Urologic Oncology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of different types of urological cancer. Urological oncological cancer can affect the male and female urinary tract systems, including the reproductive organs (testicles, penis and prostate), kidneys and bladder.
What types of urological cancer does Dr Padayachee treat?
1Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer (urothelial carcinoma) forms when a mutation affects the urothelial cells. These types of cells carpet the bladder and mutate when the cells multiply uncontrollably. When caught early, bladder cancer can be treated in time.
Haematuria (blood in urine) is typically the initial sign of bladder cancer. However, additional signs include pain, burning, inability to empty the bladder and tissue pieces passing from the urine.
2Kidney Cancer
It's considered the hardest to diagnose kidney cancer. Typical signs of kidney cancer include spots of blood in the urine, back pain, no appetite, sudden weight loss, fatigue and fever. Kidney cancer begins in the cells of the kidneys, and as a result, the harmful cells build up to form a tumour.
3Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is cancer that forms in the prostate gland due to the irregular cellular division within the gland. The prostate gland plays a role in the production of a sample of fluid that forms part of semen. Various forms of cancer begin in the prostate gland, such as small cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumour, transitional cell carcinoma and sarcoma. Treatment for prostate cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
1Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the testicles. This cancer occurs due to the development and accumulation of unhealthy cells. The testicles (testes) are found in the scrotum and are an area vulnerable to cancer. Usually, a common sign of testicular cancer is an unusual bump on the testicle(s). Signs to look out for include swelling, an ache in the lower abdomen, discomfort in the scrotum and back pain.
2Ureteral Cancer
Ureteral cancer forms when a clump of harmful cells grows within the lining of the ureters. The urethra is a tube that facilitates the flow of urine via the bladder to the exterior of the body. Although urethral cancer is rare, it typically affects more men than women. In addition, bladder cancer increases the risk of urethral cancer.
3Penile/Urethral Cancer
Penile cancer, although rare, affects the skin around the penis and deep tissue layers. As a result, healthy cells within the penis turn malignant, multiplying uncontrollably. The cancerous cells accumulate to form a tumour. Signs of penile cancer include itching, a burning sensation in the area and a change in the hue/colour of the penis, penile skin thickening, bleeding and inflammation (redness).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you treat urological cancer?
Normally, surgery is the primary treatment for most urological cancers. However, treatment depends on the stage and form of cancer. A combination of treatments may treat this type of cancer, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
2. Is urological cancer curable?
Generally, treatment depends on the grade of the tumour and your treatment preference.
3. What is the most prevalent type of urological cancer?
Kidney (renal) cancer is the most common type of urological cancer.
4. What types of surgeries are done to treat urological cancer?
- A prostatectomy is the surgical resection of the affected prostate gland.
- Transurethral resection is the surgical treatment of early bladder cancer.
- Cystectomy is the removal of the bladder or portions of it.
- Neobladder facilitates the flow of urine from the urethra.
- Nephrectomy may be radical or partial, depending on the stage of the disease.
- Inguinal orchiectomy is the removal of the affected testicle and tumour.
- Lymph node dissection is the removal of the lymph nodes to test whether cancer has advanced beyond its primary stage.
DR PADAYACHEE’S
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