Last update:November 13, 2024, 6:30 PM IST

Awareness of urological cancers and proactive health screenings can empower men to detect and treat these cancers early, significantly improving the chances of cure and preserving quality of life.

Uro-oncology, or genitourinary oncology, focuses on cancers of the male reproductive and urinary organs, including prostate, kidney, adrenal, bladder, testicular, and penile cancers.

November is dedicated to men’s health awareness, with a focus on the rising incidence of urological cancers globally. Uro-oncology, or genitourinary oncology, focuses on cancers of the male reproductive and urinary organs, including prostate, kidney, adrenal, bladder, testicular, and penile cancers. These cancers are highly treatable if detected early, and even in some advanced cases, multiple treatment options can improve outcomes. However, advanced stage cancers are often incurable; palliative and supportive care can still improve quality of life.

Early detection is crucial and significantly improves the success rate of treatment. While most genitourinary cancers show few or no symptoms in the early stages, regular screening and health checks are essential for early diagnosis. Common warning signs include lumps, sores that won’t heal, blood in the urine, unexplained weight loss, and loss of appetite. Specific screenings such as imaging for kidney, adrenal, bladder and testicular cancer, PSA tests for prostate cancer and clinical exams for penile cancer are recommended for early detection.

In treatment, the goal is not only to eliminate the cancer, but also to preserve organ function whenever possible. Procedures such as partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer, endoscopic resection or partial cystectomy for bladder cancer, and selective surgery for penile and testicular cancers aim to balance oncologic success with functional outcomes. These organ-sparing approaches, while promising, are recommended only in specific circumstances based on the surgeon’s judgment.

Awareness of urological cancers and proactive health screenings can empower men to detect and treat these cancers early, significantly improving the chances of cure and preserving quality of life.