Drent, Dirk

Definitions

Urology involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the urinary system in females and the genitourinary system (urinary system and genital organs) in males. The urinary systemis made up of: the kidneys, ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), bladder, sphincter muscles (muscles around the opening of the bladder into the urethra) and urethra (tube that carries urine to the outside of the body). Male reproductive organs include the penis, scrotum, testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and prostate (a walnut-sized gland situated between the bladder and the penis and in front of the rectum). Urologists may treat a variety of conditions, including: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland; prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate); prostate cancer; bladder cancer; haematuria (blood in the urine, which may be caused by problems with the kidneys, bladder or prostate, or blockages in the ureter); kidney failure (when the kidneys cannot remove waste products from the blood or control the amount of water in your body); stones which form in the kidneys but can be found anywhere in the urinary system; proteinuria (protein in the urine which may indicate a problem with the kidneys); bladder control problems such as incontinence or retention; and urinary tract infections (UTIs).moreProstate cancer is an uncontrolled (malignant) growth of cells in the prostate gland. The gland is a walnut-sized structure at the base of the bladder, wrapped around the urethra, the tube thatcarries urine out of the body. It is responsible for helping control urination as well as forming part of the semen. The PSA blood test is commonly done to screen men for prostate cancer and may often detect cancers before they cause any symptoms. Prostate biopsy (taking tissue samples) is used to confirm a cancer diagnosis and assess it. Prostate cancer treatment varies depending on the stage of the disease. In the early stages when the cancer has not spread, surgery and radiation therapy are options. Surgery to remove the prostate and some of the tissue around it is called radical prostatectomy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered X-rays or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells. Prostate cancer that has spread may be treated with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, or chemotherapy. Testosterone is the main male hormone, and prostate tumours need testosterone to grow.moreContinence management means managing any loss of bladder or bowel control (incontinence). Incontinence can occur in children and adults. Urinary incontinence is common and may have a range ofcauses, including as a result of an underlying treatable medical condition. Continence management usually includes a full assessment, including general physical examination looking for signs of medical conditions causing incontinence; history taking and often keeping a bladder/bowel diary; and any of a variety of tests. Once the condition is assessed, a treatment plan is created. Treatment options range from symptom management, behaviour management, and medications to surgery. The least invasive treatment is started first. Treatment options may be aimed at underlying causes of the incontinence, or at managing the symptoms, such as using absorbent products, along with education and ongoing support.more