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J E Altwein

Publications and source records attributed to J E Altwein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Local recurrence of prostate cancer: hormone therapy].

BACKGROUND: The majority of patients receive HT after biochemical progression despite primary therapy of prostate cancer with curative intent. It is difficult to differentiate at a low rise in PSA level, e.g., <or=1 ng/ml, between local or systemic recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The PSA doubling time (DT) is the most reliable surrogate parameter to decide if HT should be initiated. In practice, however, the trigger PSA is used instead. The latter is closely related to the timing of HT. A high PSA is a contraindication for local salvage therapy. Intermittent HT is apparently as effective as continuous HT and shortens the time of HT exposure. RESULTS: Traditional HT employs a LHRH agonist, however, the side effect profile is a disadvantage due to the long duration of this treatment, e.g., sarcopenia, osteopenia, or even cognitive impairment. The alternative is nontraditional HT: nonsteroidal antiandrogen (AA) alone such as bicalutamide 150 mg or peripheral androgen blockade (AA plus 5alpha-reductase inhibitor). CONCLUSION: Even after a long duration of the latter HT the side effects are less pronounced (gynecomastia) and treatable. Particularly in patients with high-risk primary tumors [Gleason score 7(4+3)-10 or an initially high PSA], nontraditional HT may be followed by secondary HT.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗
PubMed2006

Biphosphonates in advanced prostate and renal cell cancer--current status and potential applications.

OBJECTIVE: This review summarizes recent findings on the therapeutic benefits of biphosphonates in patients with advanced prostate or renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The role of biphosphonates in ADT-induced osteoporosis and delay of skeletal-related events (SREs) in metastatic bone disease is discussed. A brief overview on the proposed modes of action is given. METHODS: Literature search of PubMed documented publications and abstracts from meetings. RESULTS: Among the biphosphonates currently available, zoledronic acid is the only one known to be capable of delaying SREs in RCC and prostate cancer patients. Zoledronic acid counteracts cancer treatment-induced osteoporosis in men with prostate malignancies. The antitumor activity of biphosphonates found in vitro and in vivo is intriguing and has to be further assessed in clinical studies. CONCLUSION: Due to its unique properties, zoledronic acid is a breakthrough in the management of metastatic bone disease in patients with advanced prostate cancer and RCC. It significantly improves the patients' quality of life, drastically prolongs time to first SRE, and showed a positive but not significant effect on survival.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

[Fortuitous finding microhematuria].

The present article describes the procedure to be followed when the rapid urinary test is positive, and identifies possible diffential diagnoses.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Early detection of cancer of the prostate. Pros and cons].

Since the introduction of PSA determination for the detection of cancer of the prostate, there have been discussions of the pros and cons of PSA screening for early detection of this cancer. The PSA test used in combination with digital rectal examination has proven to be a superior diagnostic instrument for the diagnosis of malignant prostate disease at an early stage. The German Guideline Catalog for the early detection of carcinoma of the prostate recommends measurement of the PSA from the age of 45 onwards in patients who have first been comprehensively informed about the further proceedings in the event of a positive result. To date, PSA screening has not been shown to lower the disease-specific mortality rate. Two ongoing randomized, multicentre studies (ERSPC and PLCO) are expected to throw more light on the matter.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Reversible, non-barrier male contraception: status and prospects.

OBJECTIVE: Male, non-barrier, contraceptive options are limited to vasectomy and inadequate methods such as withdrawal and periodic abstinence. Herein we give an overview of current research on male contraception by pharmacological means. METHODS: Literature search of PubMed documented publications and abstracts from meetings. RESULTS: Cross-cultural surveys show men's willingness to carry contraceptive responsibility. Clinical trials substantiate that hormonal contraception involving suppression of gonadotropins holds the best promise to provide a male pharmacological contraceptive. Androgens have been demonstrated to induce reversible infertility particularly in combination with certain progestins and GnRH antagonists. Advances in non-endocrine contraception include intervention with triptolide derivatives, alkylated imino sugars, and immunization by eppin. CONCLUSION: The prospect of a pharmacological, male contraceptive has been considerably advanced in recent years. Long-term studies involving a greater number of subjects may result in a safe, reversible and effective means. Asia is likely to be the first market for male, hormonal contraceptive methods. The clinical evaluation of non-endocrine approaches may ultimately lead to an alternative to hormone-based male contraception.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is prevalent, bothersome and underdiagnosed in patients consulting urologists for benign prostatic syndrome (BPS).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients visiting office-based urologists in Germany because of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to evaluate the impact of ED on quality of life (QoL) in these patients. METHODS: 500 office-based urologists in Germany were invited to evaluate 20 consecutive patients for erectile dysfunction, who presented because of BPH-related LUTS. Physicians provided information on demographic factors, duration and treatment history of BPH, severity of LUTS, ED risk factors, and assessed the patient for the clinical diagnosis of ED. Patients were asked to complete the German version of the IPSS to measure LUTS severity. ED-patients quantified erectile dysfunction and impact on quality of life with validated German questionnaires (Cologne assessment of male erectile dysfunction KEED, and Qol-Med). RESULTS: Office-based urologists were aware of ED in 37.3% of 8768 patients presenting for LUTS before the study, 14.7% of patients were treated for ED. After the study-related assessment, physicians diagnosed ED in 62.1% of these patients and planned treatment in 46.9%. Severity of LUTS and ED prevalence correlated significantly after age-stratification. The incidence of ED was increased in patients with established ED risk factors. Mean QoL-Med score (best QoL: 100, worst QoL: 0) was 53.8 in patients with ED and 50.1 in ED-patients considering treatment. CONCLUSION: ED is highly prevalent in LUTS patients visiting an office-based urologist and is accompanied by a profound impact on the quality of life. Apparently, even during an urological consultation many ED-patients are hesitant to actively ask for treatment. Sexual issues should become key considerations for physicians managing patients with LUTS, especially since effective and well established oral treatment for ED is available.

Erectile Dysfunction↗
PubMed2005

The probiotic approach: an alternative treatment option in urology.

OBJECTIVE: The prophylactic and therapeutic use of probiotic microorganisms is a wide and still controversial field. The review paper is aimed to summarize recent findings on the health-benefiting effects of probiotics in urological diseases. The use of certain beneficial strains against urogenital infections, bladder cancer recurrence and renal stone formation is discussed. METHODS: Literature search of PubMed documented publications and abstracts from meetings. RESULTS: Various clinical trials have now been performed which substantiate the beneficial effects of the probiotic strains L. rhamnosus GR-1, L. fermentum RC-14 and L. crispatus CTV-05 against urogenital infections, such as urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis. The potential of L. casei Shirota to reduce the recurrence rate of bladder cancer is one of the most intriguing examples for the use of probiotics in medical practice. The use of O. formigenes in the prevention of calcium oxalate stone disease was only recently suggested and needs to be further investigated. CONCLUSION: Clinical trials increasingly provide a profound scientific basis for the use of probiotics in medicinal practice including urology. Efforts to make probiotic products available which are validated according to the guidelines recommended by the WHO and FAO and produced according to Good Manufacturing Practice will contribute to the acceptance of probiotic therapy by both the physicians and the patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Long-term outcome of radical prostatectomy in an observation period of at least 10 years].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of radical prostatectomy in unselected patients with prostate cancer of relatively poor prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1977 and 1989, 293 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. We analyzed 224 patients with a minimum follow-up of 10 years (mean 14 years, range 10.5 to 24 years). RESULTS: The pathological stage distribution of these 224 patients was pT1 in 14.3 %, pT2 43.6 %, pT3 39.1 % and pT4 3 %. Of these patients, 50 (22.3 %) had positive lymph nodes and 45 (20.1 %) positive margins. At 10 years after surgery, the actuarial survival rate for all patients was 67.1 % and the cancer-specific survival rate 85 %. Once progression of the disease developed, the median actuarial time to death was 5.5 years. Since PSA measurements were not introduced in the follow-up after radical prostatectomy until 1986, PSA data were available in only 84 (37.5 %) patients. In a survival analysis, preoperative PSA (< 10 ng/ml vs. > or = 10 ng/ml) was a significant predictor of the probability of positive margins (22 % vs. 78 %) and cancer-specific survival (87 % vs. 69 %) after 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival can be expected even in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2002

[Early detection and follow-up of prostatic carcinoma. Responsibilities of the general practitioner].

Apart from digital rectal examination, the determination of prostate specific antigen is essential for the early detection of cancer of the prostate. The combination of these two examinations significantly improves screening efficacy. With the aid of a well-tested algorithm, the family doctor can establish the need for a urological investigation, and thus help to ensure early, curative treatment. Preventive measures can be rendered more effective by providing individual advice on such matters as lifestyle (risk factors, diet). It now appears that dietary measures are capable of slowing the increase in PSA following definitive treatment. Schematic disease-specific aftercare is usually the domain of the urologist. The general practitioner, however, is confronted by such problems as logistical considerations, documentation, palliative management (e.g. treatment of pain) and the problems associated with concomitant symptoms, the relevance of which needs to be assessed. Overall, however, the main concern of the general practitioner is with aspects of rehabilitation.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Prevention and complementary medicine in aging].

The subsequent brief review is based on a systematic literature search (Medline, http://www.lef.org and books under the topic Antiaging from 2001). Among the preventive and complementary measures against aging, caloric restriction with an adequate diet is in first place. If the energy supply is reduced by 17%, cardiovascular mortality drops to 31-41%. Among the mechanisms of aging, impaired formation of reactive oxygen species (oxidative stress) plays an important role. Moreover, antioxidants (vitamins A and B as well as selenium) provide protection. If obesity is complicated by a metabolic syndrome, a formula diet should be employed under the supervision of the urologist. The hormonal changes involved in the male climacteric should be treated by hormone replacement therapy. Testosterone given as a gel, plaster, or injection compensates for the secondary hypogonadism and treats osteoporosis. The muscle function can be improved by physical activity only. Sexual dysfunction, however, is not corrected with androgen hormone replacement therapy, whereas an appropriate physical training program may even improve potency by inducing a reactive penile hyperemia. In his office the urologist may implement a program specifically for the "aging male." If he diagnoses a metabolic syndrome, effective countermeasures are required to prevent early onset of arteriosclerosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Oral treatment of erectile dysfunction with apomorphine SL.

Apomorphine SL (Ixense, Uprima) is a new oral medication shown to be effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This compound is a dopaminergic agonist with affinity for dopamine receptor sites - mostly D(2) - within the brain known to be involved in sexual function. Apomorphine induces selective activation in the nucleus paraventricularis leading to erectogenic signals. More than 5,000 men with erectile dysfunction participated in phase II/III clinical trials assessing the safety and efficacy of doses ranging from 2 to 6 mg. The most favorable risk/benefit ratio is seen with a dose-optimization regimen of 2-3 mg: the 3-mg dose provides efficacy comparable to that of 4 mg but with fewer side effects. Consequently, review of clinical studies focuses on data with the 2- to 3-mg dose, the registered dose for use in clinical practice. The primary efficacy endpoint in most clinical trials with apomorphine SL was the percentage of attempts resulting in erections firm enough for intercourse - one of the most rigorous endpoints used in ED trials to date. These data were collected from both patients and their partners by reviewing entries in patient diaries and partner BSFI questionnaires. Secondary endpoints included percentage of attempts resulting in intercourse and improvement in ED severity based on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The proportion of attempts resulting in erections firm enough for intercourse was 49.4% with 3 mg compared with the baseline value of 24.3%. Partner evaluations corresponded with those of the patients. Erections occurred between 18 and 19 min after taking apomorphine SL 2 or 3 mg. The most common side effect was nausea which declined with continued use. Vasovagal syncope was reported in <0.2% of men, and was preceded by clear prodromal symptoms. Thus, apomorphine SL is an effective, well-tolerated drug for erectile dysfunction.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

[Early detection of prostate carcinoma. What diagnosis is of value when?].

Early detection of carcinoma of the prostate is based on digital rectal examination of the gland (DRE), transrectal ultrasonic exploration of the gland (TRUS) and determination of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the serum. The sensitivity of DRE along, but also in conjunction with TRUS is inadequate for early detection. Furthermore, two-thirds of all palpable prostate carcinomas have already breached the organ (T3), and are no longer curable by such local measures as radical prostatectomy or radio-therapy. Nevertheless, DRE is mandatory, since, when an induration is palpable, a prostate biopsy should be obtained even when the PSA is normal (< 4 ng/ml). Imaging procedures, such as TRUS or endorectal NMR have only a secondary role in early detection, while TRUS is indispensable for a controlled biopsy of the prostate. The most important early detection measure is the annual determination of PSA (syn. traditional or total PSA), during which both bound and free PSA is determined using an immunoassay. A chronic problem with the evaluation of serum levels of this organ marker - which is not an antigen specific for prostate carcinoma - is the fact that although it has an acceptable sensitivity (> 90%),its specificity is low (40% false positive findings). Attempts have been made to reduce the rate of unnecessary biopsies by measuring free PSA, PSA-density, age-corrected PSA or bound PSA. However, such attempts have failed to improve the efficacy of traditional PSA measurement in the individual case. In the guidelines relating to the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma established by the German urologists, the present recommendation requires PSA measurement once a year from the age of 45 onwards.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The combination of LH-RH analogues with other treatment modalities in prostate cancer.

Androgen deprivation is the mainstay of therapy for prostate cancer. LHRH agonists are an essential part of this form of treatment and may be employed as the only endocrine manipulation, or in combination with antiandrogens, i.e., maximal androgen blockade. In patients with bone metastases, maximal androgen blockade prolongs life for 3-6 months. The patient with minimal metastatic spread, however, may benefit much longer from this combination. In addition to being used permanently, maximal androgen blockade may be given intermittently. In locally advanced prostate cancer, LH-RH analogues, alone or together with antiandrogens, are presently being studied in conjunction with radical surgery or definitive irradiation. Whether such a neoadjuvant or adjuvant use postpones the time to progression has not yet been decided. The patient with lymph node metastases seems to benefit from early androgen deprivation in conjunction with radical prostatectomy, if the primary tumor is diploid.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗
PubMed2000

[Maximal androgen blockade].

According to the representative data of the Tumor Registry Munich, 38.1 % of prostate cancer patients received a primary androgen deprivation, whereas 20.5 % had an adjuvant hormonal treatment. Following surgical castration being the most common form of androgen deprivation, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone is still present in prostate cancer tissue. Therefore, a maximal androgen blockade (MAB) consisting of a chemical or surgical castration plus a pure or antigonadotropic antiandrogen, has been proposed. Indeed, MAB lowers the dihydrotestosterone-androgen-receptor complex and suppresses the growth-factor dominated signal transduction. This leads to a measurable increase of apoptosis. New is the finding that LHRH as well as LH (for example following surgical castration) are bound by receptors located at the prostate cancer cell. In 30 phase-III trials, MAB has been tested against monotherapy and a cancer-specific survival advantage of 3 to 6 months and a approximately 6-month delay of progression was demonstrated. The most effective form of MAB is the combination of a LHRH agonist - in contrast to surgical castration - with a well-tolerated pure antiandrogen. The quality of life during MAB is low, if a pure antiandrogen such as flutamide is used which leads to rather serious side-effects. At the present time, special indications for MAB are patients with minimal metastases, bone pain at the time of diagnosis, a neoadjuvant or adjuvant application in combination with a radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy and particularly intermittent androgen deprivation which is tested at the present time in at least 5 international studies. An endocrine withdrawal syndrome is observed in approximately 30 % of patients, if, following a PSA-relapse, the antiandrogen is discontinued. Little notice has been given to the use of prognosticators for the decision, whether a MAB is useful or not. Patients with good prognostic factors as defined by Sylvester have a clear advantage, if MAB is compared to monotherapy, whereas patients with a pure prognosis did not benefit. In addition to these prognostic factors up-front, the PSA dynamics under an initial MAB may be employed for the decision, if this form of androgen deprivation is to be continued or not. In essence, in contrast to a general use of MAB a more differential application based on quality-of-life issues and prognosis should be preferred.

Androgen Antagonists↗