The diagnosis of cancer is difficult for patients and their families to hear. Patients dealing with this diagnosis should be confident in their choice of physician. Our physicians are trained in the latest treatments for the four types of cancers affecting the urological system. We understand the importance of listening to the patient to determine what courses of treatment will work best for them. Our team of physicians will work closely with other physicians to manage the patient’s care for the best possible outcome.

Renal Cell Carcinoma

This is cancer of the parenchyma (body) of the kidney. Symptoms may include blood in the urine or flank pain; however, most patients do not have symptoms at the time a tumor is found. Surgery is the only highly effective treatment for this type of cancer. Removal of the entire kidney may be necessary but attempts to save as much kidney tissue as possible are always considered depending on the size and location of the tumor. These kidney sparing approaches include partial removal of the kidney which can be done with minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic). The surgeons at WUA were the first in Wake County to successfully remove a portion of a kidney entirely laparoscopically.

Transitional Cell Carcinoma

This is cancer arising from the tissue lining the hollow portion of the kidneys, down through the ureters to the bladder, the bladder, and ending in the urethra (tube from bladder through penis). The majority of these tumors originate in the bladder (bladder cancer). The main treatment option is surgery. Cystoscopic and/or Ureteroscopic surgery (resecting the tumor(s) via a small telescopic-like instrument inserted into the bladder and/or the ureter and kidney) is usually the initial treatment. If the tumor is located in the kidney and/or the ureter, complete removal of these organs is often indicated, depending on the size and grade (aggressiveness) of the cancer, and the function of the other kidney. With bladder cancer, the organ can be spared in the majority of cases using routine cystoscopic techniques as well as immunotherapy and chemotherapy agents which are placed into the bladder. WUA urologists are now able to successfully resect many small bladder tumors in our office using local sedation with minimal discomfort.

Testicular Cancer

The vast majority of testicular cancers occur in men ages 18-40. Complete removal of the testicle and spermatic cord through an incision in the inguinal region is the initial treatment. Depending on the type(s) and stage (extent) of the cancer, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy is often indicated as subsequent therapy. The curative rate for testicular cancer is excellent and is one of the best success stories of modern medicine.