2 Effective Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer can be treated and managed in a number of ways. While the preference of the patient is given priority, it should be tempered with the advice of a trained urologist. A urologist can offer advice on what method is appropriate depending on the age of the patient, the patient’s family history and the natural progression of the disease. The patient also needs to be fully advised of the side effects of any form of treatment before agreeing to undergo the treatment. For any given case of prostate cancer, there are always at least two treatment options available.

1. Surgery

A patient with prostate cancer can choose to have the prostate surgically removed to clear the cancer from the body. The procedure is known as Radical Prostatectomy. It is most appropriate in cases where the cancer is localized and has not spread beyond the prostate. However, even when the cancer is localized, a urologist will determine the progression of the disease before recommending surgery. Low risk localized prostate cancer is unlikely to progress and a radical prostatectomy is unnecessary. On the other hand, when the cancer is aggressive and is likely to result in death if untreated, surgery is definitely the most appropriate choice.

Radical prostatectomy is recommended for patients under the age of 75 , or those with a life expectancy of at least ten years. This is because they are more likely to preserve their sexual and urinary functions after the surgery and they have a stronger chance of outliving any side effects the surgery might have.

2. Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy is the use of radiation in high doses to kill malignant cancer cells or slow their development. Unlike radical prostatectomy, it can be used to treat localized prostate cancer and even advanced prostate cancer. It may be applied in combination with other treatment options such as hormone therapy. It may even be applied if a patient undergoes a radical prostatectomy but the procedure fails to eliminate the cancer fully or if the cancer recurs.

Radiation therapy can be administered externally or internally. When done externally, it is referred to as external beam radiation and is very much like having an X-ray. When administered internally, it is referred to as brachytherapy or internal radiation therapy. In this procedure, a radiation implant is placed inside the body near the affected organ. After a while, the implant ceases to produce radiation. The implant, however, remains in the body.

Both radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are suitable treatment options and choosing between them may seem a little daunting. The professional opinion of a urologist can help by pointing out the finer points of each choice. The patient also may research the subject by reading up on the various options. There are many sites that offer reliable material on this subject.

For more information about treatment options for prostate cancer, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” website.

The Effectiveness of Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Worried about your inability to get or maintain an erection? Stop worrying and visit your doctor for an open and honest chat. A urologist can help you find safe and effective treatment of erectile dysfunction that will enable you to approach any future dates with your partner with confidence. Urologists are experts in treating erectile dysfunction and other genitourinary issues, so do not be anxious about such a visit. In fact, you will be surprised to find that your doctor is probably seeing up to a half dozen men with ED every week.

Oral ED Medications

The first choice of treatment for ED is usually oral medications called phosphodiesterase inhibitors type 5 (PDEi-5). These drugs include the first-generation agents such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis), together with second-generation agents like mirodenafil (Mvix), iodenafil (Helleva), udenafil (Zydena) and avanafil (Stendra). With the drugs providing a normal, natural erection in 80-95 percent of men as long as there is sexual stimulation, they are the best option for many men with ED. They also deliver high efficacy rates and favorable safety levels.

Transurethral and Intracavernosal Injections

If you are unresponsive to oral drugs, your doctor will review your treatment and consider other options. The urologist may consider a transurethral injection with a drug called alprostadil. The doctor may go for this option if your penile nerves have been compromised and you need to bypass the neurological pathways responsible for an erection. Another option may be an intracavernous injection of papaverine, phentolamine, PGE1 or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The injections are a good treatment choice with 91-96 percent success rates and proven safety. These drugs may be combined for better efficacy.

Vacuum Constriction Devices

Vacuum erection devices also may be considered. But these are commonly offered to elderly patients who may only want occasional sexual intercourse. Younger men do not like these devices because of the unnatural feeling of the erections and the mechanical procedure necessary to produce the erections. You should discuss this option with your doctor and find out if the devices are ideal for you.

Surgical Therapies

When medical therapies fail, your urologist may recommend surgery. Surgical procedures are often the last option because of the cost, non-reversibility and invasiveness involved. There are two kinds of surgery for men with ED: penile prosthesis and penile revascularization. In penile prosthesis, the urologist inserts an inflatable or semi-rigid implant into the penis tissue. The success rate of penile prosthesis is 97 percent, but the implant must be replaced every 8-15 years. Penile revascularization is a surgical procedure to repair either venous ligation or arterial stenosis. Explore surgery with your doctor if the other options fail to work for you, but be sure to understand what is involved before you make a decision.

Non-Specific Interventions

Erectile dysfunction treatments may be accompanied by other interventions. For instance, psychotherapy is a noninvasive and highly effective intervention that is often combined with other therapies for a better success rate. Likewise, your urologist may recommend lifestyle modifications, such as increased physical activity, dietary changes, moderate alcohol consumption or a decision to stop smoking in order to improve your ED symptoms and minimize cardiovascular risk. If tests show that you have low testosterone, your doctor may recommend testosterone replacement therapy before you use ED-specific medications. If you are a younger, healthier man, testosterone therapy may just be what you need for enhanced sexual desire and harder erections.

At Advanced Urology Institute, we have established a multidisciplinary, compassionate and patient-centered approach to the treatment of erectile dysfunction. We prioritize the needs and expectations of our patients during treatment, educating them and providing a supportive environment that ensures shared decision-making. We also conduct meticulous follow-ups to identify any changes in the relationships, health and emotional status of our patients to optimize the efficacy of our treatments. If you are experiencing bothersome and embarrassing ED, visit one of our urologists for help. Get more information on the treatment of erectile dysfunction at the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

Christopher Sherman Becoming a Urologist

To help a patient overcome an agonizing and upsetting condition brings extraordinary joy. That is the special kind of joy that this profession brings. As a urologist, patients come to you when they are at their worst, trust you with secrets they probably share with no other and put their faith in your ability to find safe and effective solutions for their problems. So whether it is the embarrassing urine leaks, difficulty getting an erection or a devastating genitourinary cancer, you are placed in a position to fix the problem and put a smile on the face of a trusting patient. It is a unique position, but one that brings amazing fulfillment and satisfaction.

The Long Path

Right from childhood, I have had a knack for helping people rise above their limitations. As a native of Florida’s Coral Springs I was often surrounded by people with various medical conditions who had few physicians to attend to them. I made up my mind early that I would pursue medicine to be able to make an impact on these lives. I got my undergraduate degree in health science at the University of Florida, then moved to the College of Medicine, Florida State University, for my medical school degree. After that I took a one-year general surgery training followed by a four-year urology residency at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

Areas of Expertise

During my training, I became interested in medical technology and in advanced medical procedures. I not only honed my skills in minimally invasive techniques and robot-assisted surgery, but also mastered a number of specialized procedures such as laser surgery for BPH, Botox therapy for overactive bladder, interstim therapy for underactive and overactive bladder, and urethral slings for voiding dysfunction. Through my expertise as a urologist, I have been able to achieve my life’s dream of re-igniting the desire and joy to live in people facing their most uncomfortable, painful or lowest moments. As a urologist, I always feel a sense of peace and fulfillment after making a positive change in the life of a patient.

Job Satisfaction

As urologists, we work for long hours and often face stressful situations. But we take pride in our capacity to persevere and consistently deliver safe, timely and effective treatments. In fact, the challenges just help bring out the best in us and make our job even more interesting. We understand that to have the opportunity to help the sick is very rewarding. We also get to know our patients, win their trust and establish very close relationships. It is so satisfying to take care of patients and be able to make a difference in their lives.

Why Advanced Urology Institute

Every urologist yearns for a workplace that can bring out the best of their skills, talents and experiences and enable them to offer the best possible care. At Advanced Urology Institute, all administrative work has been centralized, allowing physicians to have enough time, tools and drive to collaborate, research, innovate and give the best possible care to their patients. AUI enables us to be in the company of other skilled, passionate, hard-working and creative people, making it easier for us to perform at our best and to take our careers to whatever heights we imagine. At AUI, urologists are living their dreams! For more information, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.