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Monday, June 25, 2012

How Are Kidney Stones Treated?

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and acid salts that form in the kidneys, and if untreated, they can become very painful. Most kidney stones are small enough to pass through the urinary tract, and all that may be needed is to drink a lot of water to flush the kidney stones out. There are medications such as Flomax which can expedite stone passage. However, for larger kidney stones that become trapped in the ureters, or tubes going from the kidneys to the bladder, there are several other effective treatments available.

Some tests that may be performed if kidney stones are suspected are:

• Blood tests – Blood tests may show too much uric acid or calcium in your blood stream, which can indicate the presence of kidney stones.

 • Urine tests – There is a 24-hour urine test which shows if you are secreting too many stone-producing minerals, or not enough stone-preventing substances.

 • Imaging tests – Simple x-rays of the abdomen, ultrasounds, or CT scans may help locate the problem.

For kidney stones that are too large to pass, there are a number of effective treatments, such as:

• Sound wave treatment – Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) uses sound waves to break up large stones into small pieces that can be flushed out in your urine. This usually takes 45 to 60 minutes and may cause moderate pain, so light anesthesia or pain medication may be used.

 • Surgery – If your kidney stones are very large, a procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotripsy may be performed. This procedure involves making a small incision in your back and inserting small telescopes and equipment to surgically remove the kidney stone. This is done under general anesthesia and recovery time may be one to two days in the hospital, depending on your health history and surgical tolerance.

 • Scope – When a stone is in the ureter a lighted scope (ureteroscope) may be used to locate the stone. Then, the stone is grabbed with special tools and removed. It can be fragmented with a laser. You may need local or general anesthesia.

Once your kidney stones are removed, you’ll want to check with your doctor to see if special diets will help prevent the reoccurrence of your kidney stones. There are also medications available that may prevent future kidney stones.

Are you experiencing trouble with possible kidney stones? If so, contact us today! We are happy to help you fix the problem and return to living pain-free.

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Monday, June 18, 2012

Treating Bladder Cancer with Care and Compassion

Bladder cancer has several treatment options, but the extent of the cancer and the stage of the cancer may help determine which treatment is best. Sometimes, several different treatments are used.

Surgery is the main source of treatment for bladder cancer. There are several different types of surgeries that can be done depending on the severity of the cancer. Part of the bladder, or sometimes even the entire bladder, can be removed with a partial cystectomy. While this surgical procedure is being performed, the lymph nodes in the pelvic area can be taken out as well to screen for cancer. There is also a surgical procedure called transurethral resection that is less invasive. During this procedure, a cystoscope is put inside the bladder via the urethra. The cancer is then cauterized with electricity, or end loops on the wire cuttings can be used to cut cancer out. Fortunateky the vast majority of bladder tumors are non invasive and can be treated via a scope.

Radiation therapy is another optional treatment for bladder cancer. This can be done through a local radiation or an external beam radiation. When using the external beam type of radiation, strong beams of radiation are aimed directly at the location of the cancer, but from the outside of the body. With the internal radiation, pellets of radioactive contents are put into the area that is cancerous. Radiation is also used after surgery has been performed. This is helpful in being sure to kill any cells remaining that could be cancerous. Reoccurrence and progression rates can be decreased with intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy such as BCG or Mitomyacin.

Chemotherapy is another treatment alternative for advanced bladder cancer. The drug can be taken orally or through an IV through the muscles, or directly placed into the bladder. If chemotherapy is done before surgery, the hope is that it will shrink any tumors. If it is used after surgery, it is used to alleviate the chance of reoccurrence or to kill any leftover cancerous cells. Often times, chemotherapy medications are combined.

At University Urology, we are committed to working with you during this difficult time to find the treatment options that will work best. No matter what method you end up using to treat your bladder cancer, we pride ourselves on the compassionate care we offer, and we look forward to giving you the help you deserve.

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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Early Prostate Cancer Detection Begins with 3 Letters- PSA


Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men worldwide, and with many of those men showing no signs or symptoms until advanced stages, it is imperative to be well-informed and take a proactive approach to prostate health. Getting an early screening test known as a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) can detect the presence of prostate cancer early, which makes treatment more effective, and gives a higher rate of success than waiting until later stages in development.

The PSA test is an informed and effective tool for early screening of prostate cancer in men that are both showing symptoms and not showing symptoms. Screening is suggested starting at age 50 and above or earlier in men with increased risk. Since prostate cancer can be slow progressing, a PSA test can be useful for men without symptoms in order to begin treatment before the cancer advances. Although prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among older men, it often does not progress beyond the prostate to other areas of the body. By being informed and aware of its presence early, preventative measures and treatment can be helpful in avoiding advanced development.

Since a PSA test can be performed with a simple and easy blood test, it is not as uncomfortable as other forms of diagnosis, and is more widely available than alternate, more invasive types of testing. Due to the PSA test's introduction, the number of deaths associated with prostate cancer has decreased, which speaks to the effectiveness of this screening and early detection in general.

For men over the age of fifty, periodic screening can be a safe and effective tool to not only prostate cancer, but many other health concerns as well. Discussing this option with a medical professional and weighing the risks can greatly affect the quality of health and care that can be received with a potential diagnosis. With early detection being a priority for any cancer and prostate cancer especially, the PSA can be a valued tool for a well-informed decision. The earlier prostate cancer is diagnosed, the more effective any treatment will be.