Objective: To evaluate the impact of radical prostatectomy on lower urinary tract symptoms by using the International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life. Methods: The present prospective study comprised 804 patients having localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy. International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life were recorded preoperatively, and at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Two study groups were considered: group 1 included patients with International Prostate Symptom Score 7 (mild) and group 2 included patients with International Prostate Symptom Score 8 (moderate to severe). Student's t-test and logistic regression were carried out to detect a predictive factor of International Prostate Symptom Score 7 at 24 months. Results: The mean International Prostate Symptom Score was 5.58 ± 6.6, 11.12 ± 7.1 and 7.62 ± 6 at baseline, 1 month and 3 months, respectively (P <0.0001). The mean quality of life score showed the same evolution with a significant difference at 1 and 3 months. The mean International Prostate Symptom Score was initially 1.57 ± 1.9 in group 1 and 13.51 ± 5.5 in group 2 (P <0.0001), evolving to 3.41 ± 3.1 and 7.69 ± 5.8 at 24 months (P <0.0001), respectively. The mean quality of life score was significantly different between the groups initially, and at 6 and 12 months with P <0.0001, P = 0.005 and P = 0.02, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression showed that age, prostate volume and preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score were independent predictive factors of International Prostate Symptom Score 7 at 24 months (P <0.0001). In group 2, 47 patients (17%) had an International Prostate Symptom Score 8 at 24 months, 15 of them (32%) having a QoL score 3.Conclusions: The present study shows the beneficial impact of radical prostatectomy on lower urinary tract symptoms. However, a proportion of patients with a baseline International Prostate Symptom Score 8 maintain the same score at 24 months, with worsening in quality of life score in one-third of them.

• The 5-year biochemical-free survival rate and 5-year disease-free survival rate were calculated. RESULTS• In total, 53 patients were included (mean age, 72.5 ± 4.5 years, range 60-79 years; 28 low risk and 25 intermediate risk). None had undergone previous hormonal therapy. Mean ± SD follow-up was 45.4 ± 15.5 months (range 16-71 years). Mean (range) pre-treatment PSA was 8.5 ± 4 (0.29-18) ng/ mL. The median (range) PSA nadir value was 1 (0.01-14) ng/mL and occurred after a mean (range) of 5.09 (3-24) months.• Overall, 36 patients (67.9%) experienced oncological failure.• These included 33 cases (62.2%) of biochemical failure. A PSA nadir of ≤ 0.2, 0.21-1.0 and > 1 ng/mL was reached in 20.8%, 30.2% and 49% of patients, respectively, and was associated with biochemical failure in 9.1%, 30.3% and 60.6%, respectively.• The 5-year biochemical-free survival rate and disease-free survival rate were 21.7% and 13.5%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, a PSA nadir of > 1 ng/mL was significantly associated with a risk of biochemical and oncological failure ( P = 0.002 and P < 0.001).• Oncological failure was not associated with any risk group.• No patient died from prostate cancer.

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, tolerance and efficacy of salvage external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in persistent or recurrent prostate cancer after failed high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy. Methods: We reviewed data on tolerance and oncologic outcomes for all patients with biopsy-proven locally recurrent or persistent prostate cancer who underwent salvage EBRT in our department between April 2004 and June 2008. Minimum follow-up for inclusion was 2 years. Failure with EBRT was defined as biochemical relapse (Phoenix definition) or introduction of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Gastrointestinal and urinary toxicity and urinary stress incontinence were scored at 12 and 24 months (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and Ingelman Sundberg rating, respectively). Results: The mean age of the patients was 68.8 years (range: 60-79). Mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) before EBRT was 5.57 ng/mL (range: 2.5-14.8). Median follow-up was 36.5 ± 10.9 months (range: 24-54). No patient received adjunctive ADT. The EBRT course was well-tolerated and completed by all patients. The mean PSA nadir was 0.62 ng/mL (range: 0.03-2.4) and occurred after a median of 22 months (range: 12-36). One patient experienced biochemical failure and was prescribed ADT 30 months after EBRT. The disease-free survival rate was 83.3% at 36.5 months. There was no major EBRT-related toxicity at 12 or 24 months. Conclusions: Our early clinical results confirm the feasibility and good tolerance of salvage radiotherapy after HIFU failure. Oncological outcomes were promising. A prospective study with longer follow-up is needed to identify factors predictive of success for salvage EBRT therapy after HIFU failure.

A 45-year-old man with a left testis tumor with a 25 mm para-aortic lymph node swelling, multiple bilateral pulmonary metastases, bilateral pulmonary embolism, and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus underwent a radical orchidectomy in our institution. The thrombus extended from the left gonadal vein to the left renal vein to the IVC. The fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (f-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) computerized tomography (CT) demonstrated a hypermetabolic focus in the retroperitoneum and in the IVC thrombus. Before orchidectomy only lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was high but all the serum tumor markers increased postoperatively. The tumor was staged pT1N2M1aS1, which was an intermediate prognosis, based on the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group consensus (IGCCCG). After 4 courses of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy the patient's tumor markers normalized and the thrombus disappeared. There was only one residual retroperitoneal lymph node M1. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed. The pathological examination revealed only necrotic tissues. The patient has been disease-free since surgery.

The objective of this study was to report on technical incidents and early and late complications occurring in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of patients with localized prostate cancer. We performed a retrospective review of patients who were treated by Ablatherm at our centre. We recorded all technical incidents, treatment discontinuations and early (o1 month) and late complications. A total of 74 HIFU procedures were performed in 65 patients (55 first-line HIFU treatments and 10 cases of salvage therapy after radiotherapy) over a 5-year period. Median followup was 41 months (10-64 months). All the procedures were well tolerated and no intra-or perioperative deaths occurred. Six technical incidents in the overall population (8.1%) led to discontinuation of the procedure. The early complication rate in patients undergoing first-line HIFU was 36.4%: urinary retention (20%), dysuria (5.4%), urinary infection (3.6%), haematuria (3.6%) and urethral stenosis (3.6%). The late complication rate was 12.7%: urethral stenosis (9%) and dysuria (3.6%). There were no cases of rectourethral fistula. The long-term urinary incontinence rate was 20% and the de novo erectile dysfunction rate was 77.1%. Nine complications (16.4%) required surgical management. The overall complication rate was 49%. Ablatherm is a reliable technique with a relatively high complication rate. However, most complications were minor and required surgical management in a few cases only. Our results confirm that all patients who are offered HIFU treatment should be properly informed of the risks, in particular with regard to continence and sexual function.