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Bethesda, MD-A screening technique based on the interplay of blood proteinsmay help clearly differentiate between prostate cancer and benign conditionslike BPH, according to a National Cancer Institute study. The test, whichis still under investigation, showed a specificity of 71% in men with marginallyelevated PSA levels, NCI researchers reported.

New minimally invasive techniques for the surgical treatment of stressincontinence have been based on novel concepts concerning the surgical supportof the mid-urethra and the utilization of artificial graft materials. Inthis exclusive Urology Times interview, David Staskin, MD, discusses theevolution of sling techniques and the pros and cons of using artificialmaterials. Dr. Staskin is director of the Section of Voiding Dysfunction,New York Presbyterian Hospital, and associate professor of urology and obstetricsand gynecology, Weill Medical College, Cornell University. The interviewwas conducted by UT Editorial Consultant Philip M. Hanno, MD, of the departmentof urology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

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Q What is the current state of prostate cancer markers?With prostate cancer, we are fortunate in that it has the very best markeror combination of markers for any cancer that I'm aware of, short of skincancer where visual markers are quite good. PSA's performance for predictinglocalized prostate cancer probably exceeds the performance of other cancermarkers, such as CA125 for ovarian cancer, CEA for colon cancer, and someof the genetic markers for breast cancer.

Orlando, FL-Currently established T- and Z- bone mineral density scores may require revision in order to accurately assess changes in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy, suggests an Austrian study presented at the AUA annual meeting.

Orlando, FL-The 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride (Proscar)is associated with symptom improvement in men with category IIIA chronicpelvic pain syndrome, say leading prostatitis researchers.

Orlando, FL-Treatment with an alpha blocker used commonly in men withBPH is associated with improvement of symptoms in men with moderate to severechronic non-bacterial prostatitis, said Perinchery Narayan, MD.

Newton, MA-Matritech Inc. has received FDA clearance to market the NMP22 BladderChek bladder cancer test for use in conjunction with cystoscopy. The test works like a home pregnancy test and returns results while the patient is in the physician's office, the company says.

Presented by Richard A. Santucci, MD, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit.

Presented by Deborah R. Erickson, MD, Pennsylvania State UniversityCollege of Medicine, Hershey.

Presented by Edward Kim, MD, University of Tennessee School ofMedicine, Knoxville.

Presented by John N. Krieger, MD, University of Washington School ofMedicine, Seattle.

Presented by Ricardo Gonzalez, MD, University of Miami Schoolof Medicine.

Presented by John Trachtenberg, MD, University of Toronto.

The incidence of hydronephrosis diagnosed in the neonatal period has increased dramatically with the routine use of ultrasound in obstetrical care. Prior to the mid-1980s, most children with obstructive uropathy secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction or ureterovesical junction obstruction were diagnosed after urinary tract infections had occurred or an abdominal mass was noted.

Orlando, FL-A new analysis of data from the National Cancer Institute'snationwide Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer screeningtrial suggests that annual PSA screening may not be necessary for many men.

San Francisco-Prostate cancer bone metastases appear to react favorablyto treatment with a new bisphosphonate and the tyrosine-kinase inhibitorsPKI-166 and STI-571, according to studies presented at the American Associationfor Cancer Research annual meeting here.

Characterized by symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, and urge urinary incontinence, overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition that results from a deficiency in the bladder's ability to store urine and in the onset of involuntary bladder muscle contractions that promote urgency and possibly urine loss.

Group presses for $420 million at NIH and $100 million at Defense Departmentin 2003Washington - The case for bolstering funding for prostate cancerresearch is being pressed on Capitol Hill by a 6-year-old coalition of organizationsand individuals who are determined to end the disease that has accountedfor 15% of all male cancer deaths over the last decade.

New Products as presented in the April 1, 2002 issue of Urology Times

San Francisco - Researchers have successfully induced hypospadias in mice, an accomplishment that observers say provides more compelling evidence in support of the endocrine disruptor hypothesis as an explanation for the increase in hypospadias observed over the past 30 years.

Varicocele was first recognized by Lawrence Dubin, MD, and Richard D.Amelar, MD, as the male reproductive anatomic anomaly most amenable to surgicalcorrection. Varicocelectomy has long since played an important role in theurologist's toolbox. Yet with the emergence of intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a variantof in vitro fertilization in which a single sperm is injected into an ovum,some have questioned the utility of all forms of reproductive therapy otherthan assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Among many papers presentedat the American Society for Reproductive Medicine annual meeting-and reportedin this issue of Urology Times-several supported the continued role forvaricocelectomy.

Orlando, FL-Is assisted reproduction technology (ART) a better way to deal with varicocele-related infertility, or is surgical repair the better choice? Given the high pregnancy success of ART, the optimal management of infertility secondary to varicocele is unclear," said Paul J. Turek, MD, associate professor of urology, University of California, San Francisco.

Jena, Germany-Botulinum toxin has shown promise as a potential therapy for chronic pelvic pain and lower urinary tract dysfunction. In a German study, injection of botulinum toxin type A into the urethral sphincter muscle led to improvement in muscle tone, pain, and urodynamic parameters in patients enrolled.

Orlando, FL-Infertile men are at increased risk for testicular cancer compared with the general population. That is the disturbing conclusion reached by researchers at the New York Weill-Cornell Medical Center, following a study of 4,470 men over a 13-year period.

Chicago-A mixed serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor appears to reduce the symptoms associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and improve the quality of life in patients receiving it, according to findings from a phase II clinical trial presented at the American Urogynecologic Society 22nd annual scientific meeting here. While the agent, duloxetine, is still investigational, observers say the prospects for a pharmacologic approach to stress incontinence are promising.

New York-Recently published data could better help diagnose and select treatments for infertile couples, targeting treatments likely to work and perhaps sparing some patients invasive, high-cost treatments less likely to prove effective.

Toronto-Not unlike many of the patients seen in urology practices, a significant percentage of young infertile men take alternative therapies, some of which may adversely affect their fertility. But many of these men may be hesitant to share this information with you.

Boston-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.

New 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.