Urology

History of Excellence in Urologic Care

The Albany Med Health System has a long history of excellence in urology. This has included participating in national research trials and pioneering new treatments and surgeries. Our highly trained urologists are the best in their field. They use up-to-date, evidence-based medicine and the most advanced surgical approaches to provide outstanding care to patients with urological conditions and cancers. We have the expertise to perform the most complex urologic procedures.

We offer diagnostic and treatment services for men and women with a variety of urological conditions, including prostate conditions, kidney stones, incontinence, pelvic dysfunction, and urinary tract infections. We focus on medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the male and female urinary tract system, as well as the male reproductive organs.

Care Throughout the Capital Region

Urology care is provided at all of the hospitals in the Albany Med Health System.

All providers and locations in the System can be found in the Get Care section of this page.

Diagnosis

Abdominal X-Ray (An abdominal X-ray can visualize most kidney stones and can help to judge changes in the size of a stone over time)
AUA BPH Symptom Score Index
Cystoscopy (including blue light technology)
Diagnostic imaging
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test
Renal SPECT Scan (DMSA)
Renal ultrasound
Spiral CT Scan
Urodynamic testing
Voiding cystourethrogram

Conditions We Treat

Urology is the diagnosis and treatment of patients with disorders of the male reproductive organs and of the male and female urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra.

Many of our physicians are fellowship trained in subspecialties like urologic oncology, reconstructive urology, female pelvic medicine, and pediatric urology, and are skilled in specialized surgical techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery. From testing to medical management to surgery, they care for patients with conditions such as bladder, kidney and prostate cancers; male infertility and erectile dysfunction; pelvic organ prolapse in women; urinary incontinence; and benign prostatic hyperplasia. We also care for children with urologic conditions.

Among the conditions we treat:

Bladder cancer and disorders
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Incontinence
Kidney cancer
Kidney stones
Neurogenic and overactive bladder
Pelvic health
Prostate cancer and disorders
Men's health
Reproductive health
Urinary tract infections and disorders

Treatments We Offer

Biofeedback
Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
GreenLight Laser Therapy
Injection Therapies
Medication
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Traditional Anti-incontinence Surgeries
Ureteroscopy and Laser Lithotripsy
Vasectomy and vasectomy reversal

We provide many other treatments, including newer procedures as they come to the market.

Robotic Surgery

This type of surgery is used commonly when treating urological conditions. Laparoscopic instruments are attached to the robotic arms of the daVinci robotic system. The surgeon controls the movements of the robotic arms from a remote console while visualizing the surgical field through a 3D camera.

Instead of a larger incision, there are small, keyhole like incisions. The blood loss during a robotic-assisted procedure is reduced significantly to about one-sixth of what is noted with standard open surgery. The precision of movements and improved visualization of the surgical field allows for preservation of vital structures and reduces the risk of potential side effects such as impotence or urinary dysfunction. Also, the time to full recovery may be reduced by one half for most patients.

Reconstructive Urology

Albany Medical Center is the only program in the region offering reconstructive urology. This surgery restores normal function by repairing, rerouting, or recreating parts of the urinary tract or reproductive organs with a focus on urethral and ureteral strictures, male incontinence, and erectile dysfunction.