Death risk is low if prostate cancer hasn't progressed in 10 years
August 1st 2010Most biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy occurs within 10 years, and patients who remain free from progression a decade postoperatively can be counseled that their risk of subsequent cancer-related morbidity and mortality is low.
Efficacy of BCG in bladder cancer may be predicted by cytokine response
August 1st 2010Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (has been the standard of care for bladder cancer for nearly 40 years. Little is known about BCG or its mechanism of action, however. A trial currently under way at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, may help urologists to separate responders from nonresponders early and tailor therapy for optimal results in those who respond to the drug.
Group challenges radiation therapy self-referral charges
August 1st 2010Possible new federal self-referral restrictions on radiation therapy services are being aggressively challenged by a nationwide group of integrated group practice physicians who take issue with charges that physician ownership of equipment used in the procedures results in increased and unnecessary services and Medicare costs.
High-intensity focused ultrasound success in prostate cancer improves with technological advances
August 1st 2010Among studies on high-intensity focused ultrasound presented at the AUA annual meeting in San Francisco, two showed encouraging biochemical disease-free survival rates for primary treatment as well as salvage therapy.
Prostate cancer survival not improved with anti-angiogenic agent
August 1st 2010Preliminary results from a phase III trial do not support the research hypothesis that the addition of bevacizumab (Avastin) to a regimen combining docetaxel (Taxotere) and prednisone improves survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer recurrence rate not greatly affected by smoking
August 1st 2010Cigarette smoking is associated with more advanced prostate tumors among men undergoing radical prostatectomy, but there appears to be little difference between smokers and non-smokers when it comes to biochemical recurrence.
What your urology practice's appearance tells patients
August 1st 2010The owners of most medical practices feel confident in the service they provide and believe they are both meeting their patients' needs and making a good first impression. But are they? Taking a critical look at the average practice, I'm not so sure.
Denosumab offers increased time to first skeletal event in men with metastatic prostate cancer
August 1st 2010In men with bone metastasis from castration-resistant prostate cancer, a monthly subcutaneous injection with denosumab, 120 mg, is superior to monthly intravenous zoledronic acid (Zometa), 4 mg, for preventing and delaying first on-study and multiple skeletal-related events.