Prostate cancer: Honing in on the true value of PSA-based screening | PDF (106 KB)
p573 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.209
Current Issue
November 2009 Vol 6 No 11
Research Highlights
Prostate cancer: Bladder neck sparing during RALP hastens recovery of urinary function | PDF (75 KB)
p574 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.205
Prostate cancer: HDRT has positive effect on biochemical failure but not mortality | PDF (116 KB)
p574 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.208
Non-compressive sling for male SUI | PDF (49 KB)
p575 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.206
Bladder cancer: Gemcitabine-based therapies offer no survival benefit | PDF (88 KB)
p576 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.184
Bleeding complications of TKIs | PDF (48 KB)
p576 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.203
Genetics: Sequence variants linked to risk of urologic disease | PDF (91 KB)
p577 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.189
In brief
Sexual dysfunction | BPH | Bladder cancer | Quality of life | PDF (47 KB)
p577 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.191
Prostate cancer: Active surveillance of localized disease offers improved survival in the PSA era | PDF (52 KB)
p578 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.204
BPH: Two drugs slow progression more effectively than one | PDF (62 KB)
p578 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.207
News and Views
Surgery: Emergence of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy
Surena F. Matin
p579 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.211
Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy is an emerging technique that potentially provides advantages over conventional laparoscopic approaches. A retrospective multi-institutional study suggests that robotic technology offers improved outcomes in this setting, even in hands experienced with laparoscopic surgery; however, additional data validating these findings and evaluating complication rates and surgical margins are needed.
Kidney cancer: Therapy for metastatic RCC—questions remain
Rodney H. Breau & Bradley C. Leibovich
p580 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.210
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors delay tumor progression and have a favorable adverse effect profile in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma; however, the impact of these treatments on objective clinical outcomes remains unknown. Updated results from two landmark phase III randomized trials now demonstrate the effect of sunitinib and sorafenib on survival.
Bladder cancer: Brachytherapy-based bladder sparing alternative to cystectomy
Elie Antebi, Murugesan Manoharan & Mark S. Soloway
p582 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.212
A bladder preserving protocol comprising combined external-beam radiotherapy and interstitial brachytherapy for the treatment of bladder cancer has been reported as a viable alternative to cystectomy. However, we have concerns regarding the oncological efficacy of this approach and believe important quality of life issues need to be addressed.
Reviews
Urodynamic studies in pediatric urology
Tom P. V. M. de Jong & Aart J. Klijn
p585 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.200
Knowing when to request invasive urodynamic tests in children can be difficult, but persisting with nonbeneficial treatment is a serious failure of care. In this concise Review, authors from The Netherlands provide straightforward guidance on appropriate use of urodynamic studies in pediatric patients with overactive bladder, underactive bladder, neurogenic bladder and dysfunctional voiding.
The bladder extracellular matrix. Part I: architecture, development and disease
Karen J. Aitken & Darius J. Bägli
p596 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.201
The extracellular matrix has a critical role in modulating the structure and function of the urinary bladder. In this Review, Aitken and Bägli discuss how matrix properties affect bladder development and pathology, focusing on their role in the pathogenesis of strain-induced injury in bladder outlet obstruction.
The bladder extracellular matrix. Part II: regenerative applications
Karen J. Aitken & Darius J. Bägli
p612 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.202
In the second part of their Review on the extracellular matrix, Aitken and Bägli focus on its role in bladder regeneration. The authors describe how the composition and physical properties of matrix scaffolds can affect the growth of bladder tissue, and highlight the importance of stem cells in this emerging field.
Perspectives
Opinion
Where next for the endoscope?
Ricardo A. Natalin & Jaime Landman
p622 | doi:10.1038/nrurol.2009.199
Ancient practitioners were cognizant of the insight that would be gained by examining the interior of a patient's body. It was not until 1806, however, that Bozzini's candle-illuminated 'Lichtleiter' made this aim feasible. Here, Natalin and Landman trace the origins and development of endoscopic technology, from Bozzini's 'Lichtleiter' through Stern's 'resectoscope' to modern devices for virtual and capsule endoscopy.
