Why Choose Us for Urologic Cancer Care
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, you receive specialized, coordinated care for cancers of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. Your care team includes surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, and supportive care specialists. We work together to create a comprehensive treatment plan that’s focused on your needs and goals. Our care team leads research and treatment of urologic cancers. You’ll be cared for by a team with deep experience in treating urologic cancers and a genuine commitment to supporting you through every step of your journey.
“They talked with me about my choices, and when I had questions, my doctors gave me answers very quickly. They wouldn't have let me do the wrong thing.”
Bill Gephardt
Urologic cancer patient
Treatments We Offer
Treatment depends on your cancer stage, location, and preferences. These are common options:
- Surgery: We are experts in minimally invasive surgical techniques, including state-of-the-art robotic surgery.
- Radiation therapy: We use cutting-edge radiation technologies to target cancer cells effectively.
- Proton therapy: We are the only treatment center in the Intermountain West to offer this cutting-edge type of radiation therapy that decreases radiation to healthy tissue.
- Chemotherapy: We deliver powerful drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth.
- Hormone therapy: We apply therapies to manage hormone-sensitive prostate cancers.
- Theranostics: We are national leader in this groundbreaking form of precision medicine that uses targeted radioactive drugs to both find and treat cancer.
- Clinical trials: We offer access to new treatments, often before they are available anywhere else.
Your treatment plan is tailored through tumor board reviews and shared decision-making.
Our Expertise
As the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center serving the Mountain West, we’re here to offer you the latest treatments and the highest level of care available, including expertise in the following:
- Treatment of urologic cancers, including prostate, bladder, kidney, and testicular cancer
- Multidisciplinary tumor boards to coordinate specialists and optimize your care
- Access to advanced imaging, robotic-assisted surgery, and precision radiation therapy
- Integration of clinical trials and research to expand your treatment options
Patient Care Philosophy
We believe no one should face cancer alone. Our dedicated and world-renowned doctors, nurses, and medical staff are at the forefront of patient-centered care. We treat the whole person, not just their cancer.
Each day, our medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists work together across disciplines to create and coordinate treatment plans for every patient. We understand cancer is a complex disease. That is why we use a team approach that includes social workers and support groups, as well as wellness and integrative health services such as acupuncture, massage, creative arts, and more.
Find a Urologic Cancer Doctor
Urologic Cancer Research
Huntsman Cancer Institute is a nationally recognized leader in urologic cancer research, focusing on improving detection, treatment, and survivorship. Our specialty Genitourinary Cancers Disease Center brings together doctors and scientists who work side by side to turn scientific discoveries into better outcomes for you.
We have created and participated in groundbreaking clinical trials for urologic cancers, including the development of promising treatments for men with metastatic prostate cancer. With the largest Phase 1 clinical trials program in the Mountain West, Huntsman Cancer Institute offers exclusive access to cutting-edge therapies for urologic cancers.
Clinical Trials
Our expert research teams are working to improve treatment for urologic cancers, especially in advanced cases. Through clinical trials, we explore new diagnostics, therapies, and supportive care strategies for urologic cancers that may offer better outcomes.
By participating, you play an active role in advancing care and helping others facing the same diagnosis. Interested in learning more? Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial could be right for you.
External providers can search for ongoing urologic cancer clinical trials here.
Make an Appointment with a Urologic Cancer Specialist
To make an appointment with a urologic cancer specialist, fill out our appointment form or call 801-587-7000. Our team will determine if your insurance covers treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute or if you need a referral from a primary care doctor.
External providers can refer a patient using the online referral form or by calling 801-587-7000 to speak to a patient registration specialist.
Urologic Cancer Basics
Urologic cancer is a group of cancers that form in the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. There are several types of urologic cancers, and each one has its own unique set of symptoms and treatments.
These are the types of urologic cancers:
Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the adrenal gland.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the bladder.
Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer
Kidney cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the lining of the tubules in the kidney.
Penile Cancer
Penile cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the penis.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the prostate gland.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of one or both of the testicles.
The symptoms of urologic cancers vary depending on the type and stage of cancer. These are warning signs of urologic cancers:
- Blood in the urine without pain can be a sign of bladder, kidney, or prostate cancer.
- Changes in urination or painful urination can be signs of bladder or prostate cancer.
- Sores or growths on the skin can be signs of penile or testicular cancer.
Many of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions. If you are experiencing any concerning signs, schedule a screening today.
These are risk factors for urologic cancers:
- Using tobacco, especially smoking cigarettes
- Increasing age
- Family or personal history of urologic cancers
- Changes in certain genes that increase the risk of cancer
Understand your risk. Schedule a genetic counseling session
Doctors may use these to diagnose urologic cancers:
- Physical exam and history: A health care provider examines your body for signs of disease. Your personal health habits, past illnesses, and symptoms help guide the exam.
- Cystoscopy: A health care provider uses a thin, lighted tube (called a cystoscope) to examine the urethra and bladder.
- Imaging tests: Using dyes, X-rays, magnets, radio waves and/or computer technology, your health care provider can create detailed images of internal organs.
- Laboratory tests: Through testing body tissues, blood, urine, or other substances in the body, your health care team can check to see how the organs are functioning. They can also look for substances that cells produce when cancer is present.
- Biopsy: The health care provider removes cell or tissue samples so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer.
Cancer stages show whether cancer has spread within or around the urinary tract or male reproductive system to other parts of the body. Cancer spreads in the body in three ways: through tissue, the lymph system, or the blood.
Staging details depend on the specific type of urologic cancer, but most types are staged from 0 to 4. The higher the number, the more the cancer has spread.
When cancer spreads from where it started to another part of the body, it is called metastasis. These metastatic cancer cells are the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if urologic cancer spreads to the bone, the cancer cells in the bone are actually urologic cancer cells. The disease is metastatic urologic cancer, not bone cancer.
Need help navigating your care? The Cancer Learning Center is here to support you with resources and answers to your questions.
