We present a systematic review providing estimates of the overall and regional burden of infectious complications following prostate biopsy. A directly standardized prevalence estimate was used because it reflects the burden of disease more explicitly. Complications included sepsis, hospitalization, bacteraemia, bacteriuria, and acute urinary retention after biopsy. There were 165 articles, comprising 162 577 patients, included in the final analysis. Our findings demonstrate that transrectal biopsy was associated with a higher burden of hospitalization (1·1% vs. 0·9%) and sepsis (0·8% vs. 0·1%) compared to transperineal biopsy, while acute urinary retention was more prevalent after transperineal than transrectal biopsy (4·2% vs. 0·9%). The differences were statistically non-significant because of large heterogeneity across countries. We also demonstrate and discuss regional variations in complication rates, with Asian studies reporting higher rates of sepsis and hospitalization.

Several individual components of the Mediterranean diet have been shown to offer protection against prostate cancer. The present study is the first to investigate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the relative risk of prostate cancer. We also explored the usefulness of the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) in a non-Mediterranean population. FFQ data were obtained from 1482 incident prostate cancer patients and 1108 population-based controls in the Cancer of the Prostate in Sweden (CAPS) study. We defined five MDS variants with different components or using either study-specific intakes or intakes in a Greek reference population as cut-off values between low and high intake of each component. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the relative risk of prostate cancer for high and medium v. low MDS, as well as potential associations with the individual score components. No statistically significant association was found between adherence to the Mediterranean diet based on any of the MDS variants and prostate cancer risk (OR range: 0·96–1·19 for total prostate cancer, comparing high with low adherence). Overall, we found little support for an association between the Mediterranean diet and prostate cancer in this Northern European study population. Despite potential limitations inherent in the study or in the build-up of a dietary score, we suggest that the original MDS with study-specific median intakes as cut-off values between low and high intake is useful in assessing the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in non-Mediterranean populations.

Objective: In this article, three preventive strategies—mammography screening for breast cancer, PSA screening for prostate cancer, and routine ultrasound in normal pregnancy—are discussed in the context of German health care.

Methods: Epidemiologic data and German studies evaluating different aspects of these preventive measures were identified and analyzed.

Results: Only a few studies could be identified that investigate these preventive measures. Despite sufficient evidence, in part derived from a German study, there is not yet a mammography screening program. In contrast, ultrasound in pregnancy is offered routinely, although there are controversies regarding the benefit of this practice. PSA screening is not offered as part of the screening program for prostate cancer. However, PSA tests as well as mammographies are done in large numbers in German ambulatory care—a practice that could be considered wild or opportunistic screening.

Conclusions: These case studies show that preventive programs and practices in Germany are not sufficiently based on sound evidence. The paucity of evaluation activities related to prevention in Germany is probably due to the low threshold to introduce new preventive programs into the German healthcare system in the past.

A case of acute airway obstruction due to an acute retropharyngeal haematoma secondary to indirect trauma as a first presentation of metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma is described.

Two cases of metastatic carcinoma of the temporal bone, that simulated glomus tumours on thorough preoperative evaluation are described. Although rare, metastatic spread to this area is recognized, but presentation in this way is unique.

A case of prostatic adenocarcinoma presenting with dysphagia due to a tonsillar metastasis is described. Details of the clinical history, histopathological and autopsy findings are presented. A review of the literature suggests that this is only the second description of such an occurrence.

Abstract: Metastases to the temporal bone are a recognized, if rare, cause of otological symptoms including sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Carcinoma of the prostate is a common cancer which frequently metastasizes to bone but is only rarely reported in the temporal bone. We report a case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss due to metastatic prostatic carcinoma in the temporal bone.

Prostatic metastases in the nose and paranasal sinsuses are rare. Seven cases have previously been reported in the world literature. We describe the clinical presentation of a patient with prostatic metastases and the use of prostate specific antigen in confirming the diagnosis. We also review the literature about metasases involving the nose and paranasal sinuses.