Oral agent shows durable improvement in SUI patients
November 1st 2004San Diego-Treatment with the dual neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor duloxetine (Yentreve) results in durable improvement in symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, according to a study of open-label transition from placebo to active therapy.
Data raise questions about bladder ultrasound usage
November 1st 2004Bladder ultrasound is noninvasive and relatively easy to perform, which may explain its increased usage in recent years. However, the American Board of Urology has expressed concern that urologists may be overusing the test. In this exclusive Urology Times interview, Pat Fulgham, MD, president of Urology Clinics of North Texas, Dallas, discusses data on the dramatic shift in bladder ultrasound usage by some urologists. Dr. Fulgham, who teaches an annual AUA course on ultrasound, also discusses clinical and reimbursement guidelines clinicians should follow. The interview was conducted by UT Editorial Consultant Robert C. Flanigan, MD, professor and chairman of the department of urology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL.
African-American men have better post-RP sexual function than Caucasians
October 28th 2004African-American men have significantly higher sexual and urinary function 5 years after prostatectomy than Caucasian men, according to study results published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (2004; 22:1-9).
Lawmakers want physicians to educate prostate Ca patients about treatment options
October 28th 2004The U.S. Senate approved a resolution encouraging physicians to inform prostate cancer patients of every treatment option available, including brachytherapy, hormonal treatments, external beam radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and watchful waiting.
RF ablation is safe, efficacious for smaller tumors
October 15th 2004Whistler, British Columbia, Canada--Radiofrequency ablation of small renal tumors appears to be an effective nephron-sparing approach for treating localized kidney cancer in a very select group of patients using imperative indications, according to a short-term study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
Study shows advantages of holmium laser for BPH
October 15th 2004Tauranga, New Zealand--By almost all parameters measured, the efficacy of holmium laser transurethral procedures in the prostate match or exceed that of similar open and transurethral procedures, according to a significant body of work by Peter J. Gilling, MD, urologic consultant at Tauranga Hospital, New Zealand. Dr. Gilling's research has centered on two procedures'holmium laser resection of the prostate (HoLRP) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)-although HoLRP has essentially been replaced by the 100-watt HoLEP (Lumenis, Santa Clara, CA).
Newer slings show similar outcomes in incontinence
October 15th 2004Montreal--Two sling systems for female stress urinary incontinence have similar rates of success and perioperative events, according to the results of two separate studies presented at the AUA annual meeting. However, one was more prone to infection and erosion than the other, one study showed.
Large RCC database answers key prognostic questions
October 15th 2004Los Angeles--The largest clinical database built on renal cell carcinoma is beginning to yield definitive answers to questions about prognosis and treatment. Analyses of histories of more than 4,000 patients at eight academic medical centers worldwide has already indicated that tumor stage, grade, and performance status have a stronger influence on prognosis than tumor stage alone and that the indications for partial nephrectomy can expand.
Open, robotic RP show few differences in pain, cost
October 15th 2004Nashville, TN--As institutions accrue more experience with robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, they are beginning to perform outcomes analyses to evaluate the pros and cons of the procedure compared with traditional open retropubic radical prostatectomy.
HIFU shows promise as salvage therapy post-XRT
October 15th 2004Vaulx-en-Velin, France--High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) appears to be a promising salvage therapy option in carefully selected recurrent prostate cancer patients who have previously undergone external beam radiation therapy. The device, which uses sound waves to target tumors, was found in a French study to stop disease progression in slightly more than 40% of patients at mean follow-up of 15 months.
Newer bulking agent offers durable results in SUI
October 15th 2004San Diego-A newer bulking agent consisting of synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite compares favorably with traditional glutaraldehyde cross-linked bovine collagen as a treatment for type III stress urinary incontinence or intrinsic sphincteric deficiency, according to an interim analysis of data from an ongoing randomized trial of the two substances.
Oncology experience eases transition to robotic RP
October 15th 2004Ann Arbor, MI--Urologic oncologists adept in performing open radical prostatectomy should feel comfortable undertaking robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy without worrying about encountering a significant learning curve. However, for the laparoscopic surgeon, the robot seems to offer little benefit for facilitating laparoscopic surgery, according to findings of a small prospective study from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Sealant improves lap partial nephrectomy outcomes
October 15th 2004Cleveland--A novel hemostatic sealant containing bovine-derived gelatin matrix and bovine-derived thrombin appears to be a useful adjunct for facilitating hemostasis and improving outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, according to the results of a retrospective study from the Cleveland Clinic.
Software, cystoscopes top urologists' purchases
October 15th 2004Montvale, NJ--Computer software ranked at the top of planned purchases by urologists, with one-fourth of respondents to a survey saying they planned to acquire software in 2004. Cystoscopes, ureteral stents, penile prostheses, and BPH thermotherapy devices rounded out the top five planned purchases, according to the survey, conducted exclusively for Urology Times and its sister publication, Contemporary Urology.