Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program

Our Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program provides leading-edge cancer treatment delivered by nationally recognized experts. Our physicians focus all their energy on caring for urologic cancers, so our patients receive highly individualized medical attention. 

Urologic cancers are cancers that affect the urinary tract in men and women. In men, urologic cancers can also affect the reproductive system.

• Bladder cancer — The kidneys filter waste, produce urine and deposit it in the bladder. The bladder can expand to hold around two cups of urine. You empty the bladder when you eliminate (urinate). Bladder cancer can affect men and women and represents around 4% of all cancer cases in the U.S. The incidence is higher in men than in women.
• Kidney cancer — The kidneys are your body’s waste filtration system. They purge the blood of waste and extra fluid to produce urine – one or two quarts every day. Kidney cancer affects men at a higher rate than women, it and makes up about 4% of all cancers (in the U.S.).
• Male reproductive system cancers
  • Prostate cancer — The prostate gland is located just below the urinary bladder in men. The gland produces seminal fluid, which is one of the components of semen. The gland has an important role in converting the hormone testosterone into a form (dihydrotestosterone, or DHT) that is accessible for the gland’s development and functioning. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis (second only to skin cancer) among U.S. males. About 1 in 8 men develop this disease.
  • Penile cancer — The male sex organ (also part of the urinary system) is called the penis. Cancer of the penis is very rare in the U.S., representing less than 1% of all male cancers. It primarily affects men older than age 60.
  • Testicular cancer — The testicles are two small organs contained in a sack of skin called the scrotum. Testicles produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. Testicular cancer is not common; it primarily affects young men and teens, with the highest incidence recorded in men between ages 30 and 34.
  • Ureter cancer — Ureters are thin tubes that move urine from the kidneys to the bladder, where urine collects before elimination (when you urinate). Cancer of the ureters is rare and tends to affect men more than women.

The Most Comprehensive Patient Care

We provide complete, fully coordinated care for patients with bladder, kidney, prostate, penile, ureteral, and testicular cancers. Through our active research and clinical trials, patients have access to the newest treatment alternatives. Many patients also come to us for a second opinion after an initial diagnosis. Through our Cancer Second Opinion Program, we provide reassurance that a prostate or urologic cancer diagnosis is accurate and help patients understand all available treatment options.

The Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program is one of many disease-specific programs within our Cancer Network.

A Team of Urologic Cancer Experts

Prostate and other urologic cancers are complex diseases that require several different kinds of treatment. A coordinated team approach yields a higher rate of treatment success with fewer adverse consequences for patients. The Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program includes a complete team of specialists in urologic cancers, from pathologists and radiologists for accurate diagnosis to urologic surgeons, medical oncologists (drugs, hormones, immunotherapy) and radiation oncologists.

All of these specialists focus specifically on urologic cancers. They lead and participate in unique and national consortium research that leads to new and more effective treatments with fewer side effects. Because they have this experience and depth of knowledge, they know about advanced treatments and options that lead to the best possible outcomes.

Care and Research Leadership

The Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program is the leading urologic oncology program in Wisconsin. Our success rate in treating prostate cancer has earned us national recognition.