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| Vol. 22, No. 2 |
| January 15, 2000 |
 New Tests May Simplify Evaluation for Bladder Cancer New tests for bladder cancer may lead to improved diagnosis of the disease, which is completely curable when discovered in its early stages. Dr. Seth Lerner, an assistant professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine, says three urine sample tests have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the detection of bladder cancer. "The new tests are more sensitive for cancer than the standard urine test that looks for cancer cells under a microscope," says Dr. Lerner. More than 50,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed each year. Men are three times more likely than women to develop the disease. Individuals most at risk are cigarette smokers and those who have been exposed to certain organic chemicals in the workplace. Long-range studies have determined that exposure to these chemicals, also called aromatic amines, might result in bladder cancer 20 to 25 years later. Urologists are frequently first consulted because of blood in the urine. Although the presence of blood is often seen in bladder cancer, it also is a symptom of many other benign or non-cancerous conditions. The standard evaluation for bladder cancer includes a cystoscopy, in which a thin telescope-like instrument is inserted into the urethra and passed into the bladder to examine the lining. A tissue sample can be removed during this procedure for a biopsy. "These new tests using urine samples might be able to reduce the need for cystoscopy, which is an invasive procedure," Dr. Lerner says. - From Baylor College of Medicine Exercise After Heart Attack Getting back on an exercise program after a heart attack will help strengthen the heart and improve overall fitness. It's important for a heart attack patient to take part in some kind of aerobic activity. Moderate exercise four to six days a week, for 30 minutes at a time, will make the heart strong and keep off unwanted pounds. "I recommend walking to most of my patients," says Dr. Antoine G. Younis, a Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital cardiologist. "Taking a few hours out of the week to exercise will help a heart attack patient build self-esteem and will help him improve his or her quality of life." For those that are able, swimming, bike riding, running, and working out on a treadmill, stationary bike, or rowing machine are other good examples of aerobic activity. Teaching heart patients how to manage their heart condition and prevent recurring heart attacks and coronary artery disease is a critical part of the rehabilitation process. "In addition to exercise, patients should learn effective stress management and proper nutrition as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle," adds Dr. Younis. Remember it's important to check with your physician before beginning any exercise program. - From Texas Heart Institute A New Procedure Makes Kidney Surgery Tolerable A new minimally invasive procedure will make kidney surgery a much more tolerable experience. "During a laproscopic nephrectomy several half-inch incisions are made around the abdomen," says Dr. Peter Schulam, a urologist at Baylor College of Medicine. "Through those incisions the kidney is cut free and deposited into a sack in the abdomen. The sack is then pulled through one of the incisions." This procedure means less need for pain medication, a shorter hospital stay, and a quickened recovery. A person will recover from the laproscopic procedure in six to eight weeks, compared to 10 to 12 months from regular kidney surgery. - From Baylor College of Medicine What Causes an Infant's Colic? An infant's colic is rarely related to an identifiable cause like maternal diet, formula intolerance, or intestinal gas or pain, says Dr. Robert Shulman, a pediatric gastroenterologist with the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. Colic is a very common and developmental condition that affects about one-fourth of all infants between 3 weeks and 2 months of age. It's generally characterized by crying that usually begins suddenly, may last hours, and often occurs late in the afternoon or evening. Fortunately, by the time a baby is 2 to 3 months of age, most symptoms simply disappear. In the meantime, do things that help calm your child down and reduce the amount of stimulation around him or her at the time of a colicy episode, says Dr. Shulman. Some infants respond to being carried or pushed in a stroller, while others can be lulled to sleep by a ride in an automobile. Don't hesitate to share your concerns with your pediatrician. He or she will know the signs that could indicate your child has other reasons for colic-like crying. - From the Kids Nutrition Q&A, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine
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