Urinary Tract Cancers
Information by Cancer Type
Urinary Tract Cancers
Information by Cancer Type
Cancer of the bladder is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in men, with more than 47,000 new cases each year. Women are less affected, with bladder cancer rated ninth most common and only 16,200 new cases expected annually. Men are also more likely to develop kidney cancer. With more than 22,000 new kidney and renal pelvis cancers projected each year, cancer involving the kidneys is the seventh most common cancer in men. In both sexes, use of tobacco products increases the risk of bladder cancer by two to three times and kidney cancer risk doubles.
Most urinary tract cancers are diagnosed while they are still localized within the bladder and kidneys. When cancers invade the tissue walls and spread (metastasize) beyond the original site, they are more difficult to treat effectively. At Sutter Cancer Centers, patients at all stages of bladder and kidney cancer receive compassionate, skillful care from a multidisciplinary team of medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, along with radiologists, urologists and specialists in related fields. Through Consultative Tumor Conferences, these specialists review individual cases and combine their knowledge to create personalized treatment plans.
In cases of kidney cancer where a nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy is needed, Sutter Cancer Center offers patient a new surgical option. Called da Vinci, this less invasive surgical technique assists in the removal of the kidney while ensuring a smaller incision and a shorter recovery time. Learn more about da Vinci for kidney cancer.
In cases of kidney cancer where a nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy is needed, Sutter Cancer Center offers patient a new surgical option. Called da Vinci, this less invasive surgical technique assists in the removal of the kidney while ensuring a smaller incision and a shorter recovery time. Learn more about da Vinci for kidney cancer.
Beyond medical care, Sutter Cancer Centers also support each patient with an array of services, classes and support groups designed to help patients and families deal with the emotional stress of cancer. Information on these programs is available in the Support for Patients and Families section.
For more information, see the bladder cancer, renal cell cancer and renal pelvis transitional cell cancer topics in our Health Information section. Additional information is also available from the National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov and the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.
