The Urology Unit in St James’s Hospital provides a multidisciplinary service that focuses on the diagnosis and management of patients with prostate, kidney, bladder, testicular and penile cancer. The unit has a strong commitment to improving patient quality of care and outcomes through research involving urological cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Bladder cancer is a growth of abnormal tissue, known as a tumour, which develops in the bladder lining. In some cases, the tumour spreads into the bladder muscle. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in urine, which is usually painless.
Once diagnosed, bladder cancer can be classified by how far it has spread.
If the cancerous cells are contained inside the lining of the bladder, doctors describe it as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (early bladder cancer). This is the most common type of bladder cancer. When the cancerous cells spread beyond the lining, into the surrounding bladder muscle, it's referred to as muscle-invasive bladder cancer (or invasive bladder cancer). This is less common, but has a higher chance of spreading to other parts of the body. If bladder cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it's known as advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.
Most cases of bladder cancer appear to be caused by exposure to harmful substances, which lead to abnormal changes in the bladder's cells over many years. Tobacco smoke is a common cause and it's estimated that more than 1 in 3 cases of bladder cancer are caused by smoking.
The treatment options for bladder cancer largely depend on how advanced the cancer is. Treatments usually differ between early stage, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and more advanced muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
In cases of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, it's usually possible to remove the cancerous cells while leaving the rest of the bladder intact. This is done using a surgical technique called transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT). This is followed by a dose of chemotherapy medicines directly into the bladder, to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
In cases with a higher risk of recurrence, medicine known as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) may be injected into the bladder to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
Treatment for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, or muscle-invasive bladder cancer may involve surgically removing the bladder in an operation known as a cystectomy.
After treatment for all types of bladder cancer, you'll have regular follow-up tests to check for signs of recurrence.
You will be cared for by a team of people who are experts in the different aspects of your treatment. The multidisciplinary team includes:
Consultant Urologists, surgeons who specialise in urological surgery:
Urology Clinical Nurse Specialists, who help to facilitate your care while supporting you and your family:
Advanced Nurse Practitioners
Patient Support Worker - Prostate Cancer
Urology Cancer Data Manager
Radiation Oncologists, who specialise in radiotherapy:
Consultant Oncologist, who specialises in chemotherapy treatments:
You may also meet other members of our team, which includes junior doctors, specialist cancer nurse coordinators, X-ray staff, phlebotomy staff and secretarial personnel.
The Irish Cancer Society has a Daffodil Centre located on the ground floor of the hospital. The aim of the centre is to provide practical, psychological or financial support and information to anyone who is or has been affected by cancer.
Phone: (01) 616 5604
Email: daffodilcentrestjames@irishcancer.ie
Men Against Cancer (MAC) is a support group for men with prostate cancer. MAC provides men and their relatives and friends with information, advice and emotional support from time of diagnosis for as long as needed.
Freefone: 1800 200 700
Email: support@irishcancer.ie
Website www.cancer.ie
ARC House is located at 559 South Circular Road, close to the Rialto exit of the hospital. ARC cancer centre provides support and information for people affected by cancer. ARC also run courses specifically for men living with prostate cancer.
Phone: (01) 707 8880
Email: info@arccancersupport.ie
Website: www.arccancersupport.ie
Other Resources
The following are websites of organisations offering information relating to the treatment and management of cancer:
Irish Cancer Society: www.cancer.ie
Action Cancer: www.actioncancer.org
Cancer Network Buddies: www.cancerbuddiesnetwork.org
Macmillan Cancer Support (UK): www.macmillan.org.uk
Royal Marsden Hospital Foundation NHS Trust: www.royalmarsden.org
Mayo Clinic (U.S.): www.mayoclinic.com
Via Healthlink
Via post:
Urology Department
St James's Hospital
Dublin 8
Alternatively, you can email a referral to urologysec@stjames.ie
Referrals to the Rapid Access Prostate Clinic should be made via the National Prostate Cancer GP Referral Form.
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
For referral please see your GP or Health Care Professional or via Healthlink.
Urology Department
St James's Hospital
Dublin 8