Latest Videos Archives

The Bespoke Future of Cancer Care

Posted by Leonard G. Gomella, MD, FACS | Nov 2024

Leonard G. Gomella, MD, explores the concept of “bespoke” cancer care, emphasizing its personalized, patient-centered approach. Originally a British term referring to custom-made items, “bespoke” now highlights the customization of cancer treatments through precision medicine, pharmacogenomics, AI technologies, and individualized care plans.

In this 10-minute presentation, Dr. Gomella stresses that innovations in cancer care reflect the growing trend of leveraging AI to enhance screening efficiency and reduce reliance on traditional biopsy methods. He discusses how precision medicine increasingly enables oncologists to tailor treatment plans by analyzing genetic mutations and matching patients to the most promising therapies or clinical trials. The need to balance technological advancements with affordability and patient access is a central concern.

Bespoke care offers better outcomes and underscores the importance of informed decision-making, empowering patients to actively participate in their treatment journey.

Will Xenografts Take the Tragedy Out of Transplant

Posted by Michael S. Davis, MD, MBA, MHA, FACS | Nov 2024

Michael S. Davis, MD, MBA, MHA, FACS, examines the potential of renal xenografts to alleviate the organ shortage crisis in transplantation, focusing on developments in pig-to-human kidney transplants.

In this 27-minute presentation, Dr. Davis reviews the history of transplantation, tracing advancements from early animal experiments to the refinement of immunosuppressive therapies and gene editing techniques. He highlights the tragic aspects of current transplantation, noting the limited availability of donor organs. Davis presents recent studies, including preclinical trials at the University of Alabama and NYU, that demonstrated the feasibility of pig kidney transplants in brain-dead human decedents.

With an increasing number of patients awaiting kidney transplants—projected to surpass one million by 2030—the need for innovative solutions like xenotransplantation is urgent. While pig kidneys are favored, barriers such as xeno-antigenic rejection, protein incompatibility, and potential infectious disease transmission remain significant challenges.

Impact of Resident Unionization

Posted by Mathew Sorensen, MD, MS, FACS | Nov 2024

Mathew Sorensen, MD, MS, FACS, explores the increasing trend of resident unionization in the United States, providing a comprehensive analysis of its growth, drivers, and impact on graduate medical education.

In this 23-minute presentation, Sorensen explains that unionization has become a prominent issue, with approximately 20% of US medical residents now part of unions. The drivers for unionization extend beyond salary, encompassing benefits such as fertility services, paid parental leave, wellness funds, and campus housing. He cites examples like UCLA, where non-salary demands formed a significant part of the unionization efforts. Established organizations like the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) are pivotal in guiding programs through this process, leveraging their extensive experience.

Sorensen shares personal experience at the University of Washington. He acknowledges animosity can arise during contract years, with threats of strikes and coordinated actions among residents creating tension. He concludes that while unionization has led to notable improvements in resident compensation and benefits, it also introduces complexities in program management and expansion, necessitating careful navigation of collective bargaining dynamics.

Recurrent T1HG Bladder cancer after BCG: More Intravesical Therapy or Radical Cystectomy

Posted by Frances M. Alba, MD | Nov 2024

Frances M. Alba, MD, Associate Professor of Urology at the University of New Mexico, discusses the management of T1 high-grade bladder cancer, focusing on cases that recur following BCG therapy. In this 14-minute talk, Dr. Alba notes that continued BCG is seldom effective in these patients. Alba highlights the AUA guidelines, recommending cystectomy as the best chance to prevent disease progression, but shares additional treatment paths when not an option.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Posted by Kelly J. Casperson, MD | Nov 2024

Kelly J. Casperson, MD, emphasizes the essential role of vaginal estrogen in treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). In this 9-minute talk, she explains that many women are misdiagnosed or undertreated because physicians often lack education about menopause. Vaginal estrogen, an inexpensive and effective treatment, can address multiple symptoms, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), overactive bladder, and pain during intercourse, often misinterpreted as separate issues.

Casperson highlights how GSM affects not only sexual health but also urological function, with estrogen deficiency leading to significant anatomical changes such as urethral dysfunction and vaginal atrophy. She critiques outdated misconceptions and stresses the importance of proper hormone replacement therapy over antibiotics or invasive interventions for recurrent UTIs in postmenopausal women.

Furthermore, Casperson advocates for revisiting FDA guidelines on vaginal estrogen, noting the misleading and harmful warning labels that deter its use. She encourages physicians to integrate vaginal estrogen as a first-line treatment for many menopausal symptoms.