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What is Radical Prostatectomy (Surgery) for Prostate Cancer?

What is Radical Prostatectomy (Surgery) for Prostate Cancer? Radical prostatectomy is surgical removal of the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles (little organs attached to the prostate which make semen). The goal of prostate removal is to cure a man of prostate cancer by removing the diseased organ from his body. It is a validated, safe treatment option with high cure rates and high patient satisfaction reports. You will need general anesthesia and a short hospital stay (usually one night). As with all surgery, there is risk for bleeding, infection and pain in the short term. Erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence may also be of concern. In general, smoking, older age, diabetes and obesity increase risks for these problems. Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP) Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP) is the most common type of prostate surgery today. The surgeon is assisted with a roboti...
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Overactive Bladder

OVERACTIVE BLADDER   OAB is a symptom complex not a disease.  It should be treated only as a means of improving quality of life.  If treatment does not improve quality of life then no treatment is an acceptable option. Patients may be seeking an evaluation of their symptoms in order to rule out a life-threatening condition.  Once the appropriate evaluation is complete they may not be interested in treatment for mild or moderate OAB symptoms.  First Line Treatments:   First line  treatments for OAB are behavioral therapies that should be offered to all patients alone or in combination with other modalities as they can be highly effective in improving OAB symptoms have limited or no side effects. Behavioral therapies include ;  fluid management ,  bladder training ,  bladder control strategies ,  urgency suppression and pelvic floor muscle training and all can be supplemented with biofeedback techniques . ...
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Low Testosterone and Testosterone Replacement

Testosterone replacement is becoming more mainstream as public awareness of the problem increases. This is a powerful male hormone responsible for many essential functions and secondary effects in the body. Unfortunately, aging causes our natural production of the hormone to decrease, resulting in side effects that can become bothersome. After the ages of 30-40, testosterone starts to drop off about 1% a year.  Symptoms can include low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue or tiredness, loss of mental focus, decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, depressed mood and (possibly) increased risk of cardiovascular disease, anemia and decreased bone mineral density.  There are many reasons a man can have low testosterone. Your doctor will perform a history and physical exam as well as blood work to determine if (and why) testosterone is lower than normal. If it is in fact low and symptoms are consistent with low testosterone, replacement may be indicated (depending...
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Kidney mass- Background, Work-up & Treatment Options

Kidney Mass A CT scan ("Cat scan") depicting a mass of the left kidney (on right of screen) Kidney masses can be solid or cystic with the majority of solid masses being malignant (cancer)  Urology Care Foundation's video on kidney masses (press play for more information) It is important to speak to your doctor about your specific situation as there could be variations in protocols. This is not meant as a substitute for medical care. It is a supplement to your discussion with me. Background:  A common urologic problem is masses of the kidney. Masses of the kidney are typically  tumors (an abnormal growth of cells) with both terms being used interchangeably when referring to solid growths of the kidney. However, a mass of the kidney could also signify a cyst  (a fluid filled structure) that changes the normal anatomic appearance of the organ. Tumors are typically solid structures and cysts are usually hollow and fluid filled, yet dependi...
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Biography and Care Philosophy

BIOGRAPHY:  Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez is an experienced and knowledgeable urologist with expertise in conditions afflicting the adult urinary tract and genitalia. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville where he graduated with honors. He was then accepted to the prestigious urologic surgery program at the University of South Florida in Tampa Bay.  During his urology residency he trained with surgeons at Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa General Hospital, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and with pediatric urologists at Nemours Children’s Hospital and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. He has published numerous articles and a book chapter on urologic diseases including kidney stone disease and congenital anomalies of the kidney.  A native Floridian from Naples, he has expertise in kidney stone disease, urologic oncology (including prostate, kidney, bladder, ureteral, penile and testicular cancers), voiding dysfunction...
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Introduction: Ricardo Dario Gonzalez, M.D. Urologist

Hello! I'm a new urologist with Urology Partners of Bradenton, a division of 21st Century Oncology. Along with 7 other experienced urologists we serve our community for all of their urologic health needs. We have offices in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, Florida.  I've decided to start a blog in order to better share news and information with my patients. I believe we should all have access to clear and concise information in order to guide the best decision making possible. This is most important in medicine where we are often pressed to make difficult and life-altering decisions with incomplete information. Unfortunately, in healthcare information can at times be confusing, conflicting, misleading and overwhelming. This misinformation can lead people to believe they have a good grasp on a condition and set them down an incorrect (or dangerous) path. Furthermore, we are all prone to biases which can lead to errors in judgement, such as seeking out information that on...
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