Tennessee Oncology GU Center of Excellence · Franklin, TN
Specialists in Prostate, Bladder, Kidney and Testicular Cancer
Focused on GU. Focused on You.
GU stands for genitourinary: cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney and testicles. The Tennessee Oncology GU Center of Excellence brings together specialists who provide coordinated care from diagnosis through survivorship, delivered by experts, driven by innovation, and centered around you.
A cancer diagnosis comes with questions. We’re here with answers and options.
Nationally accredited cancer care
Coordinated medical & radiation oncology
In-person care in Franklin, TN
Access to GU clinical trials
Why the GU Center of Excellence
Coordinated Care From a Team Who Specializes in GU Cancer
A genitourinary cancer diagnosis often involves more than one specialist. Our team is structured so those specialists work together on your case, not in isolation.
Multidisciplinary care
Medical oncology, radiation oncology, and imaging teams coordinate on a single treatment plan, so you spend less time repeating your history to disconnected providers.
Diagnostics & treatment
Genetic and biomarker testing, advanced imaging, and a range of treatment options, from active surveillance to systemic therapy to radiation, matched to your specific diagnosis.
Clinical trial access
Our team screens for clinical trial eligibility at every visit, giving patients access to emerging therapies not available everywhere.
Meet the team
Your GU Center of Excellence Care Team
Medical oncology, radiation oncology, and cardio-oncology specialists who review your case together.
Katy Beckermann, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director of Genitourinary Research
Founding physician lead of the GU Center of Excellence, treating prostate, bladder, kidney, and testicular cancer. Chairs the GU Disease Group at OneOncology and leads a team with more than a dozen GU clinical trials open. MD and PhD from Vanderbilt University.
John G. Phillips, M.D., MPH
Executive Vice President of Radiation Oncology Centers
Provides external beam radiation therapy, SBRT, and brachytherapy for prostate cancer, and collaborates with the Tennessee Oncology Proton Center for proton therapy when clinically indicated. Board certified by the American Board of Radiology; trained at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the Harvard Radiation Oncology Program.
David Slosky, M.D.
Cardio-Oncology for GU Patients
Provides cardiovascular monitoring and risk management for patients on cardiotoxic GU cancer therapies, including androgen deprivation therapy. Board certified in cardiovascular disease, internal medicine, and interventional cardiology; trained at the University of Colorado and Duke University Medical Center.
Advanced Treatment, Close to Home
Tennessee Oncology Proton Center
Located in Franklin, TN, the Tennessee Oncology Proton Center offers advanced proton therapy, a precise, targeted radiation treatment option for prostate and other cancers. It’s part of Tennessee Oncology’s coordinated GU care network, giving patients access to leading-edge treatment close to home.
4588 Carothers Parkway, Franklin, TN 37067
Expert care for these GU cancers
Genitourinary Cancers We Treat
Each GU cancer has its own pattern of warning signs. Knowing them can help you seek care sooner, and earlier diagnosis generally means more treatment options.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American men aside from skin cancer. Early-stage disease is frequently asymptomatic, which is why both screening conversations and awareness of subtle symptom changes matter.
Signs and Symptoms
- A slow or weak urinary stream
- Increased urinary frequency, especially at night
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- Blood in the urine or semen
- New-onset erectile dysfunction
Things to Know
These symptoms are considerably more likely to result from an enlarged prostate or infection than cancer, but persistent or new symptoms should always be evaluated by a physician. The American Cancer Society estimates about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is often found earlier than many other cancers because it tends to produce a symptom that leads people to see a doctor, most often blood in the urine.
Signs and Symptoms
- Blood in the urine (may be visible or found only by testing)
- Increased urinary frequency
- Pain or burning during urination
- A sense of urgency to urinate without being able to
- Pelvic or lower back pain (more common in advanced disease)
Things to Know
Early bladder cancer often causes bleeding with little or no pain, which is exactly why any blood in the urine deserves evaluation rather than being dismissed. Bladder cancer is diagnosed roughly 3-4 times more often in men than women.
Kidney Cancer
Early kidney cancer usually causes no symptoms at all, and many cases are first found incidentally during imaging done for an unrelated reason. Larger or more advanced tumors are more likely to produce noticeable symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms
- Blood in the urine
- Low back or flank pain on one side, not caused by injury
- A lump or mass on the side or lower back
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
Things to Know
There is no recommended routine screening test for kidney cancer in average-risk adults, which makes awareness of these signs especially important. Kidney cancer is diagnosed roughly twice as often in men as in women.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when caught early, and it most often affects younger men between their teens and their 40s, an age group less likely to have regular checkups.
Signs and Symptoms
- A lump, swelling, or enlargement of a testicle
- A change in the size, shape, or firmness of a testicle
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
- Breast tenderness or enlargement (less common)
Things to Know
Most testicular tumors are painless, which can lead to delayed diagnosis. Any new lump or change should be evaluated promptly. The five-year survival rate for localized testicular cancer is around 95%.
This information is educational and does not replace a medical evaluation. Many of these symptoms are more often caused by non-cancerous conditions, but any new or persistent symptom should be checked by a physician.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tennessee Oncology GU Center of Excellence?
What are the early signs of prostate cancer?
Is blood in the urine always a sign of cancer?
Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment?
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Where is the GU Center of Excellence located?
Get started
Learn More or Request a Consultation
Call our team directly, or send us a few details and someone will reach out to help schedule your visit.
What to have ready
- Recent imaging or lab results, if available
- A list of current medications
- Insurance information
- Any relevant family history
Prefer to call?
Our team is reachable at 615-460-3803, available during normal business hours.
