Malignant Neoplasms of the Urogenital System

Urogenital cancer is a large group of diseases in which abnormal growths arise and develop in vital organs. Due to the tumor process, blood filtration and urine formation are disrupted, and waste products accumulate and are not eliminated from the body (in cases of kidney, bladder, and other urinary system cancers). Malignant tumors of the urogenital system also include cancers of the male and female reproductive organs. In men, malignant neoplasms affect the prostate gland, testicles, and penis. The treatment program for urogenital cancer is developed individually for each patient, taking into account the morphological characteristics of the tumor, the stage of the oncological process, and individual factors.

Symptoms

Malignant tumors of the urogenital system do not produce any symptoms in the early stages. In most cases, neoplasms are discovered incidentally, when a person undergoes examination for other conditions. At stages 3–4, when the cancer reaches a significant size, it causes symptoms that manifest differently depending on the tumor’s location. Patients with urogenital cancer report symptoms such as:

• pain during bladder emptying, blood in the urine;
• weakness, rapid fatigue;
• dull aching pain in the lower back, lower abdomen, and perineum;
• rapid weight loss;
• leg swelling (feet, ankles);
• in women — bleeding;
• episodes of high fever.

Malignant tumors of the urogenital system and its individual organs cause symptoms specific to them that should raise concern. For example, in prostate cancer, men report:

• frequent urge to urinate with small amounts of urine;
• pain in the perineum and pelvic area;
• bloody inclusions in semen and urine;
• burning sensation during urination;
• incomplete bladder emptying.

Testicular cancer manifests as swelling and abdominal pain. Palpation of the scrotum may reveal a painless, firm mass. Urogenital cancer frequently recurs after treatment and metastasizes to organs near the primary site or spreads via the bloodstream and lymphatic flow to other parts of the body. In oncological pathologies of the urinary system, cancer often spreads to bones, liver, lungs, and other organs.

Diagnosis

Any discomfort or unusual symptoms should prompt an immediate visit to a doctor for diagnosis. Examination for suspected urogenital cancer includes:

• laboratory tests (complete blood count, blood chemistry, tumor markers; in women — cytological smear);
• ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, testicles, and penis;
• X-ray with contrast agent;
• computed or magnetic resonance imaging;
• biopsy of the pathological site.

Additional diagnostic procedures may be prescribed to clarify the stage and other characteristics of the urogenital neoplasm.

Treatment Methods for Urogenital Cancer

Our center provides treatment for urogenital cancer of the:

• kidneys;
• bladder;
• prostate gland;
• penis;
• testicles;
• adrenal glands.

The treatment program for urogenital cancer is tailored individually for each patient. When developing the therapy plan, doctors take into account:

• the location and size of the malignant neoplasm;
• the presence or absence of metastases to other parts of the body;
• the morphological characteristics of the tumor;
• the presence of other conditions in the patient that may complicate treatment.

A team of experienced specialists — urological surgeons, cardiologists, and physicians of other specialties — participates in developing the therapy program. Comprehensive treatment for urogenital cancer includes surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Innovative methods of targeting the pathological site — immunotherapy and targeted therapy — are also used.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery to remove the neoplasm is the priority treatment method in oncogynecology and urology. If the location, size, and stage permit, complete removal of the pathological site and adjacent structures, including nearby lymph nodes, is performed. The surgical approach for urogenital cancer depends on the type of pathological process, for example:

• In kidney cancer, partial resection of the organ with the neoplasm is performed, or the entire kidney is removed. Cryoablation or tumor destruction using intensive radiofrequency radiation may also be used.
• In non-invasive bladder cancer, transurethral resection of the tumor (TUR) is used. During the endoscopic procedure, the surgeon inserts specialized equipment through the urethra into the bladder and excises the pathological tissue using a laser. TUR is combined with local intravesical chemotherapy, which involves administering a special drug into the bladder to destroy abnormal cells. The course consists of one instillation per week for 1.5–2 months.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for urogenital tumors yields good results — abnormal cells cease to grow. A chemotherapy course is prescribed when the tumor is inoperable (adjuvant chemotherapy), after surgery to consolidate the effect (neoadjuvant treatment), and when metastases to other organs appear after previously performed treatment. Our center uses the intra-arterial chemotherapy method, which delivers the chemotherapeutic agent directly to the pathological site without the drug entering the systemic circulation.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy for malignant tumors of the urogenital system is performed as part of comprehensive treatment to localize the tumor process and reduce its size. In advanced stages, radiation is prescribed as palliative treatment. Radiation is delivered precisely (before, after, or during surgery). If the cancer has metastasized to bones or the brain, generalized irradiation is prescribed.

Other Treatment Methods

For urogenital cancer, treatment with targeted drugs is prescribed. These next-generation medications act precisely on the pathological site. They halt the development of the tumor’s vascular system, block blood supply to it, and lead to gradual degradation of the neoplasm. Immunotherapy is conducted using protein-based drugs (cytokines) that activate the patient’s own immune system, resulting in the body activating its tumor-destroying mechanisms. Focal cancer therapy is an experimental method in which cryodestruction of the urogenital tumor is performed, or low-intensity ultrasound radiation or photodynamic therapy is used. These methods are highly effective in early stages of the disease. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer and other tumors aims to reduce the levels of hormones that provoke tumor growth. Hormone therapy helps prevent recurrence after surgery or radiation treatment.

Prevention of Urogenital Cancer

To prevent cancer of the reproductive and urinary system organs, it is necessary to:

• undergo an annual examination with a gynecologist (for women) or a urologist (for men);
• avoid sexual contact with casual partners and use barrier protection methods during sex;
• maintain personal hygiene;
• seek medical consultation and examination immediately upon the appearance of unusual symptoms, pain, or discomfort in the lower abdomen or groin area.

Individuals with an unfavorable family history should be especially attentive to their health and regularly undergo preventive examinations.