Uro-oncology

A subspecialty of urology called “uro-oncology” is dedicated to the risk assessment, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care of genitourinary system cancers. Male and female urinary organs and systems, as well as the male reproductive system, can all be impacted by urologic cancers. This includes a number of cancers that can impact organs, including the testes, penis, kidney, bladder, and prostate. The specialty uses a multidisciplinary approach, combining radiation oncology, medicine, and surgery procedures to give patients all-encompassing care. Uro-oncologists prioritize quality of life while striving for the best possible outcomes in their collaborative efforts with other experts to create individualized treatment programs that are specific to the requirements of each patient.

At Apollo Hospitals, we have a cohesive team led by urological oncology surgeons who are experienced and well-suited to treat urology cancer be it peadiatric to geriatic or male to female. To guarantee that every patient receives the most efficient and compassionate care possible, they collaborate at tumor board meeting with expert radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, and specialty nurses.

Precision Uro-Oncology

Your unique genetics are taken into account by the precision oncology approach, which generates personalized treatment plans for you and other patients with comparable molecular alterations. Precision oncology uses genetic markers and tumor features to analyze and develop tailored medicines that are less toxic and more effective, improving patient outcomes and minimizing adverse effects. Targeted drug therapy (drugs made to attack a specific target on cancer cells) and immunotherapy (drugs used to support the body’s immune system in attacking the cancer) are the two forms of treatment most frequently utilized in precision medicine.

Precision Diagnostic Uro Oncology facilities like prostate fusion biopsies – MRF TP Stabilized, 3D CT Reconstruction Technologies, NBI (Narrow band imaging) and other molecular Diagnostic to mention the few are available at Apollo Cancer Centers.

Precision Surgical technologies like robotic assisted, Intra Imaging Guided technologies, Advanced Ultrasound technologies, and ICG with augumented reality are utilized for better outcome.

What We Treat

Kidney Cancer

The most common type of cancer in adults is kidney cancer. If kidney cancer is not detected and treated promptly, it might spread to other organs from where it started. Elderly people are the most common victims of kidney cancer. The chance of developing kidney cancer is very high for smokers. An additional risk factor for kidney cancer is obesity and high blood pressure. A key contributing factor to the genetic transmission of this cancer, aside from this, may be family history. Depending on the stage and kind of kidney cancer, treatments might include radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery.

Prostate Cancer

This type of cancer is often limited to the prostate gland and affects men. Even while it could occasionally seem harmless, there are circumstances in which the rate at which these cancerous cells proliferate might be frightening. Prostate cancer is more common in older adults. Additionally, racial factors are found to be significant in the development of this cancer. Radiation therapy, active surveillance, and minimally invasive techniques like robotic-assisted surgery are some of the available treatment choices.

Penile Cancer

If discovered in its early stages, this kind of cancer tends to be easily treatable. Any cancer that develops in the tissues of the penis is referred to as penile cancer. Body fluids that become trapped in the foreskin are the source of penile tumors. The person may be at risk of developing cancer as a result. The chance of developing penile cancer is higher in older men who smoke. Moreover, penile cancer may develop as a result of AIDS. Surgical excision is usually the first step in treatment; depending on the disease’s stage and extent, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may also be added.

Bladder Cancer

The bladder is a muscular, hollow organ located in the lower abdomen that stores urine. The cancer cells that cause this type of cancer develop in the area around the bladder. Bladder cancer typically starts in the urothelial cells that line the bladder’s interior. Changes in urinary patterns and blood in the urine are two prominent indicators of bladder cancer. Because smoking cigarettes causes hazardous substances to accumulate in the urine, there is an increased risk of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer risk may also increase with exposure to certain substances, such as arsenic. Depending on the stage and severity of the cancer, treatment options may include radical cystectomy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis of Urological Cancers

Diagnosis of urological cancers involves a combination of clinical evaluation and various diagnostic tests:

• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): A physical examination to assess the prostate gland’s size, texture, and any abnormalities. To feel for lumps or abnormal regions, the doctor feels the prostate via the rectal wall while using gloves and lubrication.
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: A blood test called the PSA test is mostly used to check for prostate cancer.
• Transrectal Ultrasound Biopsy (TRUS): Guided biopsy of the prostate using ultrasound imaging to obtain tissue samples for analysis. This kind of needle biopsy is used to search the prostate for cancerous cells. To study under a microscope, your doctor removes many little tissue samples from the prostate.
• Urinalysis: The study of the visual, chemical, and microscopic components of your urine, or pee, is called a urinalysis. In this test, a urine sample is obtained from the patient and analyzed for the presence of cancer cells, red and white blood cells (which combat UTIs), and microscopic hematuria or infection.
• Imaging Studies: Include imaging tests such as CT, MRI, and PET to see the urinary system and find any anomalies or cancers.
• Renal Biopsy: A kidney biopsy involves taking a little sample of kidney tissue to inspect it under a microscope for indications of injury or disease.
• Transperineal Prostate Biopsies: A different approach to getting biopsy samples of prostate tissue. The biopsy is carried out with the biopsy samples being collected through the perineum and the ultrasonography probe inserted into the rectum.
• Office Flexible Cystoscopic Procedures: Using a flexible cystoscope, the bladder and urethra are visually examined to look for bladder cancers or other anomalies. Your doctor could inspect the interior of your bladder and urethra by gently following the urethra’s natural course with a flexible scope.
• NBI Technology: The method known as narrow band imaging improves bladder tumor identification by enhancing vision during cystoscopic operations. Due to its ability to identify metachronous tumors and early laryngeal cancer recurrence and persistence, NBI is extremely useful in postoperative environments.

Treatment of Urological Cancers

Treatment options for urological cancers depend on factors such as cancer type, stage, and patient preferences. Common treatments include:

• Radical Prostatectomy: In order to treat men with localized prostate cancer, a radical prostatectomy involves removing the whole prostate gland along with the surrounding lymph nodes. Several procedures, such as robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, can be used by a surgeon to conduct a radical prostatectomy.
• Laparoscopic Procedures: Laparoscopic urologic surgery allows doctors to treat urological problems with minimal pain to the patient. Several long, thin surgical instruments and a laparoscope, which includes an integrated camera, are used in this minimally invasive procedure.
• Laser Procedures for Cancers: Laser therapy for the treatment of bladder and kidney cancers, offering precise tissue destruction ,tumor resection and enucleation
• Robotic Surgeries: Compared to traditional open surgery, robotic surgery requires fewer cuts and is a type of minimally invasive surgery. The robotic tools used for the procedure are operated by a surgeon seated at a console, using a joystick. Small incisions are made to introduce the instruments into the body, and the surgeon manipulates them to perform the procedure.
• Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Procedures: A type of minimally invasive treatments called endoscopic surgery makes use of an endoscope, a small video camera to diagnose and treat certain types of cancer. Cystoscopy, ureteroscopy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy/nephrolithotripsy are all done by endoscopic surgery. These procedures minimize trauma and encourage a quicker recovery when used to treat urethral blockages or bladder cancers.
• Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT): Simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer are achieved by use of a method called transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT). During transurethral biopsy (TURBT), a doctor locates the bladder tumor and excises it using a long, thin instrument called a cystoscope that has a camera on it.

What’s New

• Narrow Band Imaging Technology (NBI) for Bladder Cancers: Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) technology, utilized for detecting bladder cancers, offers enhanced visualization capabilities.
• Moses Laser System (holmium): The Moses Laser system (holmium), particularly the Moses 2.0 version, installed at Apollo Seshadripuram, Bengaluru, India, is pioneering in its field. In cases of early-stage bladder cancer, complete endoscopic removal can be achieved without disturbing the bladder wall. This method ensures thorough removal while facilitating the assessment of resection margins, a crucial aspect of the procedure.
• In cases of early-stage bladder cancer, complete endoscopic removal can be achieved without disturbing the bladder wall. This method ensures thorough removal while facilitating the assessment of resection margins, a crucial aspect of the procedure.
• Transperineal Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging: TP Stabilized Prostate Biopsies, also known as MRI Fusion Transperineal Biopsies, provide a precise method for sampling prostate tissue. This technique utilizes advanced imaging to guide biopsies, enhancing accuracy and reducing the risk of complications. This precise technology has the advantage of identifiying or picking up prostate cancer as small as 2 mm.
• 3D-4k Laparoscopic System with Articulated Instruments with ICG: The 3D-4k Laparoscopic system, equipped with articulated instruments and utilizing Indocyanine Green (ICG) fluorescence imaging, enables highly detailed and precise laparoscopic procedures. This advanced system offers improved visualization and maneuverability during surgery, enhancing surgical outcomes and patient safety.

FAQs

Q1. Which kinds of cancers do uro-oncologists treat

Ans. Surgeons skilled in identifying and managing cancers of the male and female reproductive systems are known as uro-oncologists. The bladder, kidneys, penis, prostate, and testicles are among the organs that fit within this category. These tumors tend to affect men more frequently than women, while there have been a few cases reported in the former group.

Q2. How can urological cancer be avoided?

Ans. Giving up smoking is the first step in preventing urological cancers, as it is the primary cause of most of these diseases. In addition, maintaining good cleanliness and adhering to a balanced diet are crucial. It is crucial to monitor one’s health and get periodic screenings because the majority of urological cancers are brought on by aging or a family history of the disease.

Q3. When should I visit a uro-oncologists?

Ans. If you are suffering symptoms that are associated with the male reproductive system or urinary tract, you might think about visiting a urologist. This may involve problems including kidney stones, erectile dysfunction, frequent urination, urine incontinence, and infertility.

Q4. Can urological cancers be controlled?

Ans. Patients with urological malignancies can recover and lead normal lives following therapy. Early identification and intervention are, nevertheless, essential for effective treatment. As a result, if you have any urinary issues, it’s critical that you see a uro-oncologists right away.

Meet Our Expert

Our team of uro-oncologists at Apollo Hospitals is composed of seasoned experts committed to giving patients with uro-oncological problems exceptional treatment and assistance. Our uro-oncologists are at the forefront of medical innovation, using state-of-the-art technology to create customized treatment regimens that are suited to the individual needs of each patient. They have years of experience and competence in the area. You may rely on our team of uro-oncologists for thorough and considerate uro-oncological care.