The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and potential prognostic value of cell-free plasma DNA (CF-pDNA) in patients with suspected or histologically proven prostate cancer (PCa). We included 133 men with a diagnosis of PCa and 33 controls. PCa patients had blood samples prospectively drawn every 3 months for 2 years. CF-pDNA was measured by spectrophotometry. Considering a cut-off value of 140 ng/mL of CF-pDNA the area under the curve was of 0.824(0.757-0.879 with a sensitivity = 66.2 % and a specificity = 87.9 %) and the positive and negative likelihood ratio were of 5.46 and 0.39, respectively. CF-pDNA tends to decrease slightly and return to baseline values in about a week after biopsy. There was no statistical significant correlation between CF-pDNA levels at study entry with PSA, Gleason score, stage and biochemical recurrence free survival (BRFS). However, with a mean follow-up of 13.5 months, we could observe a significant shorter BRFS for patients with at least one value above 140 ng/mL of CF-pDNA during follow-up (p = 0.048). CF-pDNA is a potentially valuable biomarker for PCa diagnosis and a potential tool for the follow-up of patients with PCa.

The nerve supply of the human prostate is very abundant, and knowledge of the anatomy contributes to successful administration of local anesthesia. However, the exact anatomy of extrinsic neuronal cell bodies of the autonomic and sensory innervation of the prostate is not clear, except in other animals. Branches of pelvic ganglia composed of pelvic (parasympathetic) and hypogastric (sympathetic) nerves innervate the prostate. The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the growth, maturation, and secretory function of this gland. Prostate procedures under local anesthesia, such as transurethral prostatic resections or transrectal ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy, are safe, simple, and effective. Local anesthesia can be feasible for many special conditions including uncomplicated prostate surgery and may be particularly useful for the high-risk group of patients for whom inhalation or spinal anesthesia is inadvisable.

PURPOSE:To analyze the correlation between the "International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form" (ICIQ-UISF) survey and the urodynamic findings in men with urinary incontinence (UI) following radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS:88 men who presented post-RP UI for a minimum of 1 year were enrolled prospectively. All answered the ICIQ-UISF survey and underwent urodynamic testing. Patients were divided in 3 Groups according to their urodynamic diagnosis: Group 1, patients with sphincteric incontinence (SI) alone; Group 2, patients with mixed UI (SI + Bladder Dysfunction (BD)); and Group 3, patients with BD alone. Data were analyzed using SPSS v16.0 software. RESULTS:There were 51 men in Group 1 (57.9%); 30 in Group 2 (34%); and 7 (7.9%) in Group 3. BD was found in 37/88 patients (42%), but it was the main cause of UI in only 14 patients (15.9%). There was no statistically significant difference among the mean ICIQ-UISFs values from groups 1, 2, or 3 (p>0.05). The symptoms of stress incontinence correlated with the urodynamic finding of SI (r = 0.59), and complaints of urinary urgency correlated with the presence of detrusor overactivity (DO) (r = 0.37), but these complaints did not predict the main cause of UI. CONCLUSION:The etiology of UI following RP cannot be predicted by the ICIQ-UISF survey. Symptoms of stress and urge incontinence predict the findings of SI and DO on urodynamic tests, but they cannot ascertain the main cause of UI. Short Form" (ICIQ-UISF) e os achados urodinâmicos em homens com incontinência urinária (IU) após a prostatectomia radical (PR). RESULTADOS: Dos 88 pacientes avaliados, após a avaliação urodinâmica, 51 homens (57,9%) apresentaram IE isolada (Grupo 1); 30 homens (34%) apresentaram IE associada a DV (Grupo 2) e 7 homens (7,9%) tinham somente DV (Grupo 3). A DV foi encontrada em 37/88 pacientes (42%), mas foi a principal causa de IU em apenas 14 pacientes (15,9%). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os valores das médias do "ICIQ-UISFs" entre os grupos 1, 2 ou 3 (p> 0,05). Os sintomas de incontinência de esforço se correlacionaram com o diagnóstico urodinâmico de IE (r = 0,59), e as queixas de urgência miccional se correlacionaram com a presença de hiperactividade do detrusor na avaliação urodinâmica (r = 0,37), entretanto apesar da correlação encontrada, os sintomas não foram capazes de identificar a principal causa da UI . MÉTODOS CONCLUSÃO:A etiologia da UI após a PR não pode ser previsto pelo escore de sintomas obtidos através do "ICIQ-UISF". Os sintomas de perda urinária as manobras de estresse e de urgência miccional estão relacionados a presença de IE e hiperatividade detrusora na avaliação urodinâmica, entretanto estes sintomas não conseguem identificar com segurança qual é o principal fator da IU após a PR.O teste urodinâmico continua sendo o padrão ouro para avaliar a etiologia da IU após a PR.

LESS-PRA presented comparable functional and perioperative outcomes to LRA for small adrenal tumors. Although LESS-PRA was associated with longer operative time, it provided inferior estimated blood loss, analgesic time, and improved cosmetic satisfaction.

We report a case of verrucous carcinoma of the bladder that was unrelated to bilharziasis, with koilocytosis and absence of human papillomavirus. The literature relating to the topic is discussed.