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Almost half of prostate cancer deaths occur among men with PSA levels in the top 10% when assessed at age 44 to 50 years. This small group could benefit from intense surveillance over the ensuing years, whereas in about half of men, three lifetime PSA tests appear sufficient to capture the risk of prostate cancer metastases or death 10 or more years in advance.

Surveys of patients and their partners have found previous numbers regarding post-op potency to be highly unrealistic, and results of recent studies, such as one from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, are closer to reality.

Researchers found that stretched penile length following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer decreased until 36 months post-op, then at this point, the process appears to reach a nadir and reverse itself so that by 48 months, stretched length appeared to be fully restored at 5 years post-op.

Staring down a possible 27% reimbursement cut, questions about the viability of health care reform, increasing demand for their services, and a shrinking work force, it's less than surprising that urologists are anxious about the prospects for their profession.

Urologists and other health care providers now need to consider whether to participate in the federal government's new accountable care organization program, finalized in mid-October as a way to help reduce Medicare costs while improving patient care.

We once again approach the end of the year with the American Medical Association, many legislators, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius calling for a permanent fix to the sustainable growth rate formula, with no action by Congress.

The newest urology products and services from Eli Lilly and Co., Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., BK Medical, Olympus America, Inc., Henry Schein MicroMD, American Medical Systems, and Segasist Technologies.