Urology

Kidney stones are small, hard formations that form when you have high levels of salt and minerals in your urine. They can cause intense pain and disrupt your daily life when they move toward your bladder. Kidney stones are diagnosed with CT scans or ultrasounds, and smaller stones may pass naturally with increased fluid intake.

The urology team offers treatment options ranging from medical management and dietary counseling to minimally invasive procedures like shock wave and laser lithotripsy that break up or remove stones quickly and effectively. They will work with you to find relief and help prevent future stones from forming.

Common kidney stone symptoms include:

• Severe pain in your side, back or lower abdomen
• Pain during urination
• Blood in your urine
• Nausea or vomiting

While urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common, they shouldn't be ignored–especially if you experience them frequently. The urology team can identify underlying causes of recurrent infections and create a treatment plan to keep you healthy and comfortable. This might include lifestyle modifications, preventive medications or addressing anatomical issues that contribute to infections.



Common UTI symptoms:

• Frequent, urgent need to urinate
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain or pressure

An enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia) is common as men grow older. It happens when the prostate gland grows larger and presses against the urethra, making it difficult to urinate.

You don't have to live with frustrating symptoms, as treatment options range from lifestyle changes and medications to minimally invasive procedures that reduce prostate size and restore normal urinary function. The urology team will work with you to find the best solution for your symptoms and lifestyle.

Common symptoms include:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak urine stream
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Feeling like your bladder hasn't completely emptied

Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow within the prostate. Prostate cancer is often found early through PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screenings, but deciding whether to undergo screening is a personal choice. Your doctor may deem you to be at high risk for prostate cancer due to:

Age - The majority of cases are found in men 65 and older.

Family history - You’re at high risk if you or a family member has a history of prostate cancer or other cancers.

Race/ethnicity - African American men are at higher risk of prostate cancer and at risk of more aggressive cancers at a younger age.

A PSA screening is a simple blood test, and while high levels can point to prostate cancer, they can also be due to other non-cancerous conditions and may lead to unnecessary biopsies. Your doctor can help you make the best decision for your health. Even If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, in many cases it’s slow growing. The American Cancer Society reports the 5-year survival rate for both localized and regional prostate cancer is greater than 99%.

Physician Regional Medical Group’s urologists coordinate with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other specialists to ensure you receive seamless, coordinated care.

Treatment options may include:

• Active surveillance for slow-growing cancers
• Surgery, including robotic-assisted procedures
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Clinical trials and emerging therapies

Our providers are committed to treating not just your cancer, but supporting your overall well-being, managing side effects and helping you maintain the best possible quality of life.

Early detection and treatment are crucial for bladder and kidney cancers. The urology team uses advanced diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible. Our providers strive to offer the most effective treatment with the fastest recovery possible.

Warning signs to discuss with your doctor include:

• Blood in your urine
• Persistent back or side pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent urination or pain during urination
• Fatigue

After thorough evaluation and staging, our team develops a personalized treatment plan that may include surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or a combination of approaches. For many patients, we can perform minimally invasive or robotic-assisted surgery, which often means smaller incisions, less pain and quicker recovery.