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Ongoing research on a variety of fronts has yet to make a revolutionary impact on the management of localized prostate cancer, but changes are likely on the horizon, according to Richard D. Williams, MD.

Kingston, Ontario--An interstitial cystitis (IC) drug has shown modest benefit in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). Although the study doesn't open new therapeutic doors, it does raise interesting questions about how similar IC and CPPS may be or whether some men are being misdiagnosed.

Seattle--Physician Micro Systems, Inc. (PMSI) offers the Practice Partner line of electronic health record, practice management, and computerized physician order entry software applications for ambulatory care practices. The company says Practice Partner applications are used by over 1,300 practices of all sizes and specialties.

Charleston, SC--A two-component synthetic tissue sealant may serve as a viable alternative to current standard suturing techniques used in collecting system repair, according to researchers from Duke University, Durham, NC. Their research used a swine model to compare two FDA-approved sealants and traditional suturing.

Istanbul, Turkey--The phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor vardenafil (Levitra) significantly improves sexual pleasure and treatment satisfaction in both men with erectile dysfunction and their partners, according to study results presented at the European Association of Urology annual congress here.

Istanbul, Turkey--For men with mild to moderate incontinence following radical prostatectomy, the minimally invasive perineal bone-anchored male sling (BAMS) may offer an interesting treatment alternative to the gold standard treatment, artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), according to a new study that compared the efficacy and functional durability of both treatment modalities.

Convincing patients to lose weight and treating them early with standard medical therapies for erectile dysfunction are two ways clinicians can help their patients return to sexual function after radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Urologists treating patients with advanced prostate cancer should anticipate a number of advances this year and next. They will also need to anticipate some of the challenges these advances will create, according to Paul F. Schellhammer, MD, program director of the Virginia Prostate Center and professor of urology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk.

It often takes years before medical advances make their way from the laboratory bench to the physician's office. Such is not the case in andrology. In many instances, the cutting edge will be of clinical relevance very soon for urologists who treat male infertility, according to Craig S. Niederberger, chief of andrology at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Natural compounds, a novel new drug class, and the growing popularity of a minimally invasive laser are poised to make news in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia, Claus G. Roehrborn, MD, told Urology Times.

Clinical research in the field of trauma and reconstructive urologic surgery shows a recent focus on challenging cases, and study results are providing useful insight about their management, said Allen F. Morey, MD.

When Stephen Y. Nakada, MD, chairman of the department of urology at the University of Wisconsin, looks to the future, he sees increasing use of robotics, advances in ureteroscope technology that will bring more flexibility and greater clarity to imaging, and the use of computer-driven simulators that will allow both novice and experienced surgeons to learn new skills and hone old ones.

When Howard M. Snyder, MD, was asked to moderate a session on the latest developments in pediatric urology at the American College of Surgeons clinical congress last fall, he didn't have to think twice about the topics he wanted to cover.

More effective treatment will come as interstitial cystitis becomes better defined and research makes inroads on the epidemiology and etiology of this enigmatic and difficult-to-treat condition.

Ongoing research into the pathogenesis of recurrent urinary tract infections is fundamentally changing how scientists view this common problem and may some day alter how clinicians manage it. The research, led by Scott Hultgren, PhD, of the University of Washington in St. Louis, describes a developmental process whereby uropathogenic Escherichia coli invade the superficial epithelial cells of the bladder and contribute to recurrent UTIs.

The use of non-embryonic stem cells and the growing popularity of botulinum toxin are among key trends to watch for in the management of stress incontinence and overactive bladder, respectively, said Shlomo Raz, MD, director of female urology, urodynamics, and reconstructive surgery at UCLA Medical Center.

Linthicum, MD--Leaders of the American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD) and the Executive Committee of AUA have reached an agreement that will bring AFUD under the aegis of AUA. Beginning this month, AFUD will operate under the name of the American Urological Association Foundation (AUAF).

Istanbul, Turkey--Swiss data add to growing evidence that injecting botulinum toxin A (Botox) into the detrusor muscle is a safe and efficient treatment option in patients suffering from overactive bladder, particularly in cases that prove refractory to other more conventional treatment modalities, like anticholinergic agents and physiotherapy.

This special issue takes an up-close look at what’s new, and what’s coming, in key areas of clinical urology. UT’s board members share their expert views on what to expect at this month’s AUA annual meeting and beyond.

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) reduces the frequency of gynecomastia and breast pain in prostate cancer patients taking bicalutamide (Casodex), according to a study in Lancet Oncology (2005; 6:295-300).

The FDA has authorized a label change for the phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor tadalafil (Cialis), removing a contraindication on the use of the drug with alpha-blockers.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside said it will become the first hospital to institute the Urological Comprehensive Care Program (UCCP), a new model of care to increase patient satisfaction while reducing medical errors.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), associated with breast cancer, is a key culprit in prostate cancer recurrence, say researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy to evaluate prostate tumors may help identify the most appropriate treatment, according to a study published in Cancer Research (2005; 65:3030-4).

Cryosurgery appears to be a promising primary treatment for prostate cancer, even in men with high-risk features, according to results of a 4-year study published in Cancer (2005; 103:1625-30).

A particular signature set of inherited characteristics and mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) significantly increases the risk of kidney and prostate cancers in men, according to a presentation at the American Association of Cancer Research annual meeting in Anaheim, CA.

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) reduces the frequency of gynecomastia and breast pain in prostate cancer patients taking bicalutamide (Casodex), according to a study in Lancet Oncology (2005; 6:295-300).

For the third straight year, Urology Times will bring readers E-news Daily Meeting Report--free daily news updates from the upcoming AUA annual meeting in San Antonio, delivered directly to your e-mail box.

No patient has developed urinary retention or elevated post-void residuals following our modified injection technique.

Links to many manufacturers exhibiting at the 2005 American Urological Association meeting in San Antonio. Exhibit Hall booth numbers have been included so that you can find items and exhibits of particular interest to you.