Urological Cancers

Urological cancer is an umbrella term for cancers of the bladder, kidney, penis, prostate, and testicles.

Some cancers of the urinary tract can occur in both men and women:

• Bladder cancer
• Kidney (renal) cancer

 Others are specific to men:

• Penile cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer

Treatment will depend upon the type of cancer and stage but can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and sometimes immunotherapy.

We offer patients access to state-of-the-art urologic oncology programs, specialists, and research. Our comprehensive services include screening exams, diagnostic imaging, transrectal ultrasound and biopsy, and treatments ranging from robotic surgery to radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy delivers medicine known to kill cancer cells. It is generally used to prevent cancer recurrence, to shrink a tumor prior to surgery, or to kill cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body.

Chemotherapy is highly effective for most urological cancers.

This treatment uses high-energy, invisible, and painless X-rays, protons, or other particles to kill cancer cells. It is especially effective in early-stage cancers and in preventing recurrence after surgery.

This highly targeted treatment method works with your own immune defenses and may cause less harm to healthy cells than other methods.

Its approach may be specific enough to target a single receptor on the surface of tumor cell or an enzyme within a cell. The medicine used could be:

• Antibodies (made by special white blood cells) to kill cancer cells or block their growth.
• Drugs made of small molecules that block signals the cancer cells need to grow may be used.

Based on your situation, you and your doctor will determine what is appropriate.

Similar to biotherapy, immunotherapy is a treatment method that uses a person’s own immune system to help kill cancer cells and strengthen the immune system.

Unlike radiation or chemotherapy, the field of immuno-oncology studies how the immune system interacts with cancer. It uses that information to make new treatments.

Hormone therapy works by lowering the amount of testosterone in the body. As a result, the cancer cells will either die or slow down and stop growing.

Since prostate cancer's cells need testosterone to grow, hormone therapy is particularly effective in treating this type of urological cancer.

Most surgeries for urologic cancers in the U.S. today are performed with robotic assistance.

Robotic surgeries offer many benefits such as less blood loss, fewer perioperative complications, and shorter hospital length of stay.

Even though the surgeries last longer, they are more precise and effective in their outcomes than open surgeries.

At Hawaiʻi Pacific Health-affiliated facilities, you have access to comprehensive services that include screening exams, diagnostic imaging, transrectal ultrasound, and biopsy.

You are encouraged to be an active member of your health care team, and second opinions are an option upon request.

Patient education and support groups are also available to support you and your loved ones throughout your cancer care journey.