Urology
Urology is the practice of medicine that treats problems of the urinary tract and system that arise due to disease or dysfunction. Urologists treat males and females but often specialize in the male reproductive system.
Urologic care in Charleston, South Carolina
If you're experiencing urinary system issues, we strive to provide relief and comfort.
At Trident Health, our urologists are dedicated to treating a wide range of conditions, building personalized treatment plans that meet your health goals.
Advanced urologic services
Whether you're facing a routine concern or a more complex urological disorder, our team is here to help you achieve optimal health.
Trident Health System's urologists diagnose and treat various urological disorders—including kidney stones and prostate cancer—using advanced treatment options to help patients maintain their health and quality of life. To speak with one of our urologists, you can schedule an appointment.
Our Kidney Stone Clinic
The care team at our Kidney Stone Clinic is committed to managing and treating kidney stones.
Signs and symptoms of kidney stones
Kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms, but, when they do, it manifests as an intense pain in your side, back or groin. The pain comes and goes and may feel like it's moving down your body. You may also notice blood in your urine or experience nausea, vomiting and a urinary tract infection (UTI). When the kidney stone moves lower in your urinary tract, it can cause frequent urination and a burning sensation when urinating.
When to seek treatment
Kidney stones are common and are often painful. Our clinical team is available 24 hours a day to help you get relief. Please go directly to one of our emergency rooms if you:
- Have uncontrollable pain you cannot manage
- Can't keep food or fluids down due to severe nausea or vomiting
- Have a fever associated with the symptoms above
- Have a history of kidney problems
- Cannot urinate
If your symptoms are less severe, please call our care team at (843) 847-4818 and we will schedule you for the next morning to be seen and evaluated. Once you enter the clinic, we expedite your care and you will be seen by a urologist specializing in kidney stones. You will have your blood drawn and we will conduct imaging tests, allowing us to find the stone and see how best to treat it. Then you will meet with a physician to discuss treatment options.
Whenever possible we perform the evaluation and schedule your treatment for the same day.
Ongoing kidney stone management
If you've had kidney stones in the past, then you may likely form another. There are changes you can make that may minimize this risk. We work with you to identify what type of kidney stone you have, analyze it and help you understand changes you can make to limit your risk in the future.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the prostate tissues, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid to transport sperm.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers, affecting one in eight U.S. men. However, with early detection and aggressive monitoring and treatment, prostate cancer survival rates are among the highest of all forms of cancer.
As part of Trident Medical Center's comprehensive cancer care program, oncologists and urologists work together to diagnose and effectively treat prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer symptoms
Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms. In its advanced stages, prostate cancer can cause:
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Pain in the hips, back or chest
- Trouble getting an erection
- Trouble urinating or a slow or weak stream of urine
- Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
Many of these problems can be caused by something other than cancer. It's best to discuss these symptoms with your doctor to properly diagnose your problem.
Screening and testing
Sometimes doctors can detect prostate cancer with a digital rectal exam.
Another type of screening is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. PSA is a protein made by cells in the prostate gland. An abnormal result may mean some additional testing before doctors perform a biopsy on the prostate to look for cancer.
Prostate cancer treatment
For localized prostate cancer, treatment options include:
- Hormonal therapy (non-curative)
- Removal of cancerous prostate (radical prostatectomy)
- Radiation of the cancerous prostate (either external radiation or radioactive seed implants)
- Freezing of the cancerous prostate (cryosurgery)
Typically, a prostatectomy has been recognized as the gold standard of treatment for localized prostate cancer. Radical prostatectomy is a complex and delicate procedure, in part, because of the location of the prostate gland deep inside the pelvis.
Men undergoing a prostatectomy may have the option of a minimally invasive approach using state-of-the-art robotic technology, which can reduce complications and promote faster recovery times. Also, this procedure has contributed to lower incidences of impotence or urinary incontinence. About 20 percent of all prostatectomies are performed using this technique.
Looking for a location?
Our Locations
We didn't find any facilities that matched your search
Please enter a new search using more specific search criteria.