Palliative care provides an extra layer of support for people facing serious illnesses, including genitourinary cancers. Unfortunately, many patients, loved ones, and even clinicians do not accurately understand what palliative care is and when it should be offered. Dr. Michael W. Rabow, Director of Symptom Management Service at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, explains what palliative care is, describes the symptoms commonly caused by genitourinary cancers (as well as by their treatments), and reviews the evidence demonstrating the benefits of palliative care for genitourinary cancers. Finally, he describes the current availability of palliative care specialists in California and the US. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 28501]