Hot topics take the spotlight at American Urological Association Annual Meeting
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) June 05, 2017 -- From May 12-16, some of the world’s leading urologists gathered in Boston, Mass. for the 2017 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting. Among the more than 10,000 urologists in attendance was Dr. Scott D. Miller, head of robotic surgery at Georgia Urology. Leaving the conference informed and inspired, Dr. Miller barely touched ground before sharing some of the innovative information he gathered.
“It’s always an amazing opportunity to learn about some of the game-changing research and breakthroughs taking place in our vital corner of healthcare,” Dr. Miller said.
The 2017 AUA Annual Meeting proved to be the largest gathering of urologists in the world. The event showcased groundbreaking research, new guidelines, and the latest advances in urologic medicine to invited urology professionals from across the globe.
Dr. Miller put together a list of buzz-worthy topics discussed at the 2017 AUA Annual Meeting:
The BRCA Gene
Although the BRCA gene has been linked to both breast and prostate cancers, research suggests anyone with a high risk of prostate cancer should undergo genetic testing. If they have the BRCA gene, their male and female first-degree relatives should be tested, too. This could save lives from either prostate or breast cancer.
Immunotherapy
Through use of medication, the body’s own immune system can be used to fight a person’s respective cancer. Immunotherapy is tailored to battle individual cancers, including prostate, kidney, and bladder. According to Dr. Miller, urologists have found immunotherapy to be particularly effective against bladder cancer.
Genomic Testing
This tests the genes of a person’s cancer. It not only reveals the genes, but it shows how they behave. Specialists can compare that data to known outcomes of patients treated 10 or more years earlier. This helps predict patient outcomes in kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers. “That really is the future of managing someone’s cancer care,” Dr. Miller said.
Prostate Enlargement
Today, urologists are refining ways to reduce enlarged prostate obstruction without cutting out the organ. Minimally-invasive outpatient procedures, including one using steam, are now being done in minutes.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction treatments exist, but nothing stops the course of the disease. According to Dr. Miller, that could change within a year. Researchers have found that focused sound waves can be used to stimulate stem cell growth in erectile tissue. Soon, urologists will know how many treatments it will take to reverse erectile dysfunction. This is the same well-known technology used to break kidney stones without surgery, but at a fraction of the power.
About Dr. Scott D. Miller:
Dr. Scott Miller was the first urologic laparoscopist in the state of Georgia. Specializing exclusively in laparoscopic and robotic urologic surgery, he performs approximately 200 procedures of this type annually. He actively develops new surgical techniques and shares his methods and results with surgeons around the world. His most recent development is LapaRobotic Surgery™ (LapaRobotics™). The technique involves the melding of two separate but related surgical techniques–laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery. Dr. Miller has been board-certified by the American Board of Urology since 1997. Dr. Miller has previously been selected as one of America’s Top Doctors for Cancer by Castle Connolly and recognized as a Top Doctor by Atlanta magazine since 2009.
Interviews available upon request.
Jon Waterhouse, Lenz Inc, +1 404-373-2021, [email protected]
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