H. Van Poppel MD, PhD

Prostatopubic fistula and osteomyelitis of the pubic bone as severe complication after salvage high intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer: report of two cases

Summary

High-intensity focused ultrasound has been used as an alternative treatment for prostate cancer, as both primary or salvage treatment. It is considered a minimally invasive treatment modality. We recently needed to care for two patients with severe osteomyelitis of the pubic bone as a result of a prostatopubic fistula, after they underwent salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment post-radiotherapy.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2015;9(7):290–95)

Early detection of prostate cancer: the EAU versus the AUA recommendations

To present a comparison between the recommendations for early detection of prostate cancer in men without evidence of prostate cancer related symptoms, as proposed by the European Association of Urology and the American Urological Association. Prostate-specific antigen screening for prostate cancer has been and still is one of the most controversial issues in medicine. Recent guideline statements and recommendations have led to further confusion and controversy regarding the use of prostate-specific antigen testing for the early detection of prostate cancer. In this text we try to summarise the different points of view of both societies and the evidence they are based upon.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2015;9(5):179–82)

Penile cancer practice guidelines

We present a condensed version of the ESMO clinical practice guidelines on penile cancer.¹

Penile cancer is an uncommon but ominous disease. In the last few years there has been a shift towards penile-preserving techniques, because besides local control, an important aim of surgery is to preserve the functionality and sexual function of the penis. This has an important impact on the patient’s self-esteem, quality of life and general mental health. Despite the rarity of the disease we gradually achieve more insight in the proper staging and treatment of this malignancy.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2014;8(5):213–6)

Resection of two metachronous solitary pulmonary metastases of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: an exceptional case

A solitary pulmonary metastasis of prostate cancer is not considered a surgical lesion. However, growing evidence supports that highly selected patients could benefit from metastasectomy of a solitary pulmonary metastasis. We present an exceptional case of resection of two metachronous pulmonary metastases of prostate cancer after previous radical prostatectomy, resulting in nearly undetectable prostate-specific antigen (0.04 ng/ml).

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2014;8(5):217–9)

High-risk localised prostate cancer: the role of surgery and the development of clinical outcome prediction models

This PhD thesis is aimed at elucidating some very important issues on high-risk prostate cancer: How can high-risk prostate cancer best be defined? Can we clearly define demarcated prognostic subgroups within the high-risk prostate cancer group which could allow improved patient counselling, comparison of different treatment strategies and proper trial design? What are the outcomes of surgery in high-risk prostate cancer and how can we identify those patients within the heterogeneous group of high-risk prostate cancer who would benefit most from surgery?

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2014;8(5):220–3)

Current perspectives on the use of the Gleason grading system for prostate cancer

For more than four decades the Gleason score is the most widely accepted histopathological grading system for prostate cancer. It is a 5-tier grading system that correlates with tumour differentiation and is solely based on architectural patterns within the tumour. Although robust over time, revision of Gleason grading became unavoidable as diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer also underwent an enormous evolution over time. In 2005 the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) proposed several modifications to the Gleason system which should keep this grading system timely. This review compares the original system to the modified Gleason system and especially focuses on the prognostic relevance of the modifications. It further deals with the question if the Gleason system will be able to keep its prominent role in the diagnostic and prognostic algorithm for prostate carcinoma, especially in the nearby molecular era. (BELG J MED ONCOL 2012;6:45–51)