Macmillan information and support services
We offer a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of urological cancer. Our team includes consultants, registrars and nurse specialists.
About us
Urological cancer is the generic term for cancer of the prostate, bladder, kidney, urethra, penis or testes – of these, prostate cancer is the most common.
Patients diagnosed with a urological cancer may have further tests such as bloods, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasounds, biopsies and operations at Kingston Hospital. Other scans such as a PET scan or endorectal MRI may be performed at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Some procedures may also take place at St George’s Hospital.
Find out more in this short film with our urology cancer specialists (youtube.com)
Treatments
Some operations such as removal of the kidney (nephrectomy), bladder tumour (Trans Urethral Resection of a Bladder Tumour), testes (orchidectomy) are performed by the urology team at Kingston.
Other operations such as removal of the bladder (cystectomy) or prostate (prostatectomy) are performed by the surgical team at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Fulham Rd.
All patients with a cancer of the penis are referred to the specialist team at St George’s Hospital.
Follow up for all patients with testicular cancer is at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Radiotherapy is given at either Royal Marsden or at Fulham Road depending on the type of radiotherapy and where the patient lives.
Chemotherapy is administered in the Medical Day Unit in the Sir William Rous Unit at Kingston or at the Royal Marsden Sutton or Fulham Road.
Oncology outpatients clinics are held in the Sir William Rous Unit for patients who need to see a specialist to discuss treatment options or who are being followed up after treatment.
Our team
Within the Urology Team at Kingston Hospital patients may be seen by Consultants, Registrars and Nurse Specialists to receive their diagnosis.
All patients who are newly diagnosed with a urological cancer are discussed at a Multi-Disciplinary team meeting (MDT) to review results and plan treatment options.
This team incorporates Consultants, Oncologists, Specialist radiologists and Histopathologists, responsible for analysing any imagery and biological samples and Clinical Nurse Specialists.
Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA)
People with cancer often require care, support and information in addition to the management of their cancer or condition.
A holistic needs assessment is a discussion with your doctor or nurse to talk about your physical, emotional and social needs. The focus is on you as a whole – not just your illness. Your doctor or nurse will need information from you. However, you decide how much information you would like to share about your current situation. This is an opportunity for you to talk about any worries or concerns you may have. It will help to clarify your needs and ensure that you are referred to the relevant services.
In order to prepare for this discussion, you may be asked to complete a questionnaire to bring to your next consultation.
This is not compulsory and not having this assessment will not affect your care. However, many patients find having an assessment helpful as it can help to identify what help is available.
It may be offered at certain times during your care, including:
- Around the time of diagnosis or start of your treatment
- The end of your treatment – when your surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been completed
- Any time that you ask for one
It may be carried out over the phone. With your agreement the doctor or nurse carrying out your assessment may refer you to other services that may be of help to you. Alternatively, if you prefer, you will be given written information about these services.