Entries by drjo

Conservative Management of a Distal Ureteric Stone: When Can You Wait and When Is Surgery Needed?

A distal ureteric calculus is a stone located in the lower part of the ureter—the tube carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder. These stones are often close to the ureterovesical junction, where the ureter enters the bladder. As the stone moves towards the bladder, it can cause severe intermittent pain known as renal […]

Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans and Lichen Sclerosus of the Foreskin

Balanitis xerotica obliterans—usually abbreviated to BXO, is the traditional urological name for male genital lichen sclerosus. Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that most commonly affects the foreskin and head of the penis. It can cause whitening, inflammation, splitting and progressive scarring of the foreskin. In some men it also narrows the urinary […]

Enlarged Prostate (BPH): Understanding Prescription Combination Therapy

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called benign prostate enlargement, becomes more common as men get older. An enlarged prostate may narrow the urethra or affect the way the bladder works. Possible symptoms include: a slow or intermittent urinary stream difficulty starting urination straining to urinate a feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully urinary […]

Superficial Bladder Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment and the Risk of Progression

“Superficial bladder cancer” is an older term for cancer confined to the bladder lining or the tissue immediately beneath it. The preferred modern term is non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer, usually abbreviated to NMIBC. Although these cancers have not invaded the bladder muscle, they do not all behave in the same way. Some are small, low-grade tumours […]

Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Targeting the Cancer While Preserving the Prostate

Established management of localised prostate cancer includes active surveillance for suitable low-risk disease and whole gland treatment with surgery or radiotherapy when treatment is indicated. ProFocal® is a newer focal approach that uses laser energy to destroy a selected cancerous area while leaving much of the surrounding prostate untreated. This approach is known as focal […]

Father’s Day, Quirky Gifts and the Quiet Joy of Being Dad

Father’s Day has just passed here in Australia. Across the country, dads have been celebrated with breakfasts, phone calls, handmade cards and an impressive assortment of slightly quirky gifts. There were novelty socks, barbecue tools, coffee mugs with questionable slogans and gadgets whose purpose may never be fully understood. Some fathers received homemade creations constructed […]

Benign Prostate Enlargement and Water-Vapour Therapy: A Patient Guide

Benign prostate enlargement, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH becomes more common as men age. Enlargement may narrow the urethra, increase resistance to urinary flow and affect the way the bladder stores or empties urine. Not every enlarged prostate causes symptoms, and not every urinary symptom is caused by the prostate. Treatment should therefore […]

Clips for Benign Prostatic Enlargement: A Minimally Invasive Treatment That Preserves Ejaculation

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. As the prostate enlarges, its lateral lobes may compress the urethra and obstruct the flow of urine from the bladder. Common lower urinary tract symptoms include: A weak or interrupted urinary stream Difficulty starting urination Straining to pass urine Urinary frequency and urgency […]

A Temporary Stent for Benign Prostatic Enlargement: Temporary Treatment Without a Permanent Implant

Benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. As the prostate grows, it may compress the urethra and interfere with emptying the bladder. Typical symptoms include: A weak or interrupted urinary stream Difficulty starting urination Straining to pass urine Urinary frequency or urgency Getting up repeatedly at night Dribbling after urination […]