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Melbourne urologist
prostate conditions

Prostate
Prostate problems and conditions are one of the focus areas of my urology practice in Melbourne and of my most recent research and training. From mild prostate conditions to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, you can count on my expertise, both in clinical treatment and surgery, as well as post-treatment care.

Prostate problems

What is the prostate?

As a man, your prostate is a small, soft gland located in your pelvis. It is about the size of a walnut or a ping pong ball, and it is located between your bladder, the base of the penis and in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds a segment of the tube that delivers urine from the bladder to the outside world (the urethra).

In men, the prostate gland is important for reproduction. Its growth is regulated by hormones such as testosterone. It produces about a third of all the fluid in your semen while the other components are produced in your testes. The prostate gland contains vital enzymes that help your semen survive during reproduction.

What is non-cancerous prostate disease?

Non-cancerous prostate disease

When your GP refers you to my practice for a prostate problem, it is common to feel worried. So let’s start by reminding ourselves that not all prostate abnormalities lead to a cancer diagnosis. With age, you can suffer from an enlarged prostate. On the other hand, an infection can also cause prostate symptoms. We know that both causes can lead to urinary problems and these conditions are easily treatable.

Prostate conditions: enlarged prostate

Enlarged prostate

Enlarged prostate is a condition often seen in men over 50. You will hear the scientific medical term ‘benign prostatic hyperplasia’ or the abbreviation BPH being used to describe it.

Most men will experience some enlargement of their prostate gland, and in some cases, it may even be as much as triple in size or larger.

Dr Weranja Ranasinghe
A/Prof Weranja Ranasinghe - Melbourne urologist and uro-oncologic surgeon

‘It is important to remember that prostate enlargement is not cancer. Almost half of the men over 60 and 80% of men over 70 have it. Prostate cancer on the other hand usually does not cause the typical obstructive symptoms.’

Reduced urine flow is often the main symptom and the reason why you would come to see me as your urologist. Your prostate surrounds the tube that transports urine, and that is why the first symptoms of enlarged prostate will be linked to the passing of urine.

In short, symptoms of enlarged prostate include:

  • A weak urinary stream (the flow deteriorates or stops and starts)
  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Dribbling at the end of your stream
  • Waking up at night to pass urine
  • Sensation of incomplete emptying of your bladder
  • Urgency – unable to hold on or needing to go when you need to go
  • Frequency – Needing to pass urine often
  • Blood in the urine
  • Urine tract infections
  • Inability to pass urine

Do I need to see a doctor for an enlarged prostate?

If you experience any of the symptoms, it is worth getting evaluated by your GP or a urologist. That is important because the obstruction to your urine flow can increase the risk of urine infections, bladder stones and bladder weakness or kidney function. The reason is that an enlarged prostate causes pressure on your bladder and kidneys.

If you are suddenly unable to pass urine, then it is urgent to see your urologist or seek emergency medical care as this can lead to serious complications including kidney damage.

‘The causes of enlarged prostate are not quite clear but they are thought to be due to hormonal imbalances. Age is often the underlying factor contributing to this imbalance but there are other factors such as family history, diabetes, obesity or a sedentary lifestyle.’
A/Prof Weranja Ranasinghe – Melbourne Urologist

So what will I do when you come to see me as your urologist?

  • I evaluate your symptoms. We take the time to discuss them in detail so I get a full understanding of your condition. For me, it is not just about the diagnosis and the test results. It is about how prostate problems may affect your overall health and your daily life. We will make sure there are no other concerning causes for your symptoms such as cancer, try to identify what symptoms bother you the most and take action to address them.
  • We plan a clinical evaluation to assess the size and the consistency of your prostate gland. This happens through a digital rectal exam.
  • Further evaluation happens with an ultrasound scan. It assesses your prostate, your bladder, how much is left in your bladder and we may also measure the flow of your urine.
  • A blood test can be used to assess your kidney function.
  • Other tests may be planned to rule out infections, prostate cancer (PSA Test), narrowing of the urethra, scarring, or other conditions that affect your urine flow.

Do I need treatment for an enlarged prostate?

We map and assess your symptoms and this information will define the course of treatment. Your lifestyle and the exact size of your prostate are other factors. The main goal of treatment is to relieve the obstruction caused by your prostate and to reduce the compression of your urethra.

‘With prostate treatment, we are on the journey together and my mission is to make sure you clearly understand your diagnosis. As your urologist, I am here to support you and guide you when we go over the treatment options.‘
A/Prof Weranja Ranasinghe – Melbourne urologist

When we discuss your condition, I use my experience and the available research to help you make a well-informed choice.

There are medical treatments to reduce the size of the prostate and improve the symptoms.

The surgical treatment options for an enlarged prostate include:

  • Urolift (opening the prostate using staples).
  • Procedures to evaporate the prostate using laser (Green light) or water vapor (Rezum).
  • Removing the obstructing segment of the prostate (transition zone) by using electrocautery (TURP) or laser (Holep).
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melbourne urologist prostate treatment

Melbourne urologist Prostatitis

Prostatitis: What is it?

Prostatitis is the inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. This is a non-cancerous condition. In urology, we distinguish a range of different types of prostatitis:
Acute bacterial prostatitis is a condition where a urine infection is usually the cause of a bacterial infection in the prostate gland. The main symptoms come on quite suddenly and can be quite severe. The symptoms you may notice are:
  • Burning or stinging when you pass urine
  • Cloudy urine or blood in your urine
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Pain in the pelvic area
  • High fevers or flu-like symptoms including fevers, chills, body aches, nausea or vomiting
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is when you have a bacterial infection of the prostate gland which has not responded to antibiotics, a recurring or deep-seeded infection which is difficult to treat or resistant infection. This presents with symptoms similar to acute bacterial prostatitis and is usually less severe. Chronic prostatitis has a gradual onset of a few months and may occur in an intermittent fashion. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is the most common form of prostatitis. The exact cause is unknown and is not caused by a bacterial infection. You may experience symptoms such as pain in the genitals, lower abdominal, pelvis or lower back pain, pain on urination, during or after ejaculation or other urinary symptoms such as needing to pass urine frequently or inability to hold urine. The symptoms appear intermittently and then pass or in some men can persist at the same level over time. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. This is a condition that is found incidentally, most commonly on investigation of prostate cancer on a prostate biopsy. Patients do not have any symptoms and do not require any additional treatment.

Do I need treatment for prostatitis?

My role as your urologist is to help you understand the type of prostatitis that you may have. We look at the symptoms, and we plan the routine tests to get clear about your condition. Then we take the type to discuss the treatment options.
‘In general, the medical treatments for prostatitis include treatment with antibiotics, medications to help relax your prostate/bladder neck (alpha blockers) or we may use anti-inflammatory medications.’
A/Prof Weranja Ranasinghe – Melbourne urologist for prostatitis treatment
Acute bacterial prostatitis needs urgent evaluation and treatment as you may require urgent antibiotics. Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome can sometimes be difficult to treat and can require a combination of therapies. Along with the other medical therapies other therapies also have shown to be effective and may work for some patients:
  • Home remedies such as hot baths, hot water bottles, and relaxation exercises.
  • Dietary changes such as avoiding spicy food, coffee, tea and alcohol which can all irritate your bladder and increase the urinary symptoms. Drinking more water can be helpful.
  • Lifestyle changes such as avoiding bicycle riding which can worsen symptoms
  • Visiting a physiotherapist can be useful and they can teach Kegels exercise and biofeedback.
  • Acupuncture has also shown to be effective.
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Melbourne urologist prostate cancer

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is an uncontrollable growth of the cells that make up the prostate. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age and often affects men aged 60 and above, or men who have a close relative with prostate or breast cancers.

Research shows that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men with an estimated 1 in 5 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer. However, not all prostate cancers are the same. While some cancers are fast-growing and spread fast, other types of prostate cancer have slow growth.

Prostate cancer also has a 95% 5-year survival rate and that is why early identification of prostate cancer offers the best outcomes. As your urologist, I can then determine the need for treatment in an early stage.

The PSA test is commonly used to detect prostate cancer in men, and an elevated level may warrant further evaluation. Apart from prostate cancer, there are many other reasons why your PSA level may be elevated.

What is a raised PSA?

PSA or ‘Prostate Specific Antigen’ is an enzyme produced by the prostate gland. PSA can also be detected on a blood test.

Although raised PSA is often associated with prostate cancer, PSA levels can be raised due to a number of reasons including:

  • Urine or prostate infection
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Masturbation
  • Cycling
  • Vigorous exercise
  • Prostate examination (Digital rectal examination)
  • Recent urologic procedure
Also note that if you are taking medications to shrink your prostate, this may falsely lower your PSA levels.

Should you get a PSA test?

PSA screening is controversial but in clinical studies, it is shown to reduce the number of deaths from prostate cancer by up to 21% at 13 years of follow-up. That means that, for every 27 men that are diagnosed with prostate cancer after a PSA test, one life is saved. It is important to note that screening also comes with some potentially harmful effects. You may have heard the expression that ‘Most men die with prostate cancer rather than from it’. It refers to research and to the fact that a large proportion of the prostate cancers detected do not need treatment. They still need careful observation.
‘As a urologist with a particular interest in prostate conditions, it is my role to identify any aggressive cancers to treat them. At the same time, we want to avoid unnecessary anxiety, overdiagnosing, or overtreatment of prostate cancers that are non-life-threatening.’
A/Prof Weranja Ranasinghe – Melbourne urologist for prostatitis treatment
Part of my role in the urology consultations I offer is to help you understand the implications of a PSA test. It means that we take the time to discuss your lifestyle, not just the test itself. I believe that whatever the nature of your concern or condition, we are on this journey together. So what we do is discuss the risks and benefits of the test prior to having it. If you do decide to have one, then the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia guidelines endorsed by the NHMRC and USANZ are a good reference. In brief, this is what they tell us:
  • If you are 45 – 69 years you could opt to get PSA tests every 2 years as long as you are aware of the benefits and harms associated with the testing.
  • If you have a strong family history of prostate cancer or breast cancer with multiple immediate family members who were diagnosed at a young age, getting your first PSA test at the age of 40 is recommended. Otherwise, there is no benefit in getting PSA tests prior to the age of 40.
  • The frequency of PSA testing may be determined by the doctor, for instance, if you are aged 45 and the initial PSA is normal.
It is important to avoid the following prior to your second PSA test.
  • Abstain from masturbation or sex 48 hours prior.
  • Avoid vigorous exercise including cycling for the 48 hours prior.

What to do if you have an elevated PSA test?

It is good to be aware of what is considered normal and abnormal when you discuss your PSA test results with your urologist. I am here to help you understand what the test results are telling us, to make sure that you are clear. That includes knowing when treatment is advised, and when to avoid excessive worrying.
‘We consider a PSA of 3ng/ml to be an abnormal test. But in general, older men have a higher PSA level compared to younger men which is normal. For example a PSA value of 2.5 may be abnormal in someone younger than 50 and 6.5ng/ml may be normal in a 60 year old who has an enlarged prostate.’
A/Prof Weranja Ranasinghe – Melbourne urologist – PSA testing for prostate
This is why it takes the experience of a specialist doctor (a urologist) to establish if you have a true rise in PSA. This is important to exclude the other potential causes of a raised PSA, and that the interpretation of your PSA test results is accurate. What I consider best practice, is to repeat the PSA test four to six weeks later, and ensure the increase in PSA level is not caused by a urine infection. This is done through a urine test. If your PSA remains elevated I will further evaluate and you may need an MRI and a biopsy. There are other PSA tests that you may hear about: a free PSA test, a total PSA test, a PHI or Prostate Health Index, and genomic tests. I will always take the time to help you understand the tests that you have questions about. In some situations, different tests can be useful, but in other situations, they could add confusion and little or no value. Prior to organising tests, I will always make sure we have a quality discussion about what is needed, as everything depends on a meaningful interpretation of these test results.
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How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

Most men who suffer from prostate cancer would not experience any symptoms. That is because most prostate cancers occur on the outer lining of the prostate. Located there, the condition usually would not cause any obstruction of the urethra like with an enlarged prostate, unless at an advanced stage.
Dr Weranja Ranasinghe
A/Prof Weranja Ranasinghe - Melbourne urologist - PSA testing for prostate

‘With usually no obvious symptoms to guide us, we rely on a PSA test and also a prostate examination through the rectum which allows us to feel for any abnormalities on the outside of the prostate’

If I have a concern after a digital rectal examination, or if you have a raised PSA, then further examinations are advised. With an MRI scan, we can identify if there is a tumour, and if there is one, we organise a biopsy to get clarity about the aggressiveness of the prostate cancer.

The exact causes of prostate cancer are unknown. A number of factors are linked to the condition:

  • Older age
  • Family history (family members with prostate or breast cancer at a young age)
  • Race
  • Obesity
  • Genetic conditions such as BRCA mutations
Treatment for prostate cancer will depend on the aggressiveness and the amount of cancer that you have, as well as your general health. The first step is to get clear information about the aggressiveness and potential spread.

Prostate cancer: what are the main treatment types?

Low-risk prostate cancers contained within the prostate. This would be the majority of prostate cancers detected through an elevated PSA test result. They are generally not life-threatening. The best treatment for these types of cancers is called ‘active surveillance’. It means that we carefully monitor your cancer with regular PSA tests, clinical examinations, biopsies and MRI scans. The goal is to treat the cancer if it increases in amount or a more aggressive cancer is detected. Active surveillance avoids the risks associated with prostate cancer treatment such as urinary or sexual symptoms. If you live an active lifestyle, have small amounts of non-aggressive cancers (which are called Gleason 3+3=6 or Grade Group 1) contained within your prostate with a low PSA, then active surveillance could be the chosen path. The other treatment options such as surgery or radiation are generally not recommended due to their potential side effects and considered with more serious development of prostate cancers or increases in the amount of the cancer within the prostate gland. Intermediate or high-risk prostate cancers contained within the prostate gland. For these cancers there are two types of treatment options:
  • radical prostatectomy (surgically removing the prostate)
  • radiation therapy
The cure rates from these two types of treatment are the same but the side effects are different. This is why I strongly believe that when you see me at my urology practice, we are on this journey together and communication is essential. We talk about the side effects so the chosen therapy is totally clear to you before you commit to a choice.

Radical prostatectomy

A surgical procedure where the entire prostate gland including the seminal vesicles is removed. If you have high-risk prostate cancer or in some intermediate-risk prostate cancers some of the lymph glands in your pelvis (which drain the prostate cancer) may also need to be removed. I perform prostate cancer surgery either robotic surgery or as traditional, open surgery. Open radical prostatectomy requires an incision in your lower abdomen, while robotic prostatectomy is performed using a minimally invasive technique through much smaller incisions. Both open and robotic radical prostatectomy have shown to have equally good cancer control and also functional outcomes including urinary control and functional outcomes. However, robotic radical prostatectomy offers a minimally invasive approach with faster recovery and better visualisation with 3D visualisation of the prostate gland and the nerves for the surgeon and is rapidly becoming standard of care throughout the world. Possible problems after surgery include urinary leakage, impotence, slight shortening of the penis and hernias.

Radiation

Radiation therapy uses high energy X rays or other radiation to destroy the prostate cancer cells and is advancing rapidly with newer techniques allowing for more focused and targeted treatment of the prostate gland. This may be combined with brachytherapy (radioactive seeds) which are inserted into your prostate to give a high dose of radiation to the prostate. Generally, radiation treatments are given 5 days a week for several weeks and you may also require hormone therapy for between 6 months to 2 years especially if you have high-risk prostate cancer. There are newer fractionated therapies that combine high doses of radiation over a shorter period of time. Possible problems after radiation include urinary problems and bowel problems including needing to pass urine often, blood in stool and urine, impotence and the problems can get worse over time. There is also a small increase in bowel and bladder cancers associated with radiation.

Other treatment types

Beyond the most commonly known treatment types described above, there are a few more treatments for prostate cancer. Thermal therapies HIFU (High-Intensity Focal Ultrasound) uses high intensity focused ultrasound energy waves to destroy prostate cancers by using heat. Cryoablation on the other hand uses probes to freeze the prostate cancer cells and destroy them. The techniques can also cause urinary problems and can cause serious issues if the cancer comes back. As a urologist, I generally do not recommend these therapies as first-line treatment in patients who are treated with the aim of cure. There limited data and if the cancer comes back it can be very difficult to treat with surgery or radiation. Therefore techniques are usually reserved for very select patients. Hormonal therapies Hormonal prostate cancer therapies are also called Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT). What they do is block or oppose the male sex hormones. These hormones drive the prostate cancer cells and the therapy stops the cells from growing. There are a number of different hormonal therapies. They can be useful in combination with radiation therapy, or in patients with cancer that has spread outside of the prostate (metastatic disease). It must be said that hormone therapies are associated with side effects:
  • Hot flushes
  • Weight gain
  • Lack of sexual drive
  • Weak bones
  • Memory impairment
  • Cardiovascular disease
Chemotherapy & Immunotherapy are used in prostate cancer that has spread (metastatic disease).

Additional support for prostate cancer

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is important to seek help from a multi-disciplinary team of specialist doctors: the GP, the urologist and the radiation oncologist work together with a prostate cancer nurse and physiotherapist to achieve the best possible results.
‘Support groups are known to increase the effectiveness of the treatment journey. As a urologist, I believe that your team is on the journey with you, and here to support you.’
A/Prof Weranja Ranasinghe – Melbourne urologist – Prostate cancer support
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Urologist in Melbourne for prostate conditions

Why A/Prof Weranja for prostate conditions

I understand that prostate problems can cause a significant impact on a man’s quality of life and they can cause much anxiety.
Dr Weranja Ranasinghe
A/Prof Weranja Ranasinghe - Melbourne urologist - Prostate cancer support

‘My philosophy is to treat you as a person rather than a case of the disease. So I am here to understand what is important to you. My mission is to provide you with the best available treatment so we achieve the best possible long-term outcomes.’

It’s not just about the results in themselves – it is about your quality of life.

As an accomplished academic surgeon, I use my insights into the most cutting-edge research in prostate conditions. I work with you to make sure we discuss your needs.

We then focus on providing you with the highest level, most individualised care. It is always tailored to your needs and your situation.

I build on extensive experience in both open surgery and minimally invasive surgery. That helps to aim for the best possible treatment and the fastest, more comfortable recovery.

I was trained as a urologic surgeon in Australia and spent 2 additional training years at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. It is ranked the number 1 cancer centre in the US and it has one of the highest volumes of robotic and complex surgeries in the United States. The bottom line is that I gained extensive advanced surgical training in robotic prostate surgery. In addition, my experience also covers other minimally invasive and open urologic cancer surgery.

I truly believe that your treatment is a journey we go on together. To me, that means I provide you with the best multi-disciplinary approach to make each step as comfortable as possible. From diagnosis, treatment to post-treatment. Even if the road is difficult, I am here to offer my expertise and to support you as much as possible.

Dr Weranja Ranasinghe - Practice Location
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  • 181/183 Wattletree Rd,
  • Malvern VIC 3144
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