Urology Flashcards
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Tx:
- If not bothered by symptoms, expectant management and education is appropriate.
Urodynamic testing
- Proedure to determine how well the bladder empties urine on demand
- Manometry catheter is placed into the rectum, then bladder is slowly filled with warm watter and the patient reports when they develop the urge to urinate. Urinary flow is measured as the patient is asked to empty their bladder.
Abnormalities identified during prostate exam can be further worked up via. . .
. . . transrectal ultrasonography
Alpha blockers for BPH
- Alfuzosin
- Doxazosin
- Tamsulosin
- Terazosin
- Silodosin
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors for BPH
- Alfatradiol
- Dutasteride
- Epristeride
- Finasteride
Alpha blockers vs 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors in their use for BPH
Alpha blockers act within days and reduce the contraction of the prostate
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors take several months to start working and reduce the plasiticty of the prostate parenchyma. They also have the side effects of reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and abnormal ejaculation.
Role of desmopressin in treatment of LUTS
- Induces water reabsorption and thus decreases volume of urine produced
- Useful for patients with persistent and bothersome nocturia
- Taken once at bedtime
Role of muscarinic receptor anatagonists in treatment of LUTS
- Mostly indicated for overactive bladder
- Reduce urinary urgency by reducing bladder contraction and bladder sensory threshold
- Side effects are dry mouth, constipation, micturition difficulty, dizziness
Combination therapy for BPH
- Many patients with moderate to severe BPH take both an alpha-1-blocker and a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor
Factors that may indicate high risk of disease progression in BPH
- High prostate volume
- High PSA
- Advanced age
- These may be indicatons for combination BPH therapy in more mild cases to prevent progression, as this may avoid a surgical procedure at a later date.
Transurethral resection of the prostate
- Resection of the transition zone of the prostate
- Indicated for patients with severe bladder outlet obstruction secondary to a large prostate
Transurethral incision of the bladder neck
- Another option for severe BPH
- Small-sized, highly symptomatic BPH is the best candidate for this procedure
Complications of transurethral resection and incision procedures
Urinary incontinence
Bladder neck strictures
Retrograde ejaculation
Erectile dysfunction
Transurethral needle ablation
- Deliver of low-level radiofrequency energy through a needle inserted into the prostate through the urethra
- Produces controlled destruction of the prostate and relief of bladder outlet obstruction
- Has a higher risk of recurrence and need for retreatment than transurethral resection
Open prostatectomy
- Most invasive surgical operation for BPH, but also more effective and durable than the rest
- Patient selection is key to balance complications and long-term benefits
Transurethral laser vaporization of the prostate
- Laser energy delivery devices are introduced transurethrally to deliver laser energy to the prostate
- Short-term results very good, however this treatment is relatively new and long-term outcomes data are not yet available
Next step after detection of an elevated PSA
Transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsy
If suspicious for cancer, a staging CT abdomen and pelvis is indicated
__ can artificially increase the PSA for a period of time
Digital prostate exam can artificially increase the PSA for a period of time
A nontender, non-transilluminating testicular mass in a man under 40 is ___ until proven otherwise.
A nontender, non-transilluminating testicular mass in a man under 40 is testicular cancer until proven otherwise.
Tumor markers for testicular cancer
AFP and beta-hCG
Workup of testicular mass
- Testicular exam
- Testicular ultrasound
- A solid, hypoechoic mass suggests malignancy
- Biopsy is contraindicated in suspected testicular cancer due to the risk of tumor contamination of the scrotum and alterations in lymphatic drainage of the region
- If symptomatic, CT of the thorax (lung involvement) or abdomen (back pain) is indicated for further staging at this time
- If suspicious for malignancy, first obtain beta hCG, AFP, LDH and then radical orchiectomy should be performed for pathology
- If pathology indicates cancer, retriperitoneal lymphadenectomy and full CT staging are indicated
Elevated ___ is correlated to high tumor burden in testicular cancer
Elevated LDH is correlated to high tumor burden in testicular cancer
It has been observed that individuals with testicular cancer have ___ fertility relative to their peers without cancer
It has been observed that individuals with testicular cancer have lower fertility relative to their peers without cancer
In general, the prognosis for early stage testicular cancers is. . .
. . . excellent
Even with relapse, “cure” rates are > 99%
This is one of the most treatable forms of cancer.
Virchow node
The last lymph node in the thoracic duct, receiving afferent lymphatic drainage from the left head and neck, as well as the entirety of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and bilateral lower extremities.
Enlargement of this node may be seen in patients with intraabdominal malignancies. Identification of an enlarged virchow lymph node suggests that there is metastatic malignancy present somewhere in the body.
Seminomas are exquisitely sensitive to ___
Seminomas are exquisitely sensitive to radiation therapy
Therefore, any extratesticular sites of extension of seminoma can be treated reliably with external beam radiation
Breakdown of testicular cancers
- 90% germ cell tumors
- Half of these are seminomas
- A substantial number of germ cell tumors are mixed cell type
- 10% stromal cell tumors
Surgical management of undescended teste
- Cryptorchidism greatly increases the risk of germ cell tumor, even after the maldesecended testicle is repositioned
- Orchioplexy is still recommended prior to 13 years of age, but the RR for cancer is still 2x greater than for the baseline population
Family history and testicular cancer
- Brother with history of testicular cancer: 8-10 x baseline risk
- Father with testicular cancer: 4-6 x baseline risk
Tumor markers for non-seminomatous testicular cancer
AFP
beta-HCG
LDH