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Data from two Taiwanese studies presented at the 2007 AUA annual meeting on the use of botulinum toxin A (Botox) suggest that injections of the agent into the prostate are safe and effective in relieving the symptoms of BPH and that the treatment supplements the therapeutic benefits of medical treatment in men with larger glands.

The therapeutic role of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors could expand to include some patients with BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms.

New research has identified a number of independent predictors of overall survival in men with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer, and those findings have been used to generate a simple nomogram for predicting survival probability to 5 years.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of men with early recurrent androgen-dependent prostate cancer, active cellular immunotherapy with sipuleucel-T (Provenge) failed to meet its primary endpoint for delaying time to biochemical failure.

Tumor volume changes measured by endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI) independently predict PSA recurrence in men with intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer being treated with radiotherapy plus 6 months of androgen suppression therapy.

Investigators undertook a study to evaluate a possible relationship between androgen receptor levels and time to progression after starting ADT.

Combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography imaging using [11C]choline as a tracer may be useful in detecting prostate cancer recurrence and, more important, may help clinicians to determine whether the recurrence is local or metastatic.

A multicenter, blinded, controlled trial of PSA-positive macrophages in peripheral blood (imPSA) for detection of prostate cancer has validated pilot study results in Austria.

In expanded studies, Early Prostate Cancer Antigen-2 continues to demonstrate high specificity and sensitivity as a serum biomarker for prostate cancer.

Primary care physicians show large deficits in familiarity with and knowledge of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome along with significant variability in their approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

Of all the measurable factors a urologist must weigh when developing a prognosis for the patient with BPH, only health-related quality of life as assessed by the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index significantly raises the potential for surgical intervention.

The unexpected association between lower mortality and dyslipidemia was the principal surprise that emerged from a review of national prostate cancer mortality data from 1993 to 2003.

The specialist must be cognizant of the vast information base required of PCPs, who are masters of nothing, but knowers of all.

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Hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel (Deflux) reduced by 62% the incidence of recurrent urinary tract infections in children with vesicoureteral reflux, according to a study published in the Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques (2007; 17:353-9). The therapy also eliminated the need for prophylactic antibiotics in 87% of patients.

Cook Urology, a division of Cook Medical, and Convergent Laser Technologies have entered into a worldwide agreement that enables Cook to market and distribute Convergent’s Odyssey lasers and laser fibers for the treatment of kidney stones.

Computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation was nearly 100% successful in eradicating small, malignant kidney tumors in a study of more than 100 patients, according to researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC.

While men using statins experienced lower blood levels of androgens, those levels were more likely attributable to poor health than to the use of statins, according to a study that appears to refute previous findings that statins might cut a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.

Uropath LLC, a provider of group practice-owned urologic pathology laboratories, has received positive results from audits conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.

A combination of interferon alfa-2b and sorafenib (Nexavar) works better than does either drug alone in improving response in patients with renal cell carcinoma, according to a pilot study led by researchers from the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, NC.

Urology ranks fifth among specialties in terms of salary, with an average annual salary of $380,000 and a median of $325,520, according to a new survey from Martin, Fletcher, a national health care recruiting and consultancy firm.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has made updates to its kidney cancer guidelines to include the addition of two first-line treatment options.

The FDA has approved trospium chloride extended-release capsules (Sanctura XL) for once-daily treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency.

Once you discover microscopic hematuria, typically the next step is evaluation with a careful history and physical exam, then specific laboratory tests, and cystoscopic and radiologic studies.

Presentations in pediatric urology at the 2007 AUA annual meeting signaled changes in practice, increasing momentum in current trends, and some surprising findings on hot-button topics.

The latest urology products and services.

Urologists attending this year's AUA annual meeting benefited from a wealth of cutting-edge research on the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Studies of urinary tract infection presented at the 2007 AUA annual meeting had important lessons for practicing urologists.