The goal of the Center for Early Detection and Interception of Genitourinary Tumors is to increase early detection and interception of genitourinary cancers and improve treatment options for patients with early diagnoses so they can be offered treatment at the right time.
Understanding Your Risk
Cancer can occur for a variety of reasons, but some people have a higher risk because of genetics, family history, environmental exposures, or the development of early lesions. Our team can help you assess if you are at elevated risk and would benefit from being seen by a provider.
What Are Early Genitourinary Tumors?
Early-stage bladder and kidney tumors are confirmed cancers that have not spread or grown into nearby tissues. This includes bladder cancer that hasn’t invaded the bladder muscle, small kidney masses, and certain complex kidney cysts that could become cancer.
Our Services
Our multidisciplinary approach to care ensures patients benefit from the care of genitourinary oncologists and urologists who are experts in precursor conditions, early-stage genitourinary cancers, genetic counseling, advanced diagnostics, individualized risk assessment, access to clinical research studies, social support, and more.
Advanced Diagnostics
We offer advanced diagnostic and sequencing technology to diagnose and assess each patient's condition. Our specialists provide patients with individualized assessments of their risk of progression to genitourinary cancers, discuss therapies and lifestyle changes that impact cancer risk, and match interested patients with appropriate clinical trials.
Condition-Specific Expertise
Patients meet with a genitourinary oncologist and urologist with an in-depth knowledge of their specific risk factors. The genitourinary oncologist will perform an individualized assessment of the patient’s risk for developing advanced cancer — which may include imaging, blood-based tests, procedures such as cystoscopy or biopsy — and work with the patient to identify the best management and/or treatment option.
Genetic Counseling
Patients may be evaluated by an experienced genetic counselor to discuss their personal and family health history, cancer risk, additional cancer screening recommendations, and potential strategies to lower the risk of progression.
Additionally, patients who are being monitored in our Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention can see providers in the Center for Early Detection and Interception of Genitourinary Tumors if they develop a mass or cyst in the kidney or early bladder cancer.
Clinical Trial Opportunities
Our team is committed to advancing research of early detection and interception strategies. For patients today, this means access to clinical trials of new tests and therapies, as well as the opportunity to participate in biobanking studies.
Social Support
Community outreach specialists, psychologists, and social workers provide patients with resources and support. Explore all Dana-Farber supportive services.
Meet Our Team
Physicians
Bicky Thapa, MD, MS, FACP
Genitourinary Oncology
Co-Director, Center for Early Detection and Interception of Genitourinary Tumors
Timothy N. Clinton, MD, MPH
Urology
Co-Director, Center for Early Detection and Interception of Genitourinary Tumors
Genetic Counselors
Karina Franca, MS, CGC
Liz Kearns, MS, CGC
Advanced Practice Providers
Arianna Maselli, MPAS, PA-C, Physician Assistant
Nurse Navigators
Brian Beardslee, MSN, RN
Ciola Bennett, MSN, RN