Urologic cancers
Cancers of the kidney, bladder and testis, planned from the first result.
Any one of three findings, blood in the urine, a mass on imaging or a testicular lump, should be looked at promptly. Our urologists coordinate testing, staging and treatment with you and, if you wish, your family.
Kidney cancer
A kidney tumor is often noticed first on imaging ordered for a different problem. When they do cause signs, people may notice blood in the urine, a persistent ache in the flank, a mass they can feel, weight loss they can’t explain, or tiredness. Scans come first (ultrasound, CT or MRI), along with blood and urine studies; tissue sampling follows when the picture calls for it. Surgery is the usual treatment, aiming to remove the tumor while preserving normal kidney tissue where possible.
02Bladder cancer
Visible or microscopic blood in the urine usually prompts the workup. Treatment options include medicines given directly into the bladder in the office (such as BCG and mitomycin), intravenous immunotherapy in selected cases, and bladder removal surgery for aggressive cancers.
03Testicular lump and testicular cancer
A testicular lump or swelling should be checked by a urologist promptly. Evaluation uses in-office ultrasound and lab work. Treatment most often starts with removing the affected testicle (radical orchiectomy), with sperm banking and other fertility goals discussed first.
04Prostate cancer
See prostate health and PSA and Dr. Neal Patel’s treatment comparison.
Cancers of the kidney, bladder, and testis, planned from the first clear result
Blood in the urine, a kidney mass on a scan, a lump in the testis, or a bladder tumor seen on cystoscopy are the kinds of findings that bring people to this page. Our urologists can help once one of those has already been found, or if you have a symptom that needs a urologic look so a finding is not missed.
You will be seen at 10730 Medlock Bridge Rd or at the Cumming Clinic. We start with the result in front of us — the image, the urine test, the exam — and we plan staging and treatment from that, not from a general fear of the word cancer.
How Advanced Urology evaluates and treats these cancers
Kidney cancer work-up uses imaging, labs, and, when needed, biopsy; treatment can include robotic or other surgery, as our pages on kidney cancer and robotic surgery describe. Bladder cancer evaluation often includes cystoscopy; treatment depends on the type and stage, and we also note PET/CT for bladder cancer in selected cases. Testicular cancer work-up starts with exam and ultrasound; orchiectomy, when it is needed, is described on our orchiectomy page as a treatment for testicular cancer, among other indications. We will be specific about which of those steps applies to you, including the risks.
When to call us, and when to use emergency care
Get in touch at 678-344-8900, or book online if you were told a mass or a tumor needs urology, if you see blood in the urine without an explanation, or if you feel a new lump in the testis. Heavy bleeding, collapse, or severe pain with inability to urinate belongs in an emergency department. Bring the imaging, the lab slip, identification, and your insurance card to the visit.
Is every kidney cyst a cancer?
No. Many cysts are benign. We look at the imaging features and decide whether a cyst can be watched or needs a closer look. A separate article on kidney cysts sits on the Dawson County site if you were sent there.
Will I need more than one kind of doctor?
Sometimes a medical oncologist or a radiation oncologist joins the plan. Our urologists will tell you if that is part of your case and will stay involved.
How quickly will you see someone with a new mass?
Call and tell the scheduler it is a new finding on imaging or a new testicular lump. We will look for the soonest appropriate visit.
Official videos on testicular-cancer awareness and on FDG PET/CT
These official practice videos cover awareness around testicular cancer, and FDG PET/CT used for kidney, bladder, and testicular cancers. They are background for this page, not a reading of your scan.
Watch: #015 - April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month – Know the Signs, Get Checked, Stay HealthyWhat the video covers. Titled "#015 - April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month – Know the Signs, Get Checked, Stay Healthy." The public description says a board-certified urologist from Advanced Urology of Georgia walks through the basics of testicular cancer during Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and notes it as a form of cancer affecting young men.
Watch: #021 - FDG PET / CT for Kidney, Bladder and Testicular CancersWhat the video covers. Titled "#021 - FDG PET / CT for Kidney, Bladder and Testicular Cancers." The public description covers fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography, a test used to look for cancer in many parts of the body.
Where should I start if a scan or a PSA change raised a concern?
Book a visit in Johns Creek or Cumming. Dedicated pages on this site walk through prostate cancer, a raised PSA, bladder cancer, kidney masses, testicular lumps and blood in the urine.
Can planning start in Cumming?
Yes. Clinic conversations can start at either office. Operations we perform are scheduled at Johns Creek unless your case belongs in a hospital.
What should I bring?
Reports and a disc of images if you have them, a medicine list, and any biopsy or PSA results. The packing-list page on this site has the rest.
Whenever a visit would help, the Johns Creek and Cumming teams are a phone call or a booked appointment away.