Urology

Urology is the medical specialty that focuses on health issues involving the male and female urinary-tract system as well as the male reproductive organs. The Urology Department at Hospital Ochoa employs the most advanced technology to diagnose and treat with great care and precision such disorders, and in particular, has achieved noteworthy results in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Common symptoms:

  • Kidney pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Blood in urine
  • Painful or burning sensation during urination

Common disorders:

  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (benign prostate enlargement)
  • Prostatitis (prostate infection)
  • Phimosis
  • Kidney stones
  • Bladder and prostate cancer

Prostate enlargement and cancer

Benign prostate enlargement is one of the most frequent health disorders in men. As this gland becomes enlarged, it places pressure on the bladder and urethra, which may cause difficulty starting to pee and a frequent need to pee.

At the age of 60, half of all men suffer from it and the percentage rises to 90% beyond the age of 80. Specialists recommend an annual prostate check from the age of 40 onwards. It is important to note that prostate enlargement is not usually a serious condition, nor does it have any relation to prostate cancer.

Below are a few key procedures and techniques related to prostate enlargement and cancer, conducted at Hospital Ochoa’s Urology Department:

Holmium laser prostate surgery (HoLEP). The Holmium laser treatment for an enlarged prostate is minimally invasive and offers fast recovery and symptom relief. The laser removes tissue that is blocking urine flow through the prostate, and a separate instrument is then used to cut the prostate tissue into easily removable fragments. It coagulates while cutting and does not damage surrounding tissue, thus reducing bleeding. The operation lasts one hour and is performed endoscopically. It requires a hospital stay of 24-48 hours and surgical reintervention is never necessary due to successful prostate tissue regrowth. This laser can also be applied to kidney stones, ureter tumors and urethral stenosis.

Fusion guided prostate biopsy. This procedure greatly surpasses the previous transrectal biopsy as it allows for an earlier and more accurate diagnosis. The greater accuracy is achieved by means of an MRI ultrasound, and performing the puncture through the perineum leads to a lower rate of bleeding and a better recovery time. The subsequent localised treatment of tumours may be conducted with irreversible electroporation (NanoKnife), an innovative technique which is only performed in a few hospitals in Spain.

Irreversible electroporation. This technique facilitates the safe and accurate surgical ablation of body areas that lie next to vessels and ducts, such as for example prostate cancer. Needle probes controlled by CT or ultrasound emit microsecond electrical pulses which open pores in cell membranes. With sufficient energy, the cells die and are cleared away by the lymphatic system. NanoKnife is non-thermal so it poses no heat dissipation problems and does not affect blood vessels or other critical structures. Hospitalisation lasts one day only, and the patient can return to work within 48 hours without any symptoms.

Other disorders and treatments

Hospital Ochoa has a team of expert urologists who are able to treat the following health issues:

Bladder: Urinary tract infection (UTI), urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, bladder cancer.

Kidney: kidney disease, kidney stones, kidney infection.

Pelvis: stress urinary incontinence, Pelvic floor dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction: Possible causes include heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, prescription medications, sleep disorders, or low testosterone. To every specific cause our team of specialists offers the best solutions, including implants.

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