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Atlanta-Surgeons from Italy have developed a technique to take tissue from the underside of the tongue and transplant it to repair strictures in the urethra, giving surgeons an alternative to buccal mucosa for the procedure.

Atlanta-Remission of erectile dysfunction may be more common than has been previously believed, according to an analysis of data from the National Institutes of Health-supported Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS). Findings from this analysis were reported at the AUA annual meeting here.

When we replace testosterone, we bring the serum testosterone levels in hormone-deficient men to that of their eugonadal peers.

Atlanta-Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) caused no adverse events in the prostate tissue of men with androgen decline of aging male (ADAM) syndrome after 6 months of treatment, according to a study presented at the AUA annual meeting here.

AUA president Lawrence S. Ross, MD, discusses current issues related to training, as well as the urology work force and maintenance of certification.

Atlanta-Despite recent medical advances, no consensus exists about the optimal treatment for patients with localized prostate cancer, members of an AUA clinical guideline panel have concluded.

For the two to four million American men who suffer from hypogonadism or "andropause," is treatment with androgen replacement therapy safe, particularly in older men?

The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, has started treating patients at its Proton Therapy Center, the first facility associated with a comprehensive cancer center and the fourth such facility in the United States.

Peter Scardino, MD, has been named the new chairman of the department of surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.

An oral drug under development for the treatment of multiple side effects of androgen deprivation therapy appears to lower total cholesterol levels, according to an interim analysis of phase III clinical trial results.

An external or "condom" catheter appears to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections or death by 80 percent compared with an indwelling catheter, according to a randomized, controlled trial comparing the two types of catheters.

The second of two phase III trials has shown that once-daily trospium chloride (Sanctura XR) reduces frequency of urination and the number of urge incontinence episodes in individuals with a once-daily formulation for the treatment of overactive bladder.

Men who receive radiation therapy for prostate cancer are not at any appreciable increased risk of developing rectal cancer compared with those not given radiation therapy, according to a recently published study by Canadian researchers.

Prostate cancer patients make treatment decisions that are influenced by anecdote and misconception rather than clinical trial evidence, according to a study by researchers at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.

Medical Faculty Associates at the George Washington University has named Thomas Jarrett, MD, as the new chair of its department of urology.

Among patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, the decision about whether to receive androgen deprivation therapy depends primarily on who their urologist is, rather than the stage or grade of tumor or patient characteristics.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has received final FDA approval to market a generic formulation of finasteride tablets, 5 mg.

A new prognostic test may help determine whether a patient with prostate cancer will have a recurrence of the disease, even if surrounding lymph nodes initially appear negative for cancer, according to a study from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Prostate cancer patients make treatment decisions that are influenced by anecdote and misconception rather than clinical trial evidence, according to a study by researchers at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.

Moderately and severely obese prostate cancer patients had a 99% greater risk of developing biochemical failure than other patients, according to the authors of a study from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

After finding the lumen of a needle guide of an ultrasound transducer assembly soiled during patient safety rounds at a VA hospital, the FDA has issued a public health notification about the importance of properly cleaning and sterilizing reusable ultrasound biopsy transducer assemblies and guidelines for doing so.

Administration of sipuleucel-T (Provenge) in men with advanced androgen-independent prostate cancer shows a significant survival benefit and "a very favorable toxicity and safety profile," according to the authors of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase III study published recently in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006; 24:3089-94).

Atlanta-Intraprostatic injection of botulinum toxin A (Botox) is a safe and effective treatment in patients with symptomatic BPH that results in improvements in symptoms and quality of life that may persist for up to 1 year, Chinese researchers reported at the AUA annual meeting here.

Strong leaders continually learn and challenge their own knowledge base. They listen, participate, and make change happen for the greater good.

A urologist from another practice mentioned that his practice has made some changes in its retirement plan to create greater benefits for the doctors. He thought the new plan was called a "cash balance plan." Does this really work?

Many urologists are in the process of trying to transition their practices from the hospital to the office, and are looking for opportunities for ancillary income. A number of ancillary services are being explored.

The current CPT terminology does focus specifically on the results of the laser and not the laser itself.

Somerville, NJ-A new mid-urethral sling device from the Women's Heath & Urology division of Ethicon, Inc., has received 510(k) approval from the FDA for use beginning in autumn 2006. The Gynecare TVT SECUR System is a polypropylene mesh tape that is inserted through the vagina and positioned under the urethra to form a supportive scaffold. It prevents urine loss by maintaining the seal in the bladder neck during movement. No incisions are required, and the procedure can be conducted under local anesthesia, minimizing post-surgical pain and complications. The device is contraindicated for women who are or who intend to become pregnant and those who are on anticoagulant therapy.

When men sustain pelvic fracture trauma, an associated posterior urethral injury will occur 4% to 10% of the time. This article discusses the evaluation and diagnosis of urethral injuries and outlines our group's approach to urethral reconstruction.

Atlanta-A new prostate cancer test known as the PCA3 assay (Gen-Probe Inc., San Diego) remains a work in progress, but at this stage of development, it appears to offer significant utility in men with subtly elevated serum PSA (ie, ?2.5 ng/mL) but a negative initial biopsy.