Urology Services

BPH is a non-cancerous increase in the size and number of cells that make up the prostate. The most common symptoms are increased frequency and urgency of urination and problems starting the urine stream. These symptoms can be the same as prostate cancer so you should visit your doctor to find the cause of the problem.

Bladder cancer is a disease where cancer cells form in the tissues of the bladder.

Signs and symptoms of bladder cancer are:

• Blood in the urine (slightly rusty to bright red in color)
• Frequent passing of urine
• Pain when passing urine
• Lower back pain

CentraCare Clinic - Adult & Pediatric Urology provides several tests that can find bladder cancer, such as cystoscopy.

Treatment options depend on the stage of bladder cancer. It can include:

• Surgery. We use the latest minimally invasive techniques, such as the da Vinci robot.
• Biologic therapy
• Radiation/chemotherapy. We provide treatment in partnership with the Coborn Cancer Center.
• A mixture of all the above.

When the bladder is surgically removed due to cancer or some other health problem, your surgeon will make a new channel for urine to pass from your body. This procedure is known as bladder reconstruction or urinary diversion.

Not long ago, no one talked about erectile dysfunction. Today we can do something about it. If you have ED, you might be uncomfortable about it. Don't be. Not with us. We talk to people about it daily, and we have effective treatment options, including urologic prosthetics.

Genitourinary fistulas are abnormal connections between urinary structures and nearby organs. Oftentimes surgery is needed to make the repair. Symptoms include urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection and passing gas from the bladder.

Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome is chronic swelling of the bladder. Symptoms are uncomfortable bladder pressure, bladder pain and mild to severe pain in your pelvis. The severity of symptoms can change, and some people may go through a time of remission. This health problem occurs most often in women, but also can affect men and children. While there is no cure for IC, some medicines and other therapies, such as pain management and dietary changes, can offer relief.

Interstitial Cystitis Network Food List App

A food app is available to help those with urinary discomfort choose foods that will soothe rather than irritate their bladders. Learn more.

Kidney cancer starts when abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both kidneys.

Kidney cancer doesn't usually cause symptoms at first. It's often discovered by imaging tests — tests that produce pictures of the inside of the body — that are done for other reasons.

Whenever possible, doctors use surgery to remove kidney cancer. Known as a nephrectomy, we may perform this surgery with a da Vinci robot. When surgery isn't possible, doctors may use radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy. We provide treatment in partnership with the Coborn Cancer Center.

Kidney stones are hard masses. They form from crystals that separate from the urine. They can be found any place along the urinary tract. Family history, dietary habits, water use and certain health problems may all play a role in the formation of the stones.

Symptoms of stones can vary in severity and may include:

• Bloody urine
• Excruciating back, stomach or groin pain
• Pain and/or irritation with passing of urine
• Upset belly
• Throwing up
• Reoccurring urinary tract infections (UTI).

Treatment may include extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), one of the most common ways of treating stones. ESWL can be performed right away and onsite at CentraCare Clinic - Adult & Pediatric Urology.

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when organs such as your bladder or vagina slip, or prolapse, from their normal spot. This can happen when the muscles and ligaments that hold your pelvic organs in place get weak or stretched from giving birth, menopause or surgery.

Peyronie’s disease occurs in as many as 1 in 10 men. It’s a condition where the growth of scar tissue causes painful, bent erections of the penis. Peyronie’s may also make it difficult to get or maintain an erection.

Treatments include injectible medication and surgical options with the goal that patients can return to normal sexual function afterward.

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate, part of the male reproductive system. Current statistics show that one in seven men will have prostate cancer in his lifetime. While most prostate cancers grow slowly, there are cases where the cancer spreads quickly to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of prostate cancer are:

• Pain
• Trouble in passing urine
• Problems during sex
• Erectile dysfunction

People who are at higher risk are African-American men, men who are older than 60, and men with a family history of prostate cancer.

Your treatment will depend on the type of cancer cells you have, how far they have spread, your age and general health and your preferences. You and your doctor may decide to treat your cancer with:

• Surgery. We use the latest minimally invasive techniques, such as the da Vinci robot.
• Hormone therapy. CentraCare Adult & Pediatric Urology was the first in Minnesota – and one of the first in the nation – to use Provenge, which uses a patient's own immune cells to treat prostate cancer.
• Radiation. We provide treatment in partnership with the Coborn Cancer Center.
• A mixture of all the above.

The most common way to check for prostate cancer is to have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Find out if a PSA is right for you.

Prostatitis, a swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, often causes painful or difficult passing of urine. Other symptoms of prostatitis are pain in the groin, pelvic area or sex organs and flu-like symptoms. Prostatitis has a number of causes and, based on the cause, symptoms may come on quickly or slowly over time.

Stress incontinence is the accidental release of urine that occurs when you sneeze, cough, laugh, jog, or do other things that put pressure on your bladder. It's the most common type of incontinence in women.

Don't let this health problem affect your quality of life or your self-confidence.

Transvaginal mesh problems have been in the news lately. Surgical mesh is used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. While rare, there have been reports of problems linked to some mesh procedures. CentraCare Clinic – Adult & Pediatric Urology is one of only two programs in Minnesota with a doctor trained to treat these complications.

Reconstruction of the tubes that drain urine may be needed due to congenital issues, trauma or injury.

A urethral stricture is a scar in or around the urethra, which is the tube urine passes through after leaving the bladder. This scar can block the flow of urine and is the result of swelling, injury or infection. Treatment options vary depending on the length, place and degree of scar tissue. CentraCare Clinic – Adult & Pediatric Urology is one of only two programs in Minnesota with a doctor trained to treat these complications with surgical reconstruction.

Urinary urgency is defined as an abnormally sudden urge to pass urine. When you have an involuntary loss of urine after this urge, it is known as urge incontinence. Urge incontinence also can be called overactive bladder.

"Living with it," isn't living. Treatments are available — including urologic prosthetics — and we can help.

A vasectomy is a simple and safe procedure that provides sterilization in men. It is a big decision. You and your partner should know all the facts and share in the decision. If you have any doubts, you should not have a vasectomy at this time.