Studies - Urology Health Research
Detection of Bladder Cancer by Microsatellite Analysis (H-15107)
The purpose of this study is to see if a new test can detect bladder cancer in the urine earlier than the current tests that are now available. You may be able to join this study because you are age 40 or over and you have a diagnosis of bladder cancer or a recurrence of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the seventh most common in women. Early diagnosis of bladder cancer is important in the treatment and care of the disease. The current tests used to check for recurrence (when cancer returns) in patients with bladder cancer that has been removed do not find bladder cancer as soon as they should. We need to find tests that can do a better job of finding bladder cancer at an earlier stage. You will be asked to give 4 teaspoons (20 cc) of blood and 1/2 to 3/4 cup of urine. The urine sample and one of the blood samples will be used to compare the genes in your blood to the genes in your urine and any remaining urine and blood will be stored. The other blood sample will be stored for future cancer research. This gene study will compare the genes in your blood and urine to see if a new test can find bladder cancer in the urine earlier than can be seen with a cystoscopic exam.
Contact: For more information, please contact the study coordinator at 713-798-8879.
Genetic Susceptibility to Bladder Cancer: A Molecular Epidemiology Approach (H-8577)
Bladder cancer is an ideal disease system for evaluating the relationship of the genetic make-up of persons susceptible to bladder cancer to tobacco, dietary, and work-related exposures (which are responsible for up to 90 percent of BCs). This is a clinical research study whose purpose is to identify genetic and lifestyle factors which increase a person's risk of developing specific cancer.
Eligibility: May be of any age, gender, or ethnicity - Diagnosis of superficial or muscle-invasive bladder cancer - Texas resident - Understands English or a qualified translator is available for the interview
Contact: For more information or to have a patient screened, contact the study coordinator at 713-798-4479.
Genetic Basis of Male Infertility (H-12083)
This research is directed at analyzing the genetic basis for infertility in the male. Background: Infertility affects 2.5-3.0 million couples in the U.S. yearly, of which the male factor is implicated in 40-60 percent of the cases. However, about 30 percent of male patients seen for their first infertility evaluation are found to have unexplained (idiopathic) impairment of testicular function (the testes are not working correctly). The reason these problems are unexplained is due to our not understanding how normal testes function. Because of this, we are not able to diagnose specific problem and begin and institute effective treatment. In many cases of infertility, advanced reproductive techniques are employed, but no studies of the offspring (children) resulting from conception by these techniques have been conducted to learn if there is a potential problem from a genetic standpoint. All surgical specimens are routinely sent directly to pathology. Specimen studies may lead to discovery of why some males are infertile.
Purpose: This research is directed at analyzing the genetic basis for infertility in the male. The specimens will be examined for any abnormalities, and appropriate portions are processed for permanent slides. Duration of participation in this study is three years.
Eligibility: Male - Severe male factor infertility - Failure to fertilize in a previous IVF cycle - Low fertilization rate (less than 40 percent) in a previous IVF cycle - Low sperm penetration assay score.
Contact: For more information or to have a patient screened, contact the study coordinator at 713-798-6267.
Prostate Cancer Screening Program (H-2021)
The purpose of this study is to encourage the early detection in men over the age of 40 of prostate cancer through a screening program based on a digital rectal examination and a blood test specific for a prostate antigen. The American Cancer Society recommends that most men should be offered annual prostate cancer screening beginning at age 50, that information should be given to patients regarding the potential risks and benefits of early prostate cancer detection, and that men in high-risk groups (i.e. men with affected first degree relatives, African Americans) should begin annual screening at an earlier age. The doctors believe the best way to prevent death or serious adverse consequences from prostate cancer is to detect it at an early stage. However, there is not yet absolute proof that screening will prolong the lives of men who have prostate cancer but do not yet have any symptoms.
Contact: For more information or to have a patient screened, contact the study coordinator at 713-798-8517.
Early Bladder Cancer Study
Have you had early stage bladder cancer treated with chemo or immune therapy? Would you share your experiences with this type of cancer?
Baylor College of Medicine, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are conducting a research program trying to understand how cancer affects the lives of men and women. The goal is to create a new patient education and counseling program for bladder cancer patients, so we need to understand your concerns. Participation in the research project will not cost you anything and does not affect your healthcare at MEDVAMC, any other Baylor-affiliated hospital, or MD Anderson. The people who take part in the project can expect - A short phone call to make sure you are eligible to be in the study and to schedule the focus group, where you will be asked about your experiences as a bladder cancer patient. - A group discussion that will last 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The group will be held at a Baylor research building. - The discussion will include questions about when you were diagnosed, how you feel about having cancer, and how having cancer has impacted your life. To be eligible for the study, you must be - Diagnosed with non-invasive bladder cancer (the kind that stays on the surface of the bladder lining so that you do not need to have your bladder removed) within the last 4 years - Able to read and speak English and willing to discuss your experiences in a group setting. All information is CONFIDENTIAL.
Contact: BCPEP Bladder Cancer Patient Education Program Phone: 1-877-794-7852 E-mail: CancerOutcomes@bcm.edu
BOTOX-A Injection to Improve Bladder Function in Early Spinal Cord Injury (H-20344)
About 10,000 people each year, mostly men, suffer spinal cord injuries. Many of these patients have problems with bladder function as a result of these injuries. Almost half of these patients may also develop kidney stones, kidney failure, loss of the ability of the valves to keep urine in the bladder from backing up into the kidneys, blockage of urine draining from the kidneys, and even death. We have found that by using a clean catheter to drain the bladder periodically we can reduce the risk of some of the complications. But we still need to improve the bladder function in these patients. The treatments we now use are helpful but they are usually started after voiding patterns are established about 1-12 months after injury. We want to study the bladder function in the first 6-8 weeks after injury. Botox (botulinum toxin A) is a drug approved by the FDA for treatment of wrinkles. We have used Botox for treatment of other kinds of bladder problems with success. We are now investigating whether Botox can prevent some urinary tract problems from developing in spinal cord injured patients if injected during the early phase after spinal cord injury. We are specifically targeting injection of Botox into the sphincter muscle located below the bladder in patients with uncoordinated external sphincter activity: also termed detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD). This is a condition that can cause problems with emptying the bladder as well as kidney complications in patients if left untreated. We want to study the effect of Botox patients with DSD to see if we can improve bladder function, prevent further damage to the kidneys, and require less medication to treat lower urinary tract symptoms. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to see what the effect of Botox has on bladder function for those who have recently suffered spinal cord injury. We also will study bladder tissue levels of NGF (nerve growth factor) that can tell us how the nerves to the bladder are healing after injury. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Male or Females between ages of 18-50 * Weigh more than 111 pounds * Have a Spinal Cord Injury T10 or above Thoracic Level by Classification less than 8 weeks prior to the start of the study. Both complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries will be included in this study. * Must be able to complete all study requirements including voiding diary and to attend all scheduled study visits. * Patient or family member must be willing and able to perform clean intermittent catheterization for duration of this study. * Must be in good general physical condition without history of prior urinary disease or dysfunction, or had previous or current botulinum toxin therapy of any serotype for any condition. * Females who are pregnant, nursing or planning a pregnancy during the study or females of child-bearing potential who are unable or unwilling to use a reliable form of contraception during the study must not participate in this study. * Must not currently be or previously been in another therapeutic study within 30 days of screening. For more information on this study, please visit the National Spinal Cord Injury Association website.
CONTACT: Please contact the study coordinator, Susan Kingston, LVN, CCRP at 713-798-8514 for more information.
Learning Vasectomy Reversal Techniques on Laboratory Specimens (H-14363)
The purpose of this study is: to develop alternative teaching techniques for microsurgery, to reduce the number of laboratory animals used in microsurgery training, and to reduce the cost of teaching microsurgery and increase physician skills.
Background: Males will be asked to participate in this tissue only study because they have requested a vasectomy (surgical procedure designed to make a man sterile by cutting or blocking both the right and left vas deferens, the tubes through which sperm pass). In order for physicians to become adept at performing accurate microsurgical (surgery using very small instruments) procedures, they need to practice their surgical skills. Instructing trainees in microsurgery requires the use laboratory animals. It would be a greater benefit to the trainees if they could use human tissue. The use of fresh human tissues for practice is ideal, but it is often hard to coordinate the harvesting (taking the sample at the time of the vasectomy) of fresh human tissues and the time for immediate microsurgical practice. The ability to freeze harvested tissue for later microsurgical practice would provide trainees the flexibility of laboratory practice without the need to coordinate with surgery for fresh tissue. A vasectomy is a common surgical procedure. In some cases, the patient who has had the vasectomy decides that he wishes to have the vasectomy reversed. The success of the surgery to reverse the vasectomy depends on the surgeon's experience and skill.
Purpose: A vasectomy is a common surgical procedure. In some cases, the patient who has had the vasectomy decides that he wishes to have the vasectomy reversed. The success of the surgery to reverse the vasectomy depends on the surgeon's experience and skill.
Eligibilty: Every patient visiting Dr. Larry Lipshultz's clinic wishing to have a vasectomy will be eligible for this study.
Contact: For more information or to have a patient screened, contact the study coordinator at 713-798-6267.
Changes in Neural Efferent Receptors in SCI Men (H-6079)
This study will examine tissue from patients who have spinal cord injuries in comparison with tissues from patients without such injuries. These tissues will be examined for differences in nerves, connective tissues and smooth muscle cells. Injuries to the spinal cord often result in the loss of the bladder's ability to stretch. This can cause damage to the kidneys because urine can back up because of the pressure. It is not known exactly what causes the bladder to lose its ability to stretch or to become stiff. It may be changes in the connective tissue, or changes in the nerves that affect the bladder, or changes in the smooth muscle cell. Eligibility: Adult VA patients with either: spinal cord injury with noncompliant bladders - men with normal bladder compliance scheduled for TURP or TURBT or lithotripsy
Contact: For more information or to have a patient screened, contact the study coordinator at 713-794-7524.