In this issue, we cover cancers of the genitourinary system. This organ group comprises of kidney, bladder and those of male genital tract including prostate and testicular cancers. Being the fifth and ninth commonest cancers, prostate and bladder cancers are important and a common health problem.

Prostate cancer is one of the cancers with the steepest increase in incidence in the last few years. This could be due to earlier diagnosis arising from increased awareness of prostate screening and hence reflecting a real change in epidemiology of the disease.

In this issue, we glean facts on prostate cancer screening that is not only pertinent as it is a rapidly rising health care problem, but also because its screening, diagnosis and management is truly multidisciplinary. We hope to provide a broad spectrum ranging from screening to palliative care and supportive issues.

This group of cancers has its own set of extremes -- testicular cancer is one of the most treatable solid cancers, while renal cell cancer have one of the least response rates. Just like platinum compounds first established themselves with early success in testicular cancer, current times are very exciting with many drugs emerging and being approved for kidney cancer. This class of drugs, called anti-angiogenesis drugs, have not only suddenly made improvements in response and survival of kidney cancer patients, but also pose a lucrative future in other cancer types.

We also hope to ‘tease’ your brains with some interesting clinical vignettes with some cancers of the genitourinary tract. So put your thinking caps on and happy reading!

 

Dr Sandeep K Rajan
Editor, Cancer Update