Urology Services

The American Urological Association recommends men begin annual prostate exams and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests to help detect any prostate problems starting at age 40. 

High risk - African-Americans, Hispanics and men with a family history of prostate cancer should begin annual screenings early or as recommended by their physician.

The prostate is a chestnut-shaped gland within the male reproductive system that is located just below the bladder. It surrounds the beginning of the urethra, the canal that empties the bladder.

When you are young, the prostate is about the size of a walnut and slowly grows with age. This becomes common after the age of 50. This condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cancer and other infections can also cause urinary problems.

Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas offers advanced treatment for men with prostate health issues including the daVinci Robotic Surgical System®, a minimally invasive treatment for prostate cancer, and the GreenLight PVP™ Laser treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate. 

For more information or referral to a urologist, call 1.800.4BAYLOR. 

Types of Prostate Disease

Prostate health concerns include more than prostate cancer. There are a variety of issues that can affect the prostate. Some of the prostate health concerns we treat are:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• Prostate cancer
• Prostatitis – acute
• Prostatitis – chronic
• Prostatitis – nonbacterial

Prostate Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of a variety of forms of prostate disease can be similar so it is important to check with your physician if you have any of these problems:

• Frequent urination
• Difficulty starting or stopping urination
• Inability to urinate
• A feeling that the bladder is not empty
• Weak or interrupted urine stream
• Pain or burning during urination
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Frequent pain in the lower back, hips or ribs
• Unexplained weight loss
• Prostate Diagnosis Options

It is important for all men age 40 or older to have an annual prostate exam. This may aide in the early detection of any prostate health issues. Prostate cancer is most often diagnosed through several tests including a prostate exam, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a prostate sonogram and biopsy. Those at highest risk including African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should begin this annual screening by age 40.

Here are some tests we may use to diagnose your prostate issues:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• Cystoscopy
• Digital Rectal Exam
• Intravenous Pyelogram
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
• Urinalysis
• Urine Culture
• Voiding Cystourethrogram
• Prostatitis – Acute, Chronic and Non-Bacterial
• Urinalysis
• Urine Culture
• Prostate Cancer
• Digital Rectal Exam
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test

Prostate Health Treatment

If you have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate, you may be able to be treated with the GreenLight PVP™ Laser that uses a laser to vaporize excess tissue.

Prostate cancer is often treated surgically by performing a prostatectomy. Baylor Dallas now features this procedure performed with the daVinci Robotic Surgical System® that allows a urologist on the medical staff at Baylor Dallas to use robotics to more precisely remove tissue.

Other potential treatment strategies for prostate and other urologic cancers include:

• CyberKnife
• Chemotherapy
• Hormonal Therapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Prostate Surgery - Prostatectomy