No abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine, in addition to well-known prognostic factors, histological grade, stage, tumour size and multiplicity, the correlation of BTA stat Test on disease free interval (DFI) on primary superficial bladder cancer. A total of 116 patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer were evaluated in a prospective multicentre study. A voided urine sample was obtained prior to TURB and split for culture, cytology and BTA stat testing. Follow-up data for the patients were collected until the first recurrence or the last visit and the DFI was analysed by Kaplan–Meier method and Cox analysis. Ninety-seven of the 116 (83.6%) patients were eligible for analysis. The BTA stat Test was positive in 73 (75.3%) patients, whereas cytology detected 20 (20.6%) cases. The DFI was found to be shorter among patients with a positive BTA stat Test, and also among those with intermediate or high-grade tumours. The BTA stat Test result divided patients with grade 2 tumours into two prognostic groups, in that those testing positive had 68.6% risk of recurrence during the first year compared to 42.9% risk of those with a negative test result (P = 0.041). Although the effect of tumour size on DFI was notable, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.064). Number of tumours was not related to DFI, nor was the difference between different stage of tumour of significance. BTA stat Test is not only sensitive in detection of primary bladder cancer, but also might have some independent prognostic significance. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

This randomized double-blind crossover trial was conducted to assess the effects of prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking drug, on the voiding of 35 patients with benign prostatic obstruction. Maximum and mean flow rates, residual urine, blood pressure and heart rate were measured at baseline and 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after starting the treatment with placebo or prazosin. At 4 weeks the treatments were switched over. The patients filled micturition charts at home and scored their voiding associated feelings. The maximum and mean flow rates increased significantly during prazosin treatment, as also did the maximum and mean voided volumes. Residual urine decreased and voiding improved subjectively but these changes were not statistically significant. Blood pressure was lowered and heart rate increased. Prazosin caused postural dizziness more often than placebo. Prazosin seems to offer an alternative to improve voiding in some patients with prostatic obstruction.