Inherited urologic malignant disorders: nursing implications

Cancer of the urologic system accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality in the United States each year. A subset of individuals with urologic malignancies has cancer due to alterations in a major predisposing gene. While several heritable renal cancer syndromes are well characterized, the hereditary nature and genetic basis of other urologic malignancies is not yet clarified. Nursing roles are increasingly affected by the rapid influx of genetic knowledge. Current advances in the genetic basis of genitourinary cancer and the implications of these advances for urologic nursing practice are addressed.