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Urology around the world: Pioneering paths – my journey as the first and only Italian female urologist in the Muslim world

Maria Colavita. As the first and only Italian female urologist practising in the Muslim world, my journey has been shaped by ambition, grief, cultural curiosity, and ultimately, profound transformation. What began with an unexpected invitation has become a story of...

Imaging and surveillance in sporadic renal angiomyolipoma: how and when to monitor effectively

Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) are benign tumours, accounting for approximately 2–3% of all renal neoplasms [1]. Seventy percent of renal AMLs are sporadic, and 20–30% are associated with genetic aetiology. They are composed of smooth muscle, blood vessels, and adipose tissue....

Small renal masses – diagnosis and management

Renal cancer is the eighth most common cancer in the UK and accounts for about 3% of all new cancer diagnoses [1]. The incidence rates are steadily rising, with the highest rates being in older men and women. This rise...

The impact of menopause on bladder symptoms

The menopause is a natural process of ageing when the ovaries completely stop producing reproductive hormones (oestrogen and other sex steroids), and there are no monthly periods for 12 consecutive months. It normally occurs between the ages of 45-55 years...

Using change theories can help nurses implement better care in prostate cancer

Nurses can help support change in prostate cancer care by understanding change management and models and provide leadership in improving prostate cancer care. An important part of being able to lead change is to understand change theories such as the...

Getting it Right First Time in urology: the implementation phase

The Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme is the largest and most comprehensive initiative to improve the quality and efficiency of individual clinical services that the NHS has ever instigated. The programme falls under the auspices of NHS Improvement...

Benign prostatic hyperplasia: what are the benefits and harms of various surgical management options?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterised by stromal and epithelial prostatic cell hyperplasia. The enlarged prostate may be associated with voiding and storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). These have been predominantly attributed to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), assumed to...

The expanding indications for ureteroscopy – ad maiora!

The management of urolithiasis is becoming a Herculean task for healthcare providers worldwide. The incidence of stone disease is rising, with predicted lifetime risk of 12% in males and 6% in females [1]. This rise relates to both improving imaging...

Optimising weight loss advice in obese women with urinary incontinence: a review

Background The National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) guidance specifies that women with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30, combined with urinary incontinence or overactive bladder, should be advised to lose weight [1]. A BMI over...

Testing radical prostatectomy in men with prostate cancer and oligometastases to the bone: a randomised controlled feasibility study

Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer death in Western men [1]. The recent STAMPEDE data suggests a median survival of just 42.1 months in the control arm of metastatic men [2]. Current...

History of prostate biopsy – part 1

Part 2 of this topic is available here. Prostate biopsy (PBx) to exclude cancer has been part of clinical practice since the beginning of the 20th Century. PBx techniques have evolved over time to optimally address some of the unique...

Focal therapy for prostate cancer – ready for prime time?

The current therapeutic ratio for radical therapy in many men with localised prostate cancer is not ideal. For a significant side-effect profile, there seems to be a small survival benefit over a 10-15 year period. A strategy that might balance...