Articles in 2011

Infertility is a common problem, and its treatment an evolving field. In this Reviews, the authors discuss the evaluation of men who present with difficulty in initiating a pregnancy, describe the various tests available, and note their indications for use, focusing on the therapies currently available to treat male factor infertility, and considering future directions in the management of this condition.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard treatment for obstructing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but it is limited to prostates weighing less than 100 g and is associated with substantial complications. There is thus great interest in finding alternative techniques to treat obstructing BPH.

The fact that semen analysis cannot predict fertility has long been a source of frustration for both patients and physicians. Studies have demonstrated that semen analyses have poor predictive value for fertility status. Thus, the WHO reference values for human semen characteristics are of particular interest to anyone attempting to conceive and to the professionals who must counsel these individuals.

Although pTa low-grade papillary bladder tumors are at low risk for progression, one-third will recur within 5 years. With this in mind, Falke and Witjes discuss the clinical pathway of low-risk bladder cancer based on current guidelines, from diagnosis using classification systems to treatment options and recommended follow-up.

The involvement of androgens in the development of BPH is widely accepted, but new evidence suggests a role for estrogens too. Ho and Habib describe the prostatic expression and function of key components of each signaling pathway, paying particular attention to how therapeutic inhibition can be utilized for clinical management of BPH.