Matthew Lyons, MD, FACS, is a WakeMed urologist who specializes in minimally invasive and advanced robotic surgical techniques for the treatment of genitourinary cancers, benign prostate enlargement and urinary stone disease. He is an active participant in the Wake County Genitourinary (GU) oncology tumor board, offering a state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment in collaboration with medical oncologists, radiologists and radiation oncologists. This allows his patients access to the most advanced cancer care right here in Wake County.

We sat down with Dr. Lyons to learn more about his hobbies, interests and the important work he is doing at WakeMed North Hospital.

What is your favorite summer pastime?

When I have time off, my wife and I take our golden retriever to the beach. He likes to chase birds and play fetch. Occasionally, I also like to get out on the golf course.

Share a bit about your background and medical training.

I grew up in the DC area in Great Falls, Virginia. My secondary education was at Georgetown Prep. For undergrad, I went to Washington and Lee University where I majored in biology. I completed medical school at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. I then relocated to North Carolina to complete my five-year urology residency at UNC Chapel Hill.

While in residency, I spent a tremendous amount of time learning robotics theory and urologic oncology, specifically in relation to prostate, kidney and bladder cancers. I decided to remain in North Carolina since my wife is from Chapel Hill and her dad is a urologist at Duke. I’ve been at WakeMed for the last four years and enjoy working and living in North Carolina.

Why did you decide to work in urology?

I always knew I wanted to be a surgeon. Throughout medical training, I gained exposure to the different types of surgeries. I was most intrigued by urology since it is unique in that I am able to utilize a number of treatment modalities to take care of patients and their needs.

I perform many in-office, minimally invasive procedures for urinary issues as well as a number of robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgeries for prostate and kidney issues — ranging from benign disease to cancer. I also perform open surgeries for advanced cancer cases. I regularly enjoy seeing patients in clinic and building lasting relationships with them.

A great deal of your work is done at North Hospital. What do you enjoy about working there?

Pioneering the urology robotic program at WakeMed North Hospital has been appealing and special. It’s cool to be part of building the program from the ground up, while offering state-of-the-art cancer and benign robotic urology surgeries to the population in northern Wake County.

Please expand on the types of prostate procedures you’ve done at North Hospital.

I predominately perform two types of prostate procedures at North Hospital. The one for prostate cancer is a robotic radical prostatectomy, which is the most advanced, minimally invasive management approach for patients. It involves removal of the entire prostate and, typically, the lymph nodes located in the pelvis. This is the standard of care for prostate cancer currently. It involves making six tiny incisions. The largest one is about twice the width of a thumbnail. Following this procedure, patients stay in the hospital just one night and go home the next day.

The other procedure is for benign prostatic enlargement, which a vast majority of men eventually experience. If the prostate gets large enough, men can have a lot of difficulty urinating, which can cause bothersome symptoms, such as multiple trips to relieve the bladder during the night. Men with this condition can also have a very tough time starting their stream and, in a lot of cases, men cannot urinate at all, so they end up in the emergency room, requiring a catheter.

This condition can be understood by thinking of the prostate as an orange. The pulp part of the orange grows rapidly. Similarly, the prostate grows about 5% per year, and as it grows, it narrows the urine channel that’s running through the prostate. What I’m able to do robotically is go in and make a very small incision in the bladder with six little poke holes in the skin to core out the pulp, leaving the skin intact. There are very few side effects after this surgery, and patients are able to urinate again despite many of them previously being unable to urinate without a catheter prior to surgery.

Could you share innovative treatments for men with erectile dysfunction or low testosterone?

Erectile dysfunction and low testosterone impact a tremendous number of men with greater than 50% of men in their 50s experiencing erectile dysfunction. It’s a normal part of the aging process. The treatments we offer at North Hospital are quite effective, ranging from oral to injectable medications administered through the penis. We also offer prosthetic surgery, where a device called an inflatable penile prosthesis can be placed for men who have zero ability to achieve an erection.

Why do erectile dysfunction and low testosterone necessitate medical intervention?

Oftentimes, erectile dysfunction is a symptom of another concern. If men develop erectile dysfunction, it’s very important that they keep up with their cardiologists or primary care providers to ensure they are not developing heart troubles. Beyond erectile dysfunction, men with heart issues may experience leg swelling, pain and shortness of breath.

Low testosterone is another concern of which I urge men to seek assistance from either a urologist or an endocrinologist. I advise against visiting therapeutic clinics that are not run by physicians because there could be more going on with side effects from testosterone replacement that men need to be aware of, thus requiring close monitoring by a medical provider.

Beyond seeking medical care, the best thing a man can do is stay active. Patients should walk for 30 minutes every day. This can be at a pace slow enough to read a book while walking. Men should also participate in resistance-based weight training activities to help boost natural testosterone and weight loss. This regimen is immensely helpful in terms of optimizing physical and sexual health.

What else is new on the horizon in urology?

We are constantly seeking new innovations in our minimally invasive approach to the treatment of kidney stones and various cancers. Currently, we are riding the wave of robotic surgery, which has been a game changer in urology.

The newest, minimally invasive advancements involve focal therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. This involves cancer treatments in only a portion of the prostate to eliminate a number of unwanted side effects that result from total gland treatment. This remains an emerging technology and is a very exciting exploration.

About WakeMed Urology

About WakeMed North Hospital

WakeMed North Hospital — located in the northern part of the county near Wake Forest and Rolesville — brings advanced medical care and innovative technology to one of the top-rated places to live in the nation. Innovative programs and services, advanced procedures, expanded capacity for surgery and inpatient care, and much more are located close to home — all while maintaining our focus on delivering the highest level of quality and service you’ve come to expect from WakeMed. The hospital is accredited by the esteemed Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and has won numerous awards for superior service and compassionate care.