Thomas J. Walsh, MD, MBA, MS, Author at Grand Rounds in Urology

Thomas J. Walsh, MD, MBA, MS

University of Washington Medical Center

Seattle, Washington

Dr. Thomas Walsh is a UW Professor and Vice Chair of Urology, Urology Section Head for UW Medical Center Northwest, and Director of the UW Men’s Health Center. His clinical interests include male reproductive and sexual medicine and surgery. He is the holder of the Endowed Professorship for Men’s Health, one of the only of its kind in the country. Dr. Walsh completed his undergraduate training at the University of Oregon, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He then received his medical degree from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where he garnered the highest academic honors and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed his general and urologic surgical training at the University of Washington, during which time he served as a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Scholar and received a master’s degree in epidemiology at the UW School of Public Health. Dr. Walsh completed a fellowship in male infertility and erectile dysfunction at the University of California, San Francisco and directed the UCSF Center for Male Reproductive Health before returning to UW Medicine. During his time at UW, he founded the Men’s Health Center, has developed and maintained a robust and extramurally funded research program, and has trained several generations of residents and fellows. Under Dr. Walsh’s leadership, the Men’s Health Center has become one of the busiest clinics of its kind in the country. He integrates the most advanced and minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment modalities into his practice. Dr. Walsh has been named as one of “Seattle’s Top Doctors” by both Seattle Magazine and Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, and is recognized as a leader among his peers.

Disclosures:

Talks by Thomas J. Walsh, MD, MBA, MS

Testosterone Treatment and Prostate Cancer Risk

Posted by Thomas J. Walsh, MD, MBA, MS | Jun 2024

Thomas J. Walsh, MD, MBA, MS, explores the relationship between testosterone treatment and risk for developing prostate cancer. Dr. Walsh begins by stating that he does not believe that testosterone treatment should be considered a risk factor for prostate cancer. He explains that according to the American Urological Association (AUA), testosterone therapy is appropriate treatment for patients with clinically significant testosterone deficiency after full discussion of potential adverse effects.

Dr. Walsh then outlines the positive and negative effects of testosterone therapy and shares data from a meta-analysis of the effect of testosterone replacement therapy on prostate cancer. He notes the issue of screening bias and compares the longitudinal comorbidities that showed virtually no difference in risk regardless of testosterone treatment.

Dr. Walsh concludes by sharing longitudinal data on cumulative testosterone treatment results that showed no increased risk of prostate cancer. Similarly, data did not show a statistical difference in prostate cancer risk according to the type of testosterone therapy a man received.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment – State of the Art Care in 2024

Posted by Thomas J. Walsh, MD, MBA, MS | Jun 2024

Thomas J. Walsh, MD, MBA, MS, reviews erectile dysfunction (ED) prevalence, risk factors, lifestyle, and treatments available for patients. He addresses the stigma and the biology of ED, emphasizing the importance of explaining both to patients as part of the treatment discussion.

Dr. Walsh explains that for approximately half of men, oral medications are insufficient to treat ED and shares the updated American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines for ED treatment including oral agents, intra-penile therapies, surgery, and lifestyle changes. He outlines advantages and disadvantages of therapies such as type-5 selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors, intraurethral and topical alprostadil, intracavernosal injection, penile implants, vacuum erection devices, and low-intensity shock wave (LISW) therapy.

Dr. Walsh concludes by outlining his approach to patients, emphasizing the importance of general health and using the opportunity to help patients understand the link between lifestyle and ED. He also emphasizes the importance of referring patients to a specialist when a practitioner is outside their comfort zone or if the patient requires treatments outside of their toolbox.