FEBU key terms

Serum prostate-specific antigen divided by prostate volume measured on imaging. A higher value suggests that elevated antigen comes from tumour rather than benign tissue, helping decide whether biopsy is warranted.

A structured scoring system for multiparametric prostate MRI, graded 1 to 5, expressing the likelihood that a lesion is clinically significant cancer. It standardises reporting and guides targeted biopsy decisions.

Histological grading of prostate adenocarcinoma based on glandular architecture, reported as a primary plus secondary pattern. The summed score and the newer grade groups stratify risk and guide treatment selection.

A management strategy for low-risk localised prostate cancer in which radical treatment is deferred while PSA, repeat imaging and re-biopsy are used to detect progression, avoiding overtreatment of indolent disease.

A catheter placed percutaneously into the renal collecting system to divert urine. It relieves obstruction from stones, tumour or stricture, and provides access for antegrade procedures.

A flexible tube passed endoscopically to lie from the renal pelvis to the bladder, maintaining urine flow past obstruction or after ureteric surgery. Double-J design allows later removal.

A four-tier ultrasound or CT classification of collecting system dilatation, from mild pelvicalyceal fullness to gross cortical thinning. It communicates severity and helps decide whether decompression is urgent.

The volume of urine remaining in the bladder after voiding, measured by ultrasound or catheterisation. A raised value suggests incomplete emptying from outlet obstruction or detrusor underactivity.

A set of pressure-flow measurements assessing bladder filling and emptying, including cystometry and pressure-flow analysis. It distinguishes detrusor overactivity, obstruction and underactivity when symptoms alone are ambiguous.

Involuntary detrusor contractions observed during the filling phase of cystometry, producing urgency and frequency. It is a urodynamic finding rather than a diagnosis and may be idiopathic or neurogenic.

A clinical syndrome of urgency, with or without urge incontinence, usually with frequency and nocturia, in the absence of infection or other obvious pathology. Treatment begins with behavioural and antimuscarinic therapy.

Narrowing of the ureteric lumen causing impaired drainage, from ischaemia, stone impaction, surgery or malignancy. Management ranges from stenting to reconstruction depending on length and location.

Instillation of live attenuated bacillus Calmette-Guérin into the bladder to provoke local immune response against non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma, reducing recurrence and progression. Maintenance schedules improve efficacy.

Endoscopic inspection of the urethra and bladder lining, using flexible or rigid instruments. It allows direct visualisation of lesions, biopsy and surveillance of urothelial cancer.

Endoscopic removal of a bladder lesion using a resectoscope, providing diagnosis, staging and initial treatment of non-muscle-invasive disease. Complete resection of the detrusor muscle is essential for accurate staging.

Non-invasive fragmentation of urinary stones by focused shock waves delivered through the skin, with fragments passing spontaneously. Suitability depends on stone size, composition, location and patient factors.

Removal of renal stones through a tract created percutaneously into the collecting system, used for large or complex stones. It offers high stone-free rates but carries bleeding and injury risks.

Endoscopic access to the ureter and kidney via the urethra and bladder, allowing stone visualisation and laser fragmentation. It is used for ureteric and selected renal stones.

A standardised system describing anatomical extent of cancer by primary tumour size or invasion, regional nodal involvement and distant spread. It underpins prognosis and treatment decisions across urological malignancies.

Surgical removal of a renal tumour with preservation of the remaining kidney, preferred for small localised masses. It preserves renal function and is associated with comparable oncological outcomes.

Complete removal of the kidney, often with surrounding fat and sometimes adrenal gland, for large or locally advanced renal tumour. It may be performed open, laparoscopic or robotically.

Removal of the bladder with regional lymph node dissection, usually with urinary diversion, for muscle-invasive or refractory bladder cancer. Perioperative chemotherapy and diversion choice are key decisions.

A urinary diversion in which a segment of ileum carries urine from the ureters to an abdominal stoma for collection in an external bag. It is the most common incontinent diversion after cystectomy.

A continent urinary reservoir constructed from bowel and anastomosed to the urethra, allowing voiding per urethra after cystectomy. Patient selection, renal function and continence are important considerations.

Rotation of the testis on its spermatic cord causing venous then arterial compromise. It is a surgical emergency requiring prompt exploration and fixation to prevent testicular loss.

Imaging of the scrotum combining grey-scale anatomy with colour Doppler assessment of testicular blood flow. It helps distinguish torsion from inflammatory causes but must not delay surgery when suspicion is high.

Inflammation of the epididymis, usually infective, presenting with gradual scrotal pain, swelling and tenderness. Management is antimicrobial with attention to sexually transmitted organisms and urinary pathogens by age.

Non-malignant increase in prostate gland size, often accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms. It is a structural finding that may or may not cause obstruction.

Endoscopic removal of obstructing prostatic tissue using a resectoscope, relieving bladder outlet obstruction. It remains a reference treatment for symptomatic benign enlargement.

Regular introduction of a catheter by the patient to empty the bladder, used for incomplete emptying or neurogenic dysfunction. It reduces residual volume and infection risk compared with an indwelling catheter.

Dilatation of the pampiniform plexus of veins, usually left-sided, palpable as a scrotal mass that enlarges with standing. It is associated with impaired semen quality and male subfertility.

Laboratory assessment of ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, motility and morphology using standardised reference limits. It is the cornerstone of male fertility evaluation and is repeated for reliability.

Absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate, classified as obstructive or non-obstructive after hormonal and genetic assessment. Distinction determines whether surgical sperm retrieval is feasible.

A segmented urine and expressed prostatic secretion collection used to localise infection or inflammation to the urethra, bladder or prostate. Simplified two-glass variants are used in chronic prostatitis evaluation.

Persistent pelvic or perineal pain with lower urinary tract symptoms, classified by the presence or absence of bacterial infection and leukocytes. Category III chronic pelvic pain syndrome is the commonest and lacks proven infection.

Microbiological culture of a urine specimen to identify organisms and their antibiotic susceptibility. It confirms urinary tract infection and guides targeted antimicrobial therapy.

Preoperative administration of antimicrobials timed to achieve adequate tissue levels during instrumentation, reducing postoperative urinary sepsis. Choice depends on local resistance patterns and procedure risk.

An infected, obstructed collecting system causing systemic inflammatory response and risk of rapid deterioration. Emergency decompression by nephrostomy or stent, alongside antibiotics, is life-saving.

Fibrotic narrowing of the urethral lumen causing obstructive voiding and recurrent infection. Management includes dilatation, urethrotomy or urethroplasty depending on length and recurrence.

A non-invasive measurement of urinary flow rate during voiding, producing a flow curve and maximum flow value. A flat, low curve suggests obstruction but does not distinguish it from detrusor underactivity.

Contrast imaging of the urethra, performed retrograde or during voiding, to define stricture length, location and number. It is essential for planning urethral reconstruction.