Dr. Philip J. Walther

I have a passion for caring for men with prostate cancer and helping them and their families make the best treatment decisions. I am nationally and internationally recognized as a prostate cancer expert and have performed more than 2,000 radical prostatectomies both at Duke and formerly at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I specialize in the nerve-sparing technique of surgery affording the best chance for sexual recovery. I have more experience with this small incisional open hands-on nerve-sparing operation than any surgeon in the Southeastern United States and am among the 10 most experienced surgeons using this technique in the United States. In addition to surgery, I have extensive experience managing men who have an elevated PSA and perform a gentle prostate biopsy using very liberal doses of local anesthesia. Our team also offers management of men who elect active surveillance for their early stage prostate cancer and are sensitive to men's needs regarding management of temporary urinary and sexual dysfunction related to prostate cancer treatments. We have a very experienced nursing team and a very experienced physician assistant who greatly assists in comprehensive and compassionate care. Dr. Moul is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Prostatectomy. His top areas of expertise are Prostate Cancer, Familial Prostate Cancer, Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Prostatectomy, and Orchiectomy.

Every day, my goal is to take the best surgical care of my patients' kidney or prostate cancer by offering the most up-to-date minimally invasive surgical treatments, while making sure that their experiences and outcomes at Duke Health are top-notch! As we look at the scans together and discuss biopsy results, it is important to me that I spend all of the time that my patients and their families need to clearly understand their diagnosis as well as all treatment options, so that we can make joint decisions about next steps and their treatment plan. Many of my patients are referred from all over the country to seek highly specialized urology care, including nonsurgical focal cryotherapy for prostate cancer, robotic surgery for prostate cancer, or robotic surgical removal of their kidney tumor called a partial nephrectomy, among other treatments, with our multidisciplinary, collaborative team. I always reassure and share my positive outlook with my patients as we navigate the health system together. My patients know that, as their physician, I will be their champion and advise them and guide them through their treatment. We are in this together. Dr. Polascik is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Prostatectomy. His top areas of expertise are Prostate Cancer, Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Prostatectomy, and Nephrectomy.

Prior to arriving at Duke, I was faculty at UT Southwestern where I had a dual appointment at the North Texas VA for 10 years. During this time, I was one of the highest volume robotic VA surgeons treating veterans with urologic cancer in addition to my clinic practice at UTSW. I joined the Urology department at Duke in 2024. At Duke, I have continued my focus on urologic oncology, specifically prostate, bladder and kidney cancer. I have a particular interest in prostate cancer. I was one of the earliest adopters of a novel surgical technique termed the Retzius Sparing Prostatectomy, which allows for the earlier return urinary control. I have further adopted a novel technique for the treatment of localized prostate cancer known as irreversible electroporation (IRE). This technique is a form of focal therapy for carefully selected patients. The advantages of IRE include less urinary and sexual side effects than conventional prostate cancer treatments. In addition, my clinical expertise includes advanced robotic reconstruction of the upper urinary tract. These procedures involve using segments of bowel or buccal grafts (inner lining of the cheek) to reconstruct damaged ureters. Dr. Gahan is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Prostatectomy. His top areas of expertise are Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Enlarged Prostate (BPH), UPJ Obstruction, Nephrectomy, and Prostatectomy.