Articles tagged with Urology
Researchers at Umeå University found that men with very high-risk prostate cancer treated at hospitals with a high proportion of radical local treatment had only half the mortality risk compared to those treated at low-proportion hospitals. Radical local therapy may prolong life for these patients.
Black children who undergo urologic surgery are more likely to experience postsurgical complications and hospital-acquired infections. The study analyzed data from nearly 12,000 patients and found that hospitals and policy makers should expand efforts to reduce postoperative adverse events and health disparities in children.
Researchers at UCLA have found laser heat ablation to be a safe and effective treatment option for men with intermediate risk prostate cancer, with no serious adverse effects reported. The technique uses MRI guidance to target and destroy cancerous tissue, offering a middle ground between radical surgery and active surveillance.
The IsoPSA test detects prostate cancer by identifying molecular changes in the prostate specific antigen (PSA) protein. It also differentiates between high-risk and low-risk disease, as well as benign conditions.
Researchers identified predictors of postoperative complications after partial nephrectomy and found a significant reduction in perioperative blood transfusions with the use of tranexamic acid. Additionally, men who underwent primary artificial urinary sphincter implantation for stress incontinence had improved long-term outcomes.
A new model of care for patients with low-risk prostate cancer has been tested, improving patient outcomes by increasing surveillance rates among very low-risk patients. The evidence-based approach uses best practices to select and follow patients, enhancing acceptance and use of active surveillance disease management.
A study found that patients with lower literacy levels tend to visit websites promoting products or services, while those with higher education seek non-commercial sites. The study highlights the need for clinicians to guide patients towards reputable online health information sources.
A study published in the Journal of Urology found that up to 30% of men on active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer may have metastases. Risk factors include Gleason score 7 and presence of Gleason pattern 4 on diagnostic biopsy.
Men with fertility problems are at higher risk of metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis and diabetes. Researchers found that one-third of infertile men under 50 have biochemical signs of low sex hormone levels, which can lead to fractures and increased glucose levels.
Declines in PSA testing varied by physician type, with primary care physicians showing a larger decrease than urologists. The study suggests that perceptions of PSA screening benefits and conflicting guidelines may contribute to the differences.
The American College of Physicians issues guidelines for evaluating blood in the urine as a sign of cancer. Doctors should confirm heme-positive results with microscopic urinalysis before initiating further evaluation in asymptomatic adults. Urology referral is recommended for cystoscopy and imaging in adults with microscopically confi...
Patients undergoing urologic surgery who are frail have a 1.7-times higher risk of complications. Frailty is an independent predictor of postoperative complications across most procedures.
A new study published in The Journal of Urology finds that female urologists earn approximately $76,000 less than men annually, despite a significant increase in women entering the field. Despite income disparities, female urologists report high levels of job satisfaction.
Researchers have discovered that a drug restoring natural testosterone production has no negative effect on sperm count, unlike traditional testosterone replacement therapy. This approach could change the way men are treated for low testosterone, potentially preserving fertility.
A new guideline from the Canadian Men's Health Foundation provides a roadmap for diagnosing and treating testosterone deficiency in men. Key recommendations include conducting thorough patient histories, measuring total testosterone levels, and assessing patient response to treatment.
Five researchers have been awarded Ferring Innovation Grants to support groundbreaking research in Reproductive Health, Gastroenterology, and Urology. The winners are working on innovative projects including immunomodulation of RELMβ for IBD and targeting Cripto in castration-resistant prostate cancer.
A study of nearly 60,000 women who received synthetic vaginal mesh slings for stress urinary incontinence found a low risk of needing second surgery for mesh removal or revision. High-volume surgeons performed fewer complications, and multiple mesh-based procedures increased the risk of complications.
A recent study by UC San Francisco found that bicycle accidents among riders older than 45 have increased significantly, resulting in more hospitalizations. The study showed a 66% increase in hospital admissions to older riders and an 81% rise in injuries occurring to riders above age 45.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine analyzed survival statistics of 1,298 men with low-risk prostate tumors and found that only two died of prostate cancer after 15 years, while three developed metastatic disease. This suggests that carefully selected patients in active surveillance programs are unlikely to be harmed by their disease.
Surgeons report positive outcomes in robotic IVC thrombectomy for renal cancer patients with Level III thrombus. Eight out of nine patients show no evidence of disease after follow-up, with significant advancements in operating room times and blood loss.
Researchers found that men with low-risk prostate cancer are increasingly opting for active surveillance, while those with higher-risk tumors are receiving more aggressive treatments. This shift aims to reduce overtreatment and improve outcomes for patients.
A UCLA review of common practices in prostate cancer has found that monitoring men with very low- and low-risk prostate cancers using watchful waiting or active surveillance is an effective approach for many patients. This approach could spare them the debilitating side effects of aggressive treatments, which are often used unnecessari...
New research reveals zinc may be the core of stone formation in kidneys, with changes in oxalate levels tracking dietary zinc intake. The findings suggest that understanding zinc's role in preventing kidney stones could lead to new preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Researchers discover a minimally invasive method to remove genitourinary mesh implants without major surgery, improving symptoms for some patients. Mayo Clinic also reports promising outcomes for octogenarians undergoing artificial urinary sphincter operations and children with ADHD who receive sacral neuromodulation therapy
A new study found that smoking is associated with increased complications during and after urologic cancer surgery, as well as other major surgeries. Quitting smoking for even a year significantly improves surgical outcomes.
Dr. Coffey will receive the award for his pioneering work on prostate cancer, nuclear matrix, and mentoring of young researchers. He is also recognized for his outstanding leadership skills and advocacy for sustained funding for cancer research.
Close monitoring of small renal tumors can be an alternative to surgery, with low rates of tumor growth or death observed. The study's findings suggest that actively monitoring these tumors in high-risk patients may prove safer than immediate surgery.
Researchers found that higher-earning clinicians earn more by providing more services per patient, rather than seeing more patients. This challenges the current fee-for-service payment model, which may not incentivize clinicians to prioritize quality of care.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified over 3,000 new gene mutations involved in certain kidney cancers. The study reveals how these mutations transform a normal kidney cell into a cancer cell through the interaction of two genes, VHL and BAP1.
A study evaluated the rate of physician adherence to American Urological Association's BPH/LUTS guidelines over a five-year period. Provider adherence rates varied from 53% to 92.8%, with low rates for challenging measures like subjective symptom description and physical examination.
A joint FDA advisory panel recommended changes to testosterone product labels and required drug makers to conduct tests on cardiovascular risk related to testosterone therapy. The panel's focus was on male age-related hypogonadism, which affects approximately 20-30% of men ages 40-79 years old.
A global team of scientists has found 23 new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. The study, which analyzed data from over 87,000 men, suggests that these variants may be important in regulating genes rather than making proteins.
A recent study published in BJU International found a significant increase in preventable deaths following common urologic procedures in the US. The study analyzed discharge records of patients undergoing urologic surgery between 1998 and 2010, revealing that mortality rates remained stable while failure to rescue rates increased.
A study published by Henry Ford Hospital researchers found that deaths from complications following urologic surgeries increased as procedures shifted from inpatient to outpatient settings. High-risk patients, including older and sicker individuals with public insurance, were more likely to die after potentially preventable complications.
A large study published in European Urology has found that needle-guided tumor destruction procedures, such as partial nephrectomy and radiofrequency ablation, offer near equivalent lengths of local cancer control compared to surgery for patients with small kidney cancer tumors.
A study published in Journal of Pediatric Urology found that for most children with antenatal hydronephrosis, continuous antibiotics are not needed. The research suggests that prophylactic antibiotics are only necessary for those with severe conditions, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.
Two studies suggest that primary androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for low-risk prostate cancer is not associated with improved survival rates. Alternative treatments may be more effective for patients, but must consider the potential adverse effects and costs of ADT.
A new study found that physicians play a crucial role in determining whether older men with low-risk prostate cancer receive treatment or undergo active surveillance. Researchers identified significant variations in treatment and observation rates among urologists, with urologist characteristics accounting for more than double the rate...
A UCLA study found that depressed men with localized prostate cancer were more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive cancer, received less effective treatments, and had shorter survival times. The study identified demographic factors that contributed to the disparity in treatment and outcomes.
Surgical residents who received anonymous peer feedback through a social networking site improved their robotic surgery skills more than those without feedback. The study found that residents in the intervention arm completed procedures faster and earned better scores.
A survey of urologists and radiation oncologists found that most specialists view active surveillance as an effective treatment option but often fail to recommend it for their own patients. Instead, they tend to recommend treatments provided by their own specialty.
A new Vanderbilt University study found that women with blood in their urine were less likely to be referred to a urologist for further tests than men with the same issue. The disparity may contribute to delayed diagnoses and worse mortality rates among women with bladder cancer.
Richard Sylvester, a renowned expert in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), received the 2014 Platinum Award from European Urology for his excellence in bladder cancer research. He continues to work on prognostic factors and predictive effects of age on NMIBC outcomes.
A new UCLA study reveals that conventional biopsies may fail to detect aggressive cancers in men with low-risk prostate cancer, highlighting the need for a targeted biopsy approach. The findings suggest that the criteria for active surveillance should be re-evaluated to account for the risk inflation seen with targeted prostate biopsy.
A study by UCLA researchers found that treating older men with early-stage prostate cancer who also have other serious underlying health problems with aggressive therapies does not help them live longer. In fact, it can be detrimental and result in additional health issues such as impotence, urinary incontinence, and bowel problems.
A novel electronic nose technique has been successfully used to discriminate between prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia in a proof-of-principle study. The eNose system demonstrated sensitivity and specificity comparable to traditional testing methods, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), with rapid and non-invasive re...
The new journal Urology Practice will focus on clinical trends, challenges and practice applications in the four areas of Business, Health Policy, Specialty and Patient Care. It aims to provide information that can be used in everyday practice through peer-reviewed articles and other content.
Duke University engineers developed a modified lens for shock wave machines, improving lithotripsy efficiency by 89% while reducing tissue damage. The new design uses a groove near the lens's perimeter to optimize pressure distribution and cavitation bubble formation.
The number of PSA screenings performed by doctors declined significantly after the 2012 USPSTF recommendations, with a greater impact seen among urologists.
The FINNO Study found that women are more likely to suffer from incontinence, while men experience problems with slow or incomplete urination. The study also identified post-micturition dribble as the most common cause of bother among men.
Patients with pre-existing chronic kidney disease who underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer experienced minimal loss of kidney function compared to those with normal kidney function. The procedure also showed no cases of end-stage kidney disease requiring long-term dialysis.
A new device developed at the University of Washington is testing the use of low-power ultrasound to move small kidney stones, potentially reducing pain and treatment times. The technology has been tested on artificial kidneys and pigs before moving to human trials, with promising results.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) have identified a new technique that reduces postoperative pain in children following high-risk urology surgeries, resulting in less need for pain medicine. The study evaluates continuous infusion of local anesthesia using the ON-Q pain relief system and shows promising results.
Elsevier's new open access journal Urology Case Reports provides a platform for urologists to publish short, well-illustrated case reports. The first case report, describing a rare neoplasm of the urinary bladder, is now available online.
A new study conducted by Portuguese urologists found enterocystoplasty to be a safe and effective surgical option for children with developmental abnormalities of the genitourinary system. The procedure showed low rates of severe complications, including successful bladder function improvement in 24 patients.
A comprehensive review of Medicare claims found that nearly all the increase in IMRT for prostate cancer was due to self-referral, leading to unnecessary radiation therapy. Self-referring urologists increased IMRT use by 146%, while non-self-referrers remained unchanged.
The Latin American Urology Association names its highest accolade after UCLA's Dr. Shlomo Raz in recognition of his efforts to educate and train urologists in the region. The inaugural Shlomo Raz Medal will be awarded annually to a deserving urologist who furthered Raz's mission.
The ASTRO/AUA joint guideline offers clinical principles and recommendations for radiation therapy use in patients with and without evidence of prostate cancer recurrence. The guideline is based on a comprehensive review of 324 research articles and provides detailed efficacy data for patients with detectable and undetectable PSA levels.
A new study by Dr. Peter Kronenberg and Prof. Olivier Traxer found significant discrepancies between advertised and measured laser fiber diameters, with some fibers being up to double the thickness promoted. The study's findings highlight the importance of accurate technical specifications in urology surgery.
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine has published a new issue focusing on the latest research and treatment developments in spinal cord injury. The issue includes articles on various topics such as botulinum toxin use, urology, neuroscience, rehabilitation psychology, and more.