Urologic Oncology: Current Issues and Future Directions

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 463

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Urology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
Interests: kidney cancer; minimally invasive surgery; clinical research; oncological outcomes

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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Urology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
Interests: surgery; kidney cancer; robotics; bladder cancer; minimally invasive surgery
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue titled "Urologic Oncology: Current Issues and Future Directions". Urologic oncology represents a critical and dynamic field of medical research and clinical practice. Recent advances in diagnostic techniques, surgical interventions, and targeted therapies have significantly improved patient outcomes in urologic cancers. However, many challenges remain, including the need for early detection, the management of metastatic disease, and the integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and precision medicine. This Special Issue aims to consolidate the current knowledge, explore innovative approaches, and chart future directions in the management of urologic malignancies.

This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that address the complexities and advancements in urologic oncology. By focusing on both current issues and future directions, we seek to provide a platform for early-career and seasoned researchers alike to share their findings and insights. This aligns with the journal's scope of advancing knowledge in the field of urology through the dissemination of high-quality, impactful research. We encourage submissions that span a range of topics within urologic oncology, ensuring a robust and diverse collection of articles that will inform and inspire ongoing and future research efforts.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Innovations in diagnostic imaging for urologic cancers;
  • Surgical advancements and minimally invasive techniques;
  • Targeted therapies and immunotherapies;
  • Genetic and molecular profiling of urologic tumors;
  • Management strategies for metastatic urologic cancers;
  • The role of artificial intelligence in urologic oncology;
  • Patient quality of life and survivorship issues;
  • Comparative effectiveness research in urologic oncology;
  • Novel biomarkers for early detection and prognosis;
  • Precision medicine approaches in urologic oncology.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Riccardo G Bertolo
Prof. Dr. Alessandro Antonelli
Guest Editors

Dr. Francesco Ditonno
Guest Editor Assistant

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Keywords

  • urologic oncology
  • diagnostic imaging
  • surgical advancements
  • targeted therapies
  • immunotherapies
  • molecular profiling
  • artificial intelligence
  • quality of life
  • biomarkers
  • precision medicine

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

10 pages, 961 KiB  
Article
Biochemical Recurrence in High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer: A Comparison of Laparoscopic Prostatectomy and External Radiotherapy
by Lubos Rybar, Patrik Hesko, Michal Miko, Peter Bujdak and Stefan Harsanyi
Medicina 2025, 61(5), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61050928 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 145
Abstract
Background: This retrospective study evaluated and compared oncological outcomes in patients with localized prostate cancer treated either by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) or by external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The primary aim was to identify predictors of [...] Read more.
Background: This retrospective study evaluated and compared oncological outcomes in patients with localized prostate cancer treated either by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) or by external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The primary aim was to identify predictors of biochemical recurrence (BCR) and to assess recurrence-free survival. Subjects and methods: A total of 107 patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer and treated between 2016 and 2023 were included in the analysis. Of these, 61 patients underwent LRP, and 46 patients received EBRT+ADT. The median follow-up period was 60 months for the LRP group (IQR 24–72) and 66 months for the EBRT group (IQR 49.5–72). Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was defined as a PSA level > 0.2 ng/mL after LRP or an increase > 2 ng/mL above nadir following EBRT. Kaplan–Meier survival curves, log-rank tests, Pearson’s chi-square, and Cox regression models were used to evaluate outcomes and identify predictors of recurrence, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Biochemical recurrence occurred in 21 (34.4%) of LRP patients and 10 (21.7%) of EBRT patients. The five-year BCR-free survival was 40 (65.6%) patients in the LRP group and 33 (71.7%) for EBRT, with a trend toward improved outcomes in the EBRT group that approached statistical significance (log-rank p = 0.089). Median time to recurrence was 30 months for LRP (IQR 12.75–60) and 48 months for EBRT (IQR 30–60). Predictive analysis revealed that in the LRP group, higher ISUP grade at biopsy (p = 0.001), advanced pathological stage (p < 0.001), positive surgical margins (p < 0.001), and intermediate initial PSA levels (10–20 ng/mL; p = 0.080) were associated with increased risk of BCR. No independent predictors of recurrence were identified in the EBRT group. Conclusions: Both LRP and EBRT+ADT provide effective cancer control with similar five-year BCR-free survival. However, LRP was associated with a higher recurrence rate, particularly among patients with intermediate-risk features such as iPSA 10–20 ng/mL, high ISUP grade, advanced pathological stage, or positive surgical margins. These findings highlight the need for risk-adapted follow-up and timely salvage treatment in high-risk LRP patients to improve long-term outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urologic Oncology: Current Issues and Future Directions)
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