Urological Tumor Center

If we suspect that you have kidney cancer, state-of-the-art imaging is used to determine the size and extent of the cancer in three dimensions. We can then print the cancerous kidney as a 3D model to help plan the operation. In selected cases, we also perform a biopsy to examine the tissue sample under a microscope before any surgery.

The treatment of kidney cancer requires the cooperation of various specialists. As part of our certified tumor center, every patient with a newly discovered, locally or systemically advanced kidney cancer is discussed on an interdisciplinary basis in order to offer you an individual and optimally adapted therapy.

The minimally invasive surgical removal of cancer confined to the kidney is currently the most frequently used and best proven method. Our focus is on minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgery using the Da Vinci® system. Here, the surgeon performs the procedure using microsurgical instruments and a camera, which is held by the robot, through small abdominal incisions. Our experience shows that patients have less pain after this operation, are mobile more quickly and can go home sooner compared to patients who undergo open surgery via a large abdominal incision.

We offer every patient with kidney cancer a tumor follow-up tailored to the patient in order to detect kidney cancer recurrences and possible surgery-related consequences at an early stage and treat them accordingly.

If bladder cancer is suspected, we will perform a cystoscopy. Nowadays, this procedure can be carried out on an outpatient basis and without anesthesia during consultation hours thanks to the use of a flexible camera. A cystoscopy only takes a few minutes. We will also perform a bladder irrigation to examine whether malignant bladder mucosa cells can be found. If these examinations reveal any abnormalities, a tissue sample is taken from the bladder through the urethra in a minimally invasive procedure without a skin incision.

Superficial bladder cancer

The earlier bladder cancer is detected, the higher the chances of recovery. In many cases, the entire bladder cancer can be removed with a tissue sample via the urethra. Depending on how deep the cancer has penetrated into the bladder wall and how malignant it is, it may be necessary to remove more of the bladder mucosa.

Unfortunately, bladder cancer often returns even after complete removal. Our clinic has extensive experience in advanced bladder tumor therapy. BCG immunotherapy (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) can significantly reduce the likelihood of bladder tumors returning. We are actively conducting research in the field of BCG immunotherapy and are supported by the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK).

Invasive bladder cancer

If the tissue sample shows that the bladder cancer has grown into the bladder wall muscles, it is usually advisable to remove the bladder surgically. If the bladder is completely removed, urine can no longer be excreted naturally via the urethra. A replacement is created to drain urine from the kidneys. Depending on the situation, various urinary diversion options can be offered. As part of our certified tumor center, every patient with a bladder tumor that has grown into the bladder wall muscles is discussed on an interdisciplinary basis. This is followed by interdisciplinary consultations with representatives from urology, radiation oncology and oncology in order to discuss the various treatment options with you in detail and develop a treatment concept tailored to your needs.

We offer every patient with bladder cancer individual tumor follow-up care in order to detect bladder tumor recurrences at an early stage and treat them accordingly.

The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the greater the chances of recovery. For this reason, the Swiss Society of Urology recommends prostate cancer screening from the age of 45 if there is a family history of prostate cancer (father or brother with prostate cancer) and from the age of 50 if there is no family history. This screening consists of a palpation of the prostate via the rectum and a blood test (prostate-specific antigen, PSA for short).

If the screening examination reveals any abnormalities, a tomography scan (magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI for short) of the pelvis is performed to assess the prostate more precisely. If prostate cancer is suspected, tissue samples are taken from the prostate via the rectum under local anesthesia and examined under a microscope. Fusion biopsy, based on imaging using magnetic resonance imaging and transrectal ultrasound (MRT-TRUS), has established itself as a particularly precise method. Suspicious areas of the prostate are visualized using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis. The magnetic resonance imaging images are superimposed on the ultrasound images of the prostate during the biopsy. This allows the suspicious areas to be precisely targeted for tissue sampling. This method is used as standard at our clinic. With MRI-TRUS fusion biopsy, prostate cancer is diagnosed earlier, more precisely and with fewer tissue samples taken. This means that patients can receive optimal treatment at an early stage and the risk of side effects due to repeated tissue sampling can be reduced.

The treatment of prostate cancer requires the cooperation of various specialists. As part of our certified tumor center, every patient with newly discovered prostate cancer is discussed on an interdisciplinary basis in order to be able to offer an individual and optimally adapted therapy. The treatment options available to you will be discussed with you in detail.

Active surveillance

In the case of low-risk prostate cancer that does not exceed the prostate capsule, surgery or radiotherapy can sometimes be dispensed with. Instead, the strategy of active surveillance is used. Prostate cancer is monitored by means of regular check-ups (palpation of the prostate, blood tests and prostate biopsies). This allows changes in the cancer to be detected at an early stage and active therapy to be initiated if the disease progresses. Active monitoring can prevent the side effects of radiotherapy or medication as well as the possible complications of surgery.

Surgical removal of the prostate

Complete surgical removal of the prostate (radical prostatectomy) is recommended for organ-confined cancer growth. This option is currently the most frequently used and very proven method. Our focus is on minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgery using the Da Vinci® system. Here, the surgeon performs the procedure using microsurgical instruments and a camera held by the robot through small abdominal incisions. Our experience shows that patients have less pain after this operation, are mobile more quickly and can go home sooner compared to patients who are operated on openly through a large abdominal incision.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy can damage the cancer cells to such an extent that they die. The surrounding healthy organs, such as the small intestine, bladder and genital organs, are spared as much as possible through targeted radiation.

Hormone and chemotherapy

The sex hormone testosterone influences the growth of prostate cells and therefore, under certain circumstances, the growth of prostate cancer. The influence of testosterone on the growth of hormone-dependent prostate cancer is eliminated with anti-hormone therapy. This can be achieved with surgery (subcapsular orchiectomy) or drug treatment.

Chemotherapy can be used for prostate cancer if the anti-hormone therapy is not (or no longer) effective. Chemotherapy is a treatment with cell-damaging or growth-inhibiting drugs. It ensures that fast-growing cancer cells no longer divide and the cancer can therefore no longer multiply. However, chemotherapy also damages healthy, fast-growing cells (e.g. bone marrow cells, hair follicle cells or cells of the mucous membranes in the mouth, stomach or intestines).

After prostate cancer treatment, we offer all patients individual tumor follow-up care and, if available, advice on urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

If testicular cancer is suspected, the testicles are palpated, an ultrasound examination of the testicles is carried out and special parameters are determined in the blood, which can be elevated in testicular cancer. If these examinations reveal any abnormalities, the testicle must be removed from the scrotum for further diagnosis in the operating room.

Treatment planning takes place in a special interdisciplinary conference with colleagues from oncology and radiology. The therapy depends on the type and stage of the testicular cancer, the accompanying illnesses and the patient's personal wishes. As a first step, the affected testicle is usually removed via an incision in the groin. This is sometimes followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. A complete cure is often possible in this way, even in advanced stages of cancer.

Once treatment has been completed, regular follow-up checks are necessary in order to counteract a possible relapse at an early stage. In this regard, we will discuss and draw up an individual tumor follow-up plan for you.

Changes to the testicles and penis are often accompanied by a great sense of shame. It is not uncommon for penile cancer to only be seen by a doctor at a very advanced stage of the disease. At the beginning there is usually a painless reddish or white spot, which is sometimes raised and can quickly increase in size. Sometimes the diagnosis can be made more difficult by a narrowing of the foreskin covering the cancer.

If penile cancer is suspected, a small tissue sample of the findings is usually taken under local anesthesia to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, cross-sectional imaging is carried out to determine the exact extent of the cancer and to look for any offshoots in the body.

The therapy depends on the stage of the cancer. Possible treatment options are discussed on an interdisciplinary basis at our tumor board and then discussed with you in detail. The cornerstone of penile cancer therapy is surgery. If possible, the aim is to preserve the penis.

Once treatment has been completed, regular follow-up checks are necessary in order to counteract a possible relapse at an early stage. We will draw up an individualized cancer aftercare plan for you.