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Dr. Alice Chu, MD is an urologist in Renton, WA specializing in urology (urinary tract disease). She graduated from University of Washington School of Medicine in 2020 and has 6 years of experience. Dr. Alice Chu, MD is affiliated with Providence, Pacific Medical Center and Pacific Medical Centers Specialty Care - Renton.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Enlarged Prostate)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged. BPH affects about half of men between the ages of 50 and 60, and approximately 80% of men over 80. As the prostate grows in size, it can press down on the tube where urine flows out of the body (the urethra) and cause urinary problems.
Medication can relieve mild to moderate symptoms of BPH, such as frequent urination, incomplete bladder emptying, a weak urine stream, and straining while urinating. However, other forms of treatment may be more appropriate if an individual has pain with urination, frequent urinary tract infections, or is unable to urinate. The size of the prostate and the severity of their symptoms will determine the type of treatment they need. If the prostate is not very large, doctors will likely recommend a transurethral procedure. This minimally invasive technique involves the insertion of a scope into the urethra. The most common transurethral procedures for BPH are:
If the prostate is too big for a transurethral procedure, an individual may need a simple prostatectomy, which can be done in one of three ways: laparoscopic, robotic, or open. During a laparoscopic simple prostatectomy, a surgeon makes several small incisions on the belly. Then they insert a long tube with a camera into one of the cuts and surgical instruments into the others. Using the camera to see inside the belly, they carefully removes the enlarged part of the prostate. Robotic simple prostatectomy uses the same techniques as the laparoscopic method, but the surgery is done with the help of a robot. For men with very large prostates, open simple prostatectomy may be the best treatment option. This surgery differs from the other approaches in that it requires a much larger incision.
Most transurethral treatments for BPH, like TUIP, TUNA, and laser prostate ablation, are done in the doctor's office or outpatient surgery center. TURP and simple prostatectomy, however, need to be performed in the hospital and require an average stay of one to three days. Patients should wait a week before doing any strenuous activities after a TUIP, TUNA, or laser prostate ablation, and about four to six weeks after a TURP or simple prostatectomy. Although these treatments improve BPH symptoms for most patients, it is important to be aware of the risks involved, such as urine control issues, tightening of the urethra, and erectile dysfunction.
Hydrocele
A hydrocele is a collection of fluid around the testicle that causes swelling in the scrotum. Hydroceles are common in newborns; they develop when the fluid in the sac surrounding each testicle does not get absorbed before birth. Hydroceles in newborns often disappear on their own during the first year of life. They are rare in adults, but when they occur, they are usually caused by injury, infection, or swelling in the scrotum, testicle, or epididymis, which is a coiled tube behind each testicle.
Hydroceles are typically painless, and surgical repair or removal, called hydrocelectomy, is only necessary if they continue to grow. In a hydrocelectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in or near the scrotum and uses suction to drain the fluid. The sac that contained the fluid may be cut and removed as well, or it may be stitched onto the back of the testis and epididymis, before the incision is closed.
This procedure may be done at an outpatient facility, so a hospital stay is usually not required. Normal activities can be resumed a few days following surgery, but exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for about two to four weeks.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys, made up of minerals that are normally present in urine. They can vary in size, from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a nickel, occasionally even larger. Sometimes they lodge in the kidney, and sometimes they break free and make their way out through the urinary tract, which can be extremely painful.
Kidney stones can be smooth or jagged and are yellow to brown in color. They are mostly comprised of the minerals calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus. Examining the stones to see what they are made of can show what caused the stone to be formed in the first place. For example, a stone made of mostly calcium, which is the most common type, can happen any time the urine becomes too concentrated due to dehydration or a blockage in the kidney. A uric acid stone forms when acid levels in the urine get too high, usually due to excessive consumption of animal protein such as meat and fish. A struvite stone is a sign of certain infections, and a cystine stone can be due to a genetic disorder that raises the risk of kidney stones.
The most common symptom of kidney stones is pain, either in the back or lower abdomen, or severe pain when urinating. There may also be blood in the urine. Treatment for kidney stones depends on how large the stone is. Very small stones can pass out of the body on their own, and they do not require treatment other than drinking adequate water and taking pain killers. Larger stones need to be broken apart and removed. The main treatment options are:
People who have had one kidney stone are at risk of developing another. To reduce this risk, patients are given instructions specific to the type of stone they developed. Generally the instructions will include drinking more water to dilute the urine, but it may also involve lowering sodium intake or eating less meat.
Dr. Alice Chu, MD graduated from University of Washington School of Medicine in 2020. She completed residency at Emory University School of Medicine. She is certified by the American Board of Urology, Urology and has a state license in Washington.
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine (2020)
Residency: Emory University School of Medicine (2025)
Board Certification: American Board of Urology, Urology
Licensed In: Washington
Dr. Alice Chu, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Alice Chu, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Humana PPO, Aetna PPO, Cigna PPO, United Healthcare Medicare Advantage, Health Smart, Aetna, Coordinated Care Medicaid, Humana, United Healthcare Medicaid, United Behavioral Health Medicare Advantage-HMO, United Healthcare PPO, Providence Health Plan Medicare Advantage-HMO, Humana HMO, Kaiser, Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO/PPO, Carelon PPO, Regence BlueShield Of Washington PPO, Premera, Evernorth PPO, Premera HMO, First Choice PPO, HealthSpring and Regence BlueShield of Washington PPO.
According to our sources, Dr. Alice Chu, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Alice Chu, MD Urology Dr. Chu treats a broad range of general urologic conditions, with clinical interests in urologic cancers, minimally invasive surgery, endourology, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and kidney stone disease. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in 2015 and received her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2020. She completed her urology residency at Emory University School of Medicine in 2025, during which she received the Resident Academic Achievement Award (2023). Dr. Chu has contributed to research in the field, with publications in several leading journals including Urology, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, and Cancer. She is a member of the American Urological Association and the Society of Women in Urology.
