An Introduction To Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the fourth most typical cancer in men in the United States. You'll find it occurs in women, although it is less common than in males. Though a number of factors are believed to elevate the chance of developing bladder cancer, smoking is hands down the greatest single risk factor. Symptoms of bladder cancer can include blood in the urine, painful urination, and increased regularity of urination.

Diagnosis and Preliminary Treatment

Most bladder cancers are diagnosed with the use of cystoscopy, a procedure wherein the urologist looks at the interior of the bladder using fiberoptic scope. When tumor has been found, it will generally be eliminated with a procedure called Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor or TURBT.

Superficial or Invasive?

Whenever bladder cancer is completely removed, the urologist and pathologist decide whether the cancer is superficial (limited to the lining of the bladder) or invasive (the cancer extends underneath the lining into the wall of the bladder). It's essential distinction, because a superficial cancer can not spread past the bladder, while invasive bladder cancers can rapidly spread to other parts of the body. The good news is, four out of five bladder cancers are superficial when initially diagnosed.

The Chance of Recurrence

Though a superficial bladder tumor presents no direct risk of spread, it may, if left untreated, become invasive. Total disposal of a superficial bladder cancer effectively cures that particular tumor, but the bladder stays at risk for reoccurring tumors in other areas. Once the bladder lining has cultivated one superficial cancer, there is 60 % to 80 percent risk that additional cancers will emerge down the road. Your individual risk of recurrence is dependant on a number of variables, like the tumor grade (speed of growth), number (single vs. multiple tumors) and size of the initial cancer.

Monitoring for Recurrence

When a superficial (non-invasive) cancer has been gotten rid of, the urologist will from time to time perform cystoscopy to check out the bladder for recurrences. Throughout the first couple of years after the removal of a tumor, the cystoscopies are normally done every 3 months. If no recurrences are located during those two years, the interval is increased to six months for the following two years. If 4 years pass with no recurrences, many urologists suggest that the procedure be done yearly after that.

Reducing the Risk of Recurrence

There are steps which can be taken to decrease your likelihood of superficial bladder cancer recurrence. These include medical treatments offered by your urologist, and nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes you'll be able to pursue yourself.

For more information about bladder cancer in Saint Louis, MO, consider going to Metropolitan Urological Specialists.

Vasectomy Reversal (Vasovasostomy)

A vasectomy is recognized as a permanent approach to birth control. Vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy) reconnects the tubes (vas deferens) that were cut during vasectomy. If you are considering a vasovasostomy, you'll want to read the following important information provided by Metropolitan Urological Specialists in St. Louis, MO. Vasectomy reversal is usually an outpatient procedure (without overnight stay in the hospital). Spinal or general anesthesia is normally used to ensure that you stay totally still during the surgery.

The odds of vasectomy reversal success depend on how much time has passed between the vasectomy and the reversal. With time, further blockages can develop, and some men develop antibodies to their own sperm.

The surgery is more complicated and takes additional time whenever blockage between the vas deferens and the epididymis requires correction (vasoepididymostomy).

What To Expect After Surgery

Vasectomy reversal usually requires from 2 to 4 hours, accompanied by a few more hours for recovery from the anesthetic. You can expect to go home the same day. Pain may be mild to moderate. You ought to be able to resume normal activities, including sex, within 3 weeks.

Why It Is Done

Vasectomy reversal is done when you have had a vasectomy and now want to be fertile.

How Well It Works

Likelihood of a successful vasectomy reversal decline over time. Reversals are more successful during the first decade after vasectomy. Generally, vasectomy reversal:

• Brings about overall pregnancy rates of greater than fifty percent.
• Has the greatest chance of success within 3 years of the vasectomy.
• Causes pregnancy only about 30% of the time if the reversal is done ten years following vasectomy.

Risks

Risks of vasectomy reversal include:

• Infection at the site of surgery.
• Fluid buildup in the scrotum (hydrocele) that might require draining.
• Injury to the arteries or nerves within the scrotum.

What To Think About

Before a vasectomy reversal is done, your doctor will want to make sure you were fertile prior to your vasectomy.

You can have tests to find whether you've got sperm antibodies in your semen before and after vasectomy reversal. If there are sperm antibodies within your semen after surgery, your partner is unlikely to become pregnant. In this case, you may wish to try in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

If you've got any questions about the reverse vasectomy or any of the other services offered by Metropolitan Urological Specialists, set up a urological health consultation with them and they'll give you the answers you need. Metropolitan Urological Specialists is a wonderful place to go for urological knowledge in St Louis, Creve Coeur, Florissant, and Kirkwood, Missouri.

The Basics of Kidney Stones

In the United States, about one person in 10 will develop a kidney stone within their life. In 2010, kidney stones were the cause of more than 600,000 emergency room visitors. The doctors with Metropolitan Urological Specialists in Washington, Florissant, and St. Louis, Missouri have some important information to keep you in the loop on your potential risks.

A kidney stone is simply mineral deposit that forms in the urinary system tract. Kidney stones build whenever crystals, that are present in the urine, start to stick together and progressively accumulate into a rock-like mass. At first, kidney stones are small in size, but over time, as more crystals attach, they're able to grow really large.

How come kidney stones form?

The deposits that develop kidney stones are made of elements typically found in the urine. These compounds include calcium, oxalate, phosphate, uric acid, and other chemical compounds. Your kidneys regularly excrete these compounds into the urine. Nevertheless, when their concentration in the urine is particularly high, these chemicals do not stay dissolved and rather begin to crystallize and precipitate away from the urine. There are other components in the urine referred to as inhibitors which help to keep the crystals from clinging together. Whenever the concentration of crystals is too high or the relative quantity of inhibitors is too low, a kidney stone will develop. Many factors can contribute to your chance of getting kidney stone, like your familial genetic predisposition, eating habits, and fluid intake, where you reside, or even your work environment.

What are the various types of kidney stones?

There are a few types of kidney stones, each having different chemical composition.

Nearly all kidney stones have calcium. Calcium stones are made up of calcium that's chemically bound to either oxalate (calcium oxalate stones) or phosphate (calcium phosphate stones). Among these, calcium oxalate is way more common. Pure calcium phosphate stones are the rarest and generally show an underlying illness or metabolic condition. The most common stone composition is in fact blend of mostly calcium oxalate with a bit of calcium phosphate.

Around 15 percent of kidney stones don't have calcium. These include uric acid stones, struvite stones, and cystine stones.

How widespread are kidney stones?

In the United States, about one individual in ten will build up a kidney stone within their lifetime. In 2010, kidney stones were the reason for over 600,000 emergency room trips. We understand that men are more likely to have kidney stones than women. Those with caucasian origin are five times more likely to have kidney stones than African-Americans. Stone incidence peaks between forty and fifty years of age and appears to decline.

Exactly what are my chances of recurrence?

Kidney stones are likely to recur. If a man has produced one kidney stone, and does absolutely nothing to reduce his chance of recurrence, research has revealed he has about a 60% to 70 % probability of having another. If a man has had 2 kidney stones, the prospects of recurrence reach more than ninety %. The odds of recurrence are slightly lower for ladies.

There are steps you can take to significantly decrease your chance of recurrence. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the experts at Metropolitan Urological Specialists. They have offices in St. Louis, Washington, and Florissant, MO.

Dr. Cathy Naughton Chosen For "St. Louis' Best Doctors 2016"

We're excited to announce that Metropolitan Urological Specialists’ own Doctor Cathy Naughton was selected to be featured in St. Louis Magazine in a feature on St. Louis’ Best Doctors 2016. The following paragraphs are taken from that article.

Dr. Cathy K. Naughton, featured on the Best Doctors in America List each year for the past decade, is director of the Center for Sexual Health, a specialized medical facility of Metropolitan Urological Specialists. Her practice is focused on general urology and the handling of male infertility, urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. Dr. Naughton provides all the treatments of erectile dysfunction and received specialized training in minimally invasive penile implant techniques. She is a professional in InterStim© Therapy, a nerve treatment for overactive bladder. Also, she initiated the FOOD AS MEDICINE program to promote lifestyle and diet changes for general health and weight loss.

Dr. Naughton got her Doctorate of Medicine from the State University of New York in Buffalo. She finished her urological surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine and a clinical fellowship in male infertility and microsurgery at the Glickman Urological Institute at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Dr. Naughton is accredited by the American Board of Urology.

Information from St. Louis Magazine

The Many Causes Of Male Infertility

Like anything else in the field of medicine, there's always more than one potential cause to urological problems. Male infertility isn't an exception. When patients come to a urological specialist in St. Louis, MO, they usually don't realize how many factors may be adding to their condition. When you explore your various choices, Metropolitan Urological Specialists in St. Louis, Missouri would like for you to understand the many testing options which may be available to get down to the bottom of your male infertility.

The first and foremost test of male infertility is the sperm and semen study. In essence, it happens exactly as you may expect that it would. You go to a private room and you bring out a sample of semen. The professionals will use the sample to have a look at a number of things which could affect your virility, like your sperm count, their shape, their movement, and a number of other factors. Your doctor will request that you steer clear of all sexual activity for 2 or more days before the test so your semen has an accurate representation of what your sperm usually looks like. Needless to say, a higher sperm count is preferred, but the total absence of sperm is also a comparatively advantageous thing. The complete absence of sperm in your semen is called azoospermia, and it generally implies that there's a correctable obstruction in the piping that puts the sperm into the semen.

Another test which may be performed is a comprehensive physical examination of the pubic region. A urologist like the experienced experts at Metropolitan Urological Specialists will be the proper physician to seek out problems like varicocele or hormone problems. A hormone analysis could also be conducted, but that is quite the long shot because hormones are not the issue in more than ninety five percent of infertile men.

A testicular biopsy is yet another test which may be performed under certain circumstances. A needle biopsy can reveal in a more direct way the capacity of the testes to generate an ample amount of sperm. If the testes aren't found to be the problem, it normally means that there's a blockage present in the piping which prevents sperm from reaching the semen.

Male infertility is a problem which can be solved in many cases for men in St. Louis, MO with male infertility problems. If you feel that you may suffer from this medical condition, go to a local St. Louis urological doctor like those at Metropolitan Urological Specialists. They've got plenty of experience assisting men like you beat this problem by carefully and knowledgeably diagnosing the problem and creating an individualized treatment plan for you. Don't give up yet. Allow Metropolitan Urological Specialists to help you find the right answer to your male infertility.

How To Talk Knowledgeably With Your Doctor About OAB

Out of all the professionals that individuals come in contact with, you might think that their doctor would be one that they could confide in. Still, that isn't always very easy when talking about a very personal problem like overactive bladder, or OAB. However, this really should not be the case. Overactive bladder is something very common for people all over Creve Couer, Kirkwood, Florissant, Washington, and anyplace else in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Nevertheless, people may feel more responsive to address their symptoms straight away if they have some sort of help with how exactly to bring up the subject with their physician. For this reason the overactive bladder specialists at Metropolitan Urological Specialists have put together this article for you.

One thing to keep in mind with this is that you will probably end up going to a specialist. Nothing is wrong with beginning with your primary care doctor, but you need to realize that ultimately you'll want the advice and guidance of somebody who is an expert in the specific field of diagnosing and treating bladder incontinence. Metropolitan Urological Specialists has a staff of dedicated medical experts who specialize in this area of medicine.

The next thing to be aware of before you meet a physician about OAB is that you need to log your bathroom habits before the appointment. Obviously, you can just go to the doctor and attempt to explain the problem, but medically speaking the best option is to give the doctor some numbers to work with. Two to three days worth of info ought to be plenty. You will want to incorporate information such as when you urinate, what you ingest during the day, the relative amount that you urinate, the number of accidents you experience (if any), specific activities which usually result in leakages, and the relative amount of each leakage. In addition to this info, be ready to tell your doctor what medications you are taking and any surgeries that you have had.

One more thing to bear in mind is the necessity of learning how your bladder issues affect you and how you want to see that changed. Expect to articulate precisely how your bladder problems disrupt your daily life. Do you need to abandon specific activities as a result of the leakage that those activities cause? Do you have to make special considerations whenever you go out? How expressly do your overactive bladder symptoms affect you? Once you have all of these questions mapped out, be ready to tell your physician exactly what you want the end-goal of your urological treatment plan to be. Establishing these goals may be as general as just having a plan to handle the problem; or it may be as specific as having the capability to wear light pants without anxiety about leakage. In any case, have an end-goal for the appointment in mind.

You do not have to suffer through the symptoms of overactive bladder in silence. You could get help and get back to living your life rather than stressing about your bladder. Still, the initial step is one that no one else can take for you. You need to go to your primary care physician or a specialist such as those at Metropolitan Urological Specialists and let them know about it. They can supply you with the tools that you need to overcome overactive bladder. In St. Louis, Missouri, urological health problems may be addressed by the professionals at Metropolitan Urological Specialists.

The Many Options For Prostate Cancer Surgery

There are a lot of choices to think about with your doctor if you're seeking to treat prostate cancer. That’s why it’s so essential to have a great team of physicians to assist you with prostate cancer treatment to begin with. One of the numerous options that your physician will consider will be prostate cancer surgery. Metropolitan Urological Specialists in St. Louis, Missouri focuses primarily on prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, including prostate cancer surgery.

Prostate cancer surgery is normally done on men who're wanting to reduce symptoms of prostate cancer or slow its growth. Men who're in the appropriate physical shape for surgery are the persons who'll be chosen for it. Generally, the men are going to be under seventy years old.

More specifically, prostate cancer surgery can be used to do one of several things. One of those things is to remove the prostate entirely and the cancer with it. This is normally referred to as a radical prostatectomy. In the process of executing a prostatectomy, the nearby lymph nodes are often removed to check for cancer.

Prostate cancer surgery may also mean fixing problems linked to the tumor pushing against the urethra by eliminating a part of the tumor. This is usually referred to as transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP. Remember, TURP can help you by removing part of the tumor, but this will only slow it down. It doesn't remove the entirety of the tumor.

The third option of prostate cancer surgery is an orchiectomy. An orchiectomy is the total removal of both testicles. Ordinarily a orchiectomy will cause the prostate cancer to shrink mainly because it requires the testosterone in the testicles to grow. As a result, symptoms are usually improved by this prostate cancer procedure. Nevertheless, an orchiectomy also causes its own side effects, like the enlargement of the breasts, loss of sexual desire, hot flashes, and not being able to get an erection.

Although prostate cancer surgery sounds serious, it does not have to be. Laparoscopic prostate surgery is a type of minimally intrusive surgery that uses a little camera to lessen the size of the incision. Along with laparoscopic prostate surgery, Washington, MO, St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Florissant, and Kirkwood, Missouri residents have several other options to pick from, only a few of which were mentioned in this article. If you have prostate cancer and would like a skilled team of prostate cancer care physicians, Metropolitan Urological Specialists is the perfect place to go.