Ochsner LSU Health - Regional Urology

Regional Urology has two different areas which addresses patient’s diagnostic, procedural and surgical needs. In Procedural Hall (PH), patients can expect quick ambulatory services such as diagnostic cystoscopies, ureteral stent removals, bladder Botox injections or vasectomies.

Our Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) performs surgical treatment for health issues such as kidney stones, enlarged prostate glands, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, male fertility preservation, cancer and more.

Whether your care is addressed in PH or ASC, you can expect specialized, professional care in a friendly, team-oriented atmosphere. We pride ourselves in taking care of the whole patient and treat you as family. With great bedside manners, our doctors provide one-on-one personal attention to their patients.

Come to Regional Urology to experience our vision played out in quality, convenient, compassionate care.

… Beyond precise. We’re fighting cancer with the most powerful, precise and accurate radiation system in the world. Read below to learn why this is important and how it affects your care.

The basic physics behind radiation:

Radiation therapy uses energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. These rays work by destroying the DNA in cells it targets which leads to cell death. Unfortunately, rays can also affect healthy, non-cancerous cells and this can lead to side effects from radiation treatment. Therefore, it is extremely important to be able to precisely target cancer cells while minimizing collateral damage to the nearby healthy cells.

Radiation is generally delivered from a machine outside the body (external beam radiation) but can also be given by placing radioactive implants inside the body (brachytherapy). External beam radiation (EBRT) is generally delivered in the form of photon beams. A photon is a form of electromagnetic energy that can be thought of as a bundle of energy. Photons are created in a linear accelerator and then delivered to the patient.

The two system used at Regional Urology are the Varian Trilogy® and Clinac® iX.

The Varian systems are a step above the rest. An unparalleled guidance system allows Trilogy’s ultra-precise robotics to make sub-millimeter adjustments before each daily treatment. CT image guidance is utilized to exactly locate the prostate for treatment and there is no need for transrectal placement of metallic markers. Precision beam sculpting finely conforms to individual tumor shapes leading to increased tumor targeting will less effects on nearby tissue. Gated RapidArc® radiotherapy allows rapid compensation for patient breathing and tumor motion while delivering the dose leading with faster treatment times (as short as 2 minutes!) and more precise delivery.

There are many ways to deliver radiation therapy to a patient and are all available on the Varian systems:

• Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT)
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
• Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

All uses a form of cross sectional imaging such as a CT scan and highly advanced computer technology to deliver radiation to very precise targets. The versatility of our system allows a personalized treatment plan that is most appropriate for you.

What to expect:

A team of highly trained medical professionals will be involved in your care during radiation therapy. This team is led by a radiation oncologist, a doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer, and is supported by an experienced team of technicians who treat you like family.

During simulation you will undergo cross-sections imaging. The exact targeted area will then be precisely sculpted with highly advanced computer software, with the help of a physicist and a dosimetrist, to tailor your exact treatment plan. Daily treatments usually take only about 2 minutes after positioning, and most patients continue their same active lifestyle enjoyed prior to treatment.

By providing our patients with on-site imaging services, Regional Urology can provide expedited, comprehensive, and state of the art urologic care. We are able to rapidly diagnose certain conditions such as kidney stones, allowing prompt treatment with no delay, when indicated. Our in-house radiologist enables prompt viewing and reading of studies helping to expedite care.

Imaging services provided at Regional Urology include MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, and CT (Computed tomography). Read below to learn more about these various tests.

The Clinical Research Department of Regional Urology sets us apart from many urology practices. We participate in numerous clinical research projects with the major pharmaceutical companies both across the country and internationally. This research helps bring new medication to the market for use in the future. We also have been able to offer new forms of therapy to our patients that are not available.

When our patients participate in the clinical trials at Regional Urology, it gives them the opportunity to have medications and procedures that are unavailable to the general public. Patients receive test and study medications at no cost. Participation is always voluntary.

Regional Urology has a fully-staffed laboratory to accommodate our patients. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to provide fast and accurate results. The turn around time for in house lab results is the same day. We process Urinalysis, PSA, freePSA, CBC, Testosterone, Chem 8, Creatinine and PT/INR. Regional Urology also offers Genetic Testing for prostate cancer.

The laboratory is accredited by CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments). The lab director is James R. Noble, M.D., who has 33 years of experience as a Urologist and is certified by both Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and College of American Pathologists.

The laboratory at Regional Urology strives for excellent patient care and customer service.

Enjoy the convenience of picking up your prescription at your next doctor’s appointment. We have an In-Office dispensary located at our Shreveport office. Our dispensary is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

We are currently ONLY dispensing the following medications:

• Prostate Cancer Drugs
• Erleada
• Xtandi
• Zytiga
• Prednisone (prescribed with Zytiga only)

After your initial prescription pick up you may be eligible to have your prescription mailed to your home. Even if you see your Urologist at one of our other locations, our dispensary is available to you.

If some cases, we may be able to help you get financial assistance to help cover your out of pocket prescription expenses.