What Is a Urologic Oncologist?
A urologic oncologist is a urologist who has completed additional fellowship training (typically 1–2 years) specifically focused on cancers of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. These specialists are experts in diagnosing, staging, and surgically treating urologic cancers, and they work closely with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists to coordinate comprehensive cancer care. Fellowship training is sponsored by the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO).
What Conditions Does a Urologic Oncologist Treat?
- Prostate cancer — from early detection (elevated PSA, prostate biopsy) through active surveillance, surgery, and advanced or metastatic disease
- Bladder cancer — non-muscle invasive (early stage) and muscle-invasive (advanced) bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) — small kidney masses, locally advanced tumors, and metastatic disease
- Testicular cancer — diagnosis, surgery, and coordination of further treatment
- Penile cancer
- Adrenal tumors (adrenal masses, pheochromocytoma, adrenocortical carcinoma)
- Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (cancer of the ureter or kidney lining)
- Urethral cancer
What Procedures Does a Urologic Oncologist Perform?
Urologic oncologists perform complex cancer surgeries, many using robotic-assisted technology. These include robotic radical prostatectomy (prostate removal for cancer), robotic or open partial and radical nephrectomy (kidney removal), robotic radical cystectomy with urinary diversion (bladder removal with creation of a new way to drain urine), TURBT (removal of bladder tumors through a scope), orchiectomy (testicle removal for cancer), penectomy, adrenalectomy, and nephroureterectomy. They also administer intravesical therapies (medications placed directly into the bladder, such as BCG) and coordinate advanced cancer treatments including hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Who Should See a Urologic Oncologist?
Anyone diagnosed with or suspected of having cancer of the prostate, bladder, kidney, testicle, penis, adrenal gland, or ureter should consider seeing a urologic oncologist. This also includes patients with an elevated PSA, an abnormal imaging finding on the kidney or bladder, or a testicular mass.