Ramesh Thurairaja

State-of-the-art approaches to detecting early bone metastasis in prostate cancer.

Normal bone biology involves interactions between several cell types and their mediators to control bone remodelling in the dynamic skeleton. Bone remodelling is a balanced process of bone synthesis and resorption (osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity). Osteoblasts, derived from mesenchymal stem cells, form bone over ≈ 3 months by producing collagen and bone proteins, and causing the mineralization of bone matrix. Osteoclasts, cells originally from monocyte/macrophage precursors, break down bone over a 3-week period by releasing acid, collagenases and proteases to dissolve the organic and mineral content of bone [8].

DON'T THINK ONCE, THINK TWICE! THE CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION THERAPY

As patients live longer, the proportion of elderly patients is increasing. Patients aged > 85 years are currently the largest growing population group in the UK. Whereas in 1983 there were only 600 000 patients aged > 85 years, this doubled to 1.3 million in 2008. By the year 2033 it is expected that this number will rise further to in excess of 3.3 million. This would represent 5% of the population [1]. There is likely to be parallel increase in the incidence of prostate cancer in the UK. Although the current prognosis is good, with an estimated 5-year disease-specific survival rate of 81% in England, increasing to 98.6% if organ-confined [2], it is probable that current treatment strategies will have to evolve in line with this demographic change.

Radionuclide bone scintigraphy in patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: when is it indicated?

factors together allow a greater range of mobility of the infant hip joint. The flexed hip of infants can be abducted to 90 ° so that both the knees can simultaneously touch the couch, a movement impossible in adults. Urologists wishing to place an infant in the lithotomy position should use this anatomical advantage. Using this principle, I suggest the following technique, which I have used for the past 8 years.

Subcutaneous mercury injection into scrotum: Case report and review of the literature

a Speciality Trainee 1 (Surgery in General), Severn Deanery, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom b Specialist Registrar in Urology, Department of Urology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom c Clinical Research Fellow in Urology, Department of Urology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom d Consultant Urological Surgeon, Department of Urology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom

Broadening the criteria for avoiding staging bone scans in prostate cancer: a retrospective study of patients at the royal marsden hospital

usually requires no anaesthesia when used for haemorrhoids. If the bleeding is profuse an assistant is needed to aspirate the rectum. The bleeding point is controlled with artery forceps passed through the ring of the banding device, with the band mounted ready for application. After the band has been fired, the artery forceps are released. The band remains in situ, securing the haemostasis and sloughing off a few days later with no recurrence of the bleeding.