José Placer

Clinical Utility of a Multiprobe FISH Assay in Voided Urine Specimens for the Detection of Bladder Cancer and its Recurrences, Compared with Urinary Cytology

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the clinical utility of a Multi-color FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) assay in voided urine specimens for the detection of bladder cancer and its recurrences, comparing the results with those afforded by urinary cytology. METHODS Voided urine samples from 86 patients were obtained for urine cytology and FISH analysis. The latter was performed using a mixture of fluorescent labeled DNA probes for the centromeric regions of chromosomes 3, 7 and 17, and the 9p21 region. Cystoscopy with biopsy or tumor resection was performed in all patients, comparing the pathological results with the cytological and FISH findings. RESULTS Urinary cytology affords an overall sensitivity of 63.8%, the figure being 25% for grade 1, 66.6% for grade 2 and 94.7% for grade 3 tumors. The sensitivities for FISH were 53.3% for grade 1, 83.3% for grade 2 and 100% for grade 3 tumors, with an overall sensitivity of 80.4%. The specificities of urinary cytology and FISH were 86.1 and 85.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS FISH improves the sensitivity rates obtained with urine cytology for bladder cancer detection in all tumor grades and stages, and offers similar specificity. FISH doubles the accuracy of urinary cytology in application to low grade-stage tumors, and detects all high grade infiltrating tumors.

Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate: Outcome and Complications of Self-taught Learning Curve

OBJECTIVES To analyze the self-learning curve of a single surgeon with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and outcome of the procedure after 2 years of experience. METHODS The data from the first 125 patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were assessed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. The patient evaluations included serum prostate-specific antigen measurement, peak urinary flow rate determination, postvoid residual volume measurement, and symptom scores. To assess the effect of the learning curve on the perioperative data and complications, the patients were divided into subgroups of 25 consecutive patients. RESULTS The mean patient age was 71.4 years. The average prostate volume was 75.8 mL, and the mean weight of the enucleated tissue was 46.7 g. The average operative time was 109.8 minutes. The operative times and enucleation and morcellation efficiency rates improved significantly during the learning process. The mean hemoglobin loss was 1.7 g/dL. The median catheter time and hospital stay was 44 and 30 hours, respectively. Compared with baseline, at 1 year postoperatively, the median postvoid residual urine volume had declined by 99 mL, the mean peak urinary flow rate had increased by 19 mL/s, and the mean American Urological Association symptom score had decreased by 16.5 points. All changes observed were significant and regardless of the prostate size. Persistent stress urinary incontinence (4.8%) occurred with the first enucleations of large-size prostates. Other complications included bladder neck contracture (4%) in small-size prostates and bulbar urethra stricture (1.6%). CONCLUSIONS Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate is a safe, reproducible and effective surgical modality. Case selection is necessary to avoid the morbidity associated with the first stages of the self-taught learning curve, mainly urinary incontinence.

Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer detection

Metabolic syndrome can identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing worldwide and is associated with increased age, obesity and hypogonadism. The association between metabolic syndrome and prostate cancer development has not been studied comprehensively, and published studies report divergent results. This study indicates that tumours detected in men with metabolic syndrome are more aggressive than those detected in men without this condition.

Alendronate decreases the fracture risk in patients with prostate cancer on androgen-deprivation therapy and with severe osteopenia or osteoporosis

To evaluate changes in bone mass and fracture risk in patients with prostate cancer on androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) and with a basal T‐score of >−2.0, who were treated with an oral bisphosphonate, as such patients treated with ADT are at increased risk of bone loss and bone fracture.

Evaluation of the serum testosterone to prostate-specific antigen ratio as a predictor of prostate cancer risk

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)
 Level of Evidence 2b

MYC copy number gains are associated with poor outcome in penile squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE We determined MYC gene numerical aberrations and protein expression at different stages of penile squamous cell carcinoma carcinogenesis. We correlated these findings with clinicopathological parameters and HPV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated 79 cases of penile squamous cell carcinoma, including 11 in situ and 68 invasive carcinomas. The MYC cytogenetic profile was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. HPV was detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification. RESULTS MYC gains were identified in 4 of 11 in situ carcinomas (36%) and 50 of 68 invasive penile squamous cell carcinomas (73%). A significant association between MYC gains, and tumor progression and poor outcome was demonstrated (p <0.05). HPV DNA was detected in 32 of 79 penile squamous cell carcinomas (39%). High risk type 16 was the most prevalent type. MYC numerical aberrations did not correlate with HPV status. A significant association between HPV and MYC protein over expression was noted. In HPV negative cases MYC gains correlated with MYC over expression. CONCLUSIONS MYC gains progressively increased during penile squamous cell carcinoma progression from in situ samples to metastases. MYC gains were an independent factor for poor prognosis. These findings were independent of HPV infection. MYC expression was increased in samples with HPV infection, probably reflecting direct activation of MYC.

Role of Serum Cholesterol and Statin Use in the Risk of Prostate Cancer Detection and Tumor Aggressiveness

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between statin use along with serum cholesterol levels and prostate cancer (PCa) detection and aggressiveness. Statin users of three years or more and serum cholesterol levels (SC) were assessed in 2408 men scheduled for prostate biopsy. SC was classified as normal (NSC: <200 mg/dL) or high (HSC: >200 mg/dL). High-grade PCa (HGPCa) was considered if the Gleason score was greater than 7. Statin users comprised 30.9% of those studied. The PCa detection rate was 31.2% of men on statins and 37% of non-statin users (p < 0.006). The PCa detection rate was 26.3% in men with NSC and 40.6% in those with HSC (p < 0.001). In the subset of NSC men, the PCa rate was 26.5% for statin users and 26.2% for non-users (p = 0.939), while in men with HSC, the PCa rate was 36.4% for statin users and 42.0% for non-statin users (p = 0.063). The HGPCa rate was 41.8% for statin users and 32.5% for non-users (p = 0.012). NSC men had a 53.8% rate of HGPCa, while the rate was only 27.6% in HSC men (p < 0.001). NSC men on statins had an HGPCa rate of 70.2%, while non-statin users had a rate of 41.2% (p < 0.001). The HGPCa rate for HSC men on statins was 18.8%, while the rate was 30.0% (p = 0.011) for non-users. Logistic regression analysis suggested that serum cholesterol levels could serve as an independent predictor of PCa risk, OR 1.87 (95% CI 1.56–2.24) and HGPCa risk, OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.23–0.44), while statin usage could not. Statin treatment may prevent PCa detection through serum cholesterol-mediated mechanisms. A disturbing increase in the HGPCa rate was observed in statin users who normalized their serum cholesterol.

Clinical significance of proliferative inflammatory atrophy finding in prostatic biopsies

Proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) has been involved in prostatic carcinogenesis. However, little is known about the clinical significance of a PIA finding in prostatic biopsies (PBs). The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of prostate inflammatory atrophy (PIA) in prostate biopsies (PBs), its association to high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), prostate cancer (PCa), and tumor aggressiveness.

Urinary biomarkers for the detection of prostate cancer in patients with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia

High‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is a recognized precursor stage of PCa. Men who present HGPIN in a first prostate biopsy face years of active surveillance including repeat biopsies. This study aimed to identify non‐invasive prognostic biomarkers that differentiate early on between indolent HGPIN cases and those that will transform into actual PCa.

Clinical Significance of Proliferative Inflammatory Atrophy in Negative Prostatic Biopsies: Pia in Negative Prostatic Biopsies

To analyze the association between prostatic proliferative inflammatory atrophy finding in negative prostate biopsies and future detection of prostate cancer (PCa) and its aggressiveness in men subjected to repeat biopsies, due to persistent suspicion of PCa.