Urology

Our hospitals offer the latest imaging services to diagnose urologic conditions. Treatment may begin with one or more of the following tests:

• Cystoscopy (a procedure to examine the urethra and the lining of the bladder)
• Intravenous pyelogram (an X-ray of bladder, kidneys and ureters)
• Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate with endorectal coil (an imaging technique to detect, localize and characterize prostate cancer)
• Prostate biopsy (removing tissues or cells from the prostate for testing)
• Prostate-specific antigen tests (blood tests to screen for prostate cancer)
• Ultrasounds (an imaging technique that lets doctors see inside bodily structures)

Our urologists specialize in the following methods of treating conditions affecting the genitals and urinary organs:

• Abdominal bladder suspension (abdominal surgery to treat stress incontinence caused by a sagging bladder)
• Chemotherapy (oral chemotherapy and IV chemotherapy)
• Immunotherapy (treating genitourinary conditions by activating or suppressing the immune system)
• Cystectomy (partial or total removal of the bladder)
• Cystocele (prolapsed, herniated, dropped or fallen bladder) repair
• Rectocele (herniation of the front wall of the rectum) repair
• Dialysis (filtering the blood to treat kidney failure)
• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (using shockwaves to break apart stones in the kidney, gallbladder or ureter)
• Nephrectomy (total or partial removal of the kidney)
• Prostatectomy (total or partial removal of the prostate)
• Pyeloplasty (repair of the renal pelvis and its connection to the ureter)
• Radiofrequency ablations (use of heat to manage pain)
• Robot-assisted surgery
• Organ transplants
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (cutting away a section of the prostate to treat problems resulting from an enlarged prostate)
• Urogynecology

The Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at HCA Midwest Health brings specialized and personalized cancer care for patients with cancers affecting the urinary tract system and male genital tract. We tailor care based on each individual patient's specific type of cancer.

Our providers conduct thorough prostate cancer evaluations. In some cases, a second opinion is recommended through our Second Opinion Physician Panel, which brings together different specialists to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

A provider will review your medical history, test results and notes from your referring physician and any other specialists who have made recommendations about your care. You will receive a comprehensive physical examination and discuss any symptoms you may be experiencing.

The Second Opinion Physician Panel is a team of specialists working together to provide additional input about a patient's prostate cancer treatment plan. These specialists may perform biopsies or blood tests to detect prostate-specific antigens. Most tests are noninvasive or minimally invasive and performed on an outpatient basis.

After carefully reviewing your symptoms and other health conditions, the panel will develop a personalized treatment plan. They will describe their recommended treatment options in detail and answer any questions. The same team will continue to care for you if you choose to remain with them. The panel includes physicians specializing in a variety of areas, such as:

• Genitourinary oncologists (urologists and cancer specialists)
• Medical oncologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Radiologists and imaging technicians
• Surgical oncologists
• Urologists

We provide the following radiation therapies to treat prostate cancer:

• Brachytherapy (using radioactive implants to treat prostate cancer)
• Image-guided radiation therapy (using imaging during radiation therapy)
• Intensity modulated therapy (computer-adjusted radiation beam therapy that contours a tumor, allowing for a high degree of accuracy and effectiveness)
• Stereotactic body radiotherapy (using focused radiation beams to treat tumors)

We also provide the following support services for patients with cancer affecting the urinary system:

• Nutritional services
• Palliative care (pain management)
• Psychiatric/psychological services
• Social work services
• Urologic cancer support groups