Prognostic Value of Soluble Death Receptor Ligands in Patients with Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Bladder

BACKGROUND

The activation of Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) and DR4-DR5/tumor necrosis factor-related-apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) pathways in cancer cells triggers apoptosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of soluble FasL (sFasL) and soluble (sTRAIL) in the serum of patients with bladder cancer.

METHODS

The sFasL and sTRAIL levels in the sera of patients with bladder cancer or healthy donors were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Micro-culture tetrazolium viability assay and Western blot were used to analyze cell cytotoxicity and death receptors protein expression respectively.

RESULTS

Whether no difference in sTRAIL levels was seen between patients and controls, the level of sFasL was higher in patients than that in healthy donors. According to, sFasL level was the highest in the serum of patients with superficial stage or low- and medium-grade cancer. Moreover, sFasL in patients with superficial noninvasive bladder tumors or low- and medium-grade cancers was higher than that in patients with invasive carcinomas and high-grade cancers. Patients with high levels of sFasL survive longer than those with low levels, probably related to the cytotoxic potential of FasL preserved in its soluble form.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that monitoring the level of sFasL and its cytotoxic activity could be a prognostic marker in the follow-up of patients with bladder cancer.

A Case Report of Scrotal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Secondary to Chronic Urinary Irritation

Most scrotum cancers are associated with occupational exposure. We report a case of a squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum in a patient with a proximal meatus, secondary to mistreated urethral stricture. Based on our observations in this case, we think that chronic urinary inflammation of the scrotal skin may also be considered as a risk factor of scrotal cancer.

Nephrolithiasis in living kidney donor: experience of nephrologists

BACKGROUND

Living kidney donation for transplantation has become common practice. The decisions to accept a donor with nephrolithiasis are becoming frequent.

AIM

The aim of our study was to report our experience in the living donor kidney with asymptomatic lithiasis.

METHODS

Over a period of 4 years from 2009 to 2013 we collected 18 cases. From the clinical, metabolic and radiological data, we have determined the etiology of urolithiasis in our patients and established, after a literature review, a decision tree of kidney donation.

RESULTS

Our study included 10 women and 8 men with a mean age of 43 years. The nephrolithiasis was discovered incidentally during radiological assessment through the urinary tract without preparation in 1 case, the abdominal ultrasound in 6 cases and the abdominal CT scan in 11 cases. The donation of kidney in our study was performed in 1 case and disqualified in the others cases especially for metabolic abnormalities. In the single couple donor-recipient, after a follow up of 5 years; we have not identified adverse side effects either in the donor or in the recipient patient.

CONCLUSION

In living donors with nephrolithiasis the final decision of renal transplantation must be based on the confrontation between the clinical, biological and radiological data. Metabolic disorders constituted the mainly contraindication of kidney donation in our patients.

[Rare complication of renal transplantation: Emphysematous pyelonephritis]

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma and peri-renal tissues, characterized by the presence of air within the parenchyma of the urinary tract and peri-renal space. This is a severe complication, which involves the functional prognosis of the kidney and the patient's prognosis. The emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare complication of renal transplantation. Its gravity is linked particularly to the fragility of immunosuppressed patients. The authors report the case of an emphysematous pyelonephritis having occurred 9 months after transplantation in a patient 58 years. The evolving risks and therapeutic modalities will be outlined and discussed.

Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Female Urethra, Mimicking Cystocele

Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the urethra is an extremely rare neoplasm mainly described in women. Anterior pelvic exenteration was the treatment performed in most reported cases. It seems to have poorer prognosis than urothelial carcinomas.

Thirty Years of Experience at the First Tunisian Kidney Transplant Center

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to report the results of 30 years of experience at the first kidney transplant center in Tunisia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All kidney transplants performed at the center between June 1986 and June 2016 were included. The study period was divided into 3 decades. Recipient and donor data and follow-up information were obtained from a local database and patient medical records. Comparative analyses were performed using the t test for continuous variables and the Χ² test for qualitative variables. Patient and graft survival rates were calculated according to the actuarial method, and comparison of survival curves was performed according to the logrank test.

RESULTS

The mean age of recipients was 32.7 ± 11.5 years (range, 6-65 y) with a gender ratio of 2.2. Duration of prekidney transplant dialysis varied from 2 months to 20 years (median, 27.5 mo); 1.7% of patients underwent transplant preemptively. Kidneys were recovered from deceased donors in 21.2% of cases and from living donors in 78.8%. The proportion of deceased donors dropped from 27.4% during the period 2006-2010 to 12.9% during the period 2011-2015 (P < .04). Patient survival rates at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 96%, 89.3%, 79.5%, 71.1%, and 65.4%. Graft survival rates were 95%, 86.5%, 76.2%, 66.3%, and 57.2%. The annual graft loss was 2.9%, with a mortality rate of 2.4% and without significant differences between patients receiving deceased-donor and living-donor organs.

CONCLUSIONS

Kidney transplant activity remains suboptimal in our country. The reduction in deceased-donor organs could be related to the political transformations facing our country with their resulting social and economic consequences. Efforts should be made to increase governmental resources and to improve both public awareness of organ donation and the motivation of transplant teams.

Le synovialosarcome primitif de la verge

Le synovialosarcome représente un sous-type rare des sarcomes des tissus mous. Son apparition au niveau de la verge est exceptionnelle et seulement deux cas ont été rapportés dans la littérature auparavant. Nous rapportons un nouveau cas de synovialosarcome de la verge chez un jeune patient de 27 ans, en essayant par l’entremise d’une revue de la littérature de discuter des aspects radiologiques, histologiques, immuno-histochimiques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques de cette tumeur exceptionnelle.

Transitional Bladder Cell Carcinoma Spreading to the Skin

Cutaneous metastases from bladder malignancies are rare. We report the case of a 74 year old man who underwent cysto-prostatectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy for a pT3b N+ bladder transitional cell carcinoma. Four months later, he presented with skin disseminated pigmented lesions. Skin biopsy confirmed cutaneous metastasis from urothelial carcinoma.

A comparison between intravenous lidocaine and ketamine on acute and chronic pain after open nephrectomy: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of analgesic adjuncts such as intravenous (IV) ketamine and lidocaine.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of perioperative IV lidocaine and ketamine on morphine requirements, pain scores, quality of recovery, and chronic pain after open nephrectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted in Charles Nicolle University Hospital of Tunis.

METHODS

Sixty patients were randomly allocated to receive IV lidocaine: bolus of 1.5 mg/kg at the induction of anesthesia followed by infusion of 1 mg/kg/h intraoperatively and for 24 h postoperatively or ketamine: bolus of 0.15 mg/kg followed by infusion of 0.1 mg/kg/h intraoperatively and for 24 h postoperatively or an equal volume of saline (control group [CG]).

MEASUREMENTS

Morphine consumption, visual analog scale pain scores, time to the first passage of flatus and feces, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), 6-min walk distance (6MWD) at discharge, and the incidence of chronic neuropathic pain using the "Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire" at 3 months.

RESULTS

Ketamine and lidocaine reduced significantly morphine consumption (by about 33% and 42%, respectively) and pain scores compared with the CG (P < 0.001). Lidocaine and ketamine also significantly improved bowel function in comparison to the CG (P < 0.001). Ketamine failed to reduce the incidence of PONV. The 6 MWD increased significantly from a mean ± standard deviation of 27 ± 16.2 m in the CG to 82.3 ± 28 m in the lidocaine group (P < 0.001). Lidocaine, but not ketamine, reduced significantly the development of neuropathic pain at 3 months (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ketamine and lidocaine are safe and effective adjuvants to decrease opioid consumption and control early pain. We also suggest that lidocaine infusion serves as an interesting alternative to improve the functional walking capacity and prevent chronic neuropathic pain at 3 months after open nephrectomy.

Prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression profile of epidermal growth factor receptor in urothelial bladder cancer

We studied epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression profile in urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC) which is a complex and heterogeneous disease with a large spectrum of histological aspects and deadly potential. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), all GI tumors and pTa cases showed a low expression profile of EGFR. However, we note that when the stage of disease is advanced, tumors over-express EGFR. Indeed, 5% and 25% of GII and GIII tumors over-expressed EGFR, respectively. Further, 0% of pTa, 9,5% of pT1, 15% of pT2, 50% of pT3, and 90% of pT4 tumors were shown to be high EGFR expression (HEE). Moreover, we found a statistically significant correlation between the EGFR over-expression and grade and stage (P < 0.05). Thus, EGFR over-expression could be a potential prognostic marker to predict poor outcome in Tunisian patients with UBC.

[Retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma: about 5 cases and review of the literature]

Le lymphangiome kystique est une tumeur bénigne malformative rare des vaisseaux lymphatiques à localisations diverses. La localisation rétropéritonéale est moins fréquente comparée à celle mésentérique. Sa présentation clinique est polymorphe. Le diagnostic est évoqué par l'imagerie mais il nécessite une confirmation histologique. Le traitement de choix est chirurgical. Notre objectif est d'étudier les manifestations cliniques, les complications, les aspects diagnostiques et thérapeutiques de cette tumeur. Nous rapportons une série de 5 cas de lymphangiomes kystiques rétropéritonéaux (4 femmes et un homme) opérés dans notre service entre les années 2004 et 2014. Leurs dossiers ont été examinés rétrospectivement. Le suivi était basé sur l'examen clinique et l'échographie abdominale. L´âge moyen était de 45 ans. Le suivi moyen était de 32,6 mois. La symptomatologie révélatrice la plus fréquente était les douleurs et/ou une masse abdominale. Le scanner abdominal était l'examen le plus utile au diagnostic. Une exérèse complète était réalisée d'emblée chez quatre patients et elle était différée après cinq ans de surveillance par une échographie annuelle chez un. Dans un cas, on a eu recours à une néphrectomie. Aucune récidive ni complication n´ont été notées chez les 5 patients. le lymphangiome kystique à localisation rétropéritonéale est une affection rare. Sa prise en charge thérapeutique repose sur une exérèse complète, de cas de lésions symptomatiques ou de complications, pour limiter le risque de récidive. Cette dernière peut être différée chez les patients asymptomatiques.

Voluminous Incidental Oncocytic Neoplasm of the Adrenal Gland With Uncertain Malignant Potential

A 74-year-old man presented with right flank pain and a palpable mass in the left flank. Blood pressure was normal. Contrastenhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a 17 × 16 × 12 cm retroperitoneal mass over the left kidney, solid and heterogeneous. There were also 3 retro aortic lymph nodes and bilateral renal lithiasis. Twenty four-hour urinary metanephrines and normetanephrines were normal. The patient underwent a resection of the mass with left adrenalectomy by a lumbar incision. Histological findings revealed an adrenal oncocytic neoplasm (AON) with uncertain malignant potential. Six months after surgery, CT control showed neither local nor distant recurrence.

[Not Available]

But : Les tumeurs urothéliales de la vessie sont rares chez le jeune adulte. Leur profil évolutif et leur pronostic restent matière à controverse. Nous rapportons notre expérience à propos de 54 patients.Méthodologie : Entre 1990 et 2010, 54 patients de moins de 40 ans au moment du diagnostic ont été traités pour carcinome à cellules transitionnelles de la vessie. Nous avons étudié le profil évolutif de ces tumeurs en séparant les patients en deux groupes (moins de 30 ans, et 30 à 40 ans). Résultats : La tumeur n’infiltrait pas le muscle vésical dans 37 cas et l’infiltrait dans 17 cas. Pour les tumeurs n’infiltrant pas le muscle vésical, elles étaient de stade Ta dans 20 cas et de grade I-II dans 36 cas. Le pronostic de ces tumeurs était meilleur avant l’âge de 30 ans avec un taux de récidive de 15,3 % sans progression. Pour les patients de 30 à 40 ans, le taux de récidive était de 33,3 %, et 25 % des tumeurs qui ont récidivé ont présenté une progression du stade. Pour les tumeurs infiltrant le muscle vésical, le pronostic était sombre (localement avancées dans neuf cas et métastatiques d’emblée dans cinq cas).Conclusion : Le profil évolutif des tumeurs n’infiltrant pas le muscle vésical a semblé meilleur avant l’âge de 30 ans. Entre 30 et 40 ans, le profil évolutif s’est approché de celui des sujets âgés. Les tumeursinfiltrantes étaient souvent évoluées et agressives, évoquant un potentiel évolutif particulier.

Clinical significance of T-bet, GATA-3, and Bcl-6 transcription factor expression in bladder carcinoma

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of three immune cell-related transcription factors, T-bet, GATA-3 and Bcl-6 in bladder cancer in Tunisian patients.

Methods

Expression of T-bet, GATA-3 and Bcl-6 genes was assessed using RT-qPCR in 65 bladder cancers from patients: 32 being diagnosed as low- and medium-grade, 31 as high-grade, 25 as muscle invasive stage and 39 as non-muscle invasive stage. Gene expression was statistically correlated according to the grade, the stage, tobacco consumption, the BCG response and disease severity.

Results

T-bet levels in patients with high-grade bladder cancer were significantly elevated compared to patients with low- or medium-grade bladder cancer (p = 0.005). In invasive carcinoma (T2–T4), the T-bet levels were significantly higher than in superficial non-invasive bladder tumors (Tis, Ta, and T1) (p = 0.02). However, T-bet is predictive of the response to BCG. Its expression is high in good responders to BCG (p = 0.02). In contrast, the expression of GATA-3 and Bcl-6 in non-invasive carcinoma (p = 0.008 and p = 0.0003) and in patients with low- and medium-grade cancers (p = 0.001 and p < 0.0001) is significantly higher than in invasive bladder tumors and in patients with high-grade bladder carcinoma, respectively. In addition, heavy smokers, whose tumors express low levels of GATA-3 and Bcl-6, are poor responders to BCG (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03). Finally, better patient survival correlated with GATA-3 (p = 0.04) and Bcl-6 (p = 0.04) but not T-bet expression.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that T-bet expression in bladder tumors could be a positive prognostic indicator of BCG therapy, even if high levels are found in high-grade and stage of the disease. However, GATA-3 and Bcl-6 expression could be considered as predictive factors for good patient survival.

Superselective embolisation of bilateral superior vesical arteries for management of intractable hematuria in context of metastatic bladder cancer

Hematuria due to locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer is a common condition and is often a management problem. Percutaneous embolisation is a mini-invasive option to handle this situation. We report a case of a patient with a metastatic bladder cancer and who presented with an abundant hematuria and severe anemia. After failure of endoscopic resections and “flush” of radiotherapy haemostatic and refusal of cystectomy by the patient, he was treated by superselective embolisation of bilateral superior bladder arteries with excellent immediate results. The technique is safe and effective in the short term. The long-term effectiveness requires further investigation.