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Treatment Solution For Early Stage Kidney Cancer
Treatment Solution For Early Stage Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer, particularly renal cell cancer (also known as renal cell carcinoma or RCC), is one of the
ten most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S.. The disease tends to develop in older individuals
over 45 and very rarely in younger people. The disease is very treatable when it's detected at any
early stage and confined to the kidney. In these cases, surgery will typically be recommended unless
the patient is not a suitable candidate.
Surgery to remove a cancerous tumor can often be performed using a minimally invasive procedure.
This is a less invasive technique requiring unique skills and experience so you want to select a
surgeon whose qualifications include expertise in this procedure. The doctors at Comprehensive
Urology Medical Group are among some of the most highly qualified specialists in minimally invasive
techniques. Their skills extend to mastery of a robot-assisted minimally invasive method, which offers
greater precision in tumor removal.
Testing
Diagnostic tests are the best way to confirm kidney cancer. Often the disease does not cause any
symptoms until the cancer has grown larger. At that time, symptoms can include:
These symptoms are fairly general and could indicate another medical condition, but it's important to
consult your doctor if you have these problems. Your doctor can review your medical history, including
your family's health history. Then, if cancer is suspected, recommend tests which could include:
Bloodwork
Urine
CT scan
Ultrasound
MRI
If cancer is found, your doctor will make treatment recommendations. When the disease is early stage
and contained within the kidney then a partial or total nephrectomy could be considered, provided the
patient is an appropriate surgical candidate. The least invasive approach to remove a tumor is
minimally invasive surgery, which can be performed even with a total nephrectomy. Complete removal
of the kidney is required when the tumor has taken up most of the kidney or a partial nephrectomy isn't
medically feasible.
Total Nephrectomy Solution
A total nephrectomy entails complete removal of the kidney, but it doesn't mean the tumor has
metastasized. The disease is still contained but it's not possible to keep affected kidney. In addition to
removing the entire kidney, its surrounding fat and tissue are removed and depending on the patient's
case, the ureter, adrenal gland, and nearby lymph nodes might be removed as well. The majority of
people do not have any problems with only one kidney.
Provided a patient is medically qualified, the minimally invasive method total nephrectomy, called a
laparoscopic nephrectomy, will be performed. Not every surgeon is qualified for this technique, which
requires a unique set of skills and expertise. But the urologists with Comprehensive Urology are
experts in less invasive methods and can provide their patients with the benefits of minimally invasive
surgery such as smaller incisions, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and less surgical trauma.
Contact the Kidney Cancer Specialists
Comprehensive Urology Medical Group urologists are experts in medically advanced techniques and
personalized treatment plans for optimum cure rates. If you would like to learn about their scope of
cancer treatment solutions, contact the specialists at Comprehensive Urology at 310.278.8330.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.
While safe and effective, the treatment is not recommended for patients with the following health
conditions:
Pregnancy
Pacemaker
Bleeding disorder
Kidney or urinary tract infection in the kidneys
Kidney cancer
Whether or not you qualify for this treatment is determined when you see your doctor for an
examination and discuss your medical history. Contact the urologists at Comprehensive Urology to
learn if ESWL is the best treatment for you.
Simple, Safe and Effective Treatment
ESWL can be performed in the comfort of your doctor's office and typically takes only an hour. If you
prefer, you can be given sedatives or local anesthesia to help you relax, but medication is usually not
needed.
The procedure takes place in the privacy of an examination room while you rest on a water-filled
cushion. Your doctor locates the stone (or stones) with the guidance of X-rays or ultrasound tests, and
using the images for guidance, applies high-energy sound waves, which pass through your body and
break up the stones.
There's minimal chance of any large stones remaining following treatment with the sound waves, but if
helpful, your doctor could use a stent, a small, short tube of flexible plastic mesh, to open up the
urether which enables the stone to pass.
The Kidney Stone Experts Can Help You
The board-certified urologists at Comprehensive Urology are experts in the most advanced kidney
stone solutions. If you or a loved one needs treatment, call us at 310.278.8330. With our years of
expertise, we can help you find a fast and gentle solution to your painful condition.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.
Urinary obstruction
Family history of kidney stones
Metabolic disorders and diseases (such as hyperparathyroidism)
Chronic urinary infection
Stone formation can also be influenced by fluctuations of mineral levels in the urine, which very often
can be triggered by certain foods and beverages.
Living in a hot climate could also affect kidney stone production since it is easier to become
dehydrated in higher temperatures than in cooler ones. Dehydration can also come from drinking too
few fluids and increase the risk for kidney stones.
Symptoms
As long as the kidney stones remain in the kidney, they do not cause any problems or symptoms. This
is why many people with kidney stones don't even know they have them, provided the stones remain
where they are.
Symptoms emerge when stones move around in the kidney or attempt to pass through the urinary
tract to the bladder and cause:
Certain lifestyle changes can possibly prevent kidney stone formation, but it won't help you if you
belong to a high risk group. For expert advice, consult an expert urologist to learn more about kidney
stones and the best treatment solutions for you. Contact the medical professionals at Comprehensive
Urology at 310.278.8330. We can help you by developing a solution that's best for you.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.
Is a vasectomy reversible?
Typically, the procedure is intended as a permanent form of birth control, but reversal is
feasible. This procedure is more complicated and duration between the original vasectomy and
reversal is critical. Pregnancy is more difficult the longer the duration.
The report of more cases of prostate cancer following a vasectomy could be related to follow up
exams required for vasectomy patients.
Contact the Urology Specialists
If you're considering a vasectomy, you might have some questions about the procedure. Contact the
medical professionals at Comprehensive Urology who can help you with this personal choice. Call us
at 310.278.8330, and we can help you with a decision that's best for you.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.
and its symptoms, contact the medical professionals at Comprehensive Urology at 310.278.8330.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.
It's important to manage the condition because BPH can leader to other more serious problems such
as recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder dysfunction, and kidney dysfunction.
Multiple Treatment Solutions
Home remedies won't stop a prostate from expanding further, but it can manage the symptoms. If your
BPH is moderate, you can treat the condition yourself at home with the following methods:
Avoid medicines affecting urination includes antihistamines, nasal sprays and allery pills.
Double void" when urinating - urinate then relax for a few moments and urinate a second time.
Avoid stimulants - caffeine and alcohol stimulate urination so it's best to minimize or eliminate
intake.
Most physicians, including the experts at Comprehensive Urology, will first recommend conservative
treatment before trying anything more aggressive. If home remedies don't work, then you might need
a prescription to help you with the symptoms. Effective medicines your doctor might recommend
Overflow Incontinence: unable to empty bladder even though it is full and urine will leak out
periodically.
Functional Inconvenience: either a mobility problem or obstacle interferes with getting to the
bathroom in time to urinate.
Total Incontinence: constant leaking since sphincter muscle not functioning properly and
unable to hold back urine.
Urge Incontinence: overwhelming urge to urinate or bladder squeezes involuntarily and cannot
get to bathroom in time.
Causes of urinary incontinence can worsen from alcohol as well as certain prescriptions or other drugs
including narcotics, antidepressants, diuretics, sedatives, and cold medicine.
Treatments
Like other medical conditions, the type of incontinence you have will determine the best treatment for
you. You should consult a doctor who specializes in urinary conditions such as the board-certified
physicians at Comprehensive Urology and discuss treatment options that are the most effective for
you. With a urologist, you'll have a physical exam, discussion of your symptoms and medical history,
and a urine test. In most cases after gathering this information, your doctor can develop an
individualized plan for you.
Either one or a combination of the following could be recommended:
Alternative A couple non-medical options have been helpful. Pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy
and peripheral nerve stimulation.
Surgical Several surgical options exist including pelvic and urethral support procedure for
men, trans-vaginal sling for women, endoscopic injections, and nerve stimulator implants.
Some treatments are better suited to different types of urinary incontinence, but typically it's best to
start with conservative treatment first before surgery is considered.
Contact the Urology Specialists
Why tolerate urinary incontinence when there are safe and effective treatments available. Contact the
medical professionals at Comprehensive Urology by calling us at 310.278.8330 or contacting us
online. With our years of expertise, we can help you with a solution that's best for you.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.
Advanced age
Bladder stones
Chronic bladder infections
Patients with internal bladder catheters
Previous pelvic radiation therapy (i.e. prostate, cervical, rectal or ovarian cancer)
Chemotherapy treatment
The presence of these risk factors will not necessarily lead to bladder cancer, but you should be
diligent in monitoring your health and take preventive action by having regular screenings.
Effective Screening
Blood in the urine (hematuria) is one of the most common symptoms of bladder cancer, but there are
other symptoms that could indicate presence of the disease:
Some of these symptoms could indicate another urologic disease such as urinary tract infections,
enlarged prostate (BPH), and kidney stones. To confirm if your condition is cancer or another health
problem, you need need the expert advice of a specialist like Comprehensive Urology Medical Group.
The physicians have several effective screening tests they use. These tests include: 1) imaging
studies, 2) cystoscopy, and 3) urinary evaluation. Diagnostics including a CT scan and intravenous
pyelogram are also sometimes used to evaluate the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters and bladder) for
abnormalities.
ESWL Technique using small shock waves to shatter stones for easier elimination.
Ureteroscopy A small fiberoptic device using laser technology to minimize kidney stones.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) Minimally invasive surgery to treat kidney stones
through direct intervention.
Once you've had kidney stones, you're more likely to have another one in the future. But there are
some steps you can take to minimize the chance of recurring stones:
Drink more fluids
Make dietary changes
Medication
If you fall into a risk category such as a family history of kidney stones then medication could be
prescribed.
The Kidney Stone Experts Can Help You
Medical advances have introduced new methods of treating kidney stone through minimal
intervention. Learn how we can help you by contacting the medical professionals at Comprehensive
Urology at 310.278.8330. We can discuss an optimum solution to your painful condition.
Additionally, the robotic method offers some benefits unique to the technology:
Kidney preservation
Precision with tumor removal and reconstruction
Minimal operative complications
Fewer days in the hospital
The advantages of a minimally invasive surgery are credited to the procedure's smaller incisions and
specialized instruments. With less surgical trauma and a shorter hospital stay, most patients resume
normal activities within 1-2 weeks after surgery. Their only restrictions are avoiding heavy lifting or
strenuous exercise for a month for internal healing to complete.
Contact the Kidney Cancer Specialists
Comprehensive Urology offers the most advanced therapeutic modalities for optimum cure rates.
If you would like to learn about treatment solutions, contact the medical professionals at
Comprehensive Urology at 310.278.8330. We can help you by developing a solution that's best for
you.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.
Additionally, there is now a robot-assisted method offering not only the pluses of minimally invasive
methods, but also benefits of its own such as:
For surgeons:
Greater precision
Enhanced dexterity
Improved visualization
Ergonomic fit
For patients:
Less pain
Reduced blood loss
Quicker recovery
Combined, these characteristics optimize the way in which complex surgeries are performed.
Robot-Assisted Procedure Explained
Robot-assisted is an improvement to conventional laparoscopic technique, which required the surgeon
to manipulate awkward hand-held instruments. The surgeon would have to switch his focus from the
instruments to an adjacent 2D video monitor manipulated by an assistant
Alternatively, the robot-assisted high tech interface transforms conventional laporascopic surgery into
a better controlled and fluid procedure for a more efficient surgery. The surgeon has better control of
the instruments using more natural wrist movements and can easily view a 3-D screen throughout the
surgery.
Age - PSA level increases with age, regardless of any prostate problems
Medication Certain drugs can affect PSA level; discuss all medications with your doctor to
rule this out.
While PSA levels have proven effective as a reliable diagnostic for prostate cancer, there can be
inconsistencies with the readings. This is why regular check-ups and screenings to track and monitor
your health should be part of your health routine.
Why Have a Biopsy?
A biospy takes tissue samples from the prostate and is examined for signs of cancer cells. When your
doctor suggests a biopsy, the procedure is recommended to assess:
This is a procedure only a urologist can perform. If a biopsy has been recommended for you, you want
to have the most qualified and experienced board-certified practitioner such as the physicians at
Comprehensive Urology to perform the procedure. A biopsy is a critically important, yet delicate,
procedure and having a well-qualified physician conduct the test is imperative.
If the biopsy results are positive, your doctor will recommend you to a specialist, however, the doctors
at Comprehensive Urology have extensive experience in treating prostate cancer and other urological
cancers.
Contact the Urology Specialists
Comprehensive Urology offers the most advanced therapeutic modalities for cancer affecting the
urological system. If you would like to learn about treatment solutions, contact the medical
professionals at Comprehensive Urology at 310.278.8330. We can help you by developing a solution
that's best for you.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.
The EndoWrist instrumentation technology works as an extension of the surgeons wrist, allowing for
greater flexibility and dexterity of the manual movements. This helps to minimize errors, and also
affords the surgeons at Comprehensive Urology greater control.
The Benefits of Robotic Surgery Treatments for Prostate Cancer at Comprehensive Urology
The development of robotic surgery techniques for minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment is
revolutionizing the field of urology for several reasons. In the past, prostate cancer patients and their
doctors were limited to open prostatectomy, a surgery involving large incisions, complicated and
longer recovery times, and potential post-operative side effects.
With the prostatectomy procedure, the entire prostate gland was removed, as opposed to just the
localized portion containing the cancerous tumors. In addition to the loss of the whole prostate gland,
the risks and potential side effects associated with an open prostatectomy included:
The da Vinci Surgical System, also known as robotic prostatectomy, helps to enhance patient recovery
time and outcomes, in large part due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. The da Vinci
Surgical System is considered superior and more advanced than laparoscopic surgery in many
instances due to its modern features and capabilities. The da Vinci Surgical Systems robotic arms
turn in all directions, with 90 degrees of articulation and seven degrees of range of motion.
Among the many benefits of robotic prostate surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System are:
Improved visualization,
Greater dexterity, and
Fine tuned precision and accuracy over open prostatectomy or laparoscopic surgery
Smaller (1-2 cm) incisions
Because of the streamlined accuracy and precision allowable under the computer controlled daVinci
robotic platform, the prostate cancer surgeons at Comprehensive Urology are able to target the cancer
to a more precise degree and location, and can also preserve prostate gland nerves that control the
bladder, as well as sexual function, in order to minimize the risks and side effects associated with
traditional prostate cancer surgery. Thanks in large part to the developments in treating prostate
cancer with less invasive methods, more men are seeking treatment and finding hope after a prostate
cancer diagnosis.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.
You Are What You Eat - Lower Your Prostate Cancer Risk Through Your Diet
In addition to helping you look and feel your best - and perhaps dropping a few inches from your
waistline in the process - a low fat, clean, balanced diet is more than just a prescription for weight loss,
or a trend for looking good on the beach or at the gym. Taking a careful and sensible approach
towards nutrition has been shown to help fight disease across the board, and is an incredibly powerful
tool for men looking to lower their risk of developing prostate cancer.
Follow all or some of the following tips to improve your overall quality of life, and potentially reduce
your risk for prostate cancer in the process.
Cut the Fat
Lowering dietary fat can do more than help shed pounds. A low fat diet is important for overall health,
but has also been shown to help in the fight against prostate cancer. Some foods to avoid or enjoy in
moderation in order to help decrease your risk of developing prostate cancer include:
Red meat
Certain oils like flaxseed
Dairy products
Certain types of nuts
Alcohol
Worried about your prostate cancer risk? Prostate Cancer Specialists of Los Angeles Can Help
While prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men, diagnostic and treatment
options have come a long in the last several years, also making it one of the more treatable and
survivable forms of cancer when caught in the early stages. The board certified urologists at
Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles take a comprehensive and well rounded
approach to diagnosing and treating prostate cancer. They also offer sound advice on practical and
preventive steps that everyone can take at all ages to remain as healthy as possible, as well as to
lower the overall risk of developing prostate cancer down the line.
Go Green
The benefits of a diet full of fruits and vegetables are already well known, and cannot be overstated,
particularly in the case of prostate cancer prevention. The traditional western diet of highly processed,
high fat and sugar containing foods are suspected to promote a range of serious health problems,
from obesity and diabetes to prostate cancer. Urologists, nutrition experts, and researchers have
identified certain foods that can promote overall prostate health, and help to decrease the risk of
developing the disease.
Urologists at Comprehensive Urology recommend some of the following healthy foods for prostate
health and lower cancer risks:
Tomato products - tomato paste, spaghetti sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato juice, ketchup
Broccoli
Green Tea
Beans
Pomegranate Juice
Fish - salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, trout
Foods lower in saturated fight and with known anti-inflammatory properties are ideal for regular
consumption in order to maintain a healthy weight, overall wellness, and lower risk of developing
prostate cancer.
Lifestyle modifications
Studies have overwhelmingly shown that healthy social connections and a strong support network are
essential to the overall physical and mental, as well as emotional wellbeing of all people. Getting
regular exercise, limiting alcohol consumption to moderate amounts, and staying active and connected
within a supportive community will go a long way towards promoting overall help, and lowering the risk
of developing prostate cancer.
To learn more, please visit www.comprehensive-urology.com.