Best Docs 2007: The Specialists

Urology

Dr. Richard Babayan

Vital Stats: Chief of urology, Boston Medical Center; 27 years in practice.
Clinical Notes: Urology (which tends to the urinary tract and the male reproductive system) is another specialty feeling the pressure of a rapidly graying population. “It’s like the old commercial about transmissions,” Babayan says. “‘You can see me now or you can see me later, but sooner or later you’re going to see me.’”
What’s Hot, What’s Not: Babayan uses a high-tech robot in about 95 percent of the prostate cancer operations he performs—which means less pain, less blood loss, and quicker recovery. But overall, prostate surgery is becoming rarer, as new drugs help make going under the knife a last resort.
What’s Next: Gene therapy, which has shown the potential to combat sexual dysfunction as well as prostate tumors.
Doctor’s Orders: Ditch the cigarettes (smoking is the top cause of bladder cancer). And for guys, ditto the macho I-don’t-see-doctors-unless-I’m-sick attitude. “If men start coming in at an early age, we can pick up many prostate cancers very early on, when they’re curable.

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