These data suggest that the main cause of incontinence after RRP is sphincteric weakness. In the continent group, those who became immediately continent had significantly higher maximum urethral closure pressure values at rest and at voluntary sphincteric contraction even before the surgery.

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The accumulation of genetic alterations plays a role in the evolution of bladder cancer. These changes can be detected in the urine by DNA analysis of the cells exfoliated from the bladder wall enabling us to detect bladder cancer. The urine supernatant, besides the urine sediment, contains DNA, however in a much smaller amount. The origin of DNA in these two fractions is probably different. Our aim was to evaluate which fraction (supernatant or sediment) provides more reliable results in detecting tumors. We analyzed blood, urine and tumor samples taken from 80 individuals (44 patients with bladder cancer, 20 control patients and 16 healthy volunteers) by using 12 microsatellite markers mapped on 6 chromosomes. Microsatellite alterations were detected in the urine sediment and supernatant in 86% of the cancer cases. Urine sediment alone had a sensitivity of 68%, while urine supernatant alone indicated aberrations in 80% of the tumors. In the superficial (Ta/T1) cases, a considerable difference in sensitivity, 84 vs. 67%, was found between the two fractions in favor of urine supernatant. We also detected deletions in the control groups, although in a much lower proportion. Loss of the 16q24 chromosomal region showed a significant correlation with tumor stage (p=0.02). Microsatellite analysis of the urine is an efficient and noninvasive molecular method to detect bladder cancer. The analysis of free DNA in the urine supernatant provides a higher detection rate. The marker on the chromosomal region 16q24 is suggested to have a prognostic value.

Introduction: Our aim was to identify the independent risk factors associated with urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Materials and Methods: Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we examined several pre- and perioperative factors. One hundred and sixty-six patients were divided into three groups: patients who were immediately continent after catheter removal (group I), patients who became continent later (group II) and incontinent patients (group III). Results: There were 34 patients (20.5%) in group I, 111 (66.9%) in group II, and 21 (12.6%) in group III. The multivariate analysis between the continent and incontinent patients proved that the postoperatively measured total length of the posterior urethra (strongly associated with length of the sphincter, length of the urethral stump and the presence of anastomotic stricture) was the independent risk factor for permanent incontinence or delayed continence following RRP. The age of patients per se represented a risk factor only for delayed continence, but not for permanent incontinence. Conclusions: Postoperatively measured shorter posterior urethral length results in an increased risk of urinary incontinence and delays continence after RRP. It seems that older age only delays reaching continence.

The authors report on their first experiences with the UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) kit developed for the detection of bladder cancer. This new non-invasive diagnostic application of the FISH technique in the field of urology was elaborated to replace cystoscopy. The special urine examination method detects genetic alterations of the urothelial cells found in the urine, using fluorescent directlabeled DNA probes binding to the peri-centromeric regions of chromosomes 3, 7 and 17 as well as on the 9p21 locus. We aimed to evaluate the utility of UroVysion test in the light of the histological diagnosis. Urine samples from 43 bladder cancer patients and 12 patients with no or benign alterations were studied using a new application of FISH technique: the UroVysion reagent kit. The obtained FISH results were compared with the histological findings of the transurethral surgical resection specimens. The study rated the specificity and sensitivity of the technique 100% and 87%, respectively. Therefore, the technique could well fit into the diagnostic process of bladder carcinomas. Statistical analyses showed significant correlation between tumor progression and the severity of the genetic alterations detected by this FISH technique. Furthermore, positive correlation was found between tumor grade and the proportion of tumor cells showing genetic abnormality. The noninvasiveness, the robustness of evaluation and the high specificity/sensitivity are all in favor of this technique. The disadvantages are the higher costs of the technical background and the required future clinical studies to determine whether this technique can replace cystoscopy.