The diagnosis of a urologic problem can create a wave of anxiety, concern and need for immediate decisions. These challenges may seem insurmountable at first, but with compassionate and quality care, they can be overcome.
Our concern is for the whole patient. While we treat the disease, we are always attuned to the individual’s quality of life and lifestyle. It often surprises our patients that most people diagnosed with urologic disease, even those with urologic (kidney, ureteral, bladder, prostate, testicular) cancers can be cured without significant impact on long-term quality of life.
What makes the difference? First, the development of better diagnostic tests such as the PSA blood test and computer tomography have improved the ability to detect urologic diseases and cancers earlier, while they’re still at a curable stage. Secondly the development of the DaVinci surgical robotic system and advances in robotic surgical techniques have made it possible to not only cure most urologic cancers but also treat them in ways that do not cause excessive pain. Today most prostate cancer patients can be treated successfully while still maintaining normal bodily functions such as urinary control and erectile function. In many cases a kidney tumor can be removed without damaging the remaining healthy portion of the kidney thanks to these robotic procedures. Finally, the advent of new instrumentation for radiation therapy such as RapidArc with Calypso-guidance and TrueBeam have allowed many prostate cancer patients to avoid surgery but still receive curative therapy.
My goal, as a physician, is to provide care that provides the best possible chance for cure while minimizing risk for treatment-related discomfort and long-term side effects. In some cases treatment is not necessary and all that is needed is close monitoring. However, when treatment is necessary I strive to use the most effective treatment for the individual patient whether that be surgical, radiation or medical therapy. In other words, we want to provide the best outcome to help every patient live his or her life the way they want to. In addition to cutting edge technologies for diagnosis and treatment, this level of care can only be achieved through the mutual trust of a true doctor-patient partnership. That is my objective - and my privilege.
David K. Ornstein, M.D.
Board certified in Urology, Fellowship trained in Urologic Oncology
Dr. Ornstein has been recognized through multiple national awards for his clinical expertise in the care of patients with prostate and other urologic cancers as well as his skill as a robotic surgeon. He has been named as one of the "Best Doctors in America" for the past five consecutive years, and was ranked in the 99th percentile for the 2010 Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
