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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.

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.

The 2007 AUA Annual Meeting begins May 19th at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. In this podcast, Richard Kerr, the editor-in-chief of Urology Times provides us with an overview of the meeting and Elaine Cali, VP of Communications for the Anahiem/Orange County Visitors and Convention Bureau shares a few ideas for making your visit to Southern California fun for the whole family.

Alternative therapies still hold great potential in treating BPH, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

New products and services available to urologists.

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David A. Bloom, MD, has been appointed chairman of the department of urology at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. Dr. Bloom, a pediatric urologic surgeon who is the Jack Lapides Professor of Urology, replaces James E. Montie, MD, who relinquished the chairmanship to continue his research on the quality of care for patients with urologic cancer.

Cosmos Trading, Inc., is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of its dietary supplement product sold under the name Rhino Max (Rhino V Max) after lab analysis found that the product contains aminotadalafil, an analogue of tadalafil, making Rhino Max (Rhino V Max) an unapproved drug.

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has announced the formation of the AACR-FDA-NCI Cancer Biomarkers Collaborative to facilitate the use of validated biomarkers in clinical trials and, ultimately, their use in evidence-based oncology and cancer medicine. The collaborative includes researchers from academia, government, and industry, as well as patient advocacy groups.

A new imaging technique, known as a functional diffusion map, can measure the effectiveness of treatment for prostate cancer metastatic to bone. The technique involves measuring diffusion of water within tumors.