The Effect of Radical Prostatectomy, External Beam Radiation Therapy and Active Surveillance on Life Insurance Premiums in Patients with Prostate Cancer.

Introduction: Patients with early stage, low risk prostate cancer are typically treated with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy or active surveillance. We examine how these different management options affect life insurance underwriting practices.

Methods: A total of 20 life insurance companies were sent questionnaires with 9 sample patient cases.

Testosterone Pellet Implantation Practices: A Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) Member Questionnaire.

Introduction: There has been renewed interest in the use of subcutaneous testosterone pellets for the treatment of hypogonadism since the introduction of Testopel in 2008 by Slate Pharmaceuticals (Durham, NC, USA). Manufacturer guidelines recommend using two to six pellets; however, in the clinical setting, this is deemed insufficient. This has produced a wide variety of testosterone pellet usage that is not fully understood.

Lessons Learned from Routine Intraoperative Ureteral Margin Frozen Sections during Radical Cystectomy.

Introduction: We examined the practice patterns of intraoperative ureteral frozen section during radical cystectomy and the impact of ureteral margin positivity on operative characteristics and oncologic outcomes.

Methods: The records of patients who underwent radical cystectomy at our institution from 2004 to 2011 were identified. Intraoperative ureteral frozen section characteristics were examined, including number, laterality, positivity, conversion to negative and final permanent section status.

Time course of recovery of erectile function after radical retropubic prostatectomy: does anyone recover after 2 years?

Introduction: Given the paucity of literature on the time course of recovery of erectile function (EF) after radical prostatectomy (RP), many publications have led patients and clinicians to believe that erections are unlikely to recover beyond 2 years after RP.

Aims: We sought to determine the time course of recovery of EF beyond 2 years after bilateral nerve sparing (BNS) RP and to determine factors predictive of continued improved recovery beyond 2 years.

Methods: EF was assessed prospectively on a 5-point scale: (i) full erections; (ii) diminished erections routinely sufficient for intercourse; (iii) partial erections occasionally satisfactory for intercourse; (iv) partial erections unsatisfactory for intercourse; and (v) no erections.