A study of 50 patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta found that rectally administered lidocaine gel significantly reduced pain during transrectal prostate biopsy. Patients who received lidocaine rated their pain as moderate to severe, while those without anesthetic experienced more discomfort.
Researchers found a new class of drugs called selective apoptotic anti-neoplastic drugs (SAANDs) that can safely slow tumor growth in men with advanced prostate cancer. The study showed significant results with minimal side effects.
More than 1,500 original research studies on urologic diseases will be presented at the meeting, including prostate cancer, male and female sexual dysfunction, incontinence, and kidney stone disease. Key findings include data on prostate cancer costs, PSA screening, and outcomes after radical prostatectomy.
A study published in Urology suggests that patients treated with radiation therapy for prostate cancer have a high chance of being disease-free after four years, with minimal risk of recurrence. Patients with favorable prognoses also show a lower risk of treatment failure sooner than those with less favorable prognoses.
A new review of data from a recent nationwide trial shows the free prostate specific antigen test (fPSA) is as accurate in detecting prostate cancer risk in African American men as it is in Caucasians. The study found that nearly 75% of unnecessary prostate biopsies can be spared for black men.
The American Urological Association has released new policy guidelines for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, recommending a biopsy to confirm diagnosis when PSA levels are high or abnormal digital rectal examinations are performed. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of individualized decision-making and periodic testin...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that higher PSA levels are associated with faster prostate growth, allowing doctors to predict and potentially slow growth through treatment. This study provides critical information for planning a treatment, emphasizing the importance of annual PSA tests for men over age 50.
A high fibre diet was found to lower PSA levels in men, suggesting a potential link between soluble fibre and reduced prostate cancer risk. The study also supported existing advice to eat more vegetable foods and less animal products in preventing prostate cancer.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that videotaping surgeries can improve outcomes in radical prostatectomy. The study, which involved 62 patients, showed that minor differences in surgical techniques can have a major impact on results. Surgeons who perform successful procedures should review the footage to identify key factors.
A study published in Urology found that men with prostate cancer are more likely to remain continent and potent after surgery performed by highly experienced surgeons. The study's potency and continency rates were the highest ever reported, with up to 93% of patients reporting continency and 65% reporting potency.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine successfully used gene therapy to activate the human immune system against metastatic prostate cancer. The study, published in Cancer Research, showed that patients' B-cells produced antibodies and T-cells directly attacked tumor cells after vaccination.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have cloned the gene responsible for primary hyperoxaluria type II, a rare inherited form of kidney stone disease. The discovery may lead to better understanding and treatment of the disease, which can cause severe kidney failure and early death if left untreated.
Researchers identified a new role of fibroblasts in cancer development, showing that epithelial cells engage in a molecular dialogue with surrounding fibroblasts to progress towards cancer. This finding could lead to new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
A recent study by the Mayo Clinic found that 10 out of 16 men experienced a greater than 50% reduction in hot flashes while taking venlafaxine. The incidence of severe and very severe hot flashes was also significantly reduced.
The Interstitial Cystitis Clinical Trials Group is conducting a clinical trial using pentosan polysulfate sodium (ElmironR) and hydroxyzine hydrochloride (AtaraxR) to treat IC. The trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these oral drugs in relieving symptoms in patients with IC.
UI researchers found that restoring E-cadherin protein hinders prostate cancer spread and enhances cell adhesion. The study provides a potential new approach to target invasive prostate cancer.
Researchers will discuss cellular interactions in prostate cancer, new gene discoveries, and techniques for measuring patient outcomes. The symposium also features presentations on experimental agents, immunotherapies, and alternative therapies for treating prostate cancer.
A new study developed a simple method to assess the risk of deadly metastatic cancer in men after prostate removal. The chart uses three common measures, including Gleason score and PSA doubling time, to pinpoint the risk for developing metastatic cancer.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that boys circumcised in a doctor's office fare equally well as those circumcised in a hospital operating room. The cost savings of having the procedure done in an office setting were estimated at $1,609 per procedure, resulting in an annual savings of $184,713.
The Ablatherm device has shown local disease control in approximately 80% of cases, with a complete response in 56% and partial response in 24%. The treatment is minimally invasive and can be repeated if necessary, but may have some adverse effects.
A study found that high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with seed implant therapy had poorer outcomes compared to radical prostectomy and external beam radiation. The researchers suggest that high-risk patients should discuss alternative treatment options with their physicians.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center have identified a genetic mutation in the CYP3A4 gene associated with prostate cancer progression. Men carrying this mutation are nearly 10 times more likely to develop advanced tumors, highlighting the potential for targeted prevention strategies.
A new study by USC/Norris Cancer Center scientists raises questions about the potential use of finasteride to prevent prostate cancer. Finasteride, commonly used to treat benign prostate disease, may not be effective as a chemopreventive agent against prostate cancer in men with high PSA levels.
A new study found that patients with tumors expressing low levels of the tumor suppressor protein p21 are more likely to recur and die from bladder cancer than those with elevated p21 levels. The study suggests that knowing both p53 and p21 status is a more powerful indicator of risk, allowing for clearer treatment decisions.
Researchers found that anti-androgen drugs can trigger the protein that makes prostate and cancerous cells grow, leading to a possible explanation for why hormone therapy loses effectiveness after one or two years. The study suggests that more research is needed to confirm the results.
Researchers discovered a new molecular marker, p27(Kip1), that can predict prostate cancer tumor progression and guide treatment decisions. Low levels of the protein are associated with increased disease recurrence and mortality.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that older men have more extensive prostate disease even if their PSA levels are the same as younger men. The study suggests that age should be an additional guide in deciding whether to do further testing for non-palpable prostate cancer.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo found a link between specific sperm abnormalities and low pregnancy rates. They discovered that samples with premature chromosomal decondensation or acrosome reactions had only a slim chance of leading to a pregnancy.
A new test measuring free PSA can accurately identify men at risk of prostate cancer, allowing for targeted biopsies and reducing unnecessary procedures. The test aims to cut the cost of prostate screening dramatically while sparing men from potential complications like infection and bleeding.
Researchers from 95 medical centers found that finasteride significantly reduced prostate surgery and urinary retention risk. Over four years, patients treated with Proscar experienced a 20% prostate size reduction and lower risks of complications.
A USC study found that prostate cancer patients who use erection aids after surgery report similar levels of sexual functioning to those who haven't undergone surgery. The researchers found that erection aids allowed patients to recover their sex lives, rivaling even nerve-sparing surgery.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at The Jackson Laboratory have found that PC4 plays a vital role in male fertility and early embryonic development in mice. The study revealed that PC4-deficient testicular germ cells fail to properly process precursor proteins, rendering them incompetent for fertilization.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that postmortem sperm procurement requests are increasing, with over half made between 1994 and 1995. Most requests were from wives seeking to create children for their deceased husbands.
The newly revised nomograms combine clinical stage, Gleason score, and PSA level information to identify men who can be cured by surgery alone. The use of these nomograms should improve our ability to predict surgical curability and help patients make informed treatment decisions.
A new laparoscopic technique for kidney removal has been shown to reduce pain, hospital stays, and recovery time compared to traditional methods. The study found that kidneys removed with this technique function as well as those taken out with a large incision.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends reducing the annual frequency of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for men between 50 and 70 years old, as most don't need frequent tests to detect curable cancers. The guidelines suggest PSA testing every two years is sufficient to identify most men with curable prostate cancer.
The US physician workforce faces significant downsizing, with 17 specialties needing reductions of at least 40%. To maintain current ratios, 14,644 new physicians are required annually, while 7 specialties remain unaffected.
Researchers found that a lower free-to-total PSA ratio may indicate aggressive prostate cancer. The study suggests this ratio can help doctors distinguish between serious and non-serious cases, leading to better treatment decisions.
A new study predicts prostate cancer up to six years earlier than current methods by analyzing the ratio of free to total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a man's blood. The research, published in 1996, showed that men with high total PSA levels may have prostate cancer or benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Stanford researchers are working on a new PSA test that can distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous prostate enlargement. By analyzing the PSA protein extracted from enlarged prostates, they aim to eliminate unnecessary biopsies. The team's approach has shown promising results, reducing false positives by up to 86%.