Summit Urology



Prostate Health

Summit Urology specialists are skilled at treating all forms of prostate disease—from infections to benign enlargement to cancer. We have the most advanced diagnostic tools on site to help us identify your problem. (This is very important because some prostate conditions have similar symptoms.) And we offer the very latest treatment options.

Benign Prostate Enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
It is possible for your prostate to be enlarged and for there to be no cancer. This enlargement is common in men over 40. Symptoms include difficulty starting and a weak urinary stream, the need to void urgently or frequently and getting up several times at night to void.

We offer the latest treatments for prostate enlargement, including TUNA (Transurethral Needle Ablation), a minimally invasive treatment for benign enlargement of the prostate.

Minimally invasive needle technique to reduce benign prostate enlargement. Minimally invasive needle technique to reduce benign prostate enlargement.

Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer has no symptoms in most stages. Protect yourself with regular screening:

  • If you’re over 40—You should have a digital rectal exam (DRE) every year.
  • If you’re over 50—You should have a DRE and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test every year.
  • If there is a history of prostate cancer in your family—You should have a DRE and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test every year starting at age 40.

Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
We can perform prostate ultrasounds and prostate biopsies at our SurgiCare facility.

Experts in advanced prostate cancer treatments
There are many ways we can treat prostate cancer:

  • Watchful waiting/observation—Some prostate cancers do not need to be treated.
  • Brachytherapy (radiation seed implants)—Placing small radioactive pellets in the prostate. Only one outpatient treatment is needed.
  • External beam radiation therapy—The gold standard radiation therapy. Takes 5–6 weeks to complete.
  • Surgery—Removal of the entire cancerous prostate gland.
  • Hormone therapy—Injections of a medicine to decrease testosterone levels and shrink prostate cancer. This therapy is used for more advanced forms of prostate cancer.
  • Proton therapy—An advanced type of radiation treatment effective in treating localized prostate cancer. This therapy is only available at four locations in the U.S., including the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI) in Bloomington. At Summit, we are often asked to assist the MPRI with the treatment of prostate patients. We perform a minor outpatient procedure in our office two to three weeks before the proton therapy begins, placing tiny gold seeds in the prostate to allow the proton beam to accurately focus. For more information, please visit the MPRI Web site.

Prostate Infection (prostatitis)
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate. It is treatable and is not contagious. Our experts can determine what kind of prostatitis you have and prescribe the best treatment:

  • Acute infectious prostatitis is caused by bacteria. Symptoms come on suddenly and include high fever and pain. It is treated with antibiotics.
  • Chronic infectious prostatitis is also caused by bacteria. This type of infection is associated with chronic urinary tract infections. Symptoms, if any, may include painful urination or ejaculation, the need to void urgently or frequently, and possibly lower back pain. It is treated with antibiotics for several months.
  • Noninfectious prostatitis is not caused by bacteria. In fact, the cause is unknown. This type of infection is very common. Symptoms are similar to those of chronic infectious prostatitis, but antibiotics don’t work. A variety of other treatments are used, depending on symptoms.

Links to help you learn more
General Urology
American Urological Association www.urologyhealth.org
UrologyChannel www.urologychannel.com
American Foundation for Urologic Disease www.afud.org
Medscape Urology urology.medscape.com

General Prostate
Prostate.org www.prostate.org
Department of Defense Center for Prostate Disease Research (CPDR) www.cpdr.org
US TOO www.ustoo.com

Benign Prostate Enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
Flomax www.flomax-bph.com
TUNA www.tunatherapy.com
Proscar www.proscar.com
Avodart www.avodart.com

Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial Cystitis Association www.ichelp.org

Miscellaneous
Prostate Cancer www.urologychannel.com
Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute www.mpri.org
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org
Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship www.canceradvocacy.org

 • Your Total Health
 • Prostate Health
 • Erectile Dysfunction
 
What are the symptoms of early prostate cancer?
Blood in the urine or semen.
Problems urinating (burning pain while urinating, difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine, a weak or interrupted urine flow, urge to urinate frequently).
Erectile dysfunction.
Persistent pain in the pelvis, spine, hips, upper thighs, ribs or lower back.
There are no symptoms of early prostate cancer.

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