Editor’s Note: In recent years, the incidence of urologic cancers in China has continued to rise, with prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers now among the most common malignancies nationwide—posing a serious threat to public health. For many years, the Department of Urologic Surgery at the National Cancer Center/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Cancer Hospital has been dedicated to advancing the diagnosis and treatment of urologic malignancies. With extensive experience in laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery and multidisciplinary oncologic care, the department has become a leading force in urologic oncology in China.
During the NCCU 2025 meeting, Oncology Frontier – UroStream invited Prof. Nianzeng Xing, Vice President of the National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, to share his expert insights.
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Oncology Frontier – UroStream** “Medical Frontiers Forum” is one of the highlights of this conference. In your opinion, what are the most exciting and potentially practice-changing trends in urologic oncology today?
Prof. Nianzeng Xing:
The “Medical Frontiers Forum,” organized by the editorial team of the Chinese Medical Journal, serves as an important platform for academic exchange and dialogue designed to keep pace with the latest medical advances. I’m delighted that this year the forum collaborated with the National Cancer Center Urology Annual Meeting to focus on one of the most dynamic areas—new concepts, methods, and technologies in urologic oncology.
This event brought together leading experts who shared innovative insights and breakthroughs in prostate cancer and other urologic tumors. Several key developments particularly impressed the audience:
• Cellular therapy: CAR-NK cell therapy has shown preliminary yet very encouraging results in prostate cancer, offering an exciting new direction for future exploration.
• “Biopsy-free” diagnostic strategies: For selected patients whose clinical presentation is already definitive, we may be able to skip repetitive invasive diagnostic procedures and proceed directly to surgery. This approach reduces patient discomfort and is gradually gaining acceptance among clinicians.
• Integrated management for oligometastatic disease: Combining surgery with radiotherapy for patients with limited metastatic burden (e.g., a few distant lesions) has opened new treatment opportunities and improved quality of life for this subgroup of prostate cancer patients.
• Advances in minimally invasive surgery: With the maturation of laparoscopic and robot-assisted techniques, along with improved surgical expertise, even complex kidney conditions can now be treated while preserving as much renal function as possible. The result is faster patient recovery and fewer postoperative complications. Importantly, such high-level procedures are now being performed not only in major medical centers but also in regional hospitals—truly benefiting the broader population.
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Oncology Frontier – UroStream** As a leading urologic surgeon, how do you view the roles of robotic surgery, laparoscopy, and emerging technologies (such as single-port laparoscopy and AI navigation) in the surgical management of urologic cancers? What new insights were presented in the live surgery sessions at this meeting?
Prof. Nianzeng Xing:
Urologic surgery has undergone a major transformation—from traditional open surgery to minimally invasive approaches. Procedures that once required large incisions and long recovery times have been replaced by laparoscopic and robot-assisted techniques that significantly reduce trauma and accelerate recovery. Even more encouraging is that these procedures are now widely performed not only in large academic hospitals but also in many regional centers across China, marking tremendous national progress.
Beyond conventional multiport laparoscopy, single-port laparoscopy and single-port robotic surgery are emerging and showing unique advantages in selected cases. However, “single-port” does not automatically mean “more minimally invasive,” nor is it suitable for every patient. Choosing the technique that best fits each individual’s condition remains the most important principle.
With the development of 5G communication, remote robot-assisted surgery for complex operations is becoming a reality—an area where China is already leading globally. This holds major significance for reducing regional disparities in healthcare access, enabling patients in remote areas to benefit from top-tier surgical expertise.
Looking ahead, artificial intelligence (AI) will play a key role in advancing urologic surgery, particularly in minimally invasive procedures. By integrating cutting-edge technologies into routine clinical workflows, we can further enhance surgical precision, safety, and efficiency—ultimately serving the needs of patients more effectively. In short, staying aligned with technological innovation and actively embracing new tools is essential for the continued progress of our discipline.
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Oncology Frontier – UroStream** This conference attracted many young physicians and researchers. As a leader in the field, what advice do you have for young clinicians seeking to grow and find their direction in this rapidly evolving area of urologic oncology?
Prof. Nianzeng Xing:
The development of young physicians is vital to the future of our field. In recent years, China’s young urologists have made remarkable strides, demonstrating outstanding capabilities both domestically and internationally. Their energy, diligence, and strong sense of responsibility make senior experts proud and optimistic.
Talent is one of the core drivers of medical progress, and we place great importance on cultivating the next generation. As surgical technologies evolve, traditional open procedures are gradually being replaced by minimally invasive techniques. Today’s trainees learn minimally invasive skills from the outset and have fewer opportunities to gain extensive experience in open surgery. This shift presents new challenges for training programs.
Senior experts have been exploring various approaches to better guide young physicians. Personally, I have developed a set of mnemonic verses summarizing the key steps of common urologic procedures to help beginners grasp complex techniques more easily.
With well-designed training systems and innovative teaching methods, I am confident that more outstanding young talents will emerge—injecting new vitality into the development of urology in China and around the world.
