With EMUC26 set to take place in Brussels from 5-8 November 2026, genitourinary (GU) cancer experts highlight some of the sessions and topics featured in this year’s scientific programme, from theranostics for GU malignancies and advances in prostate cancer (PCa) care to the growing role of AI in GU oncology.
Theranostics for GU malignancies
Track leads for theranostics, Dr. Ken Herrmann (DE) and Assoc. Prof. Matteo Bauckneht (IT), outline the development of the theranostics programme and give an insight into what delegates can expect at EMUC26.
Herrmann and Bauckneht: “Theranostics plays an ever-increasing role in the care of patients with prostate cancer, but we are pleased that the theranostics track has now been expanded beyond prostate cancer to include other GU malignancies. Among the programme highlights is a session on PSMA (and beyond) practice-changing trials, a lecture ‘Radioligand Therapy in mHSPC: ready for prime time?’, a discussion on novel PET tracers in bladder cancer, and a dedicated hands-on training course on PSMA PET. This course will help ensure that the next generation of urologists develops the knowledge and skills needed to appreciate the value of PSMA imaging.”
Personalised treatment for PCa
Dr. Giorgio Gandaglia (IT) and Dr. Pasquale Rescigno (GB) will co-chair a plenary session on individualised treatment in advanced PCa, featuring considerations such as new imaging technologies, prior therapies, molecular biomarkers, patient factors and guidelines.
There will also be a plenary session on ‘Familial cancers: molecular diagnostics, management and follow-up’ featuring rapid-fire debate on primary screening for germline carriers and case-based panel discussions addressing whether all GU cancer patients should undergo germline testing and how to manage unexpected germline findings.
Later in the programme, the focus will turn to risk-adapted early detection and screening in PCa, with abstract presentations and rapid-fire debate on whether MRI-based screening should become the standard of care. The session will conclude with a panel discussion on the diagnosis and management of localised prostate cancer, bringing together current evidence and practical considerations for clinical decision-making.
AI: Clinical partner or complex distraction?
In the plenary session on AI in GU cancers, team lead and co-chair Dr. Pieter de Backer (BE) will share an update on the current status of AI in GU cancers. This will follow with two keynote presentations: ‘AI in the clinic and in literature review – What clinicians must know (and what they must never delegate)’; and ‘AI-supported imaging and pathology in GU cancers: Ready for prime-time?’. The session will also feature a clinical case to examine the real-world challenges of AI in prostate MRI, followed by a rapid-fire debate on the potential benefits and limitations of large language models (LLMs) in GU oncology.
Additional sessions taking place in conjunction with EMUC26
- The 90-minute Update Sessions will feature recent developments and emerging technologies via small-group discussions on clinical cases across prostate, bladder, renal, rare cancers and cancer survivorship, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with experts in an informal roundtable setting.
- The European Society of Uropathology – EAU Section of Urological Research (ESUP-ESUR) Symposium (Thursday 5 November, 13:30-16:30) features lectures on the current perspectives on adjuvant therapy after nephrectomy, advances in diagnosis of MIBC and the emerging role of biomarkers in GU pathology.
- The Young Urologists meeting (Thursday 5 November, 12:00-15:00) showcases the working groups shared research priorities and collaborative projects, as well as debates on high-risk localised PCa treatment options, and urothelial cancer (bladder preservation vs. radical cystectomy.)
- Two ESU Courses are on offer: ‘Personalised treatment sequencing in GU cancers’ and ‘Local treatment of the primary tumour in metastatic GU cancers.’
- The PIONEER+ Observational Study Workshop (Friday, 14:00-17:00) is hosted by UroEvidenceHub and PIONEER+ and will provide a practical introduction to planning, building and running observational studies, covering study protocols, observational cohorts and Shiny apps.
If you missed the first article on the EMUC26 scientific programme, you can read it here: Part 1: Inside the EMUC26 Scientific Programme.
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