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Presented by Allen D. Seftel, MD, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland

Presented by Larry Lipshultz, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

Presented by Richard Grady, MD, University of Washington, Seattle.

Presented by Donald A. Elmajian, MD, Lousiiana State University, Shreveport

Chicago-Two alpha blockers appear to have modest efficacy in treatingchronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, according to separatestudies presented here at the AUA annual meeting.

Chicago-Radical prostatectomy patients taking sildenafil postoperativelywere seven times more likely to report a return to spontaneous erectionsthan those taking placebo in a multi-institutional, double-blind study presentedhere yesterday.

Chicago-Women who undergo cesarean section without a trial of labor appearto be significantly less likely to experience stress urinary incontinencethan those who deliver vaginally or underwent a CS for obstructed labor,according to a study from Israel.

Chicago-Six weeks of antimicrobial therapy with levofloxacin (Levaquin)appears to improve symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndromein men, although the benefits are not sustained, according to a Canadianstudy presented yesterday.

Chicago-Two alpha-blockers appear to have modest efficacy in treatingchronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, according to separatestudies presented here.

Nearly one in 10 men who walk into the outpatient office of a urologist leave with a coded diagnosis of prostatitis. Urologists have described the traditional approach to the diagnosis and management of the chronic prostatitis syndromes as one of the most frustrating areas of urologic practice.

Seattle-A retrospective review of patients with secondary azoospermia has uncovered an alarming tumor rate and a high sperm recovery rate, reiterating the importance of urologic evaluation in this population.

House approves national liability insurance bill; CMS outlines changesin Medicare

Seattle-Microsurgical vasectomy reversal has higher success rates whenperformed for couples with the same female partner, underscoring the importanceof counseling patients when considering reconstructive surgery.

Societies can help with Medicare matters and with private insurance companies

One does not have to go far on the Internet to find solicitations encouragingcouples whose infertility derives from a wide variety of causes to undergointracytoplasmic sperm injection with aspirated testicular sperm. Many ofthese advertisements hint that ICSI with aspirated sperm is an easy, "one-stop"method of conceiving a child, leading urologists to be rightly concernedthat, without adequate evaluation of the male half of the equation, thepatient's medical interests are inadequately served.

Copenhagen, Denmark-An oral antidiuretic approved for the treatment ofnocturnal enuresis also appears to be effective for treating nocturia inadult men and women, according to phase III clinical trial results reportedby the multinational Nocturia Study Group.

Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) was initially developed as a mechanism to preserve renal function in patients at risk of requiring dialysis in the face of total nephrectomy. Indications included tumors in patients with a solitary kidney, multifocal disease, or chronic renal insufficiency.

Scranton, PA-Calling the medical liability insurance crisis a"national problem that needs a national solution," President Bushrenewed his support for federal reform that would include a cap on non-economicdamages awarded to injured patients. Meanwhile, urologists and other physiciansthroughout Pennsylvania, the site of Bush's speech, canceled plans to shuttertheir practices after the governor revealed short-term measures aimed atalleviating the crisis.

Recurrent urinary tract infections are so common in our female patientsthat urologists and other clinicians give little thought to their evaluationand treatment. However, new research findings may lead to some small butimportant changes in our approach to this prevalent urologic problem.

Over-the-counter fertility test receives FDA approval. Vernon Hills, IL-Lake Consumer Products introduces FertilMARQ, an FDA-approved test for male infertility.

San Diego-A new once-daily formulation of ciprofloxacin (Cipro XR) is equivalent to conventional twice-daily dosing for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections, according to results from a large, multicenter randomized trial. The extended-release formulation was granted FDA approval last month.

San Diego-Treatment with nitrofurantoin is superior to an estriol-containing vaginal pessary for prevention of urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women, according to results of an Israeli study.

Philadelphia-The City of Brotherly Love has what many say is theleast friendly climate for physicians when it comes to medical liabilityinsurance. Insurance and reimbursement problems, however, are statewidephenomena in Pennsylvania. In Scranton, located in the northeastern cornerof the state, a seven-urologist group has said it will decide in Januarywhether to close.

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.