Uro-Oncology

Types of Uro Cancer

• Kidney Cancer: The condition is marked by the proliferation of malignant cells in the kidneys, often resulting in the development of an abnormal mass, i.e. tumor. It is often referred to as renal cancer.
• Bladder Cancer: The malignancy originates from the cells of the bladder. It is most commonly seen in people who are above the age of 55. Men tend to be at a comparatively higher risk as compared to women.
• Penile Cancer: Commonly seen in men who are not circumcised, penile cancer is a rare type of malignancy that typically involves the tip of the penis, i.e. the area under the foreskin.
• Testicular Cancer: It is the most common type of malignancy seen in young men belonging to the age group of 15 to 45 years, that originates from the cells found within the testicles.
• Prostate Cancer: The malignancy involves the prostate gland that is responsible for secreting seminal fluids in males. It is most commonly seen in men above 50 years of age and the incidence tends to increase with increasing age.
• Urethral Cancer: The malignancy originates from the tissues found within the urethra. The cancer is quite rare and more common in men as compared to women.

When should you consider seeing our experts?

Uro cancers can manifest in a variety of different ways giving rise to varied symptoms. You should consider seeing our experts if you experience any of the following:

• Inability to hold urine
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Not being able to empty the bladder properly
• Decreased urine output
• Increased urge to urinate at night
• Weak stream of urine
• Blood in the urine/semen
• Pain in the bones and lower back
• Erectile dysfunction
• Traces of blood in the semen (in males)

How we diagnose you

Various modalities that are used for diagnosing and assessing patients who are presenting with symptoms associated with Uro cancers are:

• Evaluation of the patients medical history
• Routine blood and urine tests
• Physical assessments, including digital rectal exam
• Prostate-specific antigen test
• Ultrasound
• Computed tomography or CT scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI
• Cystoscopy
• Biopsy
• Radionuclide scans

Treatment

Various treatment options available for Uro cancers include:

• Surgical Interventions - The aim of the surgery is to extract the tumor along with the surrounding tissues and lymph nodes that have been affected. This is done to prevent further spread of cancer and it may also help to cure the malignancy in certain cases. Surgery may be followed by therapeutic interventions to alleviate the risks of recurrence and enhance treatment outcomes. These encompass partial nephrectomy, total nephrectomy, cystectomy, radical prostatectomy, and Mohs surgery.
• Radiation Therapy - It is a preferred treatment modality used for the management of urological cancers and involves the use of intense radiation to target cancer in specific areas, with minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissues. Common procedures include brachytherapy, intense-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), adjuvant radiation therapy and non-adjuvant radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy - It offers a systemic approach to treating complex urological cancers by targeting the malignant cells using a combination of drugs. These may be given orally or administered into the patient’s body intravenously. The procedure works best in cases where the cancer has spread or metastasized. Chemotherapy may also be recommended in combination with surgery to help reduce the size of the tumor prior to the procedure or to destroy any cancerous cells that have been left behind following the procedure.
• Targeted Drug Therapy - The therapy works by targeting specific DNA molecules that are responsible for uncontrolled cell growth and multiplication that are responsible for the malignancy. It is most commonly used for the management of kidney cancer, prostate cancer and cancer of the bladder. Targeted therapy may be used as the primary treatment or in combination with other procedures, to improve outcomes.
• Immunotherapy - The procedure works quite well for patients with certain types of uro cancers as it helps to harness the patient’s natural immune defence against the abnormal cells. The procedure generally works for patients with renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer and prostate cancer. It is often used in combination with other treatments to improve the results. The procedure serves as a beacon of hope for patients with advanced or metastasized uro cancers.