Vitamin C decreases postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort

A recent study suggests that administration of Vitamin C has a lower incidence of moderate to severe postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) in patients with bladder tumor. The results of this study were published in the Journal of clinical anesthesia.

In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, out of the 118 patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor, 59 were assigned to receive 1 gm of Vitamin C intravenously. The control group (n=59), was administered normal saline after the induction of anesthesia. The primary endpoint of the study included moderate or severe CRBD immediately postoperatively. The secondary endpoints were moderate or severe CRBD, measured at 1, 2, and 6h after the surgery.

While moderate CRBD symptoms included flailing limbs, intense verbal reactions, and attempts to remove the catheter, more severe forms of CRBD were related to patient behavioral responses. The group receiving Vitamin C showed lower incidence of moderate or severe CRBD immediately after surgery compared to the placebo group. The intervention group also showed significantly lower rates of moderate-to-severe CRBD at 1 and 2 hours postoperatively. Additionally, higher patient satisfaction scores were seen in the group receiving Vitamin C.

Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that Vitamin C administration plays a significant role in decreasing postoperative discomfort related to CRBD in patients with bladder tumor.

Combination of tazaloparib and enzalutamide safe and effective in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

According to a recent study conducted in males with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), it was found that tazaloparib plus enzalutamide is safe and effective for treatment. This study’s results were published in the journal, Lancet.

TALAPRO-2 was a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial, enrolling 805 patients. Participants were prospectively assessed for homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations in the tumor tissue and were randomly assigned in 1:1 ratio (orally once daily) to receive 0.5 mg talazoparib plus 160 mg enzalutamide (n=402) or 0.5 mg placebo plus 160 mg enzalutamide (n=403). The primary outcome of the study was radiographic progression free survival (rPFS).

The median follow-up for rPFS was 24.9 months and 24.6 months for the tazaloparib and placebo group, respectively. On primary analysis, median rPFS was not attained in the talazoparib group and it was 21.9 months for the placebo group. From the results obtained above, it may be concluded that there was significant clinical and statistical improvement seen in patients on talazoparib and enzalutamide as first-line treatment for mCRPC and is safe and effective for use.

Intravesical gemcitabine reduces side effects for non-invasive muscle bladder cancer

Intravesical gemcitabine had lower adverse effects compared to intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for non-invasive muscle bladder cancer (NMIBC), according to a new study. This study was published in the Urology Journal.

117 intermediate-risk NMIBC patients underwent Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT) surgery and received 1 gr intravesical gemcitabine immediately after the surgery. Then the patients were divided into two groups, either receiving intravesical gemcitabine or intravesical BCG weekly for 6 weeks and they were followed up with cystoscopy.

 The rate of side effects in the group receiving gemcitabine was much lower than the group receiving BCG. The recurrence rate during a one-year period was lower in the gemcitabine group compared to the BCG group.

According to this study, the efficacy of intravesical gemcitabine and intravesical BCG was almost same in the treatment of intermediate-risk NMIBCs. The of Gemcitabine had significantly lower adverse effects and fewer complications compared to BCG, and therefore can be a good alternative treatment for intermediate-risk NMIBCs, especially among older patients with comorbidities.

Perineal electrical stimulation is effective for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy

Perineal electrical stimulation has shown to be effective than no treatment in men with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy, according to a recent study. This study was published in the journal, Neurourology and Urodynamics.

This study was a randomized control trial of 58 men with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Group 1 (n=29) received perineal electrical stimulation and group 2 (n=29) received no treatment. Perineal ES was performed in lithotomy position via stimulator with surface electrodes for 20 minutes a day, 2 days a week and, for a total of 24 session for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was continence rates in men.

At the end of treatment, statistically significant improvements in incontinence severity, incontinence episodes, quality of life, and anxiety were observed in group 1 compared with group 2.

Therefore, perineal ES is more effective than no treatment in men with urinary incontinence after RP.