Background: Antiandrogens used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may affect the diagnosis of prostate cancer by decreasing serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values. We conducted a retrospective survey of BPH patients treated with chlormadinone acetate (CMA) and analysed the effect of CMA on their PSA values. Methods: A chart-based, retrospective, multi-institutional survey of clinically diagnosed patients with BPH who had been treated with CMA (Prostal; 50 mg/day) was conducted. The patients were divided into three groups according to their baseline PSA values: <4 ng/mL, Group I; ≥4 ng/mL and <10 ng/mL, Group II; and ≥10 ng/mL, Group III. The changes in the PSA values from baseline after 16, 26, and 52 weeks of CMA therapy were predicted using a nonlinear regression model analysis. Results: Data from 192 of the 303 enrolled patients were analysed. The predicted percent changes from baseline among all patients after 16, 26, and 52 weeks of treatment were −49.6%, −49.8%, and −49.9%, respectively. The corresponding values were −42.4%, −43.7% and −43.8% in Group I; −57.4%, −58.4% and −58.5% in Group II; and −50.6%, −50.6% and −50.6% in Group III, respectively. Conclusion:The PSA values reached a nadir, approximately −50% of the baseline, after 16 weeks of CMA administration and remained at the same level thereafter. When CMA is used to treat BPH patients, the possibility of abnormal increases in PSA associated with prostate cancer must be considered; if prostate cancer is suspected, prompt testing, including a biopsy, should be performed.

Conditions that cause curvature of the erect penis also lead to difficulties with intercourse. The present study presents an effective surgical treatment for congenital penile curvature. Between March 1996 and August 2004, 49 patients were diagnosed with congenital penile curvature at the Toho University Omori Hospital Reproduction Center, Tokyo. Of these, 27 eligible patients underwent surgical treatment. The operative technique used involved the tunica albuginea being exposed and a number of vertical incisions were made through its superficial layers. The superficial layer of the tunica albuginea was then resected using scissors. Inverted plication sutures were then placed in the raw surface of the corpus cavernosum using 2-0 nylon. In addition, 2-0 polyglactic acid (Vicryl) sutures were placed on either side of each nylon suture knot. Of a total of 49 patients, 27 eligible patients underwent surgical treatment with no serious postoperative complications. All 27 patients were able to sustain intercourse. There were no new cases of erectile dysfunction, penile pain or penile shortening. There were no recurrences of penile curvature. This new partial thickness shaving, inverted sutures reinforced with dissolving sutures plication method is an extremely effective surgical treatment for congenital penile curvature, with a superior safety profile. (Reprod Med Biol 2005;: 255-258).