Urologic Cancer

We bring world-class urologic cancer care close to home. St. Peter's Health Partners treats prostate cancer and the full range of genitourinary cancers using the most innovative therapies in the Greater Capital Region.

Prostate and Urologic Cancer Care at St. Peter's Health Partners: Why Choose Us?

People trust us for cancer care because our program offers unique benefits, including:

• Care coordination: Nurse navigators and social workers guide you through every stage of your care — before, during and after treatment — so you can focus on healing.
• Clinical trials: Our program offers ongoing clinical trials for prostate cancer, bladder cancer and other urologic cancers. You have access to the latest treatments that may not be available elsewhere.
• Expert team: Our board-certified oncologists, urologists and cancer surgeons are leaders in their fields. They conduct research and stay current on the latest therapies to give you the most effective care. 
• Innovative treatments: We offer a range of advanced treatments that target urologic cancer. From robotic surgery to specialized drugs for hereditary prostate cancer, you have choices when it comes to your care.

What Is Urologic Cancer?

Urologic cancer refers to cancer of the urinary tract and genital region. It includes adrenal, bladder, kidney, prostate, testicular and urethral cancer.

Urologic cancers may cause the following problems:

• A slow or weak urinary stream
• Blood in your urine or semen
• Frequent or painful urination
• Trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction)

Urologic Cancer Screening

Screening recommendations for urologic cancers vary based on your age, gender and risk level. The most common screening test for prostate cancer is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which detects levels of a certain protein in the blood. Men who are older than 45 or at high risk for prostate cancer should discuss this screening test with their doctors.

Urologic Cancer Diagnosis

Our urologists, pathologists and oncologists collaborate to detect and diagnose urologic cancers as early as possible. Our cancer specialists work closely with geneticists to find out if certain cancers, like prostate cancer, are hereditary (passed down through the genes). We offer in-depth testing and therapies tailored to the unique characteristics of inherited prostate cancer.

Urologic and Prostate Cancer Treatment

We take a team approach to urologic cancer treatment. Oncologists, urologists, surgeons, nurses, dietitians and other providers collaborate to provide whole-person care.

Medical oncology for urologic cancer

We may recommend chemotherapy or hormone therapy to treat urologic cancer. Hormone therapy is an especially effective prostate cancer treatment because it reduces a male hormone (androgen) that helps cancer cells grow. Learn more about our medical oncology services.

Radiation therapy for urologic cancer

A range of leading-edge radiation therapies is available at our state-of-the-art clinics:

• Brachytherapy: We implant seeds containing cancer-fighting radiation as close to the tumor as possible. This type of internal radiation therapy typically has fewer side effects than other types of treatment.
• Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): We deliver 3D-imaging guided radiation to the tumor from multiple angles, reducing exposure to nearby tissues.
• Stereotactic body radiation treatment (SBRT): We treat the precise area of the tumor with high doses of radiation. SBRT often requires fewer treatments than traditional external beam radiation therapy.
• Radiotherapeutic drugs: We may treat advanced prostate cancer with injections of a radiopharmaceutical. This type of drug targets cancer that has spread to the bones and may help reduce symptoms.

Surgery for urologic cancer

We treat cancer while preserving as much urinary and sexual function as possible. We can perform many surgeries, such as prostatectomies (prostate removal), using minimally invasive, nerve-sparing techniques.

Robotic prostatectomy

St. Peter's Hospital was the first in the Capital Region to perform a robotic prostatectomy using the da Vinci® Surgical System. Our cancer surgeons specialize in a range of robotic-assisted procedures that may offer:

• Faster return to normal activities
• Less pain after surgery
• Smaller scars

Laser prostate surgery

St. Peter's Hospital was first in the Northeast to offer holmium laser prostate surgery (HoLEP). This minimally invasive surgery removes blockages from the prostate that may prevent the flow of urine.

Reconstructive surgery for bladder cancer

Our surgeons perform advanced reconstructive surgery for bladder cancer. If we need to remove the bladder (cystectomy), we can use part of the small intestine to create a new bladder for the storage and release of urine. This advanced procedure can replace the need for an external bag and help improve urinary control.