The Genitourinary Cancer Program at City of Hope Chicago uses a wide range of technologies and evidence-based therapies to treat men and women diagnosed with cancers of the urinary tract and male reproductive system, as well as many other rare and common cancers, including bladder, kidney, prostate and testicular cancers.
Our multidisciplinary team of board-certified medical, urologic, surgical and radiation oncologists, along with our gastroenterologists and interventional radiologists, work together with our supportive care providers to deliver quality clinical care with a patient-centered approach.
Our team of experts and specialists work together, all under one roof, to develop a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s needs, communicating regularly, and adjusting the treatment plan when necessary. At City of Hope, we are committed to helping patients make informed decisions about the options available to treat and manage their disease.
Treatment for a genitourinary cancer typically depends on many factors, such as cancer type, disease stage, potential side effects, patient’s overall health and age, and whether they plan to have children in the future. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and others as determined by your oncologist.
Many patients experience sexual side effects related to cancer treatment, which often involve difficult decisions and conversations. The City of Hope Chicago Genitourinary Cancer Program team includes specialists who are fellowship trained in urologic reconstruction, which includes prosthetics (i.e. penile prosthesis and artificial urinary sphincters). This specialization is especially important for men who decide to get treatment for their prostate cancer and are concerned about both incontinence and impotence.
The Genitourinary Cancer Program team at City of Hope Chicago is committed to a multidisciplinary approach to care. After diagnosis, each patient is evaluated by a medical oncologist, who then builds the appropriate team based on the patient’s needs. Then the entire team, along with the patient, works together to develop a treatment plan designed specifically to meet the patient’s needs, preferences and goals. Throughout treatment and follow up, the team meets regularly to gauge the patient’s progress, collaborating on changes in the regimen where necessary.
This collaborative, personalized approach allows for flexibility along the treatment journey, while also fostering an environment where experts in a variety of disciplines work together, all under one roof. New options may arise or different goals may be proposed during the course of treatment.
As a patient at the Genitourinary Cancer Program, your team also works closely with other supportive care providers to help manage additional disease- and treatment-related side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and pain. These services may include pain management, as well as naturopathic, mind-body and spiritual support.
Learn more about the value of supportive care
Cancer patients may experience changes to their sexual desire, function and relationships during their treatment journey. Patients with any type of cancer may experience some level of sexual dysfunction, but those genitourinary cancers, such as prostate cancer or bladder cancer, may be at risk for symptoms and side effects that may affect their sexual health. At City of Hope, our care teams include experts trained in helping patients address physical conditions, such as pelvic floor dysfunction, and psychological challenges that may impair their sexual wellness.
Learn more about sexual wellness services at City of Hope
Cancer clinical trials are a key testing ground for determining the effectiveness and safety of new treatments and drugs for cancer and other diseases.
The oncologists working with patients treating at the Genitourinary Cancer Program are committed to providing new and innovative treatments for patients diagnosed with a genitourinary cancer whenever possible. This includes enrolling qualified patients in carefully selected clinical trials for cancer.
As part of that commitment, our medical oncologists may recommend that cancer patients enroll in cancer clinical trials if they meet specific criteria. Although clinical trials are not available to all patients, they may offer some patients options that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Your care team will discuss whether you qualify for any of our ongoing clinical trials or any at the national level, and if so, help you enroll.
