Diagnosing & Treating Genitourinary Cancer in Arizona

Genitourinary cancer affects the male reproductive tract or the glands and organs that make up the urinary tract.

Genitourinary cancers include: 

• Ureteral cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Penile cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Adrenal cancer
• Urethral cancer

Find a Doctor using our online tool or by calling 855.970.2527 who specializes in treating genitourinary cancer in Arizona. We offer cancer care at our Chandler Regional Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center locations. Our University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center headquartered in Arizona.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer & Other Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms of genitourinary cancer vary with the type of cancer and the affected gland or organ.

Some genitourinary cancers, such as prostate cancer, rarely cause symptoms in the early stages. Others, such as bladder cancer, do cause symptoms very early in the disease. Early symptoms of bladder cancer may include blood in the urine and painful urination. Testicular and penile cancer can have obvious symptoms, such as swelling, ulceration, or a palpable lump.

Genitourinary Cancer Treatment at Dignity Health

Dignity Health offers comprehensive cancer treatment from a team of board-certified medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, and cancer care specialists. We treat whole person rather than just the disease, so your care team also includes dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, and spiritual care experts. 

Treatment for genitourinary cancer depends on the specific type of cancer and its stage. Dignity Health oncologists commonly treat cancer with:

• Radiation therapy, which shrinks tumors and kills cancer cells
• Chemotherapy, which kills cancer cells or stops them from growing
• Immunotherapy, which boosts the body’s immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells
• Hormone therapy, which reduces hormone levels in the body to slow cancer growth
• Targeted therapy, which destroys cancer by using markers present only on cancer cells
• Surgery, which removes the affected organ or tumor

Your doctor will tell you about the goals of each available treatment and will help you understand potential benefits and side effects. The right treatment for you depends on many factors, including your personal preferences.

What Causes Genitourinary Cancer?

Doctors don’t know what causes most cancers, including genitourinary cancers. Usual age of onset and risk factors vary for each type of genitourinary cancer. Smoking and family history may play a role in many genitourinary cancers. Dignity Health offers cancer screenings specifically for men.