Abstract:The long-term results of endoureterotomy using a holmium laser in cases of benign ureteral stricture, uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJ-O) and ureteroenteric stricture were evaluated. Twenty procedures were carried out in 18 patients. Strictures were incised with a holmium laser using a fiber passed through the ureteroscope. Sixteen of the 20 procedures (80%) were successful at average follow-up of 60.5 months (range, 46-74). Stricture recurred in four cases. All failures occurred within 18 months. Although stricture length was not correlated with recurrence, all failures, with the exception of a single UPJ-O, involved middle ureteral strictures. Endoureterotomy using a holmium laser affords favorable results with respect to long-term patency. This procedure is recommended as a satisfactory therapeutic option for the initial management of patients presenting with ureteral stricture.
RESULTSEleven patients (22%) were positive for CgA; there was a significant difference in the time to recurrence ( P = 0.025) but no significant differences in cause-specific survival rate or survival rate after recurrence. In all, 21 patients (42%) were positive for HER-2; the cause-specific survival rate, time to recurrence and survival rate after recurrence were all significantly more favourable in the HER-2-negative group ( P = 0.008, 0.049 and 0.025, respectively). In the 49 patients for whom both factors could be determined, there was no significant correlation between CgA and HER-2 positivity.
CONCLUSIONSNE cell differentiation of the primary tumour in patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer does not reflect the prognosis, whereas HER-2 overexpression is a prognostic factor for an unfavourable outcome. These results suggest that NE cell differentiation is not induced by HER-2.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.