Friendships and learning across borders: Reflections on the EAU-CUA Exchange Programme

Our first hospital visit was to the Jewish General Hospital under the guidance of Dr. Alexis Rompré-Brodeur (CA), where we saw a demonstration of micro-ultrasound MRI-fusion perineal prostate biopsy by Dr. Maurice Anidjar (CA) and his team. Some of the cases discussed were control biopsies following focal prostate ablation. 

Afterwards, we visited Dr. Lysanne Campeau`s (CA) laboratory facilities focussing on functional urology using different organoid models, then Dr. Wassim Kassouf’s (CA) laboratory at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre to focus on bladder cancer. It was spectacular for us to see all the different research platforms and facilities, especially 9T-MRI for animals.

The next day, we watched two surgeries at the Jewish General Hospital which included a Retzius-sparing transvesical robot-assisted radical prostatectomy performed by Dr. Victor McPherson (CA). This was a new approach for everybody, as well as the somatic-autonomic nerve graft for post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction using the ilio-inguinal nerve.

The day ended with a nice dinner with Dr. Kassouf and his team at the Terrasse William Gray followed by an exciting show of the Cirque de Soleil ECHO in the Old Port of Montreal.

The next morning, we travelled to Toronto, where we enjoyed watching the German soccer game against Côte d´Ivoire with all the fans. The day concluded with the cocktail reception followed by the dinner with Prof. Alexandre Zlotta (CA) and other guests. 

The following day, we went to the Niagara Falls then lunch at the Peller Estates Winery then the next day, we visited St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto where we observed a laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy, and a bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Thereafter, Dr. Farcas talked about the devices her laboratories were developing. Incidentally, one of her developments - a new uroflow-device - was presented at the CUA Meeting in Saskatoon.

Another highlight of our visit was the baseball game of the Blue Jays at the Toronto Stadium. None of us had ever seen such a match, we finally understood the game and enjoyed the outcome (the Blue Jays won!).

We visited Sunnybrook Hospital the next day under the guidance of Dr. Sender Herschorn (CA). We observed Dr. Laurence Klotz (CA) perform a transperineal micro-ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate. It was interesting to see that Dr. Klotz did not use any fusion technology. Afterwards, there was an exchange of presentations between the hospital faculty and our group. 

In the afternoon, we went to see the SickKids Hospital in Toronto under the guidance of Mr. Stephen Pennycooke (CA) and Prof. Michael Chua (CA). In the evening, we celebrated the completion of three fellowships at the University of Toronto during dinner.

Our last day in Toronto included a visit to the Mount Sinai Hospital, where Dr. Zlotta gave us a tour through the hospital including the observation of a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. This was followed by several interesting talks during a mini-symposium with presentations on ongoing research (i.e., spatial proteomics, AI, and prostate cancer).

Another highlight was the case-based discussions on the management of bladder cancer by Dr. Zlotta and Prof. Neil Fleshner’s (CA) team. It was interesting to see that the urologist and radiation oncologist were talking to the patient at the same time to provide a shared decision-making opportunity.

We travelled to Saskatoon, where Dr. Trustin Domes (CA) welcomed us. He showed us the impressive Canadian Light Source Tour at the Synchotron, which showed possibilities of applications in medicine. This was followed by a visit to Dr. Franco Vizeacoumar (CA) and his team at the University of Saskatchewan research facilities. He showed us the current development of organoids of cancer cells to define specific sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents.

In the afternoon, we watched the Virtual Health Hub under the leadership of Dr. Ivar Mendez (CA), who demonstrated how telemedicine and remote diagnostics with different tools (e.g., robotic arm for ultrasonography) could be used to provide medical care in distant parts of Canada. The day ended with a boat tour on the Saskatoon River.

The following day, we joined the rounds at St. Paul’s Hospital focussing on prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. It was interesting to see the activities launched by the hospital compared to the centralised activities in Europe (i.e., the certified Prostate Cancer Centres under the German Cancer Society).

Afterwards, we had a wonderful tour to the Indigenous Cultural Experience at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, where we learnt about the way of life of the Indigenous people and the way it is re-culturalized.

Then the CUA Meeting started with the President’s Dinner, where Prof. Maria Ribal (ES) became an honorary member of the CUA. 

Another noteworthy highlight for me was the opportunity to perform with Prof. Rassweiler’s band, Void, during their CUASF Fundraiser Concert.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the EAU and the CUA, as well as, to our hosts in Montreal, Toronto, and Saskatoon for their hospitality, scientific engagement, and friendship. We would also like to express our utmost appreciation of Ms. Nesterovsky, who took care of us throughout our journey.