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Prostate cancer nurse specialist shortage: a view from the coal face

Prostate Cancer UK recently reported that there is an impending crisis for men with prostate cancer, simply because the number of nurse specialists available is insufficient for their needs [1]. Background As has been widely reported, the incidence of prostate...

Systematic reviews and meta-analysis – a stepwise approach

As per Cochrane definition (2013), a systematic literature review (SR) attempts “to identify, appraise and synthesize all the empirical evidence that meets pre-specified eligibility criteria to answer a given research question” [1]. A meta-analysis (MA) is a statistical assessment of...

Current developments and innovations of the WASHOUT study: A large-scale observational study of inpatient haematuria

Unscheduled haematuria admissions ranks among the most common urological emergencies, yet its investigation and management still lack standardisation. The readmission rate for haematuria is substantial, with reports as high as 8%, and the median hospital stay for such cases in...

Introduction to prostate cryotherapy

Introduction Cryotherapy was first described by Dr James Arnott in 1850 where he used crushed ice and salt to get temperatures as low as -24oC, in the treatment of cervical and breast tumours [1]. The literature on prostatic cryotherapy dates...

Intravesical GAG replacement therapies for bladder pain syndrome / interstitial cystitis – an update

The barrier function of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer of the urothelium was identified by Parsons in 1975, and intravesical therapies to treat chronic inflammatory conditions of the bladder were developed soon after. However, the active role of the urothelium in...

Penile fracture

Traumatic rupture of the tunica albuginea with either one or both corpora cavernosa of the penis is known as penile fracture. This may be associated with corpus spongiosum or urethral injury. Incidence Penile fracture was reported for the first time...

The doctor as the patient: receiving bad news

This article, written by a GP working in the NHS, gives a unique insight into the experience of being a urology patient and some thoughtful advice on ‘breaking bad news’. Day 1 Alarm bells ring. It’s spotting an email from...

Benign prostatic hyperplasia: what are the benefits and harms of various surgical management options?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterised by stromal and epithelial prostatic cell hyperplasia. The enlarged prostate may be associated with voiding and storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). These have been predominantly attributed to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), assumed to...

Post-orgasmic illness syndrome

Introduction Disorders of ejaculation are a rare and poorly understood subsection of male sexual dysfunction. A paucity of evidence has hindered advances in definitions, epidemiology, pathophysiology and management. The licensing of a specific medication for premature ejaculation signalled the research...

Cutting on the Staff

In this series of articles I am going to show you some of the exhibits contained in the BAUS Virtual Museum of the History of Urology which is part of the BAUS website (www.baus.org.uk). In the last article I described...