Urology News and Research

Latest Urology News and Research

Therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma remains inadequate

The recent FDA approvals of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors sorafenib and sunitinib based on their activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma have excited the medical oncology community

9 Mar 2006

Alfuzosin may improve double-J stent related symptoms

The first indwelling endoluminal ureteral stent was described over 30 years ago and has since become a routine and indispensable urologic tool. However, the side effects and patient morbidity associated with ureteral stents are not insignificant.

9 Mar 2006

Primary vesicoureteral reflux detected in neonates with a history of fetal renal pelvis dilatation

Fetal renal pelvis dilatation is a common abnormality, observed in 4.5% of pregnancies but surrounded by controversy regarding its significance. Working up renal pelvis dilation has become a standard of care regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) being one of the primary concerns.

8 Mar 2006

Is there any role for thalidomide as a monotherapy in the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma?

Thalidomide remains an enigma in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Initial clinical trials suggested a benefit, but more recently, subsequent randomized trials studying thalidomide in combination with other agents such as interferon have demonstrated no added benefit.

8 Mar 2006

Is partial nephrectomy oncologically safe for tumors greater than 4cm?

Traditionally, nephron sparing surgery in the presence of a normal contralateral kidney is primarily advocated for tumors <= 4cm.

7 Mar 2006

Clinical implication of routine stone culture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy - A prospective study

If you have a patient with a staghorn stone and the preoperative urine culture is sterile, does that mean that the stone is likewise sterile? The answer is No.

7 Mar 2006

Johns Hopkins scientists identify protein fragment which may lead to a simple test for multiple sclerosis

Johns Hopkins scientists report the discovery of a protein found only in cerebrospinal fluid that they say might be useful in identifying a subgroup of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) or identifying those at risk for the debilitating autoimmune disorder.

7 Mar 2006

Amifostine makes radiation more effective

Doctors in Brazil have concluded that the drug amifostine eases many of the most common side effects associated with patients receiving radiation therapy to treat their cancer while simultaneously making the cancer more susceptible to radiation.

1 Mar 2006

Oral agent alendronate may help men with prostate cancer suffering from bone loss

Men with prostate cancer who experience bone loss from cancer treatment could benefit from a weekly oral therapy commonly given to women with osteoporosis, according to a study presented by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Prostate Cancer Symposium, Feb. 24 to 26 at the San Francisco Marriott.

27 Feb 2006

Virus could trigger prostate cancer

A team of researchers from Cleveland Clinic and the University of California, San Francisco have discovered a new virus in prostate tumours.

27 Feb 2006

New tool helps predict pregnancy outcomes

Physicians must consider a number of variables when treating couples who cannot naturally conceive because of factors involving both the woman and man.

23 Feb 2006

Men in their fifties are happier with their sex lives than younger men

According to researchers in America and Norway, men in their fifties are happier with their sex lives than younger men, despite experiencing more problems.

21 Feb 2006

Most patients have kidney removed, despite organ-sparing surgery option

A less aggressive type of surgery designed to spare healthy organ tissue is used infrequently to treat early-stage kidney cancer, according to researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

21 Feb 2006

European electrosurgical devices - market analysis

Heightened awareness among both electrosurgical device companies and consumers about the potential spread of communicable diseases during surgery is encouraging the uptake of disposable electrosurgical devices.

16 Feb 2006

Vitamin D could provide beneficial treatment to prostate cancer

Vitamin D can inhibit the spread of prostate cancer cells by limiting the activity of two specific enzymes, University of Rochester Medical Center scientists report.

14 Feb 2006

UT Southwestern embraces robotic technology to advance future of surgery

Having a surgeon with four arms is one of the advantages of the latest robotic technology now being studied at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

14 Feb 2006

Sirolimus reduces risk of cancer in kidney transplant patients

A new study published in this month's issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology shows that the risk of cancer in kidney transplant recipients was reduced by more than 50% at five years post transplantation in those patients who were treated with sirolimus following withdrawal of cyclosporine at three months.

13 Feb 2006

New technology could replace time-intensive urine specimens

For the millions of people who suffer from urinary tract infections each year and the doctors who treat them, a promising new biosensor technology has been developed that may replace antiquated testing methods and save precious health care dollars.

12 Feb 2006

More training needed to ensure accuracy of urine drug tests

In a survey of primary care physicians, most reported not using proper techniques when collecting urine samples for drug tests on adolescents and were often unaware of the tests' limitations, according to an article in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

9 Feb 2006

Patients checking into a top rated hospital have a 27 percent lower chance of mortality

Patients checking into a hospital rated in the top five percent in the country have, on average, a 27 percent lower chance of mortality and a 14 percent lower risk of complications, according to a study released today by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings company.

7 Feb 2006