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The combination of bevacizumab (Avastin) and interferon-alpha (Roferon-A) as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma offers significant improvement in progression-free survival compared with interferon-alpha alone, according to a study published in The Lancet (2007; 370:2103-11).

Urology Times has announced the expansion of its editorial content in 2008. Beginning in March, the publication’s content mix will be expanded to include practical, peer-reviewed clinical articles in a quarterly supplement known as Urology Times Clinical Edition. This addition will complement the publication’s current offerings: news from major meetings, Q&A interviews with urology’s thought leaders, analysis of legislation affecting urologists, and valuable practice management information.

Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, has named urologist Robert G. Uzzo, MD, vice chairman of the department of surgical oncology. Nationally known as a leader in the field of urologic oncology, Dr. Uzzo has made important clinical, scientific, and educational contributions to the department. In addition, Dr. Uzzo became acting chairman of the department on Jan. 1.

Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has received a non-approvable letter from FDA for valrubicin for intravesical instillation (Valstar), related to the drug’s chemistry, manufacturing, and controls new drug application supplement submitted to the FDA last May. Valrubicin is indicated for bacillus Calmette-Guerin-refractory carcinoma in situ of the bladder in patients for whom immediate cystectomy would be associated with unacceptable morbidity or mortality.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said it will discontinue marketing of leuprolide acetate implant (Viadur), which is indicated for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Based on diminished market demand and growing manufacturing costs, the company has concluded that the product has limited long-term market viability. Bayer said the decision is not the result of safety or efficacy issues.

Just 4 months of hormonal therapy before and with standard external beam radiation therapy slows cancer growth by as much as 8 years-especially the development of bone metastases-and increases survival in older men with potentially aggressive prostate cancer, according to a study to be published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Baby aspirin appeared to interfere with the ability to deliver a full course of hormone therapy in 206 men with localized but high- or intermediate-risk prostate cancers who were enrolled in a study comparing radiation therapy alone with radiation therapy plus hormone therapy. In a letter to the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine (2007; 357:2737-8), Anthony V. D’Amico, MD, PhD, and Philip W. Kantoff, MD, of the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, discussed the effects of low-dose aspirin on liver function tests.

Older men with low testosterone levels who received testosterone supplementation increased lean body mass and decreased body fat, but were no stronger and had no improvement in mobility or cognition compared with men who did not use the supplement, according to a study published in JAMA (2008; 299:39-52).

The combination of bevacizumab (Avastin) and interferon-alpha (Roferon-A) as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma offers significant improvement in progression-free survival compared with interferon-alpha alone, according to a study published in The Lancet (2007; 370:2103-11).

In the closing days of the 2007 session, Congress prevented a Medicare payment cut and kept the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) alive, but both moves are only temporary. By unanimous consent on Dec. 18, 2007, the Senate passed the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007. The House passed the same legislation 411-3 the next day, and President Bush signed the measure into law on Dec. 29.

Currently there are several code choices when using the da Vinci system to perform a robotic radical prostatectomy.

This article guides the clinician in the management of initial and recurrent nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Bathe a prostate tumor in metallic particles that preferentially move through permeable capillaries and into the tumor bed. Shine an infrared light on the particles. The metal, but not the tissue, absorbs infrared energy; as it heats, it destroys tumor cells. Tissue not in contact with the metal particles, ie, healthy tissue, is unaffected.

Screens for genetic markers found in the urine of men with prostate cancer offer the possibility of more clinically useful results

Three studies suggest that holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is efficacious and safe, and that outcomes are durable.

The pace of prostate growth in a majority of men of northern European descent is as steady as a ticking clock and gives clinicians the opportunity to forecast prostate size in many patients with a single ultrasound measurement.

The pace of prostate growth in a majority of men of northern European descent is as steady as a ticking clock and gives clinicians the opportunity to forecast prostate size in many patients with a single ultrasound measurement.

Premature ejaculation, an often-neglected aspect of men's sexual health, is now receiving extensive attention and an influx of research.

Although there is no confirmed direct link between testosterone replacement therapy and prostate cancer, a recent study suggests that physicians treating middle-aged hypogonadal men with extrinsic testosterone should be more vigilant in monitoring these patients' PSA levels than they would be in monitoring average men of the same age.

Surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic's Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute have taken laparoscopic surgery to the next level by performing a series of surgeries requiring only a single abdominal incision.

Researchers at the University of Montreal Health Center have created a prognostic tool that fills an important gap in forecasting early recurrence of disease following radical prostatectomy.

Although the observation is awaiting confirmation by more definitive data, it may be that in a select group of radiation-treated prostate cancer patients, 6 months of androgen ablation is as effective as a 3-year course of the adjuvant therapy in terms of cancer-specific survival.

When AUA announced release of new guidelines for the management of ureteral calculi in mid-November, the document established landmarks.

Further analysis of completed studies, along with the completion of ongoing trials, will hopefully clarify the optimal length of adjuvant ADT

New Urology Products & Services

Once again, urologists are at the mercy of the politicians in Washington with a 10.1% average payment rate cut scheduled to take effect this month unless some way, somehow Congress once again comes to the rescue-and President Bush signs whatever legislation is passed.

Urologists who own or who have an interest in ambulatory surgical centers perform more than three times as many stone surgeries as non-owners do.

The specialty of urology is evolving dynamically. With changes in techniques and treatment protocols have come significant practice challenges, including a declining work force, an increased focus on procedures, and competition from other specialties.