Table of contents
December 2004 Volume 1 No 2
Viewpoints
Intravesical chemotherapy for superficial bladder cancer
56Witjes and Debruyne outline how recent investigations of indications for intravesical chemotherapy might affect current strategies for the management of superficial bladder cancer. Recommendations for the use of chemotherapeutics are made on the basis of the risk of recurrence and progression of this increasingly common disease.
Robotic versus laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
58Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) is a product of the evolution of standard open to minimally invasive surgery. The next step on this evolutionary path has been the emergence of robotic LRP. Here, Thomas Ahlering presents his view of the comparative benefits and pitfalls of these two techniques.
Research Highlights
Abnormal urinary cytology following flexible cystoscopy
60Long-term physiotherapy for female stress urinary incontinence
61Correction of congenital penile curvature: long-term results
63End-fire ultrasound probes in prostate cancer diagnosis
64Advanced refractory prostate cancer: new treatment trial
64Measuring urinary tract stones by computed tomography
64Practice Points
Is prediagnosis PSA velocity predictive of the risk of death from prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy?
66Can weight loss improve the erectile function of obese men?
68Is chemotherapy with high- or standard-dose cisplatin a more effective treatment for pediatric germ cell tumors?
70Is interstitial hyperthermia a safe and efficacious adjunct to radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer?
72Can the gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test predict the outcome of varicocelectomy?
74Reviews
Diagnosis and management of patients with overactive bladder syndrome and abnormal detrusor activity
78Overactive bladder syndrome is a commonly diagnosed condition, but it is less common for patients to present with symptoms of incomplete bladder emptying. Both of these forms of bladder dysfunction have a number of possible causes. In this review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of these conditions are discussed.
doi:10.1038/ncpuro0054 | Full Text | PDF (175K)
New theories in interstitial cystitis
85The chronic symptom-complex interstitial cystitis (IC) and related conditions are difficult to diagnose and manage because no definitive diagnostic tests or effective treatments exist. The role of biomarkers, such as antiproliferative factor, in the pathogenesis of IC and their potential therapeutic applications are discussed.
doi:10.1038/ncpuro0057 | Full Text | PDF (110K)
The value of radiotherapy in treating recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy
90This review discusses the treatment options available to prostate cancer patients with disease recurrence following prostatectomy. It focuses on the use of radiotherapy, administered adjuvantly and as a salvage treatment. A nomogram that facilitates patient selection for salvage radiotherapy is presented.
doi:10.1038/ncpuro0056 | Full Text | PDF (151K)
Technology Insight: surgical robots—expensive toys or the future of urologic surgery?
97Developments in urologic surgery have led to the introduction of robot-assisted laparoscopic procedures. Data indicate that robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery has a shorter learning curve than conventional laparoscopic surgery, and that operative time can be reduced. In this article the data for robot-assisted prostate and bladder surgery are discussed.
doi:10.1038/ncpuro0055 | Full Text | PDF (186K)
Mechanisms of Disease: central nervous system involvement in overactive bladder syndrome
103Considering the complexity of central nervous system (CNS) control of bladder function, it is not surprising that many neurologic disorders are associated with bladder dysfunction. Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a common neurogenic bladder disorder. The mechanisms behind CNS control of bladder function and the pathophysiology of OAB and detrusor overactivity are discussed.
doi:10.1038/ncpuro0021 | Full Text | PDF (279K)
