Urology and Urologic Oncology Center of Excellence

As pioneers in the treatment of bladder, kidney, testicular, and prostate cancer, the team of experts at Saint John’s Cancer Institute's Urology and Urologic Oncology Center of Excellence in Santa Monica, CA, provide personalized care supported by decades of experience, collaborated research, and ongoing clinical trials. Through minimally-invasive treatment techniques and innovations, including robot-assisted surgery, patients recover with fewer long-term side effects, allowing them to return to normal activities more quickly.

Urologic Oncology Team 2022 - Saint Johns Cancer Institute Jennifer Linehan - Robotic Surgery - Saint Johns Cancer Institute2 Urology Surgery Team - Saint John's Cancer Institute Dr. Linehan, Urologic Oncologist, reviews research findings with her team Timothy G. Wilson, M.D. and Kayla T. Tran, ACNP Dr. Przemyslaw W. Twardowski reviews lab results at Saint Johns Cancer Institute Dr. Mehran Movassaghi shares data with a member of his urology oncology team

Get answers to your questions today.

“We welcome you to our center of excellence. Our care teams are ready to support you and your family throughout the entire treatment process.”

– The Urology Team at Saint John’s Cancer Institute

Personalized Care and Improved Quality of Life

Our care team understands that each case is unique, while we treat every patient with dignity and compassion. We understand the challenges of coping with cancer and other life-changing decisions, and we are ready to guide you every step of the way. With an outcomes-based approach and our multi-disciplinary team, we work to develop the most optimal treatment plan for you based on your needs and the input of many of our oncologists, pathologists, and scientists. clinical excellence is our commitment to you.

Welcome to the Urology and Urologic Oncology Center of Excellence at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.

“I’m just amazed at how many wonderful doctors are all in one place.” -R.T.

“Dr. Linehan was able to quickly diagnose my symptoms. I’m so thankful.  She is super compassionate, intelligent, and caring.  Go see Dr. Linehan!” -M.W.

“When it comes to robotic surgery, Dr. Wilson is an expert. He is truly gifted and yet approachable. I am thankfully moving on with my life.” -R.E.

Your Urology Team at Saint John's Cancer Institute

We are making a difference and we prove it every day.

Under the direction of Dr. Timothy Wilson, Director of Urology and Urologic Oncology Research Program, our clinical team, including Dr. Kelly, Linehan, Movassaghi, and Twardowski, welcomes your questions and concerns. We have treated thousands of patients and look forward to providing you and your family additional information and support.

Cancer Treatment & Services

Dr Timothy Wilson - Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery - Saint Johns Cancer Institute
Dr. Timothy Wilson maximizes prostatectomy outcomes by focusing on curative effect and post-surgery function – Saint John’s Cancer Institute

Urology involves parts of the body for both men and women, such as the bladder, kidneys, and urinary tract. Oncology care may include one more types of treatment, which are prescribed as appropriate to maximize the curative effect. For example, surgery may be followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, whereas a small, solid tumor may be treated with just radiotherapy depending on its location and the presence of metastasis. We offer comprehensive treatment and support, including:

Surgery

Removal of the cancerous gland, organ, or affected tissues (See Surgery for Urologic Cancers)

  • It may be performed with the aid of robotics
  • Used to repair tissues affected by cancer and surgery
  • Can be utilized with other types of treatment

Radiotherapy

Focused beams of energy that disrupt tumor growth (See Radiotherapy for Urologic Cancers)

  • Used primarily for solid tumors and in difficult to reach areas
  • Can be utilized with other types of treatment
da Vinci Surgical System by Intuitive Surgical - Saint Johns Cancer Institute
Non-invasive surgical techniques may include robotics, which improves outcomes and reduces patient recovery time – Saint John’s Cancer Institute

Chemotherapy

Medical treatment that addresses cancers that have spread to other areas

  • Reduces the speed of fast-growing cancers throughout the body
  • Can be utilized with other types of treatment

Immunotherapy

Helps to fight cancers by helping the body defend itself

  • Can help reduce the recurrence of cancer long after primary treatments
  • Can be utilized with other types of treatment

Active Surveillance (Watchful Waiting)

Condition monitoring to either postpone or validate future treatment (See Active Surveillance)

  • Common for men’s health (prostate cancer)
  • It may be prescribed where cancerous conditions have not progressed

The Urology team at Saint John’s Cancer Institute is ready to support you and your family. We welcome your questions and recommend requesting a consultation as soon as possible. We will discuss treatment options and offer additional details for each of our services based on your condition, as well as other cancer support services.

Contact us today.

Ask Us.

Let’s start by answering your questions

Speak to someone today and get answers to your specific questions.

Call 310-582-7137.

Our care team is available to answer your questions and can relay your question to one of our specialists and get back to you. Know that you are always well-supported and treated with compassion at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute and our health center.

Dr. Jennifer Linehan discusses treatment options with a urology patient
Dr Jennifer Linehan discusses treatment options with a urology patient

Request an Appointment

Please provide your contact information and your question below and we will respond to you as soon as possible. We can also provide appointment availability.

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US News & Word Report - High Performing Hospitals - Urology

Providence St. John’s Health Center

High Performing in Urology

Saint John’s Health Center is nationally ranked and in the top 10% for Urology

Learn more at Health.USNews.com.

Saint John’s Cancer Institute is leading with innovation

An Outcomes-based Approach

Prostatectomy using the da Vinci Robotic Surgery System - Saint John's Cancer Institute
Prostate removal using the da Vinci Robotic Surgery System – Saint John’s Cancer Institute
The doctors at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute utilize advanced technologies and methods that produce the best possible outcomes for our patients. By using innovations, such as with non-invasive, robot-assisted surgery, we ensure that clinical care and patient comfort are fully optimized, which allows patients to recover and heal more quickly, retain more post-treatment function, and return to normal activities to a greater extent.

The da Vinci Surgical System allows our surgeons to take advantage of ultra-precise surgical maneuvers in a much smaller space. It is fully operated by the surgical oncologist who performs the procedure from a computer console near the patient, providing the doctor with high resolution imagery, lighting, and specialized robotic tools at the site of surgery.

Minimally-invasive Robotic Surgery for Prostate

The da Vinci Surgical System provides improved outcomes by enhancing the capability of the surgeon. See Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery.

  • Requires smaller incisions than traditional surgery
  • Faster recovery, reduced pain and the potential of infection
  • Improved ability to spare sensitive nerves
  • Reduced incidence of impotence and incontinence
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Prostate Cancer - Saint John's Cancer Institute
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for Prostate Cancer – Saint John’s Cancer Institute

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

Provides clinicians more treatment options for prostate cancer using concentrated ultrasound for treatment, which destroys tumor cells. See High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for Prostate Cancer.

  • Uses ultrasound technology
  • Improved localization of the affected tissues
  • Helps to preserve the healthy surrounding tissues

Advancements in Prostate Radiotherapy

A supplemental innovation that helps radiation therapy delivery, including SpaceOAR Hydrogel. See SpaceOAR Hydrogel.

  • Creates a temporary space between the prostate and the rectum
  • Improves radiotherapy delivery to the prostate
  • Reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissues
  • Reduces urinary and rectal complications
Dr. Jennifer Linehan uses 3D imaging to enhance treatment planning - Saint John's Cancer Insitute
Dr. Jennifer Linehan uses 3D imaging to enhance treatment planning – Saint John’s Cancer Institute

3D Imaging

Advanced visualization for kidney cancer using mobile 3D imaging .

  • A surgical application that converts imaging scans to 3D models (Ceevra)
  • Offers ultra-precise, color-rich renderings with 100% clarity
  • Provides the surgeon the benefit of mobility (pad, phone, VR headset, etc.)
  • Allows the surgeon to further optimize the patient’s treatment plan

If you have questions regarding treatment or wellness for men or women, please call today.

Recent Publications & Research

  • Przemyslaw W. Twardowski, M.D. co-authors prostate study in the New England Journal of Medicine on metastatic prostate cancer
    KuDOS Pharmaceutical Drug for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (see article)
  • Jennifer Linehan, M.D. co-authors study in the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine on endoscopic safety for urothelial carcinoma
    Complications Associated With Ureteroscopic Management of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (see article)
  • Timothy Wilson, M.D. co-authors study in the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine regarding best practices for robot-assisted prostate surgery
    Best practices in robot-assisted radical cystectomy and urinary reconstruction: recommendations of the Pasadena Consensus Panel (see article)
  • Timothy Wilson, M.D, and Przemyslaw W. Twardowski, M.D. co-author study in the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine regarding urinary incontinence
    Cryopreserved placental tissue allograft accelerates time to continence following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (see article)
Urology Publications