New monoclonal antibody selectively targets PCa sites
December 1st 2001New York-A newer monoclonal antibody is showing a canny ability to target prostate cancer cells in both bony and soft tissue, and its therapeutic potential is now undergoing testing. Neil Bander, MD, and colleagues from New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center developed the antibody, dubbed J591 (licensed by BZL Biologics, Inc., Framingham, MA, and sub-licensed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA).
ABU prepares for changes in recertification process
December 1st 2001Demands by the public and changing practice patterns in urology are significantly impacting the recertification process for urologists. In this exclusive Urology Times interview, Martin I. Resnick, MD, discusses the changes that will affect all urologists with time-limited certificates. Dr. Resnick is professor and chairman of the department of urology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine/University Hospitals, Cleveland, and president-elect of the American Board of Urology. He was interviewed by Richard D. Williams, MD, professor and chairman of the department of urology at the University of Iowa, Iowa City
California dream leaves some MDs singing the blues
December 1st 2001For many Americans from every walk of life, California typifies the American dream-a high standard of living, prestigious colleges and universities, and some of the country's best-known attractions. But for many physicians, including urologists, the Golden State represents the worst aspects of practicing medicine in the twenty-first century.
Job creation act will benefit many physician practices
December 1st 2001Package also provides tax incentives for doctors to expand and investin their practicesPresident Bush signed a long sought-after economic stimulus package onMarch 9. The "Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002"(H.R. 3090) is a combination of business economic stimulus provisions, reliefprovisions for lower-Manhattan businesses affected by the Sept. 11 terroristattacks, a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits, extensions for expiredor soon-to-expire tax breaks, and technical corrections.
IC research has answered many questions, but not all
December 1st 2001This is an exciting time to be involved with interstitial cystitis, fromthe clinical aspect of caring for patients, to the search for markers andbetter methods of diagnosis, to the basic research so critical in ultimatelyfinding etiologies and a cure. The articles in this month's Urology Times help to underscore these issues(see page 8). Tomohiro Ueda, MD, PhD, and colleagues have identified a cytokineinhibitor that seems to improve interstitial cystitis symptoms and increasebladder capacity, according to a preliminary trial in patients with non-ulcerativedisease. The potassium chloride test study of Tony Yen-Huang Chen, MD, wouldappear to limit the usefulness of this potentially painful examination asa diagnostic adjunct. The profile that Frederic Liandier, MD, did of 287IC patients serves to confirm that while we have many therapies for thisdisorder, nothing works for everyone and the treatment of IC is as muchart as it is science-perhaps more so.
Radiation protection eyewear reduces scatter radiation
November 1st 2001Carle Place, NY-Nuclear Associates' Glassers Radiation Protection Eyewearprovides unimpaired peripheral vision. Available with prescription or non-prescriptionlenses, the products' extra-large lens area reduces scatter radiation strikingthe eye-socket bone structure, the company says. Lenses provide .50-mm lead-equivalentprotection. For added comfort, the eyewear has plastic-reinforced ear rests.
Single-use drainage bags help prevent UTIs
November 1st 2001San Fernando, CA-Precision Dynamics Corp. introduces the UR-Assure Legand Drainage Bags, both of which are intended for use for up to 15 days.The short-time use helps to prevent the possibility of urinary tract infections,according to the company. In addition, both bags feature anti-reflux mechanisms,further ensuring patient cleanliness and comfort. Each bag features graduationmarks so collection amounts are easy to determine, the company says.
Follow these steps to a productive teleconference
November 1st 2001Assign specific tasks, outline agenda, and highlight objectives to avoid confusionThe recent tragedies at the World Trade Center and the Pentagonhave made air travel more difficult-and have increased the need for teleconferences.Teleconferences for businesses, clinical trials, and medical organizationshave become increasingly popular in recent years and are now becoming avital communication tool.
Chronic prostatitis symptoms stabilize over time
November 1st 2001Boston-Perhaps offering a measure of reassurance to prostatitis patientsand their urologists, data from a prospective study suggest that the symptomsof chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) typicallyimprove or remain stable over time. During a 1-year follow-up of a cohort receiving "usual care"for their symptoms, half the patients had symptom improvement, and morethan one-third reported their symptoms unchanged. Symptoms deterioratedin about 14% of patients.
Sentinel nodes may predict high-risk bladder cancer
November 1st 2001Uppsala, Sweden-If use of sentinel node detection in bladder cancer provesas successful as recent studies suggest, it will not be long before moleculartests on the sentinel tissues replace full histologic reports in stagingthis disease. That's the prediction of Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, who hasbeen at work on a genetic-based cancer-detection test, but who thinks workthis year by a group in Sweden may portend a significant diagnostic toolfor bladder cancer: sentinel node analysis.
Patients' rights bill: Victim of struggling economy?
November 1st 2001Worsening economic downturn has shifted focus to helping unemployed pay for health insuranceWashington-In early September, it appeared that advocates of a new patients'bill of rights would see success, and lobbyists for business and insuranceorganizations who opposed the initiative were willing to settle for thebest deal they could get.
Evidence justifies clinical research on NSAIDs for PCa
November 1st 2001The presentations of Jay Pearson, PhD, and Brett Carver, MD, cited in this issue of Urology Times, provide further experimental and epidemiologic evidence that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may have some role in the fight against prostate cancer. While these are certainly not the first reports that NSAIDs might beuseful for the prevention or treatment of this malignancy, they continueto identify the remarkable value of these agents for human health and raiseimportant questions as to why so many different types of disease statesare affected by them. Arthritis, benign cardiac conditions, and colon andprostate cancer are diseases of extraordinarily different tissues, etiologies,pathologies, and outcomes. Yet each of these conditions are likely benefitedby NSAID therapy.
Infertility found to be risk factor for bone loss
November 1st 2001New York-The young, otherwise healthy men urologists see for an infertility evaluation may be hiding a condition more commonly observed in older men and women. Researchers from the Cornell Institute of Reproductive Medicine in New York report that three-fourths of men with nonobstructive azoospermia, a severe form of male infertility, are at risk for significant bone loss.
New bacteria strains found in prostatitis patients
November 1st 2001Toronto-A team of Canadian researchers has isolated at least two unexpected strains of bacteria from the genitourinary fluids of men with type III (nonbacterial) prostatitis. The two strains, Proteobacterium species and Paenibacillus species, have never before been identified in patients with prostatitis.
AUA committed to keeping practice guidelines up to date
November 1st 2001In this exclusive Urology Times interview, Joseph W. Segura, MD, discussesthe current state and the future of AUA clinical practice guidelines, includinghow guidelines influence practice, their use in residency training, andupcoming guideline topics. Dr. Segura is the Carl Rosen professor of urologyat Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN, and chairman of AUA's Practice GuidelinesCommittee. The interview was conducted by UT editorial consultant PhilipM. Hanno, MD, of the department of urology, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia.
How to perform microwave thermotherapy in the office
November 1st 2001Benign prostatic hyperplasia afflicts millions of men throughout the world, with an overall prevalence of histologic BPH at autopsy of 50% by age 60 years and 90% by age 85 years (J Urol 1984; 132:474-9). Surgery, although effective, includes a 1% to 3% incidence of mortality.
NSAIDs may reduce PCa risk, prospective data show
November 1st 2001Baltimore-Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce therisk of prostate cancer, suggests a study completed by Johns Hopkins Hospitalin Baltimore, the National Institute on Aging, and Merck Research Labs.The researchers stress that the findings are suggestive but not definitive.
Instead of installed software, consider an 'ASP'
October 1st 2001As more urologists implement computer technology into their practices, we are learning about the benefits and features of many of the software packages that are available to improve practice efficiency and performance. Unfortunately, those software programs are expensive and require the technological assistance of information technology specialists to load and debug those complicated programs.
Laparoscopic prostatectomy: Difficult but feasible
October 1st 2001Minimally invasive surgical approaches are an area of interest to the general public and have provided important benefits to urologic patients. The development of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has been one of the most significant advances in the field. In this Urology Times interview, Claude C. Abbou, MD, a pioneer in laparoscopic prostatectomy, discusses the current state of the art in this cutting-edge procedure. Dr. Abbou is head of the department of urology, Hospital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France. UT Editorial Consultant Andrew C. Novick, MD, chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Urological Institute, conducted the interview.
Ruling would impact lithotripsy, brachytherapy payments
October 1st 2001Washington-A sweeping new proposed federal regulation dealing with hospital outpatient compensation would change Medicare payments for specific medical procedures and tighten rules governing new technology payments, a move that could adversely affect urologists. The regulation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS) would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2002.
Imaging system features LCD viewing technology
October 1st 2001St. Louis-Mallinckrodt introduces the Liebel-Flarsheim Hydra Vision Plus DR urological imaging system with optional liquid crystal display (LCD) viewing technology. Incorporating the features of the Hydra Vision Plus DR, the new LCD monitor option includes a lightweight triple articulating arm with ergonomic handles for easy movement, according to the company.
Female sling system designed for safer, simpler placement
October 1st 2001Minneapolis-American Medical Systems has received FDA approval to market the AMS SPARC Sling System for female stress incontinence. The system's suprapubic approach is designed to provide a potentially safer and simpler option for sling placement, according to the company.
Treatment planning system available for radiotherapy
October 1st 2001Salt Lake City-Varian Medical Systems, Inc., offers Eclipse, a Windows-based three-dimensional treatment planning and virtual stimulation system for cancer radiotherapy. The software features user-friendly tools for physicians to quickly identify the contours of cancerous tumors and surrounding healthy organs for more precise treatment planning, according to the company.
Catheterization system offers new ergonomic design
October 1st 2001Santa Barbara, CA-Mentor Corp. offers a new ergonomically designed Self-Cath Closed System for the management of urinary retention. A sterile, unisex device for individuals who must maintain an intermittent self-catheterization schedule, the system includes a pre-lubricated 100% latex-free intermittent catheter and a new, narrow collection bag.