Urological cancer

All organs/tissue in your body are made up of cells. In healthy tissue, these cells replace themselves when they get worn out. When these cells grow abnormally, they result in a tumor or cancer. Urological cancers refer to cancers that develop in any organ of the male and female urinary tract (waterworks system) or male reproductive system. As with all other forms of cancer, the earlier a urological cancer is detected, the greater the chance of successfully treating and eliminating the cancer before it becomes aggressive and spreads.

Not all abnormal masses of cells are cancerous, and a biopsy (removing a small sample of tissue so the cells can be examined with a microscope) is used to determine whether a tumor is cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).

There are several types of urological cancers, including prostate, kidney, bladder and testicular cancer.

Prostate Cancer

Kidney Cancer

Bladder Cancer

Testicular Cancer

There are different treatments that may be available when you are diagnosed with a urological cancer. These treatments may include surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

• Surgery will depend on the specific site and stage of the cancer.
• Radiotherapy is used to direct X-ray beams at your cancer in order to damage cancer cells and stop them dividing and growing. Radiotherapy can be given at different times for different reasons, including instead of surgery, before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink the tumor, after surgery (adjuvant) to destroy any remaining cancer cells, to treat a single spread of cancer to another organ or to relieve symptoms if the cancer is very advanced or has recurred.
  Chemotherapy refers to treatment with anti-cancer drugs, which are given to destroy or control cancer cells by damaging them so they cannot divide and grow.
• Chemotherapy can be given before surgery (neoadjuvant), alongside radiotherapy, or after surgery (adjuvant). These drugs travel through your bloodstream to almost every part of your body. Chemotherapy is not usually used to treat prostate cancer or renal cell cancer, the most common cause of kidney cancer. It is more likely to be used for transitional cell cancer, which can develop in your kidney, bladder or collecting tubes of your urinary system. Chemotherapy can also be used in advanced cancer or if cancer reoccurs, in order to relieve your symptoms and give a better quality of life.

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:

• Professor T. Lynch
• Mr John Sullivan
• Mr Peter Lonergan
• Prof R. Manecksha
• Mr I. Ahmad
• Ms Lisa Smyth
• Dr Louise McLoughlin

Urology Clinical Nurse Specialists, who help to facilitate your care while supporting you and your family:

• Ms Lidia Benfedda
• Ms Sinead Feeney
• Ms Neha Kaur

Advanced Nurse Practitioners

• Anna Loughlin Advanced Nurse Practitioner - Prostate Cancer
• Rachael Dalton Advanced Nurse Practitioner - Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
• Tanya Conroy Advanced Nurse Practitioner (Candidate) - Haematuria

Patient Support Worker - Prostate Cancer

• Ms. Katie Byrne

Urology Cancer Data Manager

• Ms Lynn Geraghty

Radiation Oncologists, who specialise in radiotherapy:

• Dr M. Cunningham
• Dr Claudia Carvajal

Consultant Oncologist, who specialises in chemotherapy treatments:

• Dr D. O’Donnell

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.

National Prostate GP Guidelines