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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center physician-scientists are presenting exciting new research at the 2007 American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif., May 19-24. Among the most significant presentations are the following:

Female Sexual Dysfunction in Urologic Patients: Findings From the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area [862]
Authors: Harry Fisch, M.D., Ithor S. Sawczuk, M.D., et al.

Investigators assessed the prevalence and risk factors of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in urologic patients from the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. Based on surveys completed by 587 female urological patients, the study found female sexual dysfunction in urologic patients is prevalent in all age groups, with age, menopausal status and the usage of anti-depression medication (SSRIs) functioning as significant risk factors.

Satraplatin Significantly Improves Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Pain Control in Patients with Advanced Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer (HRPC): Preliminary Results From the Phase III SPARC Trial [1014]
Authors: Daniel P Petrylak, M.D., et al.

Pain control constitutes a major clinical challenge in the treatment of metastatic Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer (HRPC) and is a relevant therapeutic goal in this population. Satraplatin (S) is a novel oral platinum compound with demonstrated antitumor activity in a variety of tumors, including HRPC. The SPARC trial is a large, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study, evaluating S in combination with prednisone (P) for the treatment of HRPC patients who have failed one prior chemotherapy regimen. The study found that oral satraplatin is well tolerated and has clinically relevant activity in patients with metastatic HRPC.

Increasing Body Mass Index Is Not an Independent Predictor of Outcome Following Radical Prostatectomy [460]
Authors: Mitchell C. Benson, M.D., James M. McKiernan, M.D., Benjamin A. Spencer, M.D., et al.

Multiple studies have correlated elevated body-mass index (BMI) with adverse outcomes in prostate cancer. Current nomograms do not incorporate BMI as an independent predictor of disease progression following radical prostatectomy (RP). The study found that a sizable proportion of patients undergoing RP are overweight (18 percent), however, the proportion of obese patients is less than the national value (30 percent) suggesting a screening bias when selecting patients for RP. Using both pre- and post-operative risk characteristics, obese patients were at higher risk for biochemical or clinical failure (BCF) five years following RP. However, this study demonstrated that this risk was not dependent on their BMI but rather was entirely predicted by their stage, grade and PSA.

Preoperative Three-Dimensional Tumor Volume Predicts Outcome in Patients With Renal Cortical Tumors [1296]
Authors: Mitchell C Benson, M.D., Carl A. Olsson, M.D., James M. McKiernan, M.D., et al.

Traditionally, tumor diameter is considered the strongest prognostic factor when assessing patients with renal cortical tumors (RCT). However, 3-dimensional (3-D) tumor volume calculated from imaging has been demonstrated to be an independent predictor of cancer control in pharyngolaryngeal, lung and breast carcinoma. Investigators evaluated the correlation between preoperative 3-D imaging and pathologic tumor volume, and determined that preoperative 3-D imaging tumor volume correlates to pathologic 3-D volume and independently predicts disease-free survival in patients with RCTs.

Has the Predictive Significant of Positive Surgical Margins Following Prostatectomy Changes Over the Past 15 Years? [472]
Authors: Mitchell C. Benson, M.D., James M. McKiernan, M.D., Joel DeCastro, M.D., et al.

The presence of positive surgical margins (+SM) following radical prostatectomy (RP) is an independent predictor of disease-free survival (DFS). However, the past 15 years have seen improvements in surgical and pathological techniques that may have altered the significance of positive surgical margins in prostate cancer. Thus, the researchers sought to determine if the predictive contribution of positive surgical margins on DFS has changed over the past 15 years. After performing an analysis of the Columbia Urologic Oncology Database, researchers found that the presence of +SM remains a significant independent predictor of DFS with no change in its predictive abilities. Thus, the presence of a +SM in the contemporary era is no less a significant outcome predictor than before the recent advancements in surgical and pathological techniques.

Prostate Volume and Pathologic Prostate Cancer [1885]
Authors: Mitchell C. Benson, M.D., James M. McKiernan, M.D., Erik T. Goluboff, M.D., et al.

The relationship between prostate volume and prostate cancer parameters found at radical prostatectomy (RP) has yet to be fully elucidated. This study was designed to investigate these relationships, specifically the effect of prostate volume on biopsy and pathologic Gleason sum discordance. The study found that patients with large prostates are more likely to have lower Gleason sum, locally confined and less aggressive pathologic disease and subsequently were more often down-graded from biopsy to pathologic sampling.

Experts Available for Commentary on Breaking News and Other Stories at AUA Conference

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia experts are available for commentary on the following topics and breaking news (see AUA Press Kit for specifics) at the 2007 American Urological Association (AUA) meeting in Anaheim:

• Changes in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer
• Statins and urology
• Tissue engineering and urology
• Erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms
• General urology
• Bladder health
• Infertility
• Kidney health
• Prostate health
• Sexual health
• Pediatric urology

Among the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia experts available to comment on the above topics are:

Dr. Mitchell C. Benson, the George F. Cahill Professor and Chairman of Urology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Urologist-in-Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia.

Dr. James M. McKiernan, vice chairman of urology and assistant professor of urology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and director of urologic oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia.

Dr. Carl A. Olsson, the John K. Lattimer Professor and Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Urology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Daniel P. Petrylak, associate professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and associate attending urologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital – based in New York City – is the nation's largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital, with 2,335 beds. It provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine at five major centers: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Allen Pavilion and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division. One of the largest and most comprehensive health-care institutions in the world, the Hospital is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education, and community service. It ranks sixth in U.S.News & World Report's guide to "America's Best Hospitals," ranks first on New York magazine's "Best Hospitals" survey, has the greatest number of physicians listed in New York magazine's "Best Doctors" issue, and is included among Solucient's top 15 major teaching hospitals. The Hospital has academic affiliations with two of the nation's leading medical colleges: Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Columbia University Medical Center
Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in pre-clinical and clinical research, in medical and health sciences education, and in patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, nurses, dentists and public health professionals at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the Mailman School of Public Health, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions.