What are the benefits of Green Light Laser Therapy according to Dr. Evan Fynes?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Green Light Laser Therapy is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure for treating enlarged prostates, offering an alternative to traditional surgical methods.
  • The therapy is particularly beneficial for patients on blood-thinning medications, as it helps stop bleeding while vaporizing the prostate.
  • Studies show that the outcomes of Green Light Laser Therapy are comparable to those of the classic TURP at five years, providing patients with similar symptom relief and fewer complications.

Green Light Laser Therapy is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that has revolutionized the treatment of enlarged prostates. Dr. Evan Fynes, a urologist in Port Orange, FL, highlights the advantages of this cutting-edge technology over traditional surgical methods, particularly for patients on blood-thinning medications.

 

The Green Light Laser Technology

Dr. Fynes explains that the Green Light Laser is a special laser designed to vaporize the prostate in men with enlarged prostates causing urinary symptoms such as frequent nighttime urination, weak urinary stream, or difficulty forcing urine out. Initially, patients are prescribed medications to alleviate symptoms, but if these fail to improve their quality of life, Green Light Laser Therapy may be considered as an alternative treatment option.

This third-generation laser technology enables the vaporization of prostatic tissue, offering a less invasive and more efficient treatment for enlarged prostates.

 

Benefits for Patients on Blood Thinners

One of the primary advantages of Green Light Laser Therapy is its suitability for patients who cannot discontinue blood-thinning medications due to heart disease, stroke, or other conditions. The laser treatment not only vaporizes the prostate but also helps stop bleeding, making it a safer option for these patients compared to traditional surgical methods.

 

Comparable Outcomes to Classic TURP

Dr. Fynes notes that studies have demonstrated the outcomes of Green Light Laser Therapy to be equivalent to those of the classic Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) at five years. This means that patients can experience the same benefits in terms of symptom relief, but with a less invasive procedure and fewer complications.

Advanced Urology Institute

Dr. Evan Fynes is a dedicated urologist at the Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida. The institute is committed to providing state-of-the-art, evidence-based care for patients, ensuring that they have access to the latest advances in urological treatment. With a team of highly skilled professionals, the Advanced Urology Institute offers comprehensive care for a wide range of urological conditions.

TRANSCRIPTION:

Five, ten years ago, you’d have to do an open surgery to remove the prostate gland.
Now, the green light laser allows you to do an outpatient surgery on a really big prostate
and then they go home with a catheter usually for a day.
Hello, Dr. Evan Fynes , I’m a urologist with Advanced Urology Institute.
The green light laser, it’s a special laser we use to basically vaporize the prostate
for guys who have enlarged prostates that cause urinary symptoms, whether it’s getting
up a lot at night, if they have a weak stream, if they really have to force their urine out.
Usually we initially start them on medications, there’s several medications to start.
If they fail those medications and they’re still, the symptoms are affecting their quality
of life, then the option we choose is to basically resect their prostate by going through their urethra.
The green light’s a new technology, I think they’re on their third generation laser.
With this new generation laser, you’re able to vaporize the prostatic tissue.
The benefits of the laser really, these days, it’s meant for guys who are still on blood
thinner medication, who can’t come off those because of heart disease or stroke or things like that.
So the laser’s meant to actually vaporize the prostate while they’re on these blood
thinners because it helps stop the bleeding as you vaporize the prostate.
I feel like the outcomes are very similar to the classic TURP.
There’s been several studies out that show they’re basically equivalent at five years.

REFERENCES:

What’s the Debate About PSA Testing? Dr. Edward King Clarifies the Controversial PSA Test

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • The PSA test is a controversial method of prostate cancer screening due to its lack of specificity.
  • Individualized screening is essential, with men aged 55 to 70 and those in high-risk groups being encouraged to undergo screening.
  • The decision to undergo prostate cancer screening should be made between the patient and their physician, considering individual risk factors.

The Purpose of PSA Testing

Edward D. King, MD, FACS, a urologist in Oxford, FL, explains that the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is an enzyme found in the bloodstream. While the PSA itself is harmless, it serves as a marker for prostate cancer. In cancerous cases, more PSA tends to leak into the bloodstream, resulting in higher PSA levels. However, the PSA test is not highly specific, leading to controversy around its use in prostate cancer screening.

The Controversy Surrounding PSA Testing

According to Dr. King, among men with slightly elevated PSAs, the risk of finding cancer is about one in four. Due to this lack of specificity, other tests are often used alongside the PSA test to identify patients with elevated PSAs but no cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended against routine prostate cancer screening, which Dr. King believes is a mistake. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, tied with colon cancer, and some groups are at higher risk for developing and dying from prostate cancer.

Individualized Screening for Prostate Cancer

Dr. King emphasizes the importance of individualized screening for prostate cancer. He suggests that men aged 55 to 70, especially those in high-risk groups, should be screened. Men with low PSAs and no family history of prostate cancer may not need screening after the age of 70. Ultimately, the decision to undergo prostate cancer screening should be made between the patient and their physician, taking individual risk factors into account.

Advanced Urology Institute: Your Trusted Source for Prostate Cancer Screening

The Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida, offers state-of-the-art prostate cancer screening and treatment options. Dr. Edward King and his team of expert urologists are dedicated to providing personalized care to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients.

TRANSCRIPTION:

My name is Dr. Edward King, I’m a urologist at the Advanced Urology Institute.

The PSA is an enzyme that floats in the bloodstream. The PSA in and of itself doesn’t harm you, it only serves as a marker for prostate cancer.
In cancers, more of the PSA tends to leak into the bloodstream, and so the PSA tends to be higher. But the PSA is not real specific, and that’s the problem.

Among men with slightly elevated PSAs, the risk of finding cancer is about one in four. So we have other tests that we also use along with the PSA to try to weed out patients whose PSAs may be slightly elevated but who don’t have cancer. It is controversial, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended against routine prostate cancer screening in men.

I think that that was a mistake because prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in this country. It’s tied with colon cancers, and there are some groups that are higher risk for developing prostate cancer and dying from it.

So the screening has to be individualized, so it’s a choice between made with the patient makes with his physician. Typically men who have low PSAs, no family history of prostate cancer, probably don’t need to be screened after the age of 70, but I do think that men between the ages of
55 and 70, especially men in high risk groups, do need to be screened.

REFERENCES:

Prostate Cancer – Risk Factors and Screening

Video: Prostate Cancer – Risk Factors and Screening



One of the major characteristics of prostate cancer is that it grows very slowly. The cancerous cells in the prostate can remain without symptoms for decades. This is why almost 75% of men with prostate cancer never even know they have a cancerous growth. Contact a urologist now and get treatment for this condition as soon as possible. [Read Full Article…]

What Can You Expect During Prostate Cancer Recovery? Insights from Dr. Saumil Karavadia

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Radiation therapy for prostate cancer is well tolerated and has minimal side effects, allowing patients to quickly return to daily activities.
  • Robotic surgery has revolutionized prostate cancer treatment, offering a less invasive option with a quicker recovery time.
  • Patients can expect a hospital stay of up to 24 hours after robotic surgery, with a catheter in place for approximately one week during recovery.

Introduction

Prostate cancer is a common concern for men, but advancements in treatment options have improved patient outcomes and recovery experiences. Dr. Saumil Karavadia, a leading urologist in Oxford, FL, shares his expertise on what patients can expect during recovery from prostate cancer treatments, including radiation therapy and robotic surgery.

 

Radiation Therapy: A Well-Tolerated Treatment

According to Dr. Karavadia, radiation therapy for prostate cancer is extremely well tolerated by patients. The treatment process is typically quick, allowing patients to return to their daily activities, such as golfing, shortly after receiving therapy. Additionally, radiation therapy tends to have minimal side effects, making it an attractive option for those requiring prostate cancer treatment.

 

Robotic Surgery: A Game Changer for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Robotic surgery has revolutionized prostate cancer treatment, offering patients a less invasive and quicker recovery option. Dr. Karavadia explains that patients undergoing robotic surgery for prostate cancer can expect a hospital stay of less than a day or up to 24 hours. Following surgery, patients are often discharged the next morning, allowing them to return home and continue their recovery.

 

Post-Surgery Recovery: What to Expect

After robotic surgery, patients will have a catheter in place for approximately one week. Once the catheter is removed, patients can continue recovering at home. Dr. Karavadia emphasizes that the recovery process is generally well tolerated by patients, further highlighting the benefits of robotic surgery for prostate cancer treatment.

 

Advanced Urology Institute: Your Partner in Prostate Cancer Care

At the Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida, Dr. Saumil Karavadia and his team of experts are committed to providing the highest quality care for patients with prostate cancer. By utilizing the latest advancements in prostate cancer treatment, the Advanced Urology Institute ensures that patients receive the best possible care and support throughout their recovery journey.

 

TRANSCRIPTION: 

My name is Saumil Karavadia, I’m with Advanced Urology Specialists.

Treatment for prostate cancer with radiation is extremely well tolerated. Patients come in, they get their radiation treatment, and ten minutes later they go out in their golf cart and they’re playing golf. So it is very well tolerated, very few side effects. 

In terms of surgery, again, the robotics has certainly changed things and patients are in and out of the hospital in less than a day. Sometimes they take up to a day, but usually it’s 24 hours. You have the surgery in the morning, you stay overnight, and patients are ready to go home
the next morning. They keep a catheter in for about a week and they have it out after that, again, very well tolerated.

REFERENCES: 

An Individual Approach to Treating Prostate Cancer

Video: An Individual Approach to Treating Prostate Cancer



After confirming a prostate cancer diagnosis, physicians proceed to determining the aggressiveness of the disease. This is called “cancer grading.” The pathologist will use the biopsy preparations to assess the differences between normal cancer cells and cancerous prostate cells. [Read Full Article…]

Evolving Technology in Urology

Video: Evolving Technology in Urology



Male Urology is the medical and surgical field that is especially devoted to the treatment on the urinary tracts of males and on his reproductive health. Some common urological disorders found among men are; Erectile Dysfunction, Prostate Cancer, Enlarged prostate, Penis Pain, Blood in the semen, Scrotal masses, Premature ejaculation, Testicular failure and many more. [Read Full Article…]