Cancer of the urinary tract (Kidney Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Prostate Cancer) is a predominantly male disease. It can occur in either kidney, ureter (tube that connects kidney to bladder) prostate or bladder and will often cause blood in the urine. There may also be bladder irritation or pain, as well, but these cancers can be silent with only blood in the urine as a sign. Urinary cancers can be deadly if untreated, but very curable if found early and treated appropriately. Treatments include open (with an incision) or endoscopic (with a telescope and no incisions) surgery, radiation, medicines or combinations of any of the above. PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a screening blood test for prostate cancer, and should be performed on any male annually over the age of 50, and starting at age 40 or 45 in higher risk groups, like African-American men, Hispanic men, or men with a family history of Prostate cancer. Ultrasound (taking sound pictures of internal organs) and cystoscopy (looking in the bladder with a flexible telescope) are diagnostic procedures done in the office.

Impotence/Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Impotence or ED, is the inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse. Since this problem is being discussed openly, many men realize how common this is. Penile blood flow, which is what help attain an erection, is easily measured in the office. A variety of treatments exist including oral medications, injection of liquid medicines into the penis, external or internal pumps to aid in erection. These are all successful and the decision as to which to use is based on individual needs. Most insurance covers the treatment of this problem.

Incontinence

Incontinence, or the involuntary loss of urinary control, can occur with coughing, sneezing, exercise or happen suddenly with a strong urge to urinate. Occasionally, urine will leak without any warning or signal. This problem is more common in women, especially after childbirth or menopause. There are a variety of effective treatments including medicine, pelvic floor exercises, biofeedback, collagen injection, nerve stimulation, and surgery.

Infertility

Infertility is the inability of a couple to attain pregnancy. Urologists primarily deal with male infertility. Treatment of infertility depends on the cause, and may include medication or surgery. If assisted reproductive techniques are necessary (insemination, in vitro fertilization, etc.), a reproductive gynecologist is usually involved as well.

Prostatism (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH)

BPH or Prostatism is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, which occurs in all men as they become older. The growth process can begin as early as age 35 or as late as age 70. As the prostate grows, the channel through which the urine passes can become obstructed either partially or completely. Symptoms typically start with slowing of the urinary stream, increased day and night time urinary frequency, and sensation of poor bladder emptying. They can progress to sudden loss of urine (urge incontinence) or even urinary retention (the sudden inability to urinate at all). Treatments include medicine or surgery, even including very effective In Office Laser Ablation of the Prostate. While a nuisance, BPH is not a life-threatening condition, and there are effective treatments.

Vasectomy

Vasectomy is a simple, in office procedure for sterilization of men for permanent prevention of pregnancy. We use the "No Scalpel" technique, which offers effective results and quick recovery. A section of the vas is removed from each side, and the ends left behind are cauterized and clipped. The procedure takes 15-30 minutes to perform and return to normal activities can be expected in several days to one week.