ProACT Therapy in Greensboro, NC
Prostate cancer is an increasingly common condition that most often affects men of age 65 or higher, though can be diagnosed at any point in a person’s life. More aggressive forms of prostate cancer typically require equally as aggressive forms of treatment, leading many men to undergo surgery to remove part of or all of their prostate.
While a prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate are highly effective, the lack of a prostate gland can significantly affect the functionality of the bladder, which may lead to symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. Men who have struggled with stress urinary incontinence for several months following the removal of their prostate are often excellent candidates for a minimally invasive outpatient procedure known as ProACT.
ProACT Adjustable Continence Therapy for Men
ProACT is indicated for the treatment of adult men who have stress incontinence arising from intrinsic sphincter deficiency of at least twelve months duration following radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and who have failed to respond adequately to conservative therapy
ProACT is comprised of two silicone balloons that are attached to a port via two thin tubes. The ProACT System is implanted by board-certified urologist Dr. Luke Machen during a brief, minimally invasive procedure performed at our own office in Greensboro, NC. Using one incision, Dr. Machen will manipulate the balloons until they are in proper position. Through the tubes and port system, fluid will be pumped into the balloons until they are filled to an appropriate level.
Patients will not be able to see or sense that the ProACT System is in place. This device does not require any sort of additional manipulation from the patient, and should work completely on its own to provide pressure on the bladder that was previously performed by the prostate. This pressure is what allows for improved stimulation and response from the bladder to alert the organ when it is full of urine that needs to be released prior to any accidental leakage.
ProACT may be right for you if:
- You have had a radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Your stress urinary incontinence has persisted for at least 12 months after your prostate surgery
- You have not adequately responded to conservative treatments
ProACT may not be right for you if you have:
- An active systemic or urinary tract infection
- Incontinence due to detrusor (bladder) instability or over activity
- Primarily urge incontinence
- Residual urine volume greater than 100cc after urinating
- Radiotherapy treatments presently
- Plans to undergo radiotherapy within the next six months
- Received radiotherapy within the last six months
- Suspected bladder cancer
- Unsuccessfully treated bladder stones
- A bleeding disorder
Follow Up Care & Adjustments
Dr. Luke Machen will be sure to schedule a follow up visit so that patients have an opportunity to review their results and discuss any potential changes to be made in regard to their ProACT Therapy System. If patients experience discomfort or dissatisfaction soon after their procedure, the balloons can be inflated or deflated to allow for a better fit. If needed, the device may also be removed if significant side effects or complications such as infection occur.
Schedule a ProACT Therapy Appointment in Greensboro, NC
Please call (336) 274-1114 to learn more about ProACT and this minimally invasive procedure for men who have survived prostate cancer. Board-certified urologist Dr. Luke Machen would be happy to review your case and determine if you may be an ideal fit for this new technology. Schedule an appointment at our urology clinic in Greensboro, NC today.
Sources:
https://www.proact-for-men.com/is-proact-right-for-me https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
FAQs
The ProACT Therapy may be right for you if you have failed conservative therapy for your stress incontinence, are more
than 12 months after prostate surgery, and are seeking a minimally invasive surgical treatment option. The ProACT Therapy may be appropriate if you are seeking a long-term, customizable solution for your incontinence needs.
This therapy had been commercially available outside the USA since 2002 and has been available within the USA since 2015. To date, over 10,000 men have been implanted with ProACT.
After your ProACT surgery, your doctor will adjust your device in a brief office visit to better suit your needs. These adjustments are intended to improve your continence. You may see an improvement right away, although it could take multiple
adjustments to reach maximum effectiveness.
The ProACT balloons are placed entirely in your body. The ports are placed underneath the skin of your scrotum to allow
access for adjustments. The ports are approximately the size of a No. 2 pencil eraser; only you will know that they are
there.
The ProACT Therapy received FDA approval in 2015 with proven efficacy and safety data. To date, there are over 40 publications about the effectiveness, safety, and long-term durability of the ProACT therapy.
If you see no improvement with ProACT, the devices can be removed at any time. The balloons are deflated and removed
in an office setting in a minimally invasive procedure. After the ProACT is removed, you can be re-implanted with ProACT
or pursue other therapy options.
If your urologist determines that the ProACT therapy is an appropriate treatment option for you, the physician’s office
staff can work with you and your health plan to determine your coverage. The ProACT therapy is covered by Medicare.