Contemporary Management of Prostate Cancer

UCLA 1 - Year Urologic Oncology Fellowship: Emphasis on Contemporary Management of Prostate Cancer 

Introduction

Our mission is to train thought leaders in urologic oncology, in a program emphasizing contemporary and future diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. The Fellow will gain advanced knowledge in imaging, targeted biopsy, and focal therapy as a part of a full urologic oncology program. Upon completion, the Fellow would take away the skills to initiate a similar program elsewhere.

Overview

The UCLA Department of Urology is pleased to offer a 1-year fellowship for a physician (graduate urologist preferred), who is interested in urologic oncology and advanced training in contemporary management of prostate cancer. The fellowship is a new component of the Institute of Urologic Oncology, within the Urology Department on the Westwood campus, and it is fully integrated with our 2-year SUO urologic oncology fellowship. CA licensure/eligibility a plus.

Program Details

In addition to a busy oncology operative experience, the Fellow would receive in-depth training in targeted prostate biopsy, MRI interpretation, focal therapy, and minimally-invasive interventions for prostate cancer. Participation in the HDR (high-dose rate) brachytherapy program at UCLA, the largest in the U.S., would also be included. Customization of time allocation is possible. The fellowship is supported by ongoing R01 awards from the National Cancer Institute, including our SPORE in Prostate Cancer.

Recent trends in targeting prostate tumors within the organ---from both a diagnostic and therapeutic standpoint---promise to change management of the disease in the near future. This program would provide the fellow a cutting-edge opportunity to become a leader in MRI-guided fusion biopsies, focal therapies, and Active Surveillance. The fellowship would emphasize the work pioneered at UCLA by Leonard S. Marks, MD.; opportunity for publication abounds.

A multi-disciplinary approach to focal management of prostate cancer has been pioneered at UCLA via cooperative efforts of the Departments of Urology, Radiology, Pathology, and Biomedical Engineering. A unique learning experience is assured via a large volume of clinical material and the multidisciplinary expertise available. The fellow would join a 15-person effort, from the four disciplines, working to bring prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment into the 21st century. The founding members of this team are shown here >

Collaboration with engineering scientists at the UCLA Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT) would also be available. In the CASIT lab, surgeons have an opportunity to interact with biomedical engineers dedicated to urologic research, laying the fundamentals for new clinical interventions. Targeted prostate biopsy at UCLA is integrated with biomedical engineering at CASIT. Having completed the Fellowship, the individual would possess the technical skills, clinical expertise, and varied contacts needed to build a program of his/her own.

At UCLA more than 1500 targeted / tracking biopsies have been performed, since inception of the program in 2009, making the UCLA program one of the largest in the world. An extensive online database has been built within the urology department, allowing the Fellow an opportunity to study and explore various aspects of targeted prostate biopsy, its role in active surveillance, and the correlations with whole mount prostatectomy specimens. A major multidisciplinary research effort in focal therapy is underway, following successful completion of pre-clinical work and a Phase I trial. 

Multi-parametric MRI is now performed at UCLA prior to most prostate biopsies; lesions are delineated by Dr. Margolis and his team; targeted biopsies are performed in a special procedure unit in Clark Urology Center where some 10,000 outpatient visits occur annually. Learning MRI interpretation will be part of the Fellowship.

A large clinical and research infrastructure, along with clerical and administrative help, is available in the UCLA Urology Department to support a Fellow’s independent projects. Fellows will be assigned office space in the new Wasserman building, which houses the urology department.

The Urology Department is an integral part of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the new Ronald Reagan Hospital, and the larger university. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. UCLA assures equal employment opportunity for individuals from historically underrepresented minorities and women, for persons with disabilities, and for covered veterans. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Application Procedure

Applications are now being accepted for a position to start July 2024.

Interested applicants should email application materials to [email protected] and [email protected]