Urologic cancer surgery covers operations for cancers of the kidney, bladder, prostate, testicle, ureter, penis and adrenal gland. Most are now done by laparoscopic or robotic keyhole methods, with open surgery for large or complex tumours.
Surgery is the main curative treatment for most of these cancers when found early. It is one part of care: decisions should come from a team including oncology, radiology and pathology, and years of surveillance follow.
Conditions this service looks after
- Kidney (renal cell) cancer
- Bladder cancer, non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive
- Prostate cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Upper tract urothelial cancer of the ureter and renal pelvis
- Penile cancer
- Adrenal tumours
Tests you may be offered
- CT urogram or multiphase CT: Defines kidney, ureter and bladder tumours and looks for spread.
- Multiparametric MRI: Local staging of prostate cancer and some kidney masses.
- Cystoscopy: Camera inspection of the bladder, with biopsy or resection.
- PSMA PET-CT or FDG PET-CT: Whole-body staging when there is a risk of spread.
- Tumour markers: AFP, beta-hCG and LDH for testicular cancer; PSA for prostate.
- Biopsy and pathology review: Including a second reading of slides from your home hospital.
Treatments available
- Partial nephrectomy: Removes the kidney tumour and keeps the kidney; standard for small masses, often robotic.
- Radical nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy: Removes the whole kidney, with the ureter for urothelial cancer.
- TURBT: Telescopic removal of bladder tumours, followed by bladder instillations such as BCG.
- Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion: Bladder removal with an ileal conduit or a new bladder made of bowel, for muscle-invasive disease.
- Radical prostatectomy: Robotic removal of the prostate for localised cancer.
- Radical orchidectomy and RPLND: Removal of the testicle through the groin, and of abdominal lymph nodes in selected cases.
- Penile-preserving surgery and inguinal node dissection: For penile cancer, in specialised centres.
When to ask for a specialist opinion
- Visible blood in the urine, even once and without pain
- A lump or firm swelling in a testicle
- A kidney mass found by chance on a scan
- A raised or rising PSA
- A cancer diagnosis for which you want a second opinion on the operation proposed
Travelling to Türkiye for this care
A visit suits a defined operation with staging complete: partial nephrectomy, prostatectomy, or cystectomy with a stay of 3 to 4 weeks. Sending scans and pathology ahead for remote review saves time. It suits less well anything needing repeated treatment: bladder cancer needs BCG instillations and cystoscopies every 3 months, and testicular cancer may need chemotherapy. Arrange an oncologist or urologist at home to take over surveillance before you travel, and do not delay locally available treatment for a testicular lump.
Send your reports, scans and a short history and a Clinic-Y coordinator replies within 24 hours with suitable teams and written, all-inclusive proposals side by side. Reviewing your case is free.
الأسئلة المتكررة
Can the kidney be saved?
For tumours up to about 4 cm, and many up to 7 cm, partial nephrectomy is standard and gives equal cancer control.
How will I live without a bladder?
With either a stoma bag fed by an ileal conduit or a neobladder made from bowel. Each has trade-offs that the surgeon and a stoma nurse will explain.
How long must I stay after surgery?
About 7 to 10 days after kidney surgery, 12 to 14 after prostatectomy and 3 to 4 weeks after cystectomy.
Will I need chemotherapy as well?
Sometimes, before or after surgery, particularly for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. This can often be given at home to the same protocol.