2024 Report: Canadian Tour Academic Exchange Programme

The exchange tour began earlier for Dr. Dönmez, who visited his friend Dr. Luis Braga at McMaster University Children’s Hospital (ON) for an additional two days. During this time, they exchanged opinions on future studies. The team then gathered in Winnipeg, connecting through Toronto. Winnipeg, a city in the province of Manitoba, is centrally located in Canada and known for its cold weather, which can drop to -30°C during winter. In Winnipeg, we were warmly welcomed by Dr. Premal Patel and Dr. Jay Nayak. 

Manitoba 

We visited various sections of the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine and the Dept. of Urology. One of the most fascinating practices we encountered was conscious sedation for interventions such as ureterorenoscopy, initially adopted due to limited operating room hours—a prominent issue in Canada. We also visited the Dr. Ernest W. Ramsey Manitoba Prostate Cancer Centre to observe how this unique regional centre operates.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit the Manitoba Men’s Health Clinic, the only semi-private centre in the country still affiliated with the university. We observed numerous andrological procedures performed under local anaesthesia or sedation provided solely by the surgeons. That evening, we participated in a journal club dinner where two EAU team members presented their experiences on various topics. The following day, we visited the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a genuinely amazing place to observe the darker side of human history. Dinner that evening was organised in a pleasant suite, where the remaining two team members gave their presentations. The next morning, before flying to Edmonton, the residents of the Manitoba urology programme3 presented their research, including their latest study on the minimally invasive treatment of BPH. This was followed by one-on-one discussions between the EAU members and the residents on several subjects of interest. 

Edmonton 

Our next stop was Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, where we stayed at a downtown hotel near the famous Rogers Arena, home to the Edmonton Oilers hockey team. Edmonton, located along the North Saskatchewan River, has transportation as the cornerstone of its foundation and development. Today, it is a modern city with a relatively long history and a significant role in Canadian immigration. We received a warm welcome from Dr. Keith Rourke and Dr. Trevor Schuler, who hosted an excellent welcome dinner at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club, a 100-year-old club where the story of this sport in Canada began. During the dinner, we met several successful and gifted young academicians with whom we exchanged ideas in the field of prostate cancer imaging/diagnostics and more. We also discussed the differences in funding and project grants between Europe and Canada. 

The next two days were reserved for academic activities, starting with a visit to the Kipnes Urology Centre at the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, University of Alberta. We toured the outpatient facility as well as the stone and prostate cancer units. We were impressed to learn that these units, like many across Canada, were constructed with generous donations from wealthy benefactors. We were presented with information about prostate cancer imaging, biopsy, focal therapy, innovations in stent management, reconstructive surgery, and the robotic transplantation programme, recently initiated through collaboration between the University of Alberta and the ORSI academy in Belgium. The academic day concluded with our presentations on prostate and bladder cancer, paediatric urology, and further discussions with attending urologists and residents. Later that day, we toured the university campus and visited the archaeology museum, underlining the high cultural and scientific impact of the university. The evening ended with an unforgettable dinner at Fort Edmonton Park, a well-preserved Western neighbourhood where the first European settlement was established after turbulent relations with indigenous nations. 

On the final day in Edmonton, we participated in the weekly grand rounds, where a comprehensive resident presentation was delivered on the impact of blood transfusion in urological surgery. The day continued with the Elk Island bison tour on the Savannah, with an in-depth explanation of early Canadian history and the significance of the bison’s cult within. Notably, during dinner that evening, we witnessed the triumph of the Oilers in Game 6 of the National Hockey League final, followed by an eruption of emotions among fans and celebrations downtown, just outside the stadium. Vancouver Our journey then took us to Vancouver, a city on the Pacific Ocean renowned for its exceptional liveability, warm weather, and vast green spaces.

From a urological perspective, Vancouver is known as the home of the Vancouver Prostate Centre (VPC), affiliated with the University of British Columbia. The VPC is not only a reference point for uro-oncology but also for research and treatment of BPH, endourology, and transplant surgery. 

We had the opportunity to spot some whales close to the coast and explored the city and its surroundings in the most beautiful and ecological way possible: a bike tour. In the afternoon, we visited the University of British Columbia and the recently renovated Museum of Anthropology. 

The next day was entirely dedicated to visiting the VPC. We met with the faculty, along with residents and medical students, to share and present our experiences in paediatric renal transplantation, the treatment of lymph node metastases in patients with penile cancer, and experimental studies on potential new treatments for bladder cancer. This presentation session not only allowed us to exchange knowledge and advanced techniques but also facilitated a constructive dialogue on future collaborations between our institutions. After an hour of presentations, we toured the research centre accompanied by Dr. Peter Black, one of the world’s leading experts in uro-oncology. The visit provided us with a detailed overview of the current research projects at VPC, highlighting significant progress in molecular biology and the genetics of prostate cancer. We explored the laboratories where cutting-edge studies on biomarkers and new targeted therapies are being conducted, which could revolutionise prostate cancer treatment in the coming years. 

We also visited other sections of the VPC, including those dedicated to endourology and transplant surgery. Here, we were shown the integration between clinical research and surgical practice, a model that allows patients to quickly benefit from scientific innovations. Much of the original project and insights of the VPC were illustrated by past chair Dr. Larry Goldenberg, who described how the institution successfully created a synergy between various medical and scientific disciplines, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. 

An aspect particularly interesting for European urologists is the promising project of the Canadian Men’s Health Association, which aims to improve men's health through prevention programmes, early diagnosis, and treatment of urological diseases. This project not only represents a model of excellence in healthcare but could also serve as inspiration for the implementation of similar initiatives in Europe. 

The entire Vancouver group, led by chair Dr. Martin Gleave and Dr. Peter Black, proved to be extremely hospitable, conveying the passion and opportunities that a centre like the VPC can offer. Their ability to integrate pre-clinical, translational, and clinical research to the maximum extent makes the VPC a beacon of innovation in the global urological landscape. The visit reinforced our belief in the importance of international collaboration and knowledge exchange to advance the field of urology and improve patient care worldwide. 

Last stop - Victoria, BC 

After a short flight, the last stop of our intense tour was Victoria, BC, where the annual Canadian Urological Congress was to be held. We were welcomed by Dr. Nathan Hogg, who was the recipient of the CUA Award of Excellence in Education at the Canadian Urological Congress (CUA). The afternoon was spent resting at an astonishing sauna built on a ship at the harbour. At dinner, we met the Victoria crew who take care of urological patients in a dispersed area. We enjoyed a variety of fish dishes, a trademark of Canada’s west coast. 

Another highlight was salmon fishing with Dr. Iain McAuley, the most senior member of the team. Of note, you need to hold a fishing license in Canada for this activity. Although we didn’t catch any fish, we did catch many crabs. We also had the opportunity to wander around the city, before a barbecue at Dr. Hogg’s house with the whole team. 

CUA Congress 2024

Then it was time to attend the remarkable CUA Congress 2024. which included many hands-on courses, lectures, sessions on all subspecialties of urology, as well as networking events. During the congress, Dr. Malavaud gave his speech at the Allied Associations address. The last night of the congress was July 1st, Canada Day, which was celebrated with fireworks at the bay. In conclusion, we genuinely benefitted from the EAU-CUA Exchange Programme in many aspects. We believe this programme helped us build long-lasting bridges between Europe and Canada, which will ultimately be beneficial in improving overall urological care across the globe. Meanwhile, we would like to extend our gratitude to Tiffany Pizzioli, Natalia Nesterovsky, and Adriana Modica from the CUA for their excellent organisation.