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P Carretero

Publications and source records attributed to P Carretero.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Measurement of complexed PSA in the differential diagnosis between prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia .

BACKGROUND: To enhance the specificity of PSA in diagnosis of cancer, several approaches have been evaluated, having in common the study of fractions of PSA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of complexed PSA in the differential diagnosis between benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. METHODS: We determined the concentrations of complexed PSA (Bayer, Tarrytown, NY) and total PSA (Tandem-R Assay, Hybritech Incorporated, San Diego, CA) in 196 patients with BPH and in 55 patients with prostate cancer. Likewise, the percentage of free PSA (Wallac, Turku, Finland) was determined for 124 of these patients. RESULTS: The specificity of complexed PSA was found to be greater than that of total PSA for the cutoff values corresponding to sensitivities of 80%, 85%, and 90%. Similarly, the area under the curve obtained by receiver-operating curve analysis was greater for complexed PSA than for total PSA, although significant differences were not observed. The diagnostic usefulness of complexed PSA in the differential diagnosis between BPH and prostate cancer was found to be lower than the percentage of free PSA. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that differential diagnosis with complexed PSA between BPH and prostate cancer is of little use, due to low efficacy when PSA results are extreme.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2000

p53 expression predicts progression and poor survival in T1 bladder tumours.

OBJECTIVES: Histological grade (G) is the only parameter proved to have prognostic value for progression in T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, although it is considered inaccurate to make clinical decisions on individuals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic relevance of p53 expression in T1 TCC of the bladder. METHODS: Clinical records of 207 patients with T1 TCC of the bladder were reviewed for clinical parameters reported to influence the evolution of superficial bladder cancer. Among these 207 patients, 40 developed muscle-invasive disease (20 G2 and 20 G3). A retrospective case-control study was then carried out comparing the latter 40 tumours with 40 control tumours matched by grade, sex, age, number and size of the tumours, chemical exposure and presence of carcinoma in situ. p53 immunostaining with monoclonal antibody was performed in these two groups. RESULTS: Histological grade was the only clinical parameter that influenced evolution. p53 expression correlated with tumour progression, since it was observed in 21 out of 24 p53-positive tumours and in only 20 of 56 p53-negative tumours (p<0.0001), showing a specificity of 93. 5% and a sensitivity of 53%. p53 expression correlated as well with patient survival, being 39% in patients with p53-positive tumours and 80% in patients with p53-negative tumours at 60 months (p<0. 0001). CONCLUSIONS: p53 protein expression has prognostic value for survival and progression in T1 bladder tumours and can be used for early detection of poor-prognosis T1 bladder tumours.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Numeric alterations in chromosomes 7 and 8 detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization correlate with high-grade localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ability of flow cytometry (FCM) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), using a small set of 4 enumeration chromosome probes to detect aneuploidy in prostate tumors, and to correlate it with histological grade and pathological stage. METHODS: Among 28 suitable cases, 21 could be analyzed by FISH and FCM techniques. DNA centromeric probes were used in FISH analysis to enumerate chromosomes 7, 8, 10 and 12. RESULTS: (a) Of the 21 cases studied by FISH, 5 were diploid, 14 aneuploid and 2 were tetraploid. When studied by FCM, these tumors were: 14 diploid, 6 aneuploid, and 1 tetraploid. FISH proved to have a higher ability for detecting DNA aneuploidy than FCM while been equally specific, since all tumors aneuploid by FCM were also found to be aneuploid by FISH. (b) Of the 14 aneuploid tumors, 12 were of high histological grade, while only 2 of the 7 nonaneuploid were of high grade. A statistically significant association was observed between high histological grade and FISH aneuploidy (p = 0.033). (c) All the aneuploid tumors showed chromosome 7 and/or 8 aneusomy. Trisomy 7 and monosomy 8 were the most frequent alterations present in 56 and 42% of the aneuploid tumors, respectively. CONCLUSION: FISH analysis of chromosome 7 and 8 alterations proved to be more sensitive than FCM in the detection of aneuploid prostate tumors. This aneuploidy was significantly associated with a poor pathological prognosis.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed1997

Cystic pyeloureteritis: review of 34 cases. Radiologic aspects and differential diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: To refine the clinical and radiologic description of an unusual benign disease, cystic pyeloureteritis (CPU), consisting of the appearance of suburothelial cysts that raise the mucosa layer of the urothelium. We also studied its relationship with various types of inflammation, including chronic infection, that may be the stimulus for the appearance of CPU. METHODS: We compiled 34 cases of CPU covering the period 1976 to 1994, analyzing the clinical manifestations, diagnostic procedures, differential diagnosis, and evolution. RESULTS: There are no specific symptoms associated with the presence of cysts. The average age of the patients was 59 years (range 30 to 77). Urinary tract infection was detected in 18 (53%). The pyeloureteritis was unilateral in 27 (79%) and bilateral in 7 (21%) of the patients. The location of the cysts was as follows: 1 pyelic (3%); 6 pyeloureteral (18%); and 27 (79%) ureteral. Resolution of the radiologic alterations depends on the resolution of the associated pathology: infections, lithiasis, and obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CPU is a benign pathology with indolent evolution and variable duration; it is not associated with sequelae. Diagnosis is made on the basis of radiologic findings, mainly intravenous urography; in view of the minor entity of the pathology, biopsy is not advisable if the radiologic findings are conclusive.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Clinical evaluation of free PSA/total PSA (prostate-specific antigen) ratio in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of the free/total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio (per cent free PSA) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Serum total PSA and free PSA concentrations were measured in 156 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 74 patients with prostate cancer using Hybritech Tandem immunoradiometric assays. Patients with prostate cancer had a significantly lower free/total PSA ratio than patients with BPH, although the distributions across study groups overlapped. In patients with a total PSA level between 4 micrograms/l and 25 micrograms/l, free/total PSA demonstrated better diagnostic utility than total PSA alone.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1997

Skeletal response to clodronate in prostate cancer with bone metastases.

Bone metastases, together with generalized bone resorption, represent the main complication in patients with advanced prostate cancer, and palliative treatments are required to delay the progression of the metastases and improve the quality of life of these patients. For this reason, the bisphosphonate clodronate was administered to 18 patients (clodronate group) from a total of 30, all of whom were receiving complete androgenic blockade; the remaining 12 formed the control group. Transiliac bone biopsies were taken at the beginning of the study and 6 months later to determine the effect of the bisphosphonate on the skeleton. The results were assessed by bone histomorphometry and showed, although without statistical significance between the groups, an antiresorptive effect of the clodronate expressed as the eroded surface/bone surface and as the osteoclast number/bone surface. However, the bone volume also decreased after 6 months of treatment. Similarly, osteoid formation decreased as indicated by the osteoid surface and by the osteoid volume, probably due to the effect of the drug on the osteoblasts. The mineralization rate was apparently slightly retarded in the clodronate group, although to a lesser degree than in the control group. The results confirm the antiresorptive effect of clodronate and its detrimental effect on osteoblast activity.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Free and total PSA in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The use of PSA in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is controversial. This is due to false-positive results caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Different forms of circulating PSA have recently been described. Initial studies indicate that the fraction of free PSA is lower in prostate cancer than in BPH, therefore suggesting that its measurement could be of some diagnostic value. We have assessed the serum value of the percentage of free/total PSA in the differential diagnosis of BPH and prostate cancer. The levels of PSA and free PSA (DELFIA) were measured in 145 BPH patients and 56 prostate cancer patients. Free PSA is a small fraction of PSA, and significantly lower levels are being found in prostate cancer. In those patients with a PSA level between 2 and 25 micrograms/l, the determination of the percentage of free PSA increased the diagnostic efficiency of PSA, while reducing the number of negative biopsies. We conclude that free PSA may be a useful marker for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Expression of glutathione S-transferase activity and glutathione content in squamous cell carcinoma of bladder associated with schistosomiasis in a population in Egypt.

The present study was designed to describe the expression of the glutathione S-transferase/glutathione system in squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder in a population in Egypt. The glutathione-S transferase activity was significantly higher in bladder cancer specimens (n = 40) in comparison with schistosomiasis cystitis tissue (n = 42) (4-fold, p = 1 x 10(-12)) and with healthy control samples (n = 9) (10-fold, p = 1 x 10(-6)). The glutathione content was also significantly higher in bladder cancer than in cystitis tissue (2-fold, p = 8 x 10(-6)) and in control samples (6-fold, 8 x 10(-6)). When control mucosa and cystitis samples were compared, 2-fold increased values were obtained for glutathione-S transferase (p = 4 x 10(-3)) and glutathione (p = 1 x 10(-3)) in schistosomiasis bladder tissue. Results describe an over-expression of glutathione-S transferase and glutathione levels in squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder, and indicate a possible role in chemoresistance to pharmacological therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Detection of nonprostatic PSA in serum and nonserum samples from women.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been characterized as a specific prostate marker, although recent studies have suggested the existence of PSA of nonprostatic sources. We have assessed the presence of PSA by an ultrasensitive assay in 276 serum and nonserum samples from women. Our data show the presence of PSA in 90% of nonserum samples, including milk secretions, breast cysts, amniotic fluids and broncho-alveolar washings. We have also detected its presence in 58% of the sera tested, although it only exceeded 0.1 microg/l in 6 of the cases. We conclude that PSA can no longer be considered a specific prostate tissue marker; since the concentrations detected in women's serum are ultralow, this finding appears to interfere minimally with its value as a tumoral marker.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1996

Prostate-specific antigen detection by ultrasensitive assay in samples from women.

BACKGROUND: The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) has been characterized as a specific prostate marker. Recent studies have indicated the existence of a PSA of nonprostatic origin detected in lactating women and breast tumors. METHODS: We have evaluated the presence of PSA by an ultrasensitive assay (COBAS CORE) in 252 serum and non serum samples from women. RESULTS: The results demonstrate the presence of PSA in 100% of the breast secretions, 81% of the breast cysts, 80% of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and 71% of the cytosols of breast cancer. Likewise, PSA was detected in 14% of the sera evaluated, although the concentrations were always lower than 0.5 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that PSA should not continue being considered as the specific prostate tissue marker although, given that the serum concentrations detected are very low, they do appear to interfere to a minimum extent in the usefulness of PSA as a tumor marker.

Breast↗