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Raising the Bar in Urologic Cancer Care

When it comes to your urologic health, there’s no room for doubt or hesitation. It’s why we spend every moment uncovering some of the latest groundbreaking research and recruiting many of the country’s leading urological experts. So that in your time of greatest need, you have access to a nationally recognized urological cancer team with a proven track record of patient outcomes that well exceed the national average.

World-Class Expertise. First-Class Care.

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                        Top-Ranked Care

Top-Ranked Care

We believe great care lies in proven results and genuine success stories. Thanks to the whole-person care and expertise our leading urologists practice every day, we’ve been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's best hospitals for urology.

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                        A Global Leader In Prostatectomies

A Global Leader In Prostatectomies

When it comes to sensitive procedures such as a prostatectomy, our patients take comfort in the fact that our prostate cancer experts have more experience than any other team in the world. That experience has led to more patient success stories than we can count, and outcomes that exceed the national average. 

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                        A Multidisciplinary Approach

A Multidisciplinary Approach

From surgery to chemotherapy and revolutionary technology, like our MRI-guided HDR brachytherapy, your options range far and wide. And we’d be honored to help you choose.

Explore Your Treatment Options

A Powerful Force Against Urologic Cancer

Chemotherapy Treatment: What to Expect

Nothing matters more to us than getting you well, and getting you home. Depending on what type of urological cancer you have and how advanced it is, chemotherapy may play an essential role in successfully treating your cancer, particularly bladder cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, and certain types of kidney cancer. From the moment you arrive for your chemo treatment, one of our nurses will be there to greet you and guide you, keeping you and your loved one informed, comfortable, and in good spirits throughout your visit.

How Does Chemotherapy Work?

Using a combination of specialized drugs, chemotherapy has the power to destroy or slow down the growth of fast-growing cancer cells in every part of your body. It can be administered intravenously, by injection, or delivered directly into a specific part of your body. At AdventHealth, formerly Florida Hospital, Cancer Institute, our oncology experts take an individualized approach to your chemotherapy treatment. Depending on your type of urological cancer, we’ll determine which treatment(s) is best for you. Chemotherapy may be the only treatment you receive, or, more commonly, it’s used in combination with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Along the way, we're here to help however we can, answering any questions and helping you stay strong and optimistic before, during, and after your treatment.

Understanding Your Treatment Options

Radiation Therapy: What to Expect

While radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for urologic cancer, at AdventHealth Cancer Institute, we do it with uncommon expertise, guidance, and compassion. Using sophisticated radiation technology, we can target tumors in and around your kidneys, bladder, and prostate with amazing precision, easing your pain and leaving healthy tissue untouched. Depending on your diagnosis, your dedicated team may recommend radiation alone, but in many cases, we combine it with surgery, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy.

How Does Radiation Therapy Work?

Our oncology experts take an individualized approach to every patient’s treatment plan. Radiation therapy targets specific areas of the body, shrinking tumors and killing cancer cells by damaging their DNA.

When treating urological cancer, radiation therapy is usually delivered one of two ways:

  • External radiation delivers radiation in a concentrated beam to keep nearby healthy tissue unaffected.
  • Internal radiation guided by ultrasound or using our MRI-guided HDR brachytherapy, a minimally invasive method that delivers concentrated doses of radiation, keeping healthy nearby tissue safer.

How Do We Protect You During Radiation?

We don’t just preach whole-person care. We practice it. One of the ways we do that is by continuously seeking out new and innovative ways to make your treatments as safe and side-effect free as possible.

AdventHealth is proud to be the first hospital in Central Florida to offer SpaceOAR, a first-of-its-kind treatment that helps protect you during radiation treatment.

SpaceOAR is a temporary, injectable, non-toxic biodegradable gel that protects the rectum during radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Matthew Biagioli, MD, a radiation oncologist at Florida Hospital, is a national authority on the use of biodegradable gels. Dr. Biagioli led some of the initial studies on their use with prostate cancer. Most commonly used in combination with HDR Brachytherapy, the gel is placed prior to starting radiation treatment and significantly reduces the radiation dose to the surrounding tissue. SpaceOAR is the first and only prostate-cancer spacing device to receive clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Throughout your treatment, your nurses and your radiology care team are there to keep you and your support system informed, comfortable, and uplifted.
 

Innovative Surgical Procedures

If surgery is part of your treatment plan, it’s reassuring to know that your health is in the hands of specialized surgeons. As a recognized leader in urological cancer care, we’re helping patients heal through innovative surgical care day in and day out.

Options for Surgery

Urologic cancer surgery can be a promising step forward on your path to healing, and can often be the first option.

Your dedicated team of urologic cancer specialists will review every detail of your medical history and recent tests to recommend the most effective treatment plan for you. When possible, we’ll use the most minimally-invasive procedures, such as the innovative da Vinci® Surgical System, for quicker recovery, fewer scars, and better treatment. Surgery may be the only treatment you need, or it’s used in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

With a range or urological cancers comes a range of surgeries, including:

  • Tumor removal, depending on the cancer, will include removing part of the surrounding issue on top of the tumor.

  • Organ removal is ideal for cancers that have spread throughout a full organ, and is an option for the bladder, kidney, prostate, or the testicles. Sometimes this can be done laparoscopically for a quicker recovery time.

  • Cryosurgery, used primarily for prostate cancer, involves injecting cooled nitrogen to kill cancer cells.

  • Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection targets cancer in lymph nodes in the groin, and can often be done laparoscopically.

Whatever procedure is part of your treatment plan, trust in a team ready to guide you with open arms and warm smiles from pre-op to post-op and beyond.

New Non-Invasive Options. New Hope

When surgery isn’t an option or your oncologist feels that an alternative solution can help treat your cancer more successfully, we offer many of the latest non-surgical interventions at AdventHealth Cancer Institute.

Non-Invasive Options for Urologic Cancer

Our leading urological specialists specialize in the following non-surgical treatments for urologic cancer:

  • Embolization blocks blood flow to the tumor, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients through a simple injection. It’s often used in combination with surgery.

  • Cryoablation, also known as tumor freezing, injects super-cooled nitrogen gas to the tumor site in an attempt to kill the tumor’s cancer cells.

  • Radiofrequency ablation, also known as tumor burning, uses a special needle to apply an electrical current directly into the tumor. The heat causes the tumor to cauterize.

Life After Cancer Treatment

The road to feeling whole again can feel long and winding. Rest as much as you can. And accept help from anyone who offers, whether it’s your family, friends, or your medical team. We’re here to guide you toward personalized recovery programs, like aerobic exercise and strength training to improve outcomes and decrease cancer recurrence. Because the goal isn’t just to survive. It’s to thrive.

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Our Specialists Specialize in You

Carlos Alemany, MD
Medical Oncologist
Nagy Elsayyad, MD, FACP
Radiation Oncologist
Vipul R. Patel, MD, FACS
Urologist
Maps image of AdventHealth locations in Central Florida

Where To Find Us

You’re ready to give it your all, know your options, and choose the right team of urologic cancer specialists. Your dedicated Nurse Navigator is the first step.

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A urologic cancer specialist and patient discuss cancer screenings and treatment options

Explore Patient Resources

You'll feel even stronger when you're surrounded by a loving support system. From our pampering patient spa, which provides relaxation services for urological cancer patients, to financial assistance tools, we’re here with the practical, emotional, and spiritual guidance you need.

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Stop Wondering. Start Preventing.

The sooner we catch urologic cancers such as prostate, bladder, or testicular cancer, the higher our chances will be of successfully treating them. Routine screenings can save your life, even if you have no symptoms. It’s during routine screenings that most cases of prostate and testicular cancers are first detected.

Between screenings, we also encourage you to be proactive in helping prevent cancer by leading a healthy lifestyle. That means eating colorful fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure, avoiding chemical exposure, and keeping cigarettes out of your life. Take control of your health, know the warning signs of urologic cancer, and be proactive in your care by staying up-to-date with regular screenings.

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Embrace Your Full Network of Cancer Care

A leading urologic oncologist dressed in surgical attire performs a clinical trial procedure

Clinical Trials

Our team of urological cancer specialists and researchers is continuously discovering new ways to prevent and treat cancer. Our participation in more than 175 national clinical trials a year gives patients like you access to many of the latest treatments and prevention methods, many of which may not be available at other cancer centers for months, or years, to come.

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A patient receives a second opinion from a urologic cancer care specialist in front of a CT scan machine

Get A Second Opinion

Getting a second opinion can put your mind at ease about your diagnosis. The more you know, the more empowered you’ll feel to take action and start your healing journey. We’re here to support that journey fully.

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Two men drinking coffee discuss urologic cancer support groups in a well-lit living room

Urologic Cancer Support Groups

When you’re facing urological cancer, feeling supported can help you find your inner strength when you need it most. Connect with patients, survivors, and a compassionate staff whose mission is guiding your journey.

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News and Events

News at AdventHealth Cancer Institute

New studies. New research. New technology and more. We’ll keep you informed of innovative treatments, advanced techniques, and the latest offerings at AdventHealth Cancer Institute.

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Events at AdventHealth Cancer Institute

Find healing, find community, and stay in the know. With a wide variety of events year-round, we’ll help you connect with other patients, caregivers, support groups, as well as our compassionate care team.

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