Editor’s Note:The 2025 Pujiang Uro-Oncology Academic Conference was successfully held in Shanghai on August 22–23, 2025. Centered on the theme “Precision Breakthroughs · Integrated Innovation · Optimized Continuum of Care,” the conference brought together numerous domestic and international experts to explore innovation in uro-oncology diagnosis and treatment, multidisciplinary collaboration (MDT), and translational research. Oncology Frontier – Urology Frontier interviewed Professor Wei Qiang of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, a member of the conference presidium, to discuss the highlights and driving impact of the event, as well as new advances in robotic surgery for urological tumors. Fostering Innovation and Empowering Young Clinicians Through Research
Oncology Frontier – Urology Frontier: As a member of the presidium, what key academic message do you believe this year’s Pujiang Uro-Oncology Conference aimed to convey? How does it address the pressing needs in China’s uro-oncology landscape?
Professor Wei Qiang: The defining feature of this year’s conference is its strong focus on innovation. Many renowned scholars presented talks centered on innovation in the main sessions and the panels I chaired — covering areas such as urothelial carcinoma and renal cancer. Across the spectrum from early diagnosis and treatment to surgical techniques, perioperative neoadjuvant therapy, and comprehensive treatment, Chinese scholars have made remarkable progress. We have seen new drug development, GCP-standard clinical trial projects, and investigator-initiated clinical studies flourishing simultaneously. The presence of Chinese researchers has become increasingly visible across the international uro-oncology field.
Oncology Frontier – Urology Frontier: How can clinical research in uro-oncology be further strengthened, particularly to help young doctors grow within the MDT framework?
Professor Wei Qiang: High-quality clinical research requires top-level design and strong teamwork to stay aligned with the latest developments. For young doctors in smaller hospitals, it’s difficult to achieve meaningful research outcomes alone. In larger centers like Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital, and West China Hospital of Sichuan University, young doctors have opportunities to participate in GCP projects or investigator-initiated studies and gradually develop into principal investigators (PIs). That’s the power of a strong team and institutional platform.At the same time, young doctors need to continually learn and keep up with cutting-edge research. Some become so focused on surgical techniques that they neglect scientific curiosity and innovation. Those who aspire to engage in research must strike a balance — refining surgical skills while actively following emerging trends to be ready to participate in clinical research at any time.
Embracing the Era of Robotic Surgery to Deliver Greater Patient Benefit
Oncology Frontier – Urology Frontier: Robotic surgery has become widely used in urologic oncology. How can surgeons achieve the best balance between negative surgical margins and functional preservation?
Professor Wei Qiang: This is a key concern for all surgeons. Whether operating on the kidney, bladder, or prostate, we often face the dilemma between complete tumor resection and preserving organ function. The first step is to define appropriate surgical indications based on tumor staging, grading, and imaging characteristics — for example, which renal tumors are suitable for nephron-sparing surgery and when nerve-sparing prostatectomy is feasible. Most guidelines already provide clear recommendations.However, when it comes to individual patients, decisions must be personalized. Guidelines are broad; clinical judgment is specific. Surgeons should discuss with patients to balance oncological control and functional preservation, considering age and individual treatment goals. Of course, surgeons must also strive for technical excellence to achieve both oncological safety and functional integrity.
Oncology Frontier – Urology Frontier: Minimally invasive surgery — especially robotic procedures — demands advanced technical skills and experience. What challenges must surgeons overcome to master these procedures, and how can young doctors be effectively trained?
Professor Wei Qiang: From the start of robotic surgery in China, surgeons have been required to obtain certification through accredited training centers. This involves classroom instruction, simulator training, and animal labs before gaining authorization to assist or perform robotic procedures. Obtaining certification is only the first step.In practice, mastering robotic surgery requires transitioning from open or laparoscopic experience. The key to overcoming the learning curve quickly is case volume. When a surgeon performs 30, 50, 100, or even 200 similar cases in a short period, the learning curve flattens noticeably. The best way to accelerate progress is to treat every surgery seriously, review each case afterward, analyze strengths and weaknesses, and continuously compare one’s own surgical videos with those of leading experts.
Oncology Frontier – Urology Frontier: At this year’s conference, there was a presentation on “Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for Hilar Tumors Based on TAPD Technique.” What are the advantages of TAPD in managing complex renal tumors compared to conventional methods?
Professor Wei Qiang: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic techniques have advanced rapidly in recent years, with increasingly broad clinical applications. For complex renal tumors, partial nephrectomy is often preferred for stage T1 disease, but the TNM system only classifies tumors by size, not location. That’s why many researchers are exploring modified techniques for difficult tumor locations.For example, Professor Xu Danfeng’s report discussed hilar and anterior vascular tumors — areas previously challenging for open or pure laparoscopic surgery. Robotic-assisted laparoscopy provides a clear, magnified view and enables precise dissection and suturing, greatly outperforming conventional laparoscopy in complex partial nephrectomies. It helps achieve negative surgical margins while maximizing renal function preservation and reducing warm ischemia time — resulting in better oncologic and functional outcomes for patients.
Oncology Frontier – Urology Frontier: What breakthroughs are still needed for robotic surgery to advance further in the field of uro-oncology?
Professor Wei Qiang: Currently, surgical robots mainly play an assistive role rather than performing autonomous surgery. However, autonomous operation is already under research. Academicians like Zhang Xu and Professor Ma Xin from the PLA General Hospital are exploring AI-powered autonomous renal suturing, which may soon become a reality.Another promising direction is remote robotic surgery. Given the uneven distribution of medical resources in China, where surgeons in top tertiary hospitals perform at much higher levels than those in smaller hospitals, remote surgery can extend high-quality surgical expertise to underserved regions. Under the leadership of Academician Zhang Xu, the incoming chairman of the Chinese Urological Association, I believe China will become a global leader in robotic-assisted remote surgery.
Professor Wei Qiang
West China Hospital, Sichuan University
