W. Vahlensieck - Böcker

Urolithiasis is a common disorder which is recognised in most parts of the world and occurs in both man and animals. The multifactorial nature of the problem requires an interdisciplinary approach which has always been a feature of this series of International Symposia which started in Leeds in 1968 and has progressed at four-yearly intervals through Madrid, Davos and Williamsburg. The latest Meeting, at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in April 1984, involved 302 participants from all five continents. The major emphasis of the Meeting was to blend the basic and clinical research on urolithiasis. Comprehensive reviews of the major areas of current research were presented by invited speakers, all internationally recognized experts in their fields. From more than 250 submitted abstracts, 18 were selected for oral presentation and the remainder presented at three afternoon poster sessions which provided an opportunity for informal and more lengthy discussions of the work on display. The Meeting also included three ad hoc Evening Discussions on how to approach various unsolved questions in the clinical and laboratory evaluation of stone patients and four Round Table Discussions involving specialists in the field who debated the theoretical aspects of stone formation in the urinary tract, the measurement of inhibitory activity of urine, the treatment of idiopathic stones with drugs, and the nature and treatment of stones arising from urinary tract infection.

E. GRUNDMANN, and W. VAHLENSIECK In recent years tumors of the male genital system have acquired a new scientific importance in many respects: First, epidemiologic studies have revealed a striking increase of prostate carcinoma in northwestern Europe and in the USA; it is now counted among the most frequent malig­ nant tumors in males. Geographic and ethnic distributions suggest that this tumor, too, may be triggered by exogenous factors of a still unknown nature. Histologic classification of malignant tumors of the prostate and testes has attained a certain finality, and the clinical relevance of the stages is recognized. Diagnosis by histology is now supplemented by aspiration biopsy cytology which offers a ready and reliable diagnostic potential. Its safety even surpasses that of punch biopsy histology and supports the qualification of cytology as a screening method. In the Federal Republic of Germany prostate carcinoma was recently included in the cancer prophylaxis program of the social insurance sys­ tem: Every man over 45 is entitled to one prophylactic free examination per year. Although the number of patients profiting from this opportu­ nity is still rather small, the number of patients is steadily growing who, as a result of this prophylactic examination, received medical treatment at an early stage of the disease and with a relatively better prognosis1 . Topical problems of social medicine are discussed in this context, as well as plans and developments of the social health service and of the supporting organizations, the federal societies for cancer campaign.

Begriißung und Einführung G. Gasser; Wien Meine Damen, meine Herren! Wir sind der heutigen Einladung zu einem Rundtischgespräch über Urol gefolgt, und ich möchte Sie aUe recht herzlich willkommen heißen. Es erscheint mir angebracht, daß wir heute bei der Begrüßung einmal den umge­ kehrten Weg einschlagen, und als Eingeladene die Einladenden - nämlich Herrn Hoyer und seine Mitarbeiter - zuerst begrüßen, weil die Anregung zu diesem Rund­ tischgespräch - das schon längst hätte stattfinden müssen - eigentlich von uns aus­ gegangen ist. In wirklich selbstloser Weise hat die Firma Hoyer GmbH & Co. - insbesondere Herr Ziemer - uns bisher bei der Gestaltung, der Organisation und der Finanzierung der Harnsteinsymposien Bonn - Wien unterstützt und dadurch die ersten Voraus­ setzungen für die Durchführung der Symposien geschaffen. In aU den Z4UÜckliegenden Jahren bis heute ist aber von seiten der Firma Hoyer oder von Herrn Ziemer nie der Versuch gemacht worden, die Symposien in ihrem Inhalt zu beeinflussen oder Vorträge und Diskussionen mit dem Ziel der Werbung für die eigenen Präparate einzuschleusen. Auch dieses. Rundtischgespräch ist nicht auf Verlangen der Firma Hoyer zustan­ degekommen. Es wurde vielmehr von mir bei Gelegenheit des Deutschen Urologen­ kongresses im vergangenen Jahr in Essen angeregt. Ich hoffe nun, daß dieses Gespräch für aUe Beteiligten neue Erkenntnisse auf dem Sektor der so schwierig zu beurteilenden medikamentösen Therapie des Harn­ steinleidens bringen wird. In diesem Sinne dürfen wir jetzt Herrn Ziemer bitten, uns einen Überblick über das Präparat Urol zu geben.

Kidney stones is a common and ancient disease. Yet, many questions concerning their etiology, treatment, and prevention are still open. The Harnstein-Symposien Bonn-Wien is an organization designed to bring together scientists from the various fields relevant to urolithiasis: medicine, urology, biochemistry, etc. In the framework of this organiza­ tion an International Workshop was held in Tel Aviv on December 10 and 11 1980 to discuss the various aspects of uric acid lithiasis. Uric acid stones have been known to mankind for thousands of years. Urate-contain­ ing stones were found in Egyptian mummies and in a three-thousand-year old mummy from Arizona. Evidently, with the constant increase in standard of living, associated with increased amount of purine intake, which we are facing in this century, the fre­ quency of uric acid lithiasis is on the increase. In the second half of this century, signi­ ficant progress has been made in the knowledge of the mechanisms of uric acid over­ production, as well as in the understanding of the etiology, prevention, and tretament of uric acid stones. As a result, uric acid lithiasis can be prevented and when present it can be treated well. Moreover most uric acid stones can be dissolved in vivo. This workshop included reviews from some of the leading authorities on the various aspects of uric acid metabolism in man: biochemistry, pathology, renal handling, nutri­ tion, etc. , and these reviews and results of new studies are presented here.