Urologic Cancer Unit

About Our Team

Becoming a Patient

Bladder Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Renal (Kidney) Cancer

Testicular Cancer

What is Robotic Surgery?

Why Come to UCSD?

The urologic cancer team at Moores UCSD Cancer Center includes prostate and urologic cancer experts who have specialized expertise and experience treating urologic cancers. Their concentrated focus provides you with the latest and most comprehensive information and advances in the field. As national authorities, they offer you sophisticated, breakthrough approaches at the forefront of medical science.

More importantly, these experts have the clinical knowledge and collaborative approach to provide you with the optimal therapy based on your unique case. At UCSD, you’ll receive the best access to the latest treatments and the most current medical knowledge. That’s the kind of cancer-fighting team you deserve.

Our patients interact with physicians who are not only at the leading edge of their disciplines, but at the vanguard of urologic cancer science within their medical specialties. This team of radiation oncologists, urologic surgeons, medical oncologists, nurses and social workers all have chosen to focus their careers in the arena of urologic cancer. And while singly they are leaders in their fields, together they comprise a formidable team working to fight your disease.

One of the primary benefits of an academic medical center is the team approach to clinical care. At UCSD, you don’t just have one physician, or several physicians from different practices and different disciplines who you hope touch base with one another about their thoughts on your care. Our multidisciplinary team works together on your case. They compare notes, confer regularly with one another and review your progress. It’s like having a built-in second opinion. And a third and a fourth.

 

	Christopher J. Kane, M.D. Prostate Cancer, Other Urologic Cancers, Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgical Techiques Division Chief, Urologic Surgery Dr. Christopher J. Kane is a specialist in prostate cancer and an expert in robotic and other minimally invasive procedures for urologic surgery. He is internationally recognized for his patient care and research in prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and minimally invasive surgical treatment of urologic diseases and disorders. An expert in robotic prostatectomy, open and laparoscopic kidney cancer surgery and bladder and testes cancer surgery, he has taught laparoscopy and robotic surgery extensively and started the robotic surgery program at UC San Francisco and at the VA Medical Center San Francisco.
	Frederick Millard, MD Head of Urologic Medical Oncology, Director of Clinical Trials Dr. Millard is active in the practice of general oncology (cancer) in adults. He is currently working primarily with the urology department in the development of a multidisciplinary program in urological malignancies, including cancer of the bladder, testis, kidney and especially prostate. He is trained in hematology (blood diseases) and maintains an active practice in this area as well.
	A.J. Mundt, M.D. Radiation Oncologist Chief of Radiation Oncology Dr. Arno J. Mundt is an internationally recognized radiation oncologist in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies. He is Chairman of Radiation Oncology at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center. His research focuses on the application of the new technology intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in these patients. An accomplished researcher, Dr. Mundt has authored and co-authored more than 50 scientific articles, predominantly focusing on gynecologic oncology and IMRT.
	Tracy Downs, M.D. Urologic Oncology Dr. Tracy M. Downs is a urologic surgeon and fellowship-trained specialist in urologic oncology. He cares for patients who have all types of cancers of the genitourinary tract, including tumors of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate, testis, and penis.  Dr. Downs performs all standard urologic procedures as well as specialized surgeries for urologic cancers. These include reconstructive urinary diversions and neobladders following radical cystectomy, robotic prostatectomy, cryosurgery, partial nephrectomy and minimally invasive surgery for kidney tumors.
	Ajay Sandhu, M.D. Radiation Oncology Dr. Sandhu’s clinical and research interests focus on Head and Neck, Lung and Prostate (Genitourinary) Tumors.  In particular, he is interested in the application of novel radiotherapeutic approaches in these diseases including intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), and 4-D computed tomography and respiratory gating.
	J. Kellogg Parsons, M.D. Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery, Prostate Cancer Dr. J. Kellogg Parsons is a clinical and research urologist who specializes in urologic oncology and minimally-invasive urology. Dr. Parsons’ interests include Prostate cancer, Kidney cancer, Bladder cancer, Robotic surgery, laparoscopy, and endourology, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including prostate laser vaporization.
	Ithaar Derweesh. M.D. Kidney Cancer, Urologic Oncology, Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques Dr. Ithaar Derweesh is a urologic oncologist whose specific interests include kidney preserving treatments for kidney cancer (partial nephrectomy), minimally invasive treatments for kidney cancer (laparoscopy, cryoablation, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy) and minimally invasive kidney reconstruction (laparoscopic pyeloplasty). He serves on the AUA Guidelines Committee for Management of the Incidentally Discovered Renal Mass.