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To study the results of chemotherapy combined with intravesical hyperthermia in patients with mainly BCG-failing carcinoma in situ (CIS). Patients with histologically confirmed CIS were included retrospectively. Outpatient thermochemotherapy treatment was done with mitomycin-C (MMC) and the Synergo® system SB-TS 101 (temperature range between 41 and 44°C), weekly for 6–8 weeks, followed by 4–6 sessions every 6–8 weeks. Fifty-one patients were treated between 1997 and 2005 from 15 European centers. Thirty-four were pre-treated with BCG. Mean age was 69.9 years. Twenty-four patients had concomitant papillary tumors. The mean number of hyperthermia/MMC treatments per patient was 10.0. Of the 49 evaluable patients 45 had a biopsy and cytology proven complete response. In two patients CIS disappeared, but they had persistent papillary tumors. Follow-up of 45 complete responders showed 22 recurrences after a mean of 27 months (median 22): T2 (4), T1 (4), T1/CIS (1), CIS (5), Ta/CIS (2), Ta (5) and Tx (1). Side effects (bladder complaints) were generally mild and transient. In patients with primary or BCG-failing CIS, treatment with intravesical hyperthermia and MMC appears a safe and effective treatment. The initial complete response rate is 92%, which remains approximately 50% after 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of using the pubic bone as a support for the bladder neck and urethra in the treatment of women with genuine stress urinary incontinence is well established, and is applied in traditional procedures such as Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz and the Burch colposuspensions. Recently, minimally invasive techniques, including the use of laparoscopic surgery and pubic bone anchoring systems, have been introduced. These new techniques, attempt to combine the advantages of retropubic procedures while remaining minimally invasive. A search of the English literature was carried out, traditional and new procedures using the pubic bone as a support for the bladder neck and urethra are described, and their efficacy and complications are reviewed and discussed. Traditional procedures have proved to be highly effective and well tolerated, with good long-term outcomes. The early results of innovative minimally invasive techniques are promising, but further experience and longer follow-up is needed to establish their role in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flow cytometric DNA analysis of various tumours has indicated a correlation between the degree of malignancy and ploidy; results which could have clinical significance. We analysed the ploidy of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tumours, and classified the results according to clinical history and histological findings. We found that patients on steroid treatment had an aneuploid pattern, and most of the patients with classic-type KS had a diploid pattern on flow cytometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to ionizing radiation results in cytotoxic and genotoxic effects caused mainly by the oxidative damage. In the present study, we investigated the radioprotective effect of novel antioxidant cocktail on germ cell apoptosis and spermatogenesis in rats subjected to whole body radiation (WBIR).Methods: Adult male rats weighing 250-270 g were divided into four groups, eight rats each. Group 1 served as untreated control, group 2 received an IP single dose of antioxidant cocktail (1 ml). Group 3 was exposed to a WBIR (6 Gy). Group 4 received antioxidant cocktail before WBIR. Rats from each group were killed after 48 h. MDA levels were measured in serum (TBARS assay). Johnsen's criteria and the number of germinal cell layers were used to categorize spermatogenesis. TUNEL assay was used to determine germ cell apoptosis. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA test.Results: WBIR resulted in histological testicular damage (decrease in Johnsen's criteria, p < 0.05) that was accompanied by a significant increase in germ cell apoptosis, expressed as the number of apoptotic cells per 100 tubules (AI-1 apoptotic index) and the number of positive tubules per 100 tubules (AI-2 apoptotic index). Treatment with antioxidant cocktail resulted in a significant decrease in germ cell apoptosis (33% decrease in AI-1, p < 0.05 and 34% decrease in AI-2, p < 0.05) that was accompanied by an improved spermatogenesis (increase in Johnsen's criteria, p < 0.05).Conclusions: In a rat model of WBIR, antioxidant treatment ameliorates oxidative stress-induced testicular damage, decreases germ cell apoptosis and improves spermatogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of combined local bladder hyperthermia and intravesical chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with high-grade (G3) superficial bladder cancer.: MethodsPatients with G3 bladder tumors (Stage Ta or T1) were treated with combined intravesical chemotherapy with mitomycin-C and local radiofrequency hyperthermia of the bladder wall. The patients were treated with either a prophylactic protocol (40 mg mitomycin-C) after complete transurethral resection of all tumors or with an ablative protocol (80 mg mitomycin-C) when visible tumor was seen on video-cystoscopy or bladder biopsies were positive for carcinoma in situ.: ResultsCombined chemo-thermotherapy was administered to 52 patients with high-grade superficial bladder cancer (40 patients with Stage T1 tumor, 11 with Ta, and 3 with concomitant or isolated carcinoma in situ). At a median follow-up of 15.2 months (mean 23, range 6 to 90), no stage progression to T2 or disease-related mortality had occurred. The bladder preservation rate was 86.5%. The prophylactic protocol was administered to 24 patients. After a mean follow-up of 35.3 months, 15 patients (62.5%) were recurrence free. The bladder preservation rate was 95.8%. The ablative protocol was administered to 28 patients. Complete ablation of the tumor was accomplished in 21 patients (75%). After a mean follow-up of 20 months, 80.9% of these patients were recurrence free. The bladder preservation rate for the ablative group was 78.6%.: ConclusionsCombined local bladder hyperthermia and intravesical chemotherapy has a beneficial prophylactic effect in patients with G3 superficial bladder cancer. Ablation of high-grade bladder tumors is feasible, achieving a complete response in about three quarters of the patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]