The urological cancer specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital provide comprehensive care for people with urological cancers, including those of the prostate, bladder, kidney, testicles and penis. From diagnostic testing and minimally invasive surgery to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy, you can receive all the care you need in one convenient location, right in your community.
What we treat
We care for patients with urologic cancers such as:
- Prostate cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Transitional cell carcinoma of the ureters and renal pelvis
- Bladder cancer
- Testicular cancer
Screening & Diagnosis
We use various tests to diagnose urologic cancers, such as:
- Physical exams
- Blood and urine tests, including blood tests for PSA (for prostate cancer screening and monitoring cancer growth)
- Imaging exams such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, and PET/CT scanning
- Biopsies to remove sample of tissue to analyze for cancer cells, including MRI/Ultrasound Fusion Biopsies of the prostate
- Cystoscopy to inspect the inside of the bladder
Prostate cancer treatment
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. But not every man who learns he has prostate cancer needs treatment. We have refined our methods to determine whether you need diagnostic testing, treatment, or "active surveillance" with periodic monitoring of early-stage cancer to see if your tumor grows. This comprehensive approach ensures you receive appropriate care for your prostate cancer that meets your individual needs.
Minimally invasive prostate cancer surgery
Our urologic surgeons are highly experienced in performing the latest minimally invasive prostate cancer procedures, including robot-assisted nerve-sparing prostatectomy (removal of the prostate).
Focal prostate cancer treatments and Ablation
Some patients benefit from cryosurgery (the application of freezing temperatures to kill cancer cells) and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU, the use of high-energy sound waves to heat and destroy tumor cells).
Radiation therapy
We offer image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer, which aims radiation beams of different intensities from many different angles to precisely treat your tumor while sparing nearby healthy tissues such as the bladder, bowel, and rectum, thereby reducing the risk of side effects. In addition, most patients who have prostate radiation therapy undergo insertion of a SpaceOAR™ hydrogel, which increases the distance between the prostate and rectum, thereby significantly lowering the risks of digestive side effects.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), in which patients receive only five highly targeted radiation treatments instead of weeks of radiation, is offered to patients who are appropriate candidates. Genomic testing is extensively used to more fully assess the level of risk of a particular prostate cancer, allowing more precise personalization of therapy for each patient. For patients who develop bone metastases from prostate cancer, radium-223 (Xofigo®), which has been shown to improve overall survival, is offered to eligible patients.
Other medical treatments
Some patients with prostate cancer need hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies. You can receive intravenous treatments in our modern and comfortable infusion center. A medical oncologist will work closely with you to choose the medications that are best suited for the biology and stage of your tumor.
Kidney Cancer Treatment
We customize your kidney cancer treatment to the biology and stage of your cancer.
Minimally invasive surgery
If you are a candidate for kidney cancer surgery, you will have either your entire kidney removed (radical nephrectomy) or just the part of it containing your tumor (partial nephrectomy). Minimally invasive kidney surgery enables us to remove the tumor while preserving as much of your affected kidney — and its function — as possible. Your surgeon will let you know what options are available to you.
Focused therapies
Many people with kidney cancer benefit from "focal" therapies that are directed right to the tumor to kill cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy tissue. We treat some kidney cancers using cryosurgery (freezing temperatures) or extreme heat (radioablation) applied through a needle into the tumor, focused ultrasound (the application of high-energy sound waves), and radiation therapy.
Other medical treatments
Oral anticancer drugs — such as cabozantinib, lenvatinib, sunitinib, sorafenib, and pazopanib — are options for many patients with renal cell cancers. Immunotherapies, such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab, are given in our infusion center. They harness the power of the immune system to find and destroy kidney cancer cells.
Bladder Cancer Treatment
The wall of the bladder is made up of several layers of cells. Bladder cancer typically starts in the cells inside the bladder wall. Over time, cancer may grow outside the bladder ("muscle-invasive bladder cancer") — spreading to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Our team is experienced in treating both non-invasive and invasive bladder cancer, aiming to preserve your bladder whenever possible. In many cases, we can preserve the bladder for some time — and in some instances, permanently.
Minimally invasive bladder cancer surgery
If you need a partial or radical cystectomy (surgery to remove part or all of your bladder), we have the expertise to perform this procedure in a minimally invasive manner.
Complex bladder reconstruction
When the bladder cannot be saved, our urologic surgeons perform bladder reconstruction. To replace the bladder, we can create a "neobladder" (an internal bladder made from a portion of the intestine) or a "continent reservoir" (an internal bladder storage reservoir that can be drained by passing a small tube through an opening in the abdomen).
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy
Our medical oncologists may recommend intravesical therapies (immunotherapy or chemotherapy placed directly into the bladder) or intravenous therapies (given by vein) for bladder cancer. We offer immune-boosting therapies such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab in our infusion center. We oversee every aspect of your care to ensure it is as effective and comfortable as possible.
Our Approach to Care
Our dedicated staff includes urologic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, oncology nurses, radiation therapists, and other providers skilled in caring for people with urologic cancers. They participate in regular Tumor Board meetings to discuss each case and combine their expertise to assemble the most effective treatment plan for each patient. A patient navigator coordinates the various components of your care and serves as your point of contact for any questions you or your family may have.
We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be challenging for you and your loved ones. That's why we also offer psychosocial, nutritional, and other support services for people with urologic cancers. Your team includes palliative care physicians as well, ensuring that your quality of life is the best it can be from the moment of diagnosis and throughout your treatment.
Why Choose Us
Our team does all we can to treat your cancer effectively while preserving your quality of life as much as possible, with special attention to preserving your urinary and sexual function. If standard treatments are ineffective against your cancer, you'll have access to clinical trials of promising new approaches through our affiliation with the National Cancer Institute-designated Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Contact us to make an appointment for a consultation.