Current urology reports
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Most urologic malignancies are diagnosed initially and managed by urologists. However, better outcomes may be attained by integrating the surgical, medical, and radiologic disciplines. ⋯ The organization of the team, including definition of the duties of key personnel and even the physical framework of the clinic, contribute to its success in treating patients with prostate cancer. Pitfalls of the process also are discussed in this article.
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Current urology reports · Dec 2004
ReviewChronic prostatitis and sensory urgency: whose pain is it?
Difficulties encountered in diagnosing and effectively treating chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is frustrating for clinicians and patients. Scientific evidence cannot establish an exact relationship between the prostate and the symptoms of CP/CPPS, and the prostate continues to be the diagnosis of convenience in this complex syndrome in men. ⋯ Urodynamics may be useful in evaluating and treating patients whose voiding symptoms predominate. However, many patients with CP/CPPS will not have measurable abnormalities by conventional methods and likely suffer from a functional somatic syndrome that is best treated with a multimodality approach.
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Current urology reports · Oct 2004
ReviewA review of quality-of-life questionnaires for urinary incontinence and overactive bladder: which ones to use and why?
Overactive bladder (OAB) and stress urinary incontinence have a profound impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQL). The purpose of this article is to identify and describe condition-specific HRQL measures validated among patients with symptoms of OAB or stress urinary incontinence. A Medline literature search was performed to identify published articles or abstracts focusing on the development and psychometric validation of relevant instruments. ⋯ A range of well-validated, condition-specific HRQL measures are available. Recommendations are provided regarding which measures to use in different situations. When choosing among instruments, psychometric evidence and the match of an instrument to the study population should be considered.
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Current urology reports · Oct 2003
ReviewUpdate on sacral neuromodulation: indications and outcomes.
Tanagho and Schmidt first introduced sacral nerve neuromodulation in 1981. Since then, it has become increasingly popular and the indications for this procedure are growing. ⋯ The outcomes of the most recent studies and trials dealing with SNS are presented. An overview of the most recent techniques used for neuromodulation is detailed.
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Current urology reports · Feb 2003
ReviewLaparoscopic partial nephrectomy and minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgery.
Surgical extirpation remains the most effective therapy for renal cell carcinoma. The surgical management of renal masses has evolved away from radical nephrectomy and now includes nephron-sparing surgery for small tumors. ⋯ Despite progress in surgical techniques, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy remains a technically challenging procedure. In this review, we discuss the challenges and recent advances in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and other minimally invasive approaches to renal masses.