The biological behavior of prostatic cancer is influenced by many host and tumor factors. The proliferative activity of the malignancies can be one of those parameters which serve as the basis to estimate prognosis and design treatment. Here, DNA content and S-phase fraction of prostatic cancer samples obtained by radical prostatectomy from 46 patients were related to other known tumor characteristics (PSA, staging, grading). Nuclei from the paraffin embedded materials were isolated with overnight trypsin-ribonuclease mixture digestion. DNA content and cell cycle distribution were determined by flow cytometry. A correlation was found between the PSA concentration, grading and staging on the one hand and S-phase fraction on the other. DNA content correlated with grading. No kinetic parameter correlated with the nodal involvement. Due to the association between abnormal DNA content plus SPF > 5% with advanced stage and less differentiated appearance of the tumor, we can conclude that these parameters are useful to estimate prognosis.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Limited indication of gastrocystoplasty.

A 28-year-old woman presented a huge vesico-vagino-rectal fistula after radiotherapy applied because of a gynaecological tumour. Reconstruction consisted of a colostomy, closure of the rectal hole with a pedicled perineal skin graft, a bivalve opening of the bladder and, with the two halves coverage of the vaginal suture line, and augmentation gastrocystoplasty. The fistulas healed but the patient suffered from an intolerable burning sensation. That is, why the stomach wall was removed and ureteroileocutaneostomy was created. The colostomy was closed, and now the patient has a well-functioning urine stoma.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Minimal and direct access ureterolithotomy.

Authors developed an alternative method to laparoscopic surgery for ureterolithotomy. The surgery is of minimal access because the length of the single skin incision ranges from 3 to 4 cm, depending on the type of exploration. It is of direct access because the surgeon sees the operative area directly and stereoscopically with his own two eyes without video-optical support. The procedure requires a special open-lumen retractorscope (Jakoscope) with a high intensity fiberoptic light system and modified standard hand instruments. Ureterolithotomy is operated retroperitoneally through a minilumbotomy incision. The procedures are simple, rapid and the instruments are inexpensive. The postoperative pain and morbidity are comparable to the laparoscopic approach.

Adult↗