Bladder, kidney and prostate cancers

Introduction

This section contains information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment available in the Northern Territory for: 


Bladder cancer

The risk of developing bladder cancer increases with age. It is more common in males.

Bladder cancer is associated with smoking and exposure to industrial and agriculture chemicals. 

Early detection

There are no screening tests for bladder cancer.

Symptoms

You should go to your doctor if you notice any of the following:

  • blood in your urine
  • pain while urinating
  • needing to empty your bladder a lot. 

These symptoms can indicate bladder cancer but do not necessarily mean you have bladder cancer.

Your doctor may refer you to a urologist either at the Royal Darwin Hospital or Darwin Private Hospital

Initial diagnosis

Your urologist will scan your kidneys and inspect your bladder by passing a telescope through the urethra. This is called a cystoscopy. 

Treatment

Most bladder cancers are not serious and can be removed by a telescope. 

A small number of bladder cancers are more serious and may need more aggressive treatment like removal of the bladder, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. 

The Royal Darwin Hospital and Darwin Private Hospital have bladder cancer specialists. You do not need to leave the Northern Territory for treatment.


Kidney cancer

Kidney cancers are more common as you get older. Some kidney cancers can be caused by smoking but most have no known cause. 

Early detection

There are no screening tests for kidney cancer.

Symptoms

You should go to the doctor if you notice blood in your urine or have pain in the loin.

Initial diagnosis

Kidney cancers may be found incidentally on x-rays or scans performed for other reasons.

They are diagnosed using a CT scan. You may also need a biopsy but this is not usually necessary.

Treatment 

Small kidney cancers, especially in the elderly, don't need treatment and are monitored.

If the cancer is confined to the kidney you may need an operation to remove part or all of the kidney.

All the facilities and specialists required to diagnose and treat kidney cancer are available in the Northern Territory.


Prostate cancer

Prostate cancers are very common, especially in older men. Most of these cancers do not cause problems and do not need treatment. 

If you are a male and over 50, or over 40 with a family history of prostate cancer, you should discuss the risks and benefits of prostate checks with your doctor. 

Early detection

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test can diagnose men with no symptoms of prostate cancer, but it has limitations and needs to be used carefully. 

If the PSA is abnormal you may need to have an MRI scan, but the only way to diagnose prostate cancer is with a prostate biopsy. This will be decided by a urologist.

Symptoms

Most men will not have symptoms until they have advanced prostate cancer. You should go to your doctor if you notice any of the following:

  • needing to empty your bladder a lot, especially at night
  • your urinary stream is weak
  • a feeling that you haven't emptied your bladder.

These symptoms can indicate prostate disease but do not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. 

Your doctor will do some tests such as a rectal exam or prostate specific blood test, and may refer to you to a surgeon for more tests and diagnosis. 

Initial diagnosis

Prostate cancer can only be diagnosed with a biopsy. 

If you live in the Top End

The surgeon will discuss your case with other specialists at the Royal Darwin Hospital.

If you live in Central Australia

The local surgeon will refer you to the visiting urologist if appropriate or a medical oncologist for drug therapy.

Treatment

Most prostate cancers are low risk and do not require treatment. Many can be managed with observation. 

If you do need treatment, you may undergo one or more of the following:

  • surgery
  • radiotherapy
  • another drug therapy.

Surgery

There are three types of surgery you may have:

  • removal of your prostate 
  • partial removal of the prostate via the urethra
  • removal of your testicles.

Radiotherapy

Your surgeon can refer you to a radiation oncologist to discuss radiotherapy options. 

You can have either: 

  • radiation as the initial therapy without surgery with the intent to cure the cancer - usually for six weeks
  • or radiation as well as surgery to target any remaining cancer cells - usually for 12 weeks.

Your radiotherapy will be at the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre.

Drug therapy

Hormone therapy may be used if you are at high risk of recurrence. Length of treatment is usually five years.

Bisphosphonate therapy may be used if your cancer has spread to your bones. Treatment is ongoing. 

Chemotherapy may be used in some cases to target cancer cells that have spread. Length of treatment is about three to six months. 

Resources on prostate cancer

For more information, read cancer journeys - prostate cancer or go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia website.

For more information on investigations, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, go to the outline of the cancer pathway for prostate cancer on the Cancer Council website.