Urology in San Diego

Resective procedure, which means that the prostate tissue causing symptoms is surgically removed. No incision is made in the abdomen, as the prostate is reached through the urethra. 

Learn more about aquablation therapy at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.

Procedure to remove samples of tissue from the prostate for examination in a lab.

In some cases, brachytherapy is used to treat prostate cancer. This is typically an option for men who have early stage prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate, who are unable or unwilling to undergo removal of the prostate or do not want to endure eight weeks of daily radiation treatments.

With prostate brachytherapy, radioactive seeds are placed in the prostate while you are in the operating room under general anesthesia. Your radiation oncologist utilizes ultrasound images to create a personalized treatment plan to determine the number and position of radioactive seeds.

This procedure allows you to go home on the same day as the procedure and return to a normal life.

HoLEP is a minimally invasive procedure that uses holmium laser to remove part of the prostate that blocks urine flow. The procedure can treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and requires no incisions.

Robotic surgery uses state-of-the-art technology that allows the surgeon’s hand movements to translate into extremely precise movements within the operative site.  
 
With robotic-assisted surgery, patients experience less pain, risk of infection and scarring, as well as a faster recovery and return to normal activities, a shorter hospital stay and a potential for reduced risk of sexual dysfunction and incontinence. 
 
Learn more about robotic prostate cancer surgery at Sharp. 

Procedure that uses radiofrequency ablation to shrink prostate tissue that is pressing into the urethra and causing urinary symptoms. 

Minimally invasive procedure that uses a special instrument called a resectoscope to trim and seal prostate tissue when the prostate is enlarged and causing difficulty in urination.

Procedure used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A small endoscope is inserted through the urethra and special instruments create small openings in the bladder neck where it connects to the prostate. This opens the urinary channel so urine can pass.

Minimally invasive procedure done in-office to treat mild to moderate prostate enlargement.

At Sharp HealthCare, we provide a full range of urology services. And our services are offered at locations across San Diego, making it easy for you to get the care you need, when you need it. 

We offer expert urologic care at our four acute-care hospitals across San Diego — Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, Sharp Coronado Hospital, Sharp Grossmont Hospital and Sharp Memorial Hospital.

There are two simple ways to find the right doctor for you: 

• Search online for a urologist with our quick, easy-to-use Find a Doctor tool. 

• Call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, to speak with one of our specially trained physician referral specialists. They know our doctors and can help you find the perfect fit. 

In some cases, you will need a referral from your primary care doctor.  

Some medical groups offer direct access to certain types of specialists. And some health plans, such as PPOs, offer direct access to all specialists. Contact your health plan's member services department to confirm your coverage. 

If you are an existing patient with a Sharp-affiliated urologist (meaning you have seen your doctor at least once), simply call the doctor’s office to make an appointment. 

Sharp accepts almost all health insurance plans, including Medicare, Medi-Cal and most managed care and private insurance plans.  

Be sure to check with your insurance company to verify specific coverage. Insurance companies frequently add new plans, and update provider networks and covered services under existing plans.

BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a type of prostate enlargement, caused by the expansion of the prostate gland and surrounding tissue, that then presses against the urethra potentially causing uncomfortable urinary symptoms.  

Over half of men in their 60s, and as many as 90 percent of men in their 70s and 80s, have symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

Treatment options include Aquablation therapy at Sharp Grossmont Hospital and the HoLEP procedure at Sharp Memorial Hospital. 

Symptoms of BPH include: 

• Difficulty or delay in starting to urinate 

• Dribbling urine at the end of urination 

• Frequent urination 

• Sensation that you cannot completely empty your bladder 

• Urgent feeling of needing to urinate 

• Urine stream that stops and starts 

• Weak urine stream