EAU 2007: NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF UROLOGY
Berlin, Germany -- On Wednesday 21 March 2007 the European Association of Urology (EAU) held a welcome press address during its 22nd Annual Congress, held from 21-24 March in Berlin. The EAU congress covers the whole spectrum of modern urology.
Professor Udo Jonas, Congress President, gave a general introduction. This year’s meeting is the largest EAU meeting ever: approximately 12,500 people have registered so far. It is no longer a European congress but a global one, since 113 nationalities are present in Berlin.
Prof. Per-Anders Abrahamsson talked about active surveillance and prostate cancer. Since the introduction of the PSA test the incidence of prostate cancer has increased dramatically. This raises the possibility that most prostate cancer cases detected by PSA testing are over-diagnosed. The challenge of managing early prostate cancer is to differentiate patients with clinically relevant cancers from those whose ‘disease’ is destined merely to be an incidental histological phenomenon. PSA doubling time (< 3 years) and estimate biopsy progression are important in that respect. Professor Abrahamsson also pointed out that patient organisations such as Europe UOMO, which is organising a forum during the congress, are vital to raise public awareness and funds for prostate cancer prevention/screening programmes.
The advances in tissue engineering and reconstructive surgery were discussed by Prof. Christopher Chapple. A remarkable study by the Innsbruck group showed that the donor’s cultured muscle cells injected in the urinary sphincter result in a platform effect after 30 days in 90% of patients. This effect seems to go beyond the bulking effect and is caused by cell growth. A recent advance in the field of bladder overactivity is the use of botulinum toxin therapy, which when injected into the bladder can produce major beneficial effects. Another important development in Europe are the so-called ‘sling’ procedures, nowadays the most commonly conducted clinical procedure.
Professor Manfred Wirth discussed robotic surgery. The number of robot-assisted procedures is rapidly increasing, since their advantages are numerous: shorter hospital stay, less pain, less risk of infection, which is why patients are very enthusiastic about the system. For prostate cancer, findings show that in smaller tumours (≤1cm) an important advantage is potency recovery. These very promising early data have, however, to be confirmed by a randomised trial comparing open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches.
Currently there is only one system operational. A problem with robotic techniques is, however, the considerably higher cost. Professor Wirth is convinced that in the future there will be additional robotic systems which should treat patients better and cheaper.
Then Professor Pierre Teillac, the EAU Secretary General, took the floor. He focused on quality of life issues in BPH, prostate cancer and renal cancer. In BPH, doctors try to avoid surgery. The techniques that remain are TUMT/radiofrequency and Green Light KTP laser.
Many cases of metastatic prostate cancer are currently treated with hormones or chemotherapy which may lead to many complications, e.g. impotence. Doctors are aiming at giving patients a tailored treatment. In the very near future, it may be possible to treat a patient with 1 injection every 6 months.
Nowadays there are new drugs on the market (anti-angiogenetic drugs) to treat metastasized renal cancer. Data on these new drugs show superior efficacy combined with few side effects.
Professor Teillac stressed that in cancer and a number of other diseases, a multidisciplinary treatment approach is necessary. To promote cooperation in this field, the EAU will be organising the first European Multidisciplinary Meeting on Urological Cancers, ‘Embracing Excellence in Prostate and Kidney Cancer’, from 2–4 November 2007 in Barcelona, Spain. The European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) will be co-organising the meeting.
Press Release Archive
June 2007: Urosource website
June 2007:Master Class Barcelona 2007
June 2007: First European Multidisciplinary Meeting on Urological Cancers
March 2007: Abrahamsson EAU's new Secretary General
March 2007: Highlights Berlin
First European Multidisciplinary Meeting on Urological Cancers
Dutch doctors hopeful for new screening tool in testicular cancer
October 2006: Symposium "Urology beyond boundaries" covers present and future urology
22 September 2006: New molecular markers for detection of PC still far removed from Clinical Standard
September 2006: EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR UROLOGICAL RESEARCH TO HOST CONGRESS IN MALMO, SWEDEN
15 September 2006: MASTERCLASS FOR UROLOGISTS ON MEDICAL TUMOUR TREATMENT HELD IN BARCELONA
August 2006: European Prostate Awareness Day 2006 raises awareness about prostate diseases
For more information, please contact:
European Association of Urology
Ms. Lindy Brouwer
Communication Officer
T: +31 26 3890139
E: communicationoffice(at)uroweb.org
