Genitourinary
At West Cancer Center, genitourinary cancers are treated using a team-based approach. Our specialists work together to provide personalized care for cancers affecting the urinary and reproductive systems, including the bladder, kidneys, prostate, testicles, and other genitourinary organs. Because every patient and diagnosis is unique, our team develops an individualized treatment plan focused on expert, compassionate care and the best possible outcomes
Prostate Cancer
Starts in the prostate gland.
Risk Factors
• Increasing age
• Black ancestry
• Family history
• Inherited mutations, such as BRCA2
Common Symptoms
• Often no symptoms early
• Urinary changes
• Blood in urine or semen
• Erectile problems
• Bone pain
• Weight loss
Diagnosis
• PSA blood test
• Prostate exam
• MRI
• Biopsy
• Staging imaging, such as PSMA PET/CT, when indicated
• Selected genomic testing
Treatment Options
• Active surveillance
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Immunotherapy
Bladder Cancer
Forms in the lining of the bladder; mostly urothelial carcinoma.
Risk Factors
• Smoking
• Occupational chemical exposure
• Increasing age
• Chronic bladder irritation
• Prior pelvic radiation
• Certain chemotherapy exposures
Common Symptoms
• Blood in urine
• Urinary urgency or frequency
• Painful urination
• Pelvic pain
• Flank pain
Diagnosis
• Urinalysis and urine cytology
• Cystoscopy with biopsy
• TURBT
• CT or other imaging for staging
Treatment Options
• TURBT
• Intravesical BCG or chemotherapy
• Cystectomy
• Chemoradiation
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Antibody-drug conjugates
Kidney (Renal) Cancer
Often renal cell carcinoma, starting in the tiny tubes of the kidneys.
Risk Factors
• Smoking
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Increasing age
• Family history
• Chronic kidney disease
• Inherited syndromes, such as VHL
Common Symptoms
• Blood in urine
• Flank pain
• Abdominal mass
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Anemia
• Weight loss
• May have no symptoms when found incidentally
Diagnosis
• CT or MRI
• Blood and urine tests
• Chest imaging
• Biopsy in selected situations
Treatment Options
• Surveillance for selected small tumors
• Partial or radical nephrectomy
• Ablation
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Metastasis-directed treatment
Testicular Cancer
Develops in the testicles; common in younger men.
Risk Factors
• Undescended testicle
• Personal history of testicular cancer
• Family history
• Abnormal testicular development
• Certain genetic conditions
Common Symptoms
• Painless testicular lump or swelling
• Scrotal heaviness
• Dull groin or abdominal ache
• Fluid buildup
• Breast tenderness
Diagnosis
• Testicular ultrasound
• AFP, beta-hCG, and LDH blood markers
• CT staging
• Pathology after inguinal orchiectomy
Treatment Options
• Surgery
• Active surveillance
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy for selected seminomas
Penile Cancer
Begins on or inside the skin of the penis.
Risk Factors
• HPV infection
• Tobacco use
• Chronic inflammation
• Immune suppression
• Poor penile hygiene
Common Symptoms
• Growth or sore
• Lump
• Skin-color change
• Discharge
• Bleeding
• Swollen groin lymph nodes
Diagnosis
• Physical exam
• Biopsy
• Imaging when indicated
• Lymph-node evaluation when spread is suspected
Treatment Options
• Local excision
• Topical or laser treatment for selected early disease
• Penile surgery
• Lymph-node surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
Adrenal Cancer
Forms in the outer tissue of the adrenal glands.
Risk Factors
• Rare inherited syndromes, such as:
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Lynch syndrome
• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
• MEN1
• Most cases are sporadic
Common Symptoms
• Abdominal or back pain
• Abdominal mass
• Weight changes
• High blood pressure
• Weakness
• Bruising
• Other hormone-related symptoms
Diagnosis
• Hormone blood and urine tests
• Adrenal CT or MRI
• Staging imaging
• Pathology
Treatment Options
• Surgery for localized disease
• Mitotane
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Other systemic therapies for advanced disease
Ureteral and Urethral Cancer
Affects the tubes that carry urine out of the body.
Risk Factors
• Smoking
• Increasing age
• Prior bladder cancer
• Lynch syndrome for upper-tract tumors
• Chronic irritation
• Certain occupational exposures
Common Symptoms
• Blood in urine
• Painful urination
• Weak urine stream or obstruction
• Flank pain
• Urinary frequency
• Mass
Diagnosis
• Urine testing and cytology
• Cystoscopy or ureteroscopy with biopsy
• CT urography
• Other staging imaging
Treatment Options
• Endoscopic removal or surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Treatment depends on the site and stage