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Biomedical subjects

Z Kirkali

Publications and source records attributed to Z Kirkali.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Locally recurrent paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma treated with surgery and radiotherapy.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma is a highly malignant neoplasm and is exceedingly rare in adults. Thus, its biological behavior is unclear and there is no standard established treatment. The prognosis of recurrent paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma is dismal in the elderly. Herein we describe a case of locally recurrent paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma in a 68-year-old patient treated with surgery and radiotherapy.

Aged↗

Is magnetic resonance imaging necessary in the staging of prostate cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the necessity of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the staging of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with prostate cancer were evaluated with MRI for preoperative staging with a conventional body-coil (Siemens Magnetom, 1.0 Tesla superconducting system). Twenty-nine patients underwent radical prostatectomy for presumed clinically localized disease. Of those, 17 were staged both with MRI and computerized tomography (CT). The remaining patients were staged with CT alone. MRI and CT findings, and the final pathologic staging of patients are reviewed. RESULTS: On pathological examination of the surgical specimens, the tumor was found to extend beyond the prostate in 7 patients (41%). Among the 17 patients who were operated, extraprostatic extension (EPE) was detected accurately in 3 patients with MRI (sensitivity 20%, specificity 92%, accuracy 70. 5%). No metastatic lymph nodes were detected on the basis of MRI (sensitivity 0%, specificity 93%, accuracy 88.2%). In 1 patient EPE was correctly identified by CT (sensitivity 14%, specificity 100%, accuracy 64.7%). CONCLUSION: Neither MRI with conventional body-coild nor CT are sufficient to indicate local extension of disease in clinically localized prostate cancer.

Aged↗

Contractility changes of the deep dorsal penile vein due to serotonin.

PURPOSE: Penile erection is a complex neurovascular phenomenon that takes place with the active contribution of arterial and sinusoidal structures. However, some authors claim that larger veins including the deep dorsal veins that produce contractions, might be involved in the physiology of erection. This study was designed to clarify the contractile properties of deep dorsal penile veins (DDPV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and acethylcholine (Ach) on the isolated DDPVs of 16 impotent men, 9 with veno-occlusive dysfunction and 7 without venous leakage, and 5 potent men (controls) who underwent radical prostatectomy, were examined in vitro. RESULTS: Although NA, ATP and Ach had no effect, 5-HT produced concentration-dependent contractions. Emax and pEC50 of 5-HT were 411 +/- 10 mg., 5.92 +/- 0.25; 1020 +/- 260 mg., 5.83 +/- 0.24 and 160 +/- 40 mg., 6.4 +/- 0.22 in controls and patients who had venous leakage and no venous leakage, respectively. Samples of controls were contracted only with 5-HT2 agonist, DOI (pEC50 = 5.63 +/- 0.02), and these contractions were antagonized with 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin. On the other hand, both DOI (pEC50 = 6.30 +/- 0.77) and 5-HT1 agonist, 5-CT (pEC50 = 6.23 +/- 0.21) produced venoconstriction in patients with veno-occlusive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that 5-HT receptor functions in the DDPVs are of 5-HT2 subtype in potent men and the altered response to 5-HT in patients with veno-occlusive disease may play a role in the pathophysiology of impotence.

Acetylcholine↗

Testicular microlithiasis associated with teratocarcinoma and intratubular germ cell neoplasia: a case report.

Testicular microlithiasis is a rare condition that has characteristic sonographic and histologic features. It is often associated with premalignant changes and malignant neoplasms of the testes. We report a case of testicular microlithiasis associated with teratocarcinoma and intratubular germ cell neoplasia. Three previously reported cases documented development of malignant germ cell tumor during the clinical follow-up period of patients with testicular microlithiasis. We think that testicular microlithiasis is strongly associated with testicular neoplasms, and that coexistence of intratubular germ cell neoplasia and malignant germ cell tumors with testicular microlithiasis is common.

Adult↗

Is there still a place for surgery in the treatment of ureteral stones?

Although most ureteral stones can be treated with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) and endourology, there still is a small percent of patients whose stones can not be treated with minimally invasive techniques and thus require open surgery. Retroperitoneoscopic surgery is a good alternative for this subgroup of patients. It provides a direct access to the retroperitoneum, less morbid than an open operation and provides a better cosmetic result. On the very rare occasion open surgery with ureteral reimplantation to the bladder is required in those patients with lower ureteral stones. We have seen 1297 patients with stones larger than 5 mm in the ureter during the last 7 years. Among those undergoing watchful waiting 82% were stone-free; and that was 2.4% of all ureteral stones. Among those 1258 patients whom required a treatment 82.1% underwent in situ ESWL and 74.5% of them were rendered stone-free. In 8.9% of the patients ureteroscopy was performed (50% primary, and 50% for failed ESWL) with a stone-free rate of 75.8%. Open stone surgery was required in 8.9%, and retroperitoneoscopic surgery for ureteral stones was performed in only 0.15% of all patients. The best form of treatment for a ureteral stone is watchful waiting and the patient passing the stone without any intervention. Although that is the best scenario, this is a very painful condition and unfortunately most patients require some form of treatment. While ESWL for upper and mid ureteral non-obstructing and non-impacted stones is highly effective, stones in the lower ureter can be successfully treated via ureteroscopy. There still are some patients who require open surgery and retroperitoneoscopic surgery can be an alternative for this subgroup of patients offering a less morbid and better cosmetic result.

Adolescent↗

99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: clinical validation of the relationship between 99mTc-MIBI uptake and P-glycoprotein expression in tumour tissue.

Technetium-99m hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) and thallium-201 imaging was performed in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is a well-known tumour type demonstrating P1-glycoprotein (PGP) overexpression. Two scintigraphic patterns - Tl(+)/MIBI(-) in primary tumour and Tl(+)/MIBI(+) in metastatic tumour - were observed, suggesting high- and low-level PGP expression, respectively. Immunochemical study for PGP revealed strong staining of the primary tumour cells. This case clinically validates the previously suggested relationship between 99mTc-MIBI uptake and PGP expression.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Bellini duct (collecting duct) carcinoma of the kidney.

Bellini duct (collecting duct) carcinoma of the kidney is a rare entity often misinterpreted as renal or transitional cell carcinoma on histologic examination. Immunohistochemical identification of specific antigens is needed for the differential diagnoses. We describe a case of Bellini duct carcinoma that arose from the collecting ducts of Bellini and was treated with aggressive surgery and interferon-based immunochemotherapy.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Significance of serum laminin P1 values in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate the relation between serum laminin P1 expression and the grade, stage, size, and multiplicity of the tumors to elucidate the potential role of laminin as a diagnostic and prognostic factor in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. METHODS: Serum concentration of laminin P1 was measured by radioimmunoassay in 38 patients with TCC of the bladder and compared with the serum laminin P1 values obtained from 34 healthy control subjects. Patients were grouped according to their tumor stage, grade, size, and multiplicity to compare the serum laminin P1 values. RESULTS: The mean serum laminin P1 level in the patient group was statistically higher than the controls (P = 1.3 x 10(-8); with the destruction of basement membrane (stages pT1 or greater), a significant increase in the serum value was observed (P = 0.00023). Laminin level was found to be positively related to the tumor size and number; however, no correlation was observed with the grade. In tumors invading the lamina propria and beyond, the sensitivity of laminin P1 was 78.9% and specificity was 97.1%. The positive and negative predictive values of laminin P1 were 93.7% and 89.5%, respectively. The patients whose serum laminin P1 levels were above the upper limit of normal (1.6863 U/mL) were found to have a higher recurrence rate (72%) than the patients who had lower serum values in the control cystoscopies performed 3 months after the first admission (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum laminin P1 seems to be a valuable adjunctive marker to predict tumor invasion and recurrence. This warrants further research.

Aged↗

Effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in the management of stone-bearing horseshoe kidneys.

Although extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) has dramatically changed the management of urinary tract stone disease, the anatomic abnormalities of horseshoe kidneys cause some difficulties in the use of SWL in this disorder. In this study, 18 patients with stone-bearing horseshoe kidneys were investigated retrospectively in order to determine the effectiveness of SWL. Patients received an average of 11,437 + or - 3062 shocks at an average of 18.8 kV with the Siemens Lithostar. Ten patients were treated in the supine position; stones could be localized in the prone position in eight. Catheterization with a double-J stent was the only adjunctive procedure; it was used in four patients prior to SWL. Adequate stone fragmentation (smaller than 5 mm) was achieved in 14 of the 18 patients (78%). Although 5 of them (28%) became stone free within 6 months after the treatment, residual fragments persisted in 9 patients (50%) during the mean follow-up of 55 months. Stones of 4 patients (22%) were not fragmented adequately. We concluded that although adequate fragmentation can be achieved in stone-bearing horseshoe kidneys, the anatomic abnormalities prevent fragment passage in a substantial number of patients.

Adult↗

Effect of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy on plasma and urine endothelin concentrations.

Since the first reports of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), there have been increasing numbers of articles in the literature documenting renal blood flow impairment and blood pressure elevation as complications. However, little is known about the pathophysiology and prevention of these complications. In this prospective study, the influence of high-energy shockwaves on plasma and urine endothelin concentrations was investigated in 20 patients with renal stones. The patients were randomly assigned to receive a calcium channel blocker, 10 mg of nitrendipine (Bypress; Bayer) (N = 10) 2 hours before SWL or no medication (control group; N = 10). Blood samples were taken just before and 1 minute after application of 3000 shocks. Urine samples were collected by ureteral catheters. The plasma endothelin-1 concentrations were significantly elevated after SWL in the control group (P = 0.003). On the other hand, nitrendipine significantly reduced plasma endothelin concentrations after SWL (P = 0.003). No significant change was observed in urine samples and blood pressure measurements. These results suggest that endothelin release after SWL may be a cause for lithotripsy-induced hemodynamic changes. Medical prevention with calcium channel blockers warrants further investigation.

Adult↗

Cisplatin and etoposide chemotherapy in the treatment of adult Wilms' tumor.

A 64-year-old man underwent left radical nephrectomy for stage III anaplastic Wilms' tumor. He received adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and etoposide. Complete clinical response was achieved and maintained for 12 months. A systemic relapse after 1 year also responded to three more cycles of cisplatin and etoposide. Although cisplatin- and etoposide-based chemotherapy was not used as a first-line therapy in adult patients with Wilms' tumor described in the literature, this case demonstrates the promising activity of this combination also in adults with this disease entity.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗

Prostatic carcinoma presenting with painless parotid mass.

Metastasis of prostate cancer to the parotid gland is exceedingly rare, with only 4 cases reported in the literature. We present the case of an 83-year-old white man who had a painless parotid mass that was diagnosed as metastatic prostate cancer. Immunohistochemical staining with prostate-specific antigen was positive. This is the first case of prostate cancer presenting with a painless parotid mass. Prostate cancer can be metastatic to the head and neck region, and this should be kept in mind when treating patients with this disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Influence of serotonin on the human ureter: an in vitro pharmacological study.

The influence of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) on human ureteral smooth muscle was explored in a series of in vitro experiments. 5-HT evoked a dose-dependent contraction of the ureter. The effect of 5-HT was unaltered by blockade of 5HT3 and 5HT4 receptors and muscarinic cholinergic receptors. The 5HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin (KT; 10(-5)-10(-4) M) and mixed 5HT1/5HT2 receptor antagonist methysergide (MS; 5 x 10(-5) M) inhibited the effect of 5-HT. Since the antagonist dissociation constant at 5HT2 receptors for both KT and MS is found to be approximately 10(-9) M, it is concluded that this contractile effect may have been mediated by some other, as yet uncharacterized 5-HT receptor. We believe that 5-HT is a potential neurotransmitter in the human upper ureteral smooth muscle.

Adult↗

Ferritin: a tumor marker expressed by renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been shown to secrete several hormones and biologically active substances that influence the host metabolism or induce paraneoplastic syndromes. Observation of anemia in 20% of patients with RCC and the spontaneous recovery of anemia following nephrectomy drew attention to the body iron metabolism. Ferritin was previously proposed as a tumor marker for RCC. In order to determine whether RCC cells actually produce ferritin, we studied ferritin levels in serum from peripheral and renal veins as well as from the tumor tissue and the healthy parenchyma from radical nephrectomy specimens of 22 patients with RCC. Ferritin levels both in sera and cytosols were measured by an enzyme immunoassay method. The mean serum ferritin level from the renal vein was 419.9 +/- 72.4 ng/ml, and it was 157.3 +/- 18.3 ng/ml from the peripheral vein (p < 0.05). Renal vein ferritin correlated with stage and had a significant impact on prognosis (p < 0.05). The mean cytosolic ferritin level of the cancer tissue was 705.6 +/- 56.9 ng/mg cytosol protein, whereas in the normal parenchyma it was 95.9 +/- 10.1 ng/mg cytosol protein. This was also highly significant (p = 1.15 x 10(-13)), suggesting that RCC cells probably express ferritin. As currently there exists no reliable tumor marker for RCC, the value of ferritin as a marker should be investigated further before drawing any clinical conclusions.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Effect of ejaculation on prostate-specific antigen levels in normal men.

While several manipulations such as digital rectal examination and cystoscopy have been shown to increase prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, lack of ejaculation for a period of time has been implicated as a cause of decreased serum PSA concentrations. However, the effect of ejaculation on the serum PSA concentration is not clear. This work determined the effect of ejaculation on serum PSA levels in normal men. Blood samples of 19 healthy subjects were taken before and 5 consecutive days after ejaculation. One subject was withdrawn from the study because of ejaculation during sleep, since another ejaculation was prohibited during the study. The mean PSA levels of the men before and 5 consecutive days after ejaculation were 0.79, 0.72, 0.63, 1.01, 0.71, and 0.74 ng/ml--not statistically significantly different. We conclude that ejaculation does not seem to affect the serum PSA concentration.

Adult↗

The effect of extracorporeal electromagnetic shock waves on the morphology and contractility of rabbit ureter.

PURPOSE: Although extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is known to cause pathologic changes in various organs, little is known about its effects on the ureter, the target organ in ESWL of ureteral stones in situ. In this study, we sought to determine the short-term effects of ESWL on the ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Left lower ureteral segments of 21 rabbits were removed to serve as the control group and 2000 shocks were applied to the right lower ureters. Groups of 7 rabbits were sacrificed 1, 3 and 5 days after shock wave exposure. While histomorphological alterations were examined under light and transmission electron microscopy, contractility of all ureters was determined in organ baths. RESULTS: The epithelial cells disclosed no change after shock wave application. Histologically the muscular layer was the most affected part of the ureter. There was interstitial and intracellular edema on light microscopy and marked chromatin and mitochondrial changes at the subcellular level. The adventitial layer was also edematous. These changes were prominent on days 1 and 3 and returned to normal on day 5. The contractility of the ureters on day 1 was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). However, the contractility of the samples on days 3 and 5 were not significantly different from controls. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that electromagnetic shock waves produce reversible morphological and functional changes in rabbit ureteric muscle.

Animals↗

Magnetic resonance imaging in the staging of renal cell carcinoma.

Correct diagnosis and accurate staging of renal cell carcinoma are critical in the evaluation of prognosis and subsequent treatment planning. Between October 1989 and April 1993, 25 patients with histologically proven renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were studied, comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), operative findings and histopathological results. Two patients with pT3 tumours were understaged by both methods as T2. Three other patients staged as T4 by CT and T3 by MRI were actually pT3. N and V status were accurately detected by both imaging modalities. One patient with biopsy-proven liver metastasis missed by CT was correctly diagnosed by MRI. We conclude that MRI is complementary to CT and is especially helpful in patients with advanced stage and large sized tumours.

Adult↗