Urological cancers affect the organs and structures of the male and female urinary system and the male reproductive system. Bladder cancer forms when the bladder cells become abnormal and grow out of control. Over time, a tumour forms. It can spread to nearby lymph nodes and other organs. In severe cases, it can spread to distant parts of your body, including your bones, lungs, or liver.
Types of Urological Cancers:
Bladder - Bladder cancer forms when the bladder cells become abnormal and grow out of control. Over time, a tumour forms. It can spread to nearby lymph nodes and other organs.
Kidney - Kidney cancer is cancer that starts in the kidneys. The kidneys are bean shaped organs near the middle of your back. You normally have 2 kidneys and they are each about the size of a fist. They filter waste products out of your blood as urine. If kidney cancer spreads to another part of the body, it is called advanced or metastatic kidney cancer.
Testicular - The testicles are part of the male reproductive system. Testicular cancer occurs when abnormal cells in a testicle start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way.
Penile - Penile cancer is a rare cancer in the UK. It happens when abnormal penile cells grow in an uncontrolled way. It can develop anywhere on the penis but is most common under the foreskin in men who haven’t been circumcised or on the head of the penis.
Prostate - Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is found at the base of the bladder and is about the size of a walnut. It is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Some trans women and non-binary people (who are born male) can also get prostate cancer.
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Bladder cancer symptoms include:
- Blood in urine, which may appear orange, pink or, rarely, dark red
- Change in bladder habits such as increased frequency or urgency of urination
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
If you have blood in your urine – please visit your GP, so the cause can be investigated.
Having blood in your urine doesn't mean you have bladder cancer. There are other, more common, causes including:
- A urinary tract infection (UTIs)
- A kidney infection
- Kidney stones
- Non-gonococcal urethritis
- An enlarged prostate gland (in men)
If you have any concerns, please visit your GP.
Kidney cancer symptoms:
- Blood in your urine
- A lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs, or in your neck
- Pain between your ribs and waist that does not go away
- Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- Feeling tired or having no energy
- A high temperature that does not go away
- Sweating a lot, including at night
Some of these symptoms are common and can be caused by many different conditions.
Having these symptoms does not mean you have kidney cancer, some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions. If you have any concerns, please visit your GP.
Testicular Cancer Symptoms:
- A lump or swelling in part of one testicle
- A testicle that gets bigger
- A heavy scrotum
- Discomfort or pain in your testicle or scrotum
Other symptoms can include:
- An ache or pain in your back or lower tummy
- Losing weight without trying
- A cough
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- A sore or swollen chest
It is important to check your testicles regularly, this makes it easier to notice any changes in the size, look or feel of your testicles.
If you have any concerns, please visit your GP.
Penile cancer symptoms:
- A growth, lump or sore that does not heal within 4 weeks
- A rash
- Bleeding from your penis or under your foreskin
- A smelly discharge
- Difficulty pulling back your foreskin (phimosis)
- A change in the colour of the skin of your penis or foreskin
Other symptoms of penile cancer may include:
- A lump in your groin
- Feeling tired
- Tummy pain
- Losing weight without trying
Some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions. Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have penile cancer, if you have any concerns, please visit your GP.
Prostate cancer symptoms:
- Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- Straining or taking a long time while peeing
- Weak flow
- Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- Blood in urine or blood in semen
These symptoms do not always mean you have prostate cancer. Many men's prostates get larger as they get older because of a non-cancerous condition called benign prostate enlargement.
Signs that the cancer may have spread include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite, pain in the testicles and unintentional weight loss.
Please visit your GP if you have any of these symptoms.
Your care and treatment will depend on the type of cancer you have, its size and where it is, how far it has advanced (the stage) and your overall health.
Common treatments for urological cancers can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone treatment (for some prostate cancers) or a combination of some / all treatments.
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