Making a Difference for Patients with Prostate and Other Urologic Cancers
Our Urologic Cancer team at AdventHealth is comprised of expert physicians that help patients successfully overcome cancers of the prostate, kidney, urethra, bladder and penis. Our multidisciplinary team joins forces to create customized treatment plans for each patient that are designed and administered for their best outcome.
Fast Facts
Urologic cancer includes cancer of the kidney, ureter, bladder, penis and prostate. Prostate cancer is the most common urological cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, second only to lung cancer. Each year, more than 50,000 cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed in men and women. Like most cancers, early detection can be key to overcoming the disease. When it comes to prostate cancer, there are several screening tests that help in this effort.
Symptoms
There are often no symptoms of these cancers in their early stages. Later symptoms of urological cancers include frequent urination, inability to urinate, painful or burning urination, blood in the urine or semen, difficulty in having an erection, painful ejaculation and back pain. Kidney cancer symptoms may also include lumps or pain in the side and weight loss. Many of these symptoms, however, can also indicate benign conditions so it’s important for patients to discuss them with their doctors.
Diagnosis and Staging
Urologic cancers can be diagnosed in several ways. For prostate cancer, biopsies are often used. Other types of urological cancers can be detected through blood tests, a urinalysis, and various types of imaging scans. Like most cancer types, how far it has progressed is determined using the Gleason system, on a scale of one to five.
Treatments
Our board-certified physicians design a treatment plan customized for you. Treatments may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or even watchful waiting.
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Urologic Cancer FAQs
Urologic and Prostate Cancer FAQs
What is urologic cancer?
Urologic cancers include cancers of the kidney, ureters, bladder, penis and prostate. Prostate cancer is the most common urologic cancer, and the most common cancer found in men. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer.
What is prostate cancer?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located in front of the rectum and found only in men. Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the prostate grow at an abnormal rate. Most prostate cancers grow very slowly, though some can spread and grow quickly.
In 2008 more than 186,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the United States. Prostate cancer ranked third in the state of Florida for prevalence.
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
While all men are at risk, the risk increases if you are:
- Over age 50
- African American
- Have a family history of the disease
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer can cause any of the following symptoms:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
- Inability to urinate
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
It is important to know that in its early stages prostate cancer has no symptoms.