The Amrita International CME and workshop on Uro-Oncology was organized at the Health Sciences campus during May 24 – 26, 2013. This three-day program was jointly conducted by the Division of Uro-Oncology, Department of Urology and Department of Medical and Radiation Oncology at Amrita in association with the Urological Association of Kerala and Kochi Uro Club.

Apart from Amrita faculty and those from other reputed national institutes, the workshop featured two internationally acclaimed uro-oncologists, Prof. Hassan Abol-Enein from Mansoura University, Egypt and Prof. Murugesan Manoharan from the University of Miami.

Around 250 delegates from various parts of the country attended.

Day 1 of the workshop included lecture series on four major urogenital tumors (prostate, kidney, bladder and penis) in two-hour sessions. The lectures elaborated on the surgical, chemotherapeutic and radiation aspects of the different tumors. Case discussions were featured in each session.

Delegates learned about the trend of prostate cancer and its treatment modalities. Pathology reporting and treatment of low-risk prostate cancer was also discussed.

The role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in advanced renal cell carcinoma was highlighted during the session on kidney cancer. Further, surgical aspects of small renal masses and inferior vena cava thrombus in renal cell carcinoma were discussed. Case discussions focused on renal tumors.

The bladder cancer session highlighted the care of the neobladder, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy as well as bladder preservation with the help of trimodality therapy.

Active discussions on lymph node management marked the session on penile cancer.

Day 2 of the workshop began with a video class by Prof. Hassan on his Mansoura Technique, which was also demonstrated in the afternoon, when he performed radical cystectomy aided by a serosa-lined pouch.

Another Day 2 highlight was a class on radical prostatectomy by Dr. Murugesan.

Day 3 included more surgical workshops including those for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, LESS radical nephrectomy and open radical prostatectomy. A new technology for narrow band image-guided trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor was demonstrated as also a technique of trans-rectal ultrasound guided biopsy.

A video symposium explained the use of robotics in urology.

Day 3 included surgical demonstrations of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, radical cystectomy with continent serosa lined pouch and a radical cystectomy using ileal conduit.

Among the Amrita faculty who led sessions, prominent were Prof. D. K. Vijayakumar, surgical oncologist and Dr. Ginil Kumar, uro-oncologist. The latter demonstrated open partial nephrectomy and also provided an overview of the Amrita experience with radical cystectomy and neobladder.

June 25, 2013
Health Sciences Campus, Kochi