Genitourinary Cancer

Bladder cancer usually starts in the inner lining of the bladder wall, and it may spread to the outer layers and beyond to other parts of the body. There are several types of bladder cancer, but almost all are urothelial carcinomas, which are likely to spread.

Symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine, urinating more often than usual, and painful or difficult urination. But these symptoms also can be signs of non-cancerous conditions. Bladder cancer is most often treated with surgery. Radiation and chemotherapy also may be used. Learn more about bladder cancer.

Also called renal cancer, kidney cancer starts in the kidneys. It’s one of the 10 most common cancer types among both women and men. Most kidney cancers are renal cell carcinomas (RCC). Clear cell RCC is the most common subtype.

Kidney cancer symptoms may include blood in the urine, as well as pain or a lump or mass on one side of the lower back. But these may also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, such as an infection. Surgery is usually the first treatment for kidney cancer. Radiation and immunotherapy also may be part of the treatment plan. Learn more about kidney cancer.

Penile cancer is also known as cancer of the penis. This rare male genital cancer usually begins in the skin cells of the penis. It can often be treated successfully if found early.

Symptoms of penile cancer include changes in the feel or appearance of the skin on the penis, or a lump or mass. Treatment typically involves surgery to destroy the cancerous cells. Topical chemotherapy or biologic therapy may be used for very early-stage penile cancers. If cancer has spread, radiation or conventional chemotherapy may be part of treatment. Learn more about penile cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men. It’s highly treatable when found early, and several screening exams are available to detect prostate cancer in its earliest stages.

Prostate cancer symptoms may include a slow or weak urine stream, frequent urination (especially at night), blood in the urine or semen, and difficulty getting an erection. Treatment for prostate cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. In some cases, physicians may recommend “active surveillance” to monitor slow-growing prostate cancer instead of treating it immediately. Learn more about prostate cancer.

Testicular cancer develops in a man’s testicles. It’s a rare cancer type that usually affects men ages 40 and younger. When found early, testicular cancer can almost always be treated successfully.

Symptoms of testicular cancer may include a lump, swelling or pain in a testicle, or changes in how a testicle feels. Surgery to remove the affected testicle is the most common treatment for testicular cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy also may be part of treatment. Learn more about testicular cancer.

Cancer of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, is rare. Like bladder cancer, symptoms include blood in the urine and frequent urination, which also are common symptoms of non-cancerous conditions, such as a urinary tract infection.

Treatment for urethral cancer usually involves surgery, and also may include radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Learn more about urethral cancer.