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Objective: We tested the usefulness of combined therapy using balloon-occluded arterial infusion (BOAI) of cisplatin and hemodialysis, which delivers an extremely high concentration of cisplatin to the site of a tumor without systemic adverse effects, with concurrent radiation in patients with locally advanced bladder cancer., Methods: Patients underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor followed by BOAI of cisplatin (100, 200, or 300 mg) concurrent with hemodialysis, via both common iliac veins, for 2 hours after initiation of BOAI. A total of 60.4 Gy of radiation was delivered, starting from the day of BOAI., Results: Forty-one patients (30 males and 11 females, aged 55-98 years) were enrolled and assessable for toxicity and response. None of the patients suffered grade II or more severe toxicities; some experienced grade I blood/bone marrow toxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, or neuropathy. All patients with histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma stage T2 or T3 (29 patients) achieved a complete response and were able to retain their bladder with no evidence of recurrent disease or distant metastasis at a mean follow-up of 132 weeks (range 8-648 weeks) after therapy. Patients with stage T4 tumors, besides transitional cell carcinoma, or lymph node involvement had stable or progressive disease., Conclusion: This therapy is a new strategy for patients with locally advanced bladder cancer. It can be a curative treatment not only in patients for whom total cystectomy is indicated, but also in patients whose condition is not amenable to curative treatment and for whom merely palliative treatment would otherwise seem the only option.

Prostatic stromal sarcoma (PSS) is an unusual lesion that is reported only occasionally. Here we describe a case of prostatic stromal sarcoma in a 33-year-old man who had complained of perineal pain. The serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was above the normal limit at 5.8 ng/ml, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a giant mass in the retrovesical region. Chest CT demonstrated lung metastases. Specimens obtained by transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate suggested a mesenchymal tumor, but a precise diagnosis required a larger specimen. Palliative transurethral resection (TUR-P) was performed because of obstruction of the urogenital tract, and the final diagnosis was made from this specimen. The tumor contained yellowish gelatinous materials, and the stromal element appeared histologically malignant, with increased cellularity, mitotic figures and pleomorphism. The histological diagnosis was PSS, and the patient received VIP (etoposide, ifosfamide, cisplatin) chemotherapy regimen. However, the pelvic mass continued to increase in size, and the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated and he died. Sarcoma of the prostate gland showing aggressive behavior is quite rare. The detailed histological and immunohistochemical findings in this case are reported, together with a review of the literature.

We report a case of port-site metastasis of bladder cancer after left retroperitoneoscopy-assisted nephroureterectomy and cystectomy. The patient was a 73-year-old man with a chief complaint of gross hematuria. The diagnosis was invasive bladder cancer with bone metastasis. He received two courses of chemotherapy (methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, cisplatin), and this resulted in resolution of the bone metastases. Two months later, abdominal and pelvic computed tomography showed a bladder tumor invading the left lower ureter with hydronephrosis. Left retroperitoneoscopy-assisted nephroureterectomy and cystectomy were performed. The patient was unable to undergo systemic chemotherapy because of renal dysfunction. Four months later, a lateral abdominal wall tumor was found at a port-site, and needle biopsy confirmed this to be metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Clinicians need to be aware of port-site metastasis, particularly in patients with UC, and take steps to prevent it during laparoscopic procedures.

We report a case of adrenal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma. A 52-year-old man was referred to our hospital for a left renal mass. A computed tomography revealed a left renal tumor. Liver cirrhosis and splenomegaly were observed. Blood tests revealed pancytopenia; platelet count was 2.5 x 10(4)/mm3. The patient was treated by partial splenic embolization (PSE) in an attempt to ensure a safe nephrectomy. After the embolization, his platelet count increased to 6.1 x 10(4)/mm3, and left nephrectomy was performed successfully. Histopathological finding was renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We concluded that PSE before surgery was useful for the patients with thrombocytopenia due to hypersplenism. Four years after surgery, computed tomography revealed the presence of a mass on the right adrenal gland. He was suspected of having a non-functioning adrenal tumor. Metastasis of the RCC was suspected and right adrenalectomy was performed by a laparoscopic procedure. Histologically, the mass was identified as a RCC metastasis. It is clinically rare for an RCC metastasis to the contralateral adrenal gland to occur.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LH-RH analogue) therapy, is one of the most widely used hormonal therapies. Recently, subcutaneous injection of a new long acting 3-month LHRH analogue depot has been developed. We investigated the adverse events induced by injection of an LH-RH analogue in 82 patients (median age was 75 year old, 59-87) using our questionnaire. Forty-eight and 34 cases had been administered leuprorelin acetate (LSR) and goserelin acetate (ZLA). The presentation rate of skin reaction was 8.8% (3/34) in the ZLA group and 14.6% (7/48) in the LSR group. There was no significant difference in rate of skin reaction between the LSR and ZLA group (p = 0.5113). Eight patients had induration (6 in LSR 2 in ZLA). We also present a case of subcutaneous granuloma formation at the injection site after using the three-month type preparation of leuprorelin acetate. We should be aware of the risk of skin reactions at the injection site and monitor carefully when using an LH-RH analogue.

A 60-year-old man was admitted to our department with a left renal artery aneurysm that was detected while performing an examination for dermatomyositis. A 3-dimensional image showed a saccular renal aneurysm whose diameter was 6 cm. He required operative intervention. Because of the location (near the renal hilum), selective transcatheter embolization using an interlocking detachable coil was performed for endovascular treatment. The postoperative course was uneventful. This method appears to be a good choice for the treatment of renal artery aneurysm, considering its safety and the likelihood of success.

We report a case of a patient with a fistula between the left ureter and abdominal aorta. The patient was a 44-year-old male who had undergone radiation therapy (intraoperative: 25 Gy, external beam: 50 Gy) and chemotherapy (CDDP: 250 mg) for retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis from seminoma. His postoperative course was complicated by stenosis of bilateral ureters, which were treated by indwelling double J-stents. Fifteen years after the operation, gross hematuria occurred from the left ureteral orifice when exchanging the left ureteral double J-stent. Computed tomographic scan demonstrated left ureteral-abdominal aortic fistula formation at the crossing point. Massive hemorrhage was suspected to have prompt fistula formation between the left ureter and the aorta. At exploration, there was a fistula of about 7 mm in diameter at the anterior surface of the aorta, and the stent was presumably inserted from it. The aortic fistula was successfully closed. In addition, the left ureter was ligated proximal to the fistula and percutaneous left nephrostomy were performed. His postoperative course was uneventful. We should be aware that uretero-arterial fistula can occur as a serious complication of ureteral catheter exchange after prolonged ureteral stenting and radiation therapy.

A 52-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of orthostatic vertigo, fatigue and weight loss, who underwent right total nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma(RCC) with curative operation 13 years ago (in 1992). Endoscopic examination revealed a submucosal tumor with erosion in the duodenum. The diagnosis made from the biopsy specimens was metastatic RCC in the duodenum. Abdominal CT scan revealed that his metastasis has spread to the pancreas. Five million units of interferon a was administered intramuscularly three times a week for 1 month. He received blood transfusions and palliative care. He died 5 months later because of disease progression. Metastases of RCC have been often reported in the lungs, the liver, and the bones, but rarely in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a very rare case of metastatic RCC in the duodenum, which was diagnosed 13 years after curative right nephrectomy. Since late recurrence is characteristic of renal cell carcinoma, careful long-term follow-up is needed. To our knowledge, this is the 19th case of duodenal metastasis from RCC reported in the literature.

A 17-year-old male was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of right back pain. Cystoscopic examination revealed a papillary tumor on the posterior wall following detection on screening ultrasound examination revealed a tumor in the bladder. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor was performed. Histological examination of the excised tumor revealed transitional cell carcinoma, grade 1, pTa. No recurrence has been observed for about 1 year postoperatively.

Bladder carcinoma with skin metastasis is extremely rare. We herein report a case of a bladder tumor with skin metastasis. A 68-year-old man was referred to our hospital with macroscopic hematuria. Cystoscopy revealed a trigone papillary tumor. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) was performed and the pathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), pT1, G3. Thereafter, he received several courses of TURBT, intravesical chemotherapy (pirarubicin, bacillus Calmette-Guerin and mitomycin C) and intra-arterial chemotherapy because of recurrence. Thirteen years later, he underwent total cystoprostatectomy with neobladder formation. Histological examination revealed muscle-invasive bladder cancer with a staging of T3bNOM0. Two years and three months later, multiple firm nodules with eruptions appeared on the skin in several regions; they were resected and the histological findings revealed TCC. This indicated metastatic spread from the primary bladder TCC. He received only supportive treatment during this period due to renal dysfunction. He died four months after the manifestation of the skin metastasis due to multiple metastases.

Primary tumor originated from ureteral stump following nephrectomy for benign disease is extremely rare. A 79-year-old male was referred to our department for asymptomatic macroscopic hematuria. He had undergone left simple nephrectomy for renal tuberculosis 52 years ago. Cystoscopic examination revealed a ureteral tumor on the residual ureteral orifice. Under the diagnosis of left ureteral stump tumor, which was subsequently enhanced on computer tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging, he received partial cystectomy and excision of the left ureteral stump. The histological examination revealed grade 2 to 3 urothelial carcinoma with muscle invasion (pT2). He received no adjuvant chemotherapy. He is now alive and free from recurrence 2 months post-operatively. This is the 21st case reported in the Japanese literature.

A 25-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of left lumbago. An abdominal X-ray film demonstrated multiple calculi in the medullary positions of both kidneys and an impacted calculus in the left ureter. He was diagnosed with bilateral nephrocalcinosis and nerve deafness due to distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA) in childhood and was treated with alkali agents for several years. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was performed successfully against the left ureteral calculus. His older brother had also been diagnosed with RTA and nephrocalcinosis at the age of 2 years and 6 months. Nephrocalcinosis due to RTA associated with nerve deafness in brothers is rarely reported.

We report a case in a 70-year-old patient indicated to have a metastatic lesion from a chest X-ray taken during a medical examination. His blood prostatic specific antigen level was very high at 100 ng/ml (normal, less than 4.0 ng/ml). Palpation of the prostate disclosed enlargement to hen's egg size with an irregular surface and indurations bilaterally. Transrectal sextant needle biopsy of the prostate was performed, revealing moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) scan and bone scintigraphy showed intrapelvic lymphnode adenopathy and metastasis to the right pubic bone. Under a diagnosis of stage D2 prostate cancer, we initiated endocrine therapy (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue depot every 4 weeks and bicalutamide). Androgen blockage was very effective and after 6 months, the PSA level had decreased markedly to below 0.2 ng/ml. Sixteen months later, pulmonary metastasis completely disappeared. He is currently free from recurrence and progressing well.

A 67-year-old female was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of genital bleeding. Physical examination revealed a thumb's-head-sized tumor at the external urethral meatus. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen suggested papillary carcinoma. She underwent partial urethrectomy with negative surgical margins. The final pathological diagnosis of the tumor was papillary adenocarcinoma, of Stage A according to Grabstald's classification. She is alive with no evidence of recurrence at 5 months after surgery.

Congenital arteriovenous fistula(AVF) of the kidney is a rare condition. We report a case of renal AVF with chief complaints of macroscopic hematuria, and treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using coils. The patient was diagnosed as having left renal AVF by Color Doppler ultrasound. The signs and symptoms disappeared after embolization. The clinical course of a case is reported and the literature is reviewed. Color Doppler ultrasound is required to give a definite diagnosis of renal AVF.

A 46-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of macroscopic hematuria with dull pain in the right flank. Laboratory finding showed renal dysfunction and abdominal ultrasound sonograph revealed bilateral hydronephrosis (right > left). Retrograde pyelography showed left ureteral calculi and a filling defect in the middle portion of the right ureter. Renal function improved after bilateral single-J ureteral stent placement. Selective wash cytology of right renal pelvis was class II. Ureteroscopy demonstrated right ureteral obstruction with smooth-surfaced protruded tumor and cold cup biopsy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was a fibroepithelial polyp but with no malignancy. In addition, left transurethral lithotripsy was performed under ureteroscopy. After the endoscopic examination, a double pigtail stent inserted into the right ureter. We performed conservative management by repeat urine cytologies and retrograde pyelography due to thrombocytopenia. The urine cytologies all proved negative and retrograde pyelography showed no abnormal changes. A ureteroscopic procedure is considered to be useful for the diagnosis of ureteral polyps. Transurethral resection of ureteral polyps with a ureteroscope is recommended for treatment.

A 65-year-old man visited our hospital with a complaint of a left inguinal mass. He had had a past history of tuberculosis. A left spermatic cord tumor was suspected. Left high orchiectomy was performed. The mass did not connect with the testis or epididymis. The removed mass measured 4 x 2 x 1.5 cm in size. Microscopic examination showed a granulomatous lesion with Langhans giant cells. Tuberculin skin test was moderately positive. From these findings we diagnosed the patient with tuberculosis in spermatic cord. Antituberculous chemotherapy was subsequently initiated. Two months after surgery, recurrence has not been found.

A case of malignant pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder is presented. A 54-year-old woman visited our hospital for screening and was found to have an abnormal mass in the bladder on ultrasonography. The patient was not hypertensive. Cystoscopy revealed a broad-based, small fingertip-sized, nonpapillary tumor on the posterior wall of the urinary bladder. Transurethral resection (TUR) was performed without suspicion of pheochromocytoma because of her well-controlled blood pressure and lack of characteristic symptoms. Transient elevation of systolic blood pressure to 240 mmHg occurred during resection of the tumor. Radical resection was therefore not possible. The serum norepinephrine level was elevated postoperatively. Pathologic examination revealed a malignant pheochromocytoma. On January 30, 2003, partial cystectomy of the residual tumor and pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed. She has had no clinical sign of recurrence for 1 year after the second operation.

Renal cell carcinoma is a common renal malignancy in adults but it is extremely rare in children. An 8-year-old boy visited our hospital with the complaint of right abdominal palpable mass. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a right renal multilocular cystic mass which displaced the normal renal parenchyma. A right radical nephrectomy was done and pathological findings revealed cystic renal cell carcinoma. He received postoperative therapy with the administration of alpha interferon and has been well with no evidence of recurrence nor metastasis during 8 months after surgery. To our knowledge this is the youngest case of cystic renal cell carcinoma reported.

We investigated expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate decarboxylase, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in the prostates of patients with cancer or benign prostatic hypertrophy by immunohistochemical study. Marked expression of GABA, glutamate decarboxylase 67, and MMPs was observed in the prostates of cancer patients with metastasis (n = 72) and lymph node metastasis, although only sparse expression was noted in those of cancer patients without metastasis (n = 76) or patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (n = 152). We then investigated the influence of GABA stimulation on in vitro MMP production and the invasive ability of cancer cells using human prostate cancer cell line C4-2. The production of MMPs increased significantly in cancer cells after a 24-h incubation with GABA. Cell invasion assay using a BioCoat Matrigel Invasion Chamber kit revealed that GABA stimulation significantly promoted the invasive ability of cancer cells and that addition of MMP inhibitor GM6001 significantly decreased GABA-induced migration. This may indicate the involvement of MMP activity in GABA-induced cancer cell invasion. We further analyzed the transmission pathway by performing GABA receptor modulation. The GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen significantly increased MMP production as well as invasive ability. Moreover, blockade of the GABA(B) receptor pathway using GABA(B) receptor antagonist CGP 35348 significantly inhibited GABA-induced MMP production and invasive ability in cancer cells, whereas GABA(A) receptor modulation did not influence MMP production or the invasive ability of cancer cells. Thus, increased expression of GABA may be implicated in cancer metastasis by promoting MMP production in cancer cells, and the GABA(B) receptor pathway may be involved in the process.

Total serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, free-to-total PSA ratio (F/T ratio) and PSA density (PSAD) were compared to clarify the clinical significance of these parameters in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (CaP) with intermediate PSA concentrations (4-10 ng/ml). PSAD and F/T ratio were obtained during the period from May 1999 to April 2001 from 43 patients with serum PSA concentrations of 4-10 ng/ml who underwent ultrasound-guided systematic sextant biopsies. PSAD was compared with total serum PSA and F/T ratio via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for diagnosis of CaP. Diagnosis of CaP and non-CaP was made in 12 (27.9%) and 31 (72.1%) of the 43 patients, respectively. Mean serum PSA, PSA density and F/T ratio were 7.308 +/- 0.636 ng/ml, 0.271 +/- 0.039 ng/ml/cm3 and 16.225 +/- 4.911% in patients with CaP and 6.300 +/- 0.289 ng/ml, 0.178 +/- 0.020 ng/ml/cm3 and 15.213 +/- 0.980% in those with non-CaP, respectively. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that PSAD predicted the biopsy outcome significantly better than F/T ratio and total PSA in all 43 patients (p < 0.05). In distinguishing CaP patients, the cutoff value of 0.16 ng/ml/cm3 for PSAD yielded a specificity level of 71.0% at a sensitivity level of 83.3%. Our study revealed that PSAD is a significant predictor in distinguishing CaP from non-CaP in Japanese men.

A case of CA19-9-producing seminal vesicle cyst with ipsilateral renal agenesis is reported. A 29-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for perineal pain and urinary retention. Digital rectal examination revealed a large soft mass that fluctuated in the area of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right kidney defect, and ipsilateral dilation and cystic enlargement of the right seminal vesicle. Transrectal puncture of the seminal vesicle cyst was performed. The contents were pus and old red blood cells. Initially, the serum CA19-9 level was extremely high (145.8 U/ml) but was normalized by the treatment with antibiotics after the puncture. The symptoms subsided without recurrence.

Background: Previous assessments by the conventional telomeric repeat amplification protocol have not been reliable for the quantitation of telomerase activity. We, therefore, determined telomerase activity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissue by the modified sensitive telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay., Methods: Telomerase activity was examined in 23 cases of RCC and in the adjacent normal kidney tissue, and assessed for associations with clinical and pathological variables of the disease., Results: The linearity and quantitation of the modified method was confirmed. Mean telomerase activity of RCC (1987.889 +/- 1232.801 units) was significantly greater than that of normal renal tissue (173.467 +/- 241.893 units) (P = 0.0001). Telomerase activity in RCC was, however, not associated with clinical or pathological variables such as clinical stage (P = 0.8941), grade (P = 0.8043) or pathological subtype (P = 0.9739)., Conclusion: The results suggest that telomerase might play a crucial role in an initial step of the development of RCC, but not in the progression of the disease.

A 66-year-old man presented at our hospital with left back pain. Intravenous pyelography, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed ureteral tumors of the complete left double renal pelvis and the ureter. An endoscopic examination disclosed a papillary tumor from the left ureteral orifice of the lower pole of the kidney. A transurethral resection of the tumor was done, and the pathological features revealed transitional cell carcinoma (PTa, grade 2). A left nephroureterectomy and a partial cystectomy were also carried out; macroscopic examinations showed a non-papillary tumor on the middle portion of the left ureter originating from the upper pole of the kidney. Microscopic examinations revealed transitional cell carcinoma (PT3, grade 3, PL1, PV1). Adjuvant chemotherapy (M-VAC) was administered but discontinued because of severe side effects. Dispite recurrence with retro-peritoneal lymph node metastasis, the patient is alive and again undergoing M-VAC chemotherapy 22 months after the initial surgery. However, the evaluation of the chemotherapy was "no change".

Background: Lack of androgen receptor (AR) expression or mutation on the AR gene creates the tendency for androgen independence and progression of prostate cancer. However, the association between the progression and AR expression or mutations is still controversial. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of AR expression and mutations in prostate cancers., Methods: Forty-two prostate adenocarcinomas and three lymph node metastatic lesions sampled prior to hormonal therapy were included in this study; AR expression was analyzed immunohistochemically using an antibody against AR and the result was scored as the percentage of AR-positive tumor cells in the total tumor cells. Polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing were used to detect AR mutations., Results: Our study revealed the average AR expression in the prostate adenocarcinoma was 52.2 +/- 27.1%, which was significantly lower than that in the adjacent non-tumorous prostate tissue (68.3 +/- 18.3% in average) (P < 0.001). A significant correlation was obtained between progression-free survival and AR expression (P < 0.01). By SSCP analysis, three silent mutations (T649T, E709E and E711E) were detected in three separate prostate carcinomas., Conclusion: : We conclude that AR expression is a useful prognostic indicator for tumor progression. Androgen receptor mutation may be an uncommon molecular event in untreated prostate cancer in Japanese men.

One of the causes of insensitivity to androgen ablation therapy in prostate cancer is thought to be attributable to elevated neuropeptides secreted by neuroendocrine cells in the tumor mass. Calcitonin (CT), one of these neuropeptides, is reported to be associated with the growth of prostate cancer. There is an increase in mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation as prostate cancer progresses to a more advanced and androgen-independent disease. We examined the effect of CT on signal transduction and the relation between CT and early-response genes in the human androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cell line, DU145. The basal phosphorylation level of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, which is a key kinase in the mediation of growth factor-induced mitogenesis in prostate cancer cells, was constitutively up-regulated. N-[2-(4-bromocinnamyl) aminoethyl]-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide (H89), a specific inhibitor of protein kinase A, potentiated the effects of more increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. CT induced the inhibition of this MAP kinase phosphorylation, and this effect was completely abolished by pretreatment with H89. Our findings demonstrate that CT caused the inhibition of constitutive MAP kinase phosphorylation in a protein kinase A-dependent manner in DU145. The transient increase of c-fos expression was detected after CT treatment, whereas expression of c-jun RNA was down-regulated after CT treatment. These results suggest that CT may regulate early-response genes, c-fos and c-jun, via a MAP kinase cascade. In conclusion, these findings suggest that DU145 might be a useful model as a therapeutic approach of neuropeptides in androgen-independent prostatic carcinoma.

Androgen, acting via the androgen receptor (AR), is associated with the development and progression of prostate cancer. Anti-androgen therapy is widely used to manage prostate cancer. However, the conversion of the tumor from a hormone-sensitive to a hormone-insensitive status causes such therapy to fail. Several mechanisms have now been put forward for this conversion, including neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation of the tumor cells. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of tumor-cell proliferation activity, NE differentiation and AR expression. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were prepared from 42 patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Using antibodies to AR, the Ki-67 antigen (MIB-1), chromogranin A and synaptophysin, immunohistochemical expression of AR, tumor proliferation activity and NE differentiation were analyzed. Our study revealed that AR expression was significantly lower in adenocarcinoma (52.2 +/- 27.1%) than in non-tumorous prostate tissue (68.3 +/- 18.3%; P < 0.001). NE differentiation was found in 50% of the tumors, which was correlated with the Gleason score (P < 0.05). An univariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between progression-free survival with both AR expression (P < 0.01) and proliferation activity (P < 0.001). NE differentiation was not a prognostic factor in this study.

We present a case report of von Hippel-Lindau disease associated with renal cell carcinoma and bilateral cystadenoma of the epididymis. A 26-year-old man appeared with painless tumors of the bilateral scrotal contents. Ultrasonography and other radiographic examinations including computed tomographic scan and dripinfusion pyelography showed multiocular tumors in the bilateral epididymis and a right renal tumor 3 cm in diameter. The tumors of the bilateral epididymis were surgically resected and of the right renal tumor enucleated. Histopathological examination revealed cystadenoma of the epididymis and renal cell carcinoma (clear cell carcinoma, G1, pT1a). He has not received adjuvant therapy, and is doing well with no evidence of metastatic disease 2 years after surgery.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is now used widely for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with prostate cancer. The PSA gene is a target of the androgen receptor (AR) which interacts with androgen response elements (AREs) in the PSA gene promoter. Recently, we identified two novel polymorphisms in the PSA promoter ARE2 region in breast cancer. We hypothesized that some genetic variations might also exist in the AREs of prostate cancer, and that feature might correlate with cancer development and/or progression. To test this hypothesis, three AREs of the PSA gene promoter were characterized for 47 prostate cancer cases and 105 controls from the Japanese population. We demonstrated the presence of two polymorphisms at positions -252 (G or A) and -205 (A or AA), which were the same as those we have found in breast cancer. Interestingly, the -252 A was linked with the presence of -205 AA, and the -252 G was always linked with the presence of -205 A. Therefore, only A-AA and G-A (-252--205) alleles were present in the Japanese population. The proportion of patients who were either heterozygotes or homozygotes for the A-AA allele was not significantly different from that observed among 105 individuals without cancer (p = 0.726). However, comparing with G-A allele homozygotes, prostate cancer patients carrying at least 1 A-AA alleles tended to exhibit high serum PSA levels (p = 0.0002), poor differentiation (p = 0.0149) and advanced clinical stage (p = 0.0077). These results suggest that the novel polymorphisms identified in the PSA gene promoter may affect transcriptional activity of the PSA gene, and an excess of PSA production may enhance rapid progression of prostate cancer.

A 77-year-old man with a low grade fever persisting for 30 days consulted a local physician. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed a mixed density mass on the left adrenal gland. He was referred to our hospital for further examination. Hormonal assay demonstrated a slightly high level of noradrenalin in the serum (18 pg/ml) and vanillyl mandelic acid in the urine (6.2 ng/ml). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneous mass lesion 3 cm in diameter with a high signal intensity on both T1 and T2 weighted images. Angiography showed a hypovascular mass in the supra-renal region suggesting an adrenal tumor or malignancy. Left adrenalectomy combined with en bloc nephrectomy was performed because of severe adhesion. Histologic evaluation showed hematoma without malignant cells due to idiopathic adrenal hemorrhage.

Intravesical instillation of Tokyo 172 strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-Bt) was applied to 35 patients with superficial bladder cancer. The patients received 80 mg of BCG in 40 ml saline infused into the bladder once a week for 6 weeks. Actuarial non-recurrence rates for all 35 patients were 81.7% and 58.4% at one and two years after the BCG therapy, respectively. The recurrence of the bladder cancer after the BCG therapy was observed in 12 patients 3-27 months later. Seven patients received an additional course of BCG instillation, and 6 (86%) showed no further recurrence. Thus, the overall success rate of 2 cycles of BCG instillation was 83% (29 of 35 patients). Moreover, in some cases intravesical BCG instillation was effective for recurrent superficial bladder cancer after intravesical instillation of anti-cancer agents and prolonged the period until recurrence. The progression rate was only 5% (2 of 35 patients). These results suggest that intravesical BCG therapy for superficial bladder cancer helps prevent disease progression.

A 52-year-old male visited our department for a painless swelling from the right side of the anus to the right scrotum that he first noticed 5 years earlier. Palpation revealed a small fist-sized elastic solid mass with a smooth surface from the central area to the inferior pole of the right scrotum. This mass was clearly demarcated from the contents of the scrotum and not adherent to the scrotal skin. A diagnosis of a tumorous lesion in the scrotum was made, and the tumor was resected. Histopathological examination demonstrated a scrotal epidermoid cyst. To our knowledge, this is the 17th case reported in Japan.

The patient, a 73-year-old woman, had undergone hysterectomy and irradiation therapy 26 years ago. On September 4, 1997, the patient was referred to our hospital, and presented with low grade fever and lower abdominal dull pain of a one-month duration. Radiologic and vaginal examinations revealed bilateral hydronephrosis and a giant stone lying down between the bladder and vagina. Vaginal incontinence showed the presence of the vesico-vaginal fistula. She underwent bilateral ureterocutaneostomy and cystolithotomy. A giant vesico-vaginal stone was removed by using a hammer and chisel. It weighed 180 g. The stone was composed of calcium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate. Persistent infection of the bladder and the vagina may have been a possible etiological factor of the vesico-vaginal stone formation. Three weeks after the operation, bilateral hydronephrosis was improved.

A 44-year-old man visited a local urologist complaining of continuous pain and tumescence at penis persisting for 3 days. He was diagnosed with priapism. A caverno-glandular and caverno-saphenous shunt was performed. He presented to our hospital 3 days later, because the symptoms especially tumescence continued. We confirmed the diagnosis of low-flow priapism from cavernosography and intracavenal blood-gasometry and performed caverno-spongiosum shunt. Detumescence was finally achieved after the operation.

A case of a CA19-9-producing ureteral cancer is reported. A 58-year-old man presented with gross hematuria. Retrograde pyelography showed an irregular filling defect in the right ureter. The serum CA19-9 level was 932 U/ml (normal < 37). Right total nephroureterectomy was performed. The histological diagnosis was grade 3 transitional cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis showed CA19-9 to be expressed not only in the cancer cells but also in the normal transitional cell epithelium of the renal pelvis.

A 7-year-old girl was hospitalized with urinary incontinence. Intravenous pyelography showed the dilatation of upper segment of the right kidney, in which slight radioisotopic accumulation was detected on renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DMSA. On computerized tomographic (CT) scan, a cystic mass shadow occupied the retroperitoneal space. During surgery, the right kidney was found to be completely duplicated and the ectopic ureter opened in Vestibule vaginae accompanied with midureteral stricture. The ectopic ureter was incised above the strictural site and anastomosed with the ureter of the lower segment. Although approximately 700 cases of ectopic ureter have been reported in Japan, congenital midureteral stricture accompanying ectopic ureter is extremely rare.

Eighteen aphasic patients (8 Broca's and 10 Wernicke's aphasics), 11 right hemisphere damaged patients and 12 normal subjects were tested to assess the effect of pictorial context on verbal memory with a sentence recognition task. The subjects were read aloud a stimulus sentence describing a simple event and simultaneously shown a picture congruent or incongruent with the sentence. Immediately following or after an interval of 30 sec, the subjects were read aloud a second sentence and asked to judge whether this sentence was the same or different from the stimulus sentence. The results indicated that verbal memory was better retained in supportive situations than in distracting situations, and that this contextual effect was greater in aphasic patients than in any of the other groups. Verbal memory declined rapidly after an interval in aphasic patients, but not in normal subjects. The Broca's and the Wernicke's aphasics demonstrated different performance patterns when semantic analysis of sentences was critical.