The inaugural UROonco meeting (UROonco23) is coming to the city of Gothenburg, Sweden from 30 June to 2 July 2023. This brand-new European onco-urology event has been established by combining the annual meeting of the EAU Section of Oncological Urology (ESOU) and the former educational UROonco meetings (PCa, BCa and RCC). As a result, delegates can now get the very latest updates in genitourinary (GU) cancers all in one place, instead of attending several onco-urology events throughout the year. This new and improved meeting structure will not only be more time-effective but the benefits of collaborating within the various onco-urology groups will be exemplary, bringing a depth of knowledge, variety and expertise.
In this article, UROonco23 steering committee member and ESOU chairman Prof. Morgan Rouprêt (FR), shares some insights into what delegates can expect over the three-days and details some of his personal highlights from the scientific programme.
Collaboration: Growing the uro-oncological network
Prof. Rouprêt: “UROonco23 is the ideal platform to demonstrate how substantial the network of urologists actually is, and to make further connections between onco-urology colleagues. The scientific committee consists of the ESOU Board and representatives of various groups, such as ESUR, ESUP, ESU and YAU. With the different sections coming together for this meeting, a dynamic and engaging scientific programme has been designed. We have invited colleagues from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and European SocieTy for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) to participate. European Urology Oncology will also actively partake in UROonco23 and announce the best onco-urology paper of the year”.
“For urologists, it is important that we remain key advocates of large uro-oncological trials, especially in areas where low-level evidence exists. This will promote consensus statement articles, and will link the European Association of Urology with major uro-oncological societies.”
What’s on the agenda?
Diving into the UROonco23 scientific programme, Prof. Rouprêt says “Delegates can expect a wide-ranging and accurate overview of current novelties in uro-oncology. The UROonco meeting has been designed to address current challenges, such as the future role of European urologists as principal caregivers regarding genitourinary (GU) cancers, as well as onco-urological fundamentals: combined therapeutic sequences for advanced diseases (e.g. surgery + in locally perioperative systemic drug); the stratification of advanced diseases; the role of molecular and genetics medicine when personalising treatment management.”
“We will examine the substratification of prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, urothelial cancer and rare tumours (e.g., penile carcinoma) based on the natural history of cancer (focal, localised, advanced and metastatic); and there will be an emphasis on the importance of stepping back a bit from the purely technical aspects of surgery to get a more expansive understanding.”
There are several sessions and hot topics that Prof. Roupret is most looking forward to in the scientific programme. Firstly, adjuvant chemotherapy/immunotherapy for high risk upper tract urothelial carcinomas and daily practice recommendations, which is included in Plenary Session: Urothelial & Bladder Cancer I: Upper tract TCC on Friday, 30 June. Also of interest is the debate on the treatment of the primary tumour in oligometastatic prostate cancer, which takes place during Plenary Session Prostate cancer III: Disease recurrence after local treatment/oligometastatic disease on Saturday, 1 July. And last but not least, adjuvant treatment for advanced kidney cancer, a topic that will be debated in Plenary Session Renal Cancer II: Locally advanced metastatic on Sunday, 2 July.
“On a practical level, the main sessions of the scientific programme will take place in a unique and central auditorium, in the spirit of what made ESOU so successful. There will also be dedicated rooms for smaller break-out sessions that focus on daily clinical challenges and cases, as well as informal meetings with experts, and target audiences, such as young urologists and national expert networks.”
STEPS programme: High-level opportunities for young urologists
The STEPS programme (Session to Evaluate ProgresS) is included in the UROonco23 learning platform, giving young urologists the opportunity to participate in expert-led case discussions in the management of urological cancers. This is a unique opportunity for young clinicians to have direct interaction with the ESOU Board and high-level experts. The aim of the programme is to recruit and stimulate new talent in onco-urology, as well as encouraging professional networking.
Learn more about the STEPS programme, including the application criteria and details on how to apply.
Get the latest onco-urological updates all in one place
Registration is now open, and you can already view the full three-day scientific programme, complete with plenary sessions, trial updates, clinical and case discussions, hands-on training, guidelines updates and challenges, and rapid-fire presentations. The UROonco23 meeting is guaranteed to be the best place to get critical updates in oncology!
