BackTable Urology

This week on BackTable Urology, Dr. Ramon Virasoro, a reconstructive urologist in Eastern Colorado, interviews his mentor, Dr. Gerald Jordan, Professor Emeritus of Urology at Eastern Virginia Medical School.First, they explore Dr. Jordan’s multifaceted career, starting from his upbringing in El Paso and his military career, which eventually led him to medicine and urology. Dr. Jordan shares anecdotes from his time as a Navy fighter pilot and how his service influenced his medical path. He eventually chose to focus on reconstructive urology and played a pivotal role in the formation of the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons (GURS). Significant emphasis is placed on global surgical education and Dr. Jordan’s involvement in establishing and contributing to key nonprofits aimed at improving urological care worldwide. The podcast also delves into Dr. Jordan’s tenure at the American Board of Urology, and the urologists also discuss the evolving landscape of urology education and certification. Finally, Dr. Jordan reflects on the importance of mentorship, the joy of lifelong learning, and the future of urology as a fulfilling specialty.---SHOW NOTES00:00 - From Fighter Pilot to Urologist07:32 - Transitioning from the Military to a Medical Career14:21 - The Evolution of Reconstructive Urology and Global Surgical Education22:01 - Dr. Jordan’s Role in the American Board of Urology26:31 - Reflecting on a Distinguished Career and Looking Ahead---RESOURCESSociety of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeonshttps://societygurs.org/BackTable Urology Episode 52- Legends in Urology: Dr. Jack McAninchhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/46wrxyhB2XCwERp4Z2ySc0?si=fe62e35cff934e74

Disclaimer: This podcast episode contains occasional profanity. While we strive to maintain a respectful and professional tone in our content, there may be instances where language is used to emphasize points or express strong emotions. Listener discretion is advised.This week on BackTable Urology, Dr. Ruchika Talwar interviews Emmy nominated writer and comedian, Nimesh Patel, about his personal experience with testicular cancer.Sharing about his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, Nimesh describes how he processed his cancer and used it as a source of comedic material for his 2023 comedy special, “Lucky Lefty”. His story has contributed to testicular cancer awareness by encouraging men to do self-checks and seek medical attention. Nimesh also underlines the importance of swift medical attention, open communication with medical professionals, and finding a healthy outlet for processing the fear and stress that can accompany a cancer diagnosis. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of the patient-physician relationship, as his anxiety about his diagnosis was eased his physician’s calm demeanor and reassurance.---SHOW NOTES00:00 - Introduction02:06 - The Testicular Cancer Diagnosis and Personal Reflections11:39 - Sharing His Cancer Journey through Comedy19:56 - Advice for Physicians and Physicians25:11 - Advice for Men Facing Testicular Cancer27:36 - The Importance of Not Making Cancer Your Personality---RESOURCESNimesh Patel’s “Lucky Lefty” Comedy Specialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2Rdh82XGrYEpisode 91- When Providers Become Patients: Testicular Cancer and Beyond with Dr. William Flanary aka. Dr. Glaucomfleckenhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/4JSXDRJ8BwzFhBBpCymCU3?si=8c58881f9b274cd0

Dr. James Eastham discusses evolving approaches in prostate cancer treatment, emphasizing patient preparation, personalized treatment options, advancements in testing and imaging, and the importance of consistent monitoring and communication with patients.

In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Begrodia interviews Dr. Mara Holton, a urologist and healthcare policy expert, on the recent healthcare policy changes that have affected the field of urology.First, Dr. Holton shares her educational journey, which included healthcare policy lobbying even before she started medical school. She eventually became involved in leadership positions within the Maryland Patient Care and Access Coalition and the Large Urology Group Practice Association (LUGPA). The discussion then turns to challenges surrounding health policies, such as the persistent use of fee-for-service reimbursement guidelines despite the benefits of value-based care. Dr. Holton also highlights the critical issue of workforce shortages, particularly the need for urologists within rural areas and the impact of healthcare policy on patient access. She ends the episode by emphasizing the necessity for urologists to participate in policy advocacy efforts.---SHOW NOTES00:00 - Introduction04:58 - The Impact and Complexities of Healthcare Policies07:27 - Success Stories in Healthcare Policy Advocacy12:37 - The Impact of Prior Authorization Rules14:27 - The Role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers in Healthcare21:18 - The Challenges of Value-Based Care32:48 - The Importance of Patient Access in Healthcare41:24 - The Importance of Advocacy in Health Policy---RESOURCESLUGPA websitehttps://www.lugpa.org/Episode 82: Advocacy Basics for the Urologist: From Your Clinic to Capitol Hill with Dr. Ruchika Talwarhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0hcLrKuf5QU7TZCHSErs4Z?si=f4d06ffe6cff4cc4

In this episode, Dr. Edward Schaeffer, chair of urology at Feinberg School of Medicine, discusses precision medicine in prostate cancer with Dr. Aditya Bagrodia.First, Dr. Schaeffer introduces the importance of using a defined screening strategy for prostate cancer that includes analyzing a patient’s genomic and germline risk. Then, he summarizes existing and new diagnostic tools for prostate cancer. Additionally, Dr. Schaeffer discusses genomic testing and PSMA testing and explains how he applies them to individual patient cases depending on their cancer stage and grade. Finally, the doctors highlight the ability of future tools, like PET PSMA scans, to advance precision medicine.---EARN CMEReflect on how this Podcast applies to your day-to-day and earn free AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs: https://earnc.me/3XO8iL---SHOW NOTES00:00 - Introduction10:32 - Precision Medicine and Prostate Cancer16:17 - Screening and Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer29:41 - Personalizing Surveillance and Disease Management33:11 - The Role of Genomic Testing in Prostate Cancer45:00 - The Use of PET PSMA Scans in Prostate Cancer Staging48:08 - The Future of Precision Medicine in Prostate Cancer

This week on BackTable Urology, Dr. Ben Chew, professor and clinical researcher with the University of British Columbia, provides valuable insights on laser treatments for kidney stones.First, Dr. Chew provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of laser treatment for kidney stones. Dr. Silva and Dr. Chew then discuss the unique characteristics of different laser types, such as the Holmium and the Thulium lasers. Dr. Chew also covers critical safety considerations, like maintaining low intravenous pressure, using cold irrigation, and taking breaks during sustained laser treatment. Additionally, they delve into emerging technology, such as the use of electromagnetic guidance, for more accurate laser application.---SHOW NOTES00:00 - Introduction06:49 - Choosing the Right Laser12:11 - Energy Settings for Lasers18:49 - Upper Tract Tumors and Lasers23:54 - Preventing Thermal Injuries During Laser Treatment27:03 - Dusting vs Fragmentation with Lasers34:27 - The Impact of New Technologies on Kidney Stone Treatment41:30 - Final Thoughts and Safety Recommendations

Dr. Stacy Loeb, Professor of Urology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, joins Dr. Aditya Bagrodia to discuss lifestyle medicine in prostate cancer prevention. They cover topics including the negative impacts of red and processed meat consumption, the importance of regular physical activity and healthy sleep, managing substance abuse, and the significance of maintaining social connections and managing stress effectively for preventative health.

Dr. C.J. Stimson and Dr. Ruchika Talwar from Vanderbilt University discuss the transformation in healthcare with corporations like Amazon and Walmart entering the industry. They highlight the shift from doctor-centric to consumer-centric care, innovations such as value-based arrangements, and the role of employers in healthcare. They also emphasize the importance of preserving the doctor-patient relationship amidst the changing landscape.

This week on BackTable Urology, urologic oncologist Dr. Bogdana Schmidt (University of Utah) hosts a discussion with medical oncology experts Dr. Rana McKay (UC San Diego) and Dr. Neeraj Agarwal (University of Utah) on recent clinical trials from bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer research presented at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Meeting.First, they discuss impactful data regarding bladder cancers, specifically the CheckMate 901 and the EV-302 trials which show improvement in overall survival and promise for urothelial carcinoma patients’ quality of life. The conversation moves onto kidney-specific trials such as the LITESPARK-005, which offers improved progression-free survival for patients through the use of belzutifan. The panel rounds off by discussing the progress made in prostate-specific trials with emphasis on the EMBARK and SPLASH trials involving Lutetium therapy. Finally, the doctors discuss the trend towards personalized treatment plans based on the unique goals and health requirements of the patients.---SHOW NOTES00:00 - Discussion on Urothelial Carcinoma: CheckMate 901 and EV-30211:22 - Discussion on Kidney Cancer: LITESPARK-00523:53 - Discussion on Prostate Cancer: EMBARK31:41 - Discussion on Prostate Cancer: SPLASH vs PSMA36:39 - Future Directions for Lutetium Therapy for Prostate Cancer37:50 - Closing Remarks and Future Expectations---RESOURCESCheckMate 901 Trial Investigators. Nivolumab plus Gemcitabine-Cisplatin in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma.https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2309863LBA6 EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39: Open-label, randomized phase III study of enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab (EV+P) vs chemotherapy (Chemo) in previously untreated locally advanced metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC).https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0923753423042709LBA88 Belzutifan versus everolimus in participants (pts) with previously treated advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): Randomized open-label phase III LITESPARK-005 study.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0923753423042345LBA02-09 EMBARK: A Phase 3 Randomized Study of Enzalutamide or Placebo Plus Leuprolide Acetate and Enzalutamide Monotherapy in High-risk Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37119051/177Lu-Labeled Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Radioligand Therapy of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Safety and Efficacy.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26795286/