Urologic Cancers:

The Section of Urology at Guthrie provides all diagnostic and treatment modalities for all urologic cancers including prostate cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, adrenal cancer, testis cancer, cancer of the penis, and cancer of the urethra.

PROSTATE CANCER:

Prostate cancer is the number one cancer in men. There are well over 180,000 newlydiagnosed cases of prostate cancer each year. Screening for prostate cancer includes a digital rectal examination of the prostate and a blood test called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This should be done every year from age 50 to 70. If there is a first-degree relative with prostate cancer or one is of Afro-American descent, screening should begin at age 40. For more information, click here. After diagnosis is made, numerous treatment options exist depending on the grade and stage of the tumor, as well as the age and overall general medical condition of the patient. The Guthrie Clinic Urology Section provides all forms of treatment for prostate cancer including radical prostatectomy with nerve sparing, external beam radiation therapy using conformal radiation therapy, as well as radioactive seed implantation (brachytherapy) for localized prostate cancer. In addition, cryosurgical ablation or freezing of the prostate is also available, as well as hormonal therapy for disease that has spread outside the prostate.

BLADDER CANCER:

The most common type of bladder cancer, which is also a common malignancy, is transitional cell carcinoma. This is a tumor of the lining cell of the urinary tract. Bladder cancer exists in two general forms – the first a superficial form which lies on the surface of the bladder, as well as an invasive form which can invade deep into the muscle of the bladder. Initial diagnosis of bladder cancer usually is made after hematuria, which is blood in the urine and is found either microscopically or grossly. This is followed by a cystoscopy which is a telescopic examination of the interior of your bladder, along with some x-ray studies of your kidney. The tumor is then resected surgically through the natural opening of the bladder. Depending on the stage and grade of the tumor, several treatment options are available. The Section of Urology provides all forms of treatment for bladder cancer, both superficial and invasive. In addition to surveillance cystoscopy, this might include laser treatment for recurrent tumors, instillation of BCG (a drug which is placed into the bladder for frequent recurrences), as well as radiation and chemotherapy, and radical cystectomy which is the removal of the bladder for more advanced cases.

KIDNEY CANCER:

Tumors of the kidney are most commonly renal cell carcinoma. These usually manifest themselves as a tumor or growth in the kidney. Today, most of these are diagnosed in their early stages because of CAT scans or ultrasounds that are obtained for other reasons. Symptoms can include pain in your side, bleeding in the urinary tract, as well as a palpable abdominal mass. Evaluation usually consists of some x-ray studies of the kidney. Treatment options are usually restricted to surgery which includes radical nephrectomy for the total removal of the kidney, as well as partial nephrectomy or partial removal of the kidney, and cryosurgical ablation of the tumor or freezing of the tumor in cases of small isolated tumors of the kidney. In addition, for more advanced disease, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy in the form of interferon and interleukin are also available.

CANCER OF THE TESTIS:

Testicular cancer is a rare disease that affects men usually between the ages of 20 to 40. In its early stages, it is detected as a palpable mass or lump in the testis by the patient. Treatment initially involves radical orchiectomy or removal of the testis, followed by other tests including CAT scans and tumor markers. There are two basic types of testicular cancer. These include seminoma and non-seminoma. Localized seminomas are usually treated with external beam radiation therapy or chemotherapy for more advanced stages. Non-seminomas are usually treated by removal of the abdominal lymph nodes, followed by chemotherapy if these lymph nodes contain tumor. In certain circumstances, surveillance or close follow-up might be indicated. Prognosis for even advanced cases of testicular cases is usually good.