Department of Urologic Surgery

For men who are diagnosed with testis cancer, we offer a variety of sophisticated treatments. Our physicians, surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists take great care to develop the best possible treatment plan for each individual. In an environment of close collaboration and cooperation, our physicians first fully characterize the cancer, using advanced imaging techniques and laboratory tests that give them a complete picture of each man's situation and then formulate a treatment plan.

Our surgeons, Dr. Joseph A. Smith, Jr., Dr. Michael S. Cookson, Dr. Sam S. Chang, Dr. Rodney Davis, and Dr. Peter E. Clark have had years of specialized training and experience in surgery for testis cancer, specifically the retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). The Vanderbilt surgeons have performed over a hundred of these procedures. Special emphasis is placed on nerve-sparing techniques. Dr. Bruce Roth and Dr. Jeffrey Sosman supervise the chemotherapy treatment plans for testis cancer patients and are recognized leaders in the treatment of testis cancer.

The nursing staff and hospital ancillary services are attuned to the needs of each individual patient and are well experienced in the care of patients following retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). At Vanderbilt, there is a team of nurses and clinical nurse specialists that devotes their time and practice to the care of urology patients.