AMERICAN UROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
1998 NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
MAY 30 - JUNE 4, 1998
TITLES/DESCRIPTIONS OF SELECTED NEWSWORTHY SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACTS
Contact: Bill Glitz (703) 532-3797 or by e-mail at [email protected]
From May 30 through 12 noon on June 4, please call the Press Room
at (619) 525-6246.
Embargoed until Wednesday, June 3
Prediction of Bone Metastases in Men with Advanced Prostate
Cancer Utilizing Serum N-Telopeptide Levels--Abstract # 1131
(Michael K. Brawer; 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3;
poster presentation; Special Events Room, San Diego Convention
Center)
Serum N-telopeptide (NTx) is material in type-1 collagen--the protein of connective and other tissue--that is released when cells called osteoclasts function in the breakdown and resorption of bone tissue. It is a marker of bone resorption. These investigators wanted to determine whether NTx might act as a marker for bone metastases in advanced prostate cancer. They took sera from 39 men with prostate cancer and a positive bone scan, and from 45 men with prostate cancer and a negative bone scan. Serum NTx levels were compared to serum PSA levels between the two groups. They found that serum NTx levels were a very significant predictor of bone metastases in men with prostate cancer, exceeding the predictive potential of the PSA test.
Multicenter RT-PCR-PSA Clinical Trial for Pre-Operative Staging
of Prostate Cancer--Abstract # 1124
(Robert L. Vessella; 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3;
poster presentation; Special Events Room, San Diego Convention
Center)
This study is expected to release the results of the application of reverse transcriptase (RT) - polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing for staging and monitoring prostate cancer patients. Reverse transcriptase (RT) is RNA-directed DNA polymerase. Polymerase chain reaction is a technique for amplifying the DNA present in a cell. In an appropriate test, the amount of DNA present can be enormously increased and the resulting molecules can be compared with known DNA sequences. In 1995, seven academic institutions joined with a urology company to study 300 prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy to assess the role of RT-PCR in staging and prediction of recurrence. According to the investigators, preliminary assessment of 100 clinical samples demonstrated extremely variable positive rates, ranging from 2% to 50%. The author acknowledges that the study has generated much controversy. Now the code has been broken and 300 patient clinical forms have been audited for presentation at this meeting.
ContiCathTM: A Simple New Catheter Designed for Continence and
Volitional Voiding Past the Obstructed Urethra--Abstract # 1171
(Deborah H. Lightner; 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon on Wednesday, June 3;
Room 1A and 1B, San Diego Convention Center)
Standard indwelling catheters do not allow male patients with adequate bladder and urethral sphincter functions to urinate naturally. The objective of this multicenter study was to assess, in up to 160 patients, clinical function and comfort with a new type of urethral catheter designed to allow normal urination through an obstructed outlet. ContiCathTM is a soft, flexible catheter with a preformed pigtail for retention within the bladder. It has external surface channels rather than a canal within a tube. A smaller diameter segment allows the patient to control urination. Early results with 37 patients who had various problems with urinary retention have demonstrated successful insertion and voiding. The researchers believe that ContiCathTM represents "a significant improvement in catheter design, allowing for resumption of voiding in the patient with outlet obstruction." They plan to discuss catheter design, flow characteristics, and urodynamic data.
Treatment of Distal Ureteral Stones: ESWL Versus URS: A
Prospective Randomized Study--Abstract # 1220
(Reinhard Peschel; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3;
podium presentation; Room 5A and 5B, San Diego Convention Center)
The ureter is either of two tubes, 10 to 12 inches long, that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Distal stones are usually found at the far end of the ureter, closer to the kidney. About 90% of urinary stones can be seen on X rays. These investigators studied two first line approaches to distal ureteral stone removal: extracorporal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy or URS (passage of a viewing tube and crushing device up the ureter). They treated 80 patients with distal ureteral stones. Forty had stones smaller than 5 millimeters and 40 larger. Following ureteroscopy, surgeons routinely placed a stent, a device to provide support for tubular structures. The researchers concluded that URS was superior to EWSL in: operating time, radiation time, stone clearance, and reoperative rate. The differences between the two techniques proved more significant for smaller stones. The investigators saw the only drawbacks to URS use was stent placement in patients for 4 to 14 days, depending on the size of the stone, and dependence on the surgeon's skill or experience with the URS.
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