Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of pelvic floor muscle training (PMFT) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in men after they received radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods: From November 2018 to September 2019, patients who underwent radical prostatectomy were assessed for eligibility. A total of 37 men were then randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). The EG group received supervised exercise twice a week for 12 weeks, and the CG did not receive any intervention. To objectify the results obtained in both groups before and after the intervention, the authors assessed myostatin concentration. Moreover, the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26) was applied to assess the quality of life, and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to measure depression severity. Results: Study results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of myostatin concentration in the EG following the treatment and no statistically significant differences in this parameter in the CG. In addition, a comparison of the EPIC-26 scores in the EG at the initial and final assessments revealed a statistically significant improvement in the quality of life in each domain. A comparison of the EPIC-26 scores in the CG at the initial and final assessments showed there is a statistically significant decline in quality of life in the “overall urinary problem” and “sexual” domain. A comparison of the BDI-II scores at the initial and final assessments showed a statistically significant decline in depressive symptoms in the EG and no statistically significant differences in the CG. Conclusions: PFMT is an effective treatment for urinary incontinence (UI) in men who received radical prostatectomy.

Seminal vesicle cysts are rarely diagnosed, but symptomatic congenital seminal vesicle cysts are reported in the literature describing Zinner syndrome. We present the case of a 26-year-old patient admitted to the urology department because of abdominal pain. A left seminal vesicle cyst and left kidney agenesis were found on examination, and the patient qualified for laparoscopic removal of the left seminal vesicle cyst. The procedure was performed with transperitoneal access using 5 trocars. The peritoneum was incised between the bladder and the rectum to reveal the left seminal vesicle, which was resected from the surrounding tissue. A TachoSil (Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Zurich, Switzerland) hemostatic sponge was placed in the ledge after cutting the base of the seminal vesicle. The aim of this study was to evaluate usefulness of the laparoscopic technique to remove a cystic seminal vesicle. The procedure lasted 180 minutes, and the estimated blood loss was 50 mL. We did not record any intra- or postoperative complications. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the third postoperative day and remains symptom-free after 12 months. Histopathologic examination confirmed the presence of a seminal vesicle cyst, and renal agenesis and stenosis of the vas deferens suggests Zinner syndrome. Symptomatic seminal vesicle cysts are a good indication for the application of a laparoscopic technique and, in our opinion, this is better than the open technique because of the view into the surgical area. Therefore, it should be used as the method of choice in treating seminal vesicle defects.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with six types of cancer in men and women. A vaccine against HPV, preferably administered before initial sexual intercourse, has been proven to be highly effective in preventing these cancers. An effective healthcare provider recommendation has significant influence on HPV vaccine uptake; therefore, it is critical that medical students receive comprehensive training in this area. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of medical students regarding Human Papillomavirus’s (HPV) ways of transmission, risk of cancer development, and vaccination against HPV. This study also investigated factors among medical students that would affect their intention to recommend HPV vaccination to others. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 1061 (678 women and 383 men) medical students who filled in our questionnaire. The medical students were divided into two subgroups: (1) pre-clinical medical students (MS pre-clinical; first-to third-year students; n = 683) and (2) clinical medical students (MS clinical; fourth-to six-year students; n = 378). Results: A total259 (24.41%) of the 1061 medical students were vaccinated against HPV. We found a significant improvement in the general level of knowledge in the later years of education (4–6) compared to the early years of education (1–3). However, it was demonstrated that, despite medical education advancements, there are still significant gaps of knowledge about the relationship between HPV infection and cancers other than cervical cancer, as well as in relation to the routes by which HPV is transmitted. Medical students’ intentions to recommend HPV vaccine to others were related to their own HPV-related knowledge and their own vaccination status. Conclusion: Medical students have gaps of knowledge regarding particular issues and aspects of HPV. It is necessary to further educate medical students in the field of prevention and in the treatment of lesions caused by HPV infection. Medical students’ intention to recommend the HPV vaccine can be improved by including them and members of their families in the HPV vaccination program.

This study constitutes a prospective, three-stage evaluation of quality of life among patients receiving surgical treatment for colorectal cancer depending on the type of surgery performed (open anterior resection, laparoscopic anterior resection, abdominoperineal resection, or Hartmann’s procedure). The study included 82 patients treated at the Surgical Oncology Outpatient Department of the Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz from June 2019 to August 2021. The study tools consisted of diagnostic surveys and analyses of medical records. The standardized study tools were the surveys EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29. In addition, a proprietary questionnaire was developed to collect demographic data. Quality of life was measured at three time-points: the day before the surgery and 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the domains of role functioning (III, p = 0.030), body image (II, p < 0.001; III, p < 0.001), sexual functioning (II, p = 0.037), buttocks/anal area/rectum pain (III, p = 0.031), and embarrassment (II, p = 0.022; III, p = 0.010). Statistically significant differences in the functional and symptom scale scores were also observed within each group at different stages of cancer treatment. As shown by our study, the quality of life of patients treated for colorectal cancer is determined not only by the operating technique but also by sociodemographic and clinical factors. The use of minimally invasive surgical techniques enables patients to return to their social roles more quickly and improves their self-assessment of body image.

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignancies in men. The increase in the number of PC survivors is associated with many problems including cognitive impairment. Early detection of such problems facilitates timely protective intervention. This study examined the association between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or testosterone (T) levels and cognitive function in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Such a correlation could help identify patient groups at risk of cognitive impairment. Participants underwent clinical (demographic data, medical history, physical examination, and blood analyses) and neuropsychological assessment (cognitive test battery). Preoperative PSA or T levels were not associated with cognitive function. However, long-term follow-up after prostatectomy showed a strong correlation between PSA levels and the results of verbal memory and executive function tests. A trend toward significance was also observed for visuospatial memory. The levels of free T and total T were not correlated with cognitive function. Only the levels of free T after hormonal treatment were significantly correlated with executive functions. Comorbid diabetes affected these correlations. In conclusion, PSA levels at a distant postoperative time and free T level after hormonal treatment may be biomarkers of cognitive function.

Introduction: Urinary incontinence (UI) is associated with uncontrolled urine leakage and is treated as a serious disability that prevents the fulfillment of life roles and negatively affects quality of life. Many women do not have knowledge about the nature of UI and treatment options, and the embarrassing nature of the disease makes it difficult to seek specialist care. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life among women with UI and how it affects various areas of their daily functioning. Defining factors that modify the impact of UI on quality of life can provide prognostic information about functional limitations, which will facilitate the rapid implementation of preventive and therapeutic measures. Methods: This study included 158 women with UI. Patients were asked to complete a set of questionnaires, including the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID), Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale (RUIS), King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Inventory for Measuring Coping with Stress (Mini-COPY), and Set of Scales for Self-Assessment of the relationship with a partner. Results: Based on the analyses, it was determined that women with MUI experienced a lower quality of life, greater limitations in daily activities, and greater physical limitations compared to women with UUI and SUI. There was a correlation between the severity of UI, the duration of the disease, the level of acceptance of the disease, the education level of the subjects, and quality of life in all areas of functioning. Conclusions: Numerous functional limitations and reduced quality of life have been observed among patients with UI. As part of UI management in clinical practice, it seems reasonable to include measures aimed at identifying patients who are likely to experience more severe consequences of UI so that they can receive targeted care.