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Directors:
Herbert Lepor, M.D.
Samir Taneja, M.D.
The goal of the Urologic Oncology Program is to aggressively treat and cure urologic cancers while maintaining the highest quality of life. Doctors Herbert Lepor and Samir Taneja have dedicated their careers to the treatment and research of urologic cancers. Since treating cancer often requires a multidisciplinary approach,they work closely with NYU’s medical and radiation oncologists to tailor treatment to each patient’s priorities and objectives. Cancers of the prostate, kidney, bladder and testis are the most common malignancies treated in the program.
PROSTATE CANCER
The most common cancer affecting men over 50 years of age.
Men from all over the world have been referred to Dr. Lepor for radical prostatectomy (complete removal of the prostate gland), the "gold standard" of treatment for localized prostate cancer. He has performed more than 2,000 radical prostatectomies. Recognized on many occasions among The Best Doctors in America*, Dr. Lepor performed 300 radical prostatectomies in 2001 alone,which is more per year than any other surgeon in America. He was also one of the key investigators involved in the development of the anatomic nerve-sparing retropubic prostatectomy. This surgery preserves sexual function and continence while curing prostate cancer by completely removing the malignancy. Dr. Lepor’s published results — in terms of retained continence, potency, operative complications, need for a blood transfusion and length of hospitalization — are among the best in the world. Dr. Taneja, also expert in nerve-sparing prostatectomy, utilizes other treatments for prostate cancer as well. These range from radiation seed implantation (brachytherapy) to freezing of the prostate (cryotherapy). He specializes in treating high-risk,recurrent,
or locally advanced prostate cancer with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and biologic therapies. His approaches are among the most innovative of their kind, focusing on integrating technological advances from the laboratory with conventional treatment options.
KIDNEY CANCER
Improving on its diagnosis and treatment is one of our highest priorities.
Dr. Taneja, a leader in the field of kidney cancer, has spent the past several years optimizing the treatment of kidney tumors. Along with the Department of Radiology, he has developed computerized, threedimensional imaging techniques for evaluating kidney masses and planning tumor surgery with greater accuracy.
A focus of the program is renal-sparing surgery in which a portion of the kidney containing the tumor is removed, rather than the entire organ. This approach is possible in the majority of patients with small kidney tumors.When removal of the entire kidney is indicated, Dr. Taneja joins efforts with Dr. Michael Stifelman, Director of Minimally Invasive Urology, to remove the kidney using advanced laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopic surgery eliminates the need for a large incision in the patient’s side and removal of a rib. Other benefits include decreased pain and trauma for the patient and a shorter recovery. For individuals with large or advanced tumors not eligible for laparoscopic treatment, Dr. Taneja utilizes a combined approach that calls upon his expertise in both complex renal surgery and tumor biology. In these cases, surgery is followed by biologic therapies in which the patient’s immune system is trained to destroy residual cancer cells.
BLADDER CANCER
A complex disease with many treatment options.
While the hope is that patients can avoid surgical removal of the bladder by preventing progression of the disease, treatment options for bladder cancer include local surgery, instilling medications directly into the bladder, chemotherapy and — sometimes — removal of the bladder. For men and women who require bladder removal, Dr. Taneja is a strong advocate of reconstructing the bladder from the small and large intestine, so that the patient does not have to wear a urinary collection bag and regains near normal urinary function. Dr. Taneja has been involved in the development of strategies for bladder cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and aggressive surgical treatment for those whose disease has become progressive. In conjunction with one of the country’s largest bladder cancer research programs at NYU Medical Center, he has focused on testing novel tumor markers for bladder cancer and new agents for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer.
ADVANCED GENITOURINARY CANCER
State-of-the-art treatment for patients with all stages of cancer.
Dr. Taneja oversees a multidisciplinary team dedicated to the development of new therapies and the optimal integration of existing therapies for advanced urologic cancer. This multidisciplinary approach includes collaboration between radiation therapists and medical oncologists, as well as basic research scientists. Patients with advanced prostate, bladder, kidney, and testis cancer are discussed by the treatment team. Together, they agree upon an optimal treatment plan using the specialized expertise of all disciplines. The group is nationally recognized for overseeing promising clinical trials, designed to test new therapies for treating urologic cancer. Close ties are maintained with the Department of Urology's renowned research scientists in order to ensure the new treatment strategies incorporate the most cutting-edge scientific advances in the field.
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