Dr Bivek Kumar - Urologist, Sparsh Hospitals, Bangalore (2026)

29/12/2025

THANK YOU BOLPUR

I had the privilege to visit Thakur RabindraNath Tagore's Home shantiniketan
Rathin Kisku

Was witness to the Annual Poush Mela at Bolpur in Birbhum District.

Excellent arrangement by the Bolpur Administration, managing such a Huge gathering without major issues.

Had an excellent medical camp at Puspa Doctors Hub providing care to patients of Kidney disorders.

Come to Experience the Misty winters , savor the flavors , relish the hospitality and enjoy the sights
Come support our local Handicrafts and so.much more

Many many thanks

Dr Bivek Kumar - Urologist
SPARSH Hospital, Bangalore

26/12/2025

The Year in Review 2025: What’s New in Urology?

2025 has been an exciting year in urology, with major breakthroughs that are changing how we understand and treat diseases of the kidneys, bladder, prostate, and the entire genitourinary system.
Many of these advances mean earlier diagnosis, more precise treatments, and better outcomes for patients.

🌟 1. Kidney Cancer: Smarter, Longer‑Lasting Treatments
Kidney cancer care took a big leap forward this year.

What changed?
👉Immunotherapy became even more powerful.
Long‑term studies showed that certain immune‑based treatments can keep kidney cancer under control for many years.

👉New targeted drugs arrived.
Medicines that block a protein called HIF‑2α continued to show strong results, especially for people with genetic conditions like von Hippel–Lindau disease.

👉Early trials of CAR‑T therapy began.
This is a type of personalized cell therapy that re‑programs the immune system to attack cancer.

Early results are promising and could reshape kidney cancer treatment in the future.

Why it matters:
Patients now have more options that are effective, long‑lasting, and often less toxic than older treatments.

🌟 2. Prostate Cancer: Earlier Detection and Better Precision

Prostate cancer was in the spotlight this year, partly due to increased public awareness and partly because of major scientific progress.

Key updates:

✅️A powerful treatment called PSMA‑targeted radioligand therapy moved earlier in the treatment pathway.
This means men can benefit from it sooner, not just after chemotherapy.

✅️Better guidance for men with rising PSA after treatment.
New studies helped doctors understand:
✔️Who needs stronger treatment
✔️ Who can safely avoid overtreatment
✔️How long therapy should continue

🩸Blood‑based tumor DNA tests (ctDNA) gained momentum.
These tests can detect cancer recurrence earlier than scans and help personalize treatment.

Why it matters:
Men can now receive more tailored care—avoiding unnecessary treatment while catching aggressive disease earlier.

🌟 3. Bladder Cancer: More Ways to Save the Bladder:
Bladder cancer research also made important progress.

Highlights
✋️Bladder‑preserving treatments improved.
New combinations of therapies are helping some patients avoid bladder removal surgery.

✋️Immunotherapy combinations expanded.
Researchers tested new drug pairs that may help people whose cancer has spread.

✋️Better options for patients who don’t respond to BCG.
Several new treatments showed encouraging results for early‑stage bladder cancer that is difficult to treat.

Why it matters:
More patients can keep their bladder and still receive effective cancer control.

🌟 4. Biomarkers: The Rise of Personalized Urology

Across all urologic cancers, 2025 was the year of precision medicine.

What’s new?
💊ctDNA blood tests are helping detect cancer earlier and guide treatment decisions.
💊Molecular profiling is identifying which patients will benefit from specific drugs.
💊Risk‑based treatment pathways are reducing unnecessary therapy and improving quality of life.

Why it matters:
Medicine is becoming more personalized—treating the right patient with the right therapy at the right time.

🌟 5. Beyond Cancer: Advances in Kidney Stones, Surgery, and Regeneration

Not all progress was in oncology.

Other important developments
💉Better understanding of rare stone disorders is paving the way for targeted therapies.
💉Robotic and minimally invasive surgery became even more precise with improved imaging and navigation tools.
💉Regenerative medicine made early strides, including research on bioengineered ureters, bladder patches, and kidney organoids.

Why it matters:
These innovations promise safer surgeries, fewer complications, and—one day—lab‑grown tissues for repair or replacement.

Looking Ahead

2025 has been a year of real progress in urology. Treatments are becoming:
- More precise
- More personalized
- Less invasive
- More effective

As research continues, the hope is clear: earlier detection, smarter treatments, and better outcomes for everyone affected by genitourinary diseases.

Dr Bivek Kumar - Urologist
Puspa Doctors Hub
SPARSH Hospital, Bangalore

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas

22/12/2025

Frequently Asked Questions:

Urethral Stricture Disease.

1. What exactly is a urethral stricture?
Think of the urethra as a garden hose that carries urine out of the body. A stricture is a section of that hose that has become narrowed by scar tissue. This narrowing restricts the flow of urine, much like a kink in the hose.

2. How did I get this?
Strictures are usually caused by an injury to the lining of the urethra. Common causes include:
👉 Trauma: A fall (straddle injury) or a pelvic fracture.
👉Medical Procedures: Previous use of catheters or surgeries performed through the urethra.
👉Infections: Past history of certain STIs or chronic inflammation.
👉Unknown: Sometimes, the scar forms without a clear triggering event.

3. Will it go away on its own?
No. Once scar tissue (fibrosis) has formed, it does not disappear. In fact, most strictures tend to get tighter or longer over time if left untreated.

4. What happens if I ignore the symptoms?
Ignoring a stricture can lead to serious long-term complications, including:
📈 Bladder Damage: The bladder muscle thickens and eventually weakens because it has to "push" too hard.
📈Kidney Issues: Back-pressure from retained urine can damage the kidneys.
📈 Infections: Stagnant urine in the bladder is a breeding ground for bacteria and stones.

5. What are my treatment options?
Treatment depends on the length and location of the scar:
👉Dilation or Urethrotomy: Briefly stretching or "cutting" the scar. This is minimally invasive but has a high chance of the scar returning.
👉Urethroplasty: A surgical "fix" where the scar is removed or the urethra is widened using a graft (usually from the inside of the cheek). This has the highest long-term success rate.
👉Tissue Engineering (Uregrow): A newer method where we grow your own cells in a lab to create a "patch" for the urethra, avoiding the need for a large harvest from your mouth.

6. Will the surgery affect my sexual function?
In the vast majority of cases, reconstructive surgery for a stricture does not affect erections or the ability to have children. In fact, many patients find their quality of life improves significantly once urinary symptoms are resolved.

7. How long is the recovery?
Most patients require a catheter for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery to allow the new connection to heal. Once the catheter is removed, most people return to normal activities within a month, though heavy lifting should be avoided for 6 weeks.

8. What is the chance of the stricture coming back?
While "stretching" (dilation) has a high failure rate, a well-performed Urethroplasty has a success rate of 85% to 95%. We will monitor your urine flow regularly after surgery to ensure the path remains open.

9. When should I call my doctor?
Contact us immediately if you experience:

➡️ Complete inability to pass urine.
➡️High fever or severe pain.
➡️Fresh blood in the urine that does not clear up.

> A Note for Patients: Early intervention is key to protecting your bladder and kidney health. If you notice your urinary stream is weakening, don't wait for it to stop completely.
>https://www.sparshhospital.com/doctors/dr-bivek-kumar/

Please contact 7337750332 for appointments 🙏
Dr Bivek Kumar - Urologist
SPARSH Hospital, Bangalore
Sarjapura road
Puspa Doctors Hub

19/12/2025

Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma):

What You Need to Know

Kidney cancer, most often renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is when cells in the kidney grow out of control.

It's one of the top 10 cancers in adults, and catching it early makes a big difference.

As a urologist, I see many patients worried about this—let's break it down in easy language, with what causes it, symptoms, tests, treatments, and follow-up.

What Causes Kidney Cancer?
No one thing "causes" it, but certain risks make it more likely:
• Smoking
• Being overweight: Extra weight stresses the kidneys.
• High blood pressure: Long-term hypertension is a key risk.
• Family history or genetic conditions (like von Hippel-Lindau syndrome).
• Long-term kidney problems or dialysis.
• Exposure to certain chemicals (rare).

In India, rising cases link to lifestyle changes like obesity and diabetes.

How It Develops:
Cancer starts when kidney cells' "instructions" (genes) go wrong.
The most common type (clear cell) often involves a gene called VHL not working properly, causing new blood vessels to grow and feed the tumor.
Over time, the cancer can spread to lungs, bones, or lymph nodes if not caught early.

Signs and Symptoms:
Listen to Your Body
Many people have no symptoms early on—it's often found during checks for other issues. Watch for:
• Blood in urine (pink, red, or cola-colored).
• Pain in the side or back that doesn't go away.
• A lump you can feel in the belly.
• Feeling tired, losing weight without trying, or fever.
• Swelling in legs or ankles.
If you notice these, don't wait—see a doctor.Tests and DiagnosisDoctors use:
• Ultrasound or CT scan: Best way to see the tumor.
• Blood and urine tests: Check kidney function and look for blood.
• Biopsy (sometimes): Taking a small sample to confirm cancer.
Staging tells how far it's spread (Stage 1 is small and confined; Stage 4 has spread).

Treatment Options:
Tailored to You

Treatment depends on size, stage, and your health:
• Surgery: Often the main cure.
• Partial nephrectomy: Remove just the tumor, save the rest of the kidney (preferred when possible).
• Radical nephrectomy: Remove the whole kidney (if tumor is large).
• Done laparoscopically or robotically for faster recovery.
• Ablation: Freeze or heat the tumor for small ones (cryotherapy or radiofrequency).

Medications for Advanced Cancer:
• Targeted drugs (like sunitinib, pazopanib) block tumor blood supply.
• Immunotherapy (nivolumab, pembrolizumab) boosts your immune system to fight cancer.
• Combinations often work best now.
• Radiation: Rarely for kidney, but for bone pain if spread.

In India, access to robotic surgery and newer drugs is growing in major centers.

Alternative Therapies
No alternative replaces standard treatment, but some help with side effects:
• Yoga/meditation for stress and energy.
• Acupuncture for pain/nausea.
• Diet rich in fruits/veggies for overall health.

Always discuss with your doctor—some herbs can interfere with meds.
Long-Term Follow-Up and Handling Recurrences , After treatment:
• Regular scans/tests every 3–6 months first, then yearly.
• Watch for new symptoms—recurrence happens in 20–30% cases, often lungs/bones.
• If returns: More surgery, targeted drugs, or immunotherapy.
Special cases:
• Multiple tumors in one kidney: Often genetic—save as much kidney as possible.
• Hereditary syndromes (e.g., VHL): Regular screening from young age; special drugs like belzutifan for some.

Kidney cancer is serious but treatable, especially early.
Lifestyle (quit smoking, healthy weight) lowers risk. If worried, get checked—simple tests can save lives.

Reach out—early action matters!

Dr Bivek Kumar - Urologist
Urologist & Andrology Specialist,
SPARSH Hospital, Bangalore

https://www.sparshhospital.com/doctors/dr-bivek-kumar/

18/12/2025

Understanding Bladder Control Problems
Dr Bivek Kumar - Urologist

You Are Not Alone

Bladder control problems (urinary incontinence) are very common.

They affect millions of people, especially women, yet many suffer in silence because of embarrassment.

The good news is that most bladder issues can be treated successfully. You do not have to "just live with it."

How Does the Bladder Work?
Your bladder is a balloon-like muscle that stores urine.
👉Storage: When working normally, the bladder muscle stays relaxed to hold urine, while the sphincter muscles (the valve) stay tight to prevent leaking.
👉Emptying: When you are ready to go, the brain signals the bladder muscle to squeeze and the sphincter to relax, allowing urine to flow.

Common Types of Bladder Problems

1. Stress Incontinence (Leaking with Activity)
The muscles and tissues that support the bladder (the pelvic floor) have become weak. This often happens after childbirth, with aging, or due to weight gain.

2. Urge Incontinence (Overactive Bladder)
A sudden, strong need to urinate that you cannot control. The bladder muscle squeezes at the wrong time, even when the bladder isn't full.
This can be caused by nerve issues or irritation, but often the cause is unknown.

3. Overflow Incontinence
This happens when the bladder never completely empties and experience constant "dribbling."

What Affects Your Bladder?

Certain habits and conditions can make symptoms worse:
💊Medications: Some blood pressure pills (diuretics) or muscle relaxants.
👏Diet: Caffeine (coffee/tea), alcohol, and spicy foods can irritate the bladder.
👌Health Conditions: Diabetes, constipation, or chronic coughing.

What to Expect at Your Appointment
To find the best treatment, your doctor needs to understand your specific situation.
They may ask you to:
👉Keep a "Bladder Diary": Write down what you drink and when you leak for a few days.
👉Provide a Urine Sample: To check for infection.
👉Perform a Physical Exam: To check your muscle strength and reflexes.
👉Measure "Leftover" Urine: An ultrasound may be used to see if your bladder empties.

Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type of problem you have. It usually starts with simple lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle Changes (The First Step)
✅ ️Dietary Changes: Reducing caffeine and alcohol often helps immediately.
✅️ Fluid Management: Don't drink large amounts right before bed.
✅️ Bladder Retraining: Teaching your bladder to hold urine for longer periods by going on a set schedule.
Exercises
✅️ Kegel Exercises: These strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Like lifting weights for your bladder, these exercises can stop leaks if done correctly and consistently.

💊Medical Treatments
If lifestyle changes aren't enough
👉 Medications: Pills that help relax the bladder muscle (for Urge Incontinence).
👉 Procedures: For Stress Incontinence, minor surgical procedures (like a "sling") can support the urethra and stop leaks.
👉 Bulking Agents: An injection to help thicken the sphincter muscle so it closes more tightly.
When to See a Doctor

Talk to a urologist if:
✋️✋️Leaking urine affects your daily activities or social life.
✋️✋️You constantly worry about being near a bathroom.
✋️✋️You notice blood in your urine or have pain when urinating.

Please consult your urologist for a personalized treatment plan.
Please contact 7337750332 for appointments 🙏
https://www.sparshhospital.com/doctors/dr-bivek-kumar/

Dr Bivek Kumar
SPARSH Hospital, Bangalore
Puspa Doctors Hub

Dr Bivek Kumar - Urologist

29/12/2025

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