At Oregon Urology Clinic, we understand the impact of a bladder or prostate cancer diagnosis on you and your loved ones. Our dedicated team of specialists is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to our patients grappling with these conditions.

Understanding Bladder & Prostate Cancer

Navigating through the complexities of a diagnosis like bladder or prostate cancer can be challenging. At Oregon Urology Clinic, our aim is to provide you with comprehensive knowledge about these conditions, empowering you to make informed decisions about your health.

Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer develops when cells in the bladder begin to grow uncontrollably. This abnormal growth can form tumors within the bladder and, if left untreated, can spread to nearby tissues or distant parts of the body.

The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine before it leaves the body. The majority of bladder cancers begin in the urothelial cells lining the inside of the bladder, but they can also originate in other types of cells.

Risk factors for bladder cancer can include smoking, exposure to certain industrial chemicals, certain parasitic infections, chronic bladder irritation and infections, and a history of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer symptoms may include blood in the urine (hematuria), frequent urination, painful urination, back pain, and pelvic pain.

Understanding bladder cancer involves knowing its stages, which range from stage 0, where cancer is non-invasive and only in the bladder lining, to stage IV, where cancer has spread to the walls of the bladder or to distant areas of the body.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It’s one of the most common types of cancer in men.

Prostate cancer often grows slowly and is initially confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

Risk factors include age (it’s more common in older men), race (black men have a higher risk), family history, and obesity. Prostate cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. Symptoms might be more noticeable in its advanced stage and can include trouble urinating, decreased force in the stream of urine, blood in semen, discomfort in the pelvic area, erectile dysfunction, or bone pain.

Much like bladder cancer, understanding prostate cancer also involves knowing its stages. It ranges from stage I, where cancer is confined to the prostate, to stage IV, which indicates that the cancer has spread to nearby or distant organs.

At Oregon Urology Clinic, our team is equipped with the knowledge and expertise to guide you through these complexities. We’re committed to providing you with the information you need to understand your diagnosis and treatment options better. It is our goal to empower you in your health journey and provide support at every step of the way.

Our Approach to Care

At the Oregon Urology Clinic, we offer a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of bladder and prostate cancer. Our team, comprising urologists, oncologists, radiologists, and nurse practitioners, collaborates to develop a tailored treatment plan for each patient.

We incorporate the latest diagnostic technologies to accurately identify and stage these cancers. For bladder cancer, this may involve urine tests, cystoscopy, or imaging tests, while for prostate cancer, digital rectal exams, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests, and biopsies may be employed.

Our team specializes in a variety of treatment options. For early-stage bladder cancer, transurethral resection (TURBT), immunotherapy, or chemotherapy might be recommended. More advanced cancers may require a combination of treatments, including radical cystectomy and systemic chemotherapy.

Prostate cancer treatments are based on the cancer’s stage, the patient’s overall health, and their personal preferences. Active surveillance, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or prostatectomy are some treatment options.

Comprehensive Support

We believe in treating the whole person, not just the disease. That’s why we offer a range of support services alongside medical treatment. These include nutritional counseling, pain management, psychological support, and physical therapy to help manage side effects and improve the overall quality of life.

At Oregon Urology Clinic, we’re with you at every step of your journey, providing the support you need to navigate through your treatment. Our goal is to ensure that you feel heard, understood, and cared for as we work together to manage your condition. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to helping you fight bladder and prostate cancer with strength, courage, and hope.