What is Genitourinary Cancer?(back to top)
Genitourinary cancers affect the organs of the urinary tract, bladder and kidneys, as well as the male genitals – including the prostate, testicles and penis.
How is genitourinary cancer diagnosed?(back to top)
When your physician suspects a form of genitourinary cancer, there are several possible tests that may be performed. These may include blood tests, a urinalysis, digital rectal exams, imaging studies (such as an MRI or a CT scan), or an ultrasound.
Genitourinary cancer treatment options(back to top)
Your treatment plan will depend on the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, your age, and your general health. Whatever treatment plan your physician specifies, you will have the resources of Brown Cancer Center’s state-of-the-art technology and most advanced methods of treatment.
Treatment options may include one or a combination of the following:
Surgery
Patients in good health are usually offered surgery as treatment for genitourinary cancer. This surgery may include removing the cancer cells, tumor and/or surrounding tissue. If the cancer has progressed, some or all of the affected organ may be removed. For some patients, surgeons may be able to utilize the da Vinci Si Surgical System to provide minimally invasive, ultra precise surgical treatment.
For patients with certain prostate cancers, cancers of the bladder, or certain kidney conditions, minimally invasive surgical treatment with the da Vinci Si Surgical System be an option.
Surgery with the da Vinci Si provides most patients with benefits including decreased recovery time, less pain, decreased risk of infection, less scarring, decreased need for transfusion, and higher potential for organ preservation.
To learn more about the da Vinci Si Surgical system at University of Louisville Hospital,
click here
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, which is also called radiotherapy, uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Before you undergo radiation, a radiation oncologist and physicist plan the precise delivery of the radiation to minimize radiation to your vital organs and maximize the radiation to the affected area.
Immunotherapy/Biologic Therapy
Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost, direct, or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Chemotherapy may be recommended to kill any remaining cancer cells following surgery, or to control cancer growth and relieve symptoms. Most chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously or by catheter.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is a treatment that uses an instrument to freeze and destroy cancer cells.
Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy keeps cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. Like chemotherapy, hormonal therapy can affect cancer cells throughout the body. In general, you will not suffer hair loss or many of the other side-effects associated with chemotherapy.
High-intensity Focused Ultrasound
High-intensity focused ultrasound is a treatment that uses ultrasound (high-energy sound waves) to destroy cancer cells.
Clinical Trials and Research(back to top)
In addition to using the most advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment, the Brown Cancer Center is constantly examining new approaches to cancer treatment. Brown Cancer Center physicians participate in and initiate a wide range of ongoing clinical trials and research, giving you access to new therapies that may not yet be available in other parts of the world.
If you have general questions about your condition, the Brown Cancer Center, or free services available to you and your loved ones, please contact the Mint Jubilee Resource Center at 502.562.4158 or 866.530.5516.
What is Genitourinary Cancer?(back to top)
Genitourinary cancers affect the organs of the urinary tract, bladder and kidneys, as well as the male genitals – including the prostate, testicles and penis.
How is genitourinary cancer diagnosed?(back to top)
When your physician suspects a form of genitourinary cancer, there are several possible tests that may be performed. These may include blood tests, a urinalysis, digital rectal exams, imaging studies (such as an MRI or a CT scan), or an ultrasound.
Genitourinary cancer treatment options(back to top)
Your treatment plan will depend on the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, your age, and your general health. Whatever treatment plan your physician specifies, you will have the resources of Brown Cancer Center’s state-of-the-art technology and most advanced methods of treatment.
Treatment options may include one or a combination of the following:
Surgery
Patients in good health are usually offered surgery as treatment for genitourinary cancer. This surgery may include removing the cancer cells, tumor and/or surrounding tissue. If the cancer has progressed, some or all of the affected organ may be removed. For some patients, surgeons may be able to utilize the da Vinci Si Surgical System to provide minimally invasive, ultra precise surgical treatment.
For patients with certain prostate cancers, cancers of the bladder, or certain kidney conditions, minimally invasive surgical treatment with the da Vinci Si Surgical System be an option.
Surgery with the da Vinci Si provides most patients with benefits including decreased recovery time, less pain, decreased risk of infection, less scarring, decreased need for transfusion, and higher potential for organ preservation.
To learn more about the da Vinci Si Surgical system at University of Louisville Hospital,
click here
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, which is also called radiotherapy, uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Before you undergo radiation, a radiation oncologist and physicist plan the precise delivery of the radiation to minimize radiation to your vital organs and maximize the radiation to the affected area.
Immunotherapy/Biologic Therapy
Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost, direct, or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Chemotherapy may be recommended to kill any remaining cancer cells following surgery, or to control cancer growth and relieve symptoms. Most chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously or by catheter.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is a treatment that uses an instrument to freeze and destroy cancer cells.
Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy keeps cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. Like chemotherapy, hormonal therapy can affect cancer cells throughout the body. In general, you will not suffer hair loss or many of the other side-effects associated with chemotherapy.
High-intensity Focused Ultrasound
High-intensity focused ultrasound is a treatment that uses ultrasound (high-energy sound waves) to destroy cancer cells.
Clinical Trials and Research(back to top)
In addition to using the most advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment, the Brown Cancer Center is constantly examining new approaches to cancer treatment. Brown Cancer Center physicians participate in and initiate a wide range of ongoing clinical trials and research, giving you access to new therapies that may not yet be available in other parts of the world.
If you have general questions about your condition, the Brown Cancer Center, or free services available to you and your loved ones, please contact the Mint Jubilee Resource Center at 502.562.4158 or 866.530.5516.