Cancer
Faculty
Shilajit D. Kundu, MD
Urologic Oncology Program Director
Cancer - Bladder | Cancer - Kidney | Cancer - Prostate | Cancer - Testis |
The Department of Urology has a longstanding tradition of providing state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary approaches to the evaluation and management of the urologic cancers with recognized experts specializing in each branch of cancer care. All aspects of patient care are addressed by means of patient education and counseling, outstanding nursing care, nutritional support, and careful consideration of related social issues to provide a seamless, compassionate, and individualized approach to the management of each patient.
Program Activities
Patients with urologic cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney, testis, and related organs are evaluated and managed with emphasis on an integrated, multidisciplinary and stage-specific approach. All of the division members are recognized leaders in their field of expertise, and all potential therapeutic options including observation (no active treatment), surgical excision, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy are considered and discussed with each patient. Management options are discussed each week at our urologic oncology patient management conference, allowing for additional critical input and crystallization of the treatment plan. A full range of conventional and advanced or novel treatments are provided, including:
robotic and minimally invasive surgery for a wide variety of urologic cancers;
radical cystectomy and continent urinary diversion (bladder replacement);
nerve sparing techniques for cancers of the prostate, bladder, or testis;
nephron-sparing surgery and renal cryosurgery;
state of the art systemic treatments (chemotherapy or immunotherapy) for advanced or metastatic urologic cancers;
novel anti-angiogenic approaches to the management of advanced urologic cancers;
conventional conformal radiation therapy and brachytherapy (seed implants); and
access to a wide variety of national and international cancer treatment protocols that are useful for patients with aggressive or advanced urologic cancers.
The integrated approach with input from all related services allows for the formulation of an appropriate treatment plan individualized for each patient based upon tumor stage, medical condition, and patient preferences. Nutritional, social and religious, and pain management issues are also addressed through outstanding ancillary services in an effort to optimize patient care and improve responses to therapy. Expertise with the related urologic issues of voiding function, fertility, and sexual function is readily available for all patients.
The program in cancer provides patient education and community awareness about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of urologic cancers, and enhances the education of fellows, residents and medical students interested in this field.
Program Leaders
Dr. James Kozlowski is Professor of Urology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine as well as a member of the R.H. Lurie Cancer Center. He completed residency training in urology and general surgery at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University and is board certified in both specialties. Dr. Kozlowski is an established leader in the field of urologic oncology with expertise in the management of cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney, and testes.
Dr. Timothy Kuzel is Professor of Medicine (Division of Hematology/Oncology) at the Feinberg School. He is board-certified in internal medicine, hematology, and oncology and oversees the management of patients with advanced cancers of the bladder, kidney, and testis.
Dr. Raymond Bergan is Professor of Medicine (Division of Hematology/Oncology) at the Feinberg School and directs Northwestern's experimental therapeutics program, which is dedicated to bringing much needed novel treatment approaches to patients with advanced urologic cancers, particularly prostate cancer.
Dr. John Kalapurakal is Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Feinberg School and specializes in both conventional and new radiation treatment approaches for patients with urologic cancers. His expertise with brachytherapy (seed implants) offers patients an appealing alternative way to receive definitive local radiation therapy and he is pioneering a promising combination of radiation therapy and hyperthermia to improve local control of advanced prostate or bladder cancers.
Dr. Ximing Yang is Professor of Pathology at the Feinberg School with expertise in the urologic cancers. He did his pathology residency at the University of Chicago before joining the Northwestern Faculty several years ago.
