Stoma care is the essential daily management of a surgically created opening (stoma) on the abdomen, typically for waste elimination. It involves meticulous cleaning, proper pouching, and skin protection to prevent irritation and infection. With education and routine, people with stomas can maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

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Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland in men, often growing slowly. Early stages typically have no symptoms, but later signs may include urinary changes. Risk factors involve age and family history. Treatments range from monitoring (active surveillance) to surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy, tailored to the individual. A healthy lifestyle can support overall well-being.

🟡 Prostate Cancer

After prostate cancer surgery, your journey involves recovery and monitoring. Common concerns include temporary urinary changes and erectile dysfunction, which often improve with time and targeted therapies like pelvic floor exercises. Regular follow-up, including PSA tests, is vital for long-term health, and healthy lifestyle choices play a key role in your well-being.

🟡 Prostate Cancer: After Surgery

Active surveillance for prostate cancer is a personalized approach for low-risk, slow-growing cancers. Instead of immediate treatment, it involves close monitoring with regular PSA tests, DREs, and sometimes biopsies/MRIs. This aims to avoid or delay treatment side effects while ensuring cancer remains low-risk. Healthy lifestyle choices are encouraged for overall well-being.

🟡 Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance

Prostate cancer screening involves tests like a PSA blood test and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) to check for early signs in men, typically over 50. Its aim is to find prostate cancer early, as it often has no symptoms in its initial stages, allowing for more treatment options. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor, as healthy lifestyle choices also support prostate health.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Cancer is a disease where the body's cells grow abnormally and uncontrollably. Symptoms vary widely depending on the type and location, but common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. While causes are complex, healthy lifestyle choices like diet and exercise can influence risk and overall health.

Cancer basics

Advanced prostate cancer means the cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland, often to bones or lymph nodes. Symptoms may vary depending on where it has spread. Treatment aims to control the disease, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life using therapies such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or newer systemic treatments. Support and a healthy lifestyle are important.

Prostate cancer, advanced

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in your kidneys, often causing severe back or side pain and sometimes blood in the urine. They can be linked to dehydration or diet. While painful, many pass with increased fluids, or medical procedures may be needed for larger stones. Staying well-hydrated is crucial for prevention.

Kidney stones

Kidney cysts are common, fluid-filled sacs that can form in the kidneys. Many are harmless, cause no symptoms, and require no treatment. Others may need monitoring or intervention if they grow large, cause pain, or affect kidney function. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle generally supports kidney health.

Kidney Cysts

Kidney cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in your kidney, often presenting as a mass. Early on, there may be no symptoms, but later signs can include blood in urine or back pain. While exact causes are often unclear, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding smoking, and managing weight can help reduce risk. Treatment options vary and are tailored to each individual.

Kidney mass / Cancer

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma is cancer that develops in the lining of the kidney or ureter (the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder). Key symptoms often include blood in the urine. While smoking and certain chemical exposures are common risk factors, treatment typically involves surgery, and lifestyle changes like quitting smoking are crucial.

Urothelial Carcinoma of the Upper Tract

Enlarged Prostate (BPH) is a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland in older men. It can cause bothersome urinary symptoms like frequent urges, a weak stream, or difficulty emptying the bladder. Management often involves lifestyle adjustments, medications, or procedures to improve urine flow and enhance quality of life.

Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal cells form in your bladder's lining. The most common symptom is blood in urine, sometimes with frequent or painful urination. Smoking is a key cause, along with certain chemical exposures. Treatment options often include surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the cancer stage. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, especially quitting smoking, is important for prevention and management.

Bladder cancer

Blood in the urine, or hematuria, means blood is present, either visible (pink/red/brown) or microscopic. While often caused by treatable conditions like infections or kidney stones, it's crucial to see a doctor to identify the underlying cause and determine the best approach. Staying well-hydrated can sometimes help prevent certain contributing factors.

Blood in the urine

Bladder wall thickening means the muscular wall of your bladder is thicker than normal. This can lead to symptoms like frequent urination, urgency, or discomfort. Common causes include infections, inflammation, or blockages (e.g., enlarged prostate, stones). Treatment targets the underlying cause, and maintaining good hydration can support bladder health.

Bladder wall thickening

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is a common condition in post-menopausal women, stemming from lower estrogen, which causes symptoms like vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and urinary changes. Effective treatments, including lubricants, moisturizers, and specific therapies, can significantly improve comfort and quality of life, with staying well-hydrated also being helpful.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual activity. This common condition can be caused by physical factors like diabetes or heart disease, psychological stress, or lifestyle choices. Effective treatments and lifestyle changes, such as healthy diet and exercise, can often help improve ED.

Erectile dysfunction

A ureteral stricture is a narrowing of the ureter, the tube carrying urine from your kidney to your bladder. This can lead to pain, kidney swelling, or recurrent infections, often caused by scar tissue from injury, surgery, or kidney stones. Treatment focuses on widening or bypassing the narrowed section to restore proper urine flow.

Ureteral Stricture

UPJ Obstruction is a blockage where your kidney connects to the ureter, the tube that carries urine to the bladder. This can cause urine to back up, leading to symptoms like side pain, nausea, or infection. It can be present from birth or develop later, and treatments are available to ensure proper kidney drainage and health.

UPJ Obstruction

Testicular cancer is a treatable cancer that begins in the testicles, often appearing as a painless lump, swelling, or heaviness in the scrotum. While its exact causes are unclear (an undescended testicle is a known risk factor), it's highly curable, especially when caught early. Treatment typically involves surgery, sometimes with chemotherapy or radiation, making self-awareness and regular self-exams important for timely detection.

Testicular Cancer

Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a common condition causing a sudden, strong urge to urinate, often leading to frequent bathroom trips day and night, and sometimes accidental leakage. This occurs when the bladder muscles contract involuntarily. Lifestyle adjustments like managing fluid intake and diet, along with bladder training and various medications, can effectively help manage symptoms and improve daily life.

Overactive bladder

Vasectomy is a highly effective, permanent form of male birth control. It's a minor surgical procedure that prevents sperm from reaching the semen, thus preventing pregnancy. This procedure does not affect sex drive, hormone levels, or ejaculation volume, offering couples peace of mind about family planning.

Vasectomy

A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. This can cause symptoms like a weak urine stream, difficulty emptying your bladder, or pain. It often results from injury, inflammation, or infection. Thankfully, it's a treatable condition to restore normal urine flow.

Urethral stricture

An adrenal mass is a growth found on one of your small adrenal glands, located above your kidney. Most are benign (non-cancerous) and found by chance, causing no symptoms. However, some may produce excess hormones or, less commonly, be cancerous. A doctor will evaluate it to determine its nature and guide appropriate care, which might include monitoring or removal.

Adrenal Mass

Post-procedure instructions are personalized guidelines you receive after a medical test or treatment. They are crucial for safe healing, managing discomfort, and preventing complications like infection. Following these directions, which may include advice on activity, medications, and wound care, ensures your best recovery.

Post Procedure Instructions

Low testosterone (low T) occurs when your body doesn't produce enough of this key male hormone. Symptoms often include fatigue, reduced sex drive, mood changes, and decreased muscle/bone mass. Causes range from aging and health conditions to lifestyle factors; management may involve lifestyle adjustments (like diet and exercise) and, if appropriate, hormone therapy, all discussed with your doctor.

Low testosterone

David Canes

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Associate Professor of Urology

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Board Certified Urologist

Medical Director, Lahey Urology at Parkland Medical Center

Director of Robotic Surgery, Parkland Medical Center

Cancer conditions affecting the bladder, the organ storing urine.

Conditions affecting your bladder, kidneys, and how you urinate.

Bladder and Urinary Issues

Diseases where body cells grow abnormally and can spread.

Cancer

Conditions where your body bleeds too easily or can't stop bleeding.

Bleeding Concerns

Conditions affecting male organs, fertility, and sexual health.

Men's Reproductive Health

Health conditions affecting sex organs, fertility, & sexual well-being.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Problems that stop urine from flowing freely from your kidneys, bladder, or tubes.

Blockages in the Urinary Tract

Conditions from hard, stone-like deposits in kidneys and urinary tract.

Kidney Stones

Conditions affecting your kidneys and the tubes that carry urine.

Kidney & Ureter Conditions

Prostate problems that affect men's urination and health.

Prostate Conditions

Cancers that start in the prostate gland, a male reproductive organ.

Prostate Cancer

Conditions that don't fit into other main groups. A mixed collection of health issues.

Other

Problems with bladder, bowel, pain, or pelvic organ support.

Pelvic Floor & Pelvic Health

Conditions causing accidental urine leakage or loss of bladder control.

Urinary Incontinence

Health issues treated by operations and care for healing.

Surgical and Post-Surgical Care

Bladder problems preventing normal urine flow, requiring a new way for urine to exit the body.

Urinary Diversion

Everyday health, wellness tips, and understanding how to manage your care.

General Health & Patient Education

Kidney Cancer

Infections affecting your urinary tract, bladder, and private areas.

Urinary & Intimate Infections

Health issues impacting women's bodies and well-being, including reproductive health.

Women's Health

Problems with glands on your kidneys that make hormones for stress, energy, and blood pressure.

Adrenal conditions

Tests to find what's wrong or to check for health problems.

Screening and Diagnostic Procedures

Medical procedures are planned steps healthcare professionals take to diagnose, treat, or manage various health conditions. These can include diagnostic tests like imaging, therapeutic interventions, or surgical operations, all aimed at improving your health.

David Canes, MD

Stoma Care

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