Siamak Daneshmand, MD

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

Siamak Daneshmand, MD, is Professor of Urology and Medicine (Oncology) with Clinical Scholar designation and serves as Director of Urologic Oncology, as well as the Urologic Oncology (SUO) Fellowship Director at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. His main clinical interests include bladder cancer, testicular cancer, and advanced kidney cancer. He is a leading authority in the management of complex germ cell tumors and nerve-sparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) following chemotherapy for advanced testicular cancer and is one of the highest volume surgeons for this disease in the country. His main research interests focus on the use of pathways to improve perioperative outcomes following radical cystectomy and post-chemo RPLND, use of serum and molecular markers and new technologies in diagnosis and management of bladder and testicular cancers, as well as functional outcomes following orthotopic urinary diversion. He serves on the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines panel for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, as well as the AUA guidelines panel for testicular cancer. He currently serves as the chair of bladder section of the Society of Urologic Oncology Clinical Trials Consortium (SUO-CTC), is on the scientific steering committee of several bladder cancer clinical trials, and has led over a dozen clinical trials in bladder cancer and a pivotal trial in testicular cancer (SEMS). He is currently secretary of the Western Section of the AUA. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and has been designated one of the “America’s Top Cancer Doctors” for the past 12 consecutive years. He has been a career leader in academic investigations in bladder cancer and germ cell tumors and was recently appointed as the chair of the SWOG Cancer Research Network local bladder committee. He has been a visiting professor at more than 25 institutions around the world. He has presented over 500 abstracts at scientific meetings and has authored over 375 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and book chapters.

Dr. Daneshmand earned his medical degree at the University of California, Davis, and completed his residency at the University of Southern California, followed by a two-year fellowship in Urologic Oncology at the University of Southern California’s Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Talks by Siamak Daneshmand, MD

Urine Biomarkers for the Detection of Urothelial Carcinoma

Posted by Siamak Daneshmand, MD | Jul 2021

Siamak Daneshmand, MD, Associate Professor of Urology and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Southern California discusses the ability of urinary markers to rule out bladder cancer and decrease the frequency of and need for cystoscopy and cytology. He goes over the limitations and adverse effects of cystoscopy and cytology before summarizing the findings of several studies looking at different urinary biomarkers for bladder cancer, including Cxbladder, Bladder EpiCheck, Bladder CARE™, and Decipher Bladder.

Industry Perspective: Panel Discussion on Cxbladder Genomic Urine Test for Bladder Cancer

Posted by Siamak Daneshmand, MD | May 2021

Siamak Daneshmand, MD, Associate Professor of Urology and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Southern California (USC), along with Anne Schuckman, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology at the USC, and Sima P. Porten MD, MPH, Associate Professor at the USC participated in a panel discussion on the Cxbladder Genomic Urine Test for Bladder Cancer at the 5th Annual International Bladder Cancer Update. Dr. Daneshmand reviews a research study that audited the clinical utility of the Cxbladder monitor assay and found that it accurately ruled out patients who did not have recurrent UC, enabling low risk patients to undergo cystoscopy at a longer-than-recommended interval, thereby reducing the cystoscopy burden by 39%. He then asks Drs. Porten and Schuckman questions about their experience with Cxbladder, leading the two to discuss ideal patient populations for Cxbladder, in-home sampling procedures, and situations wherein Cxbladder is most effective.

Updates in Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Posted by Siamak Daneshmand, MD | Sep 2020

Sia Daneshmand, MD, Associate Professor of Urology and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Southern California, describes the current landscape of muscle invasive bladder cancer treatment, highlighting developments in radical cystectomy and chemotherapy. He observes that while radical cystectomy has long been the gold standard, efforts are being made to preserve reproductive organs in female patients who have low-stage disease. Dr. Daneshmand also notes the significant number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy phase II trials currently underway. While studies examining adjuvant chemotherapy have shown promise, the limitations of these trials necessitate further research. Similarly, research comparing super-extended lymph node dissection (LND) with extended LND have yielded insignificant p-values, but absolute numbers demonstrate a positive upward survival trend over 5 years. Dr. Daneshmand concludes that additional clinical trials will reveal the optimal combination and sequencing of treatment options.

Controversies in Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Posted by Siamak Daneshmand, MD | Oct 2018

Siamak Daneshmand, MD, reports on recent controversies in treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) regarding chemotherapy options for reducing post-transurethral resection (TUR) recurrences and active surveillance for low-grade patients, as well as alternatives to cystectomy in high-grade patients.

Urinary Molecular Marker Tests in Bladder Cancer: An Overview of Cxbladder

Posted by Siamak Daneshmand, MD | Dec 2017

Sia Daneshmand, MD, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, gives an overview of...