Dermatologic Manifestations of Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Boone Health Center Hopes New Treatment For Enlarged Prostate Will Encourage Men To Seek Treatment

Boone Health is now the first medical facility in mid-Missouri to offer a less invasive treatment for enlarged prostate glands, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Aquablation Therapy, a relatively new treatment method, uses ultrasounds and a robotic-assisted system to remove prostate tissue with a pressurized, heat-free water jet.

Dr. Phillip Fish of Urology Associates of Central Missouri said other treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia sometimes require incisions and take up to two hours of surgical time, but Aquablation Therapy usually takes 40 minutes. This means men can save on both anesthesia and recovery time. The technology is 99% effective in returning sexual and urinary function to men, according to Fish.

"I've had patients that said they couldn't go to see their grandson play basketball because they couldn't sit still and not go the bathroom every 20 minutes," said Fish, who is one of two doctors at Boone Health approved to give the surgery. "The hope is that those guys don't have to suffer like that anymore."

According to Yale Medicine, half of men aged 51-60 deal with an enlarged prostate, and the number jumps to 80% in men over 80.

Aquablation Therapy also shows more long-term success than existing procedures that frequently lead to urinary leakage and sexual dysfunction, according to Fish. Five years after their initial surgery, Boone Health says men typically report satisfaction.

Fish said he hopes the treatment's higher effectiveness, in addition to its non-invasive nature, will encourage men who have been hesitant to seek treatment because of the common side effects.

"Most men, to some degree, are going to have some enlargement, and some of them are bothered by those symptoms and seek care for it," he said. "But a lot probably just think that it's not worth the risks associated with it, so they kind of suffer in silence."

Prior to offering this treatment method, Fish said sometimes he'd referred patients to St. Louis or Kansas City for the less invasive treatment. Last October, Mercy Hospital in St. Louis implemented Aquablation Therapy in response to high demand from patients.

"We eased into it, you know, and quickly adopted it as our mainstay of treatment," said Mercy Hospital urologist Dr. Greg McLennan. "It is something we do frequently. Now we have men coming from all over the state seeking us out to do it."

Though McLennan likes to fit treatment to each patient's needs, he said Aquablation Therapy is popular at Mercy Hospital because it allows doctors to personally design the surgical treatment.

"It's kind of the state-of-the-art, where things are going. It's a refined way of doing an old-fashioned surgery," he said, explaining that treatment for enlarged prostates has existed for over a century.

Boone Health will host a webinar about the procedure on Wednesday at 6:30 pm. Anyone interested in attending can register online at https://boone.Pub/at-webinar.

NJ Hospital First In The World To Use AI-Powered System To Treat Prostate Enlargement

Healthcare

On Sep 18, 2024

Earlier this month, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center became the first hospital in the world to treat patients with Aquablation® therapy using the new HYDROS™ Robotic System. This next-generation platform treats men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate.

Aquablation therapy is an innovative approach – delivering a heat-free waterjet so intense – that removes excess prostate tissue. The new HYDROS System is now delivered by an AI-powered robot that is clinically proven to provide significant, durable BPH symptom relief while preserving sexual function and continence across prostates of all shapes and sizes – a combination of benefits previously unattainable with traditional treatments.

BPH is a common consequence of aging, affecting half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60, with as many as 99% reporting a decrease in their quality of life. BPH impairs urinary function, making it considerably more difficult to urinate. Common symptoms include a weak urinary stream, a frequent or urgent need to urinate, nighttime urination, and trouble fully emptying the bladder. If left untreated, BPH can lead to serious health problems such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, incontinence, retention of urine, and permanent bladder or kidney damage. When medications prove ineffective or cause troublesome side effects, surgery is often the standard treatment option; however, many surgical procedures can negatively affect sexual function and continence.

"The symptoms of BPH are very annoying," described Abdo Saad who was recently diagnosed with the condition and not satisfied with traditional treatment options including medications or surgery. "I did my research to find a more innovative alternative," explained the 66-year-old computer engineer, who was once named 'Innovator of the Year' by his own industry. "I knew there had to be something more state-of-the-art, which I found at Hackensack University Medical Center." Mr. Saad sought the expertise of another innovator, Ravi Munver, MD, FACS, vice chair, Department of Urology and director of Minimally Invasive & Robotic Urologic Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. Dr. Munver explained the procedure, the advantages of the new technology, and receiving it from one of the Top 50 nationally ranked Urology (#17) programs in the country according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-25 Best Hospitals list. Mr. Saad was excited to be the first patient in the world to benefit from this cutting-edge advancement.

Aquablation therapy was designed to offer a minimally invasive and effective solution for BPH, minimizing the need for men to choose between safety and efficacy. Aquablation therapy is unique in its use of real-time, ultrasound-guided, robotic-assisted waterjet technology, allowing surgeons to create a personalized treatment plan that precisely targets which prostate tissue to remove and which to preserve. With this tailored approach, the system accurately removes problematic tissue while safeguarding critical anatomy.

The HYDROS Robotic System represents the next evolution in Aquablation therapy. It features FirstAssist AI™ treatment planning, advanced image guidance, robotic resection, and a streamlined workflow. It integrates next-generation ultrasound imaging and digital cystoscopy, providing surgeons with a multi-dimensional, detailed view of the entire prostate. The HYDROS System is designed to improve efficiency, enhance surgeon and staff experience, and deliver more accurate and consistent treatment plans for better clinical outcomes.

"We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this groundbreaking treatment," said Robert C. Garrett, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. "Enlarged prostate affects millions of men worldwide, and this new procedure offers them a new hope for improved quality of life."

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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Prostate Cancer Is One Of Most Common Cancers In Men, Here's What You Need To Know

By Dr. Stephen StrupUniversity of Kentucky

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the U.S. While early detection can lead to successful treatment of aggressive cancers, many prostate cancers grow slowly and may not cause harm during someone's lifetime.

Leading medical organizations recommend that beginning at age 55, men of average risk should have a discussion with their health care provider about the decision to get screened for prostate cancer, including the benefits and potential risks.

What does prostate cancer screening involve?

(NKyTribune file)

The most widely recommended screening test for prostate cancer is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which measures the level of a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, but can also be caused by other conditions including an enlarged prostate or prostatic inflammation.

What are the current recommendations for prostate cancer screening?

The American Urological Association (AUA) recommends the following guidelines for prostate cancer screening

• Under age 40: Routine screening is not recommended.

• Age 40-54: Routine screening is not recommended for men at average risk. However, men with higher risk factors should discuss the benefits and risks of screening with their health care provider.

• Age 55-69: This is the age group that may benefit most from screening. The AUA recommends shared decision-making between the patient and health care provider. For those who choose screening, the AUA suggests an interval of two years or more between screening tests, rather than annual screening.

• Age 70 and older: Routine screening is not recommended. However, some men in excellent health may benefit from screening and should discuss this with their health care provider.

What about men with higher-than-average risk factors?

Men with the following risk factors should have a discussion with their health care provider about screening starting at age 40-45, or possibly earlier for those with strong family history or genetic predisposition.

• Black or African American race: Black men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and tend to develop more aggressive forms of the disease.

• Family history: Men with a first-degree relative (father, brother or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer, especially at a young age, have an increased risk.

• Known genetic mutations: Certain inherited gene changes (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations) can increase prostate cancer risk.

Remember, these guidelines are general recommendations. Each man's situation is unique, and decisions about prostate cancer screening should be made on an individual basis in consultation with your health care provider.

Dr. Stephen Strup, M.D. Is a UK Markey Cancer Center urologist and chair of the University of Kentucky Department of Urology.

Tagged: American Urological Association Dr. Stephen Strup Prostate Cancer risk factors Routine screening screening second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men

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