Mutation of p53 is rare in localized prostate carcinoma. The oncoprotein MDM2, whose gene has a response element for p53, promotes the degradation of p53 protein and inhibits its transcriptional activation of genes related to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, constituting a negative feedback control. We studied p53 and MDM2 expression by immunohistochemistry and looked for mutations in p53 exons 5 to 8 by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism in 118 patients submitted to radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. In 28 cases, we studied cell proliferation by immunohistochemistry, using antibody for Ki-67, and apoptosis by the deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling technique. Although no p53 mutations were found, p53 protein was detected in 31.4% of the cases, and these cases had higher Gleason scores (P ‫؍‬ .03) and more advanced tumor stages (P ‫؍‬ .02). MDM2 was overexpressed in 40.7% of the cases, and these cases had greater tumor volumes (P ‫؍‬ .001). Tumors that were positive for both p53 and MDM2 were larger (P ‫؍‬ .003) and of more advanced stage (P ‫؍‬ .03). Within the 28-case subset, the proliferative index was higher among MDM2-positive tumors (P ‫؍‬ .046), and the apoptotic index was lower among p53-positive tumors (P ‫؍‬ .01). We conclude that, although p53 mutation is a rare event in prostate carcinogenesis, the detection of p53 protein by immunohistochemistry is common and is associated with decreased apoptosis and increased histologic grade and tumor stage. We also conclude that the overexpression of MDM2 has a role in prostate carcinogenesis, being frequently detected and associated with increased cell proliferation and tumor volume. Finally, we propose that the MDM2-positive/p53-positive phenotype identifies prostate cancers with aggressive behavior.

Objective: We aim at determining the prognostic value of squamous differentiation in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder that were treated with radical cystectomy. Materials and Methods: From January 1993 to January 2005, we retrospectively selected 113 patients. Correlations among squamous differentiation with other clinical and pathological features were assessed by both chi-square and Fisher tests. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate survival curves and statistical significance was determined by the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed through a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: Squamous differentiation was observed in 25 (22.1%) of the 113 patients. This finding was significantly related only to the pathological stage. Mean follow-up after cystectomy was 31.7 ± 28.5 months. Disease recurrence occurred in 16 (64%) and 30 (34%) patients with and without squamous differentiation (log-rank test, p = 0.001), and mortality occurred in 10 (40%) and 14 (16%) of the patients with and without squamous differentiation respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that pathological stage, squamous differentiation, tumor size and lymph node involvement were significant predictors of cancer-specific survival. However, only squamous differentiation and tumor size were independent prognostic variables on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Squamous differentiation was an independent prognostic factor for cancer specific survival in patients with bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy. Further studies with a larger number of patients are necessary to confirm these results.

Tumor size, Fuhrman grade and microvascular tumor invasion are strong and independent predictors of survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma. Risk assessment and stratification based on this triad of pathological features may allow better individualization of followup schedules and trials of adjuvant treatment for patients with renal cell carcinoma.

1Crippa A, Dall'Oglio MF, Nesrallah LJ, Hasegawa E, Antunes AA, and Srougi M. The York-Mason technique for rectourethral fistulas. Clinics. 2007;62(6):699-704. OBJECTIVE:Recto-urethral fistula formation following radical prostatectomy is an uncommon but potentially devastating event.There is no consensus in the literature regarding the treatment of these fistulas. We present here our experiences treating rectourethral fistulas. MATERIAL AND METHODS:We analyzed 8 cases of rectourethral fistula treated at our institution in the last seven years. Seven of the patients underwent repair of the fistula using the modified York-Mason procedure. RESULTS: The causes of the fistula were radical retropubic prostatectomy in five patients, perineal debridement of Fournier's gangrene in one, transvesical prostatectomy in one and transurethral resection of the prostate in the other patient. The most common clinical manifestation was fecaluria, present in 87.5% of the cases. The mean time elapsed between diagnosis and correction of the fistula was 29.6 (7-63) months. One spontaneous closure occurred after five months of delayed catheterization. Urinary and retrograde urethrocystography indicated the site of the fistula in 71.4% of the cases. No patient presented recurrence of the fistula after its correction with the modified York-Mason procedure. CONCLUSION: The performance of routine colostomy and cystostomy is unnecessary. The technique described by York-Mason permits easy access, reduces surgical and hospitalization times and presents low complication and morbidity rates when surgically correcting recto-urethral fistulas.

Considering the inferior clinical results of the transvaginal and transvesical approaches compared to the O'Conor technique for repair of supratrigonal vesicovaginal fistula, it would be unethical to conduct a randomized study to prove the superiority of the latter method. We suggest that the O'Conor technique be considered the gold standard surgical method of repair of supratrigonal vesicovaginal fistulas.