Latest Videos Archives

Adaptive Immune Resistance to Intravesical BCG in NMIBC: Implications for Ongoing and Future BCG Unresponsive Clinical Trials

Posted by Trinity J. Bivalacqua, MD, PhD | May 2020

Trinity J. Bivalacqua, MD, PhD, Director of Urologic Oncology at Johns Hopkins Medicine, discusses potential solutions to the issues with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as a treatment for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Intravesical BCG is more effective than chemotherapy for NMIBC, but approximately ⅓ of high-risk patients are BCG-unresponsive, and there is also a BCG shortage. Dr. Bivalacqua lists potential solutions to both these problems, including early cystectomy, increasing the availability of BCG by using alternative strains, and enhancing immunotherapy. He concludes by discussing research intended to characterize immune cell expression among patients with NMIBC treated with BCG which found that immune checkpoint inhibition with BCG may be beneficial in a subset of patients who experience tumor recurrence after BCG.

Protecting Your Online Reputation

Posted by Neil H. Baum, MD | May 2020

Neil H. Baum, MD, Clinical Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana, discusses how physicians can best manage their online reputation. He discusses how a doctor’s online reputation requires constant attention, regardless of what kind of practice they are involved in, and outlines what exactly comprises online reputation and why it is important. Dr. Baum further details how in today’s interconnected world 80% of patients screen their doctors on Google, and most patients say that a doctor’s online reputation is a driving factor in their choice. He emphasizes that the best way to improve your online reputation is to ask satisfied patients to leave reviews and make it as easy as possible for them to do so.

The Present and Future of LUGPA

Posted by Richard G. Harris, MD | May 2020

Richard G. Harris, MD, discusses the Large Urology Group Practice Association’s (LUGPA) 2020 Strategic Plan. He observes that as the United States’ population ages and grows, and as new technology causes the cost of treatment to rise, demands on urology practices will increase. LUGPA will help urologists meet these challenges by continuing its advocacy work protecting independent urology practice, especially in Washington, D.C., and by developing the leadership skills of young urologists through programs like LUGPA Forward and the Rising Chief Resident Summit. Other initiatives will focus on easing operational challenges, increasing member engagement, and ensuring organizational excellence.

Path to the First Penoscrotal Transplant: Pre-Clinical Studies that Led to Penile Allotransplantation

Posted by Trinity J. Bivalacqua, MD, PhD | May 2020

Trinity J. Bivalacqua, MD, PhD, Director of Urologic Oncology at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute of Johns Hopkins Medicine, discusses the groundbreaking penoscrotal implant surgery performed by a multidisciplinary team at Johns Hopkins Medicine in 2018. He explains their rationale for performing a procedure that many consider dangerous and unnecessary, saying that patients have a right to be normal and to decide on their own fate, and noting that they discussed the surgery with their patient, a military vet who lost his phallus from a blast injury, for years before operating. Dr. Bivalacqua goes on to summarize the pre-clinical cadaveric and ex vivo studies conducted before the procedure, emphasizing the important developments in increasing transplant tolerance and improvements in vascularizing penile allografts. He concludes by saying that the surgery was successful and thus far the graft has not shown rejection, but he notes that the procedure’s utility in clinical practice remains unknown.

New Paradigm for the Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease

Posted by David Utz | May 2020

Culley C. Carson III, MD, Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, reviews the history of treatment options for Peyronie’s Disease. He then compares clinical results of oral therapies, injection techniques, shock wave therapy, and penile prosthesis. Since first being developed, the efficacy of several of these protocols has improved and patients have experienced a reduction in curvature. Patients with Peyronie’s Disease often report significant negative emotional toll as a result of the condition, and new advances in treatment, such as the combination of drug and lengthening device that improves penile angulation can also improve depression and emotional problems.