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Preanalytical stability was lower for [-2]pro-PSA than for free PSA or tPSA. Whole-blood [-2]pro-PSA increased in a time-dependent manner, particularly at RT. Thus, whole blood samples collected at RT should be centrifuged within 1 hr after drawing. The [-2]pro-PSA in serum is stable for at least 24 hr at both RT and at 4°C.

BackgroundComposite pheochromocytoma is a rare pathological condition characterized by elements of both pheochromocytoma and neurogenic tumors. However, detailed clinical outcomes of this tumor have not been fully shown. From 2007 to 2013, we experienced three cases of adrenal composite pheochromocytoma. In this report, we investigate the clinicopathological features of these three cases of composite pheochromocytoma and compare them with previously reported cases.Case presentationsCases 1 and 2 were a 29-year-old Japanese woman and a 59-year-old Japanese man, respectively. They underwent laparoscopic left adrenalectomy, and pathological examination revealed composite pheochromocytoma–ganglioneuroma. Case 3 was a 53-year-old Japanese man who had been receiving hemodialysis for 17 years. He underwent laparoscopic right adrenalectomy, and pathological examination revealed composite pheochromocytoma–ganglioneuroblastoma. Although the Ki67-positive rates varied from 1.0 to 6.2% among the three cases, no clinical recurrences occurred. Despite the relatively high rate of Ki67 positivity, complete tumor resection resulted in favorable clinical outcomes.ConclusionWe experienced three cases of adrenal composite pheochromocytoma. Although the clinical findings and treatment outcomes of composite pheochromocytoma were similar to those of ordinary pheochromocytoma, further studies of the biological behavior and genetic profiles of composite pheochromocytoma are necessary to achieve a better understanding of this tumor.

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IntroductionCavernous hemangiomas are common benign tumors of the skin or liver but can also rarely originate from the retroperitoneal space, especially adjacent to the renal hilum. Qualitative characterization of these retroperitoneal tumors using available imaging modalities is relatively difficult.Case presentationA 40-year-old Japanese woman was incidentally noted to have a round homogenous tumor adjacent to the left renal hilum on computed tomography. The preoperative diagnosis was paraganglioma according to hormonal and clinical findings. The tumor was successfully resected via a laparoscopic approach, and histopathological examination of the tumor revealed cavernous hemangioma.ConclusionsCavernous hemangioma is a rare but relatively benign disease when considering the different types of retroperitoneal tumors. We were able to effectively treat the retroperitoneal cavernous hemangioma via laparoscopy.

Purpose Compartment syndrome that occurs after lengthy surgery in the lithotomy position is known as well-leg compartment syndrome. It has serious consequences for patients, including amyotrophic renal failure, limb loss, and sometimes even death. This study aimed to identify effective preventive measures against well-leg compartment syndrome using a retrospective cohort study of 1,951 patients (985 and 966 in the prevention and control groups, respectively). Material and methods The following preventive interventions were analyzed: (1) changing from the lithotomy position to the open-leg position, (2) removing lower leg pressure caused by the lithotomy position, (3) limiting leg elevation based on the height of the right atrium, (4) horizontally repositioning the operating table every 3 hours, and (5) decompressing the contact area of the lower leg in the lithotomy position during operation. Results Eight cases of well-leg compartment syndrome occurred in the control group, whereas no well-leg compartment syndrome occurred in the prevention group. Conclusion These findings suggest that the five interventions assessed can prevent the development of well-leg compartment syndrome.

To date, the rodent ventral prostate (VP) has been the focus of many studies on androgen action, less attention has been directed to the lateral prostate (LP) and the dorsal prostate (DP). The rodent VP has no clear homologous counterpart in the human prostate. The rodent LP and DP is the only prostate lobe comparable to the peripheral zone of the human prostate, where hormone-induced prostate cancer mainly occurs. To explore its utility for prostate targeting, we have studied the gene expression of PSP94 with rat probasin (rPB), a gene commonly used for prostate targeting in prostate cancer research and a gene typically responsive to androgen regulation. Firstly, we demonstrated PSP94 gene transcription being more specific to the LP and DP lobes than rPB, where rPB RNA was detected in the LP and DP and other lobes at different levels. Secondly, we found that PSP94 gene transcription decreased relatively slowly in response to androgen deprivation but recovered rapidly in response to testosterone replacement after complete ablation of PSP94 transcription. In the VP, gene transcripts of rPB were specifically responsive to androgen deprivation; however, they responded relatively slowly in the LP and DP. RNase protection experiments indicated that the slow response was not due to abnormal persistence of PSP94 messenger RNA specifically in the DP and LP lobes in comparison with rPB. Thirdly, Western blot analysis revealed that both PSP94 and rPB expression is specific to the LP and DP at the protein level, exhibiting slow responses to testosterone replacement after castration. We conclude that PSP94 gene expression at the transcriptional level is more specific to the LP and DP than rPB and thus less sensitive to androgen ablation. This may have clinical implications for strategies to target the prostate in cancer therapy.

Abstract. Aim: To evaluate whether a combination method involving the transrectal (TR) and transperineal (TP)approach 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were 49.2% (551/1,119), 34.7% (75/216), 33.3% (20/60), 26.7% (4/15) Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy has been recognized as the standard method for confirming a prostate cancer diagnosis worldwide. The utility of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided biopsy has been indicated in recent reports (1, 2). We agree with the opinion, however, that discussion on TRUS biopsy is still important due to its cost and equipment. In short, we think that MR-guided biopsy is often difficult in developing countries. After the initial introduction of the sextant prostate biopsy technique proposed by Hodge (3), the TRUS-guided biopsy technique has evolved with the introduction of extended 10-to 12-core biopsy and, subsequently, to over 20-core saturation biopsy strategies to minimize the sampling error and improve the accuracy of prostate cancer detection (4). However, it is well-recognized that even the standard 12-core TRUS-guided biopsy can miss up to 30% of cancers (5). TRUS-guided biopsy predominantly targets the lateral and posterior peripheral gland and can miss anteriorly located cancers. Therefore, several studies have focused on methods for anterior and apical biopsies.Transperineal (TP) biopsy of the prostate is an alternative approach that is less frequently performed. Kakehi et al. (6) reviewed 212,065 biopsies carried out at 548 institutions during the period between 2004 and 2006 in Japan. Of the 212,065 biopsies, 76% were carried out using the transrectal (TR) approach, 23% using the TP approach and only 1% using the combined methods of TR and TP (TR+TP). Ong et al. (7) reported that TP biopsy accounted for <0.5% of all prostate biopsies performed in Australia in 2007. However, there has been increasing interest in TP biopsy in recent 4685This article is freely accessible online.