Urologic Cancers
The urology specialists of Mount Sinai-Union Square are highly skilled in diagnosing and treating all male and female urologic cancers. With a multidisciplinary team that includes urologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and dedicated nurses, we offer comprehensive cancer care using advanced surgical techniques and the newest medical therapies. Our surgeons offer the full spectrum of surgical options to treat cancer, including minimally invasive laparoscopic and advanced robotic surgery, as well as traditional open surgery, personalized to each individual patient.
Types of Urologic Cancers
Urologic cancers are malignant growths that form in the urinary tract of both women and men, as well as the testicles, penis, and prostate in men. The most common types of urologic cancer are bladder, kidney, prostate, adrenal, testicular, and penile cancer.
Mount Sinai-Union Square’s urologic cancer specialists have extensive experience treating the full range of urologic cancers, including the following:
Bladder Cancer
Your bladder is a hollow organ in your pelvis where urine is stored. Bladder cancer is the fifth most common form of cancer overall. Symptoms of bladder cancer include frequent or painful urination; blood in the urine (which may appear red or brown, or be invisible); and pain in the back.
There are several types of bladder cancer, including urothelial carcinoma (cancer of the bladder’s inner lining), squamous cell carcinoma (associated with long-term irritation caused by infections or catheter use), and adenocarcinoma (cancer formed by mucus-secreting glands).
Risk factors for bladder cancer include smoking, aging, exposure to chemicals such as arsenic and those used in manufacturing, previous cancer treatments, and chronic bladder infections.
Kidney Cancer
Your kidneys are a pair of organs in your back that filter waste from your body to produce urine. Kidney cancer is the eighth leading cause of cancer in the United States. Symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in the urine, a lump in your side or belly area, persistent pain in your side or back, fever, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.
There are several types of kidney cancer, including renal cell carcinoma (most common); transitional cell carcinoma (a rare cancer that can affect the kidney, ureter, and bladder); Wilm’s tumor (a pediatric cancer); and renal sarcoma (forming in the blood vessels or connective tissue of the kidney).
Risk factors for kidney cancer include smoking; obesity; high blood pressure; family history; and exposure to certain chemicals such as asbestos, herbicides, and some organic solvents.
Prostate Cancer
Your prostate is a walnut-sized gland located underneath your bladder and on top of the rectum, surrounding the upper portion of the urethra. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer diagnosed in men. Symptoms of prostate cancer include blood in the semen or urine; difficulty starting or maintaining urination; painful ejaculation or urination; pain in the hips, ribs, or other bones; pressure or pain in the rectum; and numbness or weakness in the legs or feet.
Because prostate cancer may cause no symptoms, especially in its earliest stages, it is important to get regular screenings for prostate cancer, starting at age 45.
Risk factors for prostate cancer include age greater than 50, race (African American men are at higher risk than white men), and family history of prostate cancer.
Treatments for Urologic Cancers at Mount Sinai-Union Square
The urologists of Mount Sinai-Union Square are skilled in the detection, prevention, and treatment of all types of urologic cancers.
We offer the full range of diagnostics, including ureteroscopy or cystoscopy (inserting a small instrument to see cancers in the kidney or bladder); imaging studies (such as MRI, X-ray, or ultrasound); lab tests; and biopsies using state-of-the-art targeted techniques.
If cancer is found, your doctor will talk with you to fully explain your condition, answer all your questions, and determine the best treatment based on the cancer’s stage and grade, as well as your goals.
Our multidisciplinary team comes together for each patient, drawing on the newest treatments and technologies to personalize the right approach for you. We offer the full spectrum of treatment options available anywhere, including surveillance (if appropriate), surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Our goal is to successfully treat your disease while preserving normal function so you can get back to enjoying your everyday activities.
Meet Our Team
Mount Sinai-Union Square’s urology specialists treat the full range of urologic cancers, such as adrenal, bladder, kidney, prostate, testicular, and penile. Our urology team includes the following surgeons who specialize in cancer treatments: