AUA
  • Program
  • Register
  • Meeting Coverage
  • Guidelines
  • Industry Highlights
  • Science & Technology Hall
Topics
  • Meeting Coverage
  • Guidelines
  • Industry Highlights
  • Science & Technology Hall
Resources
  • Program
  • Register
Twitter iconFacebook iconInstagram iconYouTube iconLinkedIn icon
Apr 30, 2023

Treatment strategies debated at annual Bladder Cancer Forum

Sunday’s second annual AUA/International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG) forum featured patient cases and audience participation.


Aua Bladder Panel

What is the optimal treatment strategy for patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) at intermediate risk (IR)? When is active surveillance appropriate? What type of cystoscopy is necessary to adequately diagnose bladder cancer? Those are among the topics debated in Sunday’s second annual AUA/International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG) forum, which involved patient cases and audience participation.

Paolo Gontero, MD, professor of urology and chair of the department of urology at Molinette Hospital in Torino, Italy, kicked off the debate by presenting evidence that favored treating a patient with IR NMIBC versus active surveillance.

“According to AUA guidelines, intermediate risk is primarily low-grade disease, but there’s a subgroup of patients who should be treated,” Dr. Gontero said. “Patients with intermediate-risk, nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer are not always indolent.”

Gary Steinberg, MD, director of the Bladder Cancer Program at NYU Langone Health, followed with an equally compelling case for the surveillance of patients with IR NMIBC.

“Intermediate-risk, nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer is heterogeneously associated with high rates of recurrence and a low rate of progression and cancer-specific mortality,” Dr. Steinberg said. “Watchful waiting surveillance with fulguration in the clinic with local anesthesia is preferential.”            

Another hot topic: Do skilled urologists really need photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) or blue light cystoscopy? Should it be used in conjunction with white light cystoscopy? Michael Cookson, MD, professor and chairman of urology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, provided strong evidence that skilled urologists don’t need PDD/blue light cystoscopy, which is underutilized in the U.S.

“There’s no impact of PDD on progression or overall survival, and the cost of the blue light cystoscopy equipment is substantial,” Dr. Cookson said.            

Timothy J. Bivalacqua, MD, PhD, director of urologic oncology at Penn Medicine, countered with the argument that skilled urologists do need PDD/blue light cystoscopy by presenting evidence supporting its use. Plus, patients like it. “Blue light cystoscopy improves health-related quality of life in NMIBC patients,” Dr. Bivalacqua said.

Ultimately, the audience sided with Dr. Bivalacqua. When asked if they would incorporate blue light cystoscopy into their practice if they had access to it, most audience members raised their hands.

The IBCG presents recommendations to guidelines committees, including the AUA.

“We’re bladder cancer addicts,” said Ashish Kamat, MD, the forum moderator. Dr. Kamat is endowed professor of urologic oncology (surgery) and cancer research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and president of the IBCG. “The IBCG is on a mission to improve bladder cancer outcomes through evidence-based treatment. Membership includes anybody interested in bladder cancer,” Dr. Kamat said.

For more information, visit the IBCG.  

Interesting Stories
Don’t miss a thing with AUANews
Sponsored by AUA
Don’t miss a thing with AUANews
Reshaping BPH Treatment with the iTind™ Procedure
Sponsored by Olympus
Reshaping BPH Treatment with the iTind™ Procedure
Check out the AUA’s brand new Gold Open Access journal, <i>JU Open Plus</i>
Sponsored by AUA
Check out the AUA’s brand new Gold Open Access journal, JU Open Plus
Pacific Edge Announces Key Activities at AUA2023
Sponsored by Pacific Edge Diagnostics
Pacific Edge Announces Key Activities at AUA2023
More Content
Getty Images 910070326
Meeting Coverage
Saddle up for AUA2024 in San Antonio
May 11, 2023
Getty Images 1400488393
Meeting Coverage
Healthy debates
May 11, 2023
Getty Images 1345835999
Meeting Coverage
Claim your CME
May 11, 2023
Screen Shot 2023 05 10 At 12 15 03 Pm
Meeting Coverage
Must-see TV
May 11, 2023
Screen Shot 2023 05 02 At 4 48 03 Pm
Meeting Coverage
Read all about it
May 11, 2023
Guide And Rec
Meeting Coverage
Medical guidelines and recommendations take center stage at AUA2023
May 05, 2023
Yeonsoo Sara Lee, BS, medical student
Meeting Coverage
AUA2023 through the eyes of an MD candidate
May 05, 2023
Screen Shot 2023 05 03 At 1 16 42 Pm
Meeting Coverage
AUA2023 On Demand
May 05, 2023
Peter R. Carroll, MD, MPH
Meeting Coverage
Accolades in urology
May 05, 2023
Screen Shot 2023 05 02 At 4 48 33 Pm
Meeting Coverage
Mark your calendars for AUA2024
May 05, 2023
Screen Shot 2023 05 02 At 4 48 03 Pm
Meeting Coverage
Read all about it
May 05, 2023
Isla P. Garraway, MD, PhD
Meeting Coverage
Genetic testing key to targeting prostate cancer
Apr 30, 2023
AUA
Twitter iconFacebook iconInstagram iconYouTube iconLinkedIn icon
© 2023 Ascend Media. All rights reserved.