Urologic Cancers

At Georgia Urology, our physicians are recognized leaders in the treatment of urological cancers. We offer the most advanced, innovative treatments for all types of tumors and malignancies of the genitourinary system including bladder cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer and cancer of the adrenal glands, penis, ureters, and urethra; some of which are not available anywhere else in the region.

Our physicians are experts at performing minimally invasive procedures and surgeries. Designed to offer effective alternatives to extensive surgery and radiation, these approaches may be able to spare a vital organ such as a kidney or preserves normal bladder or sexual function in certain patients.

We strive to provide the best possible care in a compassionate setting. As the largest urology group in the Southeast, Georgia Urology, P.A. offers patients easy access to the most highly specialized urologists within our practice. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for each of our patients.

We work closely with medical and radiation oncologists to ensure that our patients have the full benefit of all facets of urological oncology.

Treatment Approaches for Urological Cancers

Active surveillance or watchful waiting
Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy
Endoscopic treatments
Brachytherapy
Laparoscopic surgery
Robot-assisted surgery
Traditional open surgery
Reconstructive surgery
Diversionary surgery
Cryosurgery
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Cryosurgery

Georgia Urology offers cryosurgery for the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer that has not spread outside the gland and certain small kidney tumors. Cryosurgery or cryoablation is the use of extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen (or argon gas) to destroy abnormal or cancerous tissue.

Performed while the patient is under anesthesia (local or general), doctors insert multiple slender needles or cryoprobes into precise locations either through the skin using ultrasound or laparoscopically. Ultrasound or MRI is used to monitor the freezing of the cells in order to limit damage to nearby healthy tissue. Liquid nitrogen or argon gas is circulated within the probes to freeze the tumor and kill the cancer cells. Thermal sensors track temperatures in and around the area to preserve surrounding tissues. After cryosurgery, the frozen tissue thaws and is naturally absorbed by the body.

Cryosurgery, like any other local therapy for prostate cancer, can cause side effects but they occur more often in men who have had radiation to the prostate. Incontinence (lack of urinary control) reported in less than 1% of patients following cryosurgery, is often temporary. Since the nerve bundles that control erections are adjacent to the prostate many men become impotent (loss of sexual function) if the entire gland is frozen. However, qualified patients may be candidates for potency-sparing cryosurgery.

Using cryosurgery for kidney tumors is safer than laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and has less risk of losing the entire kidney.

Cryosurgery is less invasive than surgery, consequently, pain, bleeding, and other complications of surgery are minimized. Cryosurgery is less expensive than other treatments and requires shorter recovery time and a shorter hospital stay, or no hospital stay at all. Cryosurgery can be repeated, and it can be used to treat patients who cannot have surgery or radiation therapy because of their age or other medical problems.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is an advanced cancer treatment in which radioactive seeds or sources are placed in or near the tumor itself, giving a high radiation dose to the tumor while reducing the radiation exposure in the surrounding healthy tissues. The physicians at Georgia Urology work closely with radiation oncologists to ensure that our patients have the full benefit of all facets of urological oncology

Conditions We Treat

Additional Resources

Georgia Urology wants to make oncology patients aware of some additional resources during this time:

CancerCare is offering all of its support services by telephone and online through its network of oncology social workers, working hard to address the emotional, practical, and financial concerns of patients during these difficult times.
In addition, the PAN Foundation is offering financial assistance to cancer patients that self-quarantined during this time.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN) offers textual guidelines, free webinars, and support for patients with cancer and their caregivers.