Wisconsin Institute of Urology offers a full range of state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options for genitourinary cancers. These include cancers of the prostate, kidneys, bladder, testicles, penis and adrenal glands. Treatment for tumors of these organs includes open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery, radiation, cryotherapy (freezing the tumor), and medication, including in-office shots, oral medication, and chemotherapy. The providers at Wisconsin Institute of Urology work closely with other local, regional, and national specialists to deliver comprehensive care.
This is the most common type of cancer in men over the age of 50 and is the second-leading cause of cancer death. It is estimated that in the United States, almost 200,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Fortunately, there are several treatment methods available.
The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. The kidneys filter unneeded substances and extra water from the blood, creating urine. The urine travels from the kidneys down the ureters (the tubes that drain the kidneys) into the bladder. Urine is released from the bladder through the urethra, which leads out of the body. Bladder cancer begins in the cells of the inner lining of the bladder but can also involve the ureters and kidneys.
Approximately 90% of bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas. Cancer confined to the lining of the bladder is superficial bladder cancer. In some cases, cancer can spread through the lining of the bladder. This is known as invasive bladder cancer.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in males ages 15-35 years old, but accounts for less than one percent of all tumors found in men. Testicular cancer has a high cure rate. The average 5-year survival rate is 95%. Testicular cancer is a mass of abnormal cells located in the testicles.
Screening for Testicular Cancer
Monthly testicular self-exams are recommended for males beginning at the age of 15. For more information, please see instructions for testicular self-exam (TSE) on our website.
Risk Factors
• History of undescended testicle
• History of abnormal development of the testicles
• Personal or family history of testicular cancer
• Diagnosis of Klinefelter syndrome
Symptoms
• Painless lump/swelling in either testicle
• Change in how the testicle feels
• Dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
• Sudden build-up of fluid in the scrotum
• Enlarged lymph nodes (lower neck, upper chest, groin)
• Breast enlargement
• Clots in the lung or veins
Diagnostic Testing/Exam
Your doctor may recommend some or all of these tests:
• Physical examination, including a testicular exam
• Imaging (X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT Scan)
• Lab work (blood draw)
How Testicular Cancer is Staged
If your doctor finds that your exam and tests are suspicious for testicular cancer you will most likely be scheduled to have the affected testicle surgically removed. After surgery the results from pathology will determine the stage of the cancer, this will help guide your treatment plan. The stages of testicular cancer are:
• Stage 0 – Germ Cell Neoplasia In Situ (GCNIS). This is not a cancer, but a warning sign that a cancer may grow in the future.
• Stage I (IA, IB, IS) - Cancer is limited to the testicle and has not spread anywhere else.
• Stage II (IIA, IIB, IIC) - Cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes in the abdomen, but has not spread anywhere else.
• Stage III (IIIA, IIIB, IIIC) - Cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or other parts of the body, most commonly to the lungs. Blood tests show high tumor marker levels.
Treatment
Your provider will work with you to individualize your treatment plan. It may include:
• Surgical removal of the affected testicle
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
The kidneys’ main function is filtering blood to remove excess water, salt, and waste products. This combination of substances becomes urine. Kidney cancer is a rare form of cancer that starts in the kidneys when cells begin growing out of control. These cells can turn cancerous and spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer.
Risk Factors
While the exact cause of kidney cancer is not completely understood, there are factors that may increase your risk.
These include:
• Smoking
• Advanced age
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Long term dialysis
• Family history of kidney cancer
Symptoms
• Blood in the urine; pink, red or cola colored
• Loss of appetite
• Back and/or side pain
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
Diagnostic Testing/Exam
Your doctor may recommend some or all of these tests:
• Physical examination
• Urine tests
• Blood tests
• Imaging (X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT Scan)
• Cystoscopy
• Kidney and/or Ureteral biopsy
Treatment
Your provider will work with you to individualize your treatment plan. It may include:
• Active surveillance
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Immunotherapy
The kidneys’ main function is filtering blood to remove excess water, salt, and waste products. This combination of substances becomes urine. The urine is drained from the kidney to the bladder through a tube, called the ureter, that connects the kidney and bladder. Ureteral cancer is a rare form of cancer that can be associated with bladder cancer.
Risk Factors
While the exact cause of ureteral cancer is not completely understood, there are factors that may increase your risk. These include:
• Smoking
• Advanced age
• Exposure to certain chemicals
• Family history of bladder cancer
• Family history of kidney cancer
• Inherited cancer syndromes
Symptoms
• Blood in the urine; pink, red or cola colored
• Pain with urination
• Loss of appetite
• Back and/or side pain
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
Diagnostic Testing/Exam
Your doctor may recommend some or all of these tests:
• Physical examination
• Urine tests
• Blood tests
• Imaging (X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT Scan)
• Cystoscopy
• Ureteral biopsy
Treatment
Your provider will work with you to individualize your treatment plan. It may include:
• Active surveillance
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Immunotherapy
Serving people of all ages from Shawano to Oshkosh. Please contact our Main Office in Neenah, WI for more information, (920) 886-8979 or (877) 897-7747.
Fax: (920) 886-2225.