Treatment Of Male Patients Research Articles

Efficacy of intramuscular interferon-β in reducing relapses in the treatment of male patients with condylomata acuminata

INTRODUCTION Numerous trials using interferon in the treatment of HPV infections have been reported. IFN-β has antiviral, antiproliferative and immunopotentiating activities. The aim of this randomized open study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intramuscular IFN-β in reducing relapses versus both electrocautery and combined treatment, i.e. IFN-β plus electrocautery, in a group of male patients affected by genital warts.PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 84 male patients (mean age 32 years) with recent genital warts were randomly enrolled into three groups: 33 patients were treated with electrocautery; 25 patients received only intramuscular IFN-β (3 000 000 IU daily for 10 days); 26 patients were treated with both electrocautery and intramuscular IFN-β (3 000 000 IU daily for 10 days). The patients were checked monthly. Residual disease was treated with electrocautery until complete clearance.RESULTS After 1 month 42% of the patients treated with electrocautery, 29% of those treated with IFN-β and 39% of those treated with combined therapy had been cured. Residual disease rates gradually decreased in all groups during the follow-up, but more quickly in the patients who had received IFN-β therapy. No side-effects after IFN-β treatment were observed.CONCLUSION IFN-β monotherapy is not the first choice treatment for genital warts, though it may be useful in patients with relapsing condylomata acuminata resistant to other therapy.

Salvage treatment in male patients with germ cell tumours

The outcome of salvage treatment was reviewed in 55 patients relapsing during or after their primary chemotherapy for advanced malignant germ cell tumours. Fifty-two patients had been given cisplatin-based chemotherapy as their primary treatment, whereas three patients had received carboplatin-based chemotherapy. The median time to relapse was 2 months (range: 0-96 months) from discontinuation of the primary treatment. Two patients underwent radical surgery only, and one patient had radiotherapy to a brain metastasis as his only curatively intended salvage treatment. Six patients did not receive any treatment for their recurrent malignancy (refusal, terminal condition) except for purely palliative measures. The disease-free survival for the total group was 27% at 5 years. Complete response to primary treatment lasting for > or = 6 months was the only parameter which significantly predicted a favourable outcome (45% 5 year disease-free survival in 12 eligible patients).

Plasma prolactin and homovanillic acid as markers for psychopathology and abnormal movements during maintenance haloperidol treatment in male patients with schizophrenia

Measurement of plasma prolactin (PRL) concentration and plasma homovanillic acid (HVA) concentration was performed in 24 patients with schizophrenia during maintenance haloperidol treatment. A significant inverse correlation was found between plasma PRL and ratings of both dyskinesia and thought disorder. Plasma PRL was also correlated with negative symptoms. No relationship was found between plasma HVA and any symptom grouping. Twelve patients received an apomorphine challenge; a trend toward a significant inverse relationship was found between baseline dyskinesia and apomorphine-induced decreases in plasma PRL. Plasma PRL and plasma HVA may reflect different elements of dopamine function in the central nervous system during maintenance treatment; plasma PRL may be the useful marker under these conditions.

Effects of bromocriptine on neuroleptic-induced amenorrhea, galactorrhea and impotence.

The effects of bromocriptine on neuroleptic-induced endocrinological disturbances (amenorrhea, galactorrhea and impotence) were investigated. Bromocriptine (5.0-7.5 mg/day) was administered to psychiatric patients receiving neuroleptics and developing hyperprolactinemia. The following results were obtained. Menses recurred in 7 of 10 patients with amenorrhea. A decrease in lactation appeared in 5 of 6 patients with galactorrhea. A significant increase in the serum levels of testosterone was observed after 8 weeks of the treatment in male patients. (N = 6). There was no remarkable deterioration in regard to the psychotic symptoms in schizophrenic patients. (N = 7). In non-schizophrenic patients (N = 9), a significant improvement was observed in regard to "somatic concern" (in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale).

Erotic and pseudoerotic elements in the treatment of male patients by female therapists

This paper describes some aspects of the clinical encounter between the male patient and the female therapist. Examples are given of transference involving erotic, as compared to pseudoerotic (dependency or aggressive) themes. Countertransference and countertransference problems are discussed.

Management of T3 glottic cancer.

We reviewed 144 cases of T3NOMO glottic cancer. One hundred twelve patients were treated by radical radiotherapy with surgery for salvage (RRSS), and 28 patients were treated by combined preoperative irradiation and laryngectomy. Two patients underwent palliative irradiation, and two patients had surgery alone. Half of the number of patients are alive and well at five years; 30% of the patients died of glottic cancer. No significant difference in crude survival, tumor-related deaths, or deaths from surgical complications was observed between the RRSS group and the combined treatment group. The local control rate by radiotherapy was higher in female patients vs male patients (92% vs 44%); the local control rate was higher in men aged more than 60 years vs male patients who were younger than 60 years (52% vs 34%). Half of the larynges removed in the combined treatment group contained no tumor. We concluded that RRSS, because of its potential to save the larynx and voice, is the treatment of choice in female patients with T3 glottic cancer and is an acceptable alternative to combined treatment in male patients when good follow-up facilities exist.