EMUC23: A synergy of specialties Why MDTs are paramount to optimal patient care
2-5 November 2023 Marseille, France
Case Discussions, will be more data-driven, infused with robust statistics, and delivered in an improved structured format. To enrich the EMUC23 experience, the exhibition will also be a must-visit element of the congress showcasing innovations in equipment, scientific publishing, and pharmaceuticals. EMUC23 and nuclear medicine Prof. Daniela Oprea-Lager (NL) stated that attending EMUC23 will not only be beneficial to her fellow nuclear medicine physicians, but to other healthcare professionals as well. “The congress will deliver novel developments from the preclinical to the clinical levels of interest. EMUC23 will be a platform where various perspectives are offered and topics on imaging are adequately integrated during the patient case discussions. Experts from diverse fields will brainstorm and deliberate to improve clinical practice and to avoid futile treatments in categories of patients who might not respond to therapy.” Prof. Oprea-Lager shared that her favourite EMUC sessions are the Multidisciplinary Case Discussions and Game Changing
Throughout the years, the European Multidisciplinary Congress on Urological Cancers (EMUC) has garnered a loyal following and a steady growth in popularity. At the core of the congress is the EMUC constant and fundamental: the synergy of specialties. As always, the scientific programme of the upcoming 15th edition (EMUC23) will reflect the interdisciplinary approach in the treatment of genitourinary (GU) cancers but will have new features. This article offers information on the latter, the value of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), and viewpoints from some of the distinguished members of the EMUC Steering and Scientific Committees. New and improved programme To further solidify the multidisciplinary nature of the congress, the meeting of EAU Section of Urological Imaging will merge with the congress. Crucial updates such as the latest evidence in imaging trials and their clinical implications; unmet needs in uro-oncology imaging; other imaging modalities, and more, will kickstart EMUC23 on 2 November 2023.
EMUC panels always embody a collaboration of disciplines
metastatic patterns of urological cancers, pitfalls, and final image interpretation. Once we have these, we can adequately stage/re-stage patients and plan the optimal treatment in dialogue with the clinicians in the MDT and with the patient.” 4. Adequately select and identify the ideal candidates (i.e. patient categories that may benefit from the proposed treatment) “Patient selection and response evaluation criteria based on harmonised, repeatable protocols, and adequately performed scans are some of the most challenging tasks of the new-generation imaging doctors.” Solving dilemmas together According to Prof. Oprea-Lager, MDT has been implemented in the Netherlands for more than 10 years. However, the presence of radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians in the MDT is a novel element. She explained, “It all began with the need to have all key specialties present in the multidisciplinary process of diagnosis and treatment of patients with urological cancers. Nowadays, the specialist diversity is a matter of shared decisions and best-practices approach within the large uro-oncology domain. We are not competing with other disciplines; we try to solve dilemmas together, and
Role in the MDT “With the implementation of next-generation imaging and the theragnostic concept in clinical practice, the tasks of the imaging doctor became complex. We see what we treat and we treat what we see, but the aims are to position the patient centrally and to act from an individualised perspective,” she said. According to Prof. Oprea-Lager, this is how to carry out these aims: 1. S peak the same language with clinical partners “Imaging doctors, nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists, need to have the knowledge and high level of expertise to function as equal discussion partners.” 2. Identify the gaps in daily practice “Push the limitations and innovate towards answering clinical needs by using imaging tools.” 3. Be aware of the consequences of “seeing more and treating more” “Nowadays when we see more, we may upstage/ downstage disease and change the initially proposed treatment plan for a still unknown survival benefit. However, the nuclear medicine physician has to possess a good understanding of all factors related to disease history, current medical status,
In addition, one of the most popular features of the scientific programme, the Multidisciplinary
sessions, where interdisciplinary
collaboration will be at its pinnacle. She said, “Generally, there are various possibilities when treating certain patients. The key is selecting the most appropriate approach, capitalising the benefit, and minimising the adverse effects and costs.”
Meet some of the EMUC23 committee members (L to R): Dr. Elena Castro, Prof. Daniela Oprea-Lager, and Prof. Arnulf Stenzl
Table of Contents
European Urology Today June/July 2023
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