Introduction: Renal vasculature is extremely sensitive to vasoconstrictor effects of endothelin (ET), while nitric oxide (NO) has special role in several pathological renal conditions. Aim: The aim of this study to examine the presence, character, and degree of changes in NO and ET levels in the serum of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)-treated patients with nephrolithiasis. Patients and Methods: This study included a total of 60 patients that were divided in two groups: Group I (n = 24), in which a total of 2000SWs were administered; 0–2 units; (0.5 units per each 500SWs), and Group II (n = 36), in which a total of 4000SWs were administered; 0–4 units; (0.5 units per each 500SWs). Results: In the Group I median NO serum concentration increased in relation to pretreatment levels (39.04 ± 8.29 μmol/L) specifically 30 min, 60 min, and 24 h following the treatment (39.11 ± 12.60), (41.80 ± 6.89), and (46.33 ± 9.03), where concentration growth after 24 h was statistically significant P < 0.01. The NO serum concentration in the Group II increased in relation to pretreatment levels (38.90 ± 10.33 μmol/L) after 30 min (48.71 ± 30.09), 60 min (54.57 ± 39.76), and 24 h (97.95 ± 72.07). The NO concentration increase after 60 min and 24 h is statistically significant, respectively, P < 0.03 and P < 0.0001. Conclusion : NO and ET serum levels are changing under the influence of ESWL, and that the NO and ET changes are directly correlated with the number of administered shock waves and administered energy.

Aim To investigate a correlation between resistive index (RI) level changes following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in treated and non-treated kidneys depending on the ESWL treatment intensity. The study was conducted on 60 subjects, which were divided in two groups according to age and treatment protocol. Results In the group of patients younger than 55 years of age there was a significant increase in mean RI values, on the first (p=0.001) and second day after the treatment (p=0.007). In the group older than 55 years of age, the resulting increase in mean RI levels was also significant on the first (p=0.003) and second (p=0.011) day following the treatment. The RI values in the non-treated kidney on the first day after the treatment grew significantly (p=0.033). In the group older than 55, RI values in the non-treated kidney grew significantly on the first day after the treatment (p=0.044). In the group who received 2000 SWs, RI levels grew significantly (p=0.044) as well as in the group who received 4000 SWs during the treatment, where the significance was more pronounced (p=0.007). Conclusion There is a correlation between RI changes and the degree and localization of changes in vascular elements of the kidney. Post-ESWL treatment changes are existent and reversible, over a period of one week after the treatment.

Objectives: To determine significance and sensitivity of the Free to Total prostate specific antigen (PSA) ratio (%fPSA) in diagnosis of prostate cancer and to correlate its sensitivity and specificity with diagnosis. Methods: Research included 220 patients, who had indication for biopsy (Clinic for Urology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo). Results: Average age of patients was 64.6 ± 8.1 years. Kruskal Wallis test indicates that there is a significant difference in age in relation to the diagnosis (KW χ2=12.508; p=0.006). The correlation between the %fPSA level and diagnosis is positive and statistically significant (r=0.211; p=0.002) in the sense that cancer patients have the lowest %fPSA. Analysis of the sensitivity at 95% specificity of %fPSA compared to particular diagnosis shows the highest sensitivity for prostate cancer - 20.61% (8.35-31.02) with statistically significant AUC p<0.05. Analysis of %fPSA test in detecting prostate cancer, at cut-off values ≤ 0.16, shows a sensitivity of 72.3% and specificity of 50.4 (at cut-off values <0.07, sensitivity is 8.4%, and specificity is 97.8%). Conclusion: PSA is organ specific but not cancer specific marker, whose total value, as well as the %fPSA serve as a basis, with a digitorectal exam, in the detection of prostate cancer. By increasing the cut-off values sensitivity of %fPSA increases and specificity decreases. %fPSA has a relative importance in the detection of prostate cancer, and should not be used as a guideline, without prior clinical examination.

Introduction: Analysis of total value of prostate specific antigen (PSAT), with the unavoidable digital rectal examination (DRE) is the basis of prostate cancer detection. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the specificity and sensitivity of the total value of PSAT in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The aim was also to determine the significance of PSAT in diagnosis of benign prostate hyperplasia, precancerous conditions and inflammatory and atrophic changes of the prostate. Material and methods: Data were collected from the “Register of PH biopsy” of Clinic of Urology, CCU Sarajevo. Results: Analysis of correlation between the diagnosis and the PSAT value shows statistically significant negative correlation (r =-0,186; p = 0.006) in the sense that the value of the PSAT is highest in cancer patients, and the lowest in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. PSAT increases with age (r = 0.152; p = 0.025). For prostate cancer optimal sensitivity and specificity for PSAT value occurs at cut off value of> 8.6 ng /mL. Values lower than 2 ng/mL and higher than 10 ng/mL are most specific, and PPV increases with increasing value of PSAT. PSAT at values of <2 ng/mL and > 10 ng/mL are at high levels of specificity, and value > 10 ng / mL is also of high sensitivity in the detection of prostate cancer, and in this moment these values represent the optimal mode for the subsequent treatment. Conclusion: PSAT has a relative significance in the detection of prostate cancer, and should not be used as a guideline without DRE.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Preoperative kidney tumor embolization is standard procedure for therapy in advanced kidney cancer. Preoperative embolization has a goal to reduce intraoperative bleeding and also to shorten the time of surgery. Materials and methods: We retrospectively observed 50 patients between 2000-2011, in which the preoperative embolization was performed. Mean age of patients was 64 years. All patients with preoperative embolization were compared with the group of 51 patients from Urology Sarajevo, who underwent nephrectomy without preoperative embolization. Results: Symptoms that are dominating among patients were haematuria and pain. Analysis of mean size of tumors based on CT evaluation showed statistically significance in between the biggest size of tumors in group from Hamburg (9.11±3cm) and the smallest size of tumors in Sarajevo group (4.94±1.6cm) p=0.0001. Reason for this is difference in selection of patients for treatment in Hamburg from Sarajevo. Conclusion Kidney as functional finishing organ is extremely suitable for transcatheter therapeutic procedures. The gold standard in the treatment of advanced and metastatic tumor is the nephrectomy. As preparation for nephrectomy in metastatic cancer total capillary embolization is performed. After embolization, surgery is shorter, procedure can be done 24-48 hours after embolization or delayed nephrectomy done 2-3 weeks after the intervention.

AIM To determine the influence of independent predictors (nuclear grade, patient’s general condition, tumor size) on survival of patients suffering from renal cancer. METHODS The study included 158 patients treated for renal parenchymal carcinoma in the period between 01. 01. 1998 and 31. 12. 2011. The patients' general condition was evaluated using the ECOG staging system. Nuclear grade (NG) was assessed by the Fuhrman criteria. Prognostic factors were tested applying the Cox regression analysis and based on the significance independent predictors were determined. RESULTS The total survival rate of patients with renal parenchymal carcinoma was 81.2% after one year, 77.6% after 5 years and 70.4% after 10 years. In patients with NG 1 the survival rate after 5 years was 100%, whereas the survival in patients with NG2, 3 and 4 was 98%, 48% and 0%, respectively. The survival rate in patients with ECOG 0 and 1 after 5 years was 100%, while in patients with ECOG 2 and 3 stage of the disease the survival rate was 68% and 25%, respectively. In patients with a tumor node less than 40 mm, ten-year survival rate was100%, whereas the ten-year survival rate in patients with the tumor node sized 40 to 70 mm was 87%, and in patients with the tumor node over 70 mm ten-year survival rate was 66%. CONCLUSION Multivariate analysis has established that the size of the tumor node, patient's general condition and nuclear grade are independent predictors of disease outcome.

AIM To determine an influence of dependent predictors (clinical presentation, stage, pH type) on survival of patients suffering from renal carcinoma. METHODS The research included 158 patients who had been treated for carcinoma of renal parenchyma in the period between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2011. A disease stage was determined according to the guidelines of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). Prognostic factors were tested by the Cox regression analysis, and dependent prognostic factors were determined based on significance. RESULTS Patient survival was significantly different in relation to the clinical presentation of the disease (p less than 0.0001). Length of patient survival significantly differs with regard to the clinical stage of the disease (p less than 0.0001). The length of patient survival significantly differs depending on a pathohistological type of cancer (p=0.0027) and after five years it was much longer for patients with the conventional cancer type as compared with the chromophobe type, 80.3% vs. 61.5%, respectively. The total survival rate of patients with renal parenchymal cancer is 81.2% after one year, 77.6% after 5 years and 70.4% after 10 years. CONCLUSION The manner of detection, clinical stage and pathohistological type of the disease did not meet requirements for independent predictors. Success of the therapeutic treatment depends on the manner of the renal cell carcinoma presentation, pathohistological type and tumor stage.