Urologic cancer, also called genitourinary cancer, is a broad term that covers both male and female
patients’ urinary tracts, as well as, the reproductive organs in men. Cancers of female
reproductive organs are not usually included and are classified separately as gynecologic cancers
Urologic cancer, also called genitourinary cancer, is a broad term that covers both male and female
patients’ urinary tracts, as well as, the reproductive organs in men. Cancers of female
reproductive organs are not usually included and are classified separately as gynecologic cancers
Why Choose Us
The care you receive at Georgia Cancer Center goes far beyond what other centers can
deliver. From diagnosis and treatment to follow up care, we offer:
- Multidisciplinary care teams: We combine the expertise of nationally recognized medical, surgical and radiation
oncologists, working in collaboration with urologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists,
and other specialists, to give you the best outcome for your cancer diagnosis.
- Advanced robotic surgery: In cases where minimally invasive surgery is recommended, we use the robotic da Vinci surgical system. Our newest procedures can help spare healthy surrounding tissue and focus on removing
only cancerous tissue.
- Tumor board meetings: We meet twice a month to collaborate on new patient cases and to make recommendations
for diagnosis and treatment. Our team also screens patients for potential enrollment
in the latest clinical trials.
- Clinical trials: As a research institution, we are always looking to develop new and effective treatments
for urologic cancers.
- Urologic Cancer Survivorship program: Our team includes sexual medicine specialists that help urologic, and other, cancer
patients with the sexual and urinary dysfunction that could occur as a result of treatment.
We also have mental health professionals available.
Conditions We Treat
We treat cancers (occurring in both men and women) of the:
- Adrenal glands
- Bladder
- Kidney and renal pelvis
- Urinary tract (including urethra and ureter)
We also treat cancers of the male genitals, including:
We also treat erectile dysfunction and male urinary incontinence that can happen following cancer treatments.
Treatments
We offer state-of-the-art cancer treatments, including minimally invasive surgery.
Depending on your diagnosis, treatments can be combined for better outcomes.
Urologic cancer procedures
Many of the urologic surgeries we perform are done nowhere else in Georgia or South
Carolina. Our surgical team is skilled at performing all kinds of procedures to get
you cancer free, from traditional open surgery to minimally invasive robotic procedures,
we perform:
- Adrenal Surgery: If cancer is detected, an adrenalectomy can be done to remove one, or both, adrenal
glands. Surgery is performed by the Augusta University Adrenal Center
- Bladder surgery:
- Robotic or open radical cystectomy, for removal of the bladder in cases of advanced bladder cancer.
- Neobladder, or continent diversion, for creation of a new bladder for drainage of urine without an external stoma.
- Transurethral resection of bladder tumors, incision-free surgery to remove less aggressive tumors of the bladder.
- Cryosurgery: A procedure that kills kidney cancer or prostate cancer by freezing malignant cells.
- Kidney surgery:
- Robotic or open partial nephrectomy, with fluorescent image guidance to allow precise removal of kidney tumors without
removing the neighboring healthy kidney tissue.
- Laparoscopic, robotic or open nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy, for removal of larger kidney cancers as well as cancers of the renal pelvis and ureter
without large, painful incisions.
- Prostate surgery:
- Robotic or open radical prostatectomy, in which the prostate gland and margins of surrounding tissue are removed with optimal
preservation of sexual and urinary function.
- Ureteroscopy and laser ablation: We use a laser to remove tumors in the renal pelvis and ureter, preventing the need
to remove the entire kidney.
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy
These therapies may be used as part of a treatment plan for your particular cancer,
we offer:
- Intravesical chemotherapy: Potent drugs are placed directly into the bladder to kill bladder cancer cells.
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): This is a high-precision type of radiation therapy. It uses a computer to control
both the shape and strength of the X-rays to precisely deliver radiation to specific
places within a tumor, while minimizing the radiation exposure to surrounding normal
tissues.
- Internal radiation therapy: Small radioactive seeds are implanted directly into the tumor.
- Conformal external beam radiation treatment (EBRT): This newer type of EBRT directs radiation to the prostate from several directions
to help minimize the doses to surrounding healthy tissues. Many doctors now recommend
conformal EBRT if it is available. Some types of conformal EBRT use higher doses of
radiation for shorter periods of time which reduces the damage to healthy tissue.
- Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy can be used in conjunction with other treatments to,
- slow the growth of tumors that need hormones to grow
- reduce symptoms in men with prostate cancer who cannot have surgery or chemotherapy.
Urologic Support
Georgia Cancer Center provides our patients with continual cancer support care for
as long as you need it. We offer:
- Physical therapy, such as pelvic floor physical therapy for incontinence.
- Cancer support groups, including:
- Urologic cancer survivorship programs, where we address the mental and physical health needs that can occur as a result of
your cancer treatment.
In addition to your doctors and surgeons, you have the benefit of a urologic cancer
support team that includes our:
- Nurse Navigators: Our nurse navigators specialize in your specific cancer and are here to inform and
assist you during your treatment at Georgia Cancer Center.
- Physical therapist: Melissa Caywood, PT, DPT, WCS, pelvic rehabilitation specialist.
