Dr. Arun Kumar Balakrishnan
Chief Uro-Oncologist, Kidney Transplant & Robotic Surgeon | Managing Director
20+ Years
Chennai
The prostate is a small but important gland that plays a key role in male reproductive health. It is located just below the urinary bladder and sits in front of the rectum, which is why it can be felt during a digital rectal examination. One unique feature of the prostate is that it surrounds the urethra; the tube responsible for carrying urine from the bladder out of the body.
Functionally, the prostate contributes to the production of semen. It secretes a fluid that helps nourish and protect sperm, improving their mobility and survival after ejaculation. This prostatic fluid combines with sperm from the testes and secretions from other reproductive glands, such as the seminal vesicles, to form semen. During ejaculation, the smooth muscle within the prostate contracts, helping push semen forward through the urethra.
The prostate is present from birth, but it remains small during childhood. It begins to grow during puberty under the influence of male hormones and continues to enlarge gradually throughout adulthood. While this growth is a normal part of aging, excessive enlargement or abnormal changes in the prostate can lead to urinary, sexual, and general health concerns that may require medical evaluation.
Several conditions can affect the prostate, ranging from benign age-related changes to infections and cancer.
Most common type (75% of cases)
More common in men
Infection-related stones
Prostate conditions often affect the urinary system because of the gland’s close relationship with the urethra. Symptoms may develop gradually and can range from mild inconvenience to significant disruption of daily life
All procedures at AINU Hospitals are performed by experienced urologists with the aid of advanced laser technology, ensuring faster recovery, minimal discomfort, and high success rates.
Meet Our Expert Doctors
Chief Uro-Oncologist, Kidney Transplant & Robotic Surgeon | Managing Director
Clinical Lead - AINU Andrology Chennai | Consultant Urologist
Clinical Lead - Functional & Neuro-Urology | Consultant Urologist
Consultant Urologist
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about urological care, treatments, and our services.
Yes, it’s a serious disease, but most people survive the cancer if it’s detected at an early stage.
There’s no known cause of prostate cancer, but your age, race, and family history might increase your risk.
In adults its 20-25 grams in weight, Measures roughly 3-4 cm wide, 2-3 cm thick, and 3-4 cm long.
Normal prostate allows unrestricted urine flow, while enlarged prostate compresses the urethra causing urinary symptoms
AINU Hospitals Chennai treats Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and prostate cancer with a full spectrum of care including medical management, minimally invasive procedures, robotic surgery, and uro-oncology services.
The Chennai branch is led by Dr. Arun Kumar Balakrishnan (Managing Director, Chief Consultant Urologist, Robotic Surgeon & Uro-Oncologist, 25+ years), supported by Dr. Sanjay Prakash J (Consultant Microsurgical Andrologist & Urologist), Dr. Mathisekaran Thangarasu (Functional and Neuro Urology Consultant), and Dr. Vikram J (Consultant Urologist).
Yes. Dr. Arun Kumar Balakrishnan is a specialist Uro-Oncologist at the Chennai branch, providing comprehensive prostate cancer evaluation, staging, and surgical treatment including robotic prostatectomy for Chennai patients.
Yes. Dr. Arun Kumar Balakrishnan is an experienced robotic surgeon with 25+ years of expertise, making robotic prostatectomy and other advanced robotic urological procedures accessible directly in Chennai.
Neuro-urology deals with urinary conditions linked to neurological disorders, including bladder and urinary dysfunction that can overlap with or mimic prostate symptoms. Dr. Mathisekaran Thangarasu, a Functional and Neuro Urology Consultant at AINU Chennai, ensures accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for complex cases.
Yes. Dr. Sanjay Prakash J is a Microsurgical Andrologist and Urologist at the Chennai branch, making it possible to address prostate-related sexual health issues — such as erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory problems — within the same facility.
AINU Chennai offers UroLift (Prostatic Urethral Lift), Rezūm (Water Vapor Therapy), iTind, TUMT (Transurethral Microwave Therapy), and TUNA (Transurethral Needle Ablation) for patients with BPH who are suitable for non-surgical or minimally invasive management.
Surgical treatments available include TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate), HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate), laser vaporization, and robotic prostatectomy — all performed using advanced laser and robotic technology for minimal downtime and high success rates.
For patients with mild to moderate BPH, AINU Chennai offers watchful waiting, alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and combination therapy under close specialist supervision, avoiding the need for surgery in many cases.
Seek urgent care if you experience blood in urine or semen, complete inability to urinate, severe pelvic or lower back pain, painful ejaculation, or sudden difficulty achieving an erection. These may indicate serious prostate or urological conditions requiring prompt specialist evaluation.
You can book an appointment by calling 040-67313199, visiting ainuindia.org/book-an-appointment, or through the Patient Portal at patientportal.ainuindia.org. Individual appointments with Dr. Arun Kumar Balakrishnan, Dr. Sanjay Prakash J, Dr. Mathisekaran Thangarasu, or Dr. Vikram J can also be booked directly through the doctors section on the website.
