Author: Dr. Savatta

  • ‘End of Controversy’: Robotic Prostatectomy Is Winner

    A new national database study shows that the high-tech approach improves oncologic outcomes; this prompted a grand declaration from an expert. Source: ‘End of Controversy’: Robotic Prostatectomy Is Winner “Robotic prostatectomy has superior or at least equal oncologic efficacy and complication rates compared to open prostatectomy,” writes Michael O. Koch, MD, from the Indiana University School…

  • Prostate Cancer Risk Lower in Men Who Ejaculate More – Renal and Urology News

    The protective effect of frequent intercourse is strongest for low-risk prostate cancer. An ejaculation frequency of 21 or more times per month at age 20–29 years and 40–49 years is associated with a significant 19% and 22% decreased risk of a PCa diagnosis, respectively, compared with a frequency of 4–7 times per month in adjusted…

  • Readmission Due to Infection After Bladder Surgery Linked to Smoking

    Current smoking is independently associated with a greater than 2-fold increased odds of hospital readmission after radical cystectomy. Infectious complications account for almost half of the readmissions following radical cystectomy (RC), and the risk for these complications is linked to current smoking, according to a new study. Source: Readmission Due to Infection After Bladder Surgery…

  • Simpler Prostate Cancer Grading System Proposed

    Tumors fall into 1 of 5 grade groups based on what pathologic findings indicate about prognosis. Source: Simpler Prostate Cancer Grading System Proposed I have been counseling men with prostate cancer on their treatment options for many years.  One of the most difficult parts of diagnosing prostate cancer is explaining to the patient and family…

  • Surgery improves survival rates for men with prostate cancer if radiation treatments fail

    Approximately 14 percent of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lifetimes, according to the National Institutes of Health. Radiation therapy traditionally has been a primary treatment for the cancer, but one-fourth of men have a recurrence of prostate cancer within five years after the therapy. Now, a University of…

  • Sexual function after prostate removal

    I am frequently asked about the changes to fluid that comes out of the penis during sexual activity and about the ability to have children. Many years ago I described the changes for men to expect after prostatectomy for cancer. Normally the testicles make sperm that travels through the vas deferens to reach the prostate…

  • Surgery Offers Prostate Cancer Patients Better Survival Odds

    Prostate cancer patients with clinically localized tumors are more likely to die if they undergo radiotherapy rather than radical prostatectomy. Radiotherapy for clinically-localized prostate cancer (PCa) is associated with an increased risk of overall and PCa-specific mortality compared with radical prostatectomy, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis. Dr. Nam’s group stated that, to…

  • Exercise Training May Delay PCa Progression – Renal and Urology News

    PSA doubling time, a marker of cancer progression, increased from 28 to 76 months in prostate cancer patients performing exercise training. “The exercise intervention resulted in marked physiological adaptations that aided weight regulation and increased fitness levels,” Dr. Hojman told Renal & Urology News. “PSA doubling time correlated with improved fitness, but not with weight loss.…

  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approval Summary: Enzalutamide for the Treatment of Patients With Chemotherapy-Naïve Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved enzalutamide for the treatment of patients with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). At the prespecified interim analysis, a statistically significant improvement in overall survival was demonstrated for patients Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approval Summary: Enzalutamide for the Treatment of Patients With Chemotherapy-Naïve Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate…