Urologic Cancers

Urologic cancers affect the organs and structures of the male and female urinary system and the male reproductive system. These cancers are relatively common. At Mater Private Network, our urologic consultants work together with other members of your care team to tailor treatment to your specific type and stage of cancer. 

 

 

Types of urologic cancers 

  • Bladder cancer: this cancer involves the cells that line the urinary bladder, a small sac that collects urine for excretion.  
  • Renal (kidney) cancer: This cancer occurs in the tubes that clean the blood of the kidneys. Another cancer, Renal Pelvis Cancer is a rarer form of this disease and occurs in the part of the kidney that connects to the bladder.  
  • Testicular cancer: This cancer forms in a testis and is quite rare.  
  • Penile cancer: affects the penis, is also rare.  
  • Urethral cancer: affects the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Urethral cancer is rare, and occurs more often in men than in women.

 

 

Symptoms 

Symptoms of urologic cancers vary greatly depending on the specific type and location of the cancer but may include abdominal pain, blood in urine, elevated hormone levels, swollen abdomen and enlarged prostate. 

 

Bladder cancer 

  • Blood in the urine (sometimes visible to the naked eye) 
  • Increased urinary frequency 
  • Frequent urge to urinate 
  • Pain or burning during urination 
  • Feeling the bladder hasn't completely emptied 
  • Severe pain in the midsection, infection and kidney damage (when the cancer is advanced) 

Kidney (renal) cancer 

  • Blood in the urine (sometimes visible to the naked eye) 
  • Abdominal pain 
  • A lump between the ribs and hip 
  • If renal cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body, symptoms may include: 
  • Fever 
  • Weight loss 
  • Night sweats 
  • High blood pressure 
  • Liver problems 

Urethral cancer 

There may be no symptoms in the early stages of urethral cancer. Later, patients might experience: 

  • Interrupted flow of urine (stop-and-go) 
  • Frequent urination 
  • Incontinence (an inability to hold your urine) 
  • Discharge or bleeding from the urethra or in the urine 
  • A painless lump in the perineum, penis or groin 
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the lower abdomen 

 

 

Diagnosis 

Diagnosis of urologic cancers tends to begin with symptoms, although some patients don’t show symptoms. At Mater Private, we consider our patient’s symptoms, medical history, family medical history, and may then conduct physical examination, screening and diagnostic testing (which may include urine tests, biopsies, blood tests, liver function tests, pelvic exam, rectal exam, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRI scans).  

 

 

Treatment

Treatment for urologic cancers as for other cancers is tailored to the patient’s specific type, location and stage of cancer as well as the patient’s overall health.