DALLAS, Tx. (Dec. 1, 2011) — Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a urologist in Plano, Texas, was recently selected as a Dallas Top Doctor by D Magazine.  The D Magazine “Best Doctors in Dallas 2011” is a renowned selection of physicians and pediatricians in the greater Dallas area who are chosen based on a peer-review voting process.  Dr. Allen was chosen because of his uniquely innovative treatment approach into specific urological disorders and conditions.  He was one of the first pioneers in the North Dallas area to offer the robotic prostatectomy for prostate cancer treatment.

In the 2011 survey, more than 1,600 doctors voted for peers in selected categories. Texas medical license numbers were used to validate each physician and the final tallied list was presented to an esteemed group of physicians and specialists.  Doctors who make the cut generally have been discussed numerous times by other doctors and are well regarded in the medical community by both physicians and patients.

Dr. Allen is a board certified urologist who graduated with the highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin. He later earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio.  His surgical skills in the field of urology and his passion for advancing the specialty with new treatment techniques put him in the top percent of doctors in the US News and World Report for research quality.

Several innovative procedures not offered by all urologists include penile implants and penile prosthesis devices to assist men with erectile dysfunction. He is notably one of the most skilled urologists in Dallas offering this service.  He also specializes in all areas of urinary incontinence for men and incontinence in women and offers a variety of treatment techniques including the InterStim stimulator device and various sling procedures.  Dr. Allen routinely performs complex urogynecological reconstruction procedures in women and treats a variety of urology-related cancers.

Perhaps his most notable contribution to the urology field of medicine is his specialization of treatment into specific urological cancers of the bladder, kidneys and prostate.  Dr. Allen is an expert in each of these cancers and offers robotic surgery as a treatment option to reduce the side effects associated with surgery as well as maximize the outcomes for each of his patients.

The D Magazine top doctors list is designed each year with the patient in mind. Specialties in which the patient has little or no say are often not included (including pathology and anesthesiology).  The voting panel and D Magazine staff members review the results carefully and chose each finalist based on the number of votes that are received for each specialty.

###

The percentage of men that suffer from Urinary Incontinence is estimated to be lower than the percentage of women who suffer from it, but it is as equally serious and embarrassing for both. Urinary Incontinence is the accidental leakage of urine. It is a condition that plagues men and women of all ages, but is most likely to begin occurring later in life. There are different reasons why a man may become incontinent, it could be situational or constant, but it does not have to be permanent.

Below is a list of the different types of Urinary Incontinence:

Stress Incontinence—This involuntary loss of urine occurs during an event that causes stress upon the body, through abdominal pressure. Examples of this are heavy lifting, running, jumping, sneezing and coughing.

Urge Incontinence- This is the involuntary loss of urine while trying to “hold it.” When a person has urge incontinence, the feeling of having to urinate is present, but the ability to effectively hold it is lost.

Overflow Incontinence- This involuntary, constant loss of urine, associated with “going” frequently, usually occurs often throughout the day and in small amounts.

All of these types of incontinence can be caused by a myriad of conditions that can lead to a medical diagnosis that will explain a man’s struggle with Urinary Incontinence.  Among the most common are:

• Diseases which may have caused nerve damage such as diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.
• Stroke
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate
• Cancer Treatment such as a Prostatectomy
• Cancer Treatment External Beam Radiation

If you are a man suffering from Urinary Incontinence, your first step is to see your Urologist. He or she will take you through a list of diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your problem. From here, he or she will be able to decide your best option for treatment. There is a list of treatments for urinary incontinence, and no reason why you must suffer from it for the rest of your life.

Conservative Urinary Incontinence Treatment For Men

Most doctors will begin with the most simple and least invasive procedures, such as discussions about planning your trips to the bathroom and psychotherapy. The next step may be a discussion about medication. There are a handful of medications on the market that have been found to be helpful in more severe cases of Urinary Incontinence.

If the less invasive and more conservative approach doesn’t fit with your situation, there are surgical procedures that can help. The surgery most commonly performed in the event of Urinary Incontinence is the placement of an Artificial Sphincter.  As is shown in the picture, this includes the use of a cuff, a pressure-regulating balloon, and a pump (located in the scrotum), which work together to prevent urine from leaking until you are ready to do so. When ready, you manually maneuver the pump which then allows urine to be drained from the bladder.

Other Urinary Incontinence Treatment for Men Include:

Male Swing: In this procedure, a piece of mesh cloth is used to lift the bladder so that Urine cannot escape until the male consciously chooses to relieve himself.

Urinary Diversion: If bladder must be removed because of nerve damage, or cancer, an artificial bladder may be created, and a Urinary Diversion used. The Urinary organs are replaced with others that can drain urine into a stoma, or a catheter.

Urinary Incontinence is inevitably embarrassing though it is as serious, and unavoidable a problem as most other diseases. You do not have to live with Urinary Incontinence forever. Make an appointment with your Urologist today, and look forward to a future without worry.

Prostate cancer is cancer that begins in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is not commonly found in men less than 40 years of age, though it is not altogether impossible. Prostate cancer can strike any male for a number of varying reasons. Men who have had prostate problems in the past, who have a family history of the disease, and those who have poor dietary habits and who abuse alcohol may be at a higher risk.

The symptoms of prostate cancer appear differently from one victim to another. But symptoms that are most alarming, and may directly relate to the onset of prostate cancer is blood found in the urine and a burning pain while urinating.

When the above symptoms occur it is important to see your urologist. He will most likely biopsy the tissue from the prostate gland and report the results of the test via the Gleason grade. If the Gleason grade proves to be above the number 2, then it will be time to consider prostate cancer treatments. Different prostate cancer treatments are performed for different age groups and different stages of the disease. But common prostate cancer treatments include:

• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormonal Therapy
• Surgery

Surgery is the preferred prostate cancer  treatment because it removes the cancer from the body by removing the prostate (either all or parts of it). There are two types of surgeries performed for prostate cancer, in both the prostate is completely removed in the early stages of the diagnosis to prevent further complications or the spread of the cancer into other regions, radical prostatectomy and robotic prostatectomy. Robotic Prostate surgery has become the favored prostate cancer treatment among urologists and patients.

Robotic prostatectomy is the same surgery as a radical prostatectomy, except that it is robotically-assisted. This surgery is a minimally invasive removal of the prostate.

A urologist will perform the surgery with the help of computerized robotic controlled instruments and high resolution cameras. The tools eliminate the shakiness of the surgeon’s hands and perform the surgery with more preciseness then ever before.

A robotic prostatectomy has been proven to greatly reduce post-op recovery in terms of minimizing pain levels, blood loss, hospital stay, recovery time, and side effects of a radical robotic prostatectomy. This is because unlike the radical prostatectomy the robotic prostatectomy does not require a large incision opening.

In this surgery, a urologist will enter the abdomen of the patient through a few very small incisions. The urologist then guides the robotic small instruments through the holes in the abdomen with a very tight and precise “joystick.” This allows the doctor to turn with 90 degrees of articulation and 7 degrees of freedom. The doctor will remove the prostate gland and the surgery is complete. The small incisions will leave very small circular scars that may completely heal in time.

Experts also agree that another pro to the robotic method is the lack of damage to the bladder and sexual function. A couple of common complaints of a patient who has received a radical prostatectomy are the loss of control over his bladder and the loss of ability to receive or maintain an erection. These side effects and risks are decreased with a robotic prostatectomy.

While the number of men that are diagnosed with prostate every year is increasing, it is important to note that the number of men that will die from the disease decrease every year, thanks to advanced tests, treatment options and education about prostate cancer. It is important to research the symptoms of prostate cancer, but if you think you may be suffering from the symptoms associated with this cancer then you need to see your doctor at your earliest convenience.

As a urologist in the North Dallas area, Dr. Mark Allen of North Texas Urology Associates (972.612.8037), has had the task of delivering unwelcome news to patients more times than he would like. The words, “you have prostate cancer” is never easy for a patient to hear.  If you are one of the 200,000 Americans diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, then you probably already have your clinical information memorized. You can spout off your PSA level, Gleason score and prostate cancer stage without the blink of an eye. While these tests, historically, have been sufficient in classifying cancer stages for patients, missing variables often exist that may alter the effectiveness of staging during diagnosis.

Today, more than 85% of patients that are diagnosed with prostate cancer will be considered in the low or intermediate risk category purely because they have similar clinical information.  The conflict in using this clinical information alone to treat and manage a person’s cancer and to determine prostate cancer stages has been a topic of discussion in recent years. From a purely clinical perspective, patients can often appear the same, when in fact they will have very different outcomes. One patient might have a slow growing cancer that will never be a problem and the second patient might have an aggressive cancer.

The current challenge in predicting individual patient risk is complicated by the multiple variables that must be considered, as well as the applicability and accuracy of available predictive tools and tests. Prostate Px+, a new prostate cancer test developed by Aureon, was created with these challenges in mind and is currently being adopted into urology offices like Dr. Allen’s in Plano, Texas. As a new option for physicians, this state-of-the-art test is being used to better assess the prostate cancer within each patient so that prostate cancer stages and a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan can be offered.

About Prostate Px+

Prostate Px+ is a prostate cancer test that is ordered at diagnosis to provide physicians with objective and useful information. Unlike other tests, it uses a combination of cellular, molecular and clinical data with advanced mathematical analysis, to assist doctors in properly identifying low risk vs. high-risk patients. Prostate Px+ is based on patented technology and is the only test that combines multiple layers of data based on the patient’s tissue to provide an idea of the outcome post-therapy. In essence, when someone asks, “What is your prognosis?” a more accurate answer can be given.

Once prostate cancer has been found in a patient, a physician can order the test and use the same sample that was provided for the original biopsy. The test, which is currently only available in the United States, is analyzed and a personalized report is sent to the physician to be used for patient discussion within about five days. One of the items that will be provided back to the physician is a prostate disease Progression Score that will rank between 0-100.  This number reflects the likelihood of the patient developing disease progression (defined as bone/soft tissue metastases, death of disease and/or androgen independent rise in PSA within eight years of their diagnosis.

A Personalized, More Accurate Approach

Prostate Px+ provides personalized test results by analyzing a patient’s existing biopsy sample using molecular diagnostics, sophisticated tissue-based image analysis and advanced mathematics. The resulting information gathered from this multi-layered approach provides both the patient and physician with objective, predictive and personalized information that enables all parties to make more-informed treatment decisions.

Prior to treatment selection, Prostate Px+:

• Provides useful, objective information for anyone considering surgery as a treatment option
• Predicts serious disease progression (metastasis, death of disease, progression through androgen deprivation therapy)
• Accurately reclassifies all intermediate-risk patients as either high- or low-risk
• Reveals high-risk disease, originally masked as low-risk at diagnosis
• Predicts your tissue pathology results after surgery
• Helps alleviate patient anxiety by providing objective information about a patient’s cancer

A diagnosis of prostate cancer does not mean the end to a fulfilling and active life. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer but have not yet selected treatment, you are looking for as much information as possible to better understand your disease and your options. In prostate cancer, there is no one-size-fits-all. Understanding the multiple issues and challenges will help you take control of your individual health needs.

For more information on Prostate Px+ visit http://aureon.com.  To learn more about Prostate Px+ please visit the literature and brochures section of the Aueron website.

More than 5 million men suffer from urinary male incontinence. Don't be one of them. Call your urologist today to learn about the treatment options that are available.

Approximately 5 million men in the United States will suffer from male urinary incontinence each year. According to Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a Plano, TX urologist with North Dallas Urology Associates  (972.612.8037  http://northtexasurologist.com ), a vast majority of these men do not discuss the symptoms associated with their incontinence condition with their family doctors and in many cases, the condition is left untreated.

Urinary incontinence is the loss of urine control. It can lead to episodes of a slight dribble of urine to the inability to hold urine all together; it can also be temporary or permanent depending on the underlying cause. While urinary incontinence is more prevalent in women, it affects more men than what is actually reported. In many cases, a damaged sphincter, the circular muscle that controls the flow of urine out of the bladder, is often the cause of male urinary incontinence. When damaged, which is commonly the unavoidable result of prostate cancer surgery, the muscle cannot squeeze and close off the urethra. This causes urine to leak.

According to Frank, a resident of Plano, TX and a patient of Dr. Mark Allen, incontinence and bladder problems were not only creating emotional stress, but it was limiting his normal activities. “Several years ago I was diagnosed with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). I have had surgery to correct this, but the result of the condition has left me dealing with incontinence.  For me personally, incontinence has been really stressful. It has limited my activities and sometimes actually leaves me homebound.  It is costly, messy and very frustrating.”

Prostate conditions (as in Frank’s case) such as an enlarged prostate and benign prostate hyperplasia, as well as infections such as acute bacterial prostatitis are common causes of incontinence.  In addition, incontinence from prostate cancer surgery is also a concern. Incontinence can become a major setback for men who experience the side effects stemming from prostate cancer surgery, and aside from impotence, it can be a major concern for prostate cancer patients undergoing a total prostatectomy (the surgical removal of the prostate). Other causes of male urinary incontinence and bladder problems include:

• Medications and/or prescription drugs that are given in high doses and that have a sedating effect.
• Spinal cord and/or head injury, which ultimately interrupts messages passing from the brain to the bladder.
• Infections such as urinary tract infections or bladder infections.
• Diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis (incontinence from prostate cancer surgery is an example).
• The aging process naturally leads to wear and tear on body parts and organs and can lead to forms of incontinence.
• Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking can cause incontinence because any toxin that effect human functioning can affect the ability to pass urine; Smoking is also a leading cause of bladder cancer and urinary diseases, which ultimately lead to incontinence.
• Mental State such as emotional stress, depression and illness.

“Unfortunately, many of my patients—like Frank—who suffer from male urinary incontinence and bladder problems stop doing things they enjoy, like going to the gym,” says Dr. Allen. “The primary problem is that incontinence and inconsistency go hand in hand. The urine leakage is unpredictable and varied in terms of quantity. The emotional stress comes from the unknown factor. What many men might not be aware of is that there are advanced treatment options now available for male incontinence.”

There are now real solutions for male urinary incontinence and bladder problems on the market that have been proven to change men’s lives and bring them a sense of normalcy.  From minimally invasive surgical procedures like the male sling for mild to moderate incontinence, to the gold standard artificial urinary sphincter implant that can resolve even severe incontinence, treatment is available. American Medical Systems, a company out of Minnetonka, Minnesota and creator of such devices and procedures has spent the last 35 years working to create medical solutions for both men and women’s pelvic conditions.

Surgical Options Available for Male Urinary Incontinence

• For mild to moderate incontinece:  AdVance® Male Sling System

This is a small sling that is made of synthetic mesh placed inside the body through small incisions. This sling supports the urethra, restoring normal bladder control in most patients. In many cases, the patient becomes continent immediately following the procedure and can resume normal, non-strenuous activities shortly thereafter

• Mild to moderate incontinence:  InVance® Male Sling System

This procedure also involves placing a mesh sling completely inside the body, but it places pressure on the urethra to reduce the possibility of urine leakage. Most patients are continent immediately following the procedure and can resume normal, non-strenuous activities shortly thereafter

• Moderate to severe incontinence: AMS 800® Urinary Control System

For men who suffer from incontinence from prostate cancer surgery (where a total prostatectomy was preformed), the AMS 800® Urinary Control System can offer a solution. This highly advanced, artificial urinary sphincter is placed completely inside the body.  It provides simple, discreet urinary control and mimics a healthy sphincter, keeping the urethra closed until you want to urinate.  The connected system consists of: a pump implanted in the scrotum, an inflatable cuff around the urethra, and a balloon reservoir implanted in the abdomen.  One can control urination by squeezing and releasing the pump.  The pump moves fluid out of the cuff and back into the reservoir. Urine can then flow out of the bladder. Fluid returns from the reservoir to cuff, squeezing the urethra closed again.

As with any surgical procedure, inherent risks are present with these devices and techniques.  Although rare, some of the most severe risks may include infection and erosion, surgical, physical, psychological or mechanical complication.  If these occur, they may necessitate revision or removal of the device.  For the majority of men who have taken the steps to get their incontinence under control, it was a step in the right direction.

“I really had no idea that a small device could help keep my incontinence at bay. For all men who are experiencing this, there is definitely help out there. Just find a reputable urologist and one that has experience with the AMS incontinence devices. My life has returned to normal and I’m able to run, play with my kids and do the activities that incontinence kept me from doing,” says Frank.

If you suffer from incontinence, don’t wait another day. Make an appointment with your urologist to talk about your options for a permanent solution that can help you restore your quality of life…and live life dry!

About the writer: Kristy Theis is the content editor for eMedicalMedia. Dr. Mark Allen, MD, Plano, TX urologist, and professionals from American Medical Systems were interviewed for this article.

The Calypso 4d Localization Radiation System | GPS for the Body | Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer | Plano, Dallas, Frisco

Author: Kristy Theis

Through a simple PSA blood test, Dr. Mark Allen, MD (972.612.8037), a urologist with North Dallas Urology Associates, was able to quickly diagnose Michael* with prostate cancer. As an active 48-year old husband, father and president of a mid-size manufacturing plant, the diagnosis came as a complete shock. With no real symptoms, Michael’s prostate cancer was caught early, however, because it was a more aggressive tumor, the ‘watch and wait’ recommendation that is at times given to younger patients was not an option.

“The news was very difficult for me to accept. We just sent our youngest daughter off to college and as new empty nesters, my wife and I were ready to travel and begin a series of remodeling projects around our house. Instead, I was in for a fight against cancer. I began my long and in-depth search for the right treatment that would allow me to live my life as I knew it before the diagnosis.”

After consulting with his Dallas-based urologist and a variety of oncologists, Michael opted for radiation therapy using the Calypso 4D Localization System. Reluctant to have surgery, Michael learned through a team of oncologists that radiation therapy can be equally as effective as surgery in treating patients with prostate cancer.

The Calypso 4D Localization System is quickly becoming the treatment of choice for thousands of men faced with prostate cancer. It offers a therapeutic approach that cures the cancer while allowing them to remain active and fully functioning.

Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a urologist with North Dallas Urology Associates, treated Michael for his prostate cancer. Dr. Allen, who is one of the only doctors in the Dallas/Fort Worth market who offers the Calypso treatment, said, “Most of my prostate cancer patients want two things: they want reduced side effects as a result of the cancer treatment and they want to keep their quality of life. The Calypso radiation technology uses real-time tracking which is immensely important because it enables us to deliver high amounts of radiation directly to the tumor while sparing all other organs from any exposure. This reduces the side effects which improves their quality of life.”

For Michael, incontinence and a decrease in sexual activity were huge concerns in regards to the side effects he might suffer from surgery or other radiation therapies. While there is no guarantee with any prostate cancer treatment or procedure in eliminating or reducing known side effects, the Calypso has a notably high success rate in serious treatment-related symptoms.

How the Calypso 4D Localization System Works

For Michael, and millions of other men diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are a few facts to know that will come as a surprise in terms of radiation therapy. The organs within the body move naturally; during radiation therapy a doctor cannot accurately predict which way these organs will move. If the organs move during radiation treatment, they risk receiving the radiation that is not meant for them.

The Calypso system is known throughout the medical community as the GPS for the body. With a tiny beacon that is inserted into the tumor, the physician is able to align the radiation directly and precisely to the tumor. This precise and real-time tracking has clinically been proven to raise the quality of life and reduce the side effects associated with prostate cancer radiation therapy.

For Michael, Calypso radiation therapy treatment proved to be a successful treatment option for his cancer. Sexual activity has remained active and as normal as possible and there are no out-of-the-ordinary urinary-related side effects associated from the cancer treatment.

Dr. Allen continues to see an increase in cancer patients who—if given the choice—choose the Calypso over other common forms of treatment. “I give all of my patients the pros and cons to each treatment options. Depending on where they are in their life, how active they are and the kind of lifestyle they lead ultimately helps us to narrow down the treatment procedure. For many of my patients who are in the same situation as Michael, the Calypso is a great and accurate prostate cancer treatment alternative.”

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/the-calypso-4d-localization-radiation-system-gps-for-the-body-radiation-treatment-for-prostate-cancer-plano-dallas-frisco-2696672.html

About the Author

Kristy Theis is a Plano, Texas-based communications freelance writer specializing in b2b, consumer and vertical trade copy suitable for both print and Internet. She has over 14 years experience in the fields of marketing, PR and copywriting and currently serves as the content editor for emedicalmedia.com.

As one of the DFW Metroplex’s leading providers of innovative prostate cancer treatments including da Vinci Prostatectomy and Calypso Radiation Therapy, Dr. Mark Allen of North Texas Urologists in Plano, TX was interviewed for the following article:

Dallas Urologist Discusses Prostate Cancer Symptoms And Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

By: Kristy Theis

Prostate Cancer: The “Prevalent” and “Inconspicuous” Cancer

Prostate cancer is the leading cancer for men in the United States with more than 230,000 men—almost 1 in 6—being diagnosed with the disease annually. When you consider this statistic, it would be fair to think that all young, and older men alike, would understand the symptoms and problems associated with this cancer. The truth, however, is that most men don’t have an understanding of what prostate cancer entails—at all.

Just ask Scott. When Scott, a 45-year-old telecommunications sales manager in Dallas, Texas, began experiencing a slight burning sensation when he urinated, he simply brushed it off as having a minor urinary tract infection that would go away on its own.  Shortly after, he began having trouble maintaining a normal erection—something that he easily blamed as a sign of aging. When the symptoms continued to grow more troublesome for this father of two, his normal life routines became interrupted and anxiety over the condition began to increase.  It was then that he scheduled himself for an appointment with a local Dallas, Texas urologist. With one simple prostate PSA test (prostate-specific antigen) it didn’t take long for his doctor to deliver the news that would change his life forever—he had prostate cancer.

While the symptoms Scott experienced did, in fact, probably save his life, the truth is that most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, don’t experience any symptoms at all and the ones who do, typically brush the symptoms off as part of life’s little nuisances.

Detecting Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system.  It affects how a man obtains an erection, how he urinates and it also helps to produce semen.  Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in the prostate gland.  This particular cancer grows slowly and typically produces little symptoms until it progresses.  When prostate cancer symptoms do appear, as in Scott’s case, the cancer has usually progressed and is in a further stage.

According to Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a North Texas Urologist, the majority of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer will, in fact, not experience any known symptoms. “That is why an annual physical is so important so that blood and urine samples can be tested.  Simple tests will provide red flags for common cancers such as prostate.  For example, if a young man has an elevated PSA test, this is a sign that there is something off and might possibly could be linked to prostate cancer. If this cancer is detected early, chances for survival are excellent,” says Dr. Allen.

Allen continues to say, “During routine physical exams, PSA tests are not always administered; most often, because prostate cancer is not viewed as a threat for young men under the age of 40. However, in recent years, it is becoming an increasingly more common diagnosis, thus, men must take control of their own health and request this particular test during routine physicals. As men increase in age, their risk of developing prostate cancer increases dramatically. Although only 1 in 10,000 under age 40 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 39 for ages 40 to 59, and continues to radically increase thereafter.”

New Advanced Treatment Options For Patients

For most men who are undergoing prostate cancer treatment, there are many options to consider—each with a number of pros and cons.  It is important to discuss each prostate cancer treatment option carefully with your urologist or oncologist.

According to Urologist, Dr. Mark Allen, MD, “Radiation cancer therapy has come a long way in recent years to help with the treatment of prostate cancer.  One worry with prostate cancer radiation therapy is how it affects nearby organs.  We use the Calypso® 4D Localization System on our patients and this particular therapy eliminates much of this movement.  The Calypso system essentially acts as a GPS for the body using precise, real-time tracking of the radiation beam so that it targets and hits the tumor itself avoiding nearby organs.”

Dr. Allen is a pioneer in prostate cancer radiation therapy and was one of the very first doctors in the North Texas area to offer the Calypso 4D system as an option. Similar to the new advances in guided radiation therapy, there are also huge strides that have been made in surgeries to treat prostate cancer.   A standard course of treatment is a radical prostatectomy where either all or some of the prostate, as well as tissue surround the organ, is removed. There are side effects to this surgery including impotence and urinary incontinence.

According to FastCompany magazine, one of the leading print and online sources for innovative ideas and ground-breaking solutions, the da Vinci robotic surgery is a highly advanced technical procedure that has been proven to be more effective, quicker to perform, and dramatically less invasive than a traditional cancer surgery.

The breakthrough in robotic prostate cancer surgery involves making very tiny incisions to the lower abdomen allowing very small instruments and a 3D camera to be inserted into the patient.  The surgeon then sits down at a nearby console where he or she views a magnified, high-resolution, 3D image of the prostate.  The system then flawlessly translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, accurate, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.  Intrinsically, every maneuver performed with the da Vinci robotic surgical device is performed with direct input from the surgeon.

Because robotic prostate cancer surgery, in general, is relatively knew, it is hasn’t yet been adopted by many Dallas area urologists.  Dr. Allen explains, “Many patients are still most comfortable with traditional surgery.  For a surgeon, there is a significant investment in training and the learning curve is pretty extensive.   However, once mastered, using robotic prostate cancer surgery as a treatment for this cancer provides the surgeon with instinctive control, range of motion, tissue manipulation and capabilities that are characteristic of open surgery but with the side effects of a more minimally-invasive procedure.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, who adopted the da Vinci surgical system in 2003, robotic surgery to treat prostate cancer is ideally suited for pelvic surgery in order to avoid the side-effects—such as penile dysfunction and bladder incontinence—that can occur to such a sensitive region of the body.

Listen to What Your Body is Telling You

Dr. Allen continues to say, “Regardless of the prostate cancer treatment options a patient might choose, it’s important to detect and diagnose this cancer before it progresses.  There are several distinct warning signs that men should be aware of to help catch this increasingly widespread cancer.”  He offers some important symptoms to be cognitive of:

• Difficulty or inability to urinate
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Painful or burning urination
• Difficulty in having or maintaining an erection
• Painful or uncomfortable ejaculation
• Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, or upper thighs

While these symptoms could possibly be another condition—such as an enlarged prostate, BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostatis—which is a common inflammation of the prostate gland, it’s important to have a physical and the necessary tests performed so that cancer can be ruled out.

By Kristy M. Theis (Content Editor, eMedical Media)

Contributors: Dr. Mark Allen, MD is a skilled urologist practicing in Dallas, Texas. He offers urological services to patients throughout the greater Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Fort Worth and Arlington areas.

About the Author

Kristy Theis is a Plano, Texas-based communications freelance writer specializing in b2b, consumer and vertical trade copy suitable for both print and Internet. She has over 14 years experience in the fields of marketing, PR and copywriting and currently serves as the web, SEO and marketing communications content editor for eMedical Media.

(ArticlesBase SC #1956623)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Dallas Urologist Discusses Prostate Cancer Symptoms And Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

With the help of sister company North Dallas Radiation Oncology Center, Dr. Mark Allen, MD of North Dallas Urology Associates brings a new technology to North Texas prostate cancer patients to help reduce the side effects of prostate cancer radiation therapy.  According to CBS 11 News Dallas, “North Dallas Radiation Oncology, in Plano, is one of the only Texas facilities using the Calypso 4D Localization System, otherwise known as GPS for the body.”  This technology allows the radiation to be directed specifically on the malignant tissue and prevents healthy tissue from accidental irradiation thus reducing long-term side effects.  For the entire article, video news coverage and patient testimonial, please visit the CBS News 11 website by clicking on the below link (be patient as the written article appears quickly but the video takes longer to download in the right margin).

New Machine Uses GPS To Deliver Cancer Radiation

Prostate motion documented in the daily report demonstrates motion of the prostate of greater than 1cm over 6 minutes.

If you are considering radiation treatment for your prostate cancer, it is important to know about organ motion.  Organ motion is prevalent, variable, and unpredictable during radiation therapy.  It presents challenges to delivering precise external beam radiation to the prostate.  A recent multi-institutional study showed that patients experienced organ motion during treatment fractions and the direction and degree of the motion is highly variable—from patient to patient and day to day.  The common methods used for target localization cannot provide continuous, real-time, objective guidance to clinicians managing patients receiving radiation therapy treatments.  The Calypso® 4D Localization System™ and Organ Motion is Prevalent, Variable, and Unpredictable implanted Beacon® electromagnetic transponders provide improvements with continuous, real-time tumor setup and monitoring without the use of additional ionizing radiation — GPS for the Body®.

Dr. Mark Allen of North Dallas Urology Associates is committed to providing leading edge treatment options to his patients and is pleased to offer the Calypso® 4D Localization System™ / GPS for the Body®.  Please visit click here to learn more information and schedule a consultation with Dr. Allen to see if you are a candidate for this highly effective prostate cancer radiation treatment.

If you are considering a da Vinci Prostatectomy to treat your prostate cancer, here is what you can expect from initial appointment to follow-up care.

1. Initial Appointment

Typically, your primary care physician will check your PSA levels in your blood workup during your routine check-up.  If your laboratory results show an “elevated PSA”, you will be referred to a urologist for further testing.

2. Laboratory Results

The exam likely consists of a standard digital rectal exam (DRE), in which Dr. Allen manually palpates the prostate by way of the rectum. Even if he detects nothing abnormal, he will schedule a biopsy to be certain there is no evidence of prostate cancer. The biopsy is performed by inserting a tubular structure in the rectum, from which projectile needles collect 5-6 “cores” of tissue from each side of the prostate. Although many patients tolerate the biopsy without medication, Dr. Allen may offer something to alleviate your discomfort and anxiety associated with the procedure.

3. Treatment Options

If you have an early diagnosis of prostate cancer, there is usually a range of treatment options. These may include conservative management, radiation therapy with external bream or brachytherapy, cryosurgery and prostatectomy – surgical removal of the prostate. The treatment options will depend on a number of factors, including the stage of the disease, and you age, health and personal preference.

If you choose to have a da Vinci^® Prostatectomy – robotic prostate surgery – here is what you can expect:

4. Pre-Operative

You will have a physical examination and discuss the various types of anesthesia with your anesthesiologist. This visit is arranged by Dr. Allen and will likely occur the week before surgery. The evening before surgery, you will need to follow instructions for bowel preparation that Dr. Allen will provide.

5. Day of Surgery

Shortly before the operation, anesthesia is administered and you will sleep for the duration of the operation, which typically lasts 2-4 hours. The procedure begins when your abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas, creating an operating space for the surgeon. Next, six small incisions, 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, are made in your abdomen and ports are inserted to keep the incisions open.

During the procedure, Dr. Allen uses the da Vinci System’s laparoscopic surgical instruments and video camera, via the temporary ports, to direct the dissection of the prostate gland and adjacent tissue. If deemed appropriate, he tries to preserve the nerves attached to your prostate gland (nerve sparing). At the end of the surgery, the ports are removed from your abdomen and the remaining incisions are closed with sutures.

(For detailed information about this procedure, please set up a consultation with Dr. Allen.)

6. Post-Operative

After robotic prostatectomy surgery, you wake up very groggy and with a urinary catheter in place. You will likely spend one night in the hospital resting and recovering from the effects of the anesthesia. As the anesthesia wears off, there may be some discomfort, for which pain medication may be prescribed. During this time, the medical team gets you patient sitting, standing and eventually walking around, which is recommended throughout the recovery period. Because a catheter typically remains in place for approximately 7 days, Dr. Allen will review guidelines for use that will ease discomfort and ensure proper function of the catheter during this time.

7. Recovery Period

The first week post-operatively will likely be spent resting; however, frequent walks are encouraged. Depending on the your individual recovery needs, regular activities may resume as soon as soon as a few days after surgery; straining and heavy lifting is discouraged for the first four weeks post-operatively. Approximately one week after surgery, a post-operative follow-up is scheduled, at which time your bladder function may be assessed. This is done by filling the bladder with saline via the catheter, removing the catheter and then allowing you to void naturally. Some incontinence after surgery is normal and is typically managed with medication until bladder control resumes. Erectile dysfunction may also be a side effect of surgery. Like incontinence, this side effect may be discussed with the Dr. Allen and managed with medication until it lessens or completely resolves over time.

8. Follow-Up Care

After this treatment for prostate cancer, Dr. Allen will want to watch you carefully, checking to see if your cancer recurs or spreads further. Typically, Dr. Allen will outline a follow-up plan with you that includes regular visits, PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams, which will likely begin within a few months of finishing treatment. PSA tests are usually recommended about every 6 months for the first 5 years after treatment, and at least yearly after that.