Genito urological cancers

The oncology genito urological team cares for patients with germ cell tumours including testicular cancer post orchidectomy (surgical removal of testicle), post salpingectomy (surgical removal of the ovary), or an extragonadal germ cell tumour in the chest (mediastinum) or tummy (abdomen).

The germ cell practice treats patients with stage 1 disease through to stage 4 (advanced/metastatic) disease. Advanced disease in this tumour site is still a curable cancer. This service includes stem cell transplant and further curative or palliative therapies.

We also care for patients diagnosed with:

  • Advanced bladder cancer
  • Advanced prostate cancer
  • Advanced renal cancer patients.
  • Thymic cancer, Thymoma’s and some rare lung cancers angiomiolipoma’s which are not suitable for surgery.

We largely treat patients who have advanced (metastatic) disease. Urological cancer that is advanced (metastatic) means that your cancer has moved out of the primary site into other areas such as lymph nodes, other organs, or bones.

This oncology service is based at St Bartholomew's Hospital and works with the urology teams at our other hospitals.

Your investigations

Your doctor may need to do a series of tests to find out more about your cancer. One of these tests is a biopsy. This is when a small sample of cells is removed from the primary or secondary cancer and examined under a microscope.

You might have a kidney removed (nephrectomy), prostate removed or had radiotherapy to treat prostate cancer in the past.

You might have your bladder removed (cystectomy) or had radiotherapy to treat your bladder cancer in the past.  

You might have had a testicle removed (orchidectomy / surgical removal of testicle) or had surgical removal of the ovary (salpingectomy).

You might have a CT (computerised tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan.

Further information about all cancer investigations can be found on the Macmillan website.

Your treatment options

Our oncology genito urological team have regular multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) where a group of health professionals with expert knowledge will manage your investigations and treatment.

You do not attend this meeting but a member of the team, usually the secretary, will invite you to come to clinic to discuss these findings in person.  Your specialist nurse will not be able to tell you about the results of the meeting over the telephone before your clinic appointment.

You may be given a choice of treatment options which your specialist will discuss with you.

Before you have any treatment, you will need to give permission (consent). Further information about the treatments for urological cancers can be found on the websites below:

For further support if you are a teenager or young adult (TYA), our TYA service cares for patients aged 19 to 25 years. These patients have additional care needs. Please speak to your specialist nurse for further information.

Your appointments

The gurological clinics are held at St Bartholomew’s Hospital all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you need hospital transport this can be arranged.

In some cases, we can also help with the cost of transport. Please ask your specialist nurse or visit the Macmillan Information Centre at your hospital about this.

You will see your specialist doctor in the clinic after the multidisciplinary team has met. Your doctor might talk to you about:

  • The aims of treatment
  • Possible side effects
  • How treatment might affect you.

You can also talk to them about any concerns you may have.

It may be a good idea to take someone with you when the treatment options are first explained. You may also find it useful to have a list of questions ready to make sure you get the information you need.

Your care team

The genito urological team includes the following staff:

Oncologist

A doctor trained in diagnosing and treating cancer patients.

Consultant radiologist

A doctor who is expert in interpreting X-rays and scans. They may also perform biopsies (taking tissue samples) with the aid of imaging techniques.

Consultant pathologist

A doctor who looks at tissue samples under a microscope to search for cancer cells.

Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

An experienced cancer nurse who acts as your key worker. They will give you advice and support as you go through investigations and treatment and support you through your care pathway.

Multi-disciplinary team co-ordinator

The co-ordinator provides administrative support to the team and aims to ease the pathway from referral to treatment.

The oncology GU team are a team of experts and will work with you to conduct and provide the best care plan possible.

If you have any concerns, please talk to the team who will be considerate of your decisions and wishes.

Information for professionals

The oncology GU service does not replace the established two week wait (2ww) pathways.

For urgent GU referrals please contact the SpR (registrar) on call via our switchboard.

Suspected metastatic germ cell cases should be urgently raised with the medical oncology consultants via our switchboard.

GP referrals for suspected advanced prostate, bladder and renal cancers should be made via the trust multi-disciplinary rapid access diagnostic centre using the dedicated referral form and sending it via ERS.

The service can be found under two week wait (2ww) urology or medical oncology.

We are available to GP or HCP enquires via email from Monday to Friday, between 9am to 5pm.