Columbia Memorial | Health Compass | Summer 2020

Revolutionary relief for prostate problems Urologist Grecori Anderson, MD, treats many men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a noncancerous condition in which the prostate becomes enlarged. It’s very common among men over 50 and can cause bothersome symptoms, including problems with urination. Dr. Anderson performs the latest in-office treatment for BPH called the Urolift . This procedure lifts and retracts the enlarged prostate tissue so it no longer blocks the urethra. The Urolift procedure allows patients to return home on the same day — without a catheter or the side effects of more invasive procedures. For men diagnosed with prostate cancer, CMH now offers SpaceOAR , a procedure to minimize the side effects of radiation therapy. “The key thing is what patients are no longer saying about their bowel movements,” says radiation oncologist Pehr Hartvigson, MD. “Before we started using SpaceOAR, I always anticipated that some patients would have bowel side effects, such as loose bowels, diarrhea and urgency to go to the bathroom after radiation. Since starting to use SpaceOAR, patients don’t seem to be having these issues anymore.” In a randomized study, patients treated with SpaceOAR experienced fewer rectal side effects and better sexual function three years after treatment, compared to those who weren’t treated with SpaceOAR. GET BIG-CITY CARE WITHOUT THE HASSLE OF TRAVEL. Visit columbiamemorial.org to find out more. Vascular surgeons evaluate and treat all blood vessel problems, excluding those of the heart or brain. Many vascular conditions can be treated locally. In situations where a surgery should be done in Portland, seeing a vascular surgeon close to home will save you at least three pre- and post-surgery visits there. General surgeon Camilo Rosales, MD, started his practice in 1989, doing both vascular surgery and general surgery. After joining CMH, he continued to do some minor vascular surgery, including varicose vein surgery. He has offered patients relief from varicose veins for several years, using minimally invasive techniques, such as radiofrequency ablation (using radio waves to close off a vein) and transilluminated phlebectomy (to light up and remove a vein), as well as nonsurgical sclerotherapy injections to shrink spider veins. In 2020, Dr. Rosales was joined by Robert McLafferty, MD, from OHSU, who is building a comprehensive vascular surgery program at CMH. Together, they bring much-needed vascular services to our community. Bringing specialized vascular surgery close to home Robert McLafferty, MD, and Camilo Rosales, MD Grecori Anderson, MD, and Pehr Hartvigson, MD COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG FALL 2020 5