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The future of independent urology groups hinges on a resolute leadership balancing act. Urologists must not only persevere with tenacious strategic planning efforts but also encourage and mentor younger colleagues to lead the specialty into the unforeseeable future.

The significant variation in reporting of voiding cystourethrogram between free-standing pediatric and non-pediatric institutions unveiled in a recent study is “embarrassing,” according to one leading pediatric urologist.

Results of a validation study confirm that cell cycle progression score provided by a commercially available genomic test (Prolaris) is a strong and independent outcome predictor in men with conservatively managed, clinically localized prostate cancer.

Two years ago in May, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer, asserting that “many men are harmed as a result of prostate cancer screening and few, if any, benefit.”

New products and services from TERUMO Medical Corp., TOLMAR Pharmaceuticals, Spry Publishing, and Beckman Coulter Diagnostics.

Inappropriate use of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist for androgen deprivation therapy of localized prostate cancer fell dramatically following implementation of reimbursement cuts mandated by the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, but overuse remains problematic, according to research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago.

The FDA has approved a new testosterone gel formulation, marking the agency’s second approval of a testosterone replacement therapy in the course of a week.

Professional organizations including the AACU empower individual urologists with resources that support grassroots engagement in vital campaigns to re-assert the physician's role in health reform.

The FDA has approved a nasal gel for men with hypogonadism and has granted clearance to a treatment for urinary incontinence in men. Separately, two drug makers are approaching the agency about regulatory approval for an over-the-counter version of a phosphodiesterase-type-5 inhibitor.

A new study showing a survival benefit of more than 1 year with a chemotherapy-hormonal therapy combination given prior to castration resistance is being hailed by the study’s first author as a “new standard” of treatment for certain men with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Dr. Henry Rosevear’s blog post about my recently published book, “The Great Prostate Hoax: How big medicine hijacked the PSA test and caused a public health disaster,” does a disservice to the readership of the Urology Times by mischaracterizing the book’s central message.

Drugs in the pipeline from Astellas Pharma, Medivation, TesoRx, Strategic Science and Technologies, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, and SCA.

Most urologists turn to alpha-blockers as first-line treatment for BPH-related lower urinary tract symptoms, while transurethral resection of the prostate remains the most commonly used surgical modality, according to a recent survey.

The recently concluded AUA annual meeting in Orlando may not go down as one of the most memorable annual meetings in recent years. Nevertheless, it was noteworthy for some interesting news and lively debate on hot-button topics: the safety of certain urologic products, namely, testosterone and transvaginal mesh; new tests for prostate cancer; infection prevention and treatment; and use of an advanced prostate cancer agent in the pre-chemotherapy setting.

"Before the scribe, I spent 2 to 3 hours each evening and from 6 to 10 hours on a weekend catching up with notes in the computer. Now, I probably spend no more than an hour a day."

This study adds to the growing literature on the advantages of targeted prophylaxis and suggests that practicing urologists should strongly consider this approach.

Physician assistants (PAs) say their roles in urology have blossomed. But challenges remain. Many urologists, they say, are reluctant to allow PAs to practice their full scope. That resistance, according to PAs, tends to be based on urologists’ lack of understanding about what PAs do and don’t do. And it prevents PAs from accomplishing all they can for urologists and patients.

When compared with shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy is associated with fewer repeat treatments, according to a recent study from Duke University.

With tax season behind us, now is the perfect time to be proactive for the 2014 tax year. By taking steps this year, you can avoid the situation of sitting down with your accountant next year and finding that it’s too late to reduce your tax liability.

Testosterone replacement therapy may be considered for treatment of hypogonadism in carefully selected men who have undergone radical prostatectomy for low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, according to researchers from New York University Medical Center, New York.

A new nomogram may help better predict the risk of disease progression in men who are being managed by active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer.

It is hard to imagine a world without dogs. Since the beginning of civilization, from hunting to herding, dogs have literally been man's best friend. Now, canines are being enlisted to help with a major health problem of the modern age: prostate cancer detection.

A marker of collagen turnover proved to be the most predictive test for outcome after midurethral sling procedures, the authors of a multicenter study reported.

Men with intractable priapism obtained immediate pain relief with few complications after implantation of a malleable penile prosthesis, data from a small clinical series showed.

Targeted biopsy locations using cognitive magnetic resonance imaging targeting were more than twice as likely to show prostate cancer compared with transrectal ultrasound template biopsy, and cancers in these locations were twice as likely to be high grade, researchers from Washington University, St. Louis reported yesterday.

History taking in a child who presents with a first episode of nephrolithiasis should include determination of whether there are affected family members, because pediatric patients with a positive family history appear to be at risk for recurrent stones, according to research reported at the AUA annual meeting in Orlando, FL.

Data from the final analysis of the international, phase III PREVAIL study show that enzalutamide (XTANDI) added to androgen deprivation therapy at the time of progression provides meaningful clinical benefit for men with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, including those with visceral disease.

Professor John Fitzpatrick, MCh, an international leader in the field of urology, died suddenly Wednesday, May 14.