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In a new development in the ongoing controversy regarding the use of transvaginal mesh, the American Urogynecologic Society has released a position statement against bans of surgical options such as mesh.

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist degarelix (Firmagon) may be associated with lower risk of a cardiovascular event or death compared to commonly prescribed luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, data presented at the European Association of Urology annual congress in Milan, Italy indicate.

Increased use of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in recent years coincides with a rising rate of complications related to the surgery, according to a published study by researchers from Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit.

Abbott has announced that the ARCHITECT AFP test, which may help physicians detect the progression of testicular cancer, received FDA approval.

Increased adoption of the practice of obtaining 10- to 12-core biopsy specimens of the prostate has resulted in increased detection of prostate cancer across the United States, a recent large study shows.

This letter is in response to an editorial by J. Brantley Thrasher, MD (“In support of AUA guidelines,” February 2013, page 7). The editorial concerned the article, “Microhematuria a poor predictor of urinary tract cancer” (February 2013, page 8).

Urologists at last month’s Joint Advocacy Conference took five leading issues to members of Congress.

Baldness was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer among African-American men, and risk for advanced prostate cancer increased with younger age and type of baldness, reported researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Minimally invasive prostatectomy leads to a significant decrease in workplace absenteeism but is also associated with an increase in mean health plan spending, according to a recent study.

Co-administration of a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor and a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor significantly improved scores on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), compared to placebo plus the 5-ARI in men with lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH and enlarged prostates, researchers reported at the European Association of Urology annual congress in Milan, Italy.

Researchers at the University of Maryland have identified a peptide derived from Pacific cod that may inhibit prostate cancer and possibly other cancers from spreading.

Since the days of the digitally directed prostate nodule biopsy using the Vim-Silverman needle, the optimum prostate biopsy strategy has evolved.

Among the OIG's 2013 areas of focus are Part B imaging services, medical necessity of imaging, and incident to services performed by non-physicians.

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA), manufacturer of the da Vinci Surgical System, has issued a statement regarding a recent increase in medical device reports (MDR) filed by the company.

The American Society for Radiation Oncology’s board of directors recently approved a statement regarding the use of proton beam therapy for prostate cancer, presumably due to recent reports suggesting the treatment provides little long-term benefit over traditional radiation despite its higher cost.

The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) has released new guidelines for privileging and credentialing physicians for sacrocolpopexy in an effort to assist health care institutions when considering granting privileges to perform the procedure for pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

In patients with small renal masses, partial nephrectomy results in better overall survival and lower costs compared with radical nephrectomy, say researchers from Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington.

Urologists Kevin T. McVary, MD, and Shilajit Kundu, MD, have been appointed to new faculty positions.

The usual claim against a manufacturer in a product liability case is that the product is defective, either as designed or as manufactured, or that there was a failure to warn of something known about the product.

Anticoagulation while on docetaxel (Taxotere) chemotherapy appears to be an independent predictor of survival in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

There are several reasons why rolling over your IRA funds may make sense.

We’ve received a number of questions pertaining to the change in Medicare rules regarding the –59 modifier. Although in a previous column we discussed this change in relation to kidney stones specifically, we feel the interest generated by this change warrants a deeper dive into this subject.

Urologists' concerns about the Affordable Care Act include added bureaucracy and waste as well as the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

In what could be a significant development in the battle over the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, a new proposal has emerged from Capitol Hill offering hope for reforming the SGR.

When negotiating with a hospital to purchase your practice, there are many questions that you should review in addition to the dollar per unit you are paid or measured against as an employed physician.

In a series of three articles, I examine the Office of the Inspector General, explain its relevance to urologists and their practice, and provide practical tips to understand and manage any risks associated with the activities of this institution. In this first installment, I provide an overview of the institution and review what it will be examining in 2013.

A new immunoassay that tests for the presence of three biomarkers appears to be a valid screening method for the early detection of renal cell carcinoma, according to a recent study.

Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute will begin offering urology services in Las Vegas in mid-April, the result of Cleveland Clinic’s acquisition of the private practice of local urologists Scott Slavis, MD, and Laurie Larsen, MD.