Specialty Services
Prostate Disease
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder. It produces an essential part of the semen expelled during ejaculation, but has no direct influence on potency. A number of diseases can affect the prostate gland, particularly in older men. Because the prostate gland surrounds the urethra (urine channel), these diseases may produce changes in urination.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. It occurs to some degree in nearly all men as they age. Symptoms include slow urination, more frequent urination, and difficulty starting urination. In severe cases, the man may be unable to urinate. There are many types of treatments. The Prostate Center care providers help men understand BPH and choose the best treatment for themselves.
Prostate cancer also occurs with greater frequency in older men and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Often there are no symptoms in the early stages; it is usually detected by a digital rectal examination, accompanied by a blood test called the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. Though complex, this cancer is often cured or controlled, particularly if detected early, when there are many treatment options. Patient education on these options is a high priority at the Prostate Center.
Prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland, can produce discomfort similar to a bladder infection or symptoms much like BPH. In some cases this inflammation is due to an infection; in others, the cause of the inflammation cannot be identified. Sometimes the problem is difficult to completely cure and requires newer approaches. In all cases, we can help patients understand the disease and obtain relief from the symptoms.
Your First Appointment
Your first appointment at the Prostate Center will take about an hour. When you arrive, you will fill out a questionnaire, see a physician assistant, and, in most cases, a physician specializing in prostate diseases.
Please come to your first appointment with a full bladder because we will want a urine sample and probably will do several other simple, painless tests like a urinary flow test and a bladder ultrasound.
During this visit we will do a physical examination, including a quick, simple test called the digital rectal examination. Because the prostate is an internal organ, we cannot see it. However, because it is located in front of the rectum, we can determine the size of the prostate and whether there are any lumps or abnormal areas by a digital rectal examination. This exam also helps detect prostate cancer. If prostate cancer is a concern, we may recommend a blood test for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), as a specific "marker" in the blood.
At the end of this first appointment, our staff will discuss the findings with you and recommend what to do next. This could involve further tests, a treatment plan, or a visit to our prostate education center.