Men's Health

A recent study has found that genetic predictors of normal PSA levels in healthy men could be used to improve the accuracy of PSA-based prostate cancer screening.

In these videos, high-volume stone surgeons demonstrate novel approaches to classification, visualization, and treatment of stones.

Urology-related FDA approvals from 2016 encompassed drugs and devices for prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, stone disease, and more.

Other products discussed include an updated prostate tissue ablation device, a contrast agent for voiding ultrasonography, a bladder cancer test and more.

"Rather than making a blanket statement regarding continued follow-up, we need to consider the pathologic features commonly known to increase the risk of [prostate cancer] recurrence-concurrent medical problems, the patient’s age at recurrence, PSA doubling time, longevity in the family, etc," writes J. Brantley Thrasher, MD.

The risk for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer remains relatively high even 10 years after radical prostatectomy, but it does not appear to be influenced by a positive family history of prostate cancer or a family or personal history of other cancer, according to a study analyzing data from the prospective German Familial Prostate Cancer database.

Salvage lymph node dissection results in an immediate complete PSA response in about one-third of patients with rising PSA and nodal recurrence following local therapy for prostate cancer, according to German researchers.

High-grade proctitis after radical radiation therapy with neoadjuvant or adjuvant hormonal therapy is significantly less likely in patients taking angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors.

Adherence to guidelines for the use of combination radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy in the United States for the treatment of high-risk or locally advanced prostate cancer has decreased over time, according to data presented by Paolo Dell’Oglio, MD.

“It is clear that in order to reduce the morbidity of PSA screening and early detection of prostate cancer, more needs to be done,” writes Badar M. Mian, MD.

Results of a 2-year clinical trial support switching to a less frequent administration schedule when using zoledronic acid (Zometa) to prevent skeletal-related events in men with prostate cancer.

Findings from two new studies provide insight on the impact of changing recommendations for prostate cancer screening and management.

Other pipeline developments discussed include an implantable device for OAB treatment, a subcutaneous hypogonadism treatment, efficacy results for an HPV drug, and the status of a device-based BPH treatment.

In this edition of Men’s Health Mythbuster, Matthew Pollard, MD, Jesse N. Mills, MD look at what impact stress really has on the cardiovascular system.

Our #LetsTalkMensHealth section offers clinical tips on the care of male patients. In 2016, articles in this section tackled a variety of subjects, including the Affordable Care Act, epigenetics and genetics, and BPH and prostate cancer prevention.

These are Urology Times' most-read prostate cancer articles of 2016.

Researchers at UCLA have discovered a previously unrecognized type of progenitor cell in inflamed areas of the prostate that have the ability to initiate cancer in response to genetic changes.

Other products discussed include a stent system for treating ureteral obstructions, a male infertility test, and more.

These four videos depict expert techniques for buried penis repair.

Fewer than 20% of patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy develop metastasis, and a smaller proportion die as a result of prostate cancer.

Other pipeline developments discussed include a bladder cancer test, a male infertility assay, and the first oral dosage treatment for hypogonadism.

"There are significant data examining the role of heat exposure to male sperm. However, none of it is very high quality and the data are murky at best," write James R. Craig, MD, MS; William Brant, MD; and James M. Hotaling, MD, MS.

A new approach to prostate cancer screening has been proposed by investigators who claim the idea of informed decision-making by primary care physicians is not working when it comes to PSA testing.

Other new products discussed in this article include a surgical training model, devices designed to improve prostate biopsy accuracy, an updated label and more.