摘要:

The treatment and prognosis of rhabdomyosarcoma of the urogenital tract have changed dramatically over the past few decades. Until the 1970s radical cystectomy and pelvic exenteration were the only therapeutic options in rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder/prostate and of the vagina/uterus. Since then, multiagent chemotherapy has achieved remarkable cure rates. Consequently, organ-saving surgical techniques were advocated, with the goal to improve patients' quality of life. The available long-term survival data with these techniques demonstrate excellent survival in rhabdomyosarcoma of the vagina/uterus, with a high percentage of organ preservation. On the contrary, increased rates of local recurrence and death from disease in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder/prostate who undergo primary chemotherapy with or without tumour excision, and complications following combined radiotherapy critically question the long-term benefit of these organ-sparing surgical techniques in this group.

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Wilms' tumor (nephroblastoma) is a subject which continues to challenge clinicians in their attempts to achieve the best survival of their patients, while minimizing morbidity. Overall survival of over 85% of all children can now be achieved using combination therapy with chemotherapy, surgery, and in some cases radiotherapy. Recent reviews of two multi-institutional, multinational trials (the International Society of Pediatric Oncology and the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group) are discussed in this article, in which their current approaches to therapy are presented. In addition to these clinical advances, the genetic and molecular features of Wilms' tumor continue to provide insight into the biology of nephroblastoma and into neoplasia in general. A recent review of these aspects of the field is provided.

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract are a major cause of chronic and end-stage renal failure in children. The molecular mechanisms having been elaborated, there is now growing evidence that kidney function is to a large extent determined genetically at an early stage. Assessment of kidney function is an important tool in clinical medicine and is feasiblein utero. Postnatally, determination of absolute glomerular filtration rate and also of split and excretory renal function play an important role in the determination of treatment and prognosis. This is supplemented by other biochemical, molecular and interventional prognostic factors, which are of help in preservation of kidney survival by minimizing modulating factors. If chronic or terminal renal failure ensues in childhood or even in early infancy, however, improved medical care has led to encouraging results, ultimately influencing the motivation in the care of children with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract.

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Children with a neurological defect have a clear cause for their bladder dysfunction; however, in neurologically normal children the cause of their incontinence is usually unclear. When no anatomical abnormalities seem to be present a functional problem is generally the cause. This type of incontinence is referred to as ‘functional incontinence’. The different forms of bladder and sphincter dysfunction will be discussed and treatment modalities described. As the treatment modalities in children with neuropathic bladders focus on medical and especially surgical options, special attention is paid to new developments in surgical treatment. For those with functional incontinence treatment options are more variable and the new developments are described.

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Surgery to the external genitalia is one of the most challenging chapters of reconstructive urology, due to the need to correct complex problems such as hypospadias or epispadias (isolated or associated to exstrophies). Although this specialty has shown a continuous technical advancement there is no consensus as to the most efficient surgical procedure or to the best strategy to treat these pathologies. The papers reviewed here reflect these statements and reinforce the idea that surgeons' good sense, allied with their experience in the area, are the factors that define the choice of the ideal surgical option for each case.

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

More sophisticated endoscopic instruments, combined with a better understanding of bladder and urethral pathology, have significantly improved the therapeutic approaches for both posterior urethral valves and ureteroceles. New generation lithotripters have allowed for a safe and efficient method of treating urinary calculi in children, which was once thought too injurious a process with first-generation machines. The rapidly advancing field of laparoscopy, aided by the development of more optically refined and diminutive instruments, has allowed for its application in a wide variety of surgical interventions in pediatric urology. The tubularized incised plate urethroplasty has challenged more traditional approaches to hypospadias repair and is now considered by many pediatric urologists to be the best approach for midshaft and distal hypospadias. The one-stage approach to exstrophy repair may hold the answer to improved continence without a formal bladder neck reconstruction. Finally, the field of tissue engineering leads the way to new advances in autologous biological substitutes in the surgically-challenged patient where there is a shortage of local tissues at the surgeon's disposal.

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Sex hormones have a broad range of actions in regulating very diverse systems through life as well as critical reproductive and growth processes. Sex hormone biology in its satisfaction of the early demands of species survival and reproductive advantage may be leading a destructive process resulting in frailty and the less desirable aspects of aging that may, in men, be termed andropause. One important system associated directly with aging is interleukin-6, which increases as androgens decline. This may be taking place regardless of androgen receptor activity. It is currently acknowledged that androgens are the first but not the only possible treatment for andropause. There is an acute appreciation of the potentially undesirable impact of androgens on the biology of prostate cancer, as well as, possibly, the cardiovascular system. Most authors agree that careful evaluation and surveillance of the prostate must attend androgen therapy in aging men.

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

In this review, we briefly discuss recently published data on female sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and pain, and on medical/iatrogenic factors associated with female sexual function. The studies reviewed highlight a number of important methodological and etiological issues in the study of female sexual function. Researchers are urged to use standardized methods for defining sexual disorders and for selecting patient samples. Placebo-controlled studies are essential for examining the pharmacological aspects of female sexual dysfunction. Evidence suggests that free testosterone levels may be associated with sexual desire in women. Sildenafil citrate increases genital blood flow but may not impact on subjective reports of arousal. Past research implicated the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptors in female sexual function, while recent data suggest a role for the 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor. Increasing attention is being paid to medical/health conditions that impact sexual function (e.g. neurological conditions, cancer, hysterectomy, and cardiovascular disease).

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

At present, a significant proportion of patients with prostate cancer are diagnosed at an early stage and may receive treatments able to bring about the long-term control of the disease. Thus, the impact of available treatments on the patient's quality of life has been gaining increasing importance; for patients with prostate cancer, counselling on the treatment-related effects on sexual function has become mandatory. Radical prostatectomy is very frequently performed in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. Postoperative erectile function has been reported as being satisfactory in the majority of the patients operated on in centers of excellence for this procedure. However, overall, the results for postoperative potency are disappointing in view of the large amounts of data available from community practices. Attempts to improve postoperative potency include the intraoperative use of cavernous nerve stimulation and grafting of peripheral nerves to restore the innervation of the corpora cavernosa. Erectile dysfunction has also been associated with prostate radiotherapy. It has been shown that both ultrasound-guided brachytherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy cause an impairment of erectile function that is usually seen some time after the completion of therapy. Treatment with sildenafil citrate remains a viable option both for patients treated with radical prostatectomy (in whom the cavernous nerve function is at least partially present) and in patients treated with radiotherapy.

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Despite the revolutionary introduction of oral erectogenic agents for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, there will always be patients who do not respond to conservative therapy. Penile prosthetic surgery remains an important option for these patients. Mechanical reliability and patient satisfaction have improved significantly throughout the years. This review focuses on the most recent and important updates regarding product enhancements, patient satisfaction studies, and management of intra- and postoperative problems.

ISSN:0963-0643    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID