This year, the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) will host its 24th Annual Winter Meeting in December in Washington, DC. Since the organization’s first formal meeting in May 1984, the SUO has become the primary source of education, research collaboration, and community for urologic oncologists. For decades, leaders in the field have acknowledged the importance of distinguishing urologic oncology as a distinct subspecialty given the unique challenges faced by cancer patients and the tangible benefits of sharing data and experience across institutions. The discipline has grown from a small group of dedicated urologists to more than 1,000 urologic oncologists and trainees today. Despite these achievements, modern residency training and a favorable job market for general urologists may have some trainees contemplating the utility of additional time in training for this subspecialization. What’s in it for you?

The first SUO fellowships were formally recognized in 2000, at which point specific training objectives and an educational curriculum were developed, detailing a minimum of 2 years with 1 year dedicated to clinical training and 1 primarily research. Today, there are 37 accredited SUO fellowship programs. An annual self-assessment exam was initiated in 2007, the OKAT (Oncology Knowledge Assessment Test), and is taken yearly by fellows. The initiation of formal training and testing in urologic oncology is based on its multifaceted core and thus has always necessitated multidisciplinary care and collaboration. Fellows learn from and together with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pharmacists, palliative care specialists, and others. The urologic oncologist is often the first provider a patient facing a new cancer diagnosis encounters; it is critical that they are well-versed in coordinating the multifaceted care. Training infrastructure has largely remained unchanged (although this is an active topic of discussion), yet possible career paths following an SUO fellowship have evolved and can be uniquely tailored to an individual’s goals and interests.

While the historical perception of a urologic oncologist is a surgeon who only performs major, complex oncologic surgeries associated with long inpatient hospitalizations, a career in urologic oncology today can and often does look quite different. Some urologic oncologists choose to focus on minimally invasive or even ablative procedures while others are dedicated to the medical management of advanced urologic diseases, like castration-resistant prostate cancer. Still others focus on genomics or advanced imaging techniques. Through robust training, SUO fellows become experts in oncology, contributing to both the practice and advancement of the field. This robust, disease-focused knowledge base coupled with ongoing advances in technology allow SUO graduates the ability to tailor clinical practice in a manner that suits their preference and lifestyle, while pursuing varied interests in education, health policy, clinical trials, or industry.

The SUO has supported and sponsored its young members since its inception and as the community has evolved, younger voices are increasingly being heard and valued. The Young Urologic Oncologists (YUO) section was born in 2004 to further encourage and develop aspiring urologic oncologists and those in their early career. Today, the YUO has formal representation with a voting member on the SUO board of directors. The YUO gathers each year the night before the start of the SUO winter meeting to acknowledge research from YUO members, discuss timely issues surrounding career development and professionalism, and enjoy in a shared community. Recognizing a need, the YUO recently developed a virtual lecture series dedicated to education surrounding relevant clinical and nonclinical topics. These webinars are widely attended by fellows and residents from across the country.

The face of urologic oncology today looks different, too. Women urologic oncologists have long been gathering at SUO meetings to network and discuss topics unique to women in the field. As the number of women in the subspeciality has steadily grown, the SUO officially established the Women in Urologic Oncology in 2019 to acknowledge, support, and mentor urologic oncologists who are women. Further, during the SUO annual meeting, a special recognition is given in the form of the Women in Urologic Oncology Best Abstract Award. This prestigious accolade is awarded to a female trainee presenter, highlighting her outstanding work and contributions in the field.

Recent literature highlights the prevalence of burnout and lack of work-life equilibrium within urology. The opportunity to find value and meaning in work, while simultaneously feeling valued appears limited to some and the benefits of additional training are not always readily apparent. An SUO fellowship provides a deep understanding of urologic malignancy and specialized surgical training for complex and advanced oncologic patients, along with the tools for impactful research. Furthermore, in this dynamic field, there is an abundance of opportunity amidst a community of sponsors, mentors, collaborators, and friends—key ingredients for a satisfying and successful career.

Acknowledgments

This article was written on behalf of the Young Urologic Oncologists Executive Committee.