograde urethrocystography indicated the site of the fistula in 71.4% of the cases. No patient presented recurrence of the fistula after its correction with the modified York-Mason procedure. CONCLUSION: The performance of routine colostomy and cystostomy is unnecessary. The technique described by York-Mason permits easy access, reduces surgical and hospitalization times and presents low complication and morbidity rates when surgically correcting recto-urethral fistulas.OBJETIVO: As fístulas reto-uretrais são de acesso difícil e por vezes complexo, sendo seu fechamento espontâneo raro. Com o diagnóstico precoce e aumento do número de intervenções, principalmente a cirurgia por adenocarcinoma da próstata localizado, sua incidência apesar de rara vem crescendo. Nós demonstramos a nossa experiência dos casos de fístulas reto-uretrais entre 2000 a 2006 com uma serie de oito pacientes, sendo que sete realizaram correção da fístula pela Técnica de York Mason modificada. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Nos retrospectivamente analisamos os prontuários de todos os casos de fístulas reto-uretrais tratados no nosso serviço no período de 2000 a 2006. Sete de oito pacientes realizaram reparo da fístula através do procedimento de York Mason modificado. RESULTADOS: Cinco pacientes tiveram a fístula como conseqüência da Prostatectomia Radical Retropúbica, sendo os outros três após debridamento devido a Fasceíte de Fournier, Prostatectomia Transvesical e Ressecção Transuretral da Próstata. A fecalúria foi o quadro clínico prevalente em 87,5% dos casos, o tempo médio entre o diagnóstico e a correção da fístula foi de 29,6 (7-63 meses) ocorreu um fechamento espontâneo após cinco meses de sondagem vesical de demora, a Uretrocistografia Retrograda e Miccional demonstrou a localização da fístula em 71,4%. Nenhum paciente apresentou recidiva da fístula após correção pela técnica de York Mason modificada. A colostomia foi realizada em 50% dos casos e não ocorreram casos de incontinência fecal ou estenose anal. CONCLUÇÃO: Após identificação de fístula reto-uretral, não é necessário à realização de colostomia e cistostomia de rotina. Sua correção pela técnica descrita por York Mason modificada nos propicia fácil acesso a sua localização, diminui o tempo cirúrgico e de internação, com baixos índices de complicações e morbidade

Analysis of the risk factors for incidental carcinoma of the prostate in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

PURPOSE: To determine the occurence of incidental carcinoma of the prostate, its characteristics, and the risk factors for this diagnosis in a group of patients surgically treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: The study comprised a retrospective analysis of 218 patients. After surgical treatment, patients with the finding of incidental carcinoma of the prostate were compared to those without this finding. The preoperative variables analyzed were patient age, digital rectal examination, PSA, PSA density, prostate volume, and preoperative prostate biopsy. We also determined the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of digital rectal examination and PSA for the finding of incidental carcinoma of the prostate at surgical specimen analysis. RESULTS: Thirteen (6.2%) out of the 218 patients presented incidental carcinoma of the prostate. Eight (61.5%) of these tumors were classified as T1a and 5 (38.5%) as T1b. Only advanced age (P = 0.003) and the presence of a suspect digital rectal examination (P = 0. 016) were statistically related to the findings of the surgical specimen analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the diagnosis of incidental carcinoma were 23.0%, 96.6%, 30.0%, and 95.2% for a suspect digital rectal examination and 85.0%, 34.1%, 7.5%, and 97.2% for a PSA greater than 4.0 ng/mL. The accuracy for these methods was 92.2% and 37.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age and the presence of a suspect digital rectal examination represent the most important risk factors for the diagnosis of an incidental carcinoma of the prostate. However, the low positive predictive values reflect the weak correlations among these variables.OBJETIVO: Determinar a ocorrência do carcinoma incidental da próstata, suas características e fatores de risco para o diagnóstico em um grupo de pacientes tratados cirurgicamente para hiperplasia prostática benigna. MÉTODOS: O estudo compreendeu a análise retrospectiva de 218 pacientes. Após o tratamento cirúrgico, os pacientes com achado de carcinoma incidental da próstata foram comparados com os pacientes sem este achado. As variáveis pré-operatórias analisadas foram idade, toque retal, PSA, densidade do PSA, volume prostático e biópsia prostática pré-operatória. Também foram determinados a sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e valor preditivo negativo do toque retal e do PSA para o diagnóstico do carcinoma incidental da próstata. RESULTADOS: Treze (6.2%) dos 218 pacientes apresentaram carcinoma incidental da próstata. Oito (61.5%) deles foram classificados com T1a e 5 (38.5%) como T1b. Apenas a idade avançada (p=0.003) e a presença de um toque retal suspeito (p=0.016) se relacionaram estatisticamente com este achado na peça cirúrgica. A sensibilidade, especificidade, valore preditivo positivo e negativo para o diagnóstico de carcinoma incidental da próstata foram de 23.0%, 96.6%, 30.0%, 95.2% para a presença de um toque retal suspeito e 85.0%, 34.1%, 7.5% e 97.2% para um valor de PSA maior que 4.0 ng/ml respectivamente. A exatidãos dois métodos foi de 92.2% e 37.1% respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: A idade avançada e a presença de um toque retal suspeito representam os fatores de risco mais importantes para o diagnóstico de carcinoma incidental da próstata

Immune expression of E-cadherin and alpha, beta and gamma-Catenin adhesion molecules and prognosis for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas

Introduction: Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) are required for maintaining a normal epithelial phenotype, and abnormalities in CAM expression have been related to cancer progression, including bladder urothelial carcinomas. There is only one study that correlates E-cadherin and alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin expression with prognosis of upper tract urothelial carcinomas. Our aim is to study the pattern of immune expression of these CAMs in urothelial carcinomas from the renal pelvis and ureter in patients who have been treated surgically. Our goal is to correlate these expression levels and characteristics with well-known prognostic parameters for disease-free survival. Materials and Methods: We evaluated specimens from 20 patients with urothelial carcinomas of the renal pelvis and ureter who were treated with nephroureterectomy or ureterectomy between June 1997 and January 2007. CAM expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray and correlated with histopathological characteristics and patient outcomes after a mean follow-up of 55 months. Results: We observed a relationship between E-cadherin expression and disease recurrence. Disease recurrence occurred in 87.5% of patients with strong E-cadherin expression. Only 50.0% of patients with moderate expression and 0% of patients with weak or no expression of E-cadherin had disease recurrence (p = 0.014). There was also a difference in disease-free survival. Patients with strong E-cadherin expression had a mean disease-free survival rate of 49.1 months, compared to 83.9 months for patients with moderate expression (p = 0.011). Additionally, an absence of a-catenin expression was associated with tumors that were larger than 3 cm (p = 0.003). Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time that immune expression of E-cadherin is related to tumor recurrence and disease-free survival rates, and the absence of a-catenin expression is related to tumor size in upper tract urothelial carcinomas

Underexpression of MMP-2 and its Regulators, TIMP2, MT1-MMP and IL-8, is Associated with Prostate Cancer

Objective: Extracellular matrix homeostasis is strictly maintained by a coordinated balance between the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their regulators. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether MMP-2 and its specific regulators, TIMP-2, MT1-MMP and IL-8, are expressed in a reproducible, specific pattern and if the profiles are related to prognosis and clinical outcome of prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and Methods: MMP-2, TIMP-2, MT1-MMP and IL-8 expression levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in freshly frozen malignant and benign tissue specimens collected from 79 patients with clinically localized PCa who underwent radical prostatectomies. The control group consisted of 11 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The expression profile of the MMP-2 and its regulators were compared using Gleason scores, pathological stage, pre-operative PSA levels and the final outcome of the PCa. Results: The analysis of 79 specimens of PCa revealed that MMP-2, TIMP-2, MT1-MMP and IL-8 were underexpressed at 60.0%, 72.2%, 62.0% and 65.8%, respectively, in malignant prostatic tissue in relation to BPH samples. Considering the prognostic parameters, we demonstrated that high Gleason score tumors (>= 7) over-expressed MMP-2 (p = 0.048) and TIMP-2 (p = 0.021), compared to low Gleason score tumors (< 7). Conclusion: We have demonstrated that MMP-2 and its regulators are underexpressed in PCa. Alternatively, overexpression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was related to higher Gleason score tumors. We postulate that alterations in metalloproteinase expression may be important in the control of tissue homeostasis related to prostate carcinogenesis and tumor behavior.FAPESP (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo) [2009/50368-9]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP

Prostatic Artery Embolization as a Primary Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Preliminary Results in Two Patients

Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) typically occurs in the sixth and seventh decades, and the most frequent obstructive urinary symptoms are hesitancy, decreased urinary stream, sensation of incomplete emptying, nocturia, frequency, and urgency. Various medications, specifically 5-α-reductase inhibitors and selective α-blockers, can decrease the severity of the symptoms secondary to BPH, but prostatectomy is still considered to be the traditional method of management. We report the preliminary results for two patients with acute urinary retention due to BPH, successfully treated by prostate artery embolization (PAE). The patients were investigated using the International Prostate Symptom Score, by digital rectal examination, urodynamic testing, prostate biopsy, transrectal ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Uroflowmetry and postvoid residual urine volume complemented the investigation at 30, 90, and 180 days after PAE. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia; embolization of the prostate arteries was performed with a microcatheter and 300- to 500-μm microspheres using complete stasis as the end point. One patient was subjected to bilateral PAE and the other to unilateral PAE; they urinated spontaneously after removal of the urethral catheter, 15 and 10 days after the procedure, respectively. At 6-month follow-up, US and MRI revealed a prostate reduction of 39.7% and 47.8%, respectively, for the bilateral PAE and 25.5 and 27.8%, respectively, for the patient submitted to unilateral PAE. The early results, at 6-month follow-up, for the two patients with BPH show a promising potential alternative for treatment with PAE

The role of Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) and Pepsinogen C (PGC) gene tissue expression as an adjunctive method to prostate cancer diagnosis

INTRODUÇÃO: O diagnóstico do câncer de próstata em pacientes com níveis séricos do antígeno prostático específico persistentemente elevados após biópsia prostática negativa representa um grande desafio para urologistas e patologistas. A baixa especificidade do antígeno prostático específico e a baixa sensibilidade da biópsia prostática guiada por ultra-som são os maiores obstáculos observados na prática clínica. Apesar do uso de diversos métodos para prever a presença de câncer na glândula, nenhum deles tem precisão absoluta, obrigando os pacientes a realizar novas biópsias. Neste contexto, a descoberta de novos marcadores diagnósticos para o câncer da próstata tornase necessária. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o valor diagnóstico da expressão de seis genes no tecido prostático de pacientes com câncer de próstata clinicamente localizado. MÉTODOS: O estudo consistiu na análise de 50 pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer da próstata, submetidos à prostatectomia radical por doença localizada. A seleção dos genes foi baseada em um estudo prévio que utilizou a tecnologia de microarray (Agilent Technologies 44k whole human genome, two-color) em pacientes com câncer de próstata, divididos de acordo com as características clínico-patológicas. Entre os 4.147 genes com expressão diferenciada entre os casos de câncer de próstata, seis genes (PSMA, TMEFF2, GREB1, TH1L, IgH3 e PGC) foram selecionados. Estes genes foram então testados quanto a seu valor diagnóstico no câncer da próstata através da técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativa com transcriptase reversa. Na primeira etapa do estudo, amostras de tecido maligno de 33 pacientes com câncer de próstata foram avaliadas. O grupo controle foi composto de nove pacientes com hiperplasia benigna da próstata. Na segunda etapa do estudo foram analisadas amostras de tecido benigno dos demais 17 pacientes com câncer da próstata. O mesmo grupo controle foi utilizado para comparação. RESULTADOS: A análise demonstrou que o PSMA estava super-expresso (em média nove vezes) e o PGC sub-expresso (em média de 1,3 x 10-4 vezes) no tecido neoplásico de todos os casos de câncer quando comparados com os casos de hiperplasia benigna. Os demais genes demonstraram um padrão de expressão variado, não permitindo a diferenciação entre os tecidos malignos e benignos. Quando estes resultados foram testados no tecido prostático benigno dos pacientes com câncer, o PGC manteve o mesmo padrão de expressão em todos os casos e o PSMA, apresentou-se super-expresso em 88% dos pacientes (média de 12 vezes), em relação aos casos de hiperplasia benigna. CONCLUSÃO: A combinação da super-expressão do PSMA e sub-expressão do PGC no tecido prostático pode representar uma evidência objetiva de presença de Cap. Análises clínicas prospectivas adicionais são necessárias para confirmar estes resultadosIntroduction and objective: Prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis in men with persistently increased PSA after a negative initial prostate biopsy has become a great challenge for urologists and pathologists. Despite the use of several methods to increase the sensitivity of prostate biopsy, the false-negative rates remain substantial, leading many patients to undergo repeated procedures. We analyzed the diagnostic value of six genes in the prostatic tissue of patients with clinically localized PCa, in order to predict the presence of cancer. Methods: The study was comprised by 50 patients with clinically localized PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy. Gene selection was based on a microarray analysis of patients with PCa. Among the 4,147 genes with different expressions between two groups, six genes (PSMA, TMEFF2, GREB1, TH1L, IgH3 and PGC) were selected. These genes were tested for its cancer diagnostic role using the quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method. In the first part of the study, malignant tissue samples from 33 patients were analyzed, and in the second part we analyzed benign tissue samples of the other 17 patients with PCa. The control group was comprised of prostatic tissue samples of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Results: The analysis of malignant prostatic tissue by qRTPCR showed that PSMA was over-expressed (mean nine times) and PGC was under-expressed (mean 1.3 x 10-4 times) in all cases when compared to BPH. The other four tested genes showed a variable expression pattern not allowing a differentiation between benign and malignant cases. When we tested these results in the benign prostate tissues from patients with PCa, PGC maintained the expression pattern, and PSMA, despite over-expression in most cases (mean 12 times), two cases (12%) presented under-expression. Conclusions: PGC under-expression and PSMA over-expression in the tissue may represent an objective evidence of prostate cancer and constitute a powerful adjunctive method in patients with negative prostate biopsy. Further prospective clinical analyses are necessary to confirm theses result

HOW TO REACH AND KEEP A NOTE 6?

Objective: To describe the main measures adopted in order to raise the concept of USP Urology program, and thus be able to help other programs with similar shortcomings to remedy these problems. Method: We highlighted the measures taken between the years 2005 and 2013 which contributed to the CAPES elevation of the Postgraduate Program of the USP Urology concept. Results: It was created new disciplines focused on researchers and teachers training rather than clinical aspects. Specific research areas have been created for each permanent teacher, and the theses and dissertations became linked research lines. The entire student body and faculty not interested or who had performance below the average was off the program. Was encouraged fundraising culture into program. It was also highlighted the creation of online medical record, where the clinical data of all patients treated at the Urology Division were stored. Conclusion: Rigorous selection of motivated faculty and students, able to create adequate infrastructure and achieving financial resources, is of fundamental importance for the consolidation of a postgraduate program