Urologic cancer care

Urologists at Ascension Saint Agnes in Baltimore, Maryland, provide advanced care for kidney, prostate and bladder cancer

Urologic cancer care in Maryland

Urologists at Ascension Saint Agnes in Baltimore, Maryland, provide advanced care for kidney, prostate and bladder cancer

  • REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT: 667-234-2910

About prostate cancer care at Ascension Saint Agnes

Urology care teams at Ascension Saint Agnes deliver advanced care for prostate cancer, bladder cancer and other urologic cancers. At regular meetings, your care team, which may include urologists, will review your care plan and monitor your progress. We focus on care to help improve your pelvic health. As part of our multispecialty team approach to cancer care, we also provide other supportive care services, such as pelvic physical therapy. If you are interested in participating in cancer care clinical trials, ask your oncologist to discuss your options. We can work to help connect you to ongoing clinical trials that may be right for you.

When you’re going through urologic cancer, we’re by your side

When you choose Ascension Saint Agnes cancer care, you’re never alone. You’ll have face-to-face visits with your doctor, and you’ll have an entire care team, dedicated to your care — connecting the dots for you. Your doctor and care team will take the time to answer all your questions – big and small. By getting to know you and working together, you get a care plan that’s customized to your needs. And with a plan, comes hope. Our goal is to help you recover faster so you can get back to your daily life.

Along the way, your care may require imaging, lab tests, pharmacy support, respiratory therapy, physical therapy or other specialists — you do not have to navigate your care alone. Upon your cancer diagnosis, or when you come to us during your cancer care, you’re paired with a cancer care team.

We offer an extended care team for emotional support — chaplain, palliative care specialist and oncology-certified social worker. Our healing garden and chapel are always open for you and your loved ones. Other services include:

  • Cancer rehabilitation and pelvic therapy
  • Financial aid counselors
  • Nutritionists
  • Oncology-trained pharmacists
  • Patient and caregiver support groups

Types of cancer

Your doctors and care team deliver a customized care plan for your cancer. Our goal is to identify the tumor and deliver comprehensive care for your type of cancer, including:

  • Bladder cancer
  • Kidney (renal) cancers
  • Penile cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Testicular cancer

Symptoms of urologic cancers

Symptoms of prostate cancer, bladder cancer and other urologic cancer can vary. Some symptoms may be similar to other conditions that may affect your urologic health, including:

  • Dark colored (blood) in urine or semen
  • Discomfort urinating, difficulty starting or holding urine back
  • Erectile dysfunction, pain
  • Pain in back, hips and pelvis that doesn’t go away
  • Weak urine stream or interruption of stream

How we diagnose urologic cancer

Your care team focuses on identifying if the tumor is noninvasive or invasive and to understand where the tumor began and whether or not the cancer has spread. We use advanced molecular studies to recognize urologic cancer subtypes to create a care plan for your type of cancer. To diagnose urologic cancer, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:

Blood levels of certain proteins tend to change if you have testicular cancer. These proteins are called tumor markers. The main tumor markers for testicular cancer are alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin. Another marker is an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase.

You may have a CT scan of your abdomen and pelvis to check for a tumor. A CT scan is an imaging test that combines a series of X-rays to create a more detailed picture. A contrast material may be used to improve the image. It might be injected into a vein. Or it may be a pill or liquid that you swallow.

Cystoscopy is a procedure that lets a healthcare provider look at the urinary tract. It can help find early signs of cancer, infection, narrowing, blockage, and bleeding. This procedure uses a long, thin, flexible, lighted tube called a cystoscope. This is put into the urethra and moved up into the bladder. The cystoscope lets the healthcare provider look closely at the inside of the urethra and bladder.

Excisional biopsy is a procedure where the entire lesion is removed and examined to help your doctor diagnose your condition and stage for even the most rare cancers.

Genetic testing and counseling for gene mutations that may increase your risk for urologic cancer. Telehealth genetic testing and counseling is also available. Our genetic nurse coordinator schedules your genetic tests and coordinates a consultation with a telehealth genetic consultant from the convenience of your home.

This may also be called transurethral resection for bladder tumor (TURBT). In this surgery, all the cancer in your bladder is taken out. But your whole bladder isn't removed. This type of surgery might be done if the cancer is only in the lining of your bladder. TUR can also be done to diagnose bladder cancer and find out how deep it has grown into the bladder wall.

An ultrasound is often the first test done if you have a lump on or near your testicle. This test uses sound waves to make images of the inside of your body. It can show if the lump is filled with fluid or is a solid mass. Solid lumps are more likely to cause cancer.

How we treat urologic cancer

Treatment for urologic cancer may include medication, therapy or surgery.

Chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of strong medicines to kill cancer cells. The medicines travel all through your body in your bloodstream. They attack and kill cells that grow quickly, like cancer cells. Some normal cells also grow quickly. Because of this, chemo can harm those cells.

This surgery removes the whole prostate gland and some nearby tissue. But the surgeon uses a few small incisions instead of one larger incision. This approach may help you have a shorter hospital stay, less pain, and a quicker recovery.

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses strong rays of energy or particles to kill cancer cells. A machine directs the rays to the area of cancer. Radiation therapy is also called radiotherapy. Its goal is to kill or shrink cancer cells. If you have gallbladder cancer, radiation therapy may be part of your treatment.

The testicle and cord are taken out through a cut (incision) above your pubic area. This surgery is not done through the scrotum. This is because if you have cancer, the surgery could spread the cancer cells to your scrotum or your other testicle.

Your cancer care team provides support from nutrition education and counseling to cancer support groups and spiritual care. And, at Ascension Saint Agnes, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and your loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you. For more information, please call 667-234-2918.

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts your body’s immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells. It uses substances that are either made in the body or in a lab. These substances either boost the immune system overall or help it to better target cancer cells. These medicines can shrink some tumors or slow tumor growth.

Get a second opinion on your cancer diagnosis or care plan

When you are facing a new urologic cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our urologic cancer specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.

Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.

GET A SECOND OPINION

Frequently asked questions about our urologic cancer care services

Our cancer center is on the campus of Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in southwest Baltimore. And our network of cancer specialists extends throughout Baltimore County, Catonsville, Columbia and Laurel.

Your doctor and care team get to know you well, and you’ll receive care for the whole person – from physical health and well-being to mental and emotional health to support for your family and caregivers. At Ascension Saint Agnes, we provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. Our urologic cancer surgeons are part of a national team of cancer specialists sharing the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.

Urologists at our cancer center are trained urologic surgeons. They use minimally invasive surgery techniques when possible to remove a tumor, which may help shorten your recovery after surgery.

Our care team provides genetic tests associated with prostate cancer. Telehealth genetic testing and counseling is now available. Our genetic nurse coordinator schedules your genetic tests and coordinates a consultation with a telehealth genetic consultant from the convenience of your home.

At Ascension Saint Agnes, we provide many primary and advanced treatments for urologic cancer, including:

  • Hormone replacement therapy
  • Pelvic reconstructive surgery
  • Pelvic physical therapy
  • Surgical oncology procedure

When you choose Ascension Saint Agnes for your cancer care, you get an entire team dedicated to your care. You may have a lot of concerns and questions. Your doctor and care team are ready to listen and answer your questions. Working together, we offer services that help support your treatment plan, including managing pain and other symptoms, medications, appetite changes, sleeplessness, fatigue and mood changes. Your entire care team stays connected throughout your care to discuss your treatment and progress.

We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs. Your cancer care team can connect you to a financial counselor.

At Ascension Saint Agnes cancer center and clinics, we offer convenient parking. Talk to your care team if you have transportation needs.

Surgical oncologists and anesthesiologists provide enhanced recovery pathways as part of your surgical care plan. They are an important part of our cancer treatment programs. Each pathway is personalized for different types of cancer treatment, to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Your care team uses these protocols to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.

This service requires a referral

Please call us at 667-234-2910 for information on how to obtain a referral. If you are a provider referring a patient, call 667-234-2910.

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