Urologic Cancer Care and Survivorship for Men

In addition to providing services to enhance men’s sexual health, our caring team supports cancer patients at the University of Chicago Medicine’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Specifically, we are dedicated to improving erectile, urinary and reproductive health in men with:

Prostate cancer
Testicular cancer
Kidney cancer
Bladder cancer

At UChicago Medicine, we also offer the most advanced, minimally invasive surgeries for prostate cancer, as well as other treatment options for men with early stage disease.

Help for Cancer Survivors

Treatment for prostate cancer and some other types of cancer can have unwanted side effects, such as urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. If you suffer from these challenges, our team is available to help. We can provide:

Penile implants (penile prosthesis) for erectile dysfunction
Male sling and artificial urinary sphincters and other anti-incontinence procedures

We also can provide additional treatments to improve your quality of life, including:

Sexual and penile rehabilitation after prostate surgery
Psychotherapy from a certified sex therapist
Pelvic floor therapy, a specialized type of physical therapy that can help men with bladder and sexual dysfunction after surgery or radiation therapy for prostate cancer

We have decades of experience helping cancer survivors with these issues, and we can develop an individualized treatment plan that fits your lifestyle.

If you are a cancer survivor who is looking to build a family, we can also help you address fertility issues related to your treatment.

Cancer Risk Reduction for Men

We offer cancer screenings for men, including PSA blood tests that can help diagnose prostate cancer.

Although most cancers in men are not hereditary, some men may carry genes that put them at risk for cancers of the prostate or breast. We can help you identify if you carry these genes and develop a plan to reduce your risk for these hereditary cancers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BPH cause prostate cancer?

Does prostate cancer cause erectile dysfunction?

Although prostate cancer does not directly cause ED, treatments like hormone therapy, radiation and surgery can lead to ED in men. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for prostate cancer patients and survivors to regain their ability to have and sustain erections.

When you come to the Men’s Wellness Clinic, we can consider all the factors that may contribute to your ED and develop a treatment plan that addresses these various issues.

How can a penile prosthesis help if I have prostate cancer?

A penile prothesis, also known as a penile implant, can help men regain their sexual function after a prostatectomy (surgery for prostate cancer), radiotherapy or hormonal treatment. These procedures have very high success and satisfaction rates for men and their partners.

The most sophisticated options are inflatable implants, which also tend to be preferred by patients. During this procedure, the doctor will place a thin tube along the length of the penis and a small “balloon” with fluid inside the abdomen, as well as small “pump” inside the scrotum. When the man wants an erection, he presses the pump in his scrotum, which causes fluid to move from the balloon in his abdomen down the tube in his penis, causing an erection.

If you are a candidate, you may be able to have an implant a few months after your prostatectomy or radiotherapy.

What is the male sling or artificial urinary sphincter procedure?

This minimally invasive procedure (also known as a urethral sling) or artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) can help men who have stress urinary incontinence after prostate cancer treatment. During this procedure, the surgeon will place mesh-like material or mechanically controlled cuff around the urethra, which helps it to stay closed to reduce leakage.

Most men report positive results after the procedure, which can help them regain control of their lives.

Which men can benefit from pelvic floor therapy, and what’s involved?

Pelvic floor therapy can help men with erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, urinary incontinence or other urological symptoms.

Pelvic floor therapy begins with an external evaluation, which involves looking at muscles in your spine, abdomen, hips and other parts of your body. Depending on the issue, a rectal exam can help a physical therapist understand the cause of pain or other problems. But we understand if you are not ready for an internal exam at first. You are in control of your body, and we let you set the pace for your treatment.

Solutions might include breathing exercises combined with biofeedback, which can help men learn to relax their pelvic floor muscles. Soft tissue massage and dry needling (similar to acupuncture) can help ease tense muscles. Specific exercises can also help strengthen your muscles, if needed.

Our Men's Wellness Team

Urology

Surgery

Urology

Urology

Urology

Physical Therapist

Sarah Macaraeg, PT, DPT, OCS, WCS

Registered Dietitian

Jennifer Martin, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES

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