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.
Most people have two kidneys. Your kidney is a small bean-shaped organ found on either side of your spine. One of the functions of the kidney is to make urine. Kidney cancer occurs when the cells in your kidney grow abnormally to form a tumor. There are different forms of kidney cancer, the most common being renal cell carcinoma, cancer arising from the kidney cells, and transitional cell carcinoma, cancer arising from the lining of the urine conducting area. There are also rare kidney cancers such as sarcomas. Symptoms of kidney cancer can be vague at first, and are similar to symptoms of other conditions such as infection or kidney stones. The most common symptom is blood in the urine. There are a range of tests to check for kidney cancer. You may need to have one or more of the following tests: blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan or biopsy.
Surgery is the main treatment for kidney cancer. There are different types of surgery depending on the stage and type of cancer. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be considered if your cancer has advanced.
Nephrectomy surgery can be carried out using a keyhole, or laparoscopic, approach.
If your cancer is small, there are other treatments that may be more suitable than nephrectomy, including:
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