Kidney cancer

Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the kidney. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma.

What causes kidney cancer?

The exact cause of kidney cancer is not known, but certain factors may increase the risk of developing the disease, including smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and a family history of kidney cancer.

What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?

Early stages of kidney cancer may not cause any symptoms, but as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:

1. Blood in the urine
2. Pain in the side or lower back
3. A lump in the abdomen
4. Weight loss
5. Fatigue
6. Loss of appetite

What are the treatment options for kidney cancer?

Treatment for kidney cancer will depend on the stage and severity of the disease. If tumor is small & kidney can be saved, partial nephrectomy is performed. It can be done by open surgery technique or robotically. If the tumor is large & kidney cannot be saved, radical nephrectomy is done laparoscopically or open method. Regular followup is required in all the cases for early detection of recurrence & treatment.

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of the bladder. It is the fourth most common cancer in men and the ninth most common cancer in women.

What causes bladder cancer?

The exact cause of bladder cancer is not known, but certain factors may increase the risk of developing the disease, including smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, chronic bladder inflammation, and a family history of bladder cancer.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

1. Blood in the urine
2. Painful urination
3. Frequent urination
4. Urinary urgency
5. Back or abdominal pain
6. Feeling like the bladder is not fully emptied after urination

Diagnosis & treatment

Once a suspicion is made sonography or CT scan abdomen is done to assess size & location of tumor. Patient is planned for cystoscopy with TURBT (transurethral Resection of Bladder tumor). This involves resection tumor with deep biopsy to assess tumor invasion under anaesthesia. Urethral catheter is kept for 1-3 days. Tumor tissue is sent for histopathological examination to determine type of disease & extent of invasion. This determines further treatment options as

1. Regular check cystoscopy & surveillance
2. Intravesical BCG instillation
3. Radical cystectomy
4. Chemotherapy followed by surgery
5. Chemoradiation.

Penile cancer

It is a rare type of cancer that starts in the tissues of the penis. It most commonly affects men over the age of 50, but it can occur at any age.

Symptoms of penile cancer can include:

• A lump or growth on the penis
• Redness or irritation of the penis
• Bleeding or discharge from the penis
• Pain or discomfort in the penis
• Changes in the appearance of the penis, such as thickening or discoloration

Treatment for penile cancer

Depending on stage of disease, first step is surgery to either remove tumor completely or take biopsy if large. Patient is then subjected to definitive surgery on basis of biopsy. Additional treatments as groin node dissection, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is required as per stage.

Regular followup after treatment is paramount.

Testicular cancer

It is a rare form of cancer that develops in the testicles, which are the male reproductive glands that produce sperm and testosterone. This cancer usually affects men between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can occur at any age.

Symptoms of testicular cancer can include:

• A painless lump or swelling in the testicle
• A feeling of heaviness or aching in the scrotum
• A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
• A sudden accumulation of fluid in the scrotum
• Pain or discomfort in the testicle or scrotum

Treatment for testicular cancer

First step usually involves blood tests & CT/ PET scan. It is followed by surgery to remove the affected testicle (orchiectomy). Affected testis is sent for histopathological examination which reveals type of cancer affecting testis. Now depending on type of cancer & stage further treatment is decided as

1. Surgery
2. Radiation
3. Chemotherapy
4. Chemotherapy followed by surgery