Review ArticlesUnderstanding the Natural Biology of Kidney Cancer: Implications for Targeted Cancer TherapyTreatment UpdateArie S BelldegrunMark D KleidTobias KlatteAllan J PantuckDuring the past several decades, there has been a significant increase in the understanding of the biology, clinical behavior, and prognostic factors of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Such progress has led to greater sophistication in the diagnosis and classification of RCC. Here, we review recent advances in our knowledge of the biologic characteristics of RCC that have resulted in notable achievements in staging, prognosis, patient selection, and treatment. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(2):47-56]AngiogenesisGeneticsMolecular markersTargeted treatmentTumor-node-metastasis classification
Review ArticlesThe Impact of Definitions of Failure on the Interpretation of Biochemical Recurrence Following Treatment of Clinically Localized Prostate CancerDiagnostic UpdateMatthew E NielsenAlan W PartinWidespread early detection with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has radically transformed the clinical management of prostate cancer. PSA has become valuable in the monitoring and risk stratification of recurrent disease following local therapy. In many ways, biochemical recurrence–free survival, or PSA outcome, has become a surrogate measure of treatment efficacy following primary local therapy. Given the inherent differences in PSA kinetics following these treatment approaches, the definition of biochemical success or failure is not uniform among therapies. An appreciation of the inherent strengths, limitations, and biases of the standard definitions of failure can provide a more meaningful context within which to interpret the reported outcomes of different treatment modalities. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(2):57-62]Prostate-specific antigenRadiotherapyHormonal therapyProstate cancer recurrenceBiochemical failureBrachytherapy
Review ArticlesManagement of Men Diagnosed With Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Who Have Failed Traditional ManagementManagement UpdateRichard BergerAndrew P BaranowskiMichel PontariDean A TrippJ Curtis NickelFor many patients, the traditional biomedical model that physicians have used to manage chronic prostatitis does not work. This article describes innovative treatment strategies for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, with an emphasis on novel biomedical physical therapy and biopsychosocial approaches to the management of individualized patient symptoms. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(2):63-72]Chronic pelvic pain syndromeChronic prostatitisPhysiotherapy
Review ArticlesPhosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Male Lower Urinary Tract SymptomsTreatment UpdateRicardo R GonzalezSteven A KaplanBoth lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction have a very high prevalence among aging men, and there is some clinical evidence that they may share a common pathophysiology. Consequently, several preliminary studies of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors—sildenafil and tadalafil—have recently been conducted in men with concomitant erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms to determine whether these agents are effective for the treatment of symptomatic BPH. These studies have demonstrated efficacy, both alone and in combination with an -blocker, in treating lower urinary tract symptoms along with sexual dysfunction. However, larger-scale randomized studies are necessary to determine long-term safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(2):73-77]Benign prostatic hyperplasiaLower urinary tract symptomsErectile dysfunctionTadalafilSildenafilPhosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors
Meeting ReviewsUrinary Tract Infections and Resistant BacteriaMeeting ReviewJ Curtis NickelHighlights of a Symposium at the Combined Meeting of the 25th International Congress of Chemotherapy (ICC) and the 17th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), March 31-April 3, 2007, Munich, Germany [Rev Urol. 2007;9(2):78-80]Community-acquired urinary tract infectionPathogenesisAntimicrobial therapy
Meeting ReviewsA Multidisciplinary Consensus Meeting on IC/PBSMeeting ReviewMichael B ChancellorOutcome of the Consensus Meeting on Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome, February 10, 2007, Washington, DC [Rev Urol. 2007;9(2):81-83]Interstitial cystitisPainful bladder syndromeAssociation of Reproductive Health ProfessionalsInterstitial Cystitis Association
Reviews in UrologyAngiomyolipoma of the Left Ureterovesical JunctionCase ReviewJohn ProvetElias S HyamsAngiomyolipoma (AML) is a benign tumor that typically consists of 3 tissue elements: thick-walled blood vessels, smooth muscle cells, and adipocytes. The most common location for AML is renal; however, extrarenal AML has been described. Reports of extrarenal AML within the genitourinary tract are rare. We report a case of AML at the left ureterovesical junction and the evaluation and management decisions regarding this lesion. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(2):84-88]AngiomyolipomaImmunohistochemical stainingUreterovesical junction