Urologic cancer occurs when cells grow in ways that aren't typical in male reproductive organs and organs that produce and eliminate urine. These cancers can occur in men and women. Symptoms of bladder and urologic cancer vary depending on where cancer occurs. They can include:
- Abdominal mass
- Bleeding or discharge
- Blood in your urine
- Increased urination
- No appetite
- Pain
- Rash
- Sores
- Swelling
- Unexplained weight loss
Our cancer specialists treat all types of urologic cancer. Cancers we treat include:
- Bladder cancer
Cancer typically occurs in the bladder's lining. - Urothelial carcinoma: This is the most common bladder cancer type. This cancer grows in the cells that line the bladder, the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys) and the urethra (tube that moves urine out of the body).
- Carcinoma in situ: These are flat tumors in the lining of the bladder.
- Papillary tumors: These are wart-like tumors attached to a stalk in the bladder's lining.
- Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer occurs when tumors grow in the kidneys or in the lining of the ureters. - Renal cell carcinoma: One or more tumors in one or both kidneys
- Renal sarcoma: Tumors that grow in the kidney's blood vessels or connective tissue
- Transitional cell carcinoma: Cancer in the cells that line the area where ureters leave kidneys
- Penile cancer
Penile cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the penis, the organ through which urine and sperm leave a person's body.
- Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer occurs in people who have a prostate. The prostate gland, which makes fluid for semen, sits below the bladder.
- Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer begins in the organs that produce hormones and sperm (testicles). The testicles contain a variety of cells that can develop into different cancer types and subtypes.
Types of testicular cancer include:
- Carcinoma in situ: Cancer that grows inside the tubes where sperm cells form
- Germ cell tumors: Tumors that begin in the cells that make sperm. Doctors classify these tumors as nonseminomas and seminomas.
- Stromal tumors: Cancer that develops in testicular tissues that produce hormones
Our experts use a range of tests to diagnose urologic cancer. We always start by doing a physical exam and talking with you about your medical history and any symptoms you’re experiencing.
Depending on the tumor's location, we may use:
- Angiography
- Biopsy
- Excisional biopsy
- Fine needle aspiration
- Blood tests
- Cystoscopy
- Imaging
Sentara offers several cancer treatments to treat bladder cancer and urologic cancer. Depending on cancer type, we may use:
Radiation therapy for urologic cancer
- External beam therapy
- Radiofrequency ablation
Systemic therapy for bladder and urologic cancer
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
Urologic cancer surgery
- Cryosurgery
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Open surgery
Our experts and partners also research new ways to treat cancer. Please read about our work at our Sentara Health Research Center.