Glossary

Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) – Sometimes complicated cases of incontinence require the implantation of a device known as an artificial urinary sphincter.  People who might benefit from this treatment include those who are incontinent after surgery for prostate cancer or stress incontinence, trauma victims and people with congenital defects in the urinary system.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) – A condition in which the prostate becomes enlarged as part of the aging process.  Signs of BPH usually begin between the ages of 30 and 50 years old.

Biofeedback– A procedure that uses electrodes to help people gain awareness and control of their pelvic muscles.

Botox bisection for bladder: is a powerful drug that acts to temporarily paralyze muscles when it is locally injected. … It is commonly used for diverse conditions like muscle spasticity, headaches, as well as the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Catheterization – Insertion of a slender tube through the urethra or through an anterior abdominal wall into the bladder, urinary reservoir, or urinary conduit to allow urine drainage.

Cyst – A lump filled with either fluid or soft material, occurring in any organ or tissue; may occur for any number of reasons, but is usually harmless unless its presence disrupts organ or tissue function.

Cystocele – A herniation of the bladder into the vagina.

Cystoscopy – A flexible scope is inserted into the urethra and then into the bladder, to determine abnormalities in the bladder and lower urinary tract.

4k Score Test:  A blood test that accurately identifies the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

HOLAP/ Green Light Laser: A laser is used to melt away (vaporize) excess prostate tissue and enlarge the urinary channel. Holmium laser ablation of the prostate.

Hysteropexy: Surgical fixation of a misplaced or abnormally movable uterus.

InterStim Continence Control Therapy – A therapy used in treating urinary retention and symptoms of overactive bladder, including urinary urge incontinence and urgency-frequency. The therapy uses a small implanted device to send mild electrical pulses through a thin wire to the sacral nerve, which controls the bladder and surrounding muscles.

Kidney – One pair of organs located at the back of the abdominal cavity.  Kidneys make urine through blood filtration.

Laparoscopy – Surgery using a laparoscope to visualize internal organs through a small incision.  Generally, less invasive than traditional surgeries requiring a shorter recovery period.

Lithotripsy – A procedure done to break up stones in the urinary tract using ultrasonic shock waves or lasers, so that the fragments can be easily passed through the body.

Metastasis – The spreading of a cancerous tumor to another part of the body.

MDX -> Prostate – Second opinion for negative biopsy with an elevated PSA lab results.

MP MRI: a hybrid imaging method used in which the MRI images are fused with the real-time ultrasound images — an approach known as MRI/ULTRASOUND fusion biopsy. This approach has the advantage of using the superior imaging of the MRI coupled with easier-to-use ultrasound guidance and can be done in the office setting.

Nephrectomy – The removal of an entire kidney.

Partial Nephrectomy- The removal of a tumor with preservation of the kidney.

Oncotype DX -> PCA is a tumor profiling test that helps determine the benefit of using chemotherapy in addition to hormone therapy

Overactive Bladder – A condition characterized by involuntary bladder muscles contractions during the bladder filling phase, which the patient cannot suppress.

Pelvic Muscle Exercises – These exercises are intended to improve your pelvic muscle tone and prevent leakage for sufferers of  Stress Urinary Incontinence.  Also call Kegel exercises. (see biofeedback)

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) – Percutaneous means “through the skin.” In PCNL the surgeon or urologist makes a 1-centimeter incision under local anesthesia in the patient’s back, through which an instrument called a nephroscope is passed directly into the kidney and, if necessary, the ureter. Smaller stones may be manually extracted. Large ones may need to be broken up with ultrasonic, electrohydraulic or laser-tipped probes before they can be extracted. A tube may be inserted into the kidney for drainage.

Prostate: A muscular, walnut-sized gland that surrounds part of the urethra. It secretes seminal fluid, a milky substance that combines with sperm (produced in the testicles) to form semen.

Plasma Button Vaporization: Uses a small, button-shaped device to vaporize prostate tissue.

Prostatectomy: Surgical removal of the prostate.

Retrograde Ejaculation – The discharge of semen into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out of the body.

Sacrocolpopexy: Is a surgical technique for correction of vaginal prolapses.

Stress urinary incontinence: Urinary incontinence: The involuntary loss of urine during period of increased abdominal pressure. Such events include laughing, sneezing, coughing or lifting heavy objects.

Supracervical Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy in which the body of the uterus is removed but the cervix is kept intact.

Testosterone: The sex hormone that stimulates development of male sex characteristics and bone and muscle growth; produced by the testicles and in small amounts by ovaries.

Urinary Incontinence (UI): Involuntary loss of urine sufficient to be a problem. There are several types of UI, but all are characterized by an ability to restrain voiding.

Urodynamic tests: Diagnostic tests to examine the bladder and urethral sphincter function.