This issue's cover story is written by Patrick J. Hensley, MD, Urological Oncology Fellow, and world-renowned urologist, Ashish M. Kamat from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, entitled: “Overcoming Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC)”. In 2020, approximately 81,000 cases of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder will be diagnosed in the United States, with nearly 18,000 associated deaths.¹ In their review article, Drs. Kamat and Hensley discuss current challenges in NMIBC, emerging diagnostic approaches, and advances in both intravesical and systemic therapy.
Sam S. Chang, MD, MBA, provides a concise and well-balanced update on low-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma in the expert perspective article. Upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) are a heterogeneous group of malignancies arising from the urothelium within the renal pelvis or upper ureter. They comprise 5% to 10% of all urothelial carcinomas and are diagnosed in approximately two per 100,000 persons in the United States annually. Dr. Chang’s expert perspective article highlights the first nonsurgical therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the primary nonsurgical treatment of low-grade UTUC, mitomycin gel (JelmytoTM formerly UGN-101). The availability of mitomycin gel, (Jelmyto) represents a significant therapeutic option for nephrectomy avoidance with its attendant morbidity while preserving renal function.
In completing your read of this third issue, we invite you to visit the spotlight section, which highlights several articles from the summer’s virtual global CME meetings. 2020 has presented us all with innumerable challenges, and yet we have witnessed major diagnostic and therapeutic advancements in GU Oncology. The coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic has had a dramatic impact upon global healthcare and our patient outcomes. The healthcare field is steadfastly working together to learn more about this pandemic and how it affects our most vulnerable patient populations, especially our cancer patients. Despite ongoing changes of scientific information throughout 2020, one constant has been the global healthcare community’s relentless and much needed collaboration. Given this year’s adversity, thousands of oncology and urology professionals gathered virtually for the SUO - AUA 2020 Summer Webcast and the EAU 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting in July, and the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program in August. In this issue's spotlight section, presentations from these meetings showcase the continued progress in the field of genitourinary malignancies, cutting-edge research, collegiality, and intellectual rigor for the advancement of GU Oncologic care despite the angst of COVID-19.
I look forward to sharing this issue of Everyday Urology - Oncology Insights with you. Thank you for your readership and thank you, as health care workers, clinicians, researchers, and educators for rising to the challenges of 2020.
Sincerely,
Neal Shore, MD, FACS
References:
1. Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2020. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020;70(1):7-30
Related Content:
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: Overcoming Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges