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Objectives: A population of Spanish men aged over 49 years were screened for prostate cancer. The detection rate and the clinical features of the tumors found are analyzed., Methods: The study comprised two phases: Phase I: Subjects were evaluated by digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was determined. Phase II: Subjects with a positive DRE or PSA > 4 ng/ml were evaluated by transrectal US. If PSA was > 10 ng/ml or DRE or transrectal US were abnormal, a transrectal biopsy was performed; most of these were sextant. PSA density was used as a criterion for biopsy in subjects with PSA 4-10 ng/ml and normal DRE and transrectal US. From June, 1993 to August 1994, 1091 subjects have been evaluated., Results: 1) The mean age was 59.32 years; 379 (34.7%) had low voiding symptoms. 2) 5.07% and 9.07% had abnormal DRE and PSA, respectively; 135 subjects (12.4%) with a questionable DRE and/or PSA were evaluated by transrectal US. 3) Of the 97 biopsies (8.8%) performed, prostate cancer was detected in only 11 (1%); 8.8 biopsies were required to detect one case of prostate cancer. 4) Clinically, 7 tumors (63.6%) were localized and 4 (36.3%) were in the advanced stages., Conclusions: 1) The participation rate was low (21%). 2) The PSA mean increased with age. Prostate volume was the factor that most influenced PSA changes. 3) PSA detected more tumors (10 cases; 90.9%) than DRE (8 cases; 72.7%). Approximately 27.27% of the lesions were detected by PSA and not by DRE, while 9.09% were detected by DRE alone. 4) The detection rate was low (1.008%); 0.91% for PSA, 0.73% for DRE and 51% (n = 135) for transrectal US. 5) We have detected more tumors in the clinically advanced stages (36.6%) than other series, perhaps because this is the first time this type of study has been performed in this population. In view of the foregoing results, we do not advocate performing these studies routinely. Perhaps in subsequent studies with a longer follow up, a higher detection rate can be achieved for localized tumors that are potentially curable.

Objectives: A new form of minimally invasive treatment of ureteral stricture with the Acucise catheter is described herein., Methods: The method for catheter use for the ureteral incision using radiological control alone is described., Results: The technique is easy to perform. There were no early postoperative complications in strictures at the juxtavesical or upper lumbar ureter., Conclusions: The availability of balloon dilatation catheters equipped with an electrocautery device permits incision of the ureteral stricture using radiological control alone, preferably those in the juxtavesical or upper lumbar ureter. Those localized to other levels of the ureter are not free from vascular or visceral lesions.

Objectives: The absence of tumor in up to 10% of cystectomy specimens of patients with invasive bladder cancer justify the search for non aggressive therapies. The present study attempts to establish the safety and curative capacity of TUR alone for patients with superficial muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer., Methods: Over a period of 18 months, 12 patients with superficial muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer (T2) were diagnosed at our department, TUR was repeated in 9 of the 12 patients. The extension study was negative in all 9 patients., Results: The mean follow up was 12.8 months (range 7-70 months). Local recurrence was found in 4 patients (44.4%) who were submitted to another TUR; 3 were superficial and 1 invasive (with the same muscle involvement as at the initial diagnosis). The tumor-free survival rate was 9.3 months. No patient showed tumor progression., Conclusion: The percentage and nature of local recurrence, tumor-free survival and the progression rate (which was not observed during the short follow up period) indicate that TUR is a treatment option that must be taken into account in selected patients with invasive bladder cancer.

Objectives: The present study analyzes the combination of digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate specific antigen (PSA), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and ultrasound-guided transrectal biopsy in the diagnosis of prostate cancer., Methods: 115 of 224 patients (51.3%) were biopsied due to a suspicious DRE and/or PSA > 4 ng/ml, and/or DPSA > 0.15, and/or the presence of a hypoechoic lesion on TRUS., Results: Adenocarcinoma of the prostate was diagnosed in 28 (24.3%) of these 115 patients. The positive predictive value (PPV) for carcinoma of the prostate was 4.76% if PSA was < 4 ng/ml, 5.12% if PSA was 4.1 to 10 ng/ml, and 48% if PSA was > 10 ng/ml. If DPSA is considered, the PPV is 7.4% if PSA is 4.1 to 10 ng/ml and 51.02% if PSA is > 10 ng/ml. If DRE is suspicious, the PPV is 43.6%, with a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 63.9%. The PPV for carcinoma of the prostate was 34% for a hypoechoic lesion on TRUS, 50% if DRE is suspicious, 53.5% is PSA is > 10 ng/ml and 65% if DRE is suspicious and PSA > 10 ng/ml., Conclusions: The detection rate of carcinoma of the prostate is increased when DRE, PSA, TRUS and US-guided transrectal biopsy are used in combination.

Over a period of 5 months, 50 patients were entered into the preoperative autologous blood donation program of our Service. Two patients were excluded; one had previously had an acute myocardial infarction and the other had epilepsy. The remaining 48 patients, which accounted for one third of our elective surgery procedures, all accepted to enter the program. These patients were not more severely anemic than the other patients not in the program and who underwent the same surgical procedures. No patients required homologous blood transfusion and no complications ascribable to the procedure were observed. Although it is not utilized widely to date, predeposited autologous blood transfusion is a safe and efficient method, with no remarkable morbidity, even in patients aged over 65 years, the age group of one half of our patients. Autologous blood transfusion programs are necessary. The indications, the exclusion criteria for patients at high risk and the objective parameters for evaluating its success must be established.