Genitourinary Cancer Service

Our approach to genitourinary cancer

We lead the way in testing and treatments for common and complex genitourinary cancers. Our specialists listen to your concerns and customize a care plan for your needs.

Advanced diagnostic technologies

We use a range of advanced tests to diagnose genitourinary cancers and guide treatment planning. These may include:

• Blood, urine, and cancer biomarker tests
• Endoscopic procedures, such as cystoscopy
• Image-guided biopsies
• Transperineal fusion biopsy
• Imaging tests, such as MRIs, ultrasounds, CT scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, ureteroscopy, and X-rays

Mass General Brigham is one of nine centers nationwide to offer combined PET/MRI imaging.

Complete range of radiation therapies

Our radiation oncologists are experienced in technologies that precisely target cancer cells and aim to reduce overall treatment times.

Depending on the type of cancer, you may receive treatments such as:

• Brachytherapy, a type of internal radiation therapy in which radioactive sources are placed inside or near the prostate to target cancer cells. This may include low-dose rate (LDR) therapy using implanted seeds or high-dose rate (HDR) therapy using temporary catheters.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy, which customizes radiation dose to the exact size and shape of a tumor
• Intraoperative radiation therapy, a technique of delivering high radiation doses directly to tumors without risking damage to the bowel, spinal cord, or other organs
• Therapies that deliver greater doses of radiation over shorter treatment periods, such as hypofractionated and stereotactic body radiation therapy
• Adaptive radiation therapy, an advanced form of radiation treatment that allows doctors to adjust your treatment plan during the course of therapy based on daily imaging (CT or MRI), helping target the cancer more precisely while protecting healthy tissue
• Proton therapy, a highly precise radiation treatment that targets and kills cancer cells while keeping healthy cells healthy.

Only proton therapy site in the region

Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute was among the first in the world to establish a proton therapy center and are home to the only proton therapy center in New England.

Expertise in rectal spacer placement

We are national leaders in the use of rectal spacers for prostate cancer radiation therapy and have one of the largest rectal spacer offerings in the country. Our teams were early adopters of this technology and have helped advance its use to reduce radiation exposure to the rectum, lower the risk of side effects, and improve quality of life during and after treatment.

Minimally invasive procedures

We offer minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic and robotic procedures that use smaller incisions than traditional surgery, endoscopic surgery and image-guided surgery. You heal and recover faster. Types include:

• Robotic and laparoscopic adrenalectomy to remove adrenal glands
• Robotic cystectomy and transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) to treat bladder cancer
• Robotic and laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy to remove part or all of a kidney and ureter
• Robotic prostatectomy to remove the prostate
• Focal therapy for prostate cancer, including high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), cryoablation, transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA)
• Image-guided ablation to treat kidney tumors, including microwave ablation, cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation.

Innovative medication options

Some genitourinary cancers respond well to chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapies. Our team is at the forefront of national research, exploring new ways to target and destroy cancer cells. Participating in a clinical trial may allow you to try promising new therapies still in development.

Patient-reported outcomes measure (PROMs)

We use PROMs as part of routine care to better understand your symptoms, quality of life, and daily function. Since 2016, these tools have been integrated into clinical care across Mass General Brigham. For genitourinary cancers, we use electronic PROMs, which allow you to report your health status directly.