Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Innovation: Advancing Bladder Cancer Care in Spain

The approach to bladder cancer has undergone a substantial change thanks to the arrival of new treatments that, in subtypes such as localized muscle-invasive and metastatic bladder cancer, have doubled overall survival. Now, with the arrival of these treatments in Spain, it is urgent to find solutions that guarantee access to these therapeutic alternatives and to propose a reorganization of healthcare systems to ensure that the best option is offered to each patient. And, in this context, multidisciplinary care is essential.

Thus, with the aim of combining the knowledge, experience and work of all the specialists involved to offer the best option to each patient from the moment of diagnosis of the disease, the ‘II Bladder Cancer Conference’ was held, one of the multidisciplinary meetings promoted by the Spanish Group of Genitourinary Oncology (Sogug) and endorsed by the Spanish Association of Urology (AEU), the Spanish Society of Pathological Anatomy (SEAP-IAP), the Spanish Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SEMNIM), the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology (SERAM), the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR).

Within the framework of the multidisciplinary meetings promoted by Sogug, the ‘2nd Bladder Cancer Conference’ highlighted the importance of collaboration between specialists in the management of this tumor

In the words of Dr. Aránzazu González del Alba , president of Sogug, “the group is deeply committed to multidisciplinary collaboration, in which each specialty must contribute its knowledge and the best professional experience with the common goal of improving outcomes for our patients.” Dr. Daniel Pérez Fentes, national coordinator of the Uro-Oncology Group of the Spanish Urology Association (AEU), also agreed with this idea, noting that “bladder cancer is a complex entity that requires a comprehensive and integrated approach in which all the specialties involved work with the patient at the center.”

In this regard, Dr. Fernando López Campos , president of URONCOR , the Urology Group of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology, highlighted the contribution of these multidisciplinary meetings since, in his words, “ we talked about personalization as the key axis of this event , with an approach that offers the best to each patient, paying attention to detail, which is what makes the difference; for this, this collaboration is essential.”

Bladder cancer has undergone a therapeutic revolution in recent years , with the arrival of new treatments that have doubled the overall survival rate in some stages of the disease . Therefore, experts emphasize working in a coordinated manner, ensuring that the pathways are prepared so that the healthcare system can integrate this innovation.

The arrival of new treatments has doubled the overall survival rate in some stages of the disease, requiring circuits to prepare to integrate this innovation.

Specifically, Dr. González del Alba emphasized that, given the arrival of these advances, which mark a turning point after two decades without progress in bladder cancer, it is urgent to work to ensure that these new options reach patients.

“Access to innovation is delayed in Spain compared to other countries, taking into account the European framework, and the fact that we have a system divided into autonomous communities further increases the delay,” explains the president of Sogug. In this regard, the scientific society is reaching out to the administration and competent authorities to accelerate the arrival of new treatments with proven benefits in healthcare practice.

“We hope that with the participation of scientific societies and the implementation of real-life studies such as the PRINCIS Study, which we are conducting at Sogug to assess the results of new indications in routine clinical practice, and with the input of patients, we can join forces to accelerate access to innovation without inequalities between territories ,” stated Dr. González del Alba.

Advances in bladder cancer

Dr. González del Alba explained that, although bladder cancer is not among the most common cancers, with approximately 20,000 new cases per year , it is highly prevalent, with tobacco and exposure to aromatic amines in the workplace being the main risk factors . Regarding its management, the expert noted that ” 70% of bladder cancer cases are diagnosed in the localized stage and are often not invasive tumors. However, they can develop into invasive disease that can metastasize, with a worse prognosis and fewer long-term cure options.”

At this point, the president of Sogug stated that ” advances in bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment over the last five years have been outstanding compared to other solid tumors, and it is important to make them visible to patients and society at large, highlighting therapeutic innovation and also emphasizing the importance of prevention.”

In the management of these malignancies, Dr. López Campos highlighted radiation oncology, noting that “the main international clinical guidelines justify bladder-sparing treatments in various patient groups , as there is increasing evidence.” He also added that “the implementation of technological innovations—in which we have been pioneers in recent years—has made it possible to offer more advanced, shorter, more precise, more effective, and less toxic treatments.”

Advances in medical and radiation oncology have marked a turning point in the management of different subtypes of bladder cancer

Finally, Dr. Pérez Fentes highlighted the arrival of innovation in subtypes such as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. “ Therapies such as intravesicals are arriving that improve BCG results , although challenges such as patient selection arise.”

Furthermore, he noted, “in muscle-invasive bladder cancer, we must work to reduce the incidence and improve surgical outcomes , since almost all departments have laparoscopic or robotic approaches that improve functional outcomes while maintaining oncological safety.” Finally, in disseminated disease , Dr. Pérez Fentes emphasized “the need for tumor committees to work collaboratively, making early referrals so that patients can begin treatment with the new therapies as soon as possible.”

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(Featured image by CDC via Unsplash)

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First published in iSanidad. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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