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Urologic Oncology is the subspecialty within the field of Urology that treats patients with malignant conditions arising from the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate, testes, urethra, penis and adrenal glands. The section of Urologic Oncology at Geisinger is comprised of board certified and fellowship trained experts in the diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of these conditions.
John Danella, MD, treats urologic cancers at Geisinger. Because Geisinger is a multispecialty group practice, Geisinger urologists have the opportunity to collaborate closely with specialists from other disciplines (Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Pathology) in order to offer state of the art treatment to our patients.
These treatments include the opportunity to participate in national clinical trials as well as the latest minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Kidney cancer
Patients with kidney cancer who present for treatment at Geisinger will initially undergo a general medical assessment as well as any appropriate staging studies including CT or MRI scanning prior to specific treatment recommendations.
Patients with kidney cancer who present for treatment at Geisinger will initially undergo a general medical assessment as well as any appropriate staging studies including CT or MRI scanning prior to specific treatment recommendations.
Geisinger urologic oncology specialists emphasize a minimally invasive and organ sparing approach to kidney tumors when feasible. Treatments offered include robotic laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, and ablative techniques using energy sources such as cryosurgery (freezing) and radiofrequency ablation (heating) to eliminate tumors.
Geisinger’s Urologic Oncology Section is extensively experienced with cryosurgical approaches to kidney tumors and has presented its results at international and national meetings. The newer minimally invasive approaches often allow for patients to be discharged the day following their surgery and early return to normal activities. Occasional patients with locally advance tumors are still managed with traditional open surgery.
Bladder cancer
Geisinger urologists are extensively experienced with the management of patients with bladder tumors, both superficial and invasive. Patients with superficial tumors are usually managed with endoscopic resection and intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy with agents such as Mitomycin C, BCG, and Interferon.
Patients with invasive cancers may be manged with radical surgery to remove all or a portion of the bladder or by bladder sparing techniques combining endoscopic resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. For patients in whom removal of the bladder is advised, the option for construction of continent reservoirs that substitute for the bladder and allow voiding through the urethra is possible for appropriately selected patients.
Testis cancer
Testis cancer is unique in that it is a malignant condition which commonly affects young men (ages 18 to 45). The initial management of this condition usually involves an operation to remove the affected testis. In patients with a solitary testis or bilateral disease, an organ sparing approach may be possible.
Further management depends on the result of clinical staging studies and analysis of the primary tumor pathology (biopsy) factors of importance. If surgery to remove the retroperitoneal lymph nodes is indicated, a robotic laparoscopic approach may be offered. If chemotherapy is indicated, Geisinger medical oncologists participate in national cooperative group trials to offer effective treatments that minimize side effects.
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