All News

A point-of-care bladder cancer test (NMP22 BladderChek, Matritech, Newton, MA) increases the accuracy of cystoscopy, according to results of a large, multicenter study published in this week's JAMA (2005; 293:810-6).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has expanded coverage for the use of positron emission tomography for evaluating patients with testicular cancer and several other cancers.

Abbott's UroVysion DNA probe assay has been approved by the FDA for use as an aid in initial diagnosis of bladder cancer in patients with hematuria and suspected of having bladder cancer.

A chemical used in certain types of plastic may stimulate growth of a specific category of prostate cancer cells, according a study in Cancer Research (2005; 65:54-65).

Newly released data add further evidence that erectile dysfunction may be the earliest sign of a more significant cardiovascular problem (The Journal of Sexual Medicine 2005; 2:40-50).

Eli Lilly said it has withdrawn its new drug application for duloxetine hydrochloride for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

Certain mutations in the androgen receptor protein appear to cause advanced and invasive prostate cancer, at least in a mouse model, according to a recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2005; 102:1151-6).

Kidney stone formation is influenced by obesity and weight gain, especially in women, according to a study published in last week's JAMA (2005; 293:455-62).

Mumbai, India--Technical advances in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy continue to improve the safety and efficacy of the procedure, according to a number of reports from the World Congress on Endourology here.

Will leuprolide acetate (Lupron) reimbursement fall by 20% in 2005? When will it take place? And what will the reimbursement be?

In general, we recommend cryoablation for patients with localized, high-grade tumors and higher-volume disease who are not potent or not interested in maintaining their potency.

Recovering valuable data when those drives crash or burn—and counseling clients in crisis—has become a $20 million-a-year industry.

Buenos Aires, Argentina--For men with Peyronie's disease with or without erectile dysfunction, intralesional interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A) may offer a simple, safe, and effective treatment for improving penile curvature and the ability to have sexual intercourse. So say Cleveland Clinic researchers, who presented the results of a study on the drug in this population at the International Society for Sexual and Impotence Research world congress here.

Buenos Aires, Argentina--The serotonin transport inhibitor dapoxetine appears to be a well-tolerated and effective agent for the treatment of premature ejaculation, according to the results of a phase II study presented at the International Society for Sexual and Impotence Research world congress.

Mumbai, India--Since the introduction of laparoscopic surgery to urology in the early 1990s, academic and community urology programs alike have been striving to learn and advance the specialized skills required to perform laparoscopic urologic surgery. At the 22nd World Congress on Endourology, an extensive session was de-voted to reporting the recent advances made in the field of laparoscopic training.

Refinements in robotic technique help keep positive margin rates low, experts report

Mumbai, India--Technical advances in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy continue to improve the safety and efficacy of the procedure, according to a number of reports from the World Congress on Endourology here.

Chicago--In the wake of the surprising results of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), researchers continue to investigate possible therapies for prostate cancer prevention. Some focus on alternative therapies, with a major effort underway to determine the possible efficacy of selenium and vitamin E in the form of the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).

Chicago--A phase II clinical trial now enrolling patients aims to test the efficacy of an immunophilin ligand in assisting the regeneration of penile nerves following radical prostatectomy.

New York--Factors traditionally linked to risk assessment of prostate cancer—PSA, digital rectal examination, and age—are summed up in a new table that is designed for ease of use.

Buenos Aires, Argentina--The onset of action may be very rapid within 10 minutes in some men who take vardenafil (Levitra) to treat erectile dysfunction, according to the results of a multinational study.

Mumbai, India--Safeguarding sexual function following radical prostatectomy remains a great concern for patients undergoing the procedure. Preservation of the posterior-lateral prostatic neurovascular bundles at the time of surgery is critical for recovery of erectile function. The experience gained with the open radical retro-pubic prostatectomy has allowed urologists performing robotic prostatectomy to utilize an anatomic nerve-sparing approach to maximize the potential for recovery of sexual function.

It is evident that refined cognitive and surgical skills are necessary to remain proficient in urologic laparoscopy.

Buenos Aires, Argentina--In a multinational study aimed at pinpointing the attributes men consider desirable in treatments for erectile dysfunction, researchers have found that reliability of treatment ranks first, followed closely by tolerability.

Chicago--A panel of experts is expected to convene to reconsider the controversial findings of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), in particular, the indication that finasteride (Proscar) may prevent prostate cancer and yet lead to more severe grades of cancer in those men who develop it.

Some drug-resistant Escherichia coli strains causing urinary tract infections may have an animal origin, according to an article in Clinical Infectious Diseases (2005; 40:251-7).

The FDA granted tentative approval to generic versions of two popular urology drugs, one for BPH and the other for overactive bladder.