What is urology?
Urology is a specialty within modern medicine that deals with diseases relating to the urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. It is a surgical specialty with an extensive scope. Mentioned below are the seven subspecialty parts of urology named by the American Urological Association:
- Female urology focuses on conditions that affect the female reproductive system and urinary tract.
- Male infertility focuses on problems that prevent men from conceiving babies.
- Neuro-urology focuses on urinary issues due to conditions affecting the nervous system.
- Pediatric urology focuses on urinary problems in children.
- Urologic oncology focuses on cancers affecting the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, prostate, and testicles.
- Renal (kidney) transplants involve surgically replacing a damaged or diseased kidney with a healthy donated kidney. They are usually the treatment of choice for kidney failure.
- Calculi (urinary tract stones) focuses on surgically removing kidney stones (hard mineral or acid salt deposits that stick together in concentrated urine).
Who is a urologist?
A urologist is a doctor of urology. In addition to urology, urologists know internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and other aspects of human health care.
The urinary tract serves the same function in both males and females; it creates, stores, and removes urine from the body. Urologists diagnose diseases and treat any part of the urinary tract, which includes:
- Kidneys (filters waste out of the blood to form urine)
- Ureters (long tubes through which urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder)
- Bladder (the hollow sac that stores urine)
- Urethra (the tube through which urine transfers from the bladder out of the body)
- Adrenal glands (hormonal glands located on top of each kidney)
Urologists also diagnose and treat all parts of the male reproductive system, which consists of the following:
- Penis (releases urine and carries sperm out of the body)
- Prostate (the gland that adds fluid to sperm to produce semen)
- Testicles (oval organs inside the scrotum that make testosterone and produce sperm)
If needed, urologists can also perform surgery. For example, they might surgically remove cancerous tissues or open up a blockage in the urinary tract.
It can be easy to confuse urologists with nephrologists. Nephrologists focus only on the kidneys. Nephrology is considered a subspecialty but belongs to internal medicine rather than urology. Nephrologists treat diseases like high blood pressure that develop elsewhere in the body due to kidney problems or conditions caused by kidney problems.
Education and training requirements of a urologist
Aspiring urologists must first get a bachelor's degree and then clear the Medical College Admissions Test to get into a medical school. Earning a medical degree takes four years. After that, they enroll in a residency program in urology for five to six years. During this time, they get trained in the surgical and medical treatment of urologic diseases.
Also, if the candidate is looking to specialize in a particular field, they can consider a fellowship that could take up to three years after residency. Urologists also have the option to apply to the American Board of Urology for board certification following a residency. Doctors must then pass their state medical examinations and follow any requirements set forth by the medical board to be able to practice medicine.
What conditions do urologists treat?
Kidney stones are the most common reason one visits a urologist. Other conditions a urologist treats involve but are not limited to:
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Penile cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Adrenal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Prostate gland enlargement in men
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Infertility in men
- Interstitial cystitis, also called painful bladder syndrome, in men and women.
- Kidney diseases
- Bladder prolapse
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Bed-wetting
- Urinary tract blockages
- Undescended testicles in children
What should you expect during your initial visit to a urologist near you?
Your initial visit to a urologist might be different from one with your primary care physician. You will be filling out paperwork and providing information about your medical history, present symptoms, and any medications you are currently taking.
The urologist will conduct a physical examination, including genital and rectal examinations. They may also request blood work or imaging tests like a CT scan or ultrasound to better understand your condition. Once your diagnosis is confirmed, the urologist will chart your treatment plan. Following the treatment plan as per instructions is imperative to overcome your ailments. You may also be required to visit for a follow-up if necessary.
Three FAQs on preparing for your first urology appointment
Going to a new specialist can feel intimidating at first. However, you can calm your nerves by preparing for the appointment beforehand. You already learned what to expect during your first visit with a urologist near you and the information you should carry for a seamless experience. Now, let's focus on steps to make your consultation more comfortable. Read the following FAQs and take down notes for your visit:
- What should I wear to the urologist appointment?
The urologist may ask you to change into a hospital gown to examine your genitals and anus. Therefore, ideally, you should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes such as a T-shirt and sweatpants that you can easily remove and wear back.
- Is it a good idea to remove hair down there?
Whether you have pubic hair or not does not make a difference to the urologist. They will always maintain a non-judgmental, caring, and respectable approach, ensuring you feel comfortable throughout the consultation. So, shaving or waxing your private area is your personal choice. However, please remember that if hair removal causes any pain or inflammation, avoiding it before your appointment is better as it can make the physical exam uncomfortable.
- Do I need to follow any specific instructions before the visit?
Before you walk into the urologist's clinic, call their office to discuss any specific do's and don'ts you must follow for the appointment. For instance, if the provider conducts a urine test or ultrasound, you may need to drink ample water.
What are some standard urology procedures?
Urologists perform various invasive and non-invasive urology procedures to diagnose or treat urological conditions, including:
- Circumcision: It involves the surgical removal of the foreskin on the penis, most often done on newborns. It helps with easier genital hygiene and lowers the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and penile cancer.
- Cystoscopy: This procedure uses a thin, long tube with a camera and light fixed on one end called a cystoscope. It aids in diagnosing and treating bladder and urethra problems, such as urinary incontinence, blood in urine, and painful urination.
- Lithotripsy: This is a process that uses shock waves or lasers to divide kidney stones into smaller pieces so they can be easily passed while urinating.
- Nephrectomy: It is the surgical removal of the kidney or a part of it to help treat kidney cancer, non-cancerous tumors, or a severely damaged or diseased kidney.
- Orchiopexy: During this surgery, the doctor moves the testicle from the abdomen or groin region into the scrotum, which is attached using a "tacking stitch."
- Penile plication: This surgical procedure helps treat Peyronie's Disease, a condition that leads to painful, curved erections.
- Penile implants: These are devices that are placed inside the penis to help with erections. These can be helpful for those with erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's Disease.
- Prostate biopsy: This is a procedure to remove samples of suspicious prostate tissues for examination and helps detect prostate cancer.
- Ureteroscopy: This procedure involves using a ureteroscope, a long, thin tube with a light and camera at one end, to diagnose and treat kidney stones.
- Vasectomy: It is a surgical procedure for long-term male birth control. In this, the surgeon cuts and seals the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm.
- Vasectomy reversal: It is a process most often done when the man wishes to attempt having children again. It involves reconnecting the vas deferens to allow sperm to travel to the semen again.
How can a urologist help in your prostate cancer treatment?
One is said to have cancer when cells in the body begin to grow out of control and start harming the body. Prostate cancer begins when this takes place in the prostate gland cells.
- Diagnosis: Several prostate cancer patients receive their diagnosis from a urologist. When a urologist suspects prostate cancer after performing a physical examination, digital rectal examination (DRE), or a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), they may conduct a prostate biopsy and order other imaging tests. The PSA test is the most common screening test for prostate cancer. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggests that men aged 55-69 years discuss the pros and cons of PSA screening with their physicians.
- Treatments: The urologist will assign you a Gleason score, which indicates the likelihood of cancer metastasizing or spreading. If surgery is required to remove cancerous tissue, the urologist may perform a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Oncology and radiology specialists may handle other aspects of prostate cancer treatment.
Best urologists near you in Detroit, Michigan
Being reckless and uninformed when choosing healthcare providers for your condition could be dangerous. Zocdoc helps you receive the best available treatment by connecting you with the top urologists in your area—Detroit, Michigan.
Our comprehensive urology directory provides access to your location's top-rated and experienced urologists licensed by the American Board of Urology. You may choose from thousands of doctors based on patient ratings, reviews, and the doctor's education, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, and certifications.
All doctor profiles on Zocdoc are verified and updated to assist you in making an informed decision from the comfort of your home. Once you choose the best urologist near you for your unique case, Zocdoc will help you instantly book an appointment for your first session. You can also utilize Zocdoc's insurance card capture feature to submit your medical insurance information. This way, you can easily find in-network providers.
However, what happens when you do not have a health plan or do not want to use it to book your appointment? It's simple—you can acknowledge you are paying out-of-pocket by selecting the option "I'm paying for myself" in the search bar. You will receive a long list of providers offering consultations without asking for insurance details. If you have any more insurance-related queries, you are not alone—most patients do, too! You must check out our compilation of insurance FAQs on the Zocdoc patient help center page.
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Statistical data on prostate cancer in Michigan
Prostate cancer is the most common form of diagnosed cancer and the second topmost cause of death due to cancer among Michigan men. In 2019, data from the American Cancer Society's Cancer Statistics Center estimated 4,580 new cases of prostate cancer and 980 cases of prostate cancer deaths in Michigan men.
Data from the 2015 Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program (MCSP) study suggested that there were about 90% of Michigan prostate cancer cases at either the localized or regional stage. The five-year survival rate for the diagnosis at the localized stage stood at 100%, while the same for the distant stage stood at 30%.
Based on 2019 data from the Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program (MCSP), new prostate cancer diagnoses significantly decreased from 182 cases per 100,000 men in 1995 to 101 cases per 100,000 Michigan men in 2016. Deaths from prostate cancer also reduced considerably from 37 per 100,000 Michigan men in 1996 to 17 per 100,000 in 2016.
Sources
Urology Care Foundation
Healthline
Moffitt Cancer Center
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
American Cancer Society[1]
American Cancer Society[2]
American Cancer Society[3]
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
Alliance Urology Specialists
Urology Associates
Norman Urology Associates
Northwell Health
Women's Health and Menopause Center
Zocdoc
