There is nothing worse than hearing you have cancer, and in that moment, a million questions come to your mind. What kind of cancer? Has it metastasized? What are the options? Who do I trust the information to?
If you or your family are dealing with a diagnosis of urological cancer (prostate, kidney, or bladder cancer, testicular, or penile), you surely need a urological oncologist that specializes in this field. Not a generalist, and certainly not a physician that only sees a handful of oncological patients. You’ll need a urological oncologist with experience, expertise, cuttingedge technology, and a commitment to giving every patient the best possible outcome.
Dr. Vikas Singh, Senior Consultant Urologist and Genito Uro Oncologist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Nipania, Indore, is one of the noted uro-oncologists in Central India. He has honed his skills over the last 15 years, including complex cancer surgeries. Patients travel from different parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and even other states to avail his services.
Urological cancer, also known as Uro-Oncology or Genito-Urological (GU) cancer, refers to a group of malignancies arising in the urinary tract and the male reproductive organs such as the kidneys, bladder, prostate, testicles, and penis.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) mentions alarming statistics in the rising Urological Cancers in India, making Uro-Oncology awareness, early diagnosis, and access to specialists of utmost importance. In the Indian male population, prostate and kidney cancers are among the most common, while bladder cancer affects both men and women, though it is far more prevalent in men.
Prostate cancers (stage I or II) are highly treatable malignancies, possessing almost a 100% five-year survival rate. Even nearly all the testicular cancers, diagnosed early, are completely curable. Bladder cancer, too, can be completely eradicated if it is removed before it invades the muscle wall of the bladder and becomes a deadly malignancy.
There is a significant challenge, though. Most of these malignancies are asymptomatic until they are far advanced or have metastasized to other parts. This is where identifying the warning signals becomes important, along with frequent check-ups for the higher-risk population. A well-trained uro-oncologist such as Dr. Vikas Singh can contribute a great deal to early detection.
In many cases these cancers, especially those of the urological system, are asymptomatic, so the most treatable early stages often go unnoticed. By the time we notice something and we can’t ignore it, it may be too late. That’s why knowing the early signs of urological cancer is so important.
Blood in the Urine (Hematuria) – This in and of itself is the most important warning sign of these types of cancer and shouldn’t be left for assessment. Blood can be present in the urine, and go unnoticed, be present and cause a pain, or be present and cause a burning.
Urgency and frequency of urination, pain with urination, or interrupted/weak urine streams are abnormal. This is most especially associated with either testicular or bladder cancer.
lump or swelling – this is most often associated with testicular or
bladder cancer.
There are many signs and symptoms of cancer and urological cancers in specific. These are just a few, and for the most part, are the most associated. If you notice these or even something that seems related, it is best to not ignore it and seek the appropriate care
Bone pain: as advanced urological cancers (especially prostate and kidney cancers) metastasize, there can be pain in the bones, especially the spine, hips, or ribs
If you have any of these symptoms, please don’t delay. Contact Dr. Vikas Singh for a consultation: +91 81468 73931
Cystoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing bladder cancer. Dr. Vikas Singh inserts a thin, flexible camera through the urethra to directly view the inside of the bladder. It allows any suspicious growths to be spotted and biopsied in the same visit. Done under local anesthesia or light sedation, most patients find it easy to tolerate. It’s also used to monitor patients previously treated for bladder cancer to catch any recurrence early.
Urine cytology checks a urine sample under a microscope for abnormal cells shed from the bladder or urinary tract lining. It’s quick, simple, and non-invasive, usually done alongside cystoscopy for confirmation. Blood tests support diagnosis and follow-up too, checking kidney function, PSA levels, tumor markers like AFP and beta-HCG, and overall health to help guide treatment.
Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are the gold standards of the most minimally invasive surgeries. Most surgeries can be performed through abdominal ports and mini incisions rather than larger incisions with the aid of high definition and functioning cameras. Surgeons are able to operate with more control and access than traditional methods with the use of robotic arms.
The benefits to surgeries performed by this method are more than substantial. Patients suffer less from blood loss and post operative pain, and have shorter hospital stays (most common are a couple of days). Patients can quickly return to their normal life, and will have less noticeable scars. Most importantly the patients often have their cancer more considerately controlled, and this is often the result of improved precision of the method.
Dr. Vikas Singh has amassed Indore’s top-level experience in Uro-oncology, Robotic & Laparoscopic surgery for:
Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour – is the most commonly performed surgical operation for early-stage, non-muscle invasive (bladder cancer localized to the inner bladder lining). It is done entirely through the urethra, without any incisions on the outside of the body.
During the procedure, the tumor is resected off the bladder wall using an electrical loop, and the tumor is resected off the bladder wall, and the specimen is sent for pathology to assess the tumor type and degree of invasion. It is done preferentially under spinal/ general anesthesia, and the patients are typically discharged within 1-2 days.
For patients with bladder cancer, dual therapy, the chemotherapy agent Mitomycin C, or BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) an immunotherapy, is placed into the bladder after TURBT through a catheter to minimize the chances of recurrence. Follow-up cystoscopy is performed to assess and monitor any reoccurrence.
Most men attribute such symptoms to age and tend to ignore them. Some men even find it embarrassing to approach these problems. All these symptoms need to be evaluated and treated medically. These problems tend to be easier to treat if they are diagnosed and treated early and will help the patient return to the normal activities of life faster.
The extent of the disease determines the cancer stage and helps determine the treatment. Below is a simplified view of how Dr. Vikas Singh approaches treatment of uro-cancer according to the stage. The actual treatment is always tailored to the patient.
Cancer is small & confined to the organ of origin
Surgery (minimally invasive), active surveillance for selected prostate cases, TURBT for bladder
Cancer is larger but still within the organ
Surgery or radiation; hormone therapy added for high-risk prostate cancer; TURBT + intravesical therapy for bladder
Cancer has spread beyond the organ to nearby tissue or lymph nodes
Surgery with lymph node dissection, radiation + hormone therapy, combination approaches
Cancer has spread to distant organs (bones, liver, lungs)
Hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, palliative radiation – focused on disease control & quality of life
It is crucial to know that even Stage IV urological cancers can be treated to offer meaningful benefits. With the right management, many patients with advanced disease continue to lead active and fulfilling lives for many years. At every stage, the goal is to improve both the length and quality of life.
Dr. Vikas Singh’s core message for Indore residents: early detection saves lives, and the numbers prove it.
Stage I has nearly 100% five-year survival, Stage IV drops to around 30%
Early-stage tumors can be fully removed with TURBT, muscle-invasive cases may need bladder removal
Found early and often treatable with surgery, late-stage spread makes treatment far more complex
Stage I has over 95% cure rate with surgery alone, Stage III still has good outcomes but needs intensive chemo
Early detection often means a simple procedure instead of major surgery, and can be the difference between cure and complication. Dr. Singh recommends:
Deciding on a cancer specialist is no small task and Dr. Vikas Singh continues earning the trust of patients across Central India for a number of reasons.
Dr. Vikas Singh has specialty subtraining in Genito-Urinary Oncology. He is not a run of the mill \urologist who treats cancer. He has singularly focused training and experience as a Genito-Uro Oncologist. He has is huge depth of knowledge that is uncommon in Central India.
Most urological cancers are curable if detected in early stages. For example, Stage I/II Prostate cancer, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, early stage kidney cancer, and Stage I Testicular Cancer. Even people with more advanced cancers can be managed effectively for many years.
A Urologist specializes in the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. This can include the treatment of infections, kidney stones, enlarged prostates, and incontinence. A Uro-Oncologist has taken their urology specialization and added further specialization in urological cancers. An example of a medical professional who has this specialization is Dr. Vikas Singh.
A thorough investigation by a urologist is the only means of certainty. Symptoms of urological cancers can also happen with certain non-cancerous conditions, and include blood in the urine, changes in frequency and flow of the urine and pelvic pain. Symptoms such as these require a professional’s examination. A consultation with Dr. Vikas Singh shall include a clinical examination and appropriate tests to provide a conclusive answer.
Yes you can. Cancer surgery in Indore with the use of robotic surgery and laproscopy is available at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Nipania, Indore. A good example is surgery by Dr. Vikas Singh
Recovery takes time because each type of surgery is different. For laparoscopic or robotic surgery, patients go home after 2-4 days and resume light activity within 2-3 weeks. For open surgery, recovery takes 4-6 weeks. Dr. Vikas Singh is able to give a more accurate recovery time estimate based on the type of surgery and the patient’s health condition.
Chemotherapy is not always required for urological cancers, and it is not always done in all cases. It is only utilized in advanced cases such as: advanced bladder cancer, metastatic testicular cancer, and some cases of prostate cancer and advanced kidney cancer. A surgery alone is enough to treat to early stage urological cancers and no chemotherapy required.
Bring all your test results. Whether they are blood test results, urine test results, ultrasound and CT or MRI results and report, biopsy results, and your medication summary. Dr. Vikas Singh will use all these documents to prepare for your consultation.
To make an appointment, you can either call +91 81468 73931 or go personally to the following address: Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, No. 1, BCM Estate, Nipania, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452010. For additional details, please go to www.drvikasurologist.com The staff will assist you in booking the appointment for the earliest time slot available.
Absolutely not. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Indore has urological cancer treatment, including state-of-the-art robotic surgery, advanced endoscopic techniques, multidisciplinary oncology care, PSMA PET-CT imaging, and more. World-class care is right here in Indore, and many who used to go to the big cities for treatment are now staying local and achieving great results.
