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Orlando, FL--How likely are patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy to present with rising PSA levels and subsequent metastatic progression? Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center employ a computerized tool called a nomogram to find the answer.

Orlando, FL--The management of localized prostate cancer has undergone a significant, dramatic shift in recent years. Both pure and robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy appears to be a viable treatment option that is popular with patients; watchful waiting has declined, despite the stage migration seen in the PSA era; and hormonal therapy has become more widely used in low-risk patients, a source of controversy.

Washington--Both physicians and Medicare beneficiaries are in for a jolt next year, according to government officials who indicated in late March that Medicare will slash physician payments by 4.3% in 2006 and slap beneficiaries with an $11 per month premium increase.

Abundant choices for any budgetFrom Caribbean and Continental to Southwest fare and seafood, restaurants in San Antonio offer an abundance of choices to suit your taste and budget.Below is a list you can refer to during the AUA annual meeting. Urology Times thanks San Antonio urologists Allen Morey, MD, Juan Reyna, MD, Michael Sarosdy, MD, and Ritchie Spence, MD, for commenting on some of their favorite area restaurants.Note that the area code for all restaurants in 210.

Montreal--Phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors appear to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction in men who are also receiving pharmacologic treatment for depression. A retrospective study presented here at the Canadian Psychiatric Association annual meeting that looked specifically at tadalafil (Cialis) demonstrated that the drug was effective in improving erections and achieving intercourse in this population.

Anti-inflammatory drugs, either alone or in combination with an alpha-blocker or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, may have an important role in treating or possibly even preventing the progression of BPH.

Orlando, FL--What are the benefits of combining castration with a nonsteroidal antiandrogen in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer? Laurence Klotz, MD, of the University of Toronto, has found a high probability that bicalutamide (Casodex), 50 mg/day, plus castration provides a survival advantage over castration alone.

Orlando, FL--Testosterone's effect on the development and progression of BPH and prostate cancer is well known, but a group of University of Tennessee researchers has been focusing on testosterone's less frequently studied "partner in crime"—estrogen.

Hormone therapy increased the incidence of all types of incontinence at 1 year among women who were continent at baseline.

There's no better way, after physician referrals, to generate new patients than public speaking.

The average intravaginal ejaculatory latency time of premature ejaculation sufferers is 1.8 minutes, versus 7.3 minutes in men without PE, according to a large epidemiologic study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine (2005; 2:358).

AUA has appointed Kathryn Bell as the scientific education program manager in its Office of Education.

The average intravaginal ejaculatory latency time of premature ejaculation sufferers is 1.8 minutes, versus 7.3 minutes in men without PE, according to a large epidemiologic study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine (2005; 2:358).

The American College of Surgeons has published a new 200-page manual designed to guide surgeons in evolving areas of patient safety.

An agent under investigation for treatment of overactive bladder demonstrated statistically significant improvements over placebo in phase III trials, according to Schwarz Pharma, which is developing the drug, fesoterodine.

The American Foundation of Urologic Disease will be under the ageis of the American Urological Association following an agreement between leaders of the two groups.

Steep Medicare payment cuts to physicians and other health professionals will hurt access to care for America's seniors and disabled, according to a survey of physicians by the American Medical Association.

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Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., merged to form a new corporation named Astellas Pharma, Inc.

The Indian American Urological Association (IAUA) said it will hold its educational program under the auspices of AUA for the first time next month. The program is scheduled for May 21 at the Marriott Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX.

Within 36 hours after ingesting sildenafil citrate (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction, some men have nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), described as "stroke of the eye," according to a report of seven cases published in the Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology (2005; 25:9-13).

Testosterone gel (AndroGel) 1% will be evaluated for its efficacy and safety as an adjunct to oral hypoglycemic therapy in men with type 2 diabetes and hypogonadism, according to its manufacturer, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

A clinical study evaluating the effect of co-administration of an investigational intranasal agent PT-141 and sildenafil citrate (Viagra) shows positive results in patients with erectile dysfunction, according to researchers from Palatin Technologies Inc. and King Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The FDA has approved triptorelin pamoate for injectable suspension (Trelstar Depot, 3.75 mg, and Trelstar LA 11.25 mg). The sustained-release, 1- and 3-month intramuscular injectable formulations are now available nationwide for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer when orchiectomy or estrogen administration are either not indicated or are unacceptable to the patient.

Rectal cancer risk is 70% higher in men who undergo radiation for prostate cancer than those who opt to have surgery to treat the cancer, according to a study to be published in the April issue of Gastroenterology.

Androgen suppression immediately after radiotherapy in high-risk prostate cancer patients reduces the disease progression and significantly improves survival, according to long-term data published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics (2005; 61:1285-90).

San Francisco--Environmental factors have emerged as potential contributors to genetic anomalies affecting male genitalia, according to studies reported at the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Urology annual meeting.