The BRCA genes, and their link with prostate cancer, have been making headlines recently. For some time, we have known that there is a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer in people with mutations of these genes.

Alexander Kutikov, MD is a Surgical Oncologist and Associate Professor of Urologic Oncology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. He is a highly published author and experienced presenter on the topic of Urological Cancer, and is very active in Social Media in Urology. In this Guest Post, Alex gives a concise account of the diagnosis and treatment options for localised kidney cancer. He explains what you need to know, and what you should ask your surgeon.

What is GreenLight Laser Treatment?

GreenLight laser is a treatment that combines the effectiveness of Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), with fewer side effects. GreenLight uses laser energy to remove enlarged prostate tissue. This results in an open channel for urine flow, but with less risk of sexual and other side effects common with TURP.

An exciting paper from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre supports the use of LDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer in men aged less than 60 years.

Continuing the Guest Post series, this week David Merry talks about his role as Secretary of the South Australia and Northern Territory Chapter Council of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. David is also Chairman of the Prostate Cancer Action Group (SA) Inc. Locally, these groups provide great levels of support to men with prostate cancer and their families

This week sees the Prostate Cancer World Congress meeting in Melbourne, from 7th to 9th August.

The meeting brings together experts in prostate cancer management to discuss latest developments in basic science understanding of prostate cancer, PSA testing and screening, active surveillance and prostate cancer treatment.

International experts Thomas Ahlering, William Catalona, and Patrick Walsh will join many other faculty in delivering a packed program.

Adelaide Urologists Nick Brook and Denby Steele will be attending. Follow @nickbrookMD on twitter, or following the twitter hashtag #PCWC13 for live updates of the conference.

The diagnosis of prostate cancer is plagued by two issues. The first is the potential to ‘overdiagnose’ cancer, which means that small, low-grade cancers that may never cause problems are detected, and then potentially treated (also know as ‘overtreatment’). The second problem is that some more aggressive cancers may be missed with investigation. Unfortunately, these two problems are part and parcel of all tests in medicine.

The standard approach to diagnosis of prostate cancer has consisted of a PSA blood test and, if necessary, a prostate TRUS biopsy. These tests, when combined, can be effective but do lead to an element of ‘overdiagnosis’ & ‘overtreatment’ and occasionally more aggressive cancers can be missed.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual meeting is in Chicago this week, and promising data on a new class of cancer drugs for will be presented.

Drugs known as Anti-PD-1 are a type of immune-therapy. PD-1 is a receptor on the surface of T cells, the immune system's disease fighters.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, is a condition where a man is unable to get or maintain an erection that is sufficient for intercourse. Urologists are commonly consulted about this problem.

Australia has a high proportion of men on active surveillance after a diagnosis of prostate cancer. This is encouraging, and indicates that the country is leading the way in a balanced approach to prostate cancer.

Active surveillance is a structured approach to ‘low-risk’ or ‘very low-risk’ prostate cancer, where it is felt that there is only a small chance the cancer will ever cause problems.