We are the combination of four hospitals: the General Hospital, the Children’s Hospital, the Women’s Hospital and the Traumatology, Rehabilitation and Burns Hospital. We are part of the Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus: a world-leading health park where healthcare plays a crucial role.
Patients are the centre and the core of our system. We are professionals committed to quality care and our organizational structure breaks down the traditional boundaries between departments and professional groups, with an exclusive model of knowledge areas.
Would you like to know what your stay at Vall d'Hebron will be like? Here you will find all the information.
The commitment of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital to innovation allows us to be at the forefront of medicine, providing first class care adapted to the changing needs of each patient.
Testicular cancer is an uncommon type of cancer with a good prognosis when detected early. Recognizing symptoms and performing regular self-examinations help identify changes early and allow timely treatment.
If you are concerned or have any of the symptoms listed below, it is important that you see a doctor.
It is important for young men to perform regular self-examinations; especially those who are considered to be at risk of contracting testicular cancer.
A testicular self-examination can help a man detect any changes in their testicles on time. This means that if treatment is needed, it can be started as soon as possible.
Prostate cancer can be detected early through tests such as digital rectal examination, PSA blood testing, and, when needed, biopsy. Early diagnosis allows for better treatment decisions and improves disease outcomes.
The purpose of the tests is to detect prostate cancer in the early stages, before the disease progresses. There are two common initial screening tests. Depending on the result, you may be referred to a urologist for a biopsy. These initial tests are:
The PSA blood test seeks to identify a protein in the blood that is specifically produced by prostate cells.
An elevated or rising PSA level alone does not always mean that a man has prostate cancer. PSA levels may increase with age and other benign conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis. To diagnose prostate cancer, you will need to undergo a prostate biopsy.
Depending on the results, you may be referred to a urologist in order to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a biopsy. This is the only way to determine the presence of a cancer.
This is another type of biopsy which uses the images obtained from the MRI scans and real-time ultrasound images. Using a computer programme, the images obtained in the ultrasound scan are fused, or merged, with those of the previously-performed prostate MRI. This allows lesions to be located with greater accuracy. Samples will be taken from the lesion and from the rest of the prostate. The prostate samples will be sent to the anatomopathologist (a specialist who analyses and studies the tissues). After analysing the samples under a microscope, they will confirm whether the patient has cancer. If they do have cancer, the anatomopathologist will also confirm how aggressive it is.
We suggest that you talk with your doctor to see whether you need to undergo a PSA blood analysis.
Together you can decide on the best way to proceed.
Kidney diseases affect how the kidneys function, as they are responsible for filtering blood and removing waste. Maintaining a balanced diet, proper hydration, and healthy habits is key to preserving kidney function and preventing complications.
The kidneys benefit from a healthy diet, from a relatively high intake of water and from avoiding tobacco. Regular bowel and bladder movements are also essential. Constipation and delaying urination are both damaging to kidney function.
Plain water without anything dissolved in it is necessary for good kidney function, apart from liquids such as milk and broth and drinks such as tea and coffee. The amount of urine a healthy person produces varies depending on how much water they drink, the air temperature, whether they are at rest or doing exercise, etc. A healthy adult would normally required 1 to 2 litres per day. Kidney function does not necessarily improve if excessive water is consumed.
Exercise and a diet rich in fibre encourage healthy bowel and bladder movements and improve kidney function. In terms of related conditions, often diabetes, good metabolic control of the diabetes is essential to preserve good kidney function. Controlling arterial pressure, which often has an unknown cause, is also vital to maintain good kidney function.
Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease of the central nervous system, disabling, chronic and with a high degree of complexity and heterogeneity. Specialised multidisciplinary care is therefore required during diagnosis, follow-up and treatment.
Current evidence is insufficient to give advice on preventing multiple sclerosis. It is, however, advised that your have a healthy lifestyle and carry out activities as normal. Multiple sclerosis affects women more than men, often appears in young adults and is the second biggest cause of non-traumatic disability.
When agreeing with the patient to start them on a drug to treat symptoms or multiple sclerosis itself:
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary greatly, so you are advised to consult specialists when you feel:
Although there is no scientific evidence that allows us to make concrete recommendations to prevent or change the course of the illness, there is a whole host of advice about diet, habits and physical exercise that patients and, in general, the entire population, should bear in mind:
You are also advised, should you suffer fatigue, to continue daily activity and stay active, combining moments of activity with moments of relaxation as well as to seek energy-saving strategies.
Vitamin D has an important role to play in relation to the illness, which is being researched intensively. Often, people affected present a deficiency of this vitamin, so you are advised to take a supplement under instructions and supervision by your specialist.
Multiple sclerosis is a complex and chronic illness, so it is recommended that those around the person affected are given adequate and comprehensive information. It is also a good idea to have access to ongoing advice whenever necessary.
The family or professional carer, where necessary, may need training and practical advice on topics such as diet, hygiene and the patient’s mobility.
Health education in the diagnosis, at the beginning of the treatment and for the mobilisation of the disabled patient.
Testicular cancer is the most commonly-found tumour in men aged between 15 and 35. More than 90% of testicular cancers develop in the germ cells, which are responsible for producing sperm.
Secondary testicular tumours are caused by cancer cells that spread to the testicles from other parts of the body (metastasis). These cancers are much less common than the other forms of testicular cancer mentioned above.
While these tumours originate in the testicles, they may also occasionally appear in the abdomen, chest or other parts of the body, either as a primary tumour or as distant involvement of a primary tumour in the testicle.
Testicular cancer usually presents as a unilateral, non-painful testicular mass or as an incidental finding in an ultrasound examination.
The causes of testicular cancer are not known, but there are factors that can increase the risk of this disease, such as:
There is no known connection between testicular cancer and testicular trauma, muscle tears, hot baths or tight-fitting clothing.
Once treatment is completed, vigilance is of vital importance. The doctor will recommend self-examinations and regular check-ups.
During check-ups, the urologist will examine the unaffected testicle for lumps or abnormalities; perform regular blood tests to quantify tumour markers; and perform imaging tests - such as chest x-rays or regular CT scans - to check for the recurrence of any tumours.
Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that can be effectively treated and potentially cured if it is diagnosed and treated on time. Advanced testicular cancer can also be cured with treatment.
Neither testicular cancer nor the surgical removal of a testicle should impair sexual function or fertility. The surgical removal of a testicle has a minimal impact on a man's fertility, as a single testicle produces large amounts of sperm on its own. For men who require further treatment, fertility may be temporarily affected.
Prostate cancer is the tumor most frequently diagnosed in adult men in developed countries with a long life expectancy. It is an atypical and uncontrolled growth of the cells that make up the prostate gland.
If there is suspicion due to symptoms or an elevated PSA, a digital rectal exam and a new blood PSA test will be performed. If the rectal exam is positive (a nodule or hardening of the prostate is detected), a biopsy will be carried out. If the rectal exam is negative, PSA levels will be evaluated to decide whether a biopsy is necessary. PSA is used as a screening tool in the general population to enable early diagnosis of prostate cancer.
It is a good tumor marker because it increases when the prostate glands are disrupted due to tumor growth. Since it is also present in the normal prostate and increases in benign prostate growth, it must always be interpreted in the individual context of each patient. An elevated PSA is not synonymous with prostate cancer, and a rectal exam and ultrasound should always be performed. The final diagnosis is made only by biopsy.
Risk factors for developing the disease include:
The typical profile is a man aged 50–70 years, in whom benign prostate growth may coexist.
Many men with prostate cancer are asymptomatic.
Often, the first sign of the disease is a casual finding of an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a routine blood test. Sometimes the disease can produce local symptoms related to the growth of the prostate gland, which may mimic those caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. In these patients, bone pain is usually associated with more advanced stages of the disease.
Experiencing urinary discomfort does not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. Consult your doctor if you have any of these symptoms to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Prostate cancer is diagnosed through serum PSA levels, digital rectal exam, and ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.
Prostate biopsies can cause some complications, which in most cases resolve without lasting effects. The most common are:
When prostate cancer is localized and low-risk, it can be treated with surgical removal and radiotherapy. In cases of spread, treatment with radiotherapy and hormones is considered to slow tumor growth. Sometimes, if the patient is elderly, the progression of the cancer is closely monitored before surgery, as in some cases it does not pose a short-term threat to survival.
Prostate cancer survival depends on the stage at the time of diagnosis: it is quite favorable in localized cases, less favorable in advanced cases, and worst in disseminated cases. For this reason, periodic evaluation of the prostate by a primary care physician is recommended.
A urinary tract infection is the presence of bacteria in the urinary tract, which is normally sterile. It can affect the lower urinary tract (bladder or urethra) or the kidneys, known as pyelonephritis. Common symptoms include pain during urination, frequent urination, or fever. Treatment usually involves antibiotics.
Infections of the lower urinary tract are characterised by localised pain, which increases when urinating, and sometimes by cloudy or dark urine, usually without high temperatures.
Kidney infections (pyelonephritis) are characterised by high temperatures, acute local pain in the lower back, and pain or irritation when urinating.
Urinary tract infection is characterised by the presence of local pain (lower abdomen or lumbar region), which increases when urinating. The urine is often cloudy, or dark if it contains blood. There may be high fever, especially in the case of pyelonephritis (an infection of the upper urinary tract).
It can affect people at any age, from early childhood to old age. It is more frequent among women and there are factors that make people vulnerable to it (pregnancy for women and enlarged prostate for men) as well as urological anomalies (pre-existing malformation or presence of kidney stones).
Urinary infections are diagnosed by examining urine under the microscope (sediment) to see whether it contains white blood cells and/or bacteria, and by cultivating the bacteria in a microbiological culture to identify the strain and determine the most appropriate antibiotic for treatment (antibiotic susceptibility testing).
Urinary tract infections are usually treated with antibiotics. Treatment is oral in the case of lower-tract infection.
For upper-tract infections (pyelonephritis) it is usually intravenous, although in some cases outpatient oral treatment may be administered.
The standard tests are urine sediment and culture (urine culture with antibiotic susceptibility testing). An ultrasound scan may be indicated for examining the kidney and urinary tract and identifying obstructions or kidney stones that may have brought about the infection.
Ultrasounds are also used to assess the state of the kidneys. A general analysis may also be indicated to see how the urinary tract infection is affecting the rest of the body, and specifically the renal function.
Urinary tract infection can be prevented by frequent urination (every 2 to 3 hours) and, above all, by avoiding the habit of holding in urine, and by going to the toilet whenever the bladder feels full, without waiting too long.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that can develop with age and obstruct urinary flow. It may cause symptoms such as difficulty urinating, increased urinary frequency, and reduced quality of life.
The prostate is a glandular organ present in men and is crossed by the urethra. It is involved in semen formation (80% of its content) and is therefore a sexual organ. When it grows, especially after the age of 50, it results in benign hyperplasia, but there are some symptoms, as the prostatic urethra consequently becomes narrower and thus obstructs the normal passage of urine.
The urethra is the urinary passage that goes from the bladder to the outside. In men, it has two branches; the prostatic urethra (passing through the prostate) and the spongy urethra, which crosses the entire penis to the outside.
When the prostate grows in size (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), the diameter of the urethra decreases and symptoms occur. The obstruction of the urethra by the prostate is progressive and causes repercussions in the bladder, which requires more effort to drain the urine. It can also lead to urinary infections and the formation of lithiasis (stony concretions or calculi) from the salts contained in urine because it is not emptied easily and thus sedimentation of salts takes place.
If the obstruction is very large, the difficulty in removing the urine can cause the kidneys to be damaged because the bladder cannot be emptied properly.
More frequently urinating than normal, urinating at night, loss of force in urine stream, urinary urgency (the patient feels an intense urge to urinate) and also episodes in which urine escapes.
Men over the age of 50, with an increase in incidence as they get older.
Diagnosis is reached through clinical history, where the patient’s symptoms are ascertained, and a rectal touch, where the doctor accesses the prostate to assess the size and any abnormalities. An ultrasound will give information on the kidneys, the size of the prostate and the degree of drainage of the bladder.
A PSA test allows us to investigate suspected prostate cancer.
It is initially based on oral medications that relax the prostate muscles and facilitate the passage and normal evacuation of urine, or others that reduce its volume. In more advanced stages, drainage of the central part of the prostate should be done through a transurethral resection or laser enucleation.
Physical examination, ultrasound, PSA test. Urine flow test and assessment of post-void residual urine
Not applicable. Periodic checks for the onset of symptoms are the key to early diagnosis.
Chronic pelvic pain is a persistent condition lasting more than six months that affects the pelvic area and related structures in both men and women. It has a multifactorial origin and can significantly impact quality of life, sexual health, and emotional well-being.
Chronic pelvic pain is defined as "chronic or persistent pain in the structures related to the pelvis in both men and women". It commonly impacts on cognitive, sexual and emotional behaviour. It often manifests as gynaecological, sexual, intestinal or pelvic floor dysfunction. A multidisciplinary approach must therefore be taken to treatment.
Chronic pelvic pain lasts for six months or more and affects the pelvic area, the abdominal wall of the bellybutton and below, the lumbosacral area of the back and/or buttocks and is of sufficient intensity to cause disability in the patient and/or require medical attention.
This has a clear effect on the quality of life of people suffering from the condition.
Its origin is unknown, but we do know that it is exploited by multiple biological/organic, psychological and environmental conditions, which interact in a non-linear way and predispose the patient to present with the condition. There is a clear trend for patients to attend multiple specialists, with requests for complementary testing, which can become iatrogenic, with the patient often feeling misunderstood and ill-treated by the healthcare system.
As it is more of a clinical condition rather than a diagnosis as such, the symptoms can vary a lot, but they always centre around persistent pain. It has a major impact on women of reproductive age and its impact on quality of life varies depending on the causes. It is worth remembering that it gravely impacts on patients’ sex lives and this can cause very significant psychological issues.
According to research, the prevalence of pelvic pain in epidemiology is vary variable. This almost certainly has to do with sociocultural aspects. According to the latest studies, it could be as much as 6.4-25.4% in women and lower in men, at around 2-17%. It is very likely that in the case of men there is an underestimation of this prevalence as there is less willingness to look at problems that also affect the sexual sphere.
Diagnosis is clinical. An appropriate clinical history needs to be conducted with the patient and/or relatives by a specialised healthcare professional. There are different scales to assess the severity of symptoms or associated comorbid disorders, and neuropsychological tests that evaluate cognitive difficulties in terms of attention and concentration. There are also some useful complementary tests to rule out organic causes and make a good diagnosis.
A multi-modal approach is required: psychoeducation, psychological treatment and pharmacological treatment. If the condition is also affecting the patient’s sexuality, we must consider tackling the issue with the patient’s partner as a priority. Several drugs have been shown to help control the symptoms. It very important for treatment to create a good doctor/patient relationship, avoiding unnecessary and iatrogenic complementary testing.
Clinical history. Psychological interview. Neuropsychological examination. Blood test, vital signs, weight and height. Neuroimaging. Scans.
Work with healthcare professionals from the different specialisms that treat chronic pelvic pain. Schedule regular appointments and manage requests for complementary tests and medical interventions to prevent iatrogenic illness. Do regular physical exercise, try to rest well at night, stay active and take part in employment and/or leisure activities, practise relaxation therapies such as mindfulness and avoid consuming toxic substances. Rehabilitation physiotherapy.
The treatment for suspected testicular tumours is the surgical removal of the affected testicle. Surgery is an important part of the diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer.
Radical orchiectomy consists of the surgical removal of one or both affected testicles via the inguinal route, followed by an anatomopathological analysis to identify the type of tumour. This information will help the medical professionals to choose the most appropriate form of treatment for the patient.
After surgery, some patients may require treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which generates an excellent response in the vast majority of cases. These treatments are often prescribed after surgery in order to target remaining cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes.
A detailed initial extension study, appropriate early treatment and strict follow-up are the pillars that help to ensure high survival rate and quality of life for these patients.
The acceptance of these terms implies that you give your consent to the processing of your personal data for the provision of the services you request through this portal and, if applicable, to carry out the necessary procedures with the administrations or public entities involved in the processing. You may exercise the mentioned rights by writing to web@vallhebron.cat, clearly indicating in the subject line “Exercise of LOPD rights”. Responsible entity: Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (Catalan Institute of Health). Purpose: Subscription to the Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus newsletter, where you will receive news, activities, and relevant information. Legal basis: Consent of the data subject. Data sharing: If applicable, with VHIR. No other data transfers are foreseen. No international transfer of personal data is foreseen. Rights: Access, rectification, deletion, and data portability, as well as restriction and objection to its processing. The user may revoke their consent at any time. Source: The data subject. Additional information: Additional information can be found at https://hospital.vallhebron.com/es/politica-de-proteccion-de-datos.