Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan Provides Prostate Cancer Insights to ABC7 Los Angeles

Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan, Director of Urologic Health at the Disney Family Cancer, Saint Joseph Medical Center, Lends Expertise to Local News

Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan, Director of Urologic Health at the Disney Family Cancer, Providence, Saint Joseph Medical Center
Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan, Director of Urologic Health at the Disney Family Cancer, Providence, Saint Joseph Medical Center
In recent news, King Charles III discovered he had prostate cancer while investigating symptoms of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate. BPH is a common condition that develops in older men and can impact urinary function, causing a variety of symptoms. When the prostate is enlarged, men have difficulty passing urine because the prostate encircles the urethra, constricting urine flow from the bladder. The bladder then has to work harder to overcome the prostate’s resistance to pass urine. If the blockage continues or worsens over time, the bladder may be unable to empty completely, leading to a condition called urinary retention.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

Urologists focus on the early signs of one or more symptoms. Further diagnostic procedures and imaging will indicate the future course of medical interventions. In its early stages, prostate cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms and is curable. More advanced prostate cancer may cause signs and symptoms such as:

  • Frequent or uncontrolled urination
  • Trouble urinating
  • Need to urinate more often, especially at night
  • Decreased force in the stream of urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Blood in the semen
  • Bone pain
  • Losing weight unexpectedly
  • Erectile dysfunction

Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan explains the two most common urinary conditions when a lesion is discovered. If it is prostate-related, then treatment protocols including biopsy and active surveillance for prostate cancer may be prescribed, which may later involve one or more treatments if cancer is present, such as HIFU Therapy or robotic prostatectomy. However, if it is not related to the prostate, then the urinary problem could be within the bladder.

“Every now and then, you can find something in the bladder that you didn’t anticipate…It’s only under anesthesia and a formal procedure that you end up seeing it.”

Listen to Dr. Narayanan on KABC News


ABC7, January 29, 2024, King Charles III released from hospital after prostate procedure.

How are doctors finding smaller tumors, particularly in the bladder?

Blue light cystoscopy - Saint John's Cancer Institute
Blue light cystoscopy – Saint John’s Cancer Institute
Tumors in the bladder can be elusive as Dr. Narayanan indicated, which is challenging because not all are benign (non-cancerous). At Saint John’s, urologists now employ specialized technology to see inside the bladder, and with a special chemical applied within the bladder, they can illuminate cancerous tumors bright pink. This gives the physical greater awareness to address early-stage cancers, achieved using Blue Light Cystoscopy.

Dr. Narayanan is encouraged that more people may be made aware of their health, inspired by those in the media bringing attention to a variety of health conditions.

Learn more

Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, Saint Joseph Medical Center
Doctor’s Bio
Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan

Providence, Saint Joseph Medical Center
Center for Urologic Health at the Disney Family Cancer Center – Burbank
181 South Buena Vista Street, Floor 4
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 748-4798

Saint John’s Cancer Institute
Urology and Urologic Center of Excellence