Urology Clinic of Lake Charles, LA

Dr. Reed Fontenot, Jr.
Dr. Stacy McBroom
Dr. John Upshaw

News

July 18, 2008
Computerized Tomography Findings In Pediatric Renal Trauma - Indications For Early Intervention?
UroToday.com - The study out of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh evaluated CT scans for blunt renal trauma to see if they correlated with the need for operative intervention when urinary extravasation was present.

A total of 17 patients with grade IV blunt renal trauma and urinary extravasation were identified between 2000 and 2007. Each CT scan was reviewed to determine location, size and number of sites of extravasation, as well as the presence of contrast material in the ipsilateral ureter. These were then compared to the findings at the time of surgery - whether surgey included stent placement, percutaneous urinoma drainage, angiographic embolization and nephrectomy. Read entire article here.

July 15, 2008
Increased Risk Of Kidney Stone Disease Due To Global Warming, Predicts UT Southwestern Researchers
Global warming is likely to increase the proportion of the population affected by kidney stones by expanding the higher-risk region known as the "kidney-stone belt" into neighboring states, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center and UT Dallas have found.

Dehydration is one of the risk factors linked to kidney-stone disease, and the paper suggests global warming will exacerbate this effect. The researchers predict that by 2050, higher temperatures will cause an additional 1.6 million to 2.2 million kidney-stone cases, representing up to a 30 percent growth in some areas. Read entire article here.

Information
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men. In 2002 it is estimated that 30,200 men will die from prostate cancer and 189,000 men will be diagnosed (American Cancer Society Facts & Figures 2002). The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age with 75% of all prostate cancers being diagnosed in men over the age of 65.

Prostate Cancer Management
The critical focus for the treatment of prostate cancer is to treat those cancers where it is necessary, and not to treat those that do not need it.

Decisions about the best management of prostate cancer can be complex and depend upon the:

Pathology of the cancer (unlike other cancers, prostate cancer often progresses very slowly)
Stage of the disease (non-metastatic (localized or locally advanced), metastatic or hormone refractory)
Age and general health of the patients at diagnosis
The impact that treatment can have on quality of life, including sexual activity.
Patient's preference for treatment
PSA at diagnosis

Please visit the National Prostate Cancer Coalition for more information.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month
Vaccine-preventable disease levels are at or near record lows. However, we cannot take high immunization coverage levels for granted. To continue to protect America's children and adults, we must obtain maximum immunization coverage in all populations, establish effective partnerships, conduct reliable scientific research, implement immunization systems, and ensure vaccine safety.
Read more ....

Adrenal Cancer

Overview

Adrenal cancer is a rare disease that originates in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys and consist of two parts that function separately: the cortex (outer layer) and the medulla (inner area).

The cortex produces three major hormones: cortisol (a glucocorticoid), aldosterone (a mineralocorticoid), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA; an androgen). The medulla produces epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Adrenal tumors can be functioning (i.e., increase hormone production) or nonfunctioning (i.e., do not produce hormones). Symptoms of adrenal cancer and treatment for the condition depend on whether the tumor is functioning or nonfunctioning, and on which hormone is being overproduced.

Types

Most (99%) adrenal tumors are benign (i.e., noncancerous) adrenal cortical adenomas and do not require treatment. These tumors usually do not cause symptoms, are small, and are found incidentally during diagnostic imaging.

The most common type of adrenal cancer develops in the adrenal cortex and is called adrenocortical carcinoma. Functioning adrenocortical carcinomas may produce symptoms related to increased hormone production.

Nonfunctioning tumors may cause pain from pressure on abdominal organs and a palpable (able to be felt with the fingers) mass in the abdomen.

Cancers that develop in the adrenal medulla include neuroblastoma (originates in undeveloped nerve cells) and pheochromocytoma (originates in cells that produce epinephrine and norephinephrine). Neuroblastoma usually occurs in infants and children and pheochromocytoma more commonly occurs in people who are in their 30s and 40s.

Other types of cancer (e.g., breast, lung) may spread (metastasize) to the adrenal glands.

Incidence and Prevalence

Worldwide, about 1 out of 1 million people develop adrenal cancer each year. Prevalence of the condition is slightly higher in men in their 40s and 50s and in children younger than 5 years old.

Causes and Risk Factors

The cause of adrenal cancer is unknown and most cases do not have identifiable risk factors. In some cases, heredity plays a role in the development of the disease. Li-Fraumeni syndrome and type 1 multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1) are genetic mutations in tumor suppressor genes that increase the risk for several types of cancer, including adrenal cancer. Genetic testing may be recommended in families with a high incidence of suspected tumor suppressor gene mutation.

Other familial syndromes associated with adrenal cancer include:

Gardner syndrome
Carney triad
Cowden syndrome
Familial polyposis
Turcot syndrome

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Signs and Symptoms

Adrenal cancer does not always produce symptoms. Both nonfunctioning adrenocortical carcinomas and large functioning tumors may cause the following:

Fever
Palpable (able to be felt with the fingers) abdominal mass
Persistent abdominal pain
Sensation of abdominal "fullness"
Weight loss

Additional symptoms of functioning adrenocortical carcinoma depend on which hormones are overproduced. Overproduction of androgens (e.g., dehydroepiandrosterone, estrogen) usually does not produce symptoms in men because the testicles produce testosterone, which is a more potent androgen. Rarely, abnormal breast enlargement (gynecomastia) occurs in men. Excess androgens may cause early puberty in children and masculination (i.e., abnormal facial and body hair, deepening voice) in women and children.

Complications

A functioning adrenocortical tumor that produces excess cortisol may result in Cushing’s syndrome. Approximately 30–40% of patients with Cushing syndrome and an adrenal mass are diagnosed with adrenal cancer. Symptoms of Cushing syndrome include the following:

Abdominal striae (stretch marks)
Absence of menstruation (amenorrhea)
Bruising easily
Excessive growth of facial and body hair in women (hirsutism)
Flushing (reddish complexion)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar, diabetes)
Increased body fat (adiposity) in the face, neck, and abdomen
Severe acne
Slowed growth rate (in children)
Osteoporosis (loss of bone mass, may cause spinal curvature)
Weakness and muscle wasting

Conn’s syndrome is caused by increased aldosterone production and may result from a functioning tumor in the adrenal cortex. Symptoms of Conn syndrome include the following:

Chronic excessive thirst (polydipsia)
Excessive urination (polyuria)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Low level of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia)

The hallmark of pheochromocytoma is sudden or sustained high blood pressure (hypertension) that is often resistant to treatment. Other symptoms include severe headaches, sweating, heart palpitations (rapid pulse), and nausea.

Symptoms of neuroblastoma include abdominal pain and bone pain resulting from metastatic disease.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of adrenal cancer involves taking a medical history and performing a physical examination, blood and urine tests, imaging tests, and a biopsy. Medical history includes family history of adrenal cancer, menstrual (in women) and sexual history, and the patient’s history of symptoms. Physical examination includes palpating (feeling with the fingers) the abdomen for evidence of an adrenal mass.

Blood and Urine Tests
Blood and urine tests are used to detect elevated levels of hormones (e.g., cortisol, aldosterone) and other substances (e.g., potassium). The patient’s symptoms determine which tests are performed.

Imaging Tests
Computed tomography (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the imaging studies of choice used to produce images of the adrenal gland and identify abnormal enlargement or tumors.

CT scan uses x-rays to produce detailed images of the adrenal glands, other abdominal organs, and lymph nodes. In some cases, a contrast agent (dye) is used to detect metastasis.

MRI uses magnetic fields to produce a cross-sectional image that detects abnormal enlargement of the adrenal gland. This test may be used to help determine if adrenal tumors are benign or malignant (cancerous).

Biopsy
Biopsy is the surgical removal of cells or tissue for microscopic evaluation. This procedure may be used to evaluate an adrenal mass for cancer cells. During biopsy, ultrasound or CT scan is used to guide a needle into the tumor to remove cells (called a fine needle aspirate) or a larger amount of tissue (called core tissue biopsy). The cells are then examined under a microscope and if malignant (cancerous) cells are found, the cancer is staged.