Surgery to treat prostatic cancer—and in particular the removal of the prostate, known as a prostatectomy—has made leaps and bounds since the old days of technologically unassisted open surgery. In the late 80s and early 90s, surgery took one of its most significant leaps forward with the advent of laparoscopy, using long-handled tools and tiny […]
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for patients with a history of prostate cancer is more nuanced than once believed. While it isn’t for all men, new data suggests it can be an option when certain conditions are met. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and prostate cancer in the same context have held a lot of tension in […]
“We don’t want to cure the disease and break the man.” A Southern accent on the UroNurse podcast begins by describing the importance of a life well-lived post-prostate cancer treatment, and you can hear the subdued excitement he’s holding back about his profession. Dr. Brent Sharpe loves what he does and cares about people becoming […]
Chances are, you’ve heard the acronym “PSA.” It stands for prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by cells in the prostate, which is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder that’s involved in semen production. Normally, only small amounts of PSA enter the bloodstream. But when the prostate is affected by certain health conditions, PSA levels can […]
Bladder cancer doesn’t get as much airtime as other cancers, but it should. It’s the 10th most common cancer worldwide, with over 600,000 new cases each year and more than 200,000 deaths annually.¹ Recent research is showing that both genetics and lifestyle play a role in bladder cancer. The twist? Even if you’ve inherited a […]
Sex is meant to be intimate and enjoyable, but when urinary leakage happens, the moment can lose its magic. Urinary incontinence affects a significant number of men to varying degrees, particularly those who’ve had prostate cancer treatment. While potentially awkward, it’s also common and treatable. Defining the Disruption Sexual incontinence is a form of urinary […]
HIFU, or high-intensity focused ultrasound, and NanoKnife, also known as reversible irreversible electroporation, are excellent focal therapies in the treatment of prostate cancer. When we say focal, in the context of cancer treatment, we mean that these procedures allow your surgeon to target small areas of the prostate rather than the entire prostate gland. By […]
Focal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a less invasive option for qualifying patients who have unilateral intermediate-grade prostate cancer. It is an alternative to radical prostatectomy and radiation. Focal HIFU can target a focused area of the prostate sparing normal tissue. This reduces damage to surrounding structures like blood vessels and nerves which are important […]
Updated for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, September 2024! Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an enzyme secreted by the prostate gland, a small walnut-shaped organ surrounding the urethra in the lower urinary tract. PSA is produced in small amounts in the blood of men with healthy prostates, but an elevated PSA may signal the presence of prostate […]
When a prostatectomy or removal of the prostate is indicated for prostate cancer, many men are concerned about their urinary function and long-term leakage because of their procedure. All men will experience some form of leakage initially after their prostatectomy, but most men will eventually regain their urine control. Two Valve Structures Become One Before […]
Georgia Urology and Dr. Brent Sharpe have pioneered a new chapter in prostate cancer care by introducing the NanoKnife System at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton, marking the facility as the first in North Georgia to offer this innovative treatment. Dr. Sharpe, a leading surgeon at Georgia Urology, has successfully completed three NanoKnife procedures, demonstrating […]
Ralph Puckett, a medical sales professional, always knew the importance of staying on top of his health. For more than 30 years, he diligently visited the same physician for annual check ups. “And everything was copacetic,” he recalls. That was until late 2018 when his PSA levels spiked. Concerned Puckett might have prostate cancer, his […]