Prostate & Genitourinary Cancer

Genitourinary cancers can have a profound effect on your life, whether your disease is in the prostate, kidney, bladder, adrenal glands, penis or testicles. Experts at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center are pioneering treatments to fight genitourinary cancers, giving you access to the very latest techniques and therapies.

We’re Here For You

At Hollings, we know a cancer diagnosis can be a life changing event. We are here to support you through your journey. Call 843-792-9300 and make an appointment. Experience what sets us apart.

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High Performing Hospital | University Medical Center | US News & World Report 2024-2025 | Prostate Cancer Surgery

In good hands

You know you're in good hands at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Here, you have access to the latest innovations in cancer treatment, including clinical trials, advanced surgical techniques, support services and survivorship planning. You can rest easy knowing we hold national rankings for cancer care and take a leadership role in cancer research and prevention.

The Hollings difference

Treatment and Support

At Hollings, our team of prostate and genitourinary cancer specialists is dedicated to giving you the most accurate and effective treatment possible. Thanks to breakthroughs in cancer medicine, we are able to offer you a variety of treatments including:

State-of-the-art Radiologic and Cancer Imaging

Our imaging equipment includes a 128 slice CT scanner, 3 Tesla MRI and PET Imaging.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Hollings is at the forefront of laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques for surgeries that have previously been done via a full open incision. These minimally invasive techniques improve precision and reduce the surgical impact on you. Many of our surgeons are trained in the use of the da Vinci Surgical System, a robot that helps to increase surgical precision.

Four Types of Prostatectomies

Depending on your individual need, our doctors are able to perform surgery on prostate tumors in four different ways: robotic, perineal, retropubic and laparoscopic. MUSC is the only center in South Carolina that offers all of these options.

Targeted Tumor Ablation

Among the latest techniques to kill tumors in their current location and preserve surrounding tissue, we use cryotherapy, radio frequency ablation and brachytherapy.

Cryotherapy uses extremely cold temperatures to freeze kidney and prostate tumors.
Brachytherapy is the implantation of radioactive seeds to treat prostate cancer.

Refer a prostate and genitourinary cancer patient

To refer a prostate and genitourinary cancer patient to Hollings, please call patient referral coordinator Heather Williams at 843-985-0582.

Nurse Navigator Support

Our prostate and genitourinary cancer nurse navigators, Kim Stewart, BSN, RN, and Kristin Powers, BSN, RN, will help you understand what to expect during treatment and answer questions you may have.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. About 200,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Prostate cancer has a high cure rate when found in early stages, so detecting it before it has spread is very important.

According to guidelines from the American Urological Association, men should talk with their doctor about receiving a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test at the age of 55. If you’re at a higher risk, including having family history or being African American, earlier tests may be necessary. The PSA blood test is easy for your physician to obtain, and the results come back quickly. This test looks at the PSA levels in your blood to help detect the possibility of cancer. Elevated PSA levels may be a sign of prostate cancer, but many other things can also affect your PSA level.

The digital rectal exam (DRE) is another form of screening. A DRE is a very nonspecific and nonsensitive test and is often combined with the PSA test. If your PSA is elevated for your age and/or something is abnormal with your digital rectal exam, this leads to further investigation. Often, you would receive a referral to a urologist who would discuss the pros and cons of proceeding with further workups such as an MRI or a biopsy.

Dr. Todd Gourdin talks with a patient in an exam room while both wear masks

Hollings’ world-renowned doctors and researchers are pushing what is possible in the treatment of prostate and genitourinary cancers. Using state-of-the-art technology and team science, Hollings is shaping the future of cancer medicine through ongoing research.

Some recent projects include:

Developing a clinical trial to combine stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy with physical measures to protect healthy tissues to determine optimal levels of radiation.
Studying how prostate cancer should be managed for people living with HIV.
Studying the order of treatment in patients with metastatic prostate cancer to see if changes are needed to prolong life.

In addition, Hollings’ dedicated Prostate Transdisciplinary Cancer Team brings together expertise from different disciplines in basic and clinical research for monthly meetings to collaborate on ongoing prostate cancer research.

As South Carolina’s only NCI-designated cancer center, Hollings offers you clinical trials and treatments that aren’t available anywhere else in the state. These opportunities provide you with access to the latest medications, therapies, and surgical techniques that can improve your outcomes. Learn more about clinical trials at Hollings and see our current genitourinary and prostate cancer clinical trials.

“ I hope my story can encourage other men to get prostate cancer screenings and possibly save a life. Every life is important. These men represent somebody’s father, husband, brother and an important community member. ”

Larry Ferguson, prostate cancer survivor
Larry's story

“ If you notice symptoms, put your fears aside and get yourself to a doctor ASAP. Because if there’s something wrong, it’s not going to get better by putting it off. ”

Jayne Adams, bladder cancer survivor
Jayne's story

“ No matter how embarrassing or uncomfortable the situation appears to be for yourself as a young male, you should always just find the strength and courage to seek help. ”

Michael Wiegand, testicular cancer survivor
Michael's story

group photo of prostate cancer survivors, instructor and intern at the MUSC Wellness Center

Prostate Cancer Strength Camp

We offer a comprehensive 10-week wellness program for prostate cancer survivors that provides support for overall fitness and well-being. The program runs three times a year and focuses on building physical strength and aerobic stamina while incorporating a support system that allows you to build confidence.

Learn about Strength Camp

Prostate & Genitourinary Cancer Care Locations

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Downtown

86 Jonathan Lucas Street

Charleston, SC 29425

Directions

Scheduling: 843-792-9300

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Hematology Oncology Florence

Florence Medical Center

Medical Mall A

805 Pamplico Highway

Suite: 315

Florence, SC 29505

Directions

Scheduling: 843-792-9300

View Details

Our experts are pioneering treatments to fight prostate and genitourinary cancers, giving you access to the very latest techniques and therapies.

Meet the team

Lee Moultrie sits in front of his house with his arms wrapped around one knee and the other leg extended

SC AMEN Program

To address prostate cancer disparities, Hollings launched the innovative SC AMEN Program to increase prostate cancer screenings and awareness among Black men aged 40-65.

SC AMEN Program

Latest Prostate & Genitourinary Cancer News

portrait of a man standing outside in a garden setting with a fountain in the background

Helping Others

When kidney cancer survivor JJ Messervy talked to a fellow patient in the waiting room, he knew he wanted to raise money for the Hollings patient support fund.

A woman sits on a wooden bench on a pier with marsh and river behind her

Bladder Cancer

After a bladder cancer diagnosis, one patient wants to raise awareness among women about this disease that can be mistaken for a UTI.

two prostate cancer survivors punch boxing speed bags in a gym

Strength Camp

New program offers specialized fitness and wellness for prostate cancer survivors.