Urologic Cancers

Urologic cancers affect the organs and structures of the male and female urinary system and the male reproductive system.

Overview and Symptoms

Urologic cancers include:

Bladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Prostate cancer
Testicular cancer
Penile cancer
Urethral cancer

These are relatively common cancers. In particular, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the U.S.

The symptoms of urologic cancer vary significantly depending on the specific type of urologic cancer.

Urologic Cancer Diagnosis

Doctors use a number of different imaging tests to screen for urologic cancer. The specific tests needed will vary depending on the type of urologic cancer you have. However, urologic cancer diagnostic tests may include:

Urine tests: Using a urine sample from normal urination, clinicians will determine if the urine contains tumor cells.
Cystoscopy: allows the doctor to see inside the body with a thin, lighted, flexible tube called a cystoscope
Biopsy: the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope
Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan: creates a 3-dimensional picture of the inside of the body using x-rays taken from different angles
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): uses magnetic fields, not x-rays, to produce detailed images of the body
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: creates pictures of organs and tissues inside the body
Ultrasound: uses sound waves to create a picture of the internal organs
Blood tests: to check for increased blood levels of certain proteins