Urology Services in San Angelo

The Shannon Clinic Urology department provides a diverse spectrum of urologic care including treatment of conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder, prostate, and urinary tract. Three board-certified physicians with more than 45 years of combined experience, a highly trained staff, and proficiency in the latest treatments and technologies combine to give the clinic the ability to keep patients at home for treatment. The clinic treats patients of all ages.

Our clinic treats patients of all ages for conditions including:

• Pediatric urology care with appropriate referral to pediatric urologists for more complex cases
• Urologic Cancer care for all urologic organs including kidney, bladder, prostate, testicular, and penile cancers
• Advanced treatment for complex kidney stone disease with laser treatment of stones, as well as minimally invasive lithotripsy
• Erectile dysfunction and penile implants for severe cases refractory to other less invasive options
• Testosterone replacement therapy with injection, transdermal, and hormone pellet therapy
• Minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery for kidneys and prostates
• Evaluation and treatment of all types of urinary incontinence including surgical correction of stress incontinence
• In-office, minimally invasive treatment for BPH and prostate obstruction for appropriate patients

Schedule an appointment with our urology clinic in San Angelo by calling us at 325.747.2231 today.

Kidney Stone Treatment

Kidney stones often form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals and salts to harden and bond together. They occur for a variety of reasons including genetics, dehydration, obesity, certain diets, and other medical conditions. There are also metabolic reasons for stones that can be complex and evaluated by testing. Patients with kidney stones will often experience severe pain on one side or the other with nausea and vomiting. Stones can resolve on their own, but in many cases advanced treatment may be needed depending on the size, location, and medical condition of the patient.

• Treatment is individualized based on the location and size of the stone with the goal of a single procedure for the patient.
  • A ureteroscope, a thin, lighted scope equipped with a camera, can be used by the surgeon to remove the stones with a laser, essentially turning them to dust to be easily flushed out of the body. This method does not require an incision and offers a higher success rate than lithotripsy.
  • For appropriate patients, minimally invasive treatment with a lithotripsy machine can be used to pulverize the stone for easy passage.
  • For more complex stones, percutaneous stone extraction can be used to access directly into the kidney for removal.
• After their first kidney stone, patients have a significant chance of developing more within the five years to follow.
  • Urologists have found patients who have one stone are usually interested in taking steps to ensure another one does not develop. To help with this, Shannon’s urologists have established a program to determine the cause of the first stone. Patients can be evaluated with a metabolic evaluation to help find the cause and instructions are given to help prevent the development of additional stones.

Cancer Care

Kidney, bladder, and prostate cancer can all be treated through our Clinic. We make every attempt to offer quick access upon diagnosis. Our goal is to see patients in our Clinic as soon as possible to begin assessment and determine a plan for treatment.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers found in men— the American Cancer Society states that 1 in 7 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Screening is recommended for men ages 55 to 70 and urologists look for high risk factors that may indicate prostate cancer. Sometimes, a prostate cancer biopsy is needed to determine if the area of concern is cancerous or not. Shannon clinic offers MRI fusion biopsies to more accurately target suspicious areas in the prostate for appropriate patients. If cancer is present, treatment options include active surveillance, radiation, and surgery. The course of treatment is determined on an individual basis.
If prostate surgery, a prostatectomy, is required, it can be performed openly or robotically. Many prostatectomies in the US are now performed robotically due to the benefits for the patient after surgery. The da Vinci Xi Surgical System, the latest da Vinci model, is offered for appropriate patients upon recommendation by the surgeon. Open radical prostatectomy gives a very similar recovery and long-term outcome and is an option in some circumstances. Discussion of the appropriate treatment option can be discussed with the surgeon.

Advantages of Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is offered for several urologic treatments at Shannon Clinic. For the patient:

• Hospital stays are shorter
• Less pain medication is required after surgery
• Less tissue is disrupted with the robotic technique, and there is often less blood loss

For robotic surgeries of all types, the surgeon is 100 percent in control of the robotic-assisted da Vinci Xi System, which translates hand movements into more precise movements of the minuscule instruments inside the patient’s body.

Specialized Urology Care

Urinary Incontinence Care
Involuntary loss of urine, urinary incontinence, is a problem experienced by millions of men and women.

Several methods of treatment can help soothe overactive bladders.

• Botox injections, one method of treatment offered at our Clinic, helps by calming the nerves that overstimulate the bladder muscles and cause the urge to urinate. This can be used in severe cases refractory to noninvasive treatments.
• Women of advanced age experience incontinence more frequently, and incontinence can affect all ages, races, and backgrounds. Our Clinic offers specialized treatment for patients with incontinence, freeing them from the burden of an overactive bladder and returning their quality of life.
• Some types of incontinence justify surgical correction with a bladder suspension. This commonly can be curative for stress incontinence in women.
• In severe cases of male urinary incontinence refractory to conservative management, Artificial urinary sphincter implants can be offered.

Testosterone Pellets
Hormone pellet therapy is a convenient way to steadily dose testosterone for hormone replacement therapy in adult males ages 30-75. The slow-release hormones are designed to last 3-4 months and aid in certain conditions causing low or absent testosterone in the body. Testopel testosterone pellets are inserted just under the skin of the hip or other fatty area during a 5-minute in-office procedure. The pellets are FDA-approved and covered by most insurance providers. All Shannon Urology Providers are able to offer this as a service to their patients. Other treatment options of injection therapy as well as transdermal therapies can be offered to appropriate patients as well.

Penile Implants

Penile implants are a treatment option for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. This type of treatment is when sexual dysfunction cannot be treated by other methods. The urologist will work with you to determine if this treatment option is suitable for you and your condition.

Pediatric Urology Care

Our Clinic offers urology services for pediatric patients. Appropriate referrals to pediatric urology subspecialist will be made for more complex cases. Medicaid is accepted. Referrals are accepted from all providers.

Help Is Available

It is important to visit with your healthcare provider about any family history, questions, or concerns you may have regarding your health and including urological conditions. A San Angelo urologist can help you determine which course of treatment is right for you.

For more information on any of these conditions, please call 325.747.2231.