World Cancer Day: Watch out, men! Blood in urine, unexplained abdomen pain could hint at tumour

By Dr Anil Mandhani

Most health authorities are working towards creating awareness about lung, oral and blood cancer. Though in the lesser frequency, it is also essential people understand the lethal types of cancer, present in men.

Here are 5 common types of cancer of the genitourinary system in men. These five widely ignored cancers among men are prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular and penis (penile) cancer.


It is therefore important to be aware of the causes, symptoms and treatment for each of these for timely detection and treatment. While prostate cancer is the most commonly spoken about, the others are equally significant.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer occurs in the cells of the prostate gland, that surrounds the neck of the bladder. Prostate cancer is the most common genitourinary cancer and usually develops after the age of 50 years or earlier if one has family history of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer does not have significant symptoms initially but in the advanced stages, it can lead to obstruction in passage of urine and/or show blood in urine. A simple blood test by doing Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test after consulting a Urologist can help in detecting it in early stages. Treatment at early stage can cure the patients of cancers. The best treatment is removal of the prostate gland by doing robot assisted radical Prostatectomy. Alternatively, radical radiotherapy can also be given. After weighing pros and cons of the treatment.

Bladder Cancer
Urinary bladder cancer commonly develops in men, who work for the paint and leather industry, and who are smokers. While bladder cancer is primarily known to affect the elderly, there is a rising incidence among the younger population as well. Smoking is responsible for up to 66% of bladder cancers. The most common symptoms are blood in urine, dark-coloured urine, frequent urination or pain during urination. Blood in urine should not be ignored. When going through a urine exam, visit a doctor if the test shows RBC in urine.

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is also detected late in its course. Due to easy availability of ultrasound, kidney cancers are be detected early, and one can avoid complete removal of the organ. While this disease has primarily affected the elderly over decades, there is a growing incidence among younger people. Initial symptoms are blood in urine, persistent nagging pain, heaviness on the side of the back, unexplained fever, loss of appetite, anaemia, unexplained weight loss, and swelling in ankles or legs.
The best treatment for kidney cancer is surgery. Robot -assisted surgery is good for removal of an affected part of the kidney with tumour. Immunotherapy has role in advanced stage.

Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer of testicles, which are male reproductive organs. Testicular tumours are most common in young men aged between 15 year and 34 year. The warning signs for this cancer include painless enlargement of the testes, heaviness of the scrotal sac and lumps in the testicles. Younger men should not ignore these warning signs as this is the only cancer which can be cured completely without any major side-effect of the treatment.

Penile Cancer

Penile cancers develop in the penis. This is one of the few cancers, which can be prevented by maintaining good hygiene especially in the glans (head) of penis. The incidence of penile cancer is more in developing countries such as India, and it is more common in rural areas as compared to the urban population. The cancer starts spreading from the foreskin or the glans penis. The early signs include red discoloration of the glans or foreskin, presence of painless or painful ulcers or any kind of abnormal growth. The best way to deal with this cancer is to prevent it and men of all ages should draw the foreskin backward to clean the forepart of the penis while taking bath.

General Measures To Reduce The Risk Of Cancer Development:
Cancer is a fall out of low immunity. One should work towards boosting his immunity by quitting smoking, exercising daily, eating low carbohydrate and high-protein diet, checking on weight gain, and controlling diabetes & hypertension. Apart from being concerned about the general health men should not ignore the warning signs of cancer i.e. sudden unexplained weight loss, blood in urine or stool, appearance of any new skin lesion anywhere in the body, change in the pattern of passing urine and stool, unexplained pain in the abdomen, etc.

(The author is MS MCh, DNB (Urology), FACS, Chairman, Urology and Renal Transplant, Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon)