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The oncoFISH Bladder robotic digital microscopy system from Ikonisys (New Haven, CT) identifies and measures aneuploidy on chromosomes 3, 7, 9, and 17 in urine sediment specimens for diagnosis of initial and recurrent bladder cancer. Up to 170 prepared slides can be loaded, scanned, and the images captured in this walkaway system, which generates a gallery of images for review and interpretation. Select slide images and the analytical report can be transmitted to the urologist within 24 hours for diagnosis.

The deaths of two internationally known urologists who helped lay the foundations of pediatric and reconstructive urology were announced recently.

Some patients may be especially susceptible to urinary tract infections, and some uropathogens may be particularly virulent. But that's not the whole story. Virulent bacteria, in fact, may actually change their hosts' immune systems to break through their defenses.

Americans spend almost $11 billion annually in medical care related to urologic diseases, and Medicare's share of the bill was $5.4 billion, according to a 5-year project issued by the National Institutes of Health that is now available in print and on CD.

Preliminary results from the REDUCE (REduction by DUtasteride of prostate Cancer Events) trial suggest a relationship between the degree of chronic inflammation and LUTS, but not clinical prostatitis-like symptoms in the REDUCE population. Also, men with more severe LUTS are more likely to experience pelvic pain as part of their symptom complex, according to the study findings presented here yesterday.

Highlights of the prostate cancer research presented at the 2007 AUA meeting will include maturing data on minimally invasive surgery, information on novel markers, and reports on diagnostic imaging techniques.

It appears that ureteroscopy and other minimally invasive techniques, such as laser lithotripsy, are safe and effective in managing pediatric nephrolithiasis, including ureteric calculi, renal pelvic stones, and lower-pole stones.

Stone disease studies being presented at the upcoming AUA annual meeting are progressing deliberately along several fronts.

A new generation of devices and medical therapies is simplifying the treatment of kidney stone disease and allowing urologists to be more effective at treating stone disease.

Simple dietary modifications may help reduce men's risk for prostate cancer.

A novel herbal extract is showing evidence that it may reverse the effects of high-grade prostatic intræpithelial neoplasia (PIN), a known precursor to prostate cancer.

The good news is there are useful skills, techniques, and state-of-the art technologies that urologists can incorporate into their practices to improve outcomes.

Recent research has shown that urologists who have not been formally trained in laparoscopic or robotic surgery can safely flatten the learning curve with a combination of courses and mentoring that are designed to increase the uptake of skills.

The use of cryoablation, rather than radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the treatment of small renal masses may be controversial for some urologists, but recent data support the superiority of cryoablation.

The concept of physicians demanding and getting stipends for being on call at hospital emergency rooms is becoming a well-established trend that many feel will eventually reach into all hospitals. Urologists are no exception.

Highlights of the prostate cancer research presented at the 2007 AUA meeting will include maturing data on minimally invasive surgery, information on novel markers, and reports on diagnostic imaging techniques.

Satraplatin, an investigational oral drug administered with prednisone, reduces the risk of disease progression in patients with advanced prostate cancer who have failed to respond to hormone treatment and chemotherapy by one-third.

Improved survival of prostate cancer patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy has drawn attention to the side effects of androgen-dependent care.

The mainstay of treatment for men with metastatic prostate cancer, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are also the subject of recent studies showing that they raise the risk of such adverse effects as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The emergence of cardiovascular risks associated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has received considerable attention in the urologic and internal medicine communities over the past year.

Spurred by evidence that androgens remain a key factor in the progression of hormone-refractory prostate cancer, novel approaches to hormonal manipulation have begun the transit from laboratory to clinical evaluation, and some of the preliminary results are encouraging.

Developments in stem cell therapy, new minimally invasive sling procedures, and research on botulinum toxin (Botox) therapy for overactive bladder soon will give urologists far more effective treatment for incontinence than they can offer their patients today.

A baseline bone density test to screen for osteoporosis, simple lifestyle changes to prevent osteoporosis from developing, and aggressive treatment if it develops are strongly recommended for men on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for advanced prostate cancer.

Many standard laboratory techniques could soon become clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

It's been a long time since urologists have been able to offer interstitial cystitis patients anything new and effective, but that day may be here for patients with the most severe disease.

Reconstructive urology continues to be advanced by the development of innovative techniques and technologies, while new long-term data reinforce the promise of older approaches that have withstood the test of time.

Basic research should soon bring urologists entirely new ways to thwart or treat urinary tract infection, which could be welcome eleventh-hour saves from the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Two innovative technologies for surgical training are approaching urologic practice, but how long it will take for them to arrive depends on the hurdles they must leap.

Sexual dysfunction comprises more than erectile dysfunction, and other conditions that fall into the category often receive a disproportionate amount of public attention.

A number of minimally invasive treatments are allowing millions of men to avoid a lifetime of medications or major surgical intervention for treatment of BPH.