The aim of this study was to investigate the role of 70 Gy salvage radiotherapy (SRT) combined with short-term neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) in the treatment of recurrent disease after radical prostatectomy (RP), and to consider quality of life (QoL), survival outcomes and impact of co-morbidities on treatment-related rectal-genitourinary toxicity. Electronic records of 184 SRT patients treated consecutively between October 2001 and February 2007 were analyzed. Median age was 64 years (median follow-up 48 months). NHT was given to 165 patients (median 3 months). Pre-RP and pre-SRT PSA, PSA doubling time, Gleason score (GS), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) and detectable post-SRT PSA were recorded. Any detectable PSA or PSA >0.1 ng/ml + nadir was considered biochemical failure (BcF). The Charlson co-morbidity index was used to correlate co-morbidities and rectal-genitourinary toxicity. Scores from the health-related QoL EORTC QLQ-C30 and PR-25 questionnaires were also evaluated. In 116 (63%) patients, a long-lasting curative effect was indicated by undetectable PSA levels. In univariate analysis, using BcF as an outcome variable, p<0.001 was found for GS, pre-SRT PSA, SVI and detectable post-SRT PSA. Multivariate analysis showed p=0.01 for SVI, p=0.09 for GS, and detectable post-SRT PSA (p=0.01); with metastases as an outcome variable, only SVI was significant (p=0.007). Cancer-specific and overall survival were 99 and 95%, respectively. Although microscopy showed SVI or GS 8-10 in the prostatectomy specimens 17/40 (43%) and 13/29 (45%), respectively, of patients still showed undetectable PSA at long-term follow-up (median 55 months) after SRT. Likewise, 11/31 (36%) patients with pre-SRT PSA >1.0 ng/ml and 80/134 (60%) patients with PSA doubling time (PSADT) <10 still showed undetectable PSA after 50 months. Slightly elevated acute and late rectal-genitourinary grade 3-4 toxicity was observed. No association with co-morbidity/toxicity was found. EORTC QLQ-C30 scores were similar to or slightly better than reference values. SRT with 70 Gy combined with 3-month NHT results in long-term undetectable PSA in >50% of patients with recurrence after RP with acceptable rectal-genitourinary toxicity and without negatively affecting long-term QoL. Non-metastatic patients should not be disqualified from receiving SRT although presenting with poor prognostic factors at surgery.
Study Type – Therapy (case control) Level of Evidence 3b OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of an extract of Butea superba (Roxb.) (BS) compared to sildenafil for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). PATIENTS AND METHODS An open label study was carried out among 32 men with organic ED to evaluate the response on the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF‐5) to BS, a ‘natural health’ product (100 mg), compared to 50 mg of sildenafil (a phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor). After a 1‐week wash‐out, responders to BS received either 100 mg starch or 100 mg of another batch of BS (double‐blind). RESULTS Of the patients in the BS group, 27 (84%) responded positively, compared with 26 (81%) in the sildenafil group. When assessing the score alone, 12 (38%) had a better score after taking BS, compared to seven (22%) after sildenafil, and eight (25%) had the same score. The results were surprising and could not be repeated in the double‐blind part of the study, where no effect of BS was recorded. CONCLUSIONS A ‘natural’ health product containing BS was more effective than sildenafil in the first part of the study, but in the second, using another batch of BS, the positive result could not be repeated and no effect was recorded. The conclusion is that the first preparation of BS was most likely blended with a phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor, later confirmed by the supplier of BS (a natural health products company) after their own analysis.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the indications for penile prosthesis implantation in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) before and after the introduction of sildenafil. PATIENTS AND METHODS Penile prosthesis implantation was indicated in 144 men with ED at our institution between 1992 and 2007; 83 (55.6%) accepted the procedure, 55 (38.2%) refused it and six (4.2%) accepted but eventually had no surgery. Sixty‐seven patients were operated primarily, and the remainder were referred cases with complications after or dissatisfaction with primary operations done elsewhere. Thirty‐two were operated before the introduction of sildenafil (BS) and 35 after (AS). RESULTS In the BS group the most frequent aetiology was vascular disease, with 11(34%) vs two (6%) in the AS group. The most frequent aetiology in the AS group was previous radical pelvic surgery (radical prostatectomy, sigmoidectomy, etc.) with 17 (49%) vs none in the BS group. There were no significant differences in complication rates in both groups. Satisfaction rates in patients with malleable and inflatable devices were 36 (86%) and 17 (85%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS After the introduction of oral therapy for ED there were some changes in the aetiology of refractory ED; ED after radical prostatectomy is gaining acceptance as the main reason for a penile implant.
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.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.