Prostate Cancer

This occurs mainly in older men aged 50 years and above. Early prostate cancer is usually without any symptoms. As prostate cancer progresses, the tumour may enlarge and narrow the urethra, and you may experience lower urinary tract symptoms such as slow urine flow, difficulty in urine passage, or blood in the urine.

If you are above 50 years old, have a family history of prostate cancer, or are worried about prostate cancer, see us at the Urology clinic for further specialist evaluation.

This will include a digital rectal examination and may include urine tests or blood tests such as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer typically presents with visible painless haematuria. Patients may also present with irritative voiding symptoms, such as urgency, frequency, and a sensation of incomplete voiding.

However, up to 5% of patients with microscopic (non-visible) haematuria may also harbour bladder tumours.

Smoking increases the risk of developing bladder cancer and is the most common and important risk factor.

Other risk factors include exposure to chemical toxins such as aniline dyes (textile industry) and aromatic amines (pesticides, rubber production).

Bladder cancer can be treated if detected early, with surgery in the form of transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT).

However, in the later stages, a major operation may be required to remove the entire bladder with urinary diversion via a stoma opening in the abdomen (radical cystectomy).

Kidney Cancer

Smoking, obesity and hypertension are risk factors for kidney cancer, typically in men aged 50–60 years old.

Most people with kidney cancer do not have symptoms and usually present as an incidental finding on imaging scans.

Symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in the urine (gross haematuria), a sensation of a growth in the flank, and non-specific symptoms such as general malaise and lethargy.

Detailed imaging in the form of computed tomography (CT) scans and blood tests will be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of kidney cancer depends on the size and location of the tumour, as well as the patient’s kidney function and fitness for general anaesthesia if surgery is considered.

Treatment options include nephrectomy (removal of the entire kidney), partial nephrectomy (removal of the tumour while preserving the rest of the kidney), and tumour ablation (using heat or cryoablation techniques). In selected cases where the tumour is small and asymptomatic, active surveillance (AS) may be considered.

Active surveillance involves a biopsy of the kidney growth and regular interval scans to monitor it.

Your doctor will discuss with you the most suitable option.

Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC)

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) comprises cancers of the ureters and the renal pelvis. It is more common in older patients, mainly those aged 50–70 years.

It may cause symptoms such as blood in the urine and flank pain.

Smoking is the most common risk factor for UTUC.

Once UTUC is confirmed, your doctor may advise removal of the kidney as well as the ureter on the affected side.

If the tumour is smaller and less aggressive, kidney-sparing surgery—such as endoscopic tumour ablation or removal of the affected segment of the ureter—may be possible.