When it comes to patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancers, physicians have a trusted partner from the specialized multidisciplinary team at Indiana University Health Medical Center.
Through our unique partnership with IU School of Medicine, the research and surgical teams have a long history of clinical excellence, bringing new technologies and treatment protocols to patients.
IU Health Urology has made significant advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Our surgical expertise includes advancements in the following areas:
Our team of physicians have unmatched surgical expertise in performing radical prostatectomies in complex patients with co-morbidities using innovative techniques. The surgeons at IU Health perform more than 500 prostatectomy procedures annually, providing the best possible patient outcomes.
Dr. Michael Koch and Dr. Chandru Sundaram have led the advancement of minimally invasive surgeries; performing the first robot assisted radical prostatectomy in Indiana. Using the da Vinci robotic surgery system, our team at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center has performed more than 3,000 robotic prostatectomy procedures. We track patient results closely to ensure the best possible outcomes.
For patients that are not fit for a robot assisted procedure, our team has the expertise in open radical prostatectomies and perform this surgery on a regular basis.
Along with treatment, the multi-disciplinary team at IU Health is working to create better standards for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. With diagnosis techniques such as fusion biopsies, our team can provide more accurate, less aggressive biopsy procedures. IU Health continues to investigate the use of innovative technologies, potentially on the brink of practice-changing breakthroughs.
This includes leading research across the nation on PSMA tracers with the use of position emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging PET-MRI in the diagnosis of recurrent disease and low risk disease progression surveillance, and the continuous study of opportunities prostate-specific membrane antigen PSMA tracers can provide for personalized medicine.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Urology are developing new methods for diagnosing and treating prostate cancer through cancer-specific imaging called prostate-specific membrane antigen positron-emission tomography, or PSMA-PET imaging. PSMA is a receptor for folic acid that’s specific to prostate cancer cells and a requirement for those cells to grow.
To address the side effects of whole gland ablation, the team at IU Health developed and investigated the effectiveness of partial gland ablation with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). IU Health physicians Dr. Michael Koch and Dr. Thomas Gardner became the first to publish on this technique. HIFU is routinely offered as an effective treatment option for appropriately indicated patients.
Learn more about the development of HIFU at IU School of Medicine.
Ever since physicists and engineers at Indiana University School of Medicine pioneered high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the 1990s, urologists at IU Health and researchers at the school have been refining and advancing the treatment. A non-invasive and focal treatment for prostate cancer, HIFU has lower rates of side effects for intermediate risk prostate cancer than traditional treatment.
Chair, Indiana University Department of Urology
Dr. Koch’s practice is primarily focused in the areas of prostate cancer and bladder cancer. He is one of the leading surgeons in the United States in robotic surgery for prostate cancer and developed the HIFU treatment for localized prostate cancer.
Dr. Chandru Sundaram is a board certified urologist and the Director of minimally invasive surgery, program director and professor of Urology.
Dr. Bahler is a board certified urologist and serves as an Assistant Professor of Urology with Indiana University School of Medicine. His field of expertise includes the research and surgical treatment of prostate cancer.
The Urology Department at Indiana University Health has an extensive history with more than 130 years in the treatment and surgical management of advanced bladder cancer.
At IU Health, patients benefit from vast experience in performing robotic surgery, advanced urinary diversion and bladder reconstruction methods as well as innovative immunotherapies.
Our physicians perform well over 150 radical cystectomies annually, utilizing all types of urinary diversions- including neobladder reconstruction, ileal conduit urinary diversion and Indiana Pouch continent urinary reservoir.
As the center that developed the Indiana Pouch technique and performed in more than 1,000 patients, our team can has the expertise to provide the best treatment plan for each patient. Multidisciplinary teams at IU Health Cancer Centers collaborate on the best course of action- including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy- depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the patient’s cancer. With diagnosis techniques including blue light cystoscopy, our physicians are able to identify hard to find tumors, ensuring that all of the cancer has been removed.
Dr. Kaimakliotis is a board certified urologist and serves as an Assistant Professor of Urology with Indiana University School of Medicine. His field of expertise includes bladder cancer, utilizing both open and minimally invasive robotic surgery.
Using a multi-disciplinary approach, our teams of physicians at IU Health Medical Center are able to collaborate on developing new methods of treatments for complex diseases such as bladder cancer.
Through our partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine, our physicians have a long history of clinical and research excellence that leads to breakthrough treatments such as novel immunotherapy for bladder cancer.
Download the Case Study (PDF)Through our partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine, we develop and implement bench-to-bedside research that helps improve outcomes for patients across the full spectrum of urological diseases and conditions. Our multidisciplinary team is committed to providing advanced, high-quality care through every stage of treatment.
Download a PDF of our current Genitourinary (GU) Cancer Program Clinical Trials.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Urology are learning new ways to diagnose and treat prostate cancer through prostate-specific membrane antigen positron-emission tomography (PSMA-PET) imaging.
Through our partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine, we develop and implement bench-to-bedside research that helps improve outcomes for patients across the full spectrum of urological diseases and conditions. Our multidisciplinary team is committed to providing advanced, high-quality care through every stage of treatment.
Download a PDF of our current Genitourinary (GU) Cancer Program Clinical Trials.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Urology are learning new ways to diagnose and treat prostate cancer through prostate-specific membrane antigen positron-emission tomography (PSMA-PET) imaging.
To meet the rest of our IU Health Urology team, download our physician directory.
Download Physician Directory (PDF)