How to cite: Pavlovich CP. Panel Discussion Session 1: TechCon: AI and Novel Technologies in Prostate Cancer. Grand Rounds in Urology. February 2026. Accessed Mar 2026. https://grandroundsinurology.com/panel-discussion-session-1-techcon-ai-and-novel-technologies-in-prostate-cancer/
Summary
A multidisciplinary panel examines the adoption of focal therapy, surgical innovation, integration of artificial intelligence, and the evolving balance between evidence generation and clinical implementation in prostate cancer care.
The discussion begins with real-world experience in focal therapy, including cryotherapy, irreversible electroporation, and transurethral ultrasound ablation. Reimbursement structures, learning curves, office-based feasibility, and patient selection are emphasized. The debate centers on whether a single modality is superior, with consensus that the choice of technology depends on tumor characteristics, practice setting, and resource availability rather than on clear evidence of superiority.
The potential impact of focal therapy on robotic prostatectomy volumes is addressed. Panelists note differences in side effect profiles and patient preferences, while acknowledging the absence of definitive randomized comparisons across technologies.
The evidentiary threshold for adopting surgical tools is debated. Registry data and longitudinal complication tracking are contrasted with randomized trials.
Artificial intelligence discussion focuses on augmented decision support in imaging, pathology, workflow automation, and predictive modeling. Digital pathology and radiologic interpretation are early areas of impact. Concerns are raised about the inappropriate generation of manuscripts using artificial intelligence and the need for ethical oversight.
Future surgical automation, telesurgery, and robotics are discussed as evolving realities rather than distant possibilities. Artificial intelligence enables personalization beyond risk-group stratification toward predictive modeling of treatment response.
Patient perspectives are explored, including enthusiasm for innovation, skepticism toward automated treatment recommendations, and the importance of maintaining physician involvement in shared decision-making.
The panel stresses that technological disruption is continuous, and responsible adoption requires balancing innovation, evidence, safety, and patient values.
The International Prostate Cancer Update (IPCU), is a multi-day, CME-accredited conference focused on new developments in prostate cancer treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. IPCU 36 will feature lectures, interactive discussions, panel roundtables, debates, and case reports. This conference is led by expert physicians and is designed for urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
The goal of this educational program is to equip healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer with the up-to-date clinical knowledge and tools they need to best treat their patients. The program will discuss the treatment of prostate cancer from diagnosis to treating advanced and metastatic disease. The conference aims to give physicians exposure to a comprehensive review of treating prostate cancer patients and to give them a chance to discuss the issues with peers and experts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Christian P. Pavlovich, MD is a renowned urologist specializing in urologic oncology, focusing on prostate and kidney cancers. He is the Bernard L. Schwartz Distinguished Professor in Urologic Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and directs the Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance Program. Dr. Pavlovich is known for his expertise in minimally invasive and robotic surgeries, as well as his pioneering work in cancer detection and active surveillance strategies. He is dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality care to patients with urologic cancers.
David M. Albala, MD, is a Chief of Urology at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Albala is considered a national and international authority in laparoscopic and robotic urological surgery. His clinical interests include minimally invasive treatments for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), the use of fibrin sealants in surgery, and robotic urologic surgery.
Dr. Albala earned his medical degree at Michigan State University in East Lansing. He completed a residency in Surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He then completed a fellowship in Endourology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Under the direction of Ralph V. Clayman, Dr. Albala was part of the team that performed the first laparoscopic nephrectomy in humans.
Dr. Albala is a past White House Fellow (1995-1996), who acted as a special assistant to Federico Peña, Secretary of Transportation, on classified and unclassified public health related issues. He has been a visiting professor at numerous institutions across the United States as well as overseas in countries such as India, China, Iceland, Germany, France, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and Singapore. He has done operative demonstrations in over 32 countries and 23 states. Dr. Albala has over 215 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has authored 3 textbooks in endourology and 4 books in general urology. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Robotic Surgery and serves on the editorial board for Current Opinions in Urology, Reviews in Urology, and Urology Index and Reviews. In addition, he serves as a reviewer for 8 other surgical journals. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Large Urology Group Practice Association (LUGPA). Dr. Albala is also currently the Visiting Professor of Urology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, College of Medicine. Dr. Albala has been identified (by a Stanford University-led study) as one of the top 2% of scientists in the world.
