Caduceus


Articles

























Urology Specialists, P.C.


New Articles:
When is PSA OK? New Prostate Guidelines (2004) - Anthony Kim, M.D.
Can TUNA Put Your Prostate on a Diet? (2004) - Stephen Siegel, M.D.
Overactive Bladder (2004) - Joseph P. Antoci, M.D.

The above articles are excerpts from our newsletter,
Healthy U - Sept. 2004 [PDF]. [PDF Help]

See also Archived Articles.


When is PSA OK? New Prostate Guidelines (2004)
Anthony Kim, M.D.

Prostate cancer is the number one cancer affecting men over the age of 50 years old. The American Cancer Society currently recommends prostate cancer screening for all men over the age of 50. Screening includes a yearly prostate exam and blood test for PSA (prostate specific antigen). PSA is a blood test which urologists use to stratify patients as high or low risk for prostate cancer. The normal range for PSA has historically been a level less than 4.0 ng/ml. Anything over the normal range is an indication for prostate biopsy to determine if a patient has prostate cancer.

Recent data published by the New England Journal of Medicine which has also been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and National Public Radio, has determined that 15% of men with "normal" PSA levels have prostate cancer. Some of these patients with "normal" PSA have an aggressive type of prostate cancer. Recently, there has been a push to decrease the normal threshold for PSA.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has revised its guidelines towards PSA screening. The revised guidelines state that prostate cancer screening, with a prostate exam and PSA, should begin at the age of 40. If the PSA in a man over the age of 40 is greater than 0.6, he should be followed annually with PSA and prostate exam. If the PSA is lower than 0.6, then a repeat PSA test should be obtained at age 45. If the PSA remains less than 0.6, follow-up PSA should be tested at age 50, and then continued yearly. However, in African American men, annual screening should begin at age 45. If PSA level increases over a level of 2.5, a prostate biopsy should be performed. The goal of this is to further increase our ability to identify patients with prostate cancer and diagnose it at an earlier stage. Prostate cancer is much more likely to be cured if caught early. PSA screening has been helpful in identifying patients with early disease.

With all of these changes it is important to consult your urologist to help you understand how these changes affect you. If you have any questions, or are due for a new PSA, please contact our office.

[ back to top ]

Can TUNA Put Your Prostate on a Diet? (2004)
Stephen B. Siegel, M.D.

Fifteen million men over the age of 50 have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is a disease in which the prostate gland grows and blocks the release of urine from the bladder. Symptoms include a slow urinary stream, frequency, urgency, difficulty starting the stream, and getting up at night to urinate. Even though this is a benign disease, it can cause serious long term effects. If untreated, BPH can lead to chronic need for a drainage catheter and, even, kidney failure.

The treatment options include medication, surgery in the hospital and minimally invasive therapy in the office. The traditional surgery is called the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This procedure requires general or spinal anesthesia and 1-2 nights in the hospital. Risks include need for blood transfusion, urinary leakage and erectile dysfunction. The current medications cause a relaxation of the prostate to allow for some symptom relief. Most men describe their urination as being "like I was 20!" These medications will need to be taken for the rest of a man's life and cost about $1000 per year.

Transuretheral needle ablation (TUNA) is a minimally invasive procedure that is done in the office. It causes the prostate to shrink in a more permanent way without the need for long term medication. It can be done with simple local anesthesia and takes only 20-30 minutes to perform. TUNA is done by passing a telescope into the urethra and into the middle of the prostate. Two small probes are then extended into the prostate tissue. Using radio frequency, the probes heat up to a very high temperature causing destruction of the interior part of the prostate. This procedure has been available for five years and has shown to be effective over the long term. You deserve relief!

[ back to top ]

Overactive Bladder (2004)
Joseph P. Antoci, M.D.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition that affects at least 33 million Americans. The syndrome is characterized by frequent voiding with a strong urge. It is associated with loss of bladder control in 17 million people. As a result, this disorder interferes with the lives of those afflicted on occupational, social and psychological levels. Medicare spends up to $26 billion per year in treating incontinence.

Some people have identifiable causes for OAB. These include neurological problems such as Parkinson’s, strokes or spinal cord injury. Non-neurologic causes include infections, stones or tumors. Enlarged prostates in men can also cause OAB. Many people have no obvious cause for the syndrome.

Initially, most patients try to cope with the problem. These strategies include knowledge of bathroom locations, use of absorbent pads, wearing dark clothing and decreasing their fluid intake. It is also important to realize that many individuals employ these coping strategies in lieu of seeking professional treatment. The reasons for this often include embarrassment, the fear that surgery may be necessary, the mistaken belief that this is a part of "normal aging," or that there is no treatment available.

Once OAB is diagnosed, there are a variety of treatment options available. While these include behavioral modification techniques, biofeedback, and pelvic floor exercises, most patients are managed with medication. The major class of drugs is called anticholinergics. They stop the bladder from contracting inappropriately, thus improving the bladder's storage capacity, as well as reducing the urgency and frequency of urination. There are newer drugs on the market that have reduced the side effects of dry mouth and constipation. These drugs, Ditropan XL, Detrol and Sanctura, can be taken less often and have proven effective. There is also a patch, Oxytrol, that can deliver the medication. There is no "right" or standard dose for every patient with OAB. Treatment is individualized to each patient. There is a mistaken belief that this is a normal part of aging or that there is no treatment available. Many patients can see further improvement when they combine medical therapy with behavioral therapy as well.

Finally, it is important to have realistic expectations as to what treatment can achieve. Total dryness is not always possible. The goal of therapy is improvement in symptoms so that patients can once again become active in their community and family. We strive to improve the patients' social and psychological well being. Virtually all patients can be helped, but only if they make the first step which is discussing the issue with their doctor.

[ back to top ]



Urology Specialists, P.C.

Main office:
1579 Straits Turnpike, Suite 2A
Middlebury CT 06762

view map
Tel: 203.757.8361
Fax: 203.754.9126
Toll Free: 1.800.757.8361

10 Main St., South
Southbury, CT 06488
view map

Midstate Hospital
455 Lewis Avenue, Suite 205
Meriden, CT 06451
view map
Tel: 203.379.0605
Fax: 203.379.0654

Connecticut Clinical Research Center
A Division of Urology Specialists
1579 Straits Turnpike, Suite 2A
Middlebury CT 06762
Tel: 203.754.3588
Fax: 203.757.2296
Toll free: 1.877.876.5649 (1.877.UROLOGY)

Connecticut Center for Continence
1579 Straits Turnpike, Suite 2A
Middlebury CT 06762
Toll Free: 1.800.757.8361