Oncourology

The EMC multidisciplinary clinic has a urology department, where a team of specialists is ready to provide assistance and support at every stage of the fight against cancer. Our oncourologists have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of oncological diseases, including prostate, bladder, kidney and other cancers .

About the Department of Urology

At the Oncourology Center, we use advanced diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation methods for patients with cancer of the genitourinary system. The department operates on the basis of a multidisciplinary clinic according to international standards of treatment, using high-tech equipment and attracting the best experts in this field. You can contact the EMC clinic at any stage of the disease and receive professional help using the most modern techniques.

What diseases oncourologist treats

Oncourology deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various oncological diseases of the genitourinary system. EMC Clinic specialists work with neoplasms of the following organs:

• kidneys;

• the ureter;

• the bladder;

• prostate gland;

• testicles;

• the penis

• the urethra;

• adrenal glands.

We also deal with pathologies of the urinary system related to tumors or the consequences of their treatment in adjacent localities: diseases of the female genital organs, abdominal organs and retroperitoneal space.

The Department of Urology operates on a full-cycle basis, providing assistance at any stage of the disease: from diagnostic screenings to treatment according to international standards and rehabilitation after.

When you need to see a doctor

Oncological diseases in the early stages are often asymptomatic, but it is during this period that they respond best to treatment. It is important to consult a doctor at the first sign to prevent the development of the disease. Here are the symptoms for which you need to see a specialist immediately:

• Difficulty urinating. Frequent or false urges, pain, difficulty urinating, an admixture of blood in the urine, a feeling of incomplete emptying, incontinence.

• Painful sensations. They can be localized in different areas: perineum, sacrum, lower back, genitals.

• Visual changes in the genital area. Swelling, redness, palpation of tumors.

There are also non-specific symptoms that also require urgent consultation with an oncologist of any profile. This is a constantly elevated temperature, unreasonable weight loss, decreased appetite, enlarged lymph nodes in any area. People with a family history of cancer should also undergo regular screenings. For men over the age of 45, we recommend an annual checkup with a urologist.

How is the appointment with the oncologist-urologist

At the patient's first visit, the oncourologist collects an anamnesis: he asks about complaints, chronic diseases, general health, cases of cancer in relatives. After that, he conducts an inspection. It includes palpation of the organs of the genitourinary system, lymph nodes, and adjacent tissues. As part of the initial appointment, the doctor can also perform ultrasound of the genitourinary system. At the EMC clinic, all urologists have certificates in ultrasound diagnostics and are proficient in this examination method. The research is carried out on expert-class devices.

The next stage is the delivery of laboratory tests. The standard is blood and urine. The patient may also be prescribed ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET-CT and other examinations, depending on the specific situation. Based on the results of the diagnosis, the oncourologist will make a diagnosis and tell the patient about the available treatment methods.

Diagnostic methods

In the Urology Department of the EMC clinic, all modern techniques are available to detect diseases at an early stage. For diagnostics, the following are used:

• Ultrasound of the prostate (expert-class devices);

• CT (computed tomographs from Siemens and Philips companies with the latest radiation dose reduction systems);

• MRI (1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla 4G tomographs);

• PET-CT Scan;

• endoscopic examinations, including using NBI technology (this is a high-tech system for narrow-spectrum imaging of neoplasms).

Oncourological PSA screening is also performed for all patients over the age of 45. It allows you to diagnose prostate cancer at an early stage.

Treatment methods

Oncourologists determine the most appropriate treatment method based on the type and stage of cancer, the patient's general condition, and other factors. A combined approach is often used, including several techniques at the same time.

One of the main methods of treatment is surgery. It may include the removal of a tumor or affected organs such as the prostate gland, bladder, kidneys, or other structures. In the EMC Urology Department, we use all types of surgical intervention, including minimally invasive operations using the da Vinci robotic system. This is a non-traumatic treatment, after which patients quickly return to normal life, while maintaining a full-fledged erection and normal urination.

All types of endoscopic endourological interventions, including disposable endoscopes, are also performed. Surgeons use modern types of energy in their work ― a thulium fiber laser, bipolar energy, plasma energy, and ultrasound dissection of tissues. 

Radiosurgery and radiation therapy are also used for treatment. It helps destroy cancer cells, slow down tumor growth, and reduce the risk of recurrence. Our clinic uses a revolutionary new Varian EDGE system for radiosurgery and radiation therapy, which allows us to work with tumors of any localization, size and shape, even those that are inaccessible or difficult to treat surgically.

In some cases, hormonal and chemotherapy are also indicated. It is usually used in combination with other treatments, or when other treatments are not suitable for the patient.

If you notice unpleasant symptoms in the genitourinary system, make an appointment with an oncourologist. Regular screenings help to detect pathologies at an early stage and successfully treat them with gentle methods. At the EMC clinic, you can be examined by specialists of any profile.

List of sources and literature

1. Pavlov V. N., Safiullin R. I., Kazikhinurov A. A., Izmailov A. A., Mustafin A. T. Modern trends in the development of urology // Medical Bulletin of Bashkortostan. 2007. №5.
2. Popkov V.M., Kim T.D., Ponukalin A.N. Diagnosis and combined treatment of patients with locally advanced prostate cancer // Saratov Scientific and Medical Journal. 2015. №3.
3. Kaprin AD, Alekseev BY, Kalpinskyi AS. [Interdisciplinary problems in oncourology]. Urologiia. 2019 Sep;(4 ()):19-24. Russian. PMID: 31535793.
4. Chakŭrov S. [Current progress and problems in oncourology]. Khirurgiia (Sofiia). 2007;(3):54-9. Bulgarian. PMID: 18437112.